For example, I'm not afraid to try new things on a menu and I even once changed the standard toppings on a pizza. It was a risk but it worked out well.
Then there was the time that I left the house without actually checking that I had closed all of the windows and turned off the gas. Living in the edge that one.
Yes, if ever a challenge presents itself, I'm usually first in the queue to sign up and tackle it straight on. As long as success is guaranteed of course. And I have someone with me in case things get a bit sticky.
The exception to that rule is holidays. I like a nice adventurous holiday as much as the next person as long as there is no unpredictable danger. Canoing down a river for three days? Count me in. Hiking in the alps? Sure thing. Mountaineering in the Scottish mountains in winter? Where do I sign. Adventurous stuff, I'm sure you'll agree, but the risks as easy to identify and deal with.
With all of this experience you may be a little surprised to hear that I am more than a bit worried about our choice of destination for the Christmas holidays this year. In a couple of hours we will be heading off to South America. Let me repeat that. South. America. Yup, in a little over 11 hours we will touch down in Chile and then transfer to a flight to take us to Ecuador. For a Northern European, this is so far out of my comfort zone that no amount of blankets and alcohol is going to get me back to a safe place.l, mentally speaking that is. I could only been less comfortable if I'd decide to stick forks in my thighs for the duration of the trip.
I blame TV. For a kid from Northern Europe growing up in the 70s, the main source of knowledge about the big world was beamed into a little box in the corner of the room. And as any telly addict will tell you, the box never lied and everything was taken at face value. So it is no surprise that my knowledge of South America is somewhat limited and more than a bit skewed.
When I think about that continent I can't help but get it mixed up with the portrayal of characters from cop shows and bad B-movies. They were never friendly, usually untrustworthy and the source of the malaise of the main character who was, of course, morally upstanding and the righter of wrongs. Or am I thinking about Mexico? My geography is a bit sketchy.
The only other image I have when thinking about our current destination is of course football. Or soccer if you prefer. And boy do they like their soccer in South America. Again, after the hand of Maradona especially, they're not to be trusted and certainly don't play football with a straight bat. Or maybe it's because they are much better than us?
Yes I totally realise that this somewhat blinkered view makes me ever so slightly rascist. It can't be helped. Like I say, I blame television. But at least I recognise it and surely that is the first step to redemption? If I get one thing out of this trip, other than to see some real life blue-footed boobies, is the realignment of my prejudices then it will have been a success. And one worth making.
Right, enough of this banter, check-in is open. Blue-footed boobies here I come.......
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