Well I have to explain a little. I have thought through all the pros and cons of aid and I feel it right to help some people in two tiny, Saharan oases. I am taking the things to the teachers to distribute so I am not in the picture. Personally I'd rather run over the scum in UK who need help. There's supposed to be a system in what's supposed to be a democracy. Funny Al we're both Scots. Linzi.

On second thoughts. While I live on the south coast of England and find the people unfriendly and selfish not by any means all English are so. It's just concentrated down south and especially in London. On the problems of charity I agree it is a mine field. But in contacting one of the teachers I learnt of their own association set up to help the people of a really remote oasis. Two Singer sewing machines were donated by some Belgians. This is to, "help the women earn some money". I am a bit taken aback at the apparent sexism but I am just a visitor and neither critic nor changer. There are only 10 children and the school is seemingly a shaded wall or room with no roof. I wish to help them and decided to do so. If others don't want to that's fair enough. Criiticize this and I'd say something rude which I'll hold back from saying. Linzi. Live and let live.

On third thoughts. If anyone's interested in an advanced, well thought through aproach to helping in a poor country it's worth checking out a site set up by a Dutch woman. Sahara Roots - Home She wrote a booklet for the children in a Moroccan village. The village suffers from thrown away rubbish and encroaching sand dunes "desertifiction". The beauty of her idea was to return after a few months and question the children on their understanding of the story. The best answer recieved a prize. The idea to show that nothing comes as a freebie. I am still using my limited IQ to try and apply the same to my trip--seriously any ideas would be welcome. I can give the teachers useful materials but the toys/ activities side of it has been worrying me for a week or two now. Who wouldn't want a football as a six year old? All the things I am taking will be the responsibilty of the teacher so I don't upset any of the social structure. And I don't know if I can match numbers of items to numbers of kids. A little research into Morocoo will show that there's racism, prejudice and lack of Government help in these areas. In one the Government in 1971 built a dam to "better distribute the water from the Atlas mountains" to the towns at the foot of said mountains. This stopped the flow of the water 400 km south towards the Sahara. Nothing short of disastrous for the people living along what had been a river. In this case some of those people are trying to help each other. So I shall "lend a hand". Then I'll go tearing around destroying the peace and quiet and endangering the locals as I normally do. Linzi. Loud pipes save lives!

Some of the other points you've raised are valid ones. And I think that what you have done in the past and what you are planning to do again has a lot of merit.
But your above statement is ridiculous! Just because the system is crap, you are prepared to forget about the problem. What about trying to change that system? There are real people in your own country who are in need of genuine help (not to say that you still shouldn't help people overseas), and if you don't agree with that, then I think that's very conceited, narrow minded and just plain mean.

For someone who seems so righteous, you surprise me. I'm sure that you didn't mean that rubbish literally, but your sentiment still comes through - GET A GRIP. There there are plenty of wealthy people in poor troubled countries, like Zimbabwe for instance, who think that their own poor folk are scum too... and look where they ended up.

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BD.

Hi, sorry for not knowing where NFA is, but the reason that I have given up on UK completely is that I have been treated like a scum bag by the whole system. I resent being spied on by camera all the time and there is nothing I can do to change it. I am outnumbered by others who don't think as I do. That's part of democracy. I want to get rid of my UK nationality and leave. I have been hauled before the courts and was completely innocent. The legal system here is not good. Better anywhere else or better than other places? Don't know but I have had enough. The Brits can have their islands. I want out. That's all. I will no longer be part of all that this country does and is. Just trying to stay happy. Linzi.

I'm sorry to hear that you've had a rough time of it. I've spent a lot of time in the UK, amongst other places, and I understand your reasons for wanting out. But is that really the fault of genuine homeless and needy British folk? If you said that you'd rather run over the politicians then, fair one. But perhaps you wrote without really thinking what you were saying?

BTW: No Fixed Abode.

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BD.

Ah! I was thinking New Foundla..nope North..nope. OK what I mean is I am sick of people here begging. I can't explain my own mentality when I say I would mug someone rich sooner than beg. Pride? I really don't know. The UK has more than enough of everything for there to be no poverty but again poverty such as I saw in friendly Colombia blew my mind. For people to scrounge in UK makes me sick. Then again we're out and about still killing people in overseas lands using the Ministry of DEFENCE! Defence using assault weapons and texhniques! Defending what exactly? I want to distance myself from what UK has become especially in last 10 or so years. Everyone else seems to be OK with us having a modern military system and using it. I'd rather help others where and when I can. But now I say IF they deserve it. For me that means outside UK. There are plenty of others who can and should help inside UK. I'm on benefits at the moment and can still just afford to visit Morocco---I hope I struggle back out! I'll be sleeping in a bivi bag and have NO budget for food. I hope "she'll be right"! The UK is just beyond my understanding now. Haves, poor, benefit fraud, benefit wastage, corruption and yet they'll have the Olympics there! **** the poor. We'll build up Seb Coe's reputation instead. Fair enough, but not with my support or association thank you. Happy riding all, without surveillance cameras. Linzi

Just read your posting Al. Hee Hee. Colombia. I've just separated from a Colombian woman who became too controlling. Funny for me to see, she from Mars, he from Venus! I visited Santa Marta, Tyrona Park, Barranquilla, Cartagena and Bogota, flying to get there--wimp! My impressions of Locombia? Wow! God it's beautiful. Wow! I love the weather. WOW! The women are so ....sexy. I thought immediately how I'd love to razz around, sorry tour around on a trail bike. Locals warned me off. Things have changed. I got as far as costing the trip and planned to sell the story but simply couldn't front up the cost. £1,400 to ship the bike out and back. Maybe £1,600 for all costs for a few months. I had to curb my ambitions so settled on Morocco. I've got a "bad back" so options are limited. E-bay beckons, robbing a , oops no that's not allowed! I've wondered about setting up a charity to benefit Berbers in the Atlas mountains and suck the UK's rich for all they're worth! Robbing Hood Charity with an Arab cloak as symbol! Seriously, at the moment I'm just in final stages of staggering off to beg off Moroccans for a few weeks in the sun then back to UK for the depths of winter. I hope to sell my story to several magazines but who knows? Probably get bitten by a rabid dog ( got all other immunizations except rabies!) Still haven't decided if I'll splash out on travel/medical insurance or add to the adventure feel. My bike's green card cover is to be 3rd party only----no theft insurance! Cripes, it's an adventure already! Live Wild, Linzi.

Damn Linzi, I don't mean to sound patronizing, but I actually feel sorry for you. I know what it's like to be stuck somewhere you hate. I reckon getting out of it is the best thing you can do. If you ever seriously plan to leave, then check out New Zealand, it's a great place to live. If you do ever find yourself there then drop me a line, I could hook you up with digs, and maybe even work. I'm in Europe for a while though, but I have plenty of bike friendly mates back home.

I'm in the South of France at a mates house for a wee while so if you need a place to pitch your tent and have a hot brew on your way south then drop me a line. I'm also heading to Morocco once my bike is fixed, maybe I'll see you on the road.

Best of luck with the planning. And don't worry too much about budget - mine's almost nonexistant! Just wing it.

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BD.

Sounds like you,re ready for Colombia
Al theturtleshead