oooooo, i don't recommend sleeping in airports honestly. but it's not like i had another choice. caught a train back into madrid for my 7 am flight.. i tell you.. they don't make those concrete floors like they used too.. but other than comforts no worries. it's quite a nice airport as far as they go and by god have i seen a few by now
arrived in paris, to gloom and it hasn't improved. it's so cold, so cold, i have never been as cold, i'm braking out all the clothes, and it's so misty and miserable, but i'm still having a good time!
went to the pompaduo in the afternoon when i aarrived and i really enjoyed it, a lot, it has a lot of quirky stuff, plus some really good collections..
did some more socialsing as per normal and convinced some kids to come out to disney land with me, and i' m so glad, as i was originally just going to go with this jumped up marine crazy man but i thought better then nothing but a girl in my room came so it qas okay!! we ended up choosing the wrong park.. but we did get to go on space mountain! woohoo
went out last night to the latin quarter and found a really nice little bar, where students gathered and were playing live covers of beatles, hendrix and more, and then had a meal at 2am! well not me..
oh yes, my current finanical situation is at a loss. 12 euros now!! when will my money come through. tomorrow i hope. everythings good in europe.
i'll be home soon.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
granada
i think granada just overtook edinburgh in my favourite place. my only regret is not staying longer
it's the kind of place that does that to you though.. the atmosphere is just so fantastic, it's really bohemian, really hippie, layed back, beautiful place. i got the sunniest weather as well.. welll until i left!
it's full of these tiny streets that if you put your arms out you can touch both walls, it's white washed, with cobbled streets, and bakery's with 1 euro goods! it's cheap, and i mean it's got to be beautiful when you have soething like the alhambra looming over the city.
it feels small too, and i guess it is reasonably, but not much so.
spent my days, relaxing with people from the hostel during the day.. i hate to admit that it was a giant group of australians, with a rare american, or canadian, or french person on the side.. drank a lot of sangria every night but sadly we only found the good part of town to go into on the last night, but it was a really funky little bar packed with locals, smoke and booze. went and saw the alhambra and it's so amazing.. but got a little too much toward the end!
crazy, but inside the alhambra, is an art exhibition and the main part is from UNSW! crazy right.
smoked shisha in tea rooms and mellowed out.. and slept in complete darkness in the hostel! that's a first time.
it was a really great time.
it's the kind of place that does that to you though.. the atmosphere is just so fantastic, it's really bohemian, really hippie, layed back, beautiful place. i got the sunniest weather as well.. welll until i left!
it's full of these tiny streets that if you put your arms out you can touch both walls, it's white washed, with cobbled streets, and bakery's with 1 euro goods! it's cheap, and i mean it's got to be beautiful when you have soething like the alhambra looming over the city.
it feels small too, and i guess it is reasonably, but not much so.
spent my days, relaxing with people from the hostel during the day.. i hate to admit that it was a giant group of australians, with a rare american, or canadian, or french person on the side.. drank a lot of sangria every night but sadly we only found the good part of town to go into on the last night, but it was a really funky little bar packed with locals, smoke and booze. went and saw the alhambra and it's so amazing.. but got a little too much toward the end!
crazy, but inside the alhambra, is an art exhibition and the main part is from UNSW! crazy right.
smoked shisha in tea rooms and mellowed out.. and slept in complete darkness in the hostel! that's a first time.
it was a really great time.
madrid
hmmmm
i didn't really like madrid i must say. it might have been just because it was the constitution weekend and was crowed with thousands and thousands and thousands of people, and it was raining so it was thousands and thousands of umbrellas. i do not exagerate! you could walk for not being poked in the eye..
so it was reasonably gloomy, and so you couldn't see the aamzing, well, so i was told, views from the palace over all of the city.. and to me after seeing so many big cities they all start to look the same.. i don't mean to go down on madrid, because granted i did have fun there, met people, did my first pub crawl, but i think maybe the best thing about it is the muesuems and i missed out because of the constitution and being closed.. so damn
also, here's a grain of salt for your thoughts -- the spanish are nuts about the lottery, everywhere you go, lines.. i saw i line 5 blocks long! 5!
i didn't really like madrid i must say. it might have been just because it was the constitution weekend and was crowed with thousands and thousands and thousands of people, and it was raining so it was thousands and thousands of umbrellas. i do not exagerate! you could walk for not being poked in the eye..
so it was reasonably gloomy, and so you couldn't see the aamzing, well, so i was told, views from the palace over all of the city.. and to me after seeing so many big cities they all start to look the same.. i don't mean to go down on madrid, because granted i did have fun there, met people, did my first pub crawl, but i think maybe the best thing about it is the muesuems and i missed out because of the constitution and being closed.. so damn
also, here's a grain of salt for your thoughts -- the spanish are nuts about the lottery, everywhere you go, lines.. i saw i line 5 blocks long! 5!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
tapas, sangriia, beer, beaches, sun, warmth
barcelona. i had a great train ride, granted i slept bent over double crippled in those tiny excuses for a seat that cost 50 euros to reserve, and despite bad directions made it to my hostel unscathed, not robbed but ready for a shower.
this hostel was pretty good. it is in one of those most famous squares in barcelona.. plaza reale.. or something like that. barcelona is so different to everywhere else, architectualy it is stunning.. though i was disapointed to find out the sand on the beaches isn't actually spanish sand.. but broadwalks, palm trees, crazy mosiac lizards on top of a giant mountian in the park designed by gaudi.. some of my favourite things. it is rife with theft.. espicially if you're a man, you'll if not succesfully be attempted to be robbed about 20 times by prostitutes. it involved a lot of drinking and no sleep, but great company if not bad clubs. met really great people, hoepfulyl one i will meet up with in granada. now that place i cannot wait for.
in madrid now, it's cold and raining and i have no money, but it is still all just so amazing.
this hostel was pretty good. it is in one of those most famous squares in barcelona.. plaza reale.. or something like that. barcelona is so different to everywhere else, architectualy it is stunning.. though i was disapointed to find out the sand on the beaches isn't actually spanish sand.. but broadwalks, palm trees, crazy mosiac lizards on top of a giant mountian in the park designed by gaudi.. some of my favourite things. it is rife with theft.. espicially if you're a man, you'll if not succesfully be attempted to be robbed about 20 times by prostitutes. it involved a lot of drinking and no sleep, but great company if not bad clubs. met really great people, hoepfulyl one i will meet up with in granada. now that place i cannot wait for.
in madrid now, it's cold and raining and i have no money, but it is still all just so amazing.
protest, snow capped rooftops, and alps
swizterland, to be more precise, bern.
i'd have to say, again, that i hate european trains. late, missed trains, granted i got to sit in snow for 2 hours waiting for another train BUT it was more amazing looking outt he window of the plane to see the italian alps stretching for miles.. then sitting in a big pile of it slowly freezing to death.
alright off the negative side of arriving late at night and my hands falling off from the cold i loved bern. it was my detox time. my relaxtion. i spent 5 days sitting, eating (though i can no longer afford that luxery) and watching films. there is no obligation to do anything in there it is great. it's a niceplace, even though i couldn't afford to eat fondue and those absolutley disgusting bear pits. they are so horrible. how is that allowed? a pit in the ground with a rock and a branch and gravel? while tourists thought stuff at it so it will face them so they can snap happy. it is so disgusting.
anywhoo. it made me quite angry. but. caught a train out to interlaken with some people from the hostel. it was quite amazing. with the mountains right there? so insane. covered in snow. damn cold, but beautiful. went to hooters over looking the mountains. crazy right.
and then i fell in love waiting for my overnight train to barcelona. crazy right. i can't believe it.
i'd have to say, again, that i hate european trains. late, missed trains, granted i got to sit in snow for 2 hours waiting for another train BUT it was more amazing looking outt he window of the plane to see the italian alps stretching for miles.. then sitting in a big pile of it slowly freezing to death.
alright off the negative side of arriving late at night and my hands falling off from the cold i loved bern. it was my detox time. my relaxtion. i spent 5 days sitting, eating (though i can no longer afford that luxery) and watching films. there is no obligation to do anything in there it is great. it's a niceplace, even though i couldn't afford to eat fondue and those absolutley disgusting bear pits. they are so horrible. how is that allowed? a pit in the ground with a rock and a branch and gravel? while tourists thought stuff at it so it will face them so they can snap happy. it is so disgusting.
anywhoo. it made me quite angry. but. caught a train out to interlaken with some people from the hostel. it was quite amazing. with the mountains right there? so insane. covered in snow. damn cold, but beautiful. went to hooters over looking the mountains. crazy right.
and then i fell in love waiting for my overnight train to barcelona. crazy right. i can't believe it.
italy.. prepared for a long read
it has been forever! but this is the first time in weeks i have been a postion where the itnernet prices didnt make my head explode.
italy. well, by far the has happened in italy, making it one of my favourite places. arived in venice, well treviso, a little outside of venice, where scott was supposedly going to meet me, but well, he messed that up and went to a different airport. oh well, it was the first time i've been completly without a clue as how to get somewhere but it was fine. easy.
venice is amazing. was only there for a night and day but it was still lovely. i think the best part is just getting lost in the side streets and alleys. and don't worry i ahve lvied up to the 2 gelato a day policy. that night we bought a lot of wine and drank in the courtyard of the hostel with a guy, also from australia. long long night full of pizza, and scotts first vomit from alcohol! interesting.
after feeling rather worse for wear after a good 2 hours sleep, and those 2 horus where spent wondering if it is still legal to not have safety rails on top bunks and that i could fall out at any second, we jumped on a train to florence. and man did i love florence.
hostel being a bit of a flop.. too big, bad bar, and i find it strange for a 400 bed hostel they can only have 3 cups in the kitchen.. anywhoo, met the loveliest little french canadian girl, gabrielle, clicked, and spent the next few days together. met some other girls from canada and australia that night that gabrielle had met previously in rome and spent the first part of the night at their hostel, drinking a giant 5 litre vat of red wine (yes, the teeth stains were horrific), met some more rather cool people, and went out to a few bars.
the next morning we awoke to a large stack of brownies on a giant plate in our room. interesting yes, i am going to leave it a mystery as to how they got there because that is much more interesting then the truth.. however it only took us a few seconds on contemplation before we ate them all..
that day we had some coffee with the people form the night before, and looked at some markets, went to the marble cathedral, of which i fell in love with. it is just so spectacular. and THEN that night we did a repeat of the night before but at our hostel and with spumonte.. yes, guys, they do sell it in italy.
on our final full day, gabrielle and myself fell in love with david. we marvelled at him for a good 3 hours before we dismissed the rest of the gallery. nothing compares to that right? he is just so amazing. completly. i can't really describe my feelings on the matter, but wow. and then we had another wonderful night of red wine and good company, before i spent all my money on the most amazing pair of boots you'll have ever seen and jumping on a train (the regional.. it may take a good 5 hours, but you can't beat 15 euros) to rome.
ohh i forgot to mention i am on the wanted list in venice now.. let's hope they don't track me down. i refuse to pay a fine when i had a ticket that expired 10 minutes ago. so i skipped the country.. well city.. i have not sinced skipped the country.
rome was amazing as well. i liked florence more, it is smaller, more charming. i hate italian men, making animal noises isn't going to get them anything. but other then getting clucked at every 2 steps it was great. spent the first night just drinking with people from the hostel. i mean you can't really beat a place that gives you breakfast and dinner.. however a total of 4 hours sleep left me pretty crazy the next day which led for a quiet night of watching gladiator to be cliched, but met monica, one of the australian girls from florence and we marvelled at the colessuem.. it is pretty wow to be walking down a street and then we like hold on.. is that the colessuem?
but i don't think it is nessacarily worth it to go in. more sites and more sites and more drinking and going to flea markets was what rome was all about, oh and not sleeping. but the best thing was on the 3rd day, i get a message from gabrielle telling me she is back in rome. i was so happy to spend the next couple of days with her.
and i'd have to say i made the right choice travelling by myself.
there you go, the shortened version of my italy!
italy. well, by far the has happened in italy, making it one of my favourite places. arived in venice, well treviso, a little outside of venice, where scott was supposedly going to meet me, but well, he messed that up and went to a different airport. oh well, it was the first time i've been completly without a clue as how to get somewhere but it was fine. easy.
venice is amazing. was only there for a night and day but it was still lovely. i think the best part is just getting lost in the side streets and alleys. and don't worry i ahve lvied up to the 2 gelato a day policy. that night we bought a lot of wine and drank in the courtyard of the hostel with a guy, also from australia. long long night full of pizza, and scotts first vomit from alcohol! interesting.
after feeling rather worse for wear after a good 2 hours sleep, and those 2 horus where spent wondering if it is still legal to not have safety rails on top bunks and that i could fall out at any second, we jumped on a train to florence. and man did i love florence.
hostel being a bit of a flop.. too big, bad bar, and i find it strange for a 400 bed hostel they can only have 3 cups in the kitchen.. anywhoo, met the loveliest little french canadian girl, gabrielle, clicked, and spent the next few days together. met some other girls from canada and australia that night that gabrielle had met previously in rome and spent the first part of the night at their hostel, drinking a giant 5 litre vat of red wine (yes, the teeth stains were horrific), met some more rather cool people, and went out to a few bars.
the next morning we awoke to a large stack of brownies on a giant plate in our room. interesting yes, i am going to leave it a mystery as to how they got there because that is much more interesting then the truth.. however it only took us a few seconds on contemplation before we ate them all..
that day we had some coffee with the people form the night before, and looked at some markets, went to the marble cathedral, of which i fell in love with. it is just so spectacular. and THEN that night we did a repeat of the night before but at our hostel and with spumonte.. yes, guys, they do sell it in italy.
on our final full day, gabrielle and myself fell in love with david. we marvelled at him for a good 3 hours before we dismissed the rest of the gallery. nothing compares to that right? he is just so amazing. completly. i can't really describe my feelings on the matter, but wow. and then we had another wonderful night of red wine and good company, before i spent all my money on the most amazing pair of boots you'll have ever seen and jumping on a train (the regional.. it may take a good 5 hours, but you can't beat 15 euros) to rome.
ohh i forgot to mention i am on the wanted list in venice now.. let's hope they don't track me down. i refuse to pay a fine when i had a ticket that expired 10 minutes ago. so i skipped the country.. well city.. i have not sinced skipped the country.
rome was amazing as well. i liked florence more, it is smaller, more charming. i hate italian men, making animal noises isn't going to get them anything. but other then getting clucked at every 2 steps it was great. spent the first night just drinking with people from the hostel. i mean you can't really beat a place that gives you breakfast and dinner.. however a total of 4 hours sleep left me pretty crazy the next day which led for a quiet night of watching gladiator to be cliched, but met monica, one of the australian girls from florence and we marvelled at the colessuem.. it is pretty wow to be walking down a street and then we like hold on.. is that the colessuem?
but i don't think it is nessacarily worth it to go in. more sites and more sites and more drinking and going to flea markets was what rome was all about, oh and not sleeping. but the best thing was on the 3rd day, i get a message from gabrielle telling me she is back in rome. i was so happy to spend the next couple of days with her.
and i'd have to say i made the right choice travelling by myself.
there you go, the shortened version of my italy!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
prague
wow, it has been a while!
prague was lovely. cold. 2 degrees at peak, but still nice. the bus even had a tv on it.. granted all the english speaking films were dubbed.. had a movie night with some of artu's friends the first night.. slept a lot.. next day.. bummed around saw james bond again.. oh and got fined. yes! my first european fine and bribe! exciting yes i know. my first and sadly not my last. it was easy peasy anyway.. they don't like taking you to the police staion because it is lots of work.. so i think artur bribed him with 200 crowns.. so like 8 euros.. sweet eh.
next day we went to these aweosme tea rooms, were you dirnk tea or coffee, smoke shisha.. they're dark and the very middle eastern looking. quite groovey. and then this awesome club.. it's just insane. it's hard to describe. it's very underground.. and literally underground.. like h.r giger desgined it on a bad acid trip.. whacked out sculptures.. lights that spin and look like spiders. so crazy. saw a really famous drum and bass gig there. good stuff...
after sleeping for 4 hours.. i wondered around the city and it is lovely.. didn't actually see any of these famous czech gypsies..
went to the castle and palaces and all around the next day i like it over there better.. when you look over the edge and the city is sprawled below.. tiled roofs, and castle tops. it's pretty amazing.
went to see this church... it kutna hora. a little place an hour out of prague. it has over 400 000 sets o fbones that decorate the church.. 4 stacks of bones. it could have been grimmer.. it was still very much the whole point was to try to puch god upon you.. but i met a nice aussie girl and we walked around and ate fried cheese.
alas and then to venice.. more to come.. give me time !
prague was lovely. cold. 2 degrees at peak, but still nice. the bus even had a tv on it.. granted all the english speaking films were dubbed.. had a movie night with some of artu's friends the first night.. slept a lot.. next day.. bummed around saw james bond again.. oh and got fined. yes! my first european fine and bribe! exciting yes i know. my first and sadly not my last. it was easy peasy anyway.. they don't like taking you to the police staion because it is lots of work.. so i think artur bribed him with 200 crowns.. so like 8 euros.. sweet eh.
next day we went to these aweosme tea rooms, were you dirnk tea or coffee, smoke shisha.. they're dark and the very middle eastern looking. quite groovey. and then this awesome club.. it's just insane. it's hard to describe. it's very underground.. and literally underground.. like h.r giger desgined it on a bad acid trip.. whacked out sculptures.. lights that spin and look like spiders. so crazy. saw a really famous drum and bass gig there. good stuff...
after sleeping for 4 hours.. i wondered around the city and it is lovely.. didn't actually see any of these famous czech gypsies..
went to the castle and palaces and all around the next day i like it over there better.. when you look over the edge and the city is sprawled below.. tiled roofs, and castle tops. it's pretty amazing.
went to see this church... it kutna hora. a little place an hour out of prague. it has over 400 000 sets o fbones that decorate the church.. 4 stacks of bones. it could have been grimmer.. it was still very much the whole point was to try to puch god upon you.. but i met a nice aussie girl and we walked around and ate fried cheese.
alas and then to venice.. more to come.. give me time !
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)