I missed my bus today. By 30 seconds. Really annoying. Then I almost missed the next bus. But the after 8 bus holds the most treasures anyways! A whole different group of commuters exists at that time. Its wonderful.
And for some weird reason once we get into downtown they are all gray hairs. Not sure where they all come from.
After about 3 gray hairs got on the bus a really nice man asked one lady if she had gloves, he was going to offer his to her. She had some so she said no, the next lady didn't understand English it turned out and the older couple translated into Russian for her. She accepted and was able to say yes, which was really cute. A cute old Babushka. It was funny.
Right now I'm at the desk typing on my laptop which is just fantastic! I'll be able to keep up my blog again. Oh boy!!
Soon, I'll be a townie and the adventure will really begin. This city is full of interesting things and people. I can't wait!
K
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Nearly a Month in Portland
I'm sure everyone has given up hope that I'll be a blogger any longer. Its pretty true. I don't have access consistently enough to keep it up. Which is too bad because I am constantly amazed at the funny things I see each day I live in Portland.
This morning I saw an old lady on the bus with a hair clip of Zac Efron on it. Pretty funny.
Last night I was missing England. Today I'm just laughing at the rain. Again. Portland is such a great city. It is surprisingly beautiful this time of year and when the sun shines or when there is a mist over the city or even in the rain its always scenic. I really like it.
Its hard to imagine I've been here almost a month now. Time is flying?? Ha! I wouldn't say that.
I am feeling uninspired to write much today. I'll get over it I guess.
K
This morning I saw an old lady on the bus with a hair clip of Zac Efron on it. Pretty funny.
Last night I was missing England. Today I'm just laughing at the rain. Again. Portland is such a great city. It is surprisingly beautiful this time of year and when the sun shines or when there is a mist over the city or even in the rain its always scenic. I really like it.
Its hard to imagine I've been here almost a month now. Time is flying?? Ha! I wouldn't say that.
I am feeling uninspired to write much today. I'll get over it I guess.
K
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Karen Rides the Greyhound Bus
Well today is Saturday October 17th. I survived my first greyhound ride yesterday. Yippee!! I'll type up what I wrote along the way.
I am mid way through my first greyhound experience. Just been pleasantly surprised again by a "hoodlum" who was really polite and helped a disabled person get onto the bus. Just goes to show I can't judge people. Portland has surprised me that way so far too. I'll talk about that later.
I also just had a Hostess DingDong in honor of traveling the real American way.
The lady next to me is really sweet. Really simple. She has a really large coat, bright pink/purple, huge thick glasses and frizzy hair. Very sweet. She offered me a bite of her sweet roll which she was picking at with her fingers. I said no thank you but that was nice of her. This bus is packed! Its insane. We lost a few at Stanfield Oregon but gained that many again from another bus.
I think my pink lady is a frequent traveler on greyhound she seems to know the ropes. And she said this bus was alot nicer than the last bus she was on.
This morning I caught the bus and made it successfully to the Greyhound station. Its in a really sacry looking neighborhood. I think its a shoup kitchen or seomthing. I should investigate that.
Getting around Portland should be pretty easy. I'm thinking bike to MAX (the city light rail) and then ride to work. Its within fareless square if I do it that way, which would save me money.
This whole things seems unreal. I am back home, setting up a bedroom, figuring out my commute and starting a job soon. Wow! Talk about whirlwind!
I am really excited about Portland though. Tons of stuff to do and lots ot get involved with.
I heard again from another blog reader I should do something with my funny blogs. I think I might just find out what that would be. Maybe AAA VIA magazine would publish my stuff.
I thinking everyone should tak a greyhound trip. Its a humbling experience. You forget there are millions of poeple who only get around on public transit. Also having a chat with real people seems appealing as well. Feeling a real surge of curiousity about that.
America is a foreign country and its like getting to know it again. I rather like ti actually. I'll label this my America bottle on the shelf with my Europe adventure and Madagascar adventure etc. You'd think I could weave such tales of adventure and amazing sights but I can't think of a single witty thing to say when people ask. I should be a great story teller. I'm going to read a book about that. :)
Its interesting. People really are struggling to find money to buy their tickets, borrowing cell phones from each other because they don't have one and they seem to be getting to know each other. Amazing! I guess today I'm just blown away by the fact that even at the lowest low people do seem to care. Most of the people on this bus are headed to points much further east. Florida! New York! Pittsburgh! Texas! Wow. That is days of traveling.
You really could have an amazing adventure without leaving this country!! Seriously! The only thing that is different here is that I fear more bodily harm in the U.S. than anywhere I was in Europe. I mean, Europe has pickpockets but thats about it (I know there is more than that) but not like in the U.S. a beggar or homeless person in the US is likely to approach you, hassle you and then yell at you as you keep walking where as in Europe they just move on. Its a totally different feeling.
Anyways. I'm excited! Its going to be great fun and challenging too! I've learned so much its amazing what I was able to manage to get through without going crazy! People in my bubble, germs, bus rides, train rides. All in good fun!
So, once I get internet figured out I'll keep this up a little better!
K
I am mid way through my first greyhound experience. Just been pleasantly surprised again by a "hoodlum" who was really polite and helped a disabled person get onto the bus. Just goes to show I can't judge people. Portland has surprised me that way so far too. I'll talk about that later.
I also just had a Hostess DingDong in honor of traveling the real American way.
The lady next to me is really sweet. Really simple. She has a really large coat, bright pink/purple, huge thick glasses and frizzy hair. Very sweet. She offered me a bite of her sweet roll which she was picking at with her fingers. I said no thank you but that was nice of her. This bus is packed! Its insane. We lost a few at Stanfield Oregon but gained that many again from another bus.
I think my pink lady is a frequent traveler on greyhound she seems to know the ropes. And she said this bus was alot nicer than the last bus she was on.
This morning I caught the bus and made it successfully to the Greyhound station. Its in a really sacry looking neighborhood. I think its a shoup kitchen or seomthing. I should investigate that.
Getting around Portland should be pretty easy. I'm thinking bike to MAX (the city light rail) and then ride to work. Its within fareless square if I do it that way, which would save me money.
This whole things seems unreal. I am back home, setting up a bedroom, figuring out my commute and starting a job soon. Wow! Talk about whirlwind!
I am really excited about Portland though. Tons of stuff to do and lots ot get involved with.
I heard again from another blog reader I should do something with my funny blogs. I think I might just find out what that would be. Maybe AAA VIA magazine would publish my stuff.
I thinking everyone should tak a greyhound trip. Its a humbling experience. You forget there are millions of poeple who only get around on public transit. Also having a chat with real people seems appealing as well. Feeling a real surge of curiousity about that.
America is a foreign country and its like getting to know it again. I rather like ti actually. I'll label this my America bottle on the shelf with my Europe adventure and Madagascar adventure etc. You'd think I could weave such tales of adventure and amazing sights but I can't think of a single witty thing to say when people ask. I should be a great story teller. I'm going to read a book about that. :)
Its interesting. People really are struggling to find money to buy their tickets, borrowing cell phones from each other because they don't have one and they seem to be getting to know each other. Amazing! I guess today I'm just blown away by the fact that even at the lowest low people do seem to care. Most of the people on this bus are headed to points much further east. Florida! New York! Pittsburgh! Texas! Wow. That is days of traveling.
You really could have an amazing adventure without leaving this country!! Seriously! The only thing that is different here is that I fear more bodily harm in the U.S. than anywhere I was in Europe. I mean, Europe has pickpockets but thats about it (I know there is more than that) but not like in the U.S. a beggar or homeless person in the US is likely to approach you, hassle you and then yell at you as you keep walking where as in Europe they just move on. Its a totally different feeling.
Anyways. I'm excited! Its going to be great fun and challenging too! I've learned so much its amazing what I was able to manage to get through without going crazy! People in my bubble, germs, bus rides, train rides. All in good fun!
So, once I get internet figured out I'll keep this up a little better!
K
Karen Rides the Amtrak
Wednesday October 14th. I rode Amtrak. The first time on a U.S. train. What an experience! Not like the European trains I will say that. Mainly because of the fact that the tracks are shared here with everything that rolls and the schedule is kind of out the window.
I sat down and wrote about it once I got on board. Here is what I said:
I can't believe this U.S. train thing. Ugh! Americans! Or really...ugly Americans! Torrie dropped me at the Everett Amtrak station this morning. I got all checked in and then had a seat and watched teh mayhem unfold. Its a Greyhound station as well as Amtrak and alot of people just sitting around. The usual bus station crowd (usual for America)
Finally a really large security guard comes up and gets in their faces. Weird. He wasn't very nice about it and he went straight for the black guys and then the Mexicans. Wow.
The train was about an hour late. They never said why. Once it arrived I learned that they do the boarding different here as well. They only open the door to the platform when the train is arriving and the station manager gathers up all teh riders and walks us all out together. It was really funny. Once it pulls up they only open like 2 doors for 5 cars and you get out your ticket and the nice lady says get on and take a right and find a seat. I mean the seats aren't assigned why does it matter which direction I go?
Once you're seated they walk around, ask where you're headed and put a funny yellow tag above your head. P, V,S, etc Portland Vancouver, Seattle. Once they do that the train conductor announces that that is your seat from now on, don't move. Ha! Such a funny way to do it! But the staff of the trains were really awesome. Very friendly and that was nice!
In Seattle the people were assigned seats which is stupid. Just assign us all seats. But its comfy andclean and there are tons of staff on board. Also there was a woman with a walker and they were Very accomodating, I'm talking, they offered to pick her up and put her on board etc, which you'd only see in the US (and England) I don't think she could have managed the trains elsewhere. Don't get me wrong they would help but the staff people are few and far between.
The train is stopped to have something looked at which was interesting. So we'll be 45 minutes late. No one seems fussed. Train workers are all nice. Was just looking out window thinking how similar some of the landscape was. The country side is pretty familiar. Matt even said so when we were in Italy. It didn't seem like we were in a foreign country sometimes when you looked out at the trees and fields.
A few times I closed my eyes and wished I was on a train in England or some where. Thats okay. I think job and room to rent will have sobering effect on me.
(this train ride is so scenic)
I think as long as I don't fill my room with comforts too much. I'll feel like I could go soemwhere again soon.
Might turn out to be a real challenge for me tos tay positive and keep my eye on the prize so to speak. I think I'll really enjoy the presentations adn the city life (a bit) and try not to get frustrated with annoying, rude, loud, Americans. After all they are "my people" (haha)
Maybe what I'll do is plan my Russia trip for 2-3 years away and then see what happens when Greg calls about sailing. If he does. He didn't sound too sure about it in the email.
After all teh train delays I only ended up being an hour behind. Once you get off teh train in Portland (which has a really pretty train station) you are shuffled into this tiny little "baggage room" and have to squeeze in to find your bag as they toss it up on the shelf. Weird way to do that but hey, it works.
So off I went into the big city.
A new adventure begins...lets call it Portland Oregon (that other foreign country)
K
I sat down and wrote about it once I got on board. Here is what I said:
I can't believe this U.S. train thing. Ugh! Americans! Or really...ugly Americans! Torrie dropped me at the Everett Amtrak station this morning. I got all checked in and then had a seat and watched teh mayhem unfold. Its a Greyhound station as well as Amtrak and alot of people just sitting around. The usual bus station crowd (usual for America)
Finally a really large security guard comes up and gets in their faces. Weird. He wasn't very nice about it and he went straight for the black guys and then the Mexicans. Wow.
The train was about an hour late. They never said why. Once it arrived I learned that they do the boarding different here as well. They only open the door to the platform when the train is arriving and the station manager gathers up all teh riders and walks us all out together. It was really funny. Once it pulls up they only open like 2 doors for 5 cars and you get out your ticket and the nice lady says get on and take a right and find a seat. I mean the seats aren't assigned why does it matter which direction I go?
Once you're seated they walk around, ask where you're headed and put a funny yellow tag above your head. P, V,S, etc Portland Vancouver, Seattle. Once they do that the train conductor announces that that is your seat from now on, don't move. Ha! Such a funny way to do it! But the staff of the trains were really awesome. Very friendly and that was nice!
In Seattle the people were assigned seats which is stupid. Just assign us all seats. But its comfy andclean and there are tons of staff on board. Also there was a woman with a walker and they were Very accomodating, I'm talking, they offered to pick her up and put her on board etc, which you'd only see in the US (and England) I don't think she could have managed the trains elsewhere. Don't get me wrong they would help but the staff people are few and far between.
The train is stopped to have something looked at which was interesting. So we'll be 45 minutes late. No one seems fussed. Train workers are all nice. Was just looking out window thinking how similar some of the landscape was. The country side is pretty familiar. Matt even said so when we were in Italy. It didn't seem like we were in a foreign country sometimes when you looked out at the trees and fields.
A few times I closed my eyes and wished I was on a train in England or some where. Thats okay. I think job and room to rent will have sobering effect on me.
(this train ride is so scenic)
I think as long as I don't fill my room with comforts too much. I'll feel like I could go soemwhere again soon.
Might turn out to be a real challenge for me tos tay positive and keep my eye on the prize so to speak. I think I'll really enjoy the presentations adn the city life (a bit) and try not to get frustrated with annoying, rude, loud, Americans. After all they are "my people" (haha)
Maybe what I'll do is plan my Russia trip for 2-3 years away and then see what happens when Greg calls about sailing. If he does. He didn't sound too sure about it in the email.
After all teh train delays I only ended up being an hour behind. Once you get off teh train in Portland (which has a really pretty train station) you are shuffled into this tiny little "baggage room" and have to squeeze in to find your bag as they toss it up on the shelf. Weird way to do that but hey, it works.
So off I went into the big city.
A new adventure begins...lets call it Portland Oregon (that other foreign country)
K
Monday, October 12, 2009
Still don't know how it ends
I'm still reading Bridget Jones. Almost finished. It better have a happy ending.
For the last few days I've been experiencing all those things we do here in the U.S. that are not the norm any where else. Its been really nice. I have pretty much gotten over jet lag and am just trying to figure out where to go next. Really have no idea! I found a few help wanted signs here in Kirkland and its within walking distance of the house so it would be the way to go. I need to keep my eye on the final prize, if I just go get to work soon I can get moving again soon.
Right now I am having drip coffee with Hazelnut creamer. Its so good!! Torrie has just finished the cleaning and this place is spotless. One other thing I've just discovered I missed alot was napkins/paper towels. We use those all teh time here and no one ever buys those in Europe. Aunt Maureen did but no where else I was.
I drove Torrie's car yesterday and that was pretty funny. It had been a while. I didn't hit anything and I had road rage again right away, just like it used to be! So nothing changed there.
Today Cory and Torrie and her friends are taking all the kids to the pumpkin patch today. I'm going as resident photographer. Should be a really cute day! Kids in pumpkin patches are really cute!
I had more to say but its just not coming to me. Feeling a little blue still I think.
K
For the last few days I've been experiencing all those things we do here in the U.S. that are not the norm any where else. Its been really nice. I have pretty much gotten over jet lag and am just trying to figure out where to go next. Really have no idea! I found a few help wanted signs here in Kirkland and its within walking distance of the house so it would be the way to go. I need to keep my eye on the final prize, if I just go get to work soon I can get moving again soon.
Right now I am having drip coffee with Hazelnut creamer. Its so good!! Torrie has just finished the cleaning and this place is spotless. One other thing I've just discovered I missed alot was napkins/paper towels. We use those all teh time here and no one ever buys those in Europe. Aunt Maureen did but no where else I was.
I drove Torrie's car yesterday and that was pretty funny. It had been a while. I didn't hit anything and I had road rage again right away, just like it used to be! So nothing changed there.
Today Cory and Torrie and her friends are taking all the kids to the pumpkin patch today. I'm going as resident photographer. Should be a really cute day! Kids in pumpkin patches are really cute!
I had more to say but its just not coming to me. Feeling a little blue still I think.
K
Friday, October 9, 2009
Home Now
I'm at Torrie and Cory's house in Seattle. Feeling pretty undecided. Sad, happy (not), tired. For me its 4:48am.
Should I be in bed?
Torrie and I had a hard time finding each other at the airport but finally we managed.
I cried my way to Heathrow on the bus. I cried when we landed too. Weird!
I did get caught up on movies though. Transformers 2 was so good!! The 9 hours went by so fast, really smooth and seemed so fast!
So thats about all I can think of. Not thinking clearly at the moment.
K
Should I be in bed?
Torrie and I had a hard time finding each other at the airport but finally we managed.
I cried my way to Heathrow on the bus. I cried when we landed too. Weird!
I did get caught up on movies though. Transformers 2 was so good!! The 9 hours went by so fast, really smooth and seemed so fast!
So thats about all I can think of. Not thinking clearly at the moment.
K
Post 103. Leaving so soon?
Off I go into the wild blue yonder. Also known as America. Not ready to say things like hooray and yippee but I'm sure I will feel glad to be home eventually.
I've gotten all packed up and ready to go now. Got alot of it in. Most clothes went to the goodwill bin to make room though! Had to be done.
I have a direct flight to Seattle today which is nice. Just one more hectic travel morning and then I'm off. I take a bus to Heathrow (direct, thank goodness) and then an inter aiport shuttle bus to my terminal then on to my flight!
I have had quite an eventful week though since I've last written so I wanted to get all caught up before I sign off and blog from America.
Tuesday morning I walked (in the pouring rain, no buses running when I needed them too and Uncle Stan wasn't able to drive me) to the train station and caught a train to Salisbury. I had planned to meet Tony there and we were going to tour the cathedral and town etc. It was great fun! The rain did finally let up and the cathedral was really amazing! It sits in such a pretty area too. I really enjoyed my day there. After the cathedral we had a pint at a place called The Haunch of Venison. It was really neat, really old, kind of appeared to be mostly crooked but it was really cool.
We then caught a train back to Poole where I planned to stay for a couple of days and get caught up with Greg and other people I'd met there. It was great! Wednesday on our way to the Quay front for coffee with Greg this huge tall ship was just coming along side and guess what ship it was? The Tenacious! Tony's ship! I couldn't believe it! We had a nice long catch up with Greg and watched Tenacious come in (takes a long time, its a big ship) then Tony wanted to find some konkers. I won't explain what they are because I don't know what they are really called, the things that fall off the trees. Don't ask me what trees. We walked all over Poole trying to find specific trees and had a fun rainy time foraging for konkers. We went to a place called Poole Park and it was really pretty!
Wednesday night we caught up with Tony's friend Superbike Bill. I'd met him the last time around. He is a really funny terrific guy and he had just come off a trip on a Challenge yacht. I think it was a 72 foot boat and its one you pay to go on and sail. Sounded like great fun! I was excited to hear all about it so that was really a fun evening. Then Tony's coworkers from Tenacious caught up with us and that was really hilarious. The Chief Engineer and the 2nd Engineer (the relief while Tony is away) and a cadet named Richard. So we had some good laughs and a mini pub crawl around Poole and ended up on Tenacious! Just for a quick tour and look around! It was awesome!! I got to see the mess hall, bar area, heads, engine room sort of and I walked around on deck. Not far but enough to get the feeling its a big ship. It would be so fantastic to be on it and sailing. How cool!! Really a highlight for me!
Thursday morning we caught up with Greg again and saw the Tenacious off and then Tony and I took an hour cruise around Poole harbour. Turns out its a huge harbor. Has lots of islands and its really a scenic place. It was great! The sun was out and it was just a really pretty day! Very much enjoyed that.
After that it was time to head back to the train station and off to Basingstoke. It was kinda sad to leave Poole and Tony too. I've spent alot of time in Poole, it seems familiar to me now so it was a little sad.
Tony joins his ship today and they are off for 7 weeks so we said goodbye for who knows how long this time and off I went.
It was a great week! Really a fun end to this portion of my trip. Like I keep saying I'm really hoping to keep moving but who knows. I just need to get to America first and see what will happen.
So off I go. This will be my last transmission for a day or so. At least the last from England. I'll be back though!
K
I've gotten all packed up and ready to go now. Got alot of it in. Most clothes went to the goodwill bin to make room though! Had to be done.
I have a direct flight to Seattle today which is nice. Just one more hectic travel morning and then I'm off. I take a bus to Heathrow (direct, thank goodness) and then an inter aiport shuttle bus to my terminal then on to my flight!
I have had quite an eventful week though since I've last written so I wanted to get all caught up before I sign off and blog from America.
Tuesday morning I walked (in the pouring rain, no buses running when I needed them too and Uncle Stan wasn't able to drive me) to the train station and caught a train to Salisbury. I had planned to meet Tony there and we were going to tour the cathedral and town etc. It was great fun! The rain did finally let up and the cathedral was really amazing! It sits in such a pretty area too. I really enjoyed my day there. After the cathedral we had a pint at a place called The Haunch of Venison. It was really neat, really old, kind of appeared to be mostly crooked but it was really cool.
We then caught a train back to Poole where I planned to stay for a couple of days and get caught up with Greg and other people I'd met there. It was great! Wednesday on our way to the Quay front for coffee with Greg this huge tall ship was just coming along side and guess what ship it was? The Tenacious! Tony's ship! I couldn't believe it! We had a nice long catch up with Greg and watched Tenacious come in (takes a long time, its a big ship) then Tony wanted to find some konkers. I won't explain what they are because I don't know what they are really called, the things that fall off the trees. Don't ask me what trees. We walked all over Poole trying to find specific trees and had a fun rainy time foraging for konkers. We went to a place called Poole Park and it was really pretty!
Wednesday night we caught up with Tony's friend Superbike Bill. I'd met him the last time around. He is a really funny terrific guy and he had just come off a trip on a Challenge yacht. I think it was a 72 foot boat and its one you pay to go on and sail. Sounded like great fun! I was excited to hear all about it so that was really a fun evening. Then Tony's coworkers from Tenacious caught up with us and that was really hilarious. The Chief Engineer and the 2nd Engineer (the relief while Tony is away) and a cadet named Richard. So we had some good laughs and a mini pub crawl around Poole and ended up on Tenacious! Just for a quick tour and look around! It was awesome!! I got to see the mess hall, bar area, heads, engine room sort of and I walked around on deck. Not far but enough to get the feeling its a big ship. It would be so fantastic to be on it and sailing. How cool!! Really a highlight for me!
Thursday morning we caught up with Greg again and saw the Tenacious off and then Tony and I took an hour cruise around Poole harbour. Turns out its a huge harbor. Has lots of islands and its really a scenic place. It was great! The sun was out and it was just a really pretty day! Very much enjoyed that.
After that it was time to head back to the train station and off to Basingstoke. It was kinda sad to leave Poole and Tony too. I've spent alot of time in Poole, it seems familiar to me now so it was a little sad.
Tony joins his ship today and they are off for 7 weeks so we said goodbye for who knows how long this time and off I went.
It was a great week! Really a fun end to this portion of my trip. Like I keep saying I'm really hoping to keep moving but who knows. I just need to get to America first and see what will happen.
So off I go. This will be my last transmission for a day or so. At least the last from England. I'll be back though!
K
Monday, October 5, 2009
Bloggers remorse
Monday October 5th, finds me in England, it's raining. I am inside my uncles office having just completed printing my blog. Without pictures. So I can write notes and edit it as I want it.
The last day a half I've just been working on projects. Reliving the summer and rereading my blog. I've had to laugh because I really do go back and forth about everything. Job, no job, fun, no fun, money, no money. Sheesh! I can't believe (well I can because I'm me) but how much I really have no idea what I'm doing. I wonder how much that annoys the outside world? Oh well I guess. I've had a fabulous summer and I am anticipating that my adventures to come should be great.
I have gotten my photos sorted and picked out a few top selections from each place so as to save all of you the trouble of a 3000 photo slide show. I know, you can thank me later.
Saturday my Aunt and Uncle and I headed to Winchester. I've been there before and I really like it there. It was my first cathedral in England this last February and so it is the one I'm most fond of. They were having a farmers market in the square surrounding it so we did a little taste testing and had a great time wandering around. Last time i was there it was later afternoon and things were closing and it was pretty quick, so this time i really had time to see stuff. I got to take more time with the Round Table and also with the West Gate museum. All really cool! Also had time to see the Museum of Winchester which they've done a really good job with.
Tomorrow I take the train to Salisbury for a visit to another really cool cathedral. Should be fun!
Then possibly a trip to Poole to see Greg for a coffee and talk to one of Tony's friends whose just returned from a Challenge Yacht trip (pay to sail) so should be a quick week really. Uncle Stan is going to hospital tomorrow for a heart check up and will be laid up for a few days so hope that goes well and they can get him all rewired and happy as a lark.
I think that is about it! I am excited to go sit down with my blog and some music and write and write! Since I seem to like to do that!
Stay tuned!
Karen
The last day a half I've just been working on projects. Reliving the summer and rereading my blog. I've had to laugh because I really do go back and forth about everything. Job, no job, fun, no fun, money, no money. Sheesh! I can't believe (well I can because I'm me) but how much I really have no idea what I'm doing. I wonder how much that annoys the outside world? Oh well I guess. I've had a fabulous summer and I am anticipating that my adventures to come should be great.
I am still keeping my eye on coming back here and sailing to the Caribbean on the "Roma"
also thinking where I could go from there. But in the mean time debating about how much I'll blog. My day to day life is usually filled with enough mishaps to keep me going so should be fairly entertaining. Not to mention I have no clue what happens after 4:45pm on Friday October 9th. So should be interesting. Friday will be my last international travel day for a while. And its a direct bus to Heathrow, direct flight to Seattle so there is hope I can sit down with my giant blog (163 pages double spaced, double sided, no photos) and edit to my hearts content.
I have gotten my photos sorted and picked out a few top selections from each place so as to save all of you the trouble of a 3000 photo slide show. I know, you can thank me later.
Saturday my Aunt and Uncle and I headed to Winchester. I've been there before and I really like it there. It was my first cathedral in England this last February and so it is the one I'm most fond of. They were having a farmers market in the square surrounding it so we did a little taste testing and had a great time wandering around. Last time i was there it was later afternoon and things were closing and it was pretty quick, so this time i really had time to see stuff. I got to take more time with the Round Table and also with the West Gate museum. All really cool! Also had time to see the Museum of Winchester which they've done a really good job with.
Tomorrow I take the train to Salisbury for a visit to another really cool cathedral. Should be fun!
Then possibly a trip to Poole to see Greg for a coffee and talk to one of Tony's friends whose just returned from a Challenge Yacht trip (pay to sail) so should be a quick week really. Uncle Stan is going to hospital tomorrow for a heart check up and will be laid up for a few days so hope that goes well and they can get him all rewired and happy as a lark.
I think that is about it! I am excited to go sit down with my blog and some music and write and write! Since I seem to like to do that!
Stay tuned!
Karen
Thursday, October 1, 2009
October 1 Anniversary of a Demolition
It is now 4:22pm on Thursday October 1st. That means about now in the U.S. I was in the cockpit of the excavator taking the first swing at the roof of my house. Can you believe its been one year today that my house got torn down? So much stuff had gone on to get to that point and I was a million miles away from dreaming I'd be traveling around Europe a year later. I can't imagine what I'd have said if you told me this is what I'd be doing. I think I'd have laughed in your face. 
It really is hard to believe I am in England celebrating it. Wow! How fortunate am I?
All my life I've wanted to do this very thing and now I've come over and gotten a good sampling of what is out here and I just want more. As I've been able to rest up here at my aunt and uncles house I've been feeling a little sad to be going home. Its funny because when the customs guy hassled me about being sure to leave the country I really felt like saying, it can't come soon enough. But now that I've been able to catch my breath I can honestly say I hate the idea of going home. I don't want to get caught up yet, I don't want to be there thinking how much I liked this or that thing in Europe. I love it here! Or I should I say love/hate it here because I've gone through times where I just want things to be like they are at home and then like now I don't want to do it like I've always done it.
I know its time to get back to reality, get a job, get some money, get real Karen. But I don't think this adventure is over just yet. And maybe the adventure doesn't take me to the Caribbean on a yacht or on to South America and around the world but there is something better to come I'm sure of it. I just saw some job postings on the ACA website and there are some great jobs out there that I am qualified for and would include many things I've been looking for as well. So there is hope. I am encouraged. Now where to start when I get back, who knows. I kinda like that unknown. Where will I go first when I get back? What will I do? Which McDonalds will I start at because I need money bad enough! There you have it.
I do know I want to come back here. As much as England is grey and busy it has this strange calming effect. They do it different here than in main land Europe. That must be it. People queue properly (seriously!), their trains are easy to manage (yes, I've missed my fair share), they have signs marking everything everywhere. And of course the big obvious one, they speak English. Its just nice. Plus having Stan and Maureen here to encourage me and mull it all over helps too. I couldn't have managed without them this whole time!
So, as I said in my last post I do feel encouraged. I have a feeling in the pit of my stomach which is still undefined but I don't feel it be dread or anxiety or anything, I think its hope for the future.
I've only got a few days left here (until next time) and I'm trying to decide how to make the best of them. I've got just enough pounds (£~cool having a symbol on my keyboard) left to do day trips back to Oxford (one of my favorites) or to Winchester or even to Salisbury which has a cathedral as well. Then back to London to catch my flight home.
I did wake up today to the sun shine which was really a welcome sight (also a spirit lifter)!! Turning into a beautiful place around here, all the leaves changing etc.
Uncle Stan drove us down to a place called Buckler's Hard. It was the place where they built the wooden Naval ships for the war with France etc. Lord Nelson sailed on a few of the ones built there. The Agememnon and others. (once again I sit here with no pamphlet in my hand, when will I learn?)
The museum was really nicely done and loaded with ships drawings and replica ships etc. Really a cool place! I mean, you were standing in the place where people built the ships you read about in the history books. Amazing! Even the HMS Victory was built there, its now berthed in Portsmouth. If I remember right its the ship where Lord Nelson fell (died). Someone correct me if thats wrong.
So, I'm putting some photos on my blog of our outting today. I don't have a single picture with me of my old house but anyone who knows me saw them a million times over.
The photos above are our outting today. The scale model shows the brick buildings in the picture next to it. Not alot left of it really. I took one at the waterfront where they used to put the ships together. Really cool! Really enjoyed this place.
More later I'm sure.
K
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
My home away from home.
Back to England. I arrived yesterday. Sept 28th. After all teh fuss with trains in Italy it seemed like a real breeze to be back on the English trains. Phew! How nice they are! And so easy to use!
Yesterday coming through security at the airport I dropped my little laptop. I appears to still be working. I felt it slip and put my foot out to slow its descent but it still popped the battery off when it hit. Ugh, talk about wanting to throw up! I couldn't believe it! I had to keep moving but once I got through security I immediately put it back together adn turned it on. I appeared fine and I've used it since then so its okay. Yikes! I would have lost my faithful companion.
I did type a blog this morning which I'll upload now.
Its been funny to go through the stuff I left in the cupboard here, kinda like christmas or something.
When I woke up today I sat up and grabbed my notebook and starting writing down things that had come to me through the night. I was feeling very up...after feeling kinda down when I went to bed.
Yesterday coming through security at the airport I dropped my little laptop. I appears to still be working. I felt it slip and put my foot out to slow its descent but it still popped the battery off when it hit. Ugh, talk about wanting to throw up! I couldn't believe it! I had to keep moving but once I got through security I immediately put it back together adn turned it on. I appeared fine and I've used it since then so its okay. Yikes! I would have lost my faithful companion.
I did type a blog this morning which I'll upload now.
Its been funny to go through the stuff I left in the cupboard here, kinda like christmas or something.
When I woke up today I sat up and grabbed my notebook and starting writing down things that had come to me through the night. I was feeling very up...after feeling kinda down when I went to bed.
Feeling inspired this morning. Last night I went to bed pretty bummed out but I’m feeling much better, I’m not dead yet! I’m thinking about my next trip. After I get home and work my buns off and make some money I think I’ll head off again. If I can catch the boat to the
I don’t think the adventure is over just yet. We’ll see. I may get to
Today or tomorrow I’ll start editing my blogs and editing my photos and get that all done then I won’t have to worry about it so much when I get home. Just picking the highlights will be the tough part!
So we’ll see. Its nice to be back in
I was pleased to find in a charity shop in Basingstoke the second book of Bridget Jones' Diary so I am really excited to see how it ends! Since I've reread the first one at least 3 times. I also found Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman Long Way Round which I can't wait to read! They motorbike around teh world basically and write about it which should be exciting.
So off I go to sort my stuff out.
Back in the US October 9th. Wow! 4 months and one day later.
k
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Hell hath no furry like a Milano scourned
Travel day again. Matt and I are currently getting ready for bed having had no supper. We are in a hostel that is near Malpensa airport. Since we both decided we hate Milan we figured we get closer to the airport and this place offers free rides to and from the airport so that is good. The one thing it doesn't offer is a location near anything. But lets back up. I typed up our morning train ride and then all hell broke loose when we hit Milan. As usual. It knew we were coming back and it was waiting to torture us.
This mornings train ride was awesome!
9:15am ish...
This mornings train ride was awesome!
9:15am ish...
Matt and I are on the train headed back to
Last night Matt and I ate a sandwich and then went downstairs for some chips and salsa in the cantina. They have amazing salsa which is a first. I've not had salsa all summer.
Then we went across the street and had a pint and people watched for a bit I overheard a man near us talking about
After we left there we decided to walk around and ended up by the train station where we’d seen a locals bar (it appeared, who knows) and they were having seventies night so all sort of people had on wigs and hilarious sequin outfits. My kinda place really! Too bad I didn’t pack one of my wigs. Ha! So Matt and I parked it there for a while. It was great fun! We met a couple from
It was so fun! Everyone was really friendly. I had a drink there that didn’t have a name but it was made with brown sugar, lime, strawberry juice, rum and then a splash of champagne. Really good.
After that place we were all out in the street following the locals around and we ended up at a place called Le Garage. It was an after hours club and they had dance music (and no cover charge) so me and a small group of the stag party went in to dance and then ran into a hen party there too which was funny. So it was a lot of fun. I got to bed around
The girl from
Really tough to leave
Its already
This train we are on isn’t nearly as nice as the others have been. We’re all in the cabins with the 6 seats. I’ll take a photo.
So you can see we had a good start to the day. When we hit Milan we had to figure out how to get to the airport. Yes there is a shuttle bus that runs every 20 minutes or so but we thought it was more expensive than the train would be. So we had to find an ATM which wasn't easy, it meant going out into the city a bit to find one that worked. Then we decided we better eat something quick because we weren't sure of the food situation (and we were right) at our hostel location. So we went to McDonalds which was packed!! And really slow! After that it was back to the Train station to catch the metro. So it turned out we had to take the metro to another stop then find the train and go the rest of the way. Not too bad if the metro signs weren't so retarded...I know what you're thinking...who's retarded Karen?
Once we managed to find the train we discovered that a train ticket to the airport was more than a bus ticket would have been and that whole portion of our journey added almost 2 hours. Ugh.
At the airport we had to laugh because we needed the arrivals level of the airport and we followed the signs up this huge escalator which took us past the floor we needed and so we had to find a way back down. I mean, come on!
Once we got picked up and taken to the place we are staying we decided to walk to the square for food but alas, we found none. In either direction. Nothing to be seen, nothing to eat only busy roads with no sidewalks and no street lights. Lovely.
So here we sit eating the junk food we brought with us for the trip (thank goodness for that) and getting repacked and ready for our flights tomorrow. I am excited to get out of here. I think Matt has had enough too.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
The mountain speaks
Today I found the city cemetery, it sits up on the mountain a little ways and is literally surrounded by the trees etc it was really a cool spot. After I walked around a little bit I realized that alot of people buried there died on this mountain or that. Pretty amazing. There were alot, not old people either. Some had died on mountains outside france some had died just up the mountain from where I stood. Makes you think!
Matt is currently walking around the Mer du Glace. The glacier that they let you walk through. He took this cool train up. I am glad he went. I think he will be too. So we'll see some photos when he gets back.
I am going to skip Paris and just head straight for England. Running out of money and it turns out taht the Louvre is closed Tuesdays which I didn't know but couldn't help schedule wise, so I'll just come back another time. Really bummed about it but its okay.
So on I go to England to prepare myself to head back to the US. Should be nice. I'll review my pictures, edit my blogs and job hunt. Then I'm off to the US for a reality check.
There is a hockey game tonight. Matt and I may go watch, otherwise another night strolling in Chamonix. The city is a little busier today, weekenders I think. Its a beautiful Fall here. Trees are changing and the air is crisp. Its really nice!
I'm going to go for a walk and then meet Matt at the train station. Hopefully he had a great time.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Chamonix Mt. Blanc is my new home, don't I wish
Well, it was really something to get here but it was worth the trouble. This place is great!! I am currently sitting on the terrace of my hostel/hotel thing with a view to my right of Mt. Blanc and the French Alps. It's so beautiful here! Matt is just in awe of this place. After we put our stuff down we walked around the town a bit then caught the gondola up to the peak (of dear, I don't have its name handy) Anyways, really high up. The place you go is 3842 meters high and you're looking up at Mt Blanc from there. It was so awesome. The view in any direction was just spectacular!
Our train ride in should have been a good indication. As it started to get lighter and lighter (we boarded our first train at 6:03am) we could see the mountains emerging and it just kept getting better and better and then we were at the train station in no time. Thank goodness.
Its been so great to be out of th city finally. This place has no tour bus crowds (expect Japanese/Chinese, they are everywhere) but its been fun. Lots of mountaineering shops and climbers wandering the streets. Really laid back place here. Its incredible. I love it here! Reminds me of home sort of. Except without the prices and the French speaking etc. Hehehe
So far the French people have exceeded expectations. We have many pleasant encounters with people thank goodness again.
I think this afternoon Matt and I will just chill out in th park or something. Its just too stunning to do anything else. I'm not kidding, wait until I upload the photos. Which I would have done right now but I got moved outside and locked out while the nice man cleans the rooms. So I'm typing while I wait to be let back in.
There is a weird haze around all of Italy, not sure what that is. It reminds me of when they burn the fields in Nampa etc. So when we were at the top of the mountain we could see the haze layer below us. Too weird for a mountain range like this.
The hotel we are staying at (hotel at hostel prices~my toilet doesn't have a seat!) has a Mexican restaurant downstairs so we will eat mexican tonight. Its called Hotel El Paso.
Tomorrow night there is a hockey game here in town. We might try to go see it! That would be fun! Its going to be a pretty quiet couple of days and then we head back to dreaded Milan for one more night before we both fly out. This was such an awesome way to end Matts trip. Now that I've seen the big stuff I'll spend more time in the Alps next time I'm in Italy. Wow that was a trip.
My achiles tendon and my heel are so sore I can't put shoes on. I had to go up the mountain with my flip flops. We are talking icy pathways and snow up there. Brr!!
I think this is by far the coolest place I've been so far! We will take a different route out of here too so we'll be in the mountains for that!
We came here by way of Chambery, Annecy, St Gervais I think its a typical route from Lyon or Paris to get here. (except Chambery)
Anyone know any french words? I mean, we are struggling here big time! We didn't intend to be in a french speaking place for as long as we were. With out epic train journey through France. ha!
So, I am just still here waiting for the nice man to let me back in. I haven't a penny in my pocket to go buy a soda or anything so unless I want hotsauce I'm out of luck. (hotsauce on the tables in the terrace of the texmex restaurant. ha!
more later and pictures too!! Its so beautiful!!
Our train ride in should have been a good indication. As it started to get lighter and lighter (we boarded our first train at 6:03am) we could see the mountains emerging and it just kept getting better and better and then we were at the train station in no time. Thank goodness.
Its been so great to be out of th city finally. This place has no tour bus crowds (expect Japanese/Chinese, they are everywhere) but its been fun. Lots of mountaineering shops and climbers wandering the streets. Really laid back place here. Its incredible. I love it here! Reminds me of home sort of. Except without the prices and the French speaking etc. Hehehe
So far the French people have exceeded expectations. We have many pleasant encounters with people thank goodness again.
I think this afternoon Matt and I will just chill out in th park or something. Its just too stunning to do anything else. I'm not kidding, wait until I upload the photos. Which I would have done right now but I got moved outside and locked out while the nice man cleans the rooms. So I'm typing while I wait to be let back in.
There is a weird haze around all of Italy, not sure what that is. It reminds me of when they burn the fields in Nampa etc. So when we were at the top of the mountain we could see the haze layer below us. Too weird for a mountain range like this.
The hotel we are staying at (hotel at hostel prices~my toilet doesn't have a seat!) has a Mexican restaurant downstairs so we will eat mexican tonight. Its called Hotel El Paso.
Tomorrow night there is a hockey game here in town. We might try to go see it! That would be fun! Its going to be a pretty quiet couple of days and then we head back to dreaded Milan for one more night before we both fly out. This was such an awesome way to end Matts trip. Now that I've seen the big stuff I'll spend more time in the Alps next time I'm in Italy. Wow that was a trip.
My achiles tendon and my heel are so sore I can't put shoes on. I had to go up the mountain with my flip flops. We are talking icy pathways and snow up there. Brr!!
I think this is by far the coolest place I've been so far! We will take a different route out of here too so we'll be in the mountains for that!
We came here by way of Chambery, Annecy, St Gervais I think its a typical route from Lyon or Paris to get here. (except Chambery)
Anyone know any french words? I mean, we are struggling here big time! We didn't intend to be in a french speaking place for as long as we were. With out epic train journey through France. ha!
So, I am just still here waiting for the nice man to let me back in. I haven't a penny in my pocket to go buy a soda or anything so unless I want hotsauce I'm out of luck. (hotsauce on the tables in the terrace of the texmex restaurant. ha!
more later and pictures too!! Its so beautiful!!
Okay there are some photos on here now. It took a while. Matt and I ended up sitting down at the restaurant here for some Mexican and it was so expensive that we went and bought a sandwich some where else instead. The salsa they had was good though.
While we were out we met an entire group of guys from Switzerland, they all turned out to be police officers. They were on a weekend break driving their motorcycles around the area and stopped in Chamonix. They were great fun. All spoke english and so matt and I had a laugh with them for a bit then headed home.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Travel Day Hell, Return to Milano
Oh yes. Milano Centrale Station is our mortal enemy!
RIght now Matt and I are staying a little hotel in a place called Annecy France. Not what we were planning on doing but alas thats what you get. I typed my blog on the train when I was still cooling off from the fit of rage at my poor planning (once again) Lets go back, check out my naivity below...not knowing what was in store.
RIght now Matt and I are staying a little hotel in a place called Annecy France. Not what we were planning on doing but alas thats what you get. I typed my blog on the train when I was still cooling off from the fit of rage at my poor planning (once again) Lets go back, check out my naivity below...not knowing what was in store.
Thursday 24th
We just got onto the train headed back to
This train is loaded with really loud people this time. It’s not usually this loud. Matt and I are tired enough though we may sleep.
Sheesh! Its now 6pm. We are on a train headed to who knows where. Matt and I officially hate
We got to
After we saw the schedule and discovered there were no other trains/options we decided to do it and then he hit us with the price of the tickets. Are you kidding me?! Why on earth?
We wanted to find an info desk to make sure we’d gotten the right thing but there wasn’t one. After all the wandering the signs led us back to the stupid ticket office again. So we chose to get in line and hope for an English speaking person. As our turn came and we walked to the window of our person these four grey hairs walked up and just started doing business. They skipped the huge line entirely. And it wasn’t just a question they had they ended up buying tickets. So here we stand and people are jerks about this line too so we had no hope of getting to another person we just had to stand there like dorks and wait for someone near by to move off. Sheesh. WE did manage to get an English speaker though so that helped, she reviewed our tickets and assured us it was the only option so we stopped cursing under our breath.
Matt and I decided that we had better eat and buy stuff to eat for this journey so we headed out into the heat of Milan and found a McDonalds, quick easy off you go. I stopped at this ridiculous internet café and emailed cancellations to hostels and SOS to Linda at AAA about trains etc and then Matt and went back to the train station to find our platform. We did find a place selling panini’s and water etc so we loaded up. We had to buy something for dinner and breakfast.
The train was easy to find but the coaches were hard to tell apart. Not sure which number was where. We got on and got our seats (not together, what a jerk because this train is not full at all) then a family came and they had the same seats so we shifted a bit and then realized they were in the wrong coach. No big deal. Just as we were leaving the station three police men came on the train and walked straight for us. It was really weird! They asked for our passports and called them in etc. it was really weird. Why would they come straight to us and skip everyone else. They checked t family next to us too. Weird!
We’ve just passed the
After our initial panic we are doing much better. Stupid trains in
So we change trains in
Well Matt and I finally read through our ticket stuff and it turned out we got Off the train at 10pm and On it again at 6 am so what to do in teh mean time?? And so there you have it.
Pretty amazing scenery though.
And nice people so far too.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
reservations and tour groups and artwork oh my!
Thursday (?) Sept 23rd. Its 4:30ish now.
Florence is pretty neat. I think assuming you know something about art it is really pretty cool but when you have no clue what you are looking at etc it can get a bit boring. Yes, I'll admit it I am not an art museum person. I'll go, and I'll look and I enjoy it but how many times can you see the same thing painted.
Matt and I got going fairly early. We wanted to accomplish two things right away. The first was go stand in line to MAKE a reservation for the Uffizi Gallery. If you remember right I was supposed to do that for the Accademia too. The second thing was to get in line and climb up the dome of the main cathedral here. So off we went first to Uffizi. We found the line. Waited 30 minutes to go in and make our reservations and then we headed off to the dome. Well, turns out there isn't a line to climb it. Why would there be?! There isn't a lift to help you up part of the way. So we went straight in and up and up we went. It was pretty brutal too since we are both still really worn out! But we made it and it was great! What a view! We took our pictures and then headed back down again. This dome climb was a little different than St Peters because you go straight up the dome. There isn't a zigzag to get there its just up you go!
We went inside the cathedral from the bottom too so we could see it. Its really not much to look at inside but it is just a huge place! Really tall!
We walked around from there and went to the entrances to a few museums etc and decided it was a waste to pay for more art we didn't know about so we chose to walk over the bridge and up the hill on the other side to get that famous view of the city of Florence. Its amazing you don't really have to go that far to get it. It was really sunny today so it seems a bit bright Matt is thinking about going up there at sunset time but I may not make it :)
We were getting tired and hungry and fed up with the waves of tourists here so we found food and pigged out. Both of us had pasta today. So yummy!
We sat adn people watched for a while and then went to the Uffizi Gallery to see what all the fuss was about. Hmmm anyone know what all the fuss was about? Ha! Just kidding. The art in there is from people you've heard about. Pictures you've seen etc. It was great! We saw the Birth of Venus by Botticcelli. And thats about all i could name but it was cool. From there we popped into the Science museum where Galileo has his stuff at and they were working on the rooms full of his stuff so we were really disappointed in that but the other stuff was really awesome. what a thing to be around when people were just coming up with stuff that we use every day! How neat!
So, now we are at the hostel and napping etc trying to take a break. Its really hot here today! Sunny and busy!
We'll go out later when the sun goes down again.
I'm uploading photos right now so check yesterdays blog for some pics.
The photos are: matt in front of the replica David in Piazza della Signoria, me on the stairs up to the dome. the view from the dome and a view of teh crowds of people down the street.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Falling for Florence
This place is so great. But let me upload my morning blog first then I'll continue. Florence is so great!!
Blog for the 22nd. Not sure what day of the week it is.
Matt and I are on the train to
This morning I already wrote about. Hostel morning. More like hostal morning. We headed out and took a new route to see some other sights before our train today. We saw another big church and then we went and saw another small church with a famous sculpture in it and then we went to another church with a crypt made up of bones. Really amazing. I’ll take a picture of the postcard. No photos allowed inside. Basically they have these rooms and they decorated them with human bones. Very creative use of the leg bones, pelvis’, vertebrae etc. Even jaw bones. Wow!
We walked back toward the ancient ruins from there and saw some new sides of the place which was really cool. And while we were standing there we realized they’d opened the gates to the big wedding cake building and you could climb up to the top of it so we ran over there and did that. It was great! Nice views. The building is just immense.
By this time Matt and I had about had it. We were tired and hungry and grouchy so we decided to go get some food and sit down. We had a yummy lunch today. I had homemade Italian lasagna and matt had pizza.
While we were sat there I realized that the statue La Pieta (one I studied long ago for a project) was in the church right by the hostel so we hustled over there and it turns out its closed during lunch time. So I missed it. Really disappointing. Matt and I had been to that church the first night we were in
It’s a funny thing about these sculptures. They are so small compared to the photos you always see of them. I mean, wow! Its surprising for sure!
Being totally out of luck at that church we just jumped on the subway to the train station and here you have it.
Matt is so worn out its not even funny! He is really tired and grumpy today. We haven’t had a mellow time yet. Its been hard to fit it all in and have time to relax.
Our feet and legs and backs and necks ache. This is an unbelievably grueling journey we’re doing. Ha! So much walking!!
Let me just describe this place
Right now there is a think layer of stink in the dorm room I'm in. Once you go outside the haze you can't go back in because you're suddenly aware of it. Oh my gosh! And the windows are even open.
I got up kinda early hoping to catch a shower (ew! shower here) and avoid the puddles on the floor but someone else had the same thought. I got in to the shower room (little individual rooms) and there isn't a hook for your stuff so I had to carefully balance my stuff one at a time on the door knob just above the pool on the floor. yuck. Then when I had a look at the shower there was a pile of hair (yes, shower drain hair) stuck to the wall outside it. Oh, hold on I'm going to throw up :)
So having gotten cleaned up and in the hopes of going back to lay down thats when I discovered the funk. I am sitting outside in the lobby area instead. Ugh. Going to be a long day again. Its been hard to get caught up because we go for hours all day and then have crappy sleep etc. This couple either got up at 5am or came in at 5am and made so much noise. I mean, come in and go to bed. Sheesh!
At least the door man here isn't blasting music today. I've just been working on uploading my photos to the other blogs so you'll have to go back and look at venice and rome.
So glad to be done with this place! Its one thing to have such a close location but the hassles aren't worth it. Matt and I stayed out late after we got back from the St Peters Square last night. We didn't want to deal with the hostel until we had to. Ha!
I hope Florence is a bit better because I'm really sick of this whole thing at the moment. I think Matt and I are in dorms until we hit Chamonix thats friday and saturday nights. Should be fun. We are staying in a place called Hotel El Paso. Maybe a dump but we'll see. At least we get our own room with 2 double beds and a clean shower that 50 other people aren't sharing.
Okay off ot upload some pictures for everyone.
I got up kinda early hoping to catch a shower (ew! shower here) and avoid the puddles on the floor but someone else had the same thought. I got in to the shower room (little individual rooms) and there isn't a hook for your stuff so I had to carefully balance my stuff one at a time on the door knob just above the pool on the floor. yuck. Then when I had a look at the shower there was a pile of hair (yes, shower drain hair) stuck to the wall outside it. Oh, hold on I'm going to throw up :)
So having gotten cleaned up and in the hopes of going back to lay down thats when I discovered the funk. I am sitting outside in the lobby area instead. Ugh. Going to be a long day again. Its been hard to get caught up because we go for hours all day and then have crappy sleep etc. This couple either got up at 5am or came in at 5am and made so much noise. I mean, come in and go to bed. Sheesh!
At least the door man here isn't blasting music today. I've just been working on uploading my photos to the other blogs so you'll have to go back and look at venice and rome.
So glad to be done with this place! Its one thing to have such a close location but the hassles aren't worth it. Matt and I stayed out late after we got back from the St Peters Square last night. We didn't want to deal with the hostel until we had to. Ha!
I hope Florence is a bit better because I'm really sick of this whole thing at the moment. I think Matt and I are in dorms until we hit Chamonix thats friday and saturday nights. Should be fun. We are staying in a place called Hotel El Paso. Maybe a dump but we'll see. At least we get our own room with 2 double beds and a clean shower that 50 other people aren't sharing.
Okay off ot upload some pictures for everyone.
Ew someone just opened the door and let the funk out. Run away run away!
That picture makes this place look okay but don't be fooled.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Rome part 2 called: I survived the Sistene Chapel
Wow. Rome. At every turn this morning Matt and I had to chuckle because there would another monument, another ruins another church another obelisk. It was pretty funny. We started out pretty early. The hostel staff here are ridiculous for sure. About 7:45am the man out front (this isn't a big place) turned on the loudest movie and it was impossible to sleep. So annoying.
We got going just to get out of this hell hole. Hate this hostel for sure. Matt agrees!
We got to the metro in time for the Roman morning commute. There is one. Its the most amazing thing I've ever seen. I've seen crowded metro cars in London, but here, you literally push yourself onto the train and hope the door closes! Wow! So crowded. Luckily we didn't have to go far and we knew we were going to walk alot so it was a nice start to be "driven" there.
Our first stop was the Spanish steps. We walked right by them. It was really funny. They were empty of people and we thought for sure it wasn't them. It was funny.
Then we went on to Trevi fountian. Good luck finding that! We did manage to find a walking tour of Rome though so they sort of led the way there. Pretty cool for sure, built right in the building, not sure which came first the building or the fountain!
We moved onto the Pantheon next and then onto Piazza Navona and had a cappaccino. Not as grand as St Marks square but nice. The chairs were pinkish purple too so I liked that.
We were trying to make our way to the Vatican and we wanted to hit it at a certain time. All the guide books said around noonish its not as busy. Well...we hit it around 11ish and it was so busy. the line to get through security at St Peters was areally long but it moved pretty fast so we just hopped in. We went and had a look inside with 1,000 of our closest friends and then went and got in line to climb up to the Cupola (the top of the dome) you pay less if you take stairs all the way so matt and I put our game faces on and up we climbed. Wow!! 551 stairs altogether. The sign told me that I didn't count!
It was awesome. Matt and I and 200 of our closest friends all gathered up there to see the view and then climb back down. It was worth it. When you climb up a big dome like that the stairs are going up but the walls are on the curve of the dome. Its freaky! So cool though!
Oh and when you are looking at the front of St Peters Basilica the apostle on the left hand side next to the winged thing that's Saint Matthew. Just so you know.
We were really in search of the entrance to the Sistene chapel. And not having read up on it we didn't know you have to go into the Vatican Museum to get to it. Who knew. So we lined up and 45 minutes later reached the entrance and then 1 hour of slow walking with 1,000 of our closest friends (again). Oh my gosh!! Did they have the heat on or what. It was insane! So many peopole and they just lead you this way and that and through the room and this way and that and always a sign of hope that the sistene chapel is just around th corner but no! So we made it to this little room and viola! There it was. AMAZING! All i have to say. No photos aloud. Lame but thats okay.
Matt and I were so tired by then that we ran to the exit, which isn't easy to reach either. Good grief! Same thing with the signs. always seems to be right around the corner but no! We did get outside and find there was NO line though which made us want to cry. Seriously! We would have had no crowds (or much less :(
After that whole ordeal we sat down and took a break, we'd walked like 13 miles by this time and its only 4pm. I wanted to see the mouth of truth so we decided to power through and go see it and then try to find the entrance to the forum again.
Ont the way to the mouth of truth we passed the Campo di Fiora and then into the Jewish Ghetto area and then we stumbled onto these ruins, literally you round a corner and there are these ancient ruins. So amazing.
We found the mouth of truth and a bus load of 50 of our closest friends unloaded (they were everywhere, such good friends...please!) and got in line to take their photo. They gate it off now and you can pay .50 to have someone take a photo of you with your hand in the mouth so that was cool. We did it. Matt and I are both not liars.
From there we walked up a hill to what looked like an entry point on our lame map and alas, just gates. I fianlly asked and a nice man sent us back the way we had come the other day. Yeah right. So frustrating!!
So we had to walk around the giant buildings etc to find it and when we finally did (because it does exist) we were greeted by the ticket lady and a 12 euro entrance fee. SO LAME!! After all that Matt and I were too tired and broke to care so we didn't go in. I mean, what a struggle!! So annoying! It wasn't even marked. We had to really hunt to find it. Rome and signage are not friends.
At that point we walked back toward the Hell(hostel) and found a place to have pizza :) Matts batteries aren't lasting so we came back here to recharge them until we go back to the vatican to see it at night. We are taking the metro back there though because its too much walking for our weary feet!
We are in Rome until 3pm tomorrow and I don't know what we'll go see. I want to go see a crypt and some sculptures etc so we'll do that. On to florence tomorrow.
Photos to come soon. Sorry about that. Its just hard to be doing this with Matt here. Internet usage is retarded in this country. I'm not as connected as I have been so its been hard.
Okay, thats about it. We go see the vatican again tonight and then to bed.
K
We got going just to get out of this hell hole. Hate this hostel for sure. Matt agrees!
We got to the metro in time for the Roman morning commute. There is one. Its the most amazing thing I've ever seen. I've seen crowded metro cars in London, but here, you literally push yourself onto the train and hope the door closes! Wow! So crowded. Luckily we didn't have to go far and we knew we were going to walk alot so it was a nice start to be "driven" there.
Our first stop was the Spanish steps. We walked right by them. It was really funny. They were empty of people and we thought for sure it wasn't them. It was funny.
Then we went on to Trevi fountian. Good luck finding that! We did manage to find a walking tour of Rome though so they sort of led the way there. Pretty cool for sure, built right in the building, not sure which came first the building or the fountain!
We moved onto the Pantheon next and then onto Piazza Navona and had a cappaccino. Not as grand as St Marks square but nice. The chairs were pinkish purple too so I liked that.
We were trying to make our way to the Vatican and we wanted to hit it at a certain time. All the guide books said around noonish its not as busy. Well...we hit it around 11ish and it was so busy. the line to get through security at St Peters was areally long but it moved pretty fast so we just hopped in. We went and had a look inside with 1,000 of our closest friends and then went and got in line to climb up to the Cupola (the top of the dome) you pay less if you take stairs all the way so matt and I put our game faces on and up we climbed. Wow!! 551 stairs altogether. The sign told me that I didn't count!
It was awesome. Matt and I and 200 of our closest friends all gathered up there to see the view and then climb back down. It was worth it. When you climb up a big dome like that the stairs are going up but the walls are on the curve of the dome. Its freaky! So cool though!
Oh and when you are looking at the front of St Peters Basilica the apostle on the left hand side next to the winged thing that's Saint Matthew. Just so you know.
We were really in search of the entrance to the Sistene chapel. And not having read up on it we didn't know you have to go into the Vatican Museum to get to it. Who knew. So we lined up and 45 minutes later reached the entrance and then 1 hour of slow walking with 1,000 of our closest friends (again). Oh my gosh!! Did they have the heat on or what. It was insane! So many peopole and they just lead you this way and that and through the room and this way and that and always a sign of hope that the sistene chapel is just around th corner but no! So we made it to this little room and viola! There it was. AMAZING! All i have to say. No photos aloud. Lame but thats okay.
Matt and I were so tired by then that we ran to the exit, which isn't easy to reach either. Good grief! Same thing with the signs. always seems to be right around the corner but no! We did get outside and find there was NO line though which made us want to cry. Seriously! We would have had no crowds (or much less :(
After that whole ordeal we sat down and took a break, we'd walked like 13 miles by this time and its only 4pm. I wanted to see the mouth of truth so we decided to power through and go see it and then try to find the entrance to the forum again.
Ont the way to the mouth of truth we passed the Campo di Fiora and then into the Jewish Ghetto area and then we stumbled onto these ruins, literally you round a corner and there are these ancient ruins. So amazing.
We found the mouth of truth and a bus load of 50 of our closest friends unloaded (they were everywhere, such good friends...please!) and got in line to take their photo. They gate it off now and you can pay .50 to have someone take a photo of you with your hand in the mouth so that was cool. We did it. Matt and I are both not liars.
From there we walked up a hill to what looked like an entry point on our lame map and alas, just gates. I fianlly asked and a nice man sent us back the way we had come the other day. Yeah right. So frustrating!!
So we had to walk around the giant buildings etc to find it and when we finally did (because it does exist) we were greeted by the ticket lady and a 12 euro entrance fee. SO LAME!! After all that Matt and I were too tired and broke to care so we didn't go in. I mean, what a struggle!! So annoying! It wasn't even marked. We had to really hunt to find it. Rome and signage are not friends.
At that point we walked back toward the Hell(hostel) and found a place to have pizza :) Matts batteries aren't lasting so we came back here to recharge them until we go back to the vatican to see it at night. We are taking the metro back there though because its too much walking for our weary feet!
We are in Rome until 3pm tomorrow and I don't know what we'll go see. I want to go see a crypt and some sculptures etc so we'll do that. On to florence tomorrow.
Photos to come soon. Sorry about that. Its just hard to be doing this with Matt here. Internet usage is retarded in this country. I'm not as connected as I have been so its been hard.
Okay, thats about it. We go see the vatican again tonight and then to bed.
K
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Rome part 1 called: Lets visit a Coloseum today
My gosh. Rome. Wow!
Its huge. Not like a big city, but the stuff you see here is HUGE. The coloseum is amazing!! And Matt and I walked around for ever tonight just trying to take it all in. The stuff is so big it doesn't fit in photos!
Its 10:33 pm and I am in a busy loud hostel right now trying to remember my day. I may type it up and cut and paste. Sorry to do that but the internet is only available in the lobby and not the room so I can't think straight.
I think I'll do that. I also took so many photos that I cant' pick to download so I'll work on that too and get it done. tomorrow we go to see the Vatican etc. Thats St. Peters square and the Basillica and the Sistene Chapel etc.
I'm going to go type. Be patient. Its not been easy!! Like I said!
K
Here is the stuff I wrote for Part 1
Its huge. Not like a big city, but the stuff you see here is HUGE. The coloseum is amazing!! And Matt and I walked around for ever tonight just trying to take it all in. The stuff is so big it doesn't fit in photos!
Its 10:33 pm and I am in a busy loud hostel right now trying to remember my day. I may type it up and cut and paste. Sorry to do that but the internet is only available in the lobby and not the room so I can't think straight.
I think I'll do that. I also took so many photos that I cant' pick to download so I'll work on that too and get it done. tomorrow we go to see the Vatican etc. Thats St. Peters square and the Basillica and the Sistene Chapel etc.
I'm going to go type. Be patient. Its not been easy!! Like I said!
K
Here is the stuff I wrote for Part 1
We got up early and had a nice walk to the train station. We gave ourselves plenty of time and ended up sitting down and waiting. We had some really yummy pastry (of course) croissant filled with custard (of course) so good. We found bread to have a sandwich on the train and it was an easy morning. We had the seats to ourselves until
When we got to
We found our hostel (Lets talk hostel for a quick second) It took 3 times ringing the buzzer to get in adn then we go to the lobby and a real pretty girl was at teh desk surrounded by 2 italian men both being charming and loud and she didn't even acknowlege us for a bit. Matt and I are tired and not in the mood so we just tried to be patient (he did, I about lost it) once we finally got checked in it was like; okay heres your change okay these two beds are yours. And that was it. No reading of the rules etc. Which is helpful when they plan to lock you out from 11-4pm but oh well. We were gone all the day anyways.
So we got our stuff dropped off and then headed to the coloseum. When we were at the ATM getting money we turned around and found that we were looking at the coloseum. It was so close! 2 minutes walk maybe! Awesome!
We walked around it and then decided to go in. The line wasn’t too long. Worth it too! Then we tried our hardest to find the entrance to the forum. Wow. Not easy.; The signs are non existent (after
We never really made it in there. Maybe tomorrow. Where would an entrace be? Why would they make that so hard?
We did manage to wander all over the place though. This city is pretty easy to get around. Believe it or not.
We had dinner at a nice little place near the coloseum. Pizza for matt and spaghetti for me. Our big Italian waiter was a joke, he was so miserable it was ridiculous. Like really hating life and all of us in his restaurant too, but the others were funny and nice.
Then back to our hostel (hell) so loud and crazy young with kids here. They had a spaghetti dinner and sangria for 3 euro. We missed it. But the kids were all getting drunk from it. Annoying. Even matt thinks so. He’ll be 30 this year.
A whole day in Venice
Blog 19th
After that we went a different way to St marks in hopes of finding the
We decided not to wander into the mass of people and instead go to the other big Cathedral across the water. So that was a fun wander through the streets and squares until we were able to cross and keep wandereing. We managed to find a walk way that went along the water not facing the main part of Venice and that was funny because the high water was lapping up onto the walk way. Amazing how that works here. How does that work here?
We managed to find the church and had a look inside and it was pretty neat.
We walked to the end of the road so to speak to the customs house and that literally comes to a point. All of the sudden you are at the end. Pretty neat.
When we were headed back we both were starving so we had a slice of pizza. Again. Its so good and cheap here.
Once we got back to St Marks the water and people had subsided a bit and we were tired so we chose to sit and have a coffee there. Um…we just ordered a cappuccino, 2 please! And we sat in beautiful st. marks and enjoyed the view and the people watching and had our 10 euro coffee. 10 euros a piece. Yup! Live and learn. Matt was soaking it up though. He is loving it!!
Matt ended up buying these hand drawn watercolors and charcoal drawings of
On our way back to the hostel for a quick break we stopped at the market and I also found a little shop with these huge vats of wine and they just pour it into bottles and off you go. Really cheap! So I bought one to try. Really cool!! Not that great a wine but still for the experience.
On our way back into the city we decided to seriously souvenir shop for the parents and ourselves etc just to get that done. It wasn’t hard. There is so much to choose from!
We wandered around the alley ways some more and ended up back at the
We had a nice wander back to the hostel and are now in bed and preparing to get up and wander back to the train station tomorrow to head to
It’s a 4.5 hour train ride and we bought some food and drink to get us through this time so we are getting better prepared as we go. Its been so fun!!
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