It has been a week of saying goodbye. Thanks very much to those of you who bought me a meal or gave me a little something to help with my journey. It has meant a lot. I am not soliciting here but should you desire to help me still, please consider an online, tax deductible donation at www.impak.org. This is the overarching group that set me up with the WWF, the group with which I will be volunteering.

I leave tomorrow and I still have to pack my clothes for the trip. I have been gathering usefuls and getting food that I will not be able to get in Pakistan. Today, that meant sushi. I recommend that everyone who likes raw oysters give sea urchin a try. The texture is weird but it feels like a pleasant draught of cool, clean sea water when you eat it.