You know, I decided to write a new post, but I have no real direction or focus. I have no idea who I’m writing to. I’m just writing.
I’m drinking my favourite tea, Early Grey, and just starting my day. I’m finally doing some laundry [in-suite is the best], eating breakfast and should probably shower. Big plans!
My Fav!
I should probably do some work at some point, as well. Not super exciting, but it’s the relaxing day that I needed.
After stressing for almost two months about not having work, I landed two jobs. One was a clothing shop job and the other [and way more important] is a marketing gig. I worked both jobs for three weeks. It was exhausting. Between, the travel commute to and from work and actually working, I had no time to myself. I realized that I ate most of my meals walking from one job to the other and never saw my friends. I was missing Aric a whole lot and relied on my free texting plan way too much. Not my style.
So, I made the decision that I had to leave the shop job. I’m so much happier. And besides, there’s a far bigger and more fun adventure in the works. [Shh! Can't say just yet.]
By the way, I’m totally in love.
It’s pretty amazing. I highly recommend it.
Last weekend we went on an overnight sail. Besides the unpredictable English weather, it was very fun. I’ve even starting learning a bit.
The view!
Nick and Mel’s Boat.
The cute red boat in the middle is Aric’s.
It’s was Aric’s extended Birthday. It’s not a birthday unless you’ve celebrated for a solid week, right?
We had a nice sail over to Worbarrow Bay and had a beach BBQ with Mel, Nick and new friends Karen and Paul.
If we pretend the minor [three boats smashing into the rocks] incident didn’t happen, then all went well.
The next morning, we hiked to Durdle Door.
So that’s that. Life is looking pretty good. I have money coming in. I have more time for friends and my boy and I’m on the edge of a great adventure.
Stay tuned!
Oh yeah! Check out my flickr for tons and tons of more photos.
This past week has been crazy busy and emotional. It’s been stressful wondering where my rent money was/is going to come from, interjected with moments of totally bliss from all the wonderful things I was lucky enough to experience.
Quick recap:
Interviews, bank account checking, slow emotional breakdown, more interviews, new friends, Birthday BBQ, World Cup football watching by default, trains, cars, buses, planes, boats, VENICE, photos, tons of walking[!!], sooo much wine, wedding, crying, blissing out, more interviews, BBQ, more wine and finally sleep.
This is what it looked like in slow motion:
I met up with Nick, the birthday boy, on the train from London to Whitchurch. It was above 30c and, apparently, I chose THE hottest train car available. We bonded by reading dirty jokes off Nick’s iphone and profusely sweating for the hour long journey. Good times!
The weather was perfect and the BBQ was really fun. I stuffed myself as one should at such events, content to fall asleep smelling like a campfire.
Note: Aric has magical powers. He was asked to photograph his friend’s wedding in Venice and somehow got me invited as well. Not only was this completely spontaneous, but didn’t cost this poor girl a cent. I’m telling you magical powers.
Before we jumped on a bus to London, to catch our flight at exactly stupid o’clock, we took a stroll through Winchester with Nick and Mel.
Before I left Vancouver, I had an amazing job, but decided to travel at the tipping point of my career. Shame on me? Since moving to London, I’ve been relentlessly trying to break into the Marketing / PR Industry to no avail. Today, after a giant slice of humble pie, I dried my tears and hit the street to hand out cvs to local clothing boutiques. I think it actually paid off. I have some leads and finished my job hunting day with a really decent conversation with a vintage store manager. I guess a clothing shop is going to have to do until the Queen calls.
I decided to celebrate my mini victory by buying a tiny bit of ‘extra’ groceries-fresh basil, eggs and avocados [these are luxuries to me now]. As I made my way home, passing pub after pub heaving with world cup football fans, I realized that I haven’t given myself a minute to enjoy the beautiful weather. As soon as I got home, I changed into shorts[!], for the first time since Thailand, and headed for Victoria Park.
I can’t believe how close it is to my flat. I’m so silly. Why has it taken me two months to wander over? Work and crappy English weather-that’s right. None the less, I lied in the baking sun for a couple hours, listened to my ipod on shuffle, and re-introduced my skin to vitamin D.
Today was a good day. I even have freckles to prove it.
Right, so. Back when I was a wee pup, new to London, expecting to be all organized and on top of things, I thought I would be able to finish blogging about the rest of the trip. Not so. It’s a huge daunting task that I can’t bring myself to do. I’m about half way through, but my procrastination has gotten the better of me. However, I do really enjoy blogging and will pick up right where I am, London. It’s definitely been an adventure trying to set myself up here and want to continue my story. Who knows, maybe I’ll be inspired to back date 6 months of traveling.
To give a little bit of background, Neil has moved back to Vancouver to go to Culinary Arts school. It was the plan since October, but he wanted to surprise everyone so we kept it hush hush. If you haven’t seen him yet than this might be new information.
My situation has been up and down over the last month. I found a flat and a job rather quickly and all was peachy. Then my job turned into a nightmare and I just up and left one Tuesday, weeks back.
Since then I have been a plethora of emotion. From the initial sigh of relief, knowing that I wouldn’t have to go into that horrible office again, to whatever I’m feeling now. Let’s call it shear panic and fear. I’ve decided that it’s a new dramatic diet of starvation and stress in hopes that I’ll get that super model figure I always wanted.
So, that’s that.
But, to end on a happy note. I have amazing friends over here doing everything they can to help me out. Without them I’m not sure where I’d be. Just wanted to say THANKS!
Also, I’ve had the good fortune to be introduced, by my lovely cousin Heather, to a incredible new friend living on the south coast. Portland Island is a beautiful quirky little place with a beach that I just can’t stop taking pictures of. It’s been my home away from home while I frantically search for another job online.
Enjoy! [and please ignore the spots. my camera is DIRTY]
With the understanding that I’m about 6 months behind on this blog, I’m still going to continue updating it with posts from our adventure. After the world tour is completed, I’ll continue this blog with more day to day adventures. I don’t like having things half finished and I want to share our story. There are just too many cool things that happened, it would be a shame to keep it all to ourselves.
Currently, I am in London, England. I had all my ducks in a row to live in Amsterdam. Then I had a serious change of heart over the last two weeks. What’s life without spontaneity? Neil is traveling around England visiting various family members and I’ve planted myself in a nice new flat and in search of a job. I miss my boy.
Back to the story…
After Ephesus, we traveled to Pamukkale. It took me a while just to figure out how to say the name. (Note: Really awkward video below of me not remembering the name) This place was magic. If you are not familiar check out the history here. All of this is naturally occurring and people have been visiting this area for it’s potential healing power and plain curiosity for hundreds of years. Neil and I spent four days in the little village just hanging out.
It was so interesting walking around. There was a combination of white mud-like stuff, spring water pools and mineral hills to climb.
Everything looked like ice, but the water was warm, almost hot, to the touch. The temperature outside was around 30c.
As advised in our travel guide, and with use of common sense, you are NOT supposed to wear your bathing suit while on the mineral deposits. It’s a sacred place. People we’re in bikinis and speedos flaunting around taking sexy pictures. If you ever go there, wait until your are in the pool at the top to drop your draws.
Once we reached the top, there was a park that led into roman ruins.
Almost no one wandered this far, so we had the place to ourselves
It was so peaceful. We spent the better part of two hours just slowly walking through this ancient city.
Even further towards the top was the Theatre of Hierapolis
After strategically wasting enough time to avoid most of the tour buses, we made our way to the sacred pool.
The water was perfectly warm (33c) and clear, there was only a hand full of people and thousand year old Roman columns were left as they fell in the pool. I can only describe this experience as pure bliss. The pool is famous for it’s natural healing powers from the calcium salts and minerals. It’s been noted for its curing properties to the ills of asthma, rheumatism as well as other skin conditions. I was just happen to swim around.
Neil was sweet enough to jump out and take a couple photos of me in the pool.
We stayed until they practically kicked us out. I didn’t want to leave. However, once we began our journey back down we had the unexpected pleasure of watching the sun set.
The rest of our time in Pamukkale was spent relaxing at our hotel. We unexpectedly booked the best place EVER, Artemis Yoruk Hotel! It cost 9 euros/each to rent a private room with free breakfast and a POOL!!! How could we resist staying a couple extra days?!
There were two KITTIES that lived at the hotel. I lured them in with food and then never let them go.
If you ever go to Turkey, you MUST go to Pamukkale. You would be missing out if you didn’t. Next stop Butterfly Valley and a cruise through the Mediterranean.
The search for food while traveling on a budget has been quite the adventure. So far, within the 7 countries I have traveled (Western and Eastern Europe) I have discovered one consistent factor regarding food; unless you cook it yourself or you’re flashing some cash, it’s almost impossible to eat healthy. From England to Romania, meat, cheese and bread are the dominating ingredients to any and EVERY meal.
Before leaving for this trip, my diet consisted mostly of vegetables, low carb, high protein. Blah! Blah! Blah! Mostly because is was fairly inexpensive to eat like that in Vancouver; even while eating out. You could hit up some sushi, both healthy and cheap, for $8-$10 easy. Or some decent soup and salad for $8-$12. Over seas, eating cheap on the run or even for a quick sit down you’re looking at greasy fast food or a sandwich. Believe me you get pretty sick of sandwiches after a while. Of course there are definite exceptions and that’s what we’ve been living off for two months. Some of the things we’ve been served have been either so bad or so good we had to take a picture. I thought I’d highlight some of our WINS! and definite FAILS! of European cuisine.
FAIL! Globespan-Some Meat Thing
Globespan Airline:Vancouver to London
I know this photo has already been posted, but I needed to emphasize how bad it was one more time. It smelt like farts and kind of looked like farts too. Price:Free
WIN! Liverpool-Carrot and Squash Soup
Liverpool:Some amazing hippy veggie restaurant We split a huge bowl of carrot and squash soup and a hummus plate. A little pricey, but totally worth it. Price:10lbs/$20
WIN! Manchester-Fruit
Manchester:Fruit Stand
After visiting the Natural History Museum stopped in a park for a snack. Price:Under 1lb/under $2
FAIL! London-Fish and Chips
London-The Anchor
We went looking for authentic British fish and chips, but seriously missed the mark with overpriced heat lamp fish
Price: 9.75lbs/$18 for one
WIN! and then FAIL! Pamplona-Ham Sandwich
Pamplona-Every Restaurant
This is a picture only an hour into arriving in Pamplona, still fresh to the cheaper cuisine. So simple and perfect! What they considered Ham was what I would consider Prosciutto. My 15th ham sandwich in, I started having nightmares about tons of bread and greasy meat. Veggies please! Price:5euros/$8-$9
WIN! Najera-Chorizo Soup
Najera-Tiny Mom and Pop restaurant that Osisn took us to
After the sandwich diet for days, this was truly a treat. It was a set menu which included 3 courses and a bottle of wine for the table. Your choice of pasta, salad, soup and roast chicken, lamb or beef. Price:10euros/$16
WIN! Najera-Stuffed Red Pepper
Najera:Tapa Bar
All the pub/cafe type restaurants served tons of yummy tapas for almost nothing. You just get a bite, but that’s all you need. This pepper is stuffed with lamb. Price:1.5-2euros/$2-$3
As I sit here in Tivat, Montenegro sweating, dripping hot I’m going to update about London, England. The memory of a city that was cool, foggy and grey. Pretty ironic, but I could use a bit of London right now.
We arrived in London via Virgin trains. We thought it was suiting since that’s where our story began. Neil and I met working at the Virgin Megastore in Vancouver, BC. We also met our bestest bud Nathan there. Wut! Wut!
Virgin Trains
Neil was captain navigator. I kept six on our bags anytime we had to stop and ask for directions or anything of the sort. We took the tube from the train station (three seperate ones, I believe) all without getting lost. Yay us!
The Tube!
We arrived at the Bayswater Hostel, sweaty hot and ready to take our 15kl bags off. The check-in at hostels are always a bit sketch due to unforseen charges for this and that (I wish there was a charge for a non-snoring room). We finally wander up to our 12 person room walking the two flights of stairs just big enough for two skinny Canadian backpackers one way. We open the door and Phew!! You can smell the stench of discount, and what a smell it was. Sweaty towels and bags tucked under the 5 bunk beds with hope that no one rifles through them. We find our lovely bunk for two and split asap in search of food.
Portobello Market was our first stop. We arrived a bit late in the day for some of the shops, but got a definite feel for the place. Cute little clothing boutiques and cafes sandwiched between souvenior shops with somewhat over priced knick-knacks.
Rough Trade Records in Portobello Market
Rough Trade Records in Portobello Market
It was a great little stroll that turned into an epic walk of starvation. All the cafes seemed a bit pricey so we changed our route in head of the Arch De Triumph. Without knowing exaclty how far everything was in relation to the Lonely Planet guide, we took a leap of faith. Half and hour later we got to the Arch and not a decent eating establishment along the way. There were so many people around and two work trucks parked in front of the Arch we didn’t even bother to take a picture. Womp! Womp! Our search continues, getting closer and closer to major starvation mode walking through a very rich area not suited for two stinky backpackers and then through a really dodgy area where we literally saw a homeless dude laying on the ground urinating without even bothering to stand up. I wish my eyes took secret pictures. But alas, we walk a full huge circle right back to the very road our hostel is on and buy 3.50 kebabs and sit in Hyde park to rest. What silly kids we are.
That evening we had the pleasure of sharing the room with 2 large gentlemen that snored heavily. Each at a different time in the night and both at different tempos. What calming bliss. The highlight was when our 12th guest arrived at 5:00am and joined the duo. Finally, we had enough and decided to leave and sleep in the park. Once standing up, I noticed that the snorer closest to us was spead eagle naked scratching himself. Never have I been more motivated to willingly get up and leave at 6:30am on vacation.
Hyde Park 6:30am
Smells like pee!
It was pretty fun to see the early morning London fog. Even if it was because of large snoring men. We caught some zz’s in Hyde Park and were almost first in line for the London Museum.
The London Musuem was pretty anti climatic. Maybe we are just biased because the Manchester one was so bloody cool or maybe we went to the wrong one, but it was targeted towards kids with really hands on Science World type exhibits. None the less it was free and we had a great time, minus a few thousand kids. After a quick run through, we headed back to the hostel for a well needed nap.
London Musuem
London Musuem
Later that day was the big Blur concert. Yay! We started with a long unplanned walk through Hyde Park and we found ourselves accidently missing Deerhoof, the first opening band. Boo! That was one of the favs we were hoping to catch. Anyhoo, a quick brush through the laxest secuity check ever and we’re in! The place is PACKED! Everyone is drinking beer and it’s blazing hot. We found a few squares of dry brown grass to sit on and Neil is off to find some beer. This is the first really hot day in London and we get to enjoy it with an all day concert outside. Everything is so great!
The three opening bands we did catch were Florence and The Machine, Amadou and Mariam and Vampire Weekend. All recieved pretty well by the crowd, but I sensed that everyone was saving their energy for Blur. If you haven’t heard of Amadou and Mariam, I highly suggest you check them out. They are a blind couple (with band and back up dancers) from Africa and they are amazing.
Blur T-Shirt’s we would have bought if we weren’t poor
Blur In Hyde Park
The next morning we made the major mistake of deciding to visit all of the big tourist exhibits on Saturday. This was mostly due to the limited time we had available in London. First stop was Big Ben. The tube let us off right across the street from it. I had almost no expectations and figured we were just going to go through the motions of seeing all of these touristy things. That was the best mind set for me to go in with because I was honestly blown away and really enjoyed all of the sites. Big Ben was amazing! We took our very first super touristy picture of many and I didn’t even care.
Big Ben
Right on the other side of the water was the London Eye.
London Eye
Next was Buckingham Palace! Wow! If you ever wanted to hang out with about 10,000 people, go there! We accidentally caught the changing of the guards. That was very cool.
Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace
Tower of London was next on our list. It was $34.00 (Crazy!) to actually go in so we opted to just take pictures from the outside.
Tower Of London
Tower Of London
I was in serious need of some window shopping so we jumped on the tube and headed to Oxford Street. Then wandered into Soho following the sound of rave music only to find out that it was Gay Pride week. What an amazing discovery! Nothing like seeing the historic sights of London with tons of gay guys in short shorts and hot pink wigs dancing to heavy house music. AMAZING!!! Once again, I wish my eyes could take secret pictures.
Gay Pride Week
Gay Pride Week
Gay Pride Week
And now to write some postcards to our dear friends……
