The hostels don't me upload photos. If the next one does I'll try to put some photos up.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
I wanna live in a wooden house
And making more friends would be easy
Coldplay
So, Nice consisted of me getting fairly drunk every night, hanging out on the beaches with a bunch of Aussies and not seeing any of the sights. It was awesome. I got some burnt shoulders, but I've noticed its impossible for my legs to get a tan. My arms are getting there, though.
After Nice I took a train to Genoa, and stayed at another horrible HI Hostel. This was only for a night. I didn't see any of the town. Got in around 7pm, and left around 10am. I took a train to Florence where I stayed for 3 nights. I wandered around the city, just taking in the sights. Did a daytrip to Pisa, where I saw the leaning tower for 5 minutes, and then went to Siena, a nice medieval city outside of Florence. There was this crazy festival going on that week. The festival grounds were beside an old fort, and they had the most eclectic mix of stuff on. One part had a mechanical bull ride, another area had minigolf and roller disco and a tiny beach. There was a huge indoor bookstore, a random bazaar with everything from cars to shiatzu massages to clothing to kitchen appliances and countertops. They also had some concerts on, but were charging 20 euros, so I listened outside. The Editors played one night and they were pretty good.
After Florence I took a train to Rome, where I currently am. The hostel here isn't bad, but expensive. I'm on my last night here. I've been wandering around in 35C heat seeing all the sights. I pretty much hit all the big ones and a few smallers attractions. The Colesseum was aweosme, as was the Sistine Chapel. St Peter's Basilica was cool, and very free. I'm almost out of memory card space, so I'm going to have to clear some cards. I have them backed up on my hard drive, though.
Tomorrow I'm off to Naples and Sorrento, where it will be even hotter. After that I'm going to Switzerland for a few days. Any idea where I should go next? I'm open to suggestions.
Coldplay
So, Nice consisted of me getting fairly drunk every night, hanging out on the beaches with a bunch of Aussies and not seeing any of the sights. It was awesome. I got some burnt shoulders, but I've noticed its impossible for my legs to get a tan. My arms are getting there, though.
After Nice I took a train to Genoa, and stayed at another horrible HI Hostel. This was only for a night. I didn't see any of the town. Got in around 7pm, and left around 10am. I took a train to Florence where I stayed for 3 nights. I wandered around the city, just taking in the sights. Did a daytrip to Pisa, where I saw the leaning tower for 5 minutes, and then went to Siena, a nice medieval city outside of Florence. There was this crazy festival going on that week. The festival grounds were beside an old fort, and they had the most eclectic mix of stuff on. One part had a mechanical bull ride, another area had minigolf and roller disco and a tiny beach. There was a huge indoor bookstore, a random bazaar with everything from cars to shiatzu massages to clothing to kitchen appliances and countertops. They also had some concerts on, but were charging 20 euros, so I listened outside. The Editors played one night and they were pretty good.
After Florence I took a train to Rome, where I currently am. The hostel here isn't bad, but expensive. I'm on my last night here. I've been wandering around in 35C heat seeing all the sights. I pretty much hit all the big ones and a few smallers attractions. The Colesseum was aweosme, as was the Sistine Chapel. St Peter's Basilica was cool, and very free. I'm almost out of memory card space, so I'm going to have to clear some cards. I have them backed up on my hard drive, though.
Tomorrow I'm off to Naples and Sorrento, where it will be even hotter. After that I'm going to Switzerland for a few days. Any idea where I should go next? I'm open to suggestions.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Well it's been a long time, long time now since i've seen your smile
And I'll gamble away my fright
And I'll gamble away my time
And in a year, a year or so
This will slip into the sea
Beirut
Ok, so in Bruges I basically wandered around and saw the sights. I wasn't really in the mood for hanging out with people and the few people I met were the fairly arrogant canadian journalism students who knew everything about everything. The highlight of Bruges was this shop called The Chocolate Line. The chocolatier there has this crazy notion that the smell of chocolate is as important as the taste. He has this chocolate nasal shooter thing that you can buy. Basically you snort chocolate powder. I didn't do it, but it looks interesting. He also has these weird chocolate combinations, like wasabi, lemongrass, cigar, curry, and tea flavours. If I'm heading that way on my way back I'm going to pick some up.
I also did a little daytrip to Ghent and wandered around. The town was a lot less touristy than Bruges but still very picturesque. I went on a Sunday, so pretty much no stores were open, but there was a market. And apparently they like to sell 2euro bras and 1euro pairs of underwear there. Just out in the open on a table. No boxes or packaging. Weird.
I then caught a train to Brussels, where I got stuck for 5 hours because Rock Werchter had just ended and there were no trains to Paris until 5pm. It was at that point that I noticed how many backpackers were flip-flops. Ok, I get that they're light and keep your feet cool, but they offer no foot support. These people are walking around Europe wearing them. I could never do that.
In Paris I stayed in a pretty nice hostel in Montmartre, which is in the northern part of Paris on top of a hill. We had great views of Paris and everyone goes to the top of the hill to watch the sunset and hang out after dark. Paris was cool but so expensive. The first night I was there I met a group of Irish girls who were all really cool, but they were leaving the next day to Barcelona.
My second day I walked around and saw the main sights. Hung out underneath the Eiffel Tower, saw Les Champs de Mars, walked to the Louvre and then Notre Dame de Paris. Didn't pay to climb the tower or go into the Louvre. Way too many lines, too expensive and wasn't in the mood. The next day I walked around the cemetary where Jim Morrison is buried. I also went down in the Catacombes. That was very cool, and very cheap. Only 3 euros, I think.
I then took a train out to Versailles the next day and hung out in the gardens and parks.
After Paris I went to Tours for a couple of nights and stayed in this really crappy HI hostel. I got my own room, which was the size of a motel room, but the place was ridiculously dirty and they had stupid lock-out and breakfast rules. Plus the place was pretty much empty and the lights were on timers in the halls, which made the place seem abandoned.
I went up to Chateau Chenonceau, which is pretty much a fairytale castle. It was built in the 16th century beside a river, and was expanded over the bridge. Very touristy, though.
After Tours I went to Lyon, where I proceeded to almost die climbing a hill to get to the hostel. It was another HI hostel, but this place was better and had a bar. Met some random Canadians and Australians, and saw the fireworks for Bastille Day. French people seem to like setting off firecrackers in the streets randomly, though. Or slightly larger explosives. I wandered around the city, and noticed that french guys like their european handbags/purses. A lot. And for some reason there needs to be 4 French Army personnel with frickin huge assualt rifles at the tiny train station.
After Lyon I went to Aix-en-Provence, which is just outside Marseilles. The train-ride there was horrible. I had 2 snot-nosed annoying brats sitting across from me with a mom who didn't care that they wouldn't sit still. She then proceeded to give them sugar. Good idea. To my left was a screaming baby. Ugh. Thankfully it was only a 1.5 hour trip. I stayed at another HI hostel, and this one was probably the worst so far. The breakfast was only served between 7:30 and 8:30, and they kicked you out of the hostel at 9:30. You weren't allowed back until 5pm. They had a common room/bar, but it was very crappy and the place was full of annoying teenage girls and dirty old men. I shared a 4-bed room with 3 middle age guys who were just disgusting. One of them ended taking my bed, so I had to go get other sheets. He also stole my pillow so I had to find another one. Jerkface. The internet was also ridiculously expensive there, at 4 euros for an hour.
I walked around Aix-en-Provence and saw a lot of bratty kids. I'm starting to think there are either a lot of annoying French brats out there, or a lot of really bad parents.
I did a daytrip into Marseilles, and saw the old port. It was ridiculousy hot out. I also ran into this random beach volleyball tournament sponsored by Swatch. I then climbed to the top of the city to get some nice photos from a Notre Dame church. By that point my legs were done. I hiked back down the hill and headed back to the hostel, where I saw 2 kids who must've been 8 years old down a ton of wine with dinner. I know its a custom over here, but they were gulping the stuff before their mom had started making dinner.
I then caught a train to Nice, where I've been hanging out with a huge group of Aussies. I think there was 10 of them at one point, and there was another Canadian from Toronto and a guy from London. We went to Cap D'Ail and hung out on the beach, and then went to Monaco for an hour. I got fairly burnt, but I'm the whitest person in this part of country. I need the colour.
And I'll gamble away my time
And in a year, a year or so
This will slip into the sea
Beirut
Ok, so in Bruges I basically wandered around and saw the sights. I wasn't really in the mood for hanging out with people and the few people I met were the fairly arrogant canadian journalism students who knew everything about everything. The highlight of Bruges was this shop called The Chocolate Line. The chocolatier there has this crazy notion that the smell of chocolate is as important as the taste. He has this chocolate nasal shooter thing that you can buy. Basically you snort chocolate powder. I didn't do it, but it looks interesting. He also has these weird chocolate combinations, like wasabi, lemongrass, cigar, curry, and tea flavours. If I'm heading that way on my way back I'm going to pick some up.
I also did a little daytrip to Ghent and wandered around. The town was a lot less touristy than Bruges but still very picturesque. I went on a Sunday, so pretty much no stores were open, but there was a market. And apparently they like to sell 2euro bras and 1euro pairs of underwear there. Just out in the open on a table. No boxes or packaging. Weird.
I then caught a train to Brussels, where I got stuck for 5 hours because Rock Werchter had just ended and there were no trains to Paris until 5pm. It was at that point that I noticed how many backpackers were flip-flops. Ok, I get that they're light and keep your feet cool, but they offer no foot support. These people are walking around Europe wearing them. I could never do that.
In Paris I stayed in a pretty nice hostel in Montmartre, which is in the northern part of Paris on top of a hill. We had great views of Paris and everyone goes to the top of the hill to watch the sunset and hang out after dark. Paris was cool but so expensive. The first night I was there I met a group of Irish girls who were all really cool, but they were leaving the next day to Barcelona.
My second day I walked around and saw the main sights. Hung out underneath the Eiffel Tower, saw Les Champs de Mars, walked to the Louvre and then Notre Dame de Paris. Didn't pay to climb the tower or go into the Louvre. Way too many lines, too expensive and wasn't in the mood. The next day I walked around the cemetary where Jim Morrison is buried. I also went down in the Catacombes. That was very cool, and very cheap. Only 3 euros, I think.
I then took a train out to Versailles the next day and hung out in the gardens and parks.
After Paris I went to Tours for a couple of nights and stayed in this really crappy HI hostel. I got my own room, which was the size of a motel room, but the place was ridiculously dirty and they had stupid lock-out and breakfast rules. Plus the place was pretty much empty and the lights were on timers in the halls, which made the place seem abandoned.
I went up to Chateau Chenonceau, which is pretty much a fairytale castle. It was built in the 16th century beside a river, and was expanded over the bridge. Very touristy, though.
After Tours I went to Lyon, where I proceeded to almost die climbing a hill to get to the hostel. It was another HI hostel, but this place was better and had a bar. Met some random Canadians and Australians, and saw the fireworks for Bastille Day. French people seem to like setting off firecrackers in the streets randomly, though. Or slightly larger explosives. I wandered around the city, and noticed that french guys like their european handbags/purses. A lot. And for some reason there needs to be 4 French Army personnel with frickin huge assualt rifles at the tiny train station.
After Lyon I went to Aix-en-Provence, which is just outside Marseilles. The train-ride there was horrible. I had 2 snot-nosed annoying brats sitting across from me with a mom who didn't care that they wouldn't sit still. She then proceeded to give them sugar. Good idea. To my left was a screaming baby. Ugh. Thankfully it was only a 1.5 hour trip. I stayed at another HI hostel, and this one was probably the worst so far. The breakfast was only served between 7:30 and 8:30, and they kicked you out of the hostel at 9:30. You weren't allowed back until 5pm. They had a common room/bar, but it was very crappy and the place was full of annoying teenage girls and dirty old men. I shared a 4-bed room with 3 middle age guys who were just disgusting. One of them ended taking my bed, so I had to go get other sheets. He also stole my pillow so I had to find another one. Jerkface. The internet was also ridiculously expensive there, at 4 euros for an hour.
I walked around Aix-en-Provence and saw a lot of bratty kids. I'm starting to think there are either a lot of annoying French brats out there, or a lot of really bad parents.
I did a daytrip into Marseilles, and saw the old port. It was ridiculousy hot out. I also ran into this random beach volleyball tournament sponsored by Swatch. I then climbed to the top of the city to get some nice photos from a Notre Dame church. By that point my legs were done. I hiked back down the hill and headed back to the hostel, where I saw 2 kids who must've been 8 years old down a ton of wine with dinner. I know its a custom over here, but they were gulping the stuff before their mom had started making dinner.
I then caught a train to Nice, where I've been hanging out with a huge group of Aussies. I think there was 10 of them at one point, and there was another Canadian from Toronto and a guy from London. We went to Cap D'Ail and hung out on the beach, and then went to Monaco for an hour. I got fairly burnt, but I'm the whitest person in this part of country. I need the colour.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Everything I love gets lost in drawers
I want to start over, I want to be winning
The National
So, after Cork we went to Killarney and stayed at this awesome hostel called The Sugan. The Aussie girl and I walked around the national park there, and saw Ross Castle. The next day we did a bus tour around the Ring of Kerry.
The next day we left for Galway. We did a another bus tour to the Cliffs of Moher and a walking tour around the Burren. It decided to rain that day so my photos weren't great. We then hopped on a ferry to Innis Mor, the largest Aran Island and rented bikes for the day. That was fun. It was beautiful out and we had a picnic by the beach.
After Galway we went up to Derry and stayed at another cool hostel. This was basically a house with maybe 15-20 people staying there. We met up with a girl from Santa Barbara and went to the Giant's Causeway for the day, and proceeded to get stuck in this tiny town called Bushmills because the busses stopped running. We then took a taxi to the train station, and then the hostel had a bbq that night. The next morning we walked around in the rain and saw all the murals along the street where Bloody Sunday happened. We then took a bus to Belfast and absolutely nothing that night because it was Sunday and nothing was open. The next morning we said goodbye to the Santa Barbara girl and took the ferry to Stranraer, and then spent that night in Edinburgh. I said goodbye to the Aussie girl the next morning and took a train to London and met up with Simon after spending a night at the Globetrotter's hostel. I had lost my voice by then so I wasn't exactly up for partying.
So, after wandering around Oxford St looking for Black's the outdoor/camping store, we then met up with his half-sister and her husband, had some dinner and slept at their place, and then took the train to Glasto. It rained Thursday night but the rest of the weekend was great. Massive Attack, Xavier Rudd, Band of Horses, Holy Fuck and The National were my highlights. I also randomly met some people Saturday night on a bed in a field with wheels, and we stayed up all night and saw the sun rise together. Monday we went back to London, stayed at Simon's half-sister's again, and then took the 7am Eurostar to Brussels, where we spent the day wandering around and eating waffles. The next day we went to Amsterdam, and saw the sights. I spent an extra day there hanging out with a couple of Americans, and now I'm in Bruges for the next 2 days. After that I'm going to Paris for 4 nights.
The National
So, after Cork we went to Killarney and stayed at this awesome hostel called The Sugan. The Aussie girl and I walked around the national park there, and saw Ross Castle. The next day we did a bus tour around the Ring of Kerry.
The next day we left for Galway. We did a another bus tour to the Cliffs of Moher and a walking tour around the Burren. It decided to rain that day so my photos weren't great. We then hopped on a ferry to Innis Mor, the largest Aran Island and rented bikes for the day. That was fun. It was beautiful out and we had a picnic by the beach.
After Galway we went up to Derry and stayed at another cool hostel. This was basically a house with maybe 15-20 people staying there. We met up with a girl from Santa Barbara and went to the Giant's Causeway for the day, and proceeded to get stuck in this tiny town called Bushmills because the busses stopped running. We then took a taxi to the train station, and then the hostel had a bbq that night. The next morning we walked around in the rain and saw all the murals along the street where Bloody Sunday happened. We then took a bus to Belfast and absolutely nothing that night because it was Sunday and nothing was open. The next morning we said goodbye to the Santa Barbara girl and took the ferry to Stranraer, and then spent that night in Edinburgh. I said goodbye to the Aussie girl the next morning and took a train to London and met up with Simon after spending a night at the Globetrotter's hostel. I had lost my voice by then so I wasn't exactly up for partying.
So, after wandering around Oxford St looking for Black's the outdoor/camping store, we then met up with his half-sister and her husband, had some dinner and slept at their place, and then took the train to Glasto. It rained Thursday night but the rest of the weekend was great. Massive Attack, Xavier Rudd, Band of Horses, Holy Fuck and The National were my highlights. I also randomly met some people Saturday night on a bed in a field with wheels, and we stayed up all night and saw the sun rise together. Monday we went back to London, stayed at Simon's half-sister's again, and then took the 7am Eurostar to Brussels, where we spent the day wandering around and eating waffles. The next day we went to Amsterdam, and saw the sights. I spent an extra day there hanging out with a couple of Americans, and now I'm in Bruges for the next 2 days. After that I'm going to Paris for 4 nights.
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