Alright Folks,

I didn't put a postcard up for May as I was so busy getting ready for my trip to Europe, organising my visa application, and cracking into the new job. So basically that was what I did in May. I didn't get up to anything major as I was trying to save for my trip.

Although I spent most of my life in Europe I never really travelled around other than the occasional week away here and there. Like everything else, when it is on your doorstep you never get around to doing it. It is definitely one thing that I regret not doing, especially with the amount cheap airlines and hostels to choose from. If I could give some friendly advise to those living in Europe, travel as much as you can.

Given that I was travelling on the Kiwi Dollar I decided that Eastern Europe would be better for my budget than Western Europe. Also, with the rapid rate of growth and westernisation in the east I wanted to see it before it all became too touristy and stale. My trip was going to take in seven countries; Ireland, England, France, Slovakia, Poland, Czech Republic, and The Netherlands. This may seem like a challenging itinerary for three weeks - and it was!

I was only back in the UK for a few days to try and organise a few things and catch up with some of my close mates.

When I arrived at 07:30 I had to go straight to New Zealand Immigration to hand in my application for an extension on my visa. To cut an incredible long and stressful story short; I decided to get it processed in the UK rather than NZ due to time restraints and restrictions on my passport. So straight off 24 hours of flying, 30 hours lack of sleep and not a shower to be had I went straight to NZ Immigration office. As per my previous experience with them I found them so very helpful. As I was due to be flying out in two days I asked them to call me and let me know if it was approved or not - for this I even bought a UK sim card. Unfortunately, they would not call and can only communicate visa letters or if I call a Premium number.

When I was in the UK I stayed with Mark in Maidstone for a couple of days. Thanks again for letting me crash at yours by the way. I decided to get some new glasses as my old ones were a bit tired and had been through the wars when I was travelling around Latin America. As much as NZ is a great place to live it is not cheap. Basic economics dictate that the UK is going to be cheaper even with the exchange rate. I was able to get one pair of glasses and one pair of prescription shades for less than half the price of a pair in NZ! Go Specsavers!

With that in mind I also decided to get some prescription drugs for my stomach as well. Let me take you back to Oct 2005, this is where it would go all blurry and squiggly. Just before I left for Latin America I registered with a doc in Maidstone to get some medicine for my stomach. I told the doc that I was going travelling so he gave me a six month repeat prescription.

Now back to June 2007. I went back into the same doc and told them that I had just moved back and could I still use my prescription? With a few well chosen words and a smile the lady behind the counter gave me another 6 month prescription! For those of you that don't know the NHS, I shall explain the importance of getting such a large prescription. Regardless of the size of the prescription you only pay 7GBP in total. The appointment alone would have cost me 60NZD back in Auckland. There was a slight concern that I might get pulled over at Thai customs for having so much drugs, but thankfully, my name was on all of them and I had the prescription to prove that they were mine.

So one day back in the UK I had organised my NZ visa, had my eyes tested and bought new glasses, and bought six months of drugs. Thankfully, ever since I left the UK I have reduced my stress level and also my alcohol consumption and my stomach is not as bad as it used to be. Therefore this six months prescription will last me a very long time. In fact they will probably go off before I use them all.

One of the nights I was there Mark, Aimee, Rob and I went out for a few beverages. As it was a school night we couldn't stay out late but that didn't stop us from getting quite drunk - add to that jet lag and I was flying man! Everyone was in great form. I have to say that it was great to see everyone but also sad as I knew that it was only going to be a brief encounter.

Mark showed me a house that he was thinking of buying and it caused me to reflect on my situation over in NZ. Just before I left the UK back in 2005, Rob was the only one that owned his own place. Now two years on, everyone had their own place (Mark bought a place two days later), Si was married living in San Francisco with a kid on the way, and both Mark and Rob are in steady long term relationships. I am renting in a shared house - with a single bed no less, in the very early stages of a relationship, and have not a penny to my name. However, I have seen some astonishing things and am living an amazing life, albeit different to what social standards dictate. Although I a very happy with the choices I have made I sometimes feel a little behind where I was before I left. But I think that it just a matter of finances and I am doing what I can in that dept.

I only had a few days in the UK but I did get to catch up with my mates and do some house keeping stuff. I also realised that I could never live in the UK again. London for me is a soulless place. People scurry around paying no attention or concern to those around them. When I was on the tube I had to laugh - I left like a total outsider and loved it. From travelling I have learned to be far more relaxed about things and enjoy life so much more. London for me only comes alive when people finish work and than most are still wearing their suits. I suppose I always have had what you may call a hippy out look on life and from travelling it has only grown larger.

From London I left for Ireland to catch up with my brother, my about-to-be sister in law and my granddad.

Thanks for reading, Em.