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!

Mel was the perfect hostess, while Aric manned the BBQ, Nick drank beer [as the birthday boy should] and I tried to make myself useful.

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.

Next stop, Venice! I think it deserves it’s own post, don’t you?

~Josie

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.

~Josie

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]

~Josie

~Josie

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.

It was so peaceful. We spent the better part of two hours just slowly walking through this ancient city.

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.

~Josie

Enjoy!

~Josie