Here I am, in my bed at the London hostel, about 830am. The room is still somewhat dark because the sun is covered by clouds and the air is crisp. I can hear the morning start, birds chirping, busses passing and people in the hostel getting up to shower. But here I am, just laying here, not wanting to move. I have a flight today at 130 to Dublin and although I am completely excited to see the other "motherland", I don't want to leave here. Flight at 130 means be at the airport by 1130, which means leaving he hostel at 10 or 1030 to allow plenty of time (I calculate getting lost or screwing something up into my plans now). I still have to shower, eat breakfast, repack and configure my luggage, and take it downstairs (yes, in a 4 story hostel, who do you think got assigned to the 4th floor?). This basically means I should get up now.... But I don't want tooooooooo! I fell in love with London and its people, way of life, and culture.
My last few days here had its ups and downs. I lost my train pass, still battling a cold that I'm worried about, and there is a nerve in my back that is killing me. But with all that aside, I still managed to enjoy London.
While walking down the street, thinking about my backpain actually, I looked across the street and TA-DA! A chinese massage and accuuncture shop! It was meant to be. I went in, consulted with the "doctor" on staff who needed a translator, and agreed that an hour deep tissue massage followed with 30 minutes acupuncture would help with my pain. I had never done acupuncture before but I really liked it! While listening to soothing chinese music, the massage was just what i needed and I practically drooled everywhere. The accupuncture was very relaxing too and I felt like a new woman afterwards! The pain is still somewhat there, but it does feel a lot better.
Yesterday morning, I put on my black boots that I brought with me (not my hunter rain boots) and realized the heel was worn so thin, you could almost see my sock. So I asked a guy that works here where I could get cheap boots and he said " our lost and found box upstairs. If you find anything, take it!" So I looked and found a pair of brown boots that are really cute and fit me almost perfectly! They are a little big but perfect with 2 socks, which this weather calls for anyways. Woohoo!! Free boots!
I finished my trip with some more sightseeing (Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Piccadilly Circus, Soho) and I also saw Phantom of the Opera. Amazing! I made friends with Jeremie, a French worker here, and we talked about French food and wine while eating French cheese and drinking Sauternes, my favorite dessert wine. He showed me how to eat cheese like the French do: stuff a large amount in your mouth all at once. I don't know if that's really how they do it or just his way, but it was fun regardless. And I went to O'Neil's one last time in hopes to see Terry, but he wasn't there. So I sat down with my Guinness and wrote instead. And this is what I wrote:
"After everything I've done and seen in London, making friends, going out, eating and sightseeing, I still come back to the same conclusion: its just me. What I mean by that is at the end of the day, you only have yourself. Yourself to count on to make you smile, to take care of you, to make decisions for you. I don't mean this to sound depressing at all. That is not my intention. It's just that your own plans or concepts don't matter to anyone else more than it does to yourself. Your family loves you and cares and Most of your friends care too. But YOU are the only one that you always count on. When something goes right, you are there to pat yourself on the back. When things go wrong, you are there to reassure yourself that tomorrow will be better. I don't know what I would do or who I would be without my friends or family because they all mean a lot to me... But who would I be without me?
Traveling without family has taught me a lot: mom and dad won't be there to plan things for you, you are responsible for everything that happens, and you support everything you do. But traveling completely alone has taught me more: you are the ONLY one that controls what you do, where you go and what you see. If something goes wrong, it's up to you to fix it or make it better. When you get lost, it's up to you to find your way. If someone disappoints you, are you still able to make the most of it? I've always considered myself pretty independent, but now it has a new meaning. After these 6 days, I have learned that I can navigate on my own, figure out public transportation on my own ( a fear of mine), eat alone, see shows alone, sightsee alone and still have fun but most importantly, still be COMFORTABLE. Independence is not quite independence until you're comfortable.
I think in the past 6 days I've become so much more comfortable in my own skin. Ive finally learned to enjoy me because of who I am. Because when your all alone, little insecurities don't matter. What matters is being able to survive on your own, where you will sleep, where you will eat, how you will get there, how will you pay, will you be safe. Living, essentially... And thats it. Just living. Then you move past that and get to REALLY living and seeing and doing and FEELING. Oh, the feelings! When you move past the scared and the doubtful and just feel the moment, there are no words to describe it.
This trip is full of ups and downs but when I look back at it, they are all ups. Because not one thing happened that I didn't learn something from. And I live to learn, by the way. I love learning new things. But I've discovered learning to live. A whole new world.
Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" just came on. ITS A SIGN!!! And you all know I believe in fate. And you all know I love this song. :) and then I looked at my camera and saw a picture of an engraving I saw at Westminster Abbey. It says "the wind goeth towards the south and turneth about unto the north. It whirleth about continually and the wind returneth again according to his circuits"."
I'm doing something right.
1.18.2012
1.15.2012
Ahhhhh!!!!!
I've lost my eurorail pass. And I'm freaking out. I've spent all morning crying and retracing my steps and going to places I may have left it and nothing. I emptied my suitcase and re folded everything about 3 times. I've ripped my bed apart looking in all the cracks and spaces. It's gone. I can't find it. And it makes me sick. I had 10 uses on it and I've used 2. And it was more than $500. I don't know what to do, keep looking and freaking out/crying or just move on. Both seem impossible. I need a hug so bad. And the comfort of home. It's something like this that makes me want to be home with what I know. Kamil spent time with me, gave me a hug and helped me look, which was very nice. But I'm still so upset. I had plans to venture out today and I've done nothing. And on top of it all, I've been fighting a cold that just seems to be getting worse. I bought, once again, more cold medicine hoping it will get better. Ahhhhhh!!!!!
I'm just really mad right now. At myself. How could I lose something so important and expensive. If I was typing to a random audience, there would be a slew of curse words right about now. But I know you guys and don't want to offend you. =P use your imagination.
Send good vibes that it will turn up. Somehow.
I'm just really mad right now. At myself. How could I lose something so important and expensive. If I was typing to a random audience, there would be a slew of curse words right about now. But I know you guys and don't want to offend you. =P use your imagination.
Send good vibes that it will turn up. Somehow.
London Calling
Ahhhh London London London. Where do I even begin?? This city is amazing. This is the first place I've been where I feel like I could actually move here and enjoy it. It's incredible! It's beautiful, of course, but the people are fantastic! No matter where I go or dumb questions I ask, I encounter the most amazing people. I just woke up on my fourth day here and there is still so much I want to see and do. I actually have a really bad cold that seems to be getting worse so I am taking it easy today. I have been non stop since I got here so maybe I'll just check out the British museum since its right across the street from my hostel. But to explain to you properly about my London experience would take foreverrrr. I will try to do my best.
The day I arrived, while leaving the airport, I was clearly lost trying to look for the train station. This old British man, with long hairs growing out of his nose, started laughing and asked if I needed help. I said yes and that I was trying to get to London, bus or train ( I had landed in Gatwick, outside of London). He motioned for me to follow him and he rode the elevator with me, got out and directed me exactly where to go. This wasn't necessary for him to do but I did appreciate it very much. And I thought that if everyone in London was as nice as him, I'd be set. I also talked with an airport employee who was very friendly and recommended that if I'm in London, I should see Phantom of the Opera, which I have been dying to see back at home anyways. I also remember my grandmother telling me that if I decide to see a show, I have to look for the discount stores that sell theater tickets for half price. So guess who scouted out the store and has a half price ticket for Phantom tomorrow night? That's right, this girl right here! London, we were off to a great start.
The night that I arrived, I walked aimlessly, as I tend to do now, from Holborn to Piccadilly Circus just to check things out. It was so crowded but so awesome! I was looking at all the restaurant menus as I went to find the best deal on fish n chips. I came across O'Neils, an Irish pub, that also had Guinness. I was sold. I went in, ordered my meal and found a table in the corner. It was a great atmosphere, people young and old, great music, and rugby playing on the big screen. The bartender came over to my table and started talking to me about where I was from, what I was doing, etc. We talked for quite awhile and he encouraged me that I was doing something great with my life. Terry, my buddy at Oneil's, hasn't traveled much and has never been to America. I told him my travel experience so far and he made me feel at home, thousands of miles away. After the best fish n chips of my life (Guinness battered) and two Guinness, Terry told me to come back before I leave so he could hear about my London experience. I got back to the hostel where I met my two fabulous Irish roommates, Mia and Róisín (pronounced row-sheen)! They were great from the start and we made plans to meet up this upcoming week while I am in Dublin. They want to give me the proper Irish tour. I can't wait!
The next day, I took the underground, a geniously made subway station that takes you anywhere and the locals call it the "tube", to see the Bank of England, Royal Trade, St. Paul's Cathedral (I haven't seen the inside yet so I'm going back), the Museum of London, London Bridge (not to be confused with the Tower Bridge!), many other cathedrals (like Southwark, the first gothic cathedral and one where Shakespeare spent a lot of time), the Monument (311 stair monument constructed after the Great Fire of London. Yeah, I went to the top), and then the highlight of my day: the Borough Market!!! Wow!! I stumbled upon this by mistake as it was closing up and I was still blown away! An outdoor market with fresh meats, cheeses, baked goods, olive oils, juices, produce, olives GALORE! I didn't know where to start so I got a mug of muddled wine (red wine, orange juice and spices served hot. Tastes like warm sangria) and an arugula salad with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, melon and olive oil. My camera also died and I decided I would HAVE to go back the next day. Everything I saw that day was breathtaking, rich and unbelievable. I couldn't wait to rest up and go out again the next day... But I didn't rest up.
I got back to the hostel and the staff was holding a party in the basement kitchen and then a pub crawl. It was there that I met my two Canadian friends, Josh and Mitch, and my now boyfriend for the week, Kamil (pronounced Camille). Haha, yeah you read that right and he is adorable. He is from Poland and he likes to talk to me in Dutch. Crazy. We all went out, my Irish roommates too, to a local club and had a blast. I got about 5 hours of sleep before I got up to wander around again.
I went straight back to the Borough Market first thing. It was even better this time since they had just opened and were cooking the food in massive iron kettles/woks. The atmosphere was amazing and the energy of the people was exciting. People there love food as much as I do! I couldn't believe I almost missed this; I only found it after I convinced myself walking across the London bridge was going to be worth it even though I was exhausted. I almost didn't. Thank God I did. Then, at the market, I met Liam. Liam is from Liverpool but has lived in London for 25 years. Right off the bat, he looked at me and told me I was bundled up all wrong and that my scarf had to go under my jacket to keep me insolated. And then I had to button every button. He wanted to know where my gloves and hat were and laughed when I told him I forgot them back at the hostel. He wanted to know all about me, since my American accent gave me away. I explained my story and how I really had a passion for food. Liam told me to never stop dreaming. And to never be afraid to dream big, that the most unreal of dreams come true. I told him I was living my dream right now and he smiled. The way he looked at me felt as if someone I knew from home was talking to me. His eyes were so familiar and his language told me it wasn't a random Londoner, but a friend from home. He made me pull out my map and told me to walk along the River Thomas between the London Bridge and Waterloo Bridge because it was a beautiful walk. He then wished me luck and I was venturing off.
I actually went straight to the Tower of London (unreal and historical, but definitely a tourist trap), and then to the Tower Bridge. Around sunset, although exhausted and getting sicker by the minute (damn cold), I decided to treat myself: I took Thames walkway and walked along the River Thomas. I watched the sun go down as I crossed the Millennium Bridge and enjoyed the smell of freshly toffeed peanuts and the sound of street guitarists. I then went to the top of Tate Museum to see the spectacular view Liam told me about, and I made my way back down and continued walking just to see Big Ben from a distance. UNBELIEVABLE. The beauty through the eyes of a local. I decided I needed a big meal, so I went to go see Terry!
I told Terry all of what I saw and I ate, again, a big plate of fish n chips and drank another 20oz glass of Guinness. Ahhhh, so good. I told Terry I would be back again for my last Guinness at O'Neils. Went back to the hostel, saw my Polish boyfriend and called it a night. :) and now here I am. Sick. And annoyed that I won't get better. It's hard to travel and drain yourself everyday while being sick. :/ I want to go out and see everything but I know I shouldn't exhaust myself. London is more than words and I still have 3 more days. I don't want to leave.
The thing that I'm learning most about Europe is that the history is so rich and old! There are things here that date back to Roman times (London wall, Tower of London)! That stuff doesn't exist in America. It's crazy and for the 3758291 time, BEAUTIFUL! Its blowing my mind. My mind is blown. I'm very fortunate to be able to see it first hand and experience the world because it's so much bigger than America, the only country I know. I'm dreaming big and living the dream at the same time.
The day I arrived, while leaving the airport, I was clearly lost trying to look for the train station. This old British man, with long hairs growing out of his nose, started laughing and asked if I needed help. I said yes and that I was trying to get to London, bus or train ( I had landed in Gatwick, outside of London). He motioned for me to follow him and he rode the elevator with me, got out and directed me exactly where to go. This wasn't necessary for him to do but I did appreciate it very much. And I thought that if everyone in London was as nice as him, I'd be set. I also talked with an airport employee who was very friendly and recommended that if I'm in London, I should see Phantom of the Opera, which I have been dying to see back at home anyways. I also remember my grandmother telling me that if I decide to see a show, I have to look for the discount stores that sell theater tickets for half price. So guess who scouted out the store and has a half price ticket for Phantom tomorrow night? That's right, this girl right here! London, we were off to a great start.
The night that I arrived, I walked aimlessly, as I tend to do now, from Holborn to Piccadilly Circus just to check things out. It was so crowded but so awesome! I was looking at all the restaurant menus as I went to find the best deal on fish n chips. I came across O'Neils, an Irish pub, that also had Guinness. I was sold. I went in, ordered my meal and found a table in the corner. It was a great atmosphere, people young and old, great music, and rugby playing on the big screen. The bartender came over to my table and started talking to me about where I was from, what I was doing, etc. We talked for quite awhile and he encouraged me that I was doing something great with my life. Terry, my buddy at Oneil's, hasn't traveled much and has never been to America. I told him my travel experience so far and he made me feel at home, thousands of miles away. After the best fish n chips of my life (Guinness battered) and two Guinness, Terry told me to come back before I leave so he could hear about my London experience. I got back to the hostel where I met my two fabulous Irish roommates, Mia and Róisín (pronounced row-sheen)! They were great from the start and we made plans to meet up this upcoming week while I am in Dublin. They want to give me the proper Irish tour. I can't wait!
The next day, I took the underground, a geniously made subway station that takes you anywhere and the locals call it the "tube", to see the Bank of England, Royal Trade, St. Paul's Cathedral (I haven't seen the inside yet so I'm going back), the Museum of London, London Bridge (not to be confused with the Tower Bridge!), many other cathedrals (like Southwark, the first gothic cathedral and one where Shakespeare spent a lot of time), the Monument (311 stair monument constructed after the Great Fire of London. Yeah, I went to the top), and then the highlight of my day: the Borough Market!!! Wow!! I stumbled upon this by mistake as it was closing up and I was still blown away! An outdoor market with fresh meats, cheeses, baked goods, olive oils, juices, produce, olives GALORE! I didn't know where to start so I got a mug of muddled wine (red wine, orange juice and spices served hot. Tastes like warm sangria) and an arugula salad with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, melon and olive oil. My camera also died and I decided I would HAVE to go back the next day. Everything I saw that day was breathtaking, rich and unbelievable. I couldn't wait to rest up and go out again the next day... But I didn't rest up.
I got back to the hostel and the staff was holding a party in the basement kitchen and then a pub crawl. It was there that I met my two Canadian friends, Josh and Mitch, and my now boyfriend for the week, Kamil (pronounced Camille). Haha, yeah you read that right and he is adorable. He is from Poland and he likes to talk to me in Dutch. Crazy. We all went out, my Irish roommates too, to a local club and had a blast. I got about 5 hours of sleep before I got up to wander around again.
I went straight back to the Borough Market first thing. It was even better this time since they had just opened and were cooking the food in massive iron kettles/woks. The atmosphere was amazing and the energy of the people was exciting. People there love food as much as I do! I couldn't believe I almost missed this; I only found it after I convinced myself walking across the London bridge was going to be worth it even though I was exhausted. I almost didn't. Thank God I did. Then, at the market, I met Liam. Liam is from Liverpool but has lived in London for 25 years. Right off the bat, he looked at me and told me I was bundled up all wrong and that my scarf had to go under my jacket to keep me insolated. And then I had to button every button. He wanted to know where my gloves and hat were and laughed when I told him I forgot them back at the hostel. He wanted to know all about me, since my American accent gave me away. I explained my story and how I really had a passion for food. Liam told me to never stop dreaming. And to never be afraid to dream big, that the most unreal of dreams come true. I told him I was living my dream right now and he smiled. The way he looked at me felt as if someone I knew from home was talking to me. His eyes were so familiar and his language told me it wasn't a random Londoner, but a friend from home. He made me pull out my map and told me to walk along the River Thomas between the London Bridge and Waterloo Bridge because it was a beautiful walk. He then wished me luck and I was venturing off.
I actually went straight to the Tower of London (unreal and historical, but definitely a tourist trap), and then to the Tower Bridge. Around sunset, although exhausted and getting sicker by the minute (damn cold), I decided to treat myself: I took Thames walkway and walked along the River Thomas. I watched the sun go down as I crossed the Millennium Bridge and enjoyed the smell of freshly toffeed peanuts and the sound of street guitarists. I then went to the top of Tate Museum to see the spectacular view Liam told me about, and I made my way back down and continued walking just to see Big Ben from a distance. UNBELIEVABLE. The beauty through the eyes of a local. I decided I needed a big meal, so I went to go see Terry!
I told Terry all of what I saw and I ate, again, a big plate of fish n chips and drank another 20oz glass of Guinness. Ahhhh, so good. I told Terry I would be back again for my last Guinness at O'Neils. Went back to the hostel, saw my Polish boyfriend and called it a night. :) and now here I am. Sick. And annoyed that I won't get better. It's hard to travel and drain yourself everyday while being sick. :/ I want to go out and see everything but I know I shouldn't exhaust myself. London is more than words and I still have 3 more days. I don't want to leave.
The thing that I'm learning most about Europe is that the history is so rich and old! There are things here that date back to Roman times (London wall, Tower of London)! That stuff doesn't exist in America. It's crazy and for the 3758291 time, BEAUTIFUL! Its blowing my mind. My mind is blown. I'm very fortunate to be able to see it first hand and experience the world because it's so much bigger than America, the only country I know. I'm dreaming big and living the dream at the same time.
1.12.2012
Home away from home
I just experienced love at first sight... And it's with a city. His name is London and he is so so so gorgeous!!! Oh, and friendly! And comfortable to be around. I feel like a piece of me is now complete.
But in all honesty, I am in love. And I just got here. This is what I needed so bad, I'm almost in tears right now. This is it. EVERYTHING. I've waited so long for this and it's now. And it's mine. I'm alone for this leg of my journey. Flying solo. I thought I would be more nervous or scared but being in Berlin and Amsterdam first with ash prepared me. I am, however, overwhelmed. I'm staring at a bright red double decker bus. Are you kidding me!? I'm here. And I'm far enough away from what I know, but I still feel so close to home. England is part of my heritage. Maybe that is why I feel so comfortable.
Off to walk the streets. Wish me luck :)
But in all honesty, I am in love. And I just got here. This is what I needed so bad, I'm almost in tears right now. This is it. EVERYTHING. I've waited so long for this and it's now. And it's mine. I'm alone for this leg of my journey. Flying solo. I thought I would be more nervous or scared but being in Berlin and Amsterdam first with ash prepared me. I am, however, overwhelmed. I'm staring at a bright red double decker bus. Are you kidding me!? I'm here. And I'm far enough away from what I know, but I still feel so close to home. England is part of my heritage. Maybe that is why I feel so comfortable.
Off to walk the streets. Wish me luck :)
1.11.2012
Photos on Facebook!
Really quick, I found a way to upload my photos easy but I don't have time to do them all now. They will all be on my Facebook page and so far I only have some Amsterdam photos up. If we are not fb friends, add me!
Fates
Alright, time to blog! I have been MIA for a few days, trying to lug all my stuff around. Which brings me to my first point: my luggage! That's the most important thing on my mind right now. Everyone told me to pack light and I understood why and I honestly thought I did! But clearly it was not light enough. It's also hard to pack "light" when preparing for winter/snowy/rainy weather. Layers upon layers are necessary so I guess I know why people back pack through Europe in the summer... And I guess Europeans don't believe in elevators. Anywhere. And that's fine, I can do some stairs carrying a 40lb bag, my 12lb carry on, and my own weight wearing rain boots and a down jacket. Fine, I can handle some stairs. But in all the places I've slept so far, why oh why do they put me on the TOP floor!?! Theeee top floor. Like floor 3 or 4. Every time I hear the receptionist tell me I have to go to the top to lay down after arriving, I literally want to slam my head down against the counter. Haha I'm sure it's funny to imagine or think about, but in the moment, after I've flown or trained or bussed my way there and have been walking, the last thing I want to do is lug 95737191040592 pounds up the stairs. I have come up with a routine of carrying one bag up at a time. But next time, I think I'm going to gladiator all of it, throw it over my head, and pound my way up the stairs. I'll let you know how it goes. Or, mom, you might be receiving a box in the mail soon with half my belongings.
Anyway, the camera! My camera!! What happened?! I realized that I didn't want this guy paying for any of my camera. I would meet him and thank him for his kindness but that I couldn't let him pay. It was an accident, and I didnt want him feeling afraid to ever take a picture of someone again. So I went to the meeting place, Saturn electronic store, before opening. To my first relief, they showed up. They were actually there. I went over and explained how I felt and both the old man and his daughter said no way, that they were buying the whole thing. I didn't know what to say so I changed the subject and we talked about the world and traveling while waiting for Saturn to open. They were from Brazil, but the daughter lived in London. She had a sister who lived in Ohio who just had a baby. The look of joy on this old mans face when he said he had "an American grandchild" was priceless. It warmed my heart. We were outside the store talking before it opened and it felt so comfortable. When the store opened, I picked out a camera equivalent to my old one within 7 minutes and I tried again to pay. They didn't let me. They wished me the best and I gave them both hugs before I left and went on my way.
They really touched me. And it's not even about the camera. Forget the camera. I met some of the most generous and kind people while across the world. We happen to be in the same place at the same time and fate dropped my camera. I was meant to meet them. I was meant to restore my faith in human nature and believe that people really do mean well and they care. After everything I've been through, or that anyone has been through, it is people like them that give me faith and make me want to be kinder. Because across the world, I met people that STICK to their WORD. I can barely find that at home, but I found it in a foreign country. And I wish nothing but the best for the Camera Family.
Ashleigh and I finished our last day in Berlin by eating one more time at Chan's restaurant. I know it is Germany and I should be eating German food, but schnitzel is just "ok" and Chan is irresistible. We told him all we did and thanked him for all the help. He was so excited to see us and hoped we would come back soon. I hope so too. :)
We then had a 7am flight to Amsterdam which meant getting to the airport at 5 which meant waking up around 3 to catch the train, etc. We arrived in Amsterdam, no problem and we look around and realize we are in toon town. Are you kidding me? I'm not joking when I say Amsterdam looks like Disneyland met San Francisco and did a bunch of drugs. It's insane! And quirky. And absolutely fabulous! I would never live here... But I would definitely come here to get away. It is it's own little village full of crazy. We had lunch (sanwiches and beer), went to the Heineken brewery and drank 3 free beers, saw Anne Franks's old house, and then went out to dinner (soup and fish and chips) where I dank my beer and Ashleigh's. And then found our way back to the hostel. It was great! It's a very relaxing town to walk around. Every other shop is a "coffee shop", so the scent of green fills the air. Everyone is friendly, easy going and willing to help. I went to sleep last night very comfortable.
Today, Ashleigh's friend, Maurice, has agreed to be our tour guide since he lives here. We are meeting him in a few hours, after she finishes her dance class. Today should be a fun day. Just like all the others, in their own way.
I have had many moments where I'm in the middle of doing something and then take a second to sit back, and realize where I am and what I'm doing. Its mind blowing. This morning at breakfast, I was sipping mint green tea, listening to some random tribal hippie music and looking out at eclectic Amsterdam houses through huge glass windows. It was a good feeling. I'm taking it all in. Everyday, it's something new and something I get to learn. And I feel so comfortable, like I'm doing exactly what I should be doing.
Anyway, the camera! My camera!! What happened?! I realized that I didn't want this guy paying for any of my camera. I would meet him and thank him for his kindness but that I couldn't let him pay. It was an accident, and I didnt want him feeling afraid to ever take a picture of someone again. So I went to the meeting place, Saturn electronic store, before opening. To my first relief, they showed up. They were actually there. I went over and explained how I felt and both the old man and his daughter said no way, that they were buying the whole thing. I didn't know what to say so I changed the subject and we talked about the world and traveling while waiting for Saturn to open. They were from Brazil, but the daughter lived in London. She had a sister who lived in Ohio who just had a baby. The look of joy on this old mans face when he said he had "an American grandchild" was priceless. It warmed my heart. We were outside the store talking before it opened and it felt so comfortable. When the store opened, I picked out a camera equivalent to my old one within 7 minutes and I tried again to pay. They didn't let me. They wished me the best and I gave them both hugs before I left and went on my way.
They really touched me. And it's not even about the camera. Forget the camera. I met some of the most generous and kind people while across the world. We happen to be in the same place at the same time and fate dropped my camera. I was meant to meet them. I was meant to restore my faith in human nature and believe that people really do mean well and they care. After everything I've been through, or that anyone has been through, it is people like them that give me faith and make me want to be kinder. Because across the world, I met people that STICK to their WORD. I can barely find that at home, but I found it in a foreign country. And I wish nothing but the best for the Camera Family.
Ashleigh and I finished our last day in Berlin by eating one more time at Chan's restaurant. I know it is Germany and I should be eating German food, but schnitzel is just "ok" and Chan is irresistible. We told him all we did and thanked him for all the help. He was so excited to see us and hoped we would come back soon. I hope so too. :)
We then had a 7am flight to Amsterdam which meant getting to the airport at 5 which meant waking up around 3 to catch the train, etc. We arrived in Amsterdam, no problem and we look around and realize we are in toon town. Are you kidding me? I'm not joking when I say Amsterdam looks like Disneyland met San Francisco and did a bunch of drugs. It's insane! And quirky. And absolutely fabulous! I would never live here... But I would definitely come here to get away. It is it's own little village full of crazy. We had lunch (sanwiches and beer), went to the Heineken brewery and drank 3 free beers, saw Anne Franks's old house, and then went out to dinner (soup and fish and chips) where I dank my beer and Ashleigh's. And then found our way back to the hostel. It was great! It's a very relaxing town to walk around. Every other shop is a "coffee shop", so the scent of green fills the air. Everyone is friendly, easy going and willing to help. I went to sleep last night very comfortable.
Today, Ashleigh's friend, Maurice, has agreed to be our tour guide since he lives here. We are meeting him in a few hours, after she finishes her dance class. Today should be a fun day. Just like all the others, in their own way.
I have had many moments where I'm in the middle of doing something and then take a second to sit back, and realize where I am and what I'm doing. Its mind blowing. This morning at breakfast, I was sipping mint green tea, listening to some random tribal hippie music and looking out at eclectic Amsterdam houses through huge glass windows. It was a good feeling. I'm taking it all in. Everyday, it's something new and something I get to learn. And I feel so comfortable, like I'm doing exactly what I should be doing.
1.08.2012
Surprises!
Berlin is beautiful. Its eclectic, it's rich with history, it's big and it's breathtaking! I don't think I have walked so much in my life, except for maybe when I did the LA marathon. The beautiful architecture and synagogues and cathedrals kept going, one after the other! As soon as we finished with one, we rounded the corner and there were at least 3 more! You can also feel the history oozing out of everything and all of the surroundings. We walked up our street, saw that bus M85 was the closest bus, and decided to get lost from there; no matter where we went, if we hopped on M85, we would get back ok. And so we decided to wonder and that was our best decision of the day.
We saw Brandenburger Tor, Berliner Dom (and went to the top), Holocaust Memorial (and the museum underneath it), Topography of Terror and the last remaining remenants of the Berlin Wall, Hitler's Bunker, Humbolt University, walked through a street market, and sooooooo much more! The last remaining meters of the Berlin Wall was definitely one of my favorites. Seeing the size of the wall with all the graffiti, feeling the energy it gave off and trying to place myself in that time was unreal. It's big, falling apart and beautiful because it represents the separation and then the revolt of separation. But honestly, I can't pick a favorite from today. Berlin is like walking in to a history book and it's truly fascinating. Don't worry, I took tons of pictures I will share later. Which brings me to my last point...
Standing on a bridge outside the Berliner Dom, I asked a really nice looking older man who didn't speak English, if he could take a picture of Ashleigh and I. Smiling, he nodded that he would, so Ash and I went over and posed. He took a picture, gave us a signal that he was taking one more and then BAM! He dropped my camera. I wasn't worried at first since I've done it plenty of times before. But I guess this time was it for my poor canon. I went over to him and the entire lens was cracked and jammed so that it wouldn't turn on or retract itself back into the camera. His family rushed over, daughter and wife, and they noticed the damage. I was in shock and was speechless thinking, " you're kidding, right? Me? Now!?" . The old man looked mortified. I didnt know what to say becasue I knew it was an accident. He was wearing gloves and didnt mean to drop it. The look on his face said it all and he was even grabbing his head in disbelief. He spoke just enough english to tell me he had to fix it because he felt guilty. Thankfully his daughter spoke English and she wrote down all the information she had: phone number, hotel and hotel room, and a meeting place for tomorrow at 10am. They want to buy me a new camera.
Ahhh! After such a great day, this really put a damper on things because I am in a place where my camera is VITAL!! I need a camera. With that said, I also don't feel right about this sweet old man buying me a new one because it was an honest mistake. An accident that could've happened at anytime and he happened to be the trigger. I will go and meet with him tomorrow (if this is legit and he really shows up), but I can't live with myself if he pays more than half. I don't know... I'm just bummed. I really liked the camera I had and now I have to try to find a replacement that's just as good in a foreign country with or without this man's money. It sucks, either way. :/
But I wont let anythng get me down. Im allowing myself some time to be upset and then I'm cutting it off because no matter what, things will turn around. As long as I acknowledge how I feel and allow it to sink in, I can move on faster. So I've been bummed for awhile tonight and now I'm cutting it off and going to sleep. It's been a long and eventful day and tomorrow is another surprise, I'm sure.
We saw Brandenburger Tor, Berliner Dom (and went to the top), Holocaust Memorial (and the museum underneath it), Topography of Terror and the last remaining remenants of the Berlin Wall, Hitler's Bunker, Humbolt University, walked through a street market, and sooooooo much more! The last remaining meters of the Berlin Wall was definitely one of my favorites. Seeing the size of the wall with all the graffiti, feeling the energy it gave off and trying to place myself in that time was unreal. It's big, falling apart and beautiful because it represents the separation and then the revolt of separation. But honestly, I can't pick a favorite from today. Berlin is like walking in to a history book and it's truly fascinating. Don't worry, I took tons of pictures I will share later. Which brings me to my last point...
Standing on a bridge outside the Berliner Dom, I asked a really nice looking older man who didn't speak English, if he could take a picture of Ashleigh and I. Smiling, he nodded that he would, so Ash and I went over and posed. He took a picture, gave us a signal that he was taking one more and then BAM! He dropped my camera. I wasn't worried at first since I've done it plenty of times before. But I guess this time was it for my poor canon. I went over to him and the entire lens was cracked and jammed so that it wouldn't turn on or retract itself back into the camera. His family rushed over, daughter and wife, and they noticed the damage. I was in shock and was speechless thinking, " you're kidding, right? Me? Now!?" . The old man looked mortified. I didnt know what to say becasue I knew it was an accident. He was wearing gloves and didnt mean to drop it. The look on his face said it all and he was even grabbing his head in disbelief. He spoke just enough english to tell me he had to fix it because he felt guilty. Thankfully his daughter spoke English and she wrote down all the information she had: phone number, hotel and hotel room, and a meeting place for tomorrow at 10am. They want to buy me a new camera.
Ahhh! After such a great day, this really put a damper on things because I am in a place where my camera is VITAL!! I need a camera. With that said, I also don't feel right about this sweet old man buying me a new one because it was an honest mistake. An accident that could've happened at anytime and he happened to be the trigger. I will go and meet with him tomorrow (if this is legit and he really shows up), but I can't live with myself if he pays more than half. I don't know... I'm just bummed. I really liked the camera I had and now I have to try to find a replacement that's just as good in a foreign country with or without this man's money. It sucks, either way. :/
But I wont let anythng get me down. Im allowing myself some time to be upset and then I'm cutting it off because no matter what, things will turn around. As long as I acknowledge how I feel and allow it to sink in, I can move on faster. So I've been bummed for awhile tonight and now I'm cutting it off and going to sleep. It's been a long and eventful day and tomorrow is another surprise, I'm sure.
1.07.2012
Accidental miracles
I am in Berlin!! Wow!! I can't decide whether time is going by fast or slow. It feels like I have been in Europe longer than 3 days but then again, I still feel somewhat jet lagged. After 2 days in Kiel, we made our way to Berlin and so far so good. We arrived a few hours ago and are staying at Youth Hostel International in Berlin. I have never stayed at a hostel before but I didn't expect anything more than a dormitory, which I am pretty familiar with. We have 2 female roommates from Moscow named Natalia and Anne. They have wi-fi, the bathrooms are clean and there is a bar downstairs which we will probably take advantage of soon. :) It's a cool place to be and its cheap so I have no complaints.
Ashleigh and I have been through some great experiences in the past few days. Most important, we have navigated our way around the trains and busses which is pretty big for me since I have this fear of public transportation. It's weird, I know, but I just feel like I am bound to get lost when on a bus or train. And so far we have become a little lost but it turns out to not be a big deal. We take a few moments to panic, pull ourselves together and fix the problem. Done. Except for today... we panicked and ran for our lives. We forgot to pull it together. Haha! I'll explain.
We were told Berlin was about a 4 hour journey from Kiel, so we ventured out of Kiel on a bus with all our luggage that took us to the Kiel Hauptbahnhof (train station). It took us awhile to figure out how to activate our Eurorail passes since no one there seemed like they cared to help. But we figured it out and got on the train headed for Hamburg. After an hour and a half, we arrived in Hamburg and then found our connecting train towards Berlin, noting that we had to get off at the second stop. About an hour into the train ride, we looked at the map and agreed we still had a ways to go. We were so relieved to be on the right train without any problems that we both had our iPods on, journals out, maps out and we were totally relaxing, completely forgetting that we were on the express train. So the train stops and we look out the window... Look at each other...look out the window again and both gasp. It's our stop. Doors open, people leaving and we still have all our shit sprawled across the table. In seconds, we were up scrambling to get everything together: coats, maps, iPods, books, pens, train passes and huge rolly bags of luggage. Running towards the door, Ashleigh's earphones get caught on the chair, my luggage is completely backwards and unrollable so I have to basically kick it as I go. I'm saying " go go go go go!!" to ash and she replies " I am! I am!". She gets out and my luggage is so in the way that I literally throw it out the door and tumble after it. Sitting on the train platform in Berlin , shaking, with our luggage a mess, we both start dying of laughter. This whole time we have been afraid of missing our train or bus when after all, we should be scared of being stuck on the train!! Gahhh!! It was great.
But we made it to Berlin. After the train, we took another bus to the hostel and walked the streets before dark ( since that happens at like 4pm here). I was so hungry, I broke the language wall I've had a problem with since we got here, and talked with my hands only to get the best thing I've eaten here so far!! I don't even know was it was called but it was some sort of gyros and I have pictures of it. Delicious! Ash wanted something vegan so we went to a Vietnamese place across the street where I had another meal ( sounds like something I would do) and we met the owner who sat down at our table with us to help us map out our adventures for tomorrow. He was adorable with his German/English/Vietnamese accent! And oh so helpful with tons of information. He was patient, expressive and totally willing to help. And the food was great. Before we left, I asked for his name and he said "Chan! Like Jackie Chan!! Except no Kung-fu". Love it!
So I'm here, in the hostel, taking it all in. We have had many accidental miracles that have turned this trip into a priceless adventure. My buddy Chan and the train scramble will be moments that I remember forever. I'm writing everything down and letting it sink in, the good and the crazy.
Now I have to sleep to prepare for the "Chan-Berlin Tour" tomorrow.
Ashleigh and I have been through some great experiences in the past few days. Most important, we have navigated our way around the trains and busses which is pretty big for me since I have this fear of public transportation. It's weird, I know, but I just feel like I am bound to get lost when on a bus or train. And so far we have become a little lost but it turns out to not be a big deal. We take a few moments to panic, pull ourselves together and fix the problem. Done. Except for today... we panicked and ran for our lives. We forgot to pull it together. Haha! I'll explain.
We were told Berlin was about a 4 hour journey from Kiel, so we ventured out of Kiel on a bus with all our luggage that took us to the Kiel Hauptbahnhof (train station). It took us awhile to figure out how to activate our Eurorail passes since no one there seemed like they cared to help. But we figured it out and got on the train headed for Hamburg. After an hour and a half, we arrived in Hamburg and then found our connecting train towards Berlin, noting that we had to get off at the second stop. About an hour into the train ride, we looked at the map and agreed we still had a ways to go. We were so relieved to be on the right train without any problems that we both had our iPods on, journals out, maps out and we were totally relaxing, completely forgetting that we were on the express train. So the train stops and we look out the window... Look at each other...look out the window again and both gasp. It's our stop. Doors open, people leaving and we still have all our shit sprawled across the table. In seconds, we were up scrambling to get everything together: coats, maps, iPods, books, pens, train passes and huge rolly bags of luggage. Running towards the door, Ashleigh's earphones get caught on the chair, my luggage is completely backwards and unrollable so I have to basically kick it as I go. I'm saying " go go go go go!!" to ash and she replies " I am! I am!". She gets out and my luggage is so in the way that I literally throw it out the door and tumble after it. Sitting on the train platform in Berlin , shaking, with our luggage a mess, we both start dying of laughter. This whole time we have been afraid of missing our train or bus when after all, we should be scared of being stuck on the train!! Gahhh!! It was great.
But we made it to Berlin. After the train, we took another bus to the hostel and walked the streets before dark ( since that happens at like 4pm here). I was so hungry, I broke the language wall I've had a problem with since we got here, and talked with my hands only to get the best thing I've eaten here so far!! I don't even know was it was called but it was some sort of gyros and I have pictures of it. Delicious! Ash wanted something vegan so we went to a Vietnamese place across the street where I had another meal ( sounds like something I would do) and we met the owner who sat down at our table with us to help us map out our adventures for tomorrow. He was adorable with his German/English/Vietnamese accent! And oh so helpful with tons of information. He was patient, expressive and totally willing to help. And the food was great. Before we left, I asked for his name and he said "Chan! Like Jackie Chan!! Except no Kung-fu". Love it!
So I'm here, in the hostel, taking it all in. We have had many accidental miracles that have turned this trip into a priceless adventure. My buddy Chan and the train scramble will be moments that I remember forever. I'm writing everything down and letting it sink in, the good and the crazy.
Now I have to sleep to prepare for the "Chan-Berlin Tour" tomorrow.
1.06.2012
Comfort in the Unknown
Ahhhhh!!! I am here! Finally! After months of waiting and planning, I am finally here! And it is incredible! The plane ride was cramped and long but Ashleigh and I made the best of it with movies, red wine, a few naps, talks and tons of laughter!
Upon arriving in Hamburg, Germany we realized that it was still pitch black at 7:30 AM! Crazy! We were hoping for some sunlight so that our initial navigation would go smoother. But that didn't matter anyway as it took us an hour and a half to leave the airport and by that time, the sun was up. Yes..an hour and a half. We leisurely took our time getting our bags, making sure we enjoyed everything there was to see even in an airport. We were dumbfounded by the train ticket kiosk, even in the English setting and we had to lug all our belongings back upstairs to the airport concierge. After shuffling all our stuff around, asking for help and making multiple restroom stops, we found ourselves finally on a bus to Kiel, Germany where we would meet Ashleigh's brother.
The bus dumped us out at a bus station and we then had to find a taxi to take us to the Opera House, where Nik (Ash's brother) dances/works, and then to his apartment in Kiel. We then unloaded and walked around the streets. We quickly realized that little to no one spoke any english and that things would be little harder than we thought. We knew it would be difficult but when yore in the situation, it just feels different. I did manage to eat some schnitzel though!! woohoo!! We later hung out with Nik, had a nice dinner, and spent too much time inflating an air matress. haha, all in all it was a good day.
I am realizing that I am completely submerged in this journey, out of my comfort zone and a little scared. I knew this would all happen but to actually feel it is different. There were already some moments of panic, frustration and fear but I talked myself out of it and kept going. PLUS, I have had some AMAZING messages from my loving friends back home!! You guys make me feel so strong and so supported that it brings me back to reality; this scared feeling is only temporary and you guys remind me of that. My friend Micaela wrote me:
"But the beautiful part about travel is when the scared, homesick feelings fade away, you are able to revel in your own independence. If you stay open, assertive, and sharp, you will meet people from alll over the world, and you will transcend your own identity as an American girl from Pasadena California, and you will connect to others as a citizen of the world. You will see that the world is big and beautiful and sometimes unstable, but that strangers can be kind and witty and just like you."
This is stuck in my mind forever now. I love it! All my concerns melted away when I heard this. That and skyping my parents :)
I tried to upload photos from my ipad and it wont work so I am not sure how often I will be able to do that... I'll have to figure it out. In the meantime, I am on Nik's laptop so I can share a few here. Enjoy, and leave me some love!!
Upon arriving in Hamburg, Germany we realized that it was still pitch black at 7:30 AM! Crazy! We were hoping for some sunlight so that our initial navigation would go smoother. But that didn't matter anyway as it took us an hour and a half to leave the airport and by that time, the sun was up. Yes..an hour and a half. We leisurely took our time getting our bags, making sure we enjoyed everything there was to see even in an airport. We were dumbfounded by the train ticket kiosk, even in the English setting and we had to lug all our belongings back upstairs to the airport concierge. After shuffling all our stuff around, asking for help and making multiple restroom stops, we found ourselves finally on a bus to Kiel, Germany where we would meet Ashleigh's brother.
The bus dumped us out at a bus station and we then had to find a taxi to take us to the Opera House, where Nik (Ash's brother) dances/works, and then to his apartment in Kiel. We then unloaded and walked around the streets. We quickly realized that little to no one spoke any english and that things would be little harder than we thought. We knew it would be difficult but when yore in the situation, it just feels different. I did manage to eat some schnitzel though!! woohoo!! We later hung out with Nik, had a nice dinner, and spent too much time inflating an air matress. haha, all in all it was a good day.
I am realizing that I am completely submerged in this journey, out of my comfort zone and a little scared. I knew this would all happen but to actually feel it is different. There were already some moments of panic, frustration and fear but I talked myself out of it and kept going. PLUS, I have had some AMAZING messages from my loving friends back home!! You guys make me feel so strong and so supported that it brings me back to reality; this scared feeling is only temporary and you guys remind me of that. My friend Micaela wrote me:
"But the beautiful part about travel is when the scared, homesick feelings fade away, you are able to revel in your own independence. If you stay open, assertive, and sharp, you will meet people from alll over the world, and you will transcend your own identity as an American girl from Pasadena California, and you will connect to others as a citizen of the world. You will see that the world is big and beautiful and sometimes unstable, but that strangers can be kind and witty and just like you."
This is stuck in my mind forever now. I love it! All my concerns melted away when I heard this. That and skyping my parents :)
I tried to upload photos from my ipad and it wont work so I am not sure how often I will be able to do that... I'll have to figure it out. In the meantime, I am on Nik's laptop so I can share a few here. Enjoy, and leave me some love!!
1.04.2012
My last supper(s)
I'm sitting here, 8 hours before my flight, completely packed and extremely antsy to get going. I'm very excited but I have also had a nervous stomach all day; something about the unknown gives me an overwhelmed feeling. I have also had moments off and on all day where reality sinks in a bit and the feeling I get in my chest takes me breath away. This mixture of eagerness, excitement and anxiety is making me crazy and I'm sure all my emotional meltdowns are proof. Haha, thank god my mom has the patience to deal with me because I have been driving myself nuts. Everything I have worked for in the past 2 months has come down to now and all my preparations will be put to the test. No pressure or anything...;)
But what stands out most in my mind over the last few days are the moments I had with friends and family. Whether it was hanging out or saying goodbye, I saw a lot of true color and character come out of people. And in all these moments, food was the common denominator! I have eaten so much in the last week (and gained a few pounds), but I also had a lot of quality time with the people that I love.
I dined at Pizzeria Mozza with my mom and dad for lunch on the 29th and then Osteria Mozza for dinner on the 30th. The Mozza family took care of us and between the abundance of food, wine and hospitality, my family was able to relax and enjoy the each others company. I had so much pride in showing my parents where I had worked for the past year and a half and how much of a support team they were and still are.
I also got together at a local Mexican restaurant with some of my oldest friends and fellow girl scouts(yes, I was a girl scout). Over our fruity margaritas and crispy flautas, we caught up, reminisced about the old days and created dreams and future plans for each other. Katrina, do not abandon our bachelorette party plans for you. And Micaela, I will be front row at your first show in Seattle. :)
For New Years, dressed in our sequin dresses, my best friend from high school April and I hit the streets on Santa Monica. We had a great dinner at Sushi Roku, where the black truffle sushi roll was the hit, and then we had drinks at one the bars we used to frequent some time ago. Spending time with her was cherished as always since she lives in D.C. now, but what sticks out most in my mind from that night was sitting on a bench at midnight on Venice Beach, sipping champagne out of the bottle and eating tacos. From the food, to the company, to getting caught by the police, that is definitely a story/moment to add to our collection.
And then there was tonight. My last night with the family. I HAD to get In N Out! Of course! And as we all sat around our living room inhaling our burgers, we talked, laughed, cried and took in the moment. The food was great of course, but it was the comfort in the situation that made it complete.
I guess my point is that food is what brings people together. It's comforting, it's fun, and it's inspiring. And over the table, it doesnt matter what you talk about if you even talk at all. What matters is being together and embracing the moment. I don't know how many times I joked around and said "oh, it's like my last supper here!!"... A lot. And it wasn't ever true because I'll be back. But after all the meals I had and all the moments I shared with people, food was the glue to the situation. And I'm excited to adventure out and have new moments with new people over new food. It will still be as comforting to me as it is here.
Cheers!!!
T-minus 7 hours!!
But what stands out most in my mind over the last few days are the moments I had with friends and family. Whether it was hanging out or saying goodbye, I saw a lot of true color and character come out of people. And in all these moments, food was the common denominator! I have eaten so much in the last week (and gained a few pounds), but I also had a lot of quality time with the people that I love.
I dined at Pizzeria Mozza with my mom and dad for lunch on the 29th and then Osteria Mozza for dinner on the 30th. The Mozza family took care of us and between the abundance of food, wine and hospitality, my family was able to relax and enjoy the each others company. I had so much pride in showing my parents where I had worked for the past year and a half and how much of a support team they were and still are.
I also got together at a local Mexican restaurant with some of my oldest friends and fellow girl scouts(yes, I was a girl scout). Over our fruity margaritas and crispy flautas, we caught up, reminisced about the old days and created dreams and future plans for each other. Katrina, do not abandon our bachelorette party plans for you. And Micaela, I will be front row at your first show in Seattle. :)
For New Years, dressed in our sequin dresses, my best friend from high school April and I hit the streets on Santa Monica. We had a great dinner at Sushi Roku, where the black truffle sushi roll was the hit, and then we had drinks at one the bars we used to frequent some time ago. Spending time with her was cherished as always since she lives in D.C. now, but what sticks out most in my mind from that night was sitting on a bench at midnight on Venice Beach, sipping champagne out of the bottle and eating tacos. From the food, to the company, to getting caught by the police, that is definitely a story/moment to add to our collection.
And then there was tonight. My last night with the family. I HAD to get In N Out! Of course! And as we all sat around our living room inhaling our burgers, we talked, laughed, cried and took in the moment. The food was great of course, but it was the comfort in the situation that made it complete.
I guess my point is that food is what brings people together. It's comforting, it's fun, and it's inspiring. And over the table, it doesnt matter what you talk about if you even talk at all. What matters is being together and embracing the moment. I don't know how many times I joked around and said "oh, it's like my last supper here!!"... A lot. And it wasn't ever true because I'll be back. But after all the meals I had and all the moments I shared with people, food was the glue to the situation. And I'm excited to adventure out and have new moments with new people over new food. It will still be as comforting to me as it is here.
Cheers!!!
T-minus 7 hours!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)