Mike and Vicky seem happy enough when we arrive so I keep my feelings of disappointment to myself. Whereas I remain pretty quiet, they let out pleasing noises, lots of ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’, as we make our way through the foyer and see the way the building opens up in its centre to expose its four floors and an atrium with a glass roof letting in floods of light. More plants and foliage are potted and left to drape over banisters and cascade down the walls.

Sunshine, glass, plants – it all sounds heavenly – but something about the place just doesn’t capture me like it has the others. That feeling has quadrupled since walking into my double room. Standing here, taking in the sight of its bareness, the heater on wheels that’s been moved in, the firmness of the hardest bed I’ve ever sat on, and the steadily loud noise from the street outside, I can admit to myself that I’m underwhelmed.

Or maybe overwhelmed.

I can’t decide.

Either way, though, it’s not the best feeling to have at the beginning of a journey that’s meant to challenge me into finding out who I am and reveal parts of myself I didn’t even know existed. If a hotel, one that other people look at positively and are able to enjoy – even marvel at – makes me feel on edge and uncomfortable, then how am I going to feel living in a tent?! A bed is far better than a sleeping bag on the ground, even if I have brought a thin blow-up mattress with me. There’s heating here, there’s privacy, there’s a bathroom. I’m not going to have any of that in a couple of days.

I stop and take a breath.

I have to get a grip.

In less than fifteen minutes I’m meant to be meeting the others for a chat with our trek leader to talk through what’s going to be happening over the next few days. Hopefully a little more knowledge will help settle me in. Lesson one of the trip, I don’t do well not knowing what’s ahead and not being part of the planning. I’ll feel better with a map in my hands and some sort of itinerary.

First up I need to get out of these clothes that I feel like I’ve been stewing in since I left home almost twenty-four hours ago. I slide my suitcase on to its side and open it on the floor, pulling out some fresh clothes to get changed into – a simple cerise pink maxi dress and a pair of gladiator sandals, which I’m hoping will be breezy and light as it’s quite muggy out.