Day 2

Saturday 25^th July 2015

Today we spent most of our time in the air flying to Japan. We stopped off in Seoul, South Korea for around 2 or 3 hours so it was just enough time to have a wander around the huge airport. Before we went off around the airport we took the first, of many to come I’m sure, BeKeHaBu unit photos. After having a wander around we met up with our leaders in the relaxing lounge area, where there was reclining chairs for you to nap in and massage chairs which were very popular with my unit. There was also free Wi-Fi which for some reason seemed very over loaded, I’m sure my unit had nothing to do with that aha. We eventually made our way to the boarding gate to find out our plane was delayed again! Argh! However, it ended up only being delayed by half an hour or so. We were soon in the air again.

After another interesting Korean plane meal and a 2-and-a-half-hour plane flight, we finally landed in the land of the rising sun and many adventures for our unit and all the other scouts who would be there for the World Scout Jamboree.

As we arrived late in the evening by the time we had got to the place we we’re staying, which just so happened to be the National Olympics Memorial Youth Centre, we were all exhausted. Luckily the Youth Centre was only an hour away from the airport. On the bus journey, we got out the BeKeHaBu playlist and sang along to some of the songs we had all chosen together. Tokyo was quite cool when we arrived so we did not expect the following day to be that much dramatically warmer. We would be mistaken… very mistaken.

Before we left the airport, the toilet was something on everyone’s mind. There’s only a certain amount of times you can use the airplane loo. Now we all knew that we would have to be open minded about experiencing new things… but… having to use a squat toilet less than 5 minutes after arriving in Japan took us all by a bit of surprise (Personally I actually preferred them by the end of the trip as they seem more hygienic).

After the hour journey to the Youth Hostel, we stood around for a while whilst our leaders sorted out the room. The temperature was quite warm so we didn’t really mind but we were all very tired and in need of a shower. This brings me onto another Japanese custom we were thrown into straight away. Once we had all found our rooms, my friend Mimi and I decided to have a shower. We were not expecting all the showers in the hostel to be communal… or for swimwear to be prohibited in them. Being pretty close we thought what the heck and got on with it and honestly it’s really not as bad as you think it would be.

After an eventful shower, we all hit the deck and dreamt of the amazing adventures that would await us tomorrow.

Day 1

Today is the day. Yes, the day! The day that I have been waiting for the past year and a bit. Today I leave my family and the UK behind and start an 18-day adventure that will change my life. What’s the name of this adventure I’m going on you ask? The 23^rd World Scout Jamboree!!!

Friday 24^th August 2015

The time has come… 2pm on the dot. I nagged my parents to hurry up and help me put my stuff in the car. Excited is an understatement of what I was feeling then. Exuberant… nope still not high enough. The drive to the scout hut near Heathrow seemed to go on for miles. Each minute feeling like an hour. To pass the time and to get even more into the mood (if that was even possible) I played the BeKeHaBu music playlist, and sang along, knowing that by the end of my journey these songs would haunt me forever. Finally, we pull up in the car park. I jumped out the car and ran to the hut being greeted by 5 maybe 6 people. Why is no-one here yet! I thought. I returned to the car to help my mum and dad take my bags in. None of my four close girlfriends were at the hut yet so I signed in with my leaders and received my Jamboree wristband which had the “If you get lost show this to someone and hope they help you” information printed on. Slowly more and more of unit began to arrive. The first of my tent to arrive was me, then Anna a while later. Anna had not been to many practised camps and most of us wondered if she would appear at all, but I knew that she would not want to pass up this opportunity of a lifetime and I was right. Hannah another girl in my tent, the one whom I was closest too is from Kent, and the Kent lot were meeting us straight at the airport so I was eager to leave asap! The plan to leave at a designated time was quickly demolished when Olivia, the final member of my tent turned out to be stuck in traffic. Just as this news appeared the mini-busses arrived to take us to the airport. I quickly relayed the Olivia situation to the leaders and full panic erupted!!! Just joking I told Olivia to meet us at the airport, however it was quicker for her to meet us at the hut so a bit later she arrived. Literally just as we were about to leave the scout hut. Phew *imagine wiping sweat from forehead*. Off to the airport!

When we arrived at the airport, we were greeted by members of the UK contingent and I guy I had previously met on my Scouts Speak Up Course earlier that year. I had a quick chat with him whilst my unit waited for the Kent lot to arrive and he then spoke to a couple of the other members of my unit. Once the Kent lot arrived we quickly made a formation with our luggage trolleys and had our first group photo of the trip taken. Then we were off into the airport. Woo!

We used the self-service check-in machines instead of overloading the queue for the desk. This quickly turned into a never ending sea of questions such as “What is the flight number?”, “How do I get my ticket?” and the dreaded… “Where is my passport?”. Luckily everyone managed to remember their passport and not lose them on the trip I’m glad to say. After agreeing a meeting place and having another of many to come group photos we ensured we had something to eat before the flight.

Our flight to Japan was split into two sections. First a gruelling 11-hour flight to Seoul, South Korea and then a mere 2-and-a-half-hour flight to Narita, Japan. The flight was supposed to depart at 9pm however by 9:30pm we still hadn’t even moved from the terminal. Raaaaaaaaa! Of course I’m probably not the only person annoyed by this as I am sure the other passengers on the plane were less than amused to spend an extra hour with an excited group of teenagers when the flight itself is a cruel 11 hours long. Of course being scouts our unit was well behaved and respected the other passengers by not being… too loud.

Due to the timing of the flight it worked out well that we slept for first half of the flight as we would arrive in Seoul at roughly 4pm the next day. An interesting moment on the plane was when choosing between the Korean or Western option of food on the menu, really there was no option as they had run out of Western meals. But I was willing to throw myself into trying new things as that is what I would be doing for the next 18 days. Admittedly the aeroplane food was very nice: I ended up preferring the Korean meals over the Western anyway. At around 10pm we finally took off and soon we were fast asleep dreaming of the adventure that lies ahead of us.

Korea!!!

HWell so far I've eaten 2 airplane meals, watch half of two movies, written a blog post for my unit and met a French Unit when getting through security in Seoul! Sadly they didn't have any badges to swap with my but I'm sure I'll find someone else to swap with. Here are some pics of my journey so far.

Where Has The Time Gone!?

Happy New Year!!! (I know that's way over due) I cannot believe November was the last time I posted! Oh dear oh dear oh dear! I'm so sorry but I've been extraordinarily busy with school work and finishing off fundraising.

So to up date you guys, I've managed to complete my fundraising to cover the cost of my journey to the World Scout Jamboree (just over £2,000). So now I am trying to gather some money to buy some equipment for myself and my unit, but more on that later.

In December my unit had a meeting where we learnt some Japanese and gave each other our secret Santa presents. I gave Ed a chocolate Santa, which said Merry Christmas Ed and I received light up Santa earrings. We also ran a fundraising stall at a local school fete to raise money for our unit. Here are some photo's from the weekend!

 

 

More recently our unit had a weekend where we focused on working in our patrols which we will be in for the actual Jamboree, exciting! We went dragon boating at Longridge (my local water activity centre) which was great fun! Instead of talking for ages about what we did here are some photos to sum up the weekend.

 

 

 

One of the most hard but cool things we did over the weekend was write the name of our unit 'BeKeHaBu' with lights. This took more attempts than I can remember but the final result is amazing!!!

The weekend was great fun and our next one is a monopoly run in April, which should be great fun.

Now as I mentioned earlier, I have finished my fundraising to pay for the set cost of the Jamboree, however there is still some equipment I would like to buy not only to benefit myself but my Jamboree unit too. One major thing that could be quite difficult to do in the middle of a Jamboree site is washing clothes. When researching this, I came across a magnificent invention called a Scrubba bag. This bag is especially designed to be light weight and wash your clothes to a washing machine quality. Instead of explaining here's a video on what its about and what is does.

I have set up a GoFundMe page to try and raise funds to buy one of these bags for my once in a life time trip. If you have any money you could possibly donate at the top right of my page there is a GoFundMe button. Any donations are welcomed whether its 1p or £5 every donation helps.

Keep your eyes open for more posts and feel free to drop a comment below or ask me any questions.

News! News! News!

So I believe that the last I blogged was September!!! And in that gap a whole lot of fun stuff has happened. My unit had out second training weekend at Gilwell Scout Activity Centre which is  the HQ for scouting across the UK. There we prepared for the Jamboree and took part in the JOTI/JOTA event. For more information go here: http://jotajoti.info/ and we released our first unit newsletter!

Since it has been a while since the second training weekend and I did a review of it in the newspaper I am not going to a whole post on it as the newsletter is much more exciting. PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! Read it. You won't be disappointed!

Get it here at:

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/#folders/0Bxp4p8V3wJzeVWhGQ2ZTdXN0OUU/0Bxp4p8V3wJzeWXVyVjJTbm95c00/0Bxp4p8V3wJzeQWhjUUcwYXY0QWs

Also please check out my other blog for my BeKeHaBu books which is explained on this blog:

http://bekehabuadventure.blogspot.co.uk/

I know this post has been a bit of an advertisement but your  views give me motivation to keep on going and show that people care about what us scouts do.

Thanks and the next post will probably be after my next training weekend in early December!

Interviews, Interviews and Interview!!!

Hello everyone!!! Scouty people, non-scouty people, tall people, short people, brunette people, blonde people, anybody at all!!!

Random Quote of the Post

"At a time when efforts are being made to eradicate discrimination between the sexes in the search for social equality and justice, the differences between the sexes are being rediscovered."

~ Carol Gilligan

Too often am I being asked "Why are you a scout... you're a girl!" Let me say one thing. Girls can be adventurous too! I would say I was a tomboy and still  partly am now. I'm sorry I don't like sitting at home spending hours doing my make-up and hair wanting to look pretty for boys. But I'd much rather be on a camp, getting down and dirty with nature. That's my nature. I love going camping. The idea of lying in tent and the possibility of being anywhere in the world beckons to me. Going climbing, caving, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, sailing, rafting excites me. I'm sorry if you do not think that a girl can do those things but we CAN. And we WILL. 

The reason I'm saying all this is because it has been brought to my attention recently that people still question why girls can be scouts. Scouting has evolved and we must accept that girls being allowed to join is part of the evolution. Feel free to leave your view on scouting and how its evolved in the comments section below.

Now back to the main story...

The Main Story XD

So this week end I attended a Scouts Speak Up course at Youlbury scout camp near Oxford. We were given the chance to learn how to speak to the media and grabbed the first place straight away.

3 people from my unit went (Me, Alex and Ollie) and it was great fun.

We rocked up Saturday morning reading and rearing to go. And as you expected as soon as all the scouts saw each other... AWKWARDNESS. However soon we were all chatting and asking "What unit are you from?" and "Can I see your badge?" 

We then pitched out tents, got our work packs and gathered inside the main building. We then watched a short video and a presentation on the Jamboree.

Then the fun began!

We were split into folder colour groups. (Blues were obviously the best aha). Our mentor was Jon who has previously been staff for the World Scout Jamboree, so he had lots of helpful advice for us.

Team Jon!!!

Our first practice interview was a radio interview and guess who got picked to go first?

If you guess me then... you right.

At first I was quite nervous however once Stuart, another leader, started talking I relaxed and started talking. Now, I'm a talk-a-tive person and I found it hard to talk for the whole interview. However after watching a few other people's one's I quickly got my self a list of helpful hints to improve my interview and answers. The biggest piece of advice of the weekend... SMILE!!! You' be amazed how a smile can really make a interview so much better. 

Try recording you self answering what you favourite outdoor activity is without smiling and then smiling. It's mind blowing.

We then had a delicious lunch and went on to newspaper interviews.

Here we sat back to back with another leader, who works in Public Relations, and had a conversation like we were on the phone. This was completely different to  radio interview but I preferred this method. We had to try and get the necessary information and detail across to her without blabbing on for ages. I believe I did fairly well but I needed to explain my personal experiences in more detail and link it to other activities such as WSJ. It was great fun!

We also did presentations that day to our groups which we had prepared before the camp and got feedback on them.

On Saturday evening we played wide-game Cluedo and made S'mores by the camp fire.

The next day we woke up bright and early for a 8.30 start.

That morning we first did some TV interviews. Embarrassing doesn't even cover it aha. We had significantly improved from the previous day by taking on and using the tips we were given. Watching back the interview really helped to improve our techniques and seeing were we could change what we said to make the interview even better.

After lunch, we did our final presentation in our units. Ollie, Alex and I managed to keep under our 2 minutes time limit and manage to get all the information across  that we wanted to. Sadly this was our last training activity at the camp.

We all came together for a final talk, whilst switching contact details in our booklets. We took our tents down and said goodbye to the new friends we had made. It was sad to think we may not see them again. (Trying to find them amongst 30,000 other scouts at the Jamboree may be a bit hard!)

The weekend was a great eye opener as I never realised how hard interviews were. I want to thank all the leaders who helped us as they were amazing. There tips were very helpful and I hope to pass them on to people in my unit.

I will also soon be attending another Unit Training Weekend in October so keep a look out for that post. Please, please, please! Pass the word around of my blog as it help to promote information the Scouting Association and the World Scout Jamboree. 

For more information check out my Get Involved Page. Thanks!!!

1, 2, Cha Cha Cha, 3, 4, Cha Cha Cha!

    So I apologise for not posting on Monday but I have been crazy busy all week because I am currently doing Grease the musical at my local theatre and have had rehearsals every night this week!!!
Tiring? Yes... very!

    So I am currently working on the page about the book 'A Geek in Japan' which I promised you earlier in my blog.
    Sorry for the short post today but after this week I have finished school and my show so should keep this up to date on the right day but I make no promises.

    Thanks for the support, and keep checking for more posts!!!

First Official Meeting Woo!!!

        Heyy guys I know I was going to do two posts last week because it was quite eventful, but got caught up with revision and Grease rehearsals. So thought I'd save all the info for this weeks blog. Please don't be annoyed lots of info to come in this post!

        So last Wednesday I went to my first Jamboree meeting. Unfortunately it wasn't my whole unit it was just the Buckinghamshire branch because the Kent lot haven't confirmed everything yet. I don't know all the details but yeah it was something to do with that. And for the record it was soooo good!!!
        At first it was a bit awkward, but it always is when you meet a group of random people for the first time, when we were all waiting for the leaders to set up there equipment. Then after them setting the big projector up and the screen someone had forgotten the lead that connects the laptop to the projector.
        So once introductions were said we watched the official 2015 Jamboree video. And like em you may be confused as how they have footage of the campsite with people dresses in Jamboree gear already. It turns out they had a pre-23WSJ. So the video is below:

        So I hope you like the video that's the short 1 min version but you can watch the full one and read the bulletins at World Scout Jamboree Info Page Thingy I don't really know what to call it because it's not the main page so I don't know.

        So after we found out some cool info about our leaders it was out turn... Dun... Dun... DUN!!! At first no one wanted to go first but then my friend Mathew offered to go first because we sat at the front of the group. As I said in my previous post we had to answer certain questions about ourselves so I went second and then everyone else did there. It was so nice everyone clapped when you got up and when you finished. It was just a really friendly atmosphere between everyone.

        So we found out that our leader Ian works for McVities which is kinda cool. So maybe they'll sponsor us some biscuits for when we go to Japan as I know the food out there can be quite limited.

        So one of the things we found out is what the weather is supposed to be like. Bearing in mind when my family and I go on holiday, lets say to Spain, I sit under a umbrella all day so I don't get heat stroke and the average there is mid twenties in July/August time. In Japan it is inbetween 30 and 40 degrees Celsius and the humidity is something like 80%. Basically I'm going to die of heat stroke. Yay. No I should be okay because were given like two hats and a towel you soak in water and put on your neck to keep you cool.

        Once we had found out all the info that the leaders had I asked if I could get a picture with everyone so here is that amazing picture. Check out those flags our leaders were prepared.

Bucks Section Of Unit 75

        So one of the other things that I've heard rumors about is something the Japanese do called public bathing. It's not as weird as it sounds but it will obviously be strange to us because we don't do it as a tradition.

        So it's pretty self explanatory. The places you go to do so are called Onsens. You are separated into sexes and you bath with the people around you. It's just like going to the spa I guess. You take your clothes off and cover your privates with a small cloth. In the first room there will be a stool and a small shower on the wall. Here you clean yourself. Some Onsens provide towels and soap but some do not. You should always bring your own just in case. You must make sure all of the soap and suds are washed off your body before getting into the bath. The baths are not for washing they are for bathing only. Here is a diagram which breaks it down for those who are unfamiliar with the custom.

So all I'm going to say is when you go to Japan you need to be open minded. Just thought I'd let you know as well it is perfectly hygienic. I have done a bit of research into it to reassure myself about taking part in it as we were informed to expect to have to take part at least once. But like I said. I'm being open minded and will have a go.

        So after a great evening everyone left feeling buzzed about the next meeting which is on the 31st of May. Again this is just the Bucks lot but hopefully we'll all be meeting up soon.

        Thanks for reading this guys please leave a little message even if it's just saying hi. I know this has been a long post but I had a lot of info for you guys. See you soon.

Mud! Mud & More Mud

    Hey guys! So this post is going to be kinda short because I've had a crazy busy day. Went to my motocross meeting on Saturday and only got home about 2 hours ago. In that time I've gone to pick up the Chinese takeaway, had a shower and am now writing this post. And yes I am very tired! But I promised a post so I will do a shortish one now and another one later in the week to make it up to you   . So here we go!

    So I'm looking forward to this meeting/ introduction to the people from the surrounding county this Wednesday. I can't wait I meet some of he people I will e spending nearly 3 weeks with in a country I've never been to. Should be fun. I had to make a presentation thingy about me so the questions were.

1. 2/3 of the beat things you've done in scouting

2. 2/3 interesting facts about you

3. Fundraising ideas for my group

4. What I'm most looking forward to in Japan/ on the Jamboree.

    So I might attach that presentation on one of my future posts if hat interests you guys.

    So I think I'm going to post again in Thursday so I can give you some small info on how the meeting went but I will save most of the juicy details for Mondays post. Sorry but I need something to talk about on Monday :-p I will also start doing some looking into Japanese stuff soonish and anything interesting or down right crazy I find I will be sure towt you guys in on.

    Thanks for reading my post it means a lot. The more support people like me, who are going on the jamboree, get the better as it gives us motivation (not that the opportunity to go to the Jamboree isn't enough on it's own). I greatly appreciate it and hope you guys stick around for te whole story.

Apologies & My Unit

        Just before I starting talking about jamboree I want to say sorry for not posting anything for 3 weeks. I have decided that Fridays are definitely not the best days for me to post on as I have 4 and a quarter hour rehearsals for Grease at the Elgiva in Chesham (a town near me if you don't know where that is). So I think I'm going to change to Monday nights as I don't do anything on Mondays so it should all be good now.
        Again sorry now on with JAMBOREE DETAILS!!!

        So a couple of days after I lasted posted I received a letter in the post from one of my 4 leaders, Ian Drummond who is representing Buckinghamshire (which is my unit area).
        So at first I was very confused who my unit was made up of however now it is clear so I will explain it to you guys. There are:

• 9 from Buckinghamshire including me
• 9 from Berkshire
• 9 form Hampshire
• 9 from Kent

        So as you can see for our unit it is going to be difficult meeting up regularly, however if you think that is going to stop us from going all I can say is NEVER!!!
         Now for some more information on the World Scout Jamboree!!!

It takes part every four years in a different country, the last one in Sweden, the next one in Japan, and the one after that is going to be held in West Virginia!!! There will be roughly 30,000 young people going from all over the world. The main part of the Jamboree is held from the 28th July to the 8 August.
        

        I am part of unit 75 which is the last unit formed from the UK. Our unit has just had a Facebook page made for it and there are many UK Contingent pages which are open so you guys can see all the friendly faces and news about the Jamboree.

        One of the exciting things spotted recently was a plane sporting the Jamboree logo. Check out this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQctDXbQyEE&sns=fb

        So I'll keep you guys up to date with any news and other exciting stuff going on with my unit and the UK Contingent.

The Official UK Contingent Logo

In The Beginning There Was One

        Let me just get this out of my system... I'M GOING TO JAPAN!!! AAAH!!! OMG!!! HELL YEAH!!! Let me tell you how this happened...

        In November 2013 I attended my local selection weekend where I ended up receiving second reserve. I was grateful for my place but I have to admit I was slightly disappointed, just like any other person would be. I had really hoped to be on the unit.

        On the 10th of March, I could see the 22nd Jamboree woggle, I had been given at selection weekend, staring at my from the windowsill. It reminded me how I was upset that I hadn't got on to the unit, however I was a reserve. I picked it up and put it one of the boxes next to me bed so it wouldn't tease me.

        An hour later I was helping my dad with putting the graphics on my brothers motorbikes, when my mum opens the garage door and says "Paul Wooding's on the phone". And you know when you recognize a name, but you can't put a face to it, well that's exactly what I was thinking. I took the phone from her and walked into the hall way.
        "Hi Sian, it's Paul. Were taking another unit to Japan and would like to offer you a place." Paul told me.
        As soon as I heard these words my emotions erupted into a stream of tears. To be honest I didn't really pay much attention to what he said next because I was concentrating on not letting him know I was crying. I had never cried from happiness before. Once he had stopped telling me about the unit he said,
        "You sound shocked".
        All I could reply is,

        "I am".
        At this moment in time my parents, who were now staring at me from the kitchen, had confused looks upon their faces. Once Paul and I had finished talking I hugged my mum and cried for a few minutes. This was whilst they were trying to find out what had happened. I managed to choke out.
        "I'm going to Japan!!!" I was so overcome with joy I had to ask my mum to call Paul back to say yes, as I was worried I would have started to cry again.

        And that's how it happened.

        So before I get started telling you what this blog is about, I thought I would put a mini fact file about myself for all the lovely people reading this blog.

Name: Sian Evans

Age: Now 16, when I go to Jamboree 17

Star Sign: Sagittarius

Explorer Unit: The Misbourne Unit

From: Buckinghamshire

Current Pets: Golden retriever (dog) and 2 rabbits.
Previous Pets: Golden retriever, 3 crested geckos (lizards, shared with school)

10 Fun Facts: 

1. I have taken part in shows such as Bugsy Malone, Les Miserables, High School Musical, Oliver, Little Shop of Horrors, St Swithens (St Trinians) and currently rehearsing Grease.

2. I am part of a gaming group called MorphMediaStudios.

3. I am head of the fundraising group at my school student council.

4. I go to motocross meetings most weekends when I'm not awya with explorers.

5. I am a young leader at the local Guide unit as the leader is my old assistant leader from scouts and my ex music teacher.

6. I love drama and hope to go to the Guild Hall School Of Drama and train to become a drama teacher.

7. I want to go and live in Australia and America for at least a portion of my life.

8. I love singing and acting and hope to make something out of these skills and am looking towards trying out for X Factor soon.

9. I am up for anything and live by the motto "Live Before You Die" not only because it is a song by my favorite band, Bon Jovi, but because I believe you should try and explore life as much as you can and not be lazy.

10. I have been in scouting since I first joined Beavers in my local area and hope to become a leader as my local group has recently become less popular and I want to give young people the great experience I had being part of the Scouting Association.

        Okay so the fact file turned out a bit bigger than I anticipated but I want you guys to know the real me. So now onto what this blog is about.

        If you haven't guessed already it is about the International World Scouting Jamboree 2015 which is going to be held in Japan. I wanted to do something special for it which was also interactive so I decided a blog would be a good idea. I will keep it up to date at least weekly or sooner if I think it needs to be or you guys want more gossip. I am hoping to meet some of the other unit members soon to see if their doing anything special for it as at the moment I am lonely and only know one other person. Please leave me your comments on how to improve my blog. I will also being doing vlogs on YouTube as these have become increasingly popular.

        

        In next weeks blog which will be released next Friday I will reveal what unit I am in and how that unit came about and more stuff, which is yet to be determined. I will also answer any questions you have about me or scouting. See ya next week.

~ Sian Evans x