Anne Tachi

Wishful Thinking

2010-05-19T14:36:00.000-04:00

I've hit a stumbling block in my appreciation of what blogging and writing and journaling can actually do.

It's not so much at the competency level - or the logical one - but more the social repercussions (both good and bad) and the universe of expectancy - or wishful thinking - that begets or is begotten from the act of writing said blog.

Who is reading this? Who isn't reading this? Who do I want to read this? Who do I wish just wouldn't?

After which then follows - then why am I writing this? And why am I writing it here? If there is actually a level of consciousness within me that deigns and feigns to think and hope that if there was a person who I didn't want to read this - that in this realm of the internets - would it actually be plausible to believe that it's possible that they never will read it?

There is then - the flipside to this - which brings up the ideas of self-importance and the ego.

For is the above wishful thinking on its head? Because - who's to say anyone's reading at all? Who I am to believe that I, or this post, or what I have to say is of any importance or need or curiosity to that of another person? Or moreso the person whom I suppose is reading it?

And so - my unblock has found a piece of the block in the way again - because once again i'm not sure to write - or more succinctly - what I am supposed to write here.

Because: this blog IS read by friends, IS read by strangers, IS pretty much tied to my real self, of which my real self is quite easy to determine should one bother to want to know and find out...

... and maybe what I am ready to write, want to write, wish to write... is actually much more private, with a side dish of curiosity of receipt.

And perhaps it's not so much about writing at all, or writing a blog - but simply moreso - writing in THIS blog - and what type of writing should go here.

And so - "block piece" - kicked away - because I realize now I probably need a NEW blog for the new stuff - and leave this for the real me when the real me wants to write something real.

Sometimes starting again...

2010-05-17T22:51:00.002-04:00

...just requires starting.

And so I did. Fully admit it required me almost feeling entirely lost unto myself to get there - and possibly knowing that I'm not leaving this rip-torn realm anytime soon - but I welcome with open arms the feeling of warmth and release it is bringing me - if only for slight moments while the darkness encroaches further still.

I'm writing again... that's all that matters. Apparently happiness is not an emotion to induce greatness from me - but to be honest, I don't really care. The subsisting was worse - the false happiness - the false "fine". What a ridiculous wish of life - to simply be.

I'll be honest, as I do hope I do not lose my other loves in pursuit of finding this one again - but I need it - now more than ever. So ashamed of how far I drifted, so angry at what I've let others do to me - make me feel - allowed to present of myself as myself when really they know nothing at all.

I am so much more than this shell I've become - to look into the past and see a fuller life than that which exists now is pitiful.

There is no one else to blame but myself - while the effects feel as if from outside forces - it is only I alone who let them have the power that they think they have - for no one has any power except that which you give them.

This is but one arm of my power - I lost it but it chose to find me again - it chose to give me a second chance - and it begs me not to become again that which I was only a day ago. I am on a new road now - even if only the first step has been taken.

This is London: Day 1

2009-12-12T23:12:00.002-05:00

Yes!!! Vacation!!! And just in time – my head is swirling with way too many things that have to do with work and responsibilities – I need some time to just relax, rewind, unwind, unload and forget.

And what better way than to run across the big bad pond and drop right into Londontown!!

Terminal 1
This is my first time running through the new Terminal 1 at Pearson in Toronto – very posh indeed. And while I sort of totally understand and actually like the self-service kiosks – they are also a bit cumbersome to use when you’re lugging 2 or more bags.

Only Terminal 1 downfall? The Tim Horton’s is only a half service desk – no breakfast sandwiches for me! Sigh. I switched allegiance and went to the Starbucks for my iced tea lemonade and a scrumptious slice of Lemon Poppy seed cake.

Late Plane
While all the digital displays and lovely airport personnel insisted our flight was on time – you kind of know your plane is late when it is isn’t even attached to the gate deck and the flight staff are all waiting at the door with their luggage. But – c’est ca – I just settled down to play with my iPhone until something drove up.

Pod People
When we did finally get on our way – we were pleased to find our place was a fairly nice one. First class was made up of all these individual pod sections where you can actually sleep lying down, have your own personal flat screen TV and a footstool for added storage.

Not of course that we were in those seats – we just got to walk past them. However – our economy class digs weren’t too bad either. Even though our seats were labeled A and C – Mom and I were alone in a two-seater on the left side with a window and aisle – and everyone had their own personal TV/movie system with a ton of stuff to watch. Legroom was pretty decent, as was storage space. So much better than my last trans-Atlantic flight with Air Transat – need to remember that for the next time.

De-icing
After we were settled in, the captain let us know that the wings needed de-icing – which while I know is a damned consistent occurrence on flights in our weather – it still makes me nervous. By now we were pretty late and I believe the waiting around for de-icing took at least 30 minutes more – someone didn’t want us to get to London anytime soon.

Movie Time
Good thing the entertainment system was already up and running – time to settle in for a movie! Only problem was – I picked District 9 to start with since I hadn’t seen it yet. I got through about 25 minutes of it and couldn’t take it anymore. Watching a movie yourself in an enclosed space with headphones is NOT the ideal way to watch a movie that both slightly scares you and grosses you out at the same time. I had to give up by the time Wikus decides to settle on his first round of cat food.

Instead, I then settled on two mindless movie runs, to get the weird visions out of my head, and watched Harry Potter again, and then Twilight for the third time in my life.

Air Canada: -1
Only really crappy part of the flight: the food. Air Canada needs to seriously get with the program. Even Air Transat rocked in the food department. I barely kept the food on this flight down. Thank God for my earlier delight in lemony goodness.

Tons of babies – silent!
Twisted recurrence on this trip: lots of babies – but every single one of them silent. Not a peep through the whole flight – someone above was finally on my side!

Finally – in London
Well – in the end the flight went quite well with only a few rounds of turbulence. Ica met us at Heathrow and we took a supremely long ride on the Tube to her area at Holloway. However – to my delight – I reacquainted myself with the wonderful lady’s Tube voice that I love so much – and on the perfect line too as Holloway in on the Piccadilly Line. Ask H-Rabbit – I love saying, “Now arriving at Piccadilly Circus, on the Piccadilly Line!” H-Rabbit – I’ve got the accent down pat now! As the ride was supremely long, and during the last round of trains for the night – we picked up quite a few people who apparently didn’t really care that they chose to sit on our luggage. London is way too packed with people. Torontonians need to experience this to remember how good we have it – even during rush hour.

Walking, Walking, Walking
I forgot my sister’s love of walking – and I forgot how deep down the Tube stations actually are. To get out at Holloway you need to ride the escalator that resembles the stairway to heaven, it’s that freaking tall. I have no idea what happens when all these escalators break down cause there aren’t any stairs at all.

Fair-weather
Coming from -17 degree Toronto with the wind-chill – London’s 5 degrees is definitely balmy – though you can tell it’s much more damp and dingy here – the cold seeps into your bones and my hair is a permanent frizz ball.

Home Sweet Home – for 10 days
We get to Ica’s place, which is really quite nice. We meet her roommate Alex who is actually packing up to leave the next morning to head back to the States for the Christmas break. We quickly gather round the kitchen eat some of Ica’s peanut-butter chicken noodles (quite good actually despite the name and ingredients) because the plane food was so horrible. She also made some homemade Oreo cookies – those did not turn out as well. We trashed the inside and settled for the outer cookies alone, which were at least edible. Then it was time for bed – though Jessica snuck in some painting too as she had to finish Alex’s going away present before she took off the next morning.

Yay Londontown – can’t wait to get started!!

Begin Again

2009-12-11T23:58:00.001-05:00

Here’s the thing. It’s not that blogging baffles me, or confounds me, or makes me wig out, or does anything to make me want to avoid it. It just simply takes time that I never seem to be able to find, and therefore I stop blogging. And then – for that reason – I usually get inundated, by the digital-social world that I exist in, with an inordinate amount of comments about how I’m doing it all wrong. Phooey.

So – before I begin again – because that is what I am about to do – I guess I need to figure a few things out – and blogging about them seemed like the most appropriate thing to do.

1. I will blog when I blog.
Not every day. Not in sequence. Not covering absolutely everything. Not covering everything I take a photo of. I will simply blog… when I blog.

2. I will not feel guilty for only blogging when I blog.
My biggest regret is that writing – which usually brings me release and joy – will become tedious and difficult. Mundane and indifferent. Writing to write but not to write for myself.

3. I will write as I write.
I will not improve to some random stranger’s, or group of random strangers’, beliefs about what blogging should be. I will not change my blogging even at the imploring begs of friends. I will not update for the sake of updating. I will not write just about one topic. Nor just as a diary. Nor just as social media commentary. Nor just as a photo blog. I will simply write, as I write.

4. I will be content.
There is no best I am trying to reach – there is only difference, and more. The best that I can be is my everyday – and if it isn’t good enough for someone else – they should probably write their own.

5. I will re-find my 14-year-old self.
Simply because – it seems she was damned good writer – much better than the me that exists now.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Begin again.

omg...NKOTB!!!!

2008-09-18T20:57:00.012-04:00

Okay... so the title was my only throwback to pre-teenage-dom - I promise not to get riled up anymore through the post. Hehehehe.

Anywho - tonight was a pretty awesome night - regardless of what anyone thinks, feels or has an opinion on by way of NKOTB.

My friend Chele, from With One L, bought our tickets months ago, and in fact was going to every show in this run of concerts they are doing in Toronto. She's a huge fan and was a great partner to enjoy the night with.

We started off the night by meeting up with a group of fellow fans that Chele had met online through a few forums and groups for fans. They were an amazingly excited and lively group, and it was fun to meet all the new people. Many had come from all over the United States since this was the very first concert on their tour.

We all had a good meal at the Firkin and many of the girls caught up, met each other for the first time, brought their husbands, and listened to the radio show that was playing that some of them had attended earlier in the week.

After - we then all headed to the concert together - our tickets were all scattered - and some people had amazing seats right in the front row - but all of us faired pretty well with our seating - and it hadn't cost that much at all.

I absolutely adored the boys when I was younger - I had only been about 12 or 13 - and my favourite had been (and still is) Joey Joe. You don't forget your "first loves" and he was definitely one of mine. I never really cared for the rest of the band as much - mine was all about Joe and the music.

And yeah - I can hear some of you readers groaning... but seriously - it may not have been for everyone - but their music back then was the life chorus of an entire generation, or two, of pre-teen and teenage girls.

The concert was an amazing reminiscence of those feelings from that time. Throughout the entire night - I was amazed at how easily I remembered all the lyrics and knew how each song went.

In addition - their new material proved amazing - and just as good as anything else being developed on the pop scene right now. Catchy tunes, simple lyrics dealing with emotions, and well - a bunch of guys that haven't held up too badly for a bunch of 40-year-olds.

The energy in the ACC was absolutely amazing - so powerful - and believe it or not - the place was sold out. I don't think I've ever been to either the ACC or Skydome and actually seen that play out. Not a single empty seat in the house.

The guys played up the fact that we were "all" now adults - and the show proved pretty hilarious at points - I don't think there's been any other gathering of so many 30-40 year old in one place ever.

Natasha Beddingefield opened the night, and we weren't allowed to bring any awesome cameras - so I was left with my shitty, old point and shoot. I really need to get a new one - the shots Chele got with hers were jsut as good as anything I could get with my SLR (if they had allowed me to bring it in). Mine however is a good deal too old and my pictures are akin to a drunken man's view of the concert. Ha!

Anyhow - I've spread some of the shots that I took through the blog - even though they're so awful. I also took a few videos. Pretty short clips but I'm probably not going to post them. Maybe later - who knows. :)

The night was good - and I'm glad I didn't miss out on it. So many memories brought back - and so many new ones to remember as well.

It's all about the light...

2008-09-08T23:16:00.000-04:00

Since photography really isn't a main focus right now - spending on the hobby doesn't rate too high on my list though I'm still dreaming of the day that I can get my hands on a proper Canon Mark II.

In the meantime - I'm trying to solve little problems with little solutions to aid the level of photography I need for other ventures.

While I was awesomely impressed with so many of the pictures we took in Europe - I was highly disappointed in the turn out of the pictures I've been taking at these last few weddings I have been to.

I realized then that the reason was very much the difference in ratio of outdoor shots to indoor shots. And on indoor shots - our camera just isn't doing well unless using a tripod on a severely slow shutter speed.

We tried working with the onboard flash - but no matter what setting we had it at - it always created severe flash tunnel, as well as flash out. The harsh light just isn't manageable. Also - taking pictures of Wynnie girl always ended with her fur shining and harsh and reflecting back - making for not so nice photos.

In an attempt to 'diffuse' the issue - I bought a small onboard camera flash diffuser called the Puffer from Gary Fong.

While helping a little bit however - it still didn't do the job.

So what was left? Buying a 'real' and good separate flash. However - cash is simply not in the pot for that right now.

So in the end - it was lady luck who came to the rescue. In combing through our condo and doing a little fall cleaning - we managed to find an old flash that H-Rabbit used to use with her film camera back in highschool. Luck being in a good mood - she even provided batteries and ensured the flash was compatible with our Canon Rebel's shoe.

The result - voila above! One of the best round of pictures I've been able to take of Wynnie where her fur actually looks like it does in real life. No glare, no bounce, rich colour and a very soft picture - and I only diffused with the flash's own diffuser layer.

Can't wait to get the chance to use it more in a few other indoor settings. Too bad I hadn't found it earlier - all my wedding pictures would be ten times better!

Congratulations Michelle & Michael!

2008-09-06T22:58:00.000-04:00

This year definitely proved the summer of weddings. This time the event was quite emotional... but the story probably a little too close to my heart and complicated to write about plainly here.

Suffice it to say - I was extremely glad to be able to witness this day and share in Michelle and Michael's celebration of their love for one another. Such a journey that has been traveled to reach this point.

The day posed so many questions for me - and resolved some issues as well - in ways that I did not expect, in places that were the last I believed could bring the answers that they did.

It was also good to share the day with wonderful friends who were also present for the celebration.

It is quite possible that life may not have me seeing much more of their journey ahead of them - but I wish them well, and wish them love, and am open to the world of possibility and whatever God wishes may come in the future.

Overnight shoot... no pictures to show

2008-08-21T22:38:00.000-04:00

As with most things tied into my work - there's not much proof I'm allowed to proffer for the work entailed. Last night was more of the same... or should I say this morning?

Pyjamas joined me for this one - which had us leaving work early - grabbing some zzzzs - waking up around 2am and then heading for our destination for 3am.

Let me say now - the night was planned over and over with tons of detail - and as per usual Murphy's Law - nothing went to plan.

Our location wasn't expecting us - the schedules events didn't occur - and our guide showed up late. Did I mention our audio failed to deliver and I didn't have anywhere near the type of lighting I needed to take decent shots.

Regardless... I shot off a couple hundred pics to try and get a good basis for the project ahead of us.

Overnight shoots - are never worth it. Not unless booze, grass, friends and a week to recuperate are involved.

08!08!08! Congratulations Robyn & Brian!

2008-08-08T00:24:00.004-04:00

On this most luckiest of days of the entire century - 080808 - one of my good friends from my highschool days and her bestest friend in the world got married in a blaze of love, craziness and excitement.

It was really beautiful to see Robyn and the amazing life she has created for herself amongst the tough history that has so far followed her in her journey. Brian is not only her best friend, but a strong partner who has devoted his life not only to her, but to her son as well.

The day was a whirlwind of events, that even included crazy TV antics as Brian works for CityTV - AND - their wedding was being featured on the show Wedding SOS.

LanaByng and I came together, and met up with our "usual suspects" of "fr-amily" - including lots of faces from school years past.

LanaByng was also one of the reception's MCs - so she had to deal directly with the crazy SOS woman. Being part of the television show also added extremely high drama to the event. One of Robyn's "wishes" that she was granted by the wedding "fairy godmother" was to have an extremely spectacular entrance to her reception - and spectacular it was, with smoke, lights, music and a grand staircase. Remind me to keep that in mind for future parties!

All in all - it was a wonderful day, night and eventually wee morning hours as we all danced our hearts out and spent the time basked in love and friendship.

A walk in pictures: August 3, 2008

2008-08-03T23:33:00.009-04:00

We've tried this gambit a few times before - and it never seems to really take off - but Michele and I decided today was a great day for one of our random picture walking days where we randomly pick a subway station that we have never (or rarely) gotten off at (Today: Landsdowne) to get off at and then just walk, walk, walk - taking pictures all along the way.

It's actually a fairly neat way to experience Toronto - and catch a glimpse of things you may otherwise ignore.

Obviously - I took way too many pictures to post them all - but here's my top 6 for a little look around the city today.

Off the races in Dufferin Park

So close to the sunshine... maybe a bit too close

The beauty of ebb and flow

A bench of many colours

National pride of a gigantic size

And the Gnome stands alone

PS - The city isn't as big as you think, seeing as we managed to walk all the way from Landsdowne to the water's edge near Harbourfront in one afternoon... crazy!

Congratulations Meghan & Jeff!

2008-07-26T23:05:00.005-04:00

Just two days after we returned from Europe our good friends Meghan and Jeff got married on a wonderfully hot, humid, wet and yet also sunshine-y day. In fact - their wedding was a major factor in determining the days and length of our trip. H-Rabbit was a bridesmaid and I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Both bride and groom were beautiful together and the ceremony was basically the best wedding I have ever been to: outdoors, simple, short and filled with fun and love. The gardens it took place in were part of the Parkwood Estate in Oshawa - funny enough - just a hop, kip and a jump from my Aunt's home near the town line.

Later - the reception was held nearby at the Holiday Inn and was a really relaxed affair - even the bride changed into her Birkenstocks for fun on the dance floor.
It was wonderful to see such an awesome couple start their new journey in life - and the group of girls from York had a wonderful time cheering them on.

Europe Day 21: Goodbye Europe...

2008-07-24T22:13:00.000-04:00

Well – there’s not much to say about today. There’s very little of it that we’ve spent doing anything but being in the processes of leaving.

Our hotel provided a wake-up call on time and we managed to eat some breakfast. They also arranged for our car to the airport. It’s actually about a 30 minute ride from the city so we had to leave early in order to arrive on time for our flight.

Once there, we met up with the Toronto crew from our tour – we all had tickets on the same flight out heading directly to Toronto.

Checking in took quite awhile – there were a lot of people on our flight. However having a group of friends to hang out with during the waiting really made things better than usual.

H-Rabbit is a hijacker!
Well – not really – but one of the security guards thought so. She forgot that the Swiss Army knife she had bought her brother as a souvenir was packed in her purse instead of the suitcases – and when we were going through the security check – they stopped her dead cold.

They wouldn’t let her through and were going to confiscate it – but it cost a fair amount so she couldn’t part with it. Instead – she had to run all the way back to the check-in and check her purse. We emptied all her stuff into my carry on – and then she ran for her life – because if she didn’t catch the check-in before the line was over – she’d miss the packing of our plane and it would all have been for nothing. It sucked large that check-in and security were so far apart.

The Toronto Crew waiting patiently
The rest of us hung out and waited patiently hoping she’d make it back in time – and she did – I think she almost died doing it – but she did. After she passed through security a second time – the group of us then wandered over to the gate to hang until boarding.

Finally off and on our way home
We’re on the flight now and it’s smooth sailing. Definitely a long flight ahead – ten hours is a bit of a trek – but dreams of my own bed make it worth it.

Home Again
Well – this one’s a short one. H-Rabbit’s parents met us at the Airport and drove us home. We’re so glad to be back but the days ahead are going to be crazy. Our hectic schedule only continues here at home – but this Europe trip has been an amazing experience. We’ll remember it always and we can’t wait to figure out what we’re going to do with all of our pictures and souvenirs.

Thank you Europe for an amazing life experience – I can’t wait to see you again.

Europe Day 20: Athens Part Deux

2008-07-23T20:53:00.014-04:00

Heat Stroke
So it seems both of us had a worse case of heat stroke than we originally thought. While I was nowhere near the state H-Rabbit was in, I think I was pretty done in as well.

We slept long and late into the morning and missed our free breakfast from the hotel. We also realized we missed the chance to miss the heat. But after slowly making our way up and at-em - we figured we’d already missed out on a night on the town last night and didn’t want to pass up today – so we had to get moving.

Walk About
While there was lots left to see and do in Athens tourist-y wise – we really weren’t too interested in seeing much more than the Plaka at night – so we figured we’d take a chance walking around the upper part of town for a little while until we couldn’t stand the heat. After, we’d then head back to the hotel to get ready for leaving tomorrow, before heading back downtown in the evening.

Athens… the beautiful?
In walking around – we realized we were much further up from the downtown core than we had originally thought. The heat made walking quite a task. We also realized that Athens wasn’t exactly the awesomest city we’d been to so far – and most definitely not the safest.

In passing by the Polytechnic Institute that we were close to – we had to pass by a fleet of winos with their stereotypical alcoholic bottles in brown bags... only to run into two men throwing open needles at each other across the sidewalk. We quickly made our way to the other side of the street and vowed to remember not to walk back that way again.

As we wandered, we noticed that the city was also extremely dusty and dried out – and well – dirty. I was actually quite disappointed and depressed at it all. It wasn’t exactly the European city experience I wanted to remember as my last. There was so much trash lying in the streets, and the buildings were falling down all around us. Grime lay everywhere and everything felt like it was asleep.

Escape the heat with a Gyro
After an hour or so - the heat was just getting too much. We decided to just quickly find the two things we still needed – lunch and another luggage bag for souvenirs – and then it was time to get back to the hotel.

Finding a place that sold bags that were useable as luggage proved a bit difficult – but we finally came across a small store owned by an old gentleman and his wife that sold sports bags. They were very nice and helped us get what we needed. They even helped us with our broken “pleases” and “thank-yous” in Greek (Parakalo and Efarysto)

After that we jumped into the first decent looking place advertising gyros. We grabbed some cold pops, our gyros and sat to relieve our returning heat stroke.

Packing, packing, packing
We’re now back at the hotel. You would think after weeks of packing and unpacking this last pack would be an easy task, but to get everything in where we needed it to be, it required a full overhaul of everything that we had brought and bought.

We ended up leaving a lot of crap we no longer needed behind – hopefully it went to some good use – but I’m sure it just went into the trash.

Now that we were packed and ready – we were finally cooled down enough and relaxed enough and prepared for a nice night on the town.

Plaka! Athens… this time actually beautiful
We managed to figure out how to make our way into the downtown core by bus and arrived early so that we could look around the Plaka area both in the light and in the evening. We weren’t sure how long things were open for – throughout our time here everyone had been giving us different times when things would close down so we wanted to make sure we didn’t miss anything.

We spent most of the night picking up all of our leftover souvenir needs. The Plaka area is absolutely wonderful and beautiful and exciting and energetic and more than made up for my disappointment in the city earlier in the day. It is too bad that the city most clearly only keeps this area in its good standards due to its touristy nature, and doesn’t give the same attention to the rest of the city.

I didn’t notice it yesterday when we were walking around – but the Plaka is directly beside the walkways and entrance to the Acropolis, and while walking we encountered many a remnant of ruins and old historical sites in and amongst the many shops and restaurants. It only enhanced the beauty of the area exponentially.

After walking in circles and circles throughout the area (without actually walking along the same paths more than once because there’s actually that many places to get lost in) – we figured it was time to settle on one of the awesome restaurants for our last monster European meal. The restaurant we picked was small and we actually had our table set up for us in the middle of the road! A cop car even made it’s way through all the tables and past us to get by (thankfully no other types of cars make their way through the area).

Delicious Greek Food – Good for the tummy
The meal we had for dinner was nothing short of spectacular. I absolutely love Greek food and we finally got to enjoy a meal without the hassle of the tour, or the time constraints of needing to be anywhere at any particular time. We got to try a lot of dishes and just relax and spend a nice evening in the atmosphere of a lively Mediterranean evening.

Wish it didn’t have to end
We took our time about getting back to the hotel – and remembered to make our way out back to the main roads to not get ripped off by the Plaka taxi drivers. They charge tourists twice as much as it should really cost to get back to their hotels. The drivers inside the Plaka were quoting us 50 to 80 euros to get back to where we needed to be – but our hotel concierge had told us it shouldn’t be more than 25 euros. So we walked up and right out of the Plaka – took about 15 minutes – and when we hit one of the central squares – without a doubt – the first taxi we hailed quoted us 25 euros. Apparently the druggies and the drunks aren’t the only crooks in the city.

Despite the few bumps though - this was an absolutely wonderful way to end our trip, and made us feel better about having to finish up in Athens. All that’s left is the plane trip back home tomorrow – and then real life will hit us with a bang.

Europe Day 19: Our Last Contiki Day

2008-07-22T00:22:00.002-04:00

Early morning, last Contiki hurrah
Well – our last day with our Contiki group started bright and early – not only because we were leaving at a ridiculous early time to visit the Acropolis (trying to avoid the line-ups, crowds and the hot, hot sun of midday Greece) – but also because we had to pack and store our bags (which our friends Chris and Liz graciously allowed us to use their room for). We weren’t staying in the same hotel that night and needed to make our way somewhere further uptown later on.

Athens the dangerous
Well – let’s say I never expected to feel more in the Ghetto somewhere in the Mediterranean than any city I’ve seen in Canada or the United States – but voila – Athens did it. Even staying at our pretty nice hotel didn’t save us from the crime life that seems to exist in that city – and it was evidenced further by the 2-tonne police trailer full of cops that apparently sits just outside the hotel during the day. Too bad they weren’t around the night before to catch all the drug dealers operating out of the phone booths. Seriously.

Sites of Athens
The heat was unbearable even before the sun was high in the sky. Even though the early leave time had already wiped us out, we were still glad we weren’t waiting to do the tour any later. We got a professional guide for this tour of the city and the Acropolis, so she took us around town first to point out all the areas, and then we headed for the big hike up the “mountain” to see the ruins.

Hard walk up
It was a bit of a hard trek up to the Acropolis with the extreme heat and my asthma – but I vowed I’d go the distance. I wasn’t getting all the way to Greece and not seeing the damn thing cause of my asthma. The guide let us stop every now and then, but she also pressed pretty quickly so that we weren’t up at the top in the scorching sun (and in order to get there before the major crowds started arriving). While I’d have loved to be listening to the history she had been telling the group like our other good tour guides – I was too wiped out to care much. I preferred instead to take photographs. My visual pleasure in being there was so much more satisfying than simply standing in the heat to listen. I figured I could catch the history later to match with the photos.

The Acropolis…
… was under construction – or more accurately put – restoration and research. It was a little bit of a let-down, as the historical and stereotypic vision of the Acropolis was un-photographable. Oh well - another picture regret that I’ll have to fulfill sometime in the future.

Modern interpretation
The guide let us know that they are just putting the finishing touches down in the city on the Acropolis museum which she pointed out to us down below. It has been made the exact same size as the Acropolis area and all the artifacts that have been found from it – frecoes, statues, etc. – are being placed down in the museum in the exact place they were found in the actual ruins. It’s quite a cool idea – and would be a neat thing to go see in the future when it’s finally all ready.

My favourite part of the area was the Caryatids statues – even though they are only the replicas. Five of the originals will be in the Acropolis museum, while the sixth is somewhere in Britain – can’t remember where exactly.

Air conditioning relief!
After we had our fill up top – and realized we were being burned alive by the sun – we decided it was definitely time to head back – quickly – to the lovely relief of our air-conditioned bus. Somewhere along the way we lost one of our tour peeps… and we got stuck waiting until one of the guys could find her in the stores.

Olympic Stadium
On our way back to the central square of the city – we stopped off quickly at the Olympic stadium in Athens. Quite large and quite impressive – kind of the atypical stadium you would expect from Athens.

Teary Cheery Goodbye
Our tour ending in the main city square was actually out literal Contiki tour end as well. It was our last stop and we no longer were responsible for staying with the group. There were lots of hugs and kisses all around – but also I’d say some sighs of great relief – it’s hard to spend so much time with the same group of people – especially when there are some members that you don’t necessarily hold in high regard. But – c’est la vie.

First independent decision – McDonalds
Yes – indeed – we are a sad, sad bunch – but as soon as we were released, Chris, Liz, H-Rabbit and myself headed to the one place that felt like “home” – McDonalds! Ha! I think after three weeks of European food and being really good about trying new things – all we wanted to do was sit in great air-conditioning and eat something plain.

High heat, but the Plaka was calling
After quickly running through the Plaka area the night before – we were itching to head back – and even though the day was just getting hotter and hotter – we figured a small walk through the area wouldn’t be too much. We started in earnest our hording of souvenirs – and the area was amazing even during the day. However – the heat wasn’t getting better – only worse – and it was getting to us pretty badly.

Last swim on the roof-top
We head back with Chris and Liz to the hotel. We decided to enjoy the roof-top pool and patio one last time before figuring our way over to our new hotel. It was a joy to just relax with nowhere to be and nothing to do and no responsibilities with time or location. However – after a few hours – the heat was even getting to us up there and we figured we should probably get moving to our new location.

Great Friends
We gave a long and lasting goodbye to our new friends Liz and Chris – they truly were an amazing couple and we can’t wait to find our way over to Australia one day to see them again. Perhaps we’ll even get a glimpse of their newly minted Venetian cat in its new home.

New hotel
The drive to our new hotel wasn’t too bad – and we weren’t much further away from the downtown core either. The new hotel was very clean and simple and our room was pretty huge too. The heat however – had really done us in and H-Rabbit had a pretty bad case of heat stroke. Instead of doing anything else – we figured we’d just hit the sack and get some much needed sleep in a cold, dark room. While it may have felt like wasting a night – we figured it would be better than still feeling crappy for the rest of our stay in Athens and ruining those days as well. Besides – running around Athens in the dark by myself without H-Rabbit wasn’t exactly high on my to-do list with all te crime we had been seeing. Sleep was probably the best decision to be made.

A note about the next three days...

2008-07-21T23:50:00.001-04:00

Before I post the last three days of our Contiki trip - it should be noted - that blogs for the last three days were not written. I am trying my best to re-create from my memories what happened along with the photos we took those days. We'll see how it goes, eh? :o)

Europe Day 18: All-day drive to Athens

2008-07-21T23:23:00.000-04:00

Close to the end
Well – we’re basically on the last leg of the trip now. Apparently we have an entire day of driving – literally. I think Leona said our plan was to have breaks every 2.5 hours – but they seriously will simply be breaks and not really any “stops” to see or do anything. I kind of expected it when I was checking out maps of Greece before we left and was trying to think of how we were going to get from Corfu to Athens – however, even I thought we were going to be taking a more direct route. Instead – I think we’re going in some roundabout way on the outer rim…crazy long.

On the Ferry again
Well – we have to hop on the ferry again to get to the mainland, but at least this ride is only 30 minutes. We’re all feeling the affects of the sun today after our tryst in Corfu – and yet we all opted to hang out on the top deck to watch the ride. I believe we are all crazy – especially H-Rabbit and Caitlyn M. since they are already fairly sunburned.

Last glimpse of the water up close
It is definitely sad to know we won’t be getting this close to the ocean again on the trip. A lot of the other group members have booked additional side trips after our tour ends to go to the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini. We just didn’t have the time to do it since we have to get back for Meghan’s wedding. It’s disappointing – since Santorini is where the world’s idea of the look of Greece comes from. Apparently there isn’t anywhere else in Greece that truly looks like Santorini, and yet, that island has become what people associate as the “look” of Greece the world over. Oh well – I guess that just means we need to definitely come back.

Snagged the front
When we landed, I decided that for once – I was getting the front seat. I truly didn’t mind for pretty much the whole tour – but I got a chance to look at some of the scenery bus pictures I’ve been taking and they simply aren’t coming out as great as I had hoped. I figured then that the only way to get a few better shots is to grab a seat where I can shoot out the front window. Some of the front “regulars” probably weren’t too happy with me – but seriously, playing those kind of school-age bus games doesn’t really matter to me.

Breaks and a bridge
We made a quick stop for bathrooms and snacks early on in the trip – nothing much to report. But on the second leg we came upon the Rio-Antirrio Bridge that links from the ridge islands to the mainland of Greece. Leona said that we were crossing the Gulf of Corinth near Patras, and that the bridge was originally thought of and planned ages ago – however the technology needed to build it didn’t exist. Finally it was built in the 1990s. Let me just say – it’s a huge bridge, and a little crazy to cross since it’s only about 4 lanes wide.

Gyros for Lunch
I can’t for the life of me remember the name of the town we’re stopping in – Leona keeps saying it but I either keep missing it or am not hearing her right at all. Anyhow – apparently we’re stopping at a place expecting us and Leona can put in our order for now. We’re going to a Gyro place and we can order however much we want of chicken or beef or pork gyros. They’re only 2 euros each and are fairly huge. Most people are ordering two but driving on this bus for so long has made me lethargic and I’m not up to eating so very much.

Canadians in the bathroom
Funny enough – as we stopped for lunch – and also used the restaurant stop for a bathroom break – Heather and I ran into another Canadian in the washroom with her kids. She had married a Greek man as was now living in Greece with her family – but all she wanted to talk to us about was how she wanted to go back to Canada so badly – she wished she could convince her husband to go back. Strange encounter indeed.

Sorry, but there ARE gyros in Toronto
Leona was telling everyone on the bus how they have to get Gyros cause they don’t have them (good gyros) anywhere else but here in Greece – and I kind of sat there dumbfounded. She most definitely has never been to Toronto. What I do admit is that our Greek restaurants do have the Gyros meal style many times more than in wraps – whereas I only ever saw Gyros sandwiches while in Greece – the fact remains that the rest of the world has indeed been introduced to the gyro. Lately – I have realized that I am extremely bugged by other’s ignorance of the world at large – I need to figure out a way to not let that bug me so much so I’m not angry at people all the time – cause ignorance of this kind seems to be a fairly rampant thing.

Too hot to handle
So – what I’ve forgotten to mention was that now that we were traveling along on the mainland – the awesome, sea-faring weather we experienced in the islands is simply non-existent inland. There are no cool breezes, no windswept updrafts, nor the fresh smell of the sea. Instead – it is hot, hot, hot! 40 degrees Celsius hot! And so yeah – me and my asthma ain’t so happy.

The Corinth Canal
We made our second stop before the last leg of the trip to Athens at a rest stop situated beside the Corinth Canal. It was really neat to see the enormity of the man-made break between the Peloponnesian peninsula and Greece’s mainland. We walked out onto a pretty thin 2-lane bridge that crossed it to take a look right down into it – pretty thrilling to say the least. I didn’t spend too much time taking a look as the heat and being in the dusty outdoors did a huge number on my breathing – but I was glad I took the initiative to go out and see it anyway instead of staying in the rest stop. I’m hoping my breathing doesn’t ruin my time in Athens.

Arriving in Athens
Driving through Athens was definitely a trip, and it was neat to seem surrounded by “mounts” of purpose. What I am most surprised about though is the… filth, I guess. We’re staying pretty much right downtown in Athens – not far at all from the Plaka area and the Acropolis – and while there is a ton of awesome culture and history evident here – it is also highly disappointing in how modernity has brought the filth, crime and disintegration of urban sprawl to the city as well. Our hotel is okay – but the rooms aren’t awesome – however the rooftop pool and bar more than make up for it.
Our last night together
While we have a few more days here in Athens – this is actually out last night together as a tour group. We’re going to be breaking ranks tomorrow at noon after our Athens tour, so we’re all heading out for a huge Grecian meal in the Plaka area.

Another dinner for the record books
The romance, fun and “life” of the Plaka area are absolutely enthralling. Our dinner was amazing, once again stuffing us to the brim with a ton of food and many, many courses. We all went picture happy trying to capture the end of our trip with one another. As a closing night dinner, it was pretty satisfying and it will definitely be sad to leave the group we’ve come to enjoy spending so much time with. We were treated to a bit more traditional Greek dancing as well through the night, and managed to wrap up while some of the stalls in the Plaka were still open. Some of the girls made plans to return tomorrow and we promised ourselves we would definitely be back to experience the Plaka on our own terms during our extra time here.

Nighttime over the rooftops of Athens
When we returned from dinner we joined everyone upstairs at the pool and bar on the roof of the hotel for a last drink together. The view up there was beyond amazing. You can look upon many of the historical ruins aloft on their mountaintops from where we are. I hope the pictures turn out – I also hope one day to have the same experience again. I firmly believe now that you haven’t experience a city until you experience it at night – daytime just doesn’t have the same aura and electricity.

Crazy tour in the hot, hot sun tomorrow
Title says it all – need some sleep ASAP – plus, we need to prepare to switch to our second hotel in Athens since we opted to stay elsewhere during our own time here. Need to get packing again… and sleep!

Europe Day 17: Corfu Day Two

2008-07-20T19:35:00.001-04:00

Today was the day we were going to spend all day out on the water – on George’s Boat… but not George’s Boat. Another boat he owned driven by someone else. There was another Contiki group in Corfu with us – our partner tour but on the “backpack” level – and they got George’s actual boat. But really – we didn’t care – because today turned out to be an absolutely amazing day on the water regardless.

On the waterfront
We boarded our Not-George’s-Boat at the waterfront a little further… south I think… of Corfu city. It was a pretty nice boat – not glamourous or anything – but definitely as scary as it could have possibly been. Don’t ask me how or why – but I’ve been on a few boats you do NOT want to be in and this was nowhere near that quality. It had a bar and washrooms and lots of room for most of us to actually lie down and sun bathe.

Ana
Ana – our site rep – came on the tour with us and was a ton of fun. She really has dived into the relaxing life of living on a Greek island. She told us how really – some of it isn’t so hot – as she also has to work with the budget tours and at Contiki sites – the reps actually are the ones cooking their food and planning things for them that our hotels take care of – but she admits – the perks on the “other side” more than make up for it.

Jumping into pain
A little ways into the ride, we made our first stop in the middle of the Ionian Sea for “jumping time” where we all just dived into the water. As I watched everyone go for it there was no way I wasn’t going to go too. Silly me apparently – something went wrong. When I jumped off the boat and went barreling into the water – all of a sudden my whole head started burning severely – especially my ear canals. I thought maybe it would go away as the water emptied out of my head, but it just didn’t – and the pain became excruciating. It brought me to tears.

Tissue sponges
I had to get out and onto the boat, but after a few minutes the pain still hadn’t gone away. I went searching for some pain pills hoping it would numb the feeling – but then the captain of the boat sat with us and said it was probably cause the salt water got pushed into my ear canals and was stuck there. He told me to tightly twirl some tissue paper and make “ear sponges” – which really, were just tissue paper Q-tips – and put them in my ear to soak up the salt water. Lo and behold – the minute I did it – the pain went away. The thing is – I just didn’t get it. I’ve gone diving for goodness sakes – so salt water in my ears isn’t new. The captain said it was most likely that the water actually went into my ear canal – whereas usually it doesn’t.

Water Sports
We stopped for another swim spot a little further on and the bar was opened for drinks. After starting up again, we then headed for one of the large beaches on the eastern side of the island where all the water sports would be available for us to try.

Parasailing!
There were a ton of sports to choose from. Everything from a Banana Boat ride to water skiing was available. I, however, had my eye on the skies and convinced H-Rabbit that we should go parasailing! I think she thought that I wouldn’t go through with it – even though I had said I wanted to go parasailing ever since we hadn’t taken the chance in Cuba a few years ago. I promptly plopped my money down, so we were going – no matter what.

Ropes and Pulleys and…
Getting ready took a little doing, as they didn’t have a large selection of gear to wear. However – after we got settled, they led us to the beginning of the dock, placed us in between the ropes, and before the parachute, and gave us our instructions…

Just what?
… and what were those instructions? One line, one smile: Just walk! Can you believe that? All the guy told us was to “just walk”! Ok – he may have ALSO pointed to where we should hold our hands – but even that he said only matter-of-factly while we were still fiddling with the cables, and once we were off it didn’t matter. So – when he gave the call – we did exactly what he said – we just started walking down the dock… and we were off!

The view from up here
It was definitely one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done. If you want to feel like a bird – go parasailing! The view was spectacular, and feeling so weightless was just amazing. H-Rabbit gave us a tiny scare when she leaned forward a bit and almost tipped us over, though I think if we hadn’t panicked and just fell into a horizontal position, we wouldn’t have messed anything up. Albeit – up there – so far from the water – it was a bit scary. But it lasted only a second, and everything else was great – even our decent into the water when we were done – so I’m definitely parasailing any chance I get to in the future.

More pebbles…
When we were finished H-Rabbit and I took some time to check out the beach, but it turned out it was another pebble beach instead of a sand one and I wasn’t too impressed. No matter how smooth pebbles get or can be – it simply is NOT a happy beach bed to walk on – with or without shoes.

Lunch
After some water play we all clambered back onto the boat for lunch. They served some awesome food right from the galley. I think I forgot to mention – when we got to the beach for watersports, we actually hooked up with George’s ACTUAL boat and the other Contiki group – and for Lunch our boats were strung together. We had to walk along one to get to the other.

Hilarious George
During lunch – George was selling souvenirs from his boat. The t-shirts were absolutely hilarious and extremely “dirty”. Heather and I thought they were great – but we knew deep down they were throw away items – reminiscent a la frosh gear - and that we just didn’t need them. We did take pictures of people in theirs though.

It took awhile for everyone to finish all the water sports that they had signed up for since some people almost signed up for everything. I was content to sun bathe on the boat and have more great food and drinks. Yay for delicious Frappes!

Water, water, water
After everyone finally finished all of their sports, we took off again on the water. I absolutely love being out on the water. The wind, the waves, the water, the sun – it was a perfect day. We took time for a few more swimming spots. One was a nice alcove stop, but we were told to watch out for the bottom, as there were spiky black sea urchins that were poisonous lying around. Michelle and Tash brought out their underwater cameras and took a lot of photos of everyone beneath the water. It’s the Olympus hand-held versions – and I definitely need to get one of those. Will save on ever having to buy those disposable water ones.

Winding down
After that, our boat tour was winding down – but it was a really long day in the sun so I think the timing was perfect. I am definitely going to hold today in my memory forever – so perfect.

Easy evening
Two full days in the sun can definitely be tiring. When we got back to the hotel, we had some time before dinner, so we hung out at the pool and pool bar and had some crazy concoctions made by the very friendly bartender. After feeling like we’d swum off all the saltwater – we headed to dinner where we grabbed lots of buffet food and then settled on making plans just to walk into town – though it did require a lot of convincing, as I was quite tired.

Corfu in the dark
We walked down towards the town along the hotel road and met up with Caitlyn along the way. She had headed down on her own earlier but was heading back because it was a bit scary. However – upon meeting us – she decided to tag along, as she didn’t really get to see anything before heading back originally.

When everyday life is a festival
The city life at that time of night was amazing. Everyone was out – and I mean everyone! Apparently, families in Greece (especially on weekends – i.e. today being Sunday) eat dinner really late, and they all go out into town to these huge outdoor restaurant areas along the water. It was 10pm and people were just starting to eat, tons of kids were running around, and huge families, extended and otherwise gathered in groups and were chatting away. It looked like a festival but we were told this was an everyday thing.

Night Water
We walked all along the waterfront and could see all the forts along the coast lit up. After reaching what seemed like the end of the boardwalk and a road that would lead us to roads more frequented by taxis (to get back), we changed course to head into the centre of town.

Taxi!
Problem: there were no taxis there either! We couldn’t find one anywhere. Finally – I decided to just ask someone in one of the cafes we were passing by – even though it was most likely they wouldn’t speak English – which they didn’t. However, the people were extremely nice and kind of figured out what we needed. They pointed us to an area where they said would be lots of buses and taxis. Thing was – when we got there – there still weren’t any taxis!

Magical Taxi
This would be about the time we started to freak out a little bit in our heads because we knew there was no way we’d be able to walk all the way back – a) because we weren’t really sure of the roads and b) because we were dead tired. Then – just like that – a taxi magically just drove up right in front of us. Crazy! It took only minutes to drive back to the hotel and we are immediately hitting the sack to get ready for the long drive to Athens tomorrow… as soon as I finish this post!

Europe Day 16: Corfu Day One

2008-07-19T23:51:00.002-04:00

Gravol puts you out!
While last night’s Gravol helped me get a pretty good sleep, it was still a little unnerving to be woken up by the announcements for the ferry’s first port of call. Definitely way too early for our own stop, and ended up being another stop at a port on the mainland of Greece. We still had to head to the islands.

Sunrise missed
Regardless of what I thought was an early call, it still wasn’t early enough to catch the sunrise, which was too bad – it would have been really awesome to watch it rise in a seaside setting on the boat. From that first port it was only another 30-60 minutes to our actual port in Corfu, so we spent our time packing quickly and lining up to disembark. I got “annoyed” by another attack of Little Miss Self-entitled – but I’ve promised myself not to let her ruin anymore of my trip. I really don’t understand how people can actually grow up being that way, but whatever. (For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, you’ll just have to ask me because she’s not even worth me spending time to explain it here.)

Corfu and Anna!
When we got off of the boat, we met our site rep Anna who was all smiles and cheer. She led us to another coach and driver (not permanent), who wasn’t too pleased with the weight of my bag. I just kind of looked at him with a sorry expression – but seriously man – if little ‘ole me was able to lug that up and down the three flights of stairs on the ferry, I don’t think he should have been complaining about one little throw into the luggage compartment.

Corfu-town
Our port was in the town of Kerkyra (Corfu) but our hotel was just outside in the town of Keloni (which is really more like a suburb of Corfu than a separate town). This area is on a huge hill, and while the coach could make it up to the hotel, the driver couldn’t make it up the additional hill-of-a-driveway that the hotel had, and we had to lug our luggage up there ourselves – definitely not a happy task.

Awesome hotel
Despite the huge hill, the hotel was awesome – like a little resort. We were given breakfast first right away – awesome buffet of food. We then checked in, and had some time to get ready, before we had to go into town. We also were going to have a meeting with Anna.

The opinions of others
So at this point – I should fill in some back information. Basically, Leona had told us throughout the whole trip, that we should not take the option to rent our own car and drive around the island. She told us about how the roads were a bit dangerous and the drivers were severely crazy. With this continued reminding throughout the trip – pretty much everyone on the bus was ready to NOT rent a car.

However – what should happen at the meeting with Anna? Renting a car and driving around Corfu was exactly what she suggested was the BEST idea out of the bunch before us (rent a car for the day, go into town by coach, visit the city beach by walking).

Not such a hard choice
It at first seemed like a hard choice before us – but in the end we decided that a trip into town wasn’t so exciting as seeing the island for ourselves, and the only chance for us to see the better beaches on the west side of the island would be to take off on our own. In the end, there were actually a lot of us that decided on the car – but because we were long in making our decision – the only people in our car was H-Rabbit, Caitlyn and myself. Chris and Liz decided to opt out, as they weren’t comfortable with the car issue. In the end – for me – it really wasn’t a big deal. I think maybe for Leona it was a bigger deal since they drive on the other side of the road (in Australia) – however, we drive on the same side as Corfu in Toronto, and the roads weren’t any worse that what I’ve driven on in other island locals, so c’est ca.

Ish-time not always a good thing
ISH time definitely affected our leaving time – there was a long period of waiting around for our car to be delivered by the rental company. In the meantime, Anna showed us where to go, and how to get there, on an island map. Eventually, the car people finally arrived – but with a manual car! So we had to wait some more for an automatic, since I was the only one who was going to drive and I can only drive automatic.

Empty means EMPTY
Finally, we got our car. In handing it over, the rental lady told us the tank was on empty, but it would get us to the closest gas station to fill up. Ha! Yeah, right! After we got in and cruised down to the main road down by the breakwater – the car didn’t even make it past the waterfront! It gave out in the middle of an intersection, and with a little maneuvering and quick gearing into neutral, I managed to coast the car into a parking spot right beside a store beside the intersection.

Yay for helpful locals!
Thankfully, the storeowner helped us call the car people and get them to come help us out. He didn’t speak much English, but with random sign language and sad faces, I think he realized what was wrong with us.

Hilarious live comedy
Thankfully - not too much ISH time in came into play this time around. The car rental people came fairly quickly and said over and over again that they were sorry and embarrassed. It was a hilarious comedy of errors watching them trying to get us on our way, by trying to get gas into tank to take us to the gas station. Basically, they had brought the gas in a plastic vegetable or corn oil jug, and they proceeded to make a funnel out of the map they were going to give us of the area to get the gas in, and then tried to funnel the gas into the tank. There was a mother, daughter and it seems maybe grandfather all in the mix chattering away to each other in Greece cause they just couldn’t get it to work. Finally – with the grandfather holding a pen into the gas tank opening to keep it open, the daughter holding the funnel-made-out-of-map, and the mother slowly pouring the gas in – they managed to get about 1/16 of a tank of gas in. As apologies – they said we could have the car for an hour longer than everyone else that had got a car – which was nice considering we had now spent half a day just trying to get out of the city, let alone To anywhere.

Laughing Gas
As we had a good laugh at the real-life comedy we witnessed – we had another good laugh when we finally got to the closest gas station. It was more than a kilometer away, meaning even if we hadn’t stalled right at the bottom of the hill, we would have stalled sometime after, cause we definitely would never have made it all the way to that first station. Greek people are definitely a gas. Get it? Hahaha.

Most amazing ride
On our way to the western isles, we definitely had one of the most amazing rides ever through countryside. Unlike all the dire warnings, driving was a total breeze. With all the same rules as Canada, the roads proved easy, and once you’re out of the city it’s just plain ‘ole small island driving: no one on the roads and awesome twisting turning pathways that make the ride feel more like an off-road rollercoaster.

Breathing in the beauty
Whether the driving was inland or along the coasts, there were a ton of amazing sights and views to behold. I can’t remember the name of the main western beach we made it to (will have to look that up), but we got there safely and spent a couple hours both sun bathing and have an awesome time in the ocean. While there, we met up with the Texans and Jolene as they had hit the same beach. When we were good and burnt, and after buying some beach gear, Jolene decided to join us in our car and we drove to a few other beaches and areas up the west coast of the island. There were some amazing photo ops and vistas. As our time for car return was nearing, we then headed back to the hotel along another route so we could see some other areas of the island.

Glupas!
Spelling of the above may be wrong – but it should be the name of the restaurant we went to tonight after we returned back from the beach. After such a great day, it was awesome to be treated to such a great night too. We started dinner with all of us having a shot of Ouzo at the entrance, and were then led into a large taverna with dancing all and everything. Dinner was absolutely amazing with tons and tons of courses. After we finished eating, we were then treated to an array of traditional Greek dancing and singing, which of course included many a broken plate as well as lighting the entire dance floor on fire! Everyone knows Greeks know how to party! After that – it was thankfully straight to bed as the day had been hugely filled and tomorrow we’re on the water all day long. It’s going to be one of the best days ever – I can feel it – and I don’t want to miss it.

Europe Day 15: Pompeii

2008-07-18T19:08:00.002-04:00

Bittersweet Farewells
Our start today was finally at a normal time, but it was bittersweet relief as we said our additional goodbyes to those who were leaving the tour. We promised to all keep in touch with Facebook and exchange pictures as soon as we were all home. Many of them were still continuing their travels on their own though so don’t be too sad for them!

Long road to Pompeii
It took a fairly long time to get to Pompeii. I don’t think I was expecting that one. However, there were nice views of Mount Vesuvius along the way – so that was nice.

What is this thing called M.....?
Apparently – Pompeii is “run” by two separate "Mafia" families and all the tour groups that run through there have to book with one or the other family. Hence – upon arrival, we were informed that we HAD to eat and shop within the restaurant and tourist area dedicated to our group, as well as go into the site with the tour guide provided to us. It basically didn’t matter all that much, except that a superbly crap-tacular lunch cost us twice as much as a good one – so H-Rabbit and I only bought one meal and shared it so we didn’t spend any more than we would have at a decent place. You think at those prices the food would at least be decent, but apparently learning to cook isn’t high on the “families’” priorities.

Despite the melodrama
Regardless of the crazy mafia ties, our trip to Pompeii was indeed exciting. While our supplied tour guide seemed to be bored with his job, and talked in an indifferent monotone voice, he did lead us on an awesome walk through the ruins of the city. The area is absolutely massive, with only about 25% of it currently uncovered. The rest is still lying deep beneath the overgrown earth. From the parts that have been uncovered, it was amazing to see the innovations of such an old society fairly intact.

Death casts
The highlight, for quite a few people on tour, was the plaster casts of the citizens that had been trapped amongst the falling ashes of the volcano. Basically – their bodies had been trapped in the debris, and cavities formed where their bodies had disintegrated. When researchers came across these “cavities” – before breaking through them – they filled them with plaster and could display in pretty good detail the position and actions of the being that had been trapped. One on display was that of a mother and child, another of a dog, and another of a man praying.

Off again
Our tour wasn’t as long as some of us would have liked – and it would be neat to get to go back and spend a much longer time in Pompeii for sure. After gathering again after our super-expensive Mafia lunch, we then continued on our way to Brindisi and the Italian coast to catch our 9:30pm ferry to Greece!

So much driving!!
This is definitely the LONGEST driving day ever so far (however I am told our drive to Athens is going to be ten times worse). It’s just that we’ve spent so much time on the bus today; I can’t quite take it anymore.

We’ve finally made it to Brindisi!
Well – we made it to the coast. It was sad, but we had to say goodbye to Joop our driver, as we weren’t going to be having a particular bus to ourselves anymore for the rest of the trip. Gnomie said goodbye to Joop too and we have picture proof!

Big ferry
Our ferry trip to Greece was going to be a long one, and we had a fairly big ship to board. As we were making our way up the escalator on the boat to the cabin levels, it broke down, and I had to lug up my 60lb bag on my own – so not recommended after a long day on a bus and when your arms feel like jellyfish.

Tight squeeze cabin
While H-Rabbit and I got our own cabin, with four beds, everything was still a pretty tight squeeze. It was so tight – that the entire bathroom was contained within the shower stall! However – it really isn’t that bad – I feel worse for the people we saw out in the lounges who didn’t have a room at all, but just as much luggage as we did. Val & Theo (a couple on the trip from Sydney) got an unwelcome surprise in their room. Two people had broken in and had tried to convince them that they were supposed to share (re: the four beds)! Val got it sorted out damn quick and those people got kicked out ASAP!

Ish Time
After settling in, we joined a bunch of the group and Leona on the top deck where there was a little disco area, and we also took a small tour of the rest of the boat where we found multiple bars, a cafeteria, and a casino. Leona also more aptly explained the concept of Ish Time and how it was definitely in play here. Our ferry didn’t leave until almost an hour later (10:30pm) than it was supposed to.

Full Moon on the Water
We stayed up quite awhile and chatted, put away a few nightcaps, and enjoyed the company of our tour mates. Over the water, a dazzling white midnight moon rose from the horizon line and the view was mesmerizing.

Lo and behold the seasickness
When the ship finally took sale – I realized that I probably was being affected by the seasickness I had felt the last time I was on a big boat like the ferry. It’s funny – I can take a catamaran, a rowboat and anything midsize that flops around like a crazy bobble-head – but the slight motion of the bigger ships always seems to make me crazy. In the end, I took some Gravol and fell fast asleep.

Europe Day 14: Rome

2008-07-17T16:58:00.018-04:00

Sleep is overrated?
Today we had a really early morning start – I wanted to die. I missed breakfast trying to clear my camera cards – I don’t remember why, but I forgot to clear them last night.

Rome ahead!
We got a bus lift to the train station to take the train into the city. The rail ride wasn’t too long but we had to switch lines twice – this was a little confusing since the Metro lines in Rome skirt around the city, rather than running through it. This is because of all the ruins that exist in Rome, and how 95% of them are all 50% below the current level of the ground. We got off at Colosseum station (which unbelievably is RIGHT across the street from the actual Colosseum – it looms in your view as you exit the station) to make our way to the entrance of the Forum for our two-hour walking tour of both (the Forum and the Colosseum).

Roman Guide
Our historical guide was quite good and quite funny, and told us a lot about the city’s history – though I fully admit I’ll need to look through the pictures to recall it all. I’m definitely a pictorial memory person – plus – I was certainly paying more attention to my photographs, and only my secondary multitask ear was keeping track of her.

The Colosseum
We made our way though the Forum, which she explained as being the centre of the original city, where citizens gathered and conducted business and affairs, and we learned some interesting facts about the centre of Roman civilization. From the Forum, we then went to see the Colosseum. Our guide referred to it as the Roman Amphitheatre – as most of the outer layer of the Colosseum was demolished (only one side remains) and what you can actually see is what the Romans called the Amphitheatre area. That ring of walls is still mainly intact.

So many facts
Our guide was filled with lots of facts to share with us about how the Colosseum worked, where the word arena came from, and how the Colosseum was used for both water games and dry games due to the access to the Aqueduct. She actually spent quite a lot of time explaining tons of details to us which was a nice change since many times we have been visiting sites without really knowing too much about what we've been seeing, and not really having anywhere to turn to for finding out. One of my "Millionaire Wishes" is that one day I'll get to travel with an actual personal guide to historical sites, because the emotion of the history really comes through when you know the actual stories behind "what's left behind" instead of the random guesses of people who don't really know.

Running free in Rome
Our tour ended in the Colosseum and from there we were free to do other things. Because we only had the day in the city, and had been told about long lines and crazy wait times, we decided to head right away to Vatican city. After hopping the Metro and getting off at the right station, we decided to grab some lunch first. We went to the “suggested” pizza place – but it really wasn’t all that “hot”. However – we were hungry – and couldn’t bother to find anything else – so we sat and ate.

Line-up
From lunch, we then went to find the “line-up” for the Vatican that we were told about – but there wasn’t one! Apparently the Pope was in Australia, and regardless of it being a summer day in the height of travel season, there simply really wasn’t anyone in line to enter Vatican City from the museum entrance. We got right in, right away (sans the mini-wait time when Heather had to re-line-up to get her student discount since they only give the discount from one ticket window… wtf’s with that?).

Vatican City Museum
They’re pretty good about cameras in the museum so we took lots of pictures – especially in all the areas with statues and sculptured art. When we moved into fresco areas – we weren’t allowed to use our flash, but still allowed pictures. I’m not sure how the pictures in these areas came out – they always look in focus on the camera but not necessarily so on a computer when there’s no flash allowed and the shutter speed is so slow – so we’ll have to see how they come out later.

Sistine Chapel
We then got to the part that I had been waiting for forever – the Sistine Chapel. It was so absolutely beautiful and magnificent – I was awestruck. I could have stayed in that room all day. I know people think I’m crazy for the emotion that takes over me for movies, touching stories, seeing history in the flesh, etc. – but I don’t care – I find it much more crazy and depressing to think of the poor people who AREN’T moved by it. How sad their life must be to not be able to expand their minds in order to feel and envelope in appreciation what that room has to offer, or anything that has a story to tell.

While I would have been absolutely content to not go anywhere else in the city, I was also with a bunch of people, and there were other things to see, so we made our way to the secret exit that Leona told us about. Instead of leaving through the museum exits and having to –re-enter the area to get into St. Peter’s Basilica (which had an enormous line-up), our secret exit led us through a small stairway and side door that dropped us right in front of the entrance to St. Peter’s!

Tombs
Before entering the church, we decided to enter the small line-up that would take us down into the tomb area of the Basilica, where all the Popes are buried. All of them have tombs with sculptures of themselves in a lay-down position on top of the “boxes”. The only tomb unlike this was for Pope John Paul II. There wasn’t any reason for it laid out, so we’re either figuring he asked for such a tomb – or perhaps that’s the way the tomb for the last deceased Pope always looks. It was separate in a brightly lit room, flat and made of white marble. There were many people gathered in front, paying their respects and praying. At the end of the tomb walk, you get to see St. Peter’s tomb that is housed under the Basilica altar.

St. Peter’s Basilica
From the tomb walk, the exit actually leads you directly up a set of stairs that have you coming up from the belly of the Basilica into the centre of the church. Inside – the Basilica is absolutely beautiful and exquisite. There’s so much detail in the artwork – and evolution certainly hasn’t stepped inside this Basilica at any time. Perhaps the upkeep of historic artwork is the only time such a concept is a good thing. After getting our fill of the church, we then walked out into the Square to get a look at the whole picture.

Easy day in Rome
After finishing with the Vatican – we then had the rest of our day in Rome to really just relax and hang out. We went shopping and H-Rabbit bought lots, getting her shopping kicks out. We walked along the Tevere (Tiber) River and saw Hadrian’s Mausoleum (Castel Sant Angelo), and came upon a local market area walking towards the north of the city.

From there we then revisited the Trevi Fountain for me since I loved the site so much. After, we just wandered around and had a great pasta dinner in a small restaurant. Afterwards, we made our way home on the multiple trains in time to catch the coach ride back to our hotel.

Saying goodbye
Once at the hotel, we took some time to get rested and showered. We then joined the group in the hotel patio to say goodbye to part of our tour group. In the beginning – our Road to Athens group was combined with the Road to Rome group and this was their last day, and tomorrow morning we would be heading off to Greece without them. Leaving us was Natasha and Belinda, Tatiana, Mic and Ali, as well as a few others, for a total of 15 in all. Joop also joined us for a few glasses, as after he drops us off in Brindisi for the ferry to Greece – he too would be leaving us.

Europe Day 13: Getting into Rome

2008-07-16T19:43:00.012-04:00

Short drive ahead
We got to have a pretty late (for our trip standards) start for once! It’s only three hours to Rome from Florence apparently so we didn’t have to rush. Once on our way – there wasn’t anything much to note on the drive – probably more so because we’re so tired now on bus days that we’ve even stopped looking out the window so much.

Rome in the evening
We got into Rome fairly quickly and decided to sightsee in the city before checking into our hotel, so as to get as much time in the city as possible. Leona led us on a small walking tour, and we started in Piazza Navona, which is a central square with three sculpture, tower and fountains in the middle. We got time to catch a snack, “trick” our way into a café bathroom and then gather again before we headed off.

Pantheon
From the square, we then went to see the Pantheon, which was quite magnificent; the domed ceiling, opening for light, the beautiful sculptures, frescos on the wall, and mosaics on the ground. We also got to see Raphaelo’s tomb, which is inside. There's actually nothing tangible in the middle of the Pantheon. The space is wide open and only lends to the expansive beauty of the artwork inside. It was an unexpected favourite, but I'll definitely list this site as one to see in Rome.

Trevi Fountain
From the Pantheon, we then headed to another site that was on my must-see list. We worked though the streets and alleys to the Trevi Fountain. This visit was definitely one of my absolute favourites on the trip. The detail, largeness and beauty of the fountain were magnificent to me. H-Rabbit and I made our lucky tosses – twice to make sure we would be back one day as well as get our extra wish – we’ll now have to see what the future brings.

Spanish Steps
After the fountain, we made our way to the Spanish steps – which really – Leona couldn’t tell us much about so I’ll have to look that up as well. I’m realizing now that there is SO much I’m going to have to look up, but it might be nice – getting to live through my trip twice as I go through the pictures and find out more about the places we visited.

We didn’t really spend too much time there as it was a bit chaotic and I really wasn’t up to walking up all of those steps – especially since all there was to do was come right back down again. So, at that point we were released from the group for some free time before our dinner in the city.

The Cave of Skulls
We ran off with Chris and Liz to find the church of the capuchin monks who had created a unique and eerie tomb of their fellow brothers… with their own bones! It took us awhile to find it, as Leona’s instructions weren’t exactly on the mark – but after utilizing Liz’s Italian skills, we managed to work our way to the right location. It was a sombre and electric experience, mingling my own feelings of fear about death and the comprehension of the Catholic beliefs that these monks followed and believed in, where once the soul has departed, the body is but a physical material that is left behind. I know some will disagree, saying that true Catholic belief has nothing to do with "desecrating" these bodies for art - but I don't really believe it was desecration. I'll have to do much more research to understand it better.

We weren’t allowed to take pictures, and while I did manage to sneak one – H-Rabbit asked if I could please erase it, as it made her a bit freaked out. After having been to see it in real life and understanding the reality of the bones and lives that existed in order to create it, I agreed with her in the end so I erased the picture. However, Chris bought a postcard, which I photographed so you guys could get some idea of the how each tomb was decorated and why it was so wild and crazy to see. The postcard also nicely explained why things were the way they were in each room, which was cool.

I loved best the quote that was contained in the last tomb: “What you are now, we once were. What we are now, you will be.”

Off to dinner
Because we hadn’t found the church right away, we only just had time to get back for dinner at the meeting place. We met in a fairly nondescript piazza that a lot of people passed over twice before realizing it was the one we needed. We had also lost Doug again as well – so we took a group “Where’s Doug?” picture on the steps if the piazza.

NOTE: Doug was one of our group members who always managed to wander off by himself. It had become a tour staple to ask, “Where’s Doug?” no matter where we met because 9 times out of 10 he hadn’t made the meeting time. Good thing he was great at taking care of himself – props to him for never missing the bus even if he did miss out on a few side excursions.

Roman dinner
We then went for a buffet dinner that was really quite good – sans the water bottles that were refilled with local water throughout the night and were not bottled water at all. However, no one got sick, so we were good. From dinner, we then headed to our hotel – but somehow we managed to get lost along the way, and it took much longer than we thought.

Home!
When we finally got there we were so happy though, since for the first time ever on the trip – we were booked at a 4-star hotel! We had a pretty amazing stay for the night – fell right to sleep in prep for the huge day we had ahead in Rome.

Side Story!
At rest stop earlier in the day, our friends Belinda and Natasha actually met musician Shaggy. His peeps and him invited the girls to their show that night in Rome. The girls went and said they had an amazing time. Leona said it’d be one of those Contiki stories that she’ll tell for ages. So random!

Europe Day 12: Florence!

2008-07-15T16:30:00.000-04:00

A relaxing and fun day
Our day in Florence was a nice easy one like Venice was – not too much that we needed to see, so it let us wander around freely.

Santa Croce
We began really early and started our day at the Piazza Santa Croce. There we saw the church where Michelangelo and Galileo are buried. Leona told us of a sport that they play in the middle of the piazza, where they cover the entire area in sand. I can’t remember what sport it is, but I think I remember it’s supposed to be pretty “violent” and was even halted for a few years because of how hurt people were getting.

Leather demonstration
From the piazza, Leona then took us to a leather demonstration where we were taught how to tell real leather from fake leather and what to look for whenever we were approached by leather sales-people or trying to pick up a leather good. They also showed us how they make the traditional Florentine boxes, the first one originally made for a princess. It’s an odd-covered shaped box, but made fully out of leather with no nails, hinges or appendages – simply fully formed leather. That was pretty much the only thing that interested me in the demonstration – the “buying” we were led into afterwards was… well… you know.

Piazza della Signoria
From the demonstration, we then walked further into the city to Piazza della Signoria where the Medici Palace is and all the statues that they commissioned during their “reign” in the city. From here we were left with a little free time to explore for ourselves before our guided tour began. H-Rabbit and I made our way to the post office to send off our postcards. We also walked a little way to a small market square with a lot of local artisans.

Luck, return, and a little something-something
It was in this market that we also had our first sighting of the Bronze Boar. We listened in on another group’s tour and we learned that if you place a coin in the Boar’s mouth, then you’ll have good luck, a second coin will ensure that you will one day return to Firenze (Florence) and a rub on his noggin’ would ensure yourself a… good sex life!

Guided Tour of Florence
After doing what we willed with the Boar (haha!) we wandered around in the area until we met our guided walking tour guide at the statue of the Medici family leader on a horse in the middle of the Piazza della Signoria. From there, our tour guide talked to us about the statues in the piazza – the David replica, the Palace, the Neptune statue, the Rape of the Sabine Women, etc. The collection is actually quite spectacular and the care given to the restoration and upkeep of the area is marvelous.

Palazzo degli Uffizi
From the Piazza della Signoria, we then walked towards the right side of the Medici Palace towards the Palazzo degli Uffizi where the Uffizi Gallery is located. The gallery is one of the most famous in the world and holds works by Botticelli, Caravaggio, Michelangelo, Raphael and Rembrandt, as well as some of Leonardo da Vinci’s works. In the enclosed but open walkway beside the Uffizi, we can see the vast collection of statues that were made of all the Renaissance masters, many of whom all lived in Florence for a time. We couldn’t actually go into the Uffizi, as apparently tours are booked over 3-months in advance, and it would take three to four hours to get in without a reservation. I was more excited about seeing David, that if I was going to wait anywhere – I wanted to wait there instead.

Ponte Vecchio
When walking out of the Uffizi area, you find yourself immediately on the Arno River, where we then walked to the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) – beautiful bridge from the medieval period. For me, this was another site that I consider one of the most intriguing, as its make-up and development is extremely fascinating. Originally the bridge was just the site of a mass market of all sorts of things, but appeared smelly, and dirty, etc.

At some point, the Medici family built a second Palace across the river from their original one, and to join the two built a second level walkway along the bridge over the assortment of small stalls and mini-buildings that the market sellers had erected directly on the bridge. However, walking along this pathway – the Medici family was disgusted by the awful view of the dirty market, and then directed that the only vendors that may occupy the bridge were the jewelers of the city, so that as the family passed, they would see all the “beauty” that the city had to offer, and only have to look at beautiful things.

Walking in Florence
From the bridge we walked a bit more through the city and the guide pointed out older buildings and squares that were the last remnants of the original city structures. We then ended our walk at the Duomo (church) – Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore – where we were shown the church, dome and tower. These buildings are all covered, faced and made with green, pink and white marble. From afar, it actually looks like the building is painted, but it isn’t – the vibrant colours are actually the natural colours of the stone.

Lunch!
After our guided tour ended, our little group went for lunch. We ended up having huge plates of bruchettas (each!), huge pizzas (each!) and left the restaurant totally stuffed!

The Academia
From lunch we then went to the Academia to see David! When we approached the building, we were encountered with the line-up, which was pretty huge. Chris and Liz decided to leave, as the wait was going to be a minimum of 1.5 hours (with rumours of it actually being 3), however David was my last main goal in Florence so I definitely wanted to stay. While in line we met some nice people from the States – a mother and daughter – who were just as excited to see David as we were.

Gelato!
While it seemed like a much longer time, in the end it really did only take 1.5 hours. To abate the wait, we managed to grab some awesome gelato while waiting in line from Carape Café. It was a welcome “cooler” from the heat beating down on us in line.

Around the Corner
The Academia is actually a fairly small gallery, and unlike the Louvre where you go walking for miles to get to the “good stuff”, the David is literally “around the corner” from the first door and hallway near the entrance of the gallery.

David!
Seeing David was everything that I thought it would be. The statue is absolutely astounding. The detail in the veins, muscle ripples, carved out eyes and more just floors you when you think of what it required for such a feat to lay before you. I sat for a really long time and just looked at it for a while. I think you could spend the whole day wondering over it and still have new things to discover about it. At our first glimpse – we stuck to the rules and didn’t take any direct photos (though Tatiana and I snuck in what we could) – however – when I went off to see some of the other sculptured busts – H-Rabbit and Tatiana caught a lucky break.

They had somehow met one of the gallery’s guides/cleaners and he had begun to show them HIS pictures of the David. Basically in the shots he’s right beside David’s head and kissing it and wiping it off and making some hilarious poses. The girls were laughing because they didn’t understand a word he was saying, and some other guides came over and were laughing hysterically too. Obviously – neither side really understood each other with them not speaking English and Tatiana and H-Rabbit not speaking Italian, however with hand motions and laughter we realized that they were giving us permission to take pictures (even though it was against the rules) since obviously in the after hours they had been taking some crazy funny photos of their own! Ours obviously weren’t going to be anywhere near as embarrassing or disrespectful, so why not take a few.

So – H-Rabbit and Tatiana took pictures of the real David – our own pictures!! It’s really cool and we have to remember to send originals to each other. This is definitely a story to remember from our trip. We left the gallery elated, happy to see the one thing we had been looking forward to all day – and it made up largely for missing the Gondola ride in Venice.

Checking the Replica and Souvenir hunting
After the gallery, our first stop was to head back to the Piazza della Signoria because our guide had told us the statue in the piazza was an exact replica – size and detail and everything – but it just seemed so much smaller. We had to re-check! Seeing it again – it is believable that they are the same – but with the original being so white and housed inside a domed room amongst lower ceiling rooms and hallways – it certainly seems to be much larger.

From the piazza we then wandered back to the market with the bronze boar – tipped back our coins and picked up a few souvenirs. After that – we had just enough time to walk back to Santa Croce to meet with the group on the stairs of the church to head back to the hotel.

All of Florence at our feet
Dinner tonight was going to be at an old monastery. Before heading there, our driver took us first to the Piazza de Michelangelo, which overlooks the entire city of Florence. Here we all got out to take our group Contiki photo. We then got on the bus again – however we got a little “lost”.

Tuscan Dinner
Finally – after a few rounds of Florence in the dark (which was actually quite a beautiful ride) we arrived at the monastery. We started the night with an aperitif in the patio area and then were led into the formal dining room. Dinner was amazing, with three huge courses and dessert. During dinner, music was played and we were treated with a few songs by a local opera singer. Some of our group ended their night with the drop of Grappa (Not me however – blech – 80% proof alcohol = burning tasteless water that I don’t particularly need to taste).

Space Nightclub
From dinner we were then taken to Space Nightclub in the city – well – at least they TRIED to drive us there. Roads were blocked all over the place so in the end we had to get out along the Arno and then walk in for about 15-20 minutes in our very dressy gear. Thankfully – no heels broke along the cobblestone walkways. In the end – the night was pretty good – but not thoroughly amazing. The club is really nicely laid out and has a lot of different areas but was a basic club overall. Between seeing much better places back home and now being 30 – I believe that the “club” scene as envisioned by Space isn’t my scene anymore. It was fun for a while – but after a few hours it was time to go home. (Besides – our little Karaoke stint was ruined by one of the other Contiki reps so we weren’t so revving to be there anymore near the end). We headed out at about 1:30am and have hit the sack for another driving day tomorrow.

Europe Day 11: Driving Day (Venice to Pisa to Florence)

2008-07-14T18:49:00.001-04:00

One stop packing
Today was a driving day – with really not too much to look forward to except one stop at Pisa. Beginning today, we have begun to streamline our packing and leaving procedure for bus days as these early mornings are just too chaotic trying to go up and down between breakfast and waking up and bringing luggage down and boarding. All at once is good by me.

Rolling, rolling, rolling
The fast pace and constant things to do is starting to catch up with me so I basically passed out on this really long drive to Pisa. Leona says she abhors Pisa because it’s become a tourist trap with nothing much to see, and tons of “looky-looky” men about, so we’re only going to be there for about 45 minutes. Enough time to get the tourista photos everyone’s dying to get, get to a bathroom, maybe grab some food and that’s it.

Pisa
Within the central walls of the palace grounds, there is only the church, the palace and the bell tower (Tower of Pisa). Besides that, there is only a very small town outside the walls and nothing much else there. As Leona noted, what there IS lots, and lots, and lots of are souvenir and tourist shops, stalls, cafes, etc. However, regardless of all that – there are still a TON of people there who had come to see the Tower and town.

Typical Pics
With Liz and Chris, H-Rabbit and I ventured off to take the “usual” poses – even Gnomie got into the game. What was hilarious was that there was an entire field length of tourists all lined up taking the exact same photo! Apparently us humans just aren’t creative enough to think of anything new! All along the field, the place had set-up stone or marble pillars that were strung together with chains. There were also a ton of "No walking on the grass" signs. This left people basically climbing up onto the stone pillars to get the perfect shot of themselves with the tower without having anything else in the background. If I was steadier on my feet - I may have tried it - but we decided keeping ourselves planted on the ground was good enough for us.

Looky-Looky!
My funniest moment in Pisa was definitely when standing beside some of the Looky-Looky men who had laid out all their wares along one of the entrance roads, all one sheets or blankets – I’d say about 4 or 5 of them at least, with more standing around holding their wares on their arms. Well – within five seconds of a whistle and one lone man running through the street – these other men had packed up their stuff and gone running at top speed (god knows where). A minute or two alter came the strolling policeman. My comparison pictures are hilarious – first – the street is teeming full of people and products – five seconds later it’s totally empty – like they’d never been there at all. Ha!

NOTE: I guess I might have to explain what “looky-looky” men are. Basically, most of the sellers of fake purses, sunglasses, children’s toys, etc. along the streets of Italy seem to be all ethnic immigrants (which when looked at with a social perspective is extremely sad and aggravating) – and definitely do not know (or pretend not to know) English and/or Italian as a base language – therefore the only words they have seemed to pick up in order to get tourists to look at what they are selling is “Looky-looky”. And yes – it’s true – they do actually say that – over and over and over again. The sight of this actually bugged me a lot – I may post separately later about this incident as a whole after the trip.

Off to Florence
After everyone had satisfied his or her picture urges, we headed off to Florence. While I understand where Leona’s distaste for the city has stemmed from, I wish we had been able to spend more time there – if even to simply feel relaxed while we had stopped instead of consistently daily grind of go-go-go – especially on a day when time didn’t seem to be much of an issue.

On the road
The passage to Florence was quite beautiful, with the countryside including lots of sights of small towns, and fields and fields of sunflowers at every turn. It would have been nice to be able to stop every once in awhile at a lookout or such – but it seems Europe hasn’t developed the same knack as North America for creating lookout points along the highways. All there seems to be is service stations with really bad views, and nothing else nearby.

Firenze!
When we arrived in Florence, we went first to our pretty cool hotel, and then got ready for our included dinner in the city. We were dropped off along the river, which was a beautiful sight in the last glimpses of the sunset. Our dinner seemed to be at a family restaurant, where we were served spaghetti, garlic bread, salad and peaches.

Regatta! No…. RED GARTER!
From dinner we then went to Red Garter, which turned out to be a really great pub night. It was a lively bar with two different rooms, the major one catered to large-scale karaoke later on during the night. Our drinks (mixed drinks!) were served to us in pitchers! Obviously – it was a guaranteed way to get fairly smashed. Since the karaoke was bar-wide (and there were hundreds and hundreds of people there) it turned into a really raucous night, with tons of singing, dancing and having fun. I think everyone left that night pretty happy.

NOTE: Funny story (re: title above) – for days Leona had been telling us that we were definitely going to have two amazing nights in Florence – one at Red Garter and one at Space nightclub – however – because of her Australian accent – everyone who wasn’t Aussie had no clue that she was actually saying “Red Garter” – we all thought she was saying REGATTA! So to say the least – some of us (I won’t say who) actually thought we were going to view some local Regatta – not go to a bar named Red Garter.

Tucking In
After the bar – some of the group headed with Leona to Space Nightclub (where we are going tomorrow anyway) and the rest of us headed home to get some sleep for the long day ahead in Florence. I didn’t want to be disappointed again like I was in Venice by missing the Gondola ride – so I knew I wanted to be fresh, alert, healthy and fast in order to make sure I didn’t miss my other “want” of the trip – to see “David”!

Europe Day 10: Venezia

2008-07-13T16:05:00.001-04:00

Train-ing in
Today was a normal day. Yay for not having to get up in time for a bus! We walked for a little bit to the local train station in our area so that we could train-in to the Venice islands. It was actually a pretty far ride – we have GOT to make sure not the miss the last train back or it’s going to cost us a fortune – and several headaches – trying to get back on our.

Raining Ferries
Just as we boarded our Ferry, once again the plague of rain that has been the norm on this trip started again. The Venice ferries really aren’t ferries at all so much as little tour boats that fit about 50 odd people or so – so the rain that was pelting the area definitely gave us an adventurous ride being so close to the surface of the water. Thankfully, upon landing the rain disappeared as quickly as it came, and it looked like maybe we’d be okay for the day (or at least most of it).

Piazza San Marco
From the docks, we walked quite a bit around the edge of the island, past four waterway bridges, to the Piazza San Marco. This is where a lot of the main tourist “attractions” are actually centred in the city, and where we would be seeing the two demonstrations that would begin our day.

Murano Glass
Our first stop was to a Murano Glass maker’s demonstration. To be honest – I actually found this demonstration absolutely amazing. The artisan made a vase and a horse sculpture right in front of our eyes in less than 5 minutes. The glass house does both blown glass pieces as well as shaped. It was wild to see how malleable the glass was – it looked like pulling taffy. Both H-Rabbit and I would have loved to pick out an heirloom or keepsake piece, but the prices were severely out of our reach. The smaller pieces in our price range just weren’t big enough to really represent a unique Venetian piece, and looked like stuff we could even get back home – so while we sighed and lamented, we were really good about not picking anything up that we really just couldn’t afford. (Though even now I am still despairing over passing up the gold inlaid purple shot glass and decanter set I saw – it was to die for!)

Covered in Lace
From the glass demonstration and gallery, we then went to a lace demonstration at the last lace school in Venice that focuses on the local art of handmade lace. The place was covered in beautiful examples of the craft – it’s hardly believable that it was all done by hand. While it is inspiring to think of the time and craftsmanship required to create such pieces – lace isn’t really my thing – however, because the prices weren’t bad – I picked up a tiny keepsake and a present for someone back home who would love it more than me.

Getting Lost in Venice
Leona’s one main piece of advice for Venice was to get lost in it – so that is exactly what H-Rabbit and I did. To be more honest – we really didn’t have a choice. For every city so far through our trip, Leona had been able to give us pretty awesome maps that were clear and easy to follow – however for some reason her Contiki package from head office forgot to include the Venice maps. So here we were trying to follow a very rough photocopied version, and well – we gave up after about 10 minutes. With the rain, the traveling and the putting things in our backpacks and pulling things out constantly (to save them from the rain) – the map was a bit of a disaster. So – simply trying to keep track of north, east, west and south – we decided just to wander enjoy the wondrous views and picturesque alleyways.

The most amazing pizza ever!
Heading into the maze of streets, we realized we hadn’t eaten in forever and found the most amazing pizza place ever. It was a small tucked away place in the middle of God knows where (we were “lost” remember – can’t even give you one iota of where the place was). Instead of selling their pizza by the slice – they sell it by the weight – so basically you can pick and choose however much you want, from whichever pizzas you want (mix and match even), and they then weight it all and you get your price to pay. I absolutely adored what I got – though H-Rabbit wasn’t extremely impressed by hers. There was nowhere to sit to eat so we eventually made our way down a dead-ended alley (dead-ended by water) and took some time to devour the slices, while simultaneously keeping them away from droves of pigeons.

Rialto Bridge
As we wandered, we eventually found ourselves at the Rialto Bridge. We walked through and along the market passageways, which were filled with a ton of artisans. Here was yet another example of flea market wonderfulness that Toronto severely lacks. As you walked further and further away from the bridge, the prices got better and better so eventually I found a large masquerade mask for our wall. I didn’t go all out and get a ceramic version, but the one I got was still fairly delicate. I hope it makes it home all right.

Basilica di San Marco
Magically, we seemed to make our way back to Piazza di San Marco and decided to line up to see the Basilica di San Marco. While the church was very quaint and nice, it actually wasn’t all that impressive. What I did end up being impressed with was a small girls youth choir from Texas that came into the church and sang while we were there. They sounded magnificent, with perfect pitch resonating through the always-amazing acoustics of a cathedral style church.

The Doge’s Palace
After the church, we went to see The Doge’s Palace, and were expecting a line-up from what we heard from other people – however when we got there we almost thought that it was closed – there was no line! This aspect of our day actually turned into a pretty amazing visit. The entire palace is covered in beautiful and intricate carvings, frescos, paintings, woodwork, tapestries… you name it, this place had it. The collections throughout the rooms were breathtaking – not to mention the architecture and structure of the palace itself.

Our goal, of course, for the palace was to get to the “Bridge of Sighs” that was used to move prisoners from the courts built right into the palace to the prison next door. This was the last chance prisoners had to look out onto the outside world before being locked up. We took a few pictures from within to match up to our pictures of the bridge from the outside so we could get a feeling from “both sides of the fence.”

Downpour
As we were finishing up in the palace – we got hit with yet another downpour. Thankfully we were able to wait it out perfectly dry within the palace walls. It was actually neat to see the play of dark, light and water within the palace walls, as the entire inner core of the palace is an open-air courtyard. Without moving we could tell when the rain stopped and we could move on. Just in time to meet the rest of the group too for our collective Gondola ride.

Disappointment
However – we were to miss out on the one and only thing I had ever wanted to do in Venice. Our gondola rides were cancelled at the absolute last minute because the company feared it would start raining again as hard as before – and all the Gondola’s are stopped in such weather. There was nothing to be done and the group dispersed as a bunch of the people was to go to dinner as a group (we skipped out) in about an hour – so even if the Gondola’s became free again – the group as a whole couldn’t go. Some people managed to get a Gondola ride on their own – as other companies were still riding their gondolas out despite the rain – however H-Rabbit and I weren’t that lucky. I was really disappointed and must admit it’s a sore spot on the trip for me.

Hail in Venice
While the company was right – it did rain again – it didn’t happen until a few hours later. We would have been gone and back from our rides before it ever began. However, admittedly, it didn’t just simply rain again – it hailed! Hail in Venice! H-Rabbit and I got caught out in the middle of a small piazza right in the middle of it – it was crazy. The power and size of the hailstorm was truly nerve racking. I don’t think Venice sees too much hail as the nearby cafes didn’t even know what to do with their umbrellas and tables – it was funny to watch, as they stood dumbfounded at the falling umbrellas and such.

Quiet Dinner
In the end – the rain and hail didn’t seem to want to let up, so when it got a bit lighter, we trudged on and found a small restaurant to grab a bite. We had a beautiful (and cheap) dinner of spaghetti, caprese salad and bread. Afterwards, we walked around some more. Heather made a stop to do some Puma shopping and then we took our time making it back to the ferry docks for the boat ride back to the train station.

Ish-time is aggravating
Well, Ish-time worked in reverse this time – instead of leaving later, we almost missed the ferry home because the group left earlier than the time we were even asked to gather together. Thankfully – the first boat filled and they needed to call a second so we weren’t left behind. We had a hilarious ferryboat ride home, as the people who went to the group dinner seemed to be just a little bit “tipsy” from all the free wine they got. It was jokes and laughs all the way home. The “party” continued on the train ride home with tons of antics and even an episode with a disgruntled ticket conductor. Yay for our new Italian friend, who got us all out of a jam by interpreting. We finished the day with a nightcap with the group, but then tucked in at a fairly decent time.

Europe Day 09 – Our Slightly Disastrous Day (Munich to Innsbruck to Verona (Not!) to Venice)

2008-07-12T12:51:00.003-04:00

No easy access
Once again, it was yet another early morning. We managed to get the Internet working in just enough time to check email, write home, quickly blog about why I haven’t been blogging, and find out that H-Rabbit had passed her Bar exams. She was super excited. We were leaving really early this morning because we had a ton of stops to do before arriving at our next hotel in Venice.

Left behind (Disaster One)
Crazy thing from this morning: we left a person behind! Throughout the trip, Leona (our tour guide) has been telling us quite stringently that we have to be on time for departures because the bus simply cannot wait. Between a combination of drivers’ driving rules in Europe, appointments in different places and simply the physical time it takes to drive to each location – the schedule had to be adhered to. Well – this morning we figured out that one of our group had never come back from the partying of the night before. Her stuff was still strewn around the room and her roommate said she never saw or heard her arrive back. We were told there really was nothing that we could do. Leona left word with the hotel staff about our plans and contact information in case the person came back, she also called her head office to let them know what we were doing, as well as touched base with the local police about when she needs to file a missing person’s report. In my books – a girl alone in a strange country, in strange company – was pretty bad news, but – there was nothing else to be done.

Beauty of the Alps
Driving through the mountainous areas and ranges was quite beautiful. Just as in the UK, there are a ton of castles along the way – but it was too hard to catch them on film due to the speed of the bus and how so many of the European roads are lined with massive trees, bushes and walls.

Innsbruck
Our first stop of the day was in Innsbruck, Austria – we got there at about 11am. We saw the famed “Golden Roof” – has something to do with some rich Hansberger family thing – but I kind of missed the story for some reason. Will have to look that up when I get back. I do love the look of the town. The streets are once again cobblestoned, and the buildings really do have a specific architectural nature that simple rings ethnicity, culture an flavour. I also adore that European culture loves to "colour" their buildings rather than paint them. You can tell that the colour of the walls it either created with the natural colours of the materials used, or added to the actual building materials that create the structures rather than painted on afterwards in coverage.

Leona took us to the large Swarovski headquarters store where we were given vouchers for a free gift and a small historical lecture. We then got time to shop. The prices were okay – but not awesome. Some of the prices of the actual Swarovski pieces are actually higher than they are at home, for the exact same pieces, so I stayed away from the original stuff for sure. Instead – I picked up pieces from the secondary Swarovski line that I really haven’t seen as being available in Canada. The pieces are all by international jewelry artists that have used Swarovski crystals in their pieces, rather than pieces made actually by Swarovski. In my opinion – this secondary line is actually quite a bit more creative and unique. I ended up finding both a ring and a pendant for myself, as well as a pendant for my mom for her birthday.

Off to Verona
Besides the Swarovski store – there really wasn’t much time given to us to do anything else. Another Contiki store push I believe – but at least I enjoyed it. We just had time to pick up some fresh fruit from a stand for “lunch” and then we got back on the bus. I definitely want to come back to Austria – but probably to a few other cities. Heck – I might even be cheesy and do a Sound of Music tour – who wants to join me?

Disaster Two!
So here we are, off to Verona, which Liz is anxious for us to see because that’s where her family is from and where she spent the week before the tour at a family wedding, when what happens? Our bus has broken down only about 30 minutes into our drive. More to come…

Well we’ve been here for an hour – and the mechanics they’ve called have finally come, however apparently it’s too dangerous to do anything here at the side of the road, and we also need another guy who knows how to work with the bus’ computer system, so we’re headed to a service station. Thing is… I am confused as to how the bus is okay to drive to a service station – but not to just continue driving to the next town… I’m also confused as to why a mechanic who doesn’t know what they need to do for the bus was sent, and not the guy who does… but c’est ca.

So yeah… we have now been sitting at this service station for… four hours!!!!!!
OMG – so not impressed. I think Contiki seriously needs to revaluate their procedure for when something like this happens. We’ve been told this “happens all the time” which kind of begs the question why a back-up plan for these types of situations has NOT already been developed. Making your tour guests sit for four hours in a service station is definitely not something that should be simply swept under the rug as “something that happens”. My suggestion is that if a delay of this nature hits the two-hour mark – then Contiki should provide for some sort of transportation for the tour members to be taken to the nearest town (not the nearest service station) where they could at least enjoy the local culture, maybe find a park to sit in, and have somewhere more to be than a 10x20 room and a parking lot that looks onto a highway.

No Verona
Well – we’re finally on our way again and due to the impromptu “hostage taking” (yeah, I’m pretty bitter about this whole thing), we aren’t going to be going to Verona. We’ve been told it shouldn’t matter since stopping at Verona was “just an option and not actually part of the tour”. Let’s just say I’m ignoring that such a thing was said… because flat out – paired with “this happens all the time – just deal with it” – it’s basically put me on edge… While I actually appreciate when people are direct, concise and don’t bother to wander on rolling tangents when trying to explain things – when you’re dealing with a tour group of people, that maybe, perhaps, has members that took over a year and a half to be able to save to be on this trip, and went the “cheap” route because that’s all they could afford, and not because “they’re trying to be cheap”… there is a still a line at which some things are better left un-said all together, rather than trying to say it … bluntly.

Straight to Venice
Well – we’ve just finished our drive to mainland Venice and pulled into our pretty nice hotel. I’m less angry now, but I think more because I’m just tired and worn out and really want to just forget about it all so I can really enjoy Venice tomorrow. The “Venice” that everyone knows and hears about elsewhere in the world is actually only one part. Our hotel is actually quite far inland on the mainland and we’ll need to take a train and ferry tomorrow to get to the core of the city “islands” where all the waterways are.

Funny enough – Pride has followed us yet again. There’s a Gay Pride party going on up the road. We were tempted to check it out, but our bodies told our brains to check in early for the night instead. We had a pretty good meal of lasagna, salad and chocolate pizza, and Elie sprung for wine for our “little” table. Joop joined us as well and kept us in absolute stitches. I would kill to have had him on video that night.

Wrap up to Disaster 1: Leona came to tell us at dinner that she got word the missing person had actually gone home to the States – or so says her Contiki main office who apparently got in contact with her family members. Conflicting info is that apparently the Munich Hotel still has all of her stuff. I have a feeling there’s more to this story. (Addendum from later – Leona got a call from said missing person and said she was all right – she needed to go home – HOWEVER – the call was coming from a German number… crazy!)

Europe Day 08: Munich? More like a Bier Gaarten…

2008-07-11T22:00:00.001-04:00

The hills are alive… at 6am
We got a really early start this morning seeing as we had a bit more to do in Switzerland before heading to Munich, Germany.

Lucerne in the day
First – we got to go back into Lucerne to see everything by day. We visited the famous covered wooden bridge, the Chapel Bridge, under which there are tons of no smoking signs since once upon a time the original version of the bridge was burned down because someone stubbed their cigarette out on it – it didn’t go out – and the bridge burned down. The town is actually very picturesque and is probably exactly what you would think a Swiss town should look like. It’s right out of the movies and picture books.

Shopping!
As per what we are realizing is probably the Contiki way of earning added money, we were ushered into a few “suggested” shops for buying Swiss Army knives, Swiss watches, jewelry, chocolate and more. H-Rabbit and I stocked up on a few gifts for the folks back home as well as a ton of chocolate! I went in search of the magnet I just had to have (of the Swiss Guard monument) and it almost made me miss the bus!

Mount Stanserhorn
From Lucerne we drove a ways out to Mount Stanserhorn – one of the Alpine mountains that we were going to have the opportunity to go up to the top of. First, we rode a funicular trolley up the first part of the mountain that was more rolling than mountainous, and then our entire tour group was mashed into a cable car to go up the rest of the way. Let’s just say that ride tested a lot of people’s fear of heights.

Fantastic views from the top of the world
Once we reached the top we were privy to some incredibly fantastic views of the Alps. Once again – it was breathtaking (I really need to find a synonym for that word or you are all going to get incredibly tired of it). The air had to be the cleanest I have ever come into contact with. Funny thing though – asthmatics and fresh air apparently don’t go too well together. Or perhaps it was more that it must have been much thinner with less oxygen – cause I definitely had some trouble breathing. I think the air was just too thin for my lungs!

More driving
After getting our fill of Heidi-like vistas, and feeling queasy overlooking ridges and cliffs with absolutely no guard railings – we headed back down. Once again – the entire group of 45 people smashed into one lowly cable car. From Mount Stanserhorn we were then driving straight on to Munich. We hit a ton of bad traffic and it took hours longer than we were expecting.

Liechtenstein
For lunch we stopped off in Vaduz, Liechtenstein. This is one of the tiniest countries in the world, stuck between the borders of Switzerland and Germany. To be honest – there really wasn’t much to look at – and there definitely wasn’t anything much in Vaduz. For a Euro you can get your passport stamped with the country stamp – however we passed up this opportunity. I’m probably being really lax in saying this – but a lot of us felt – okay – we’ve seen Liechtenstein… and there’s really no reason to ever come back.

Munich?
By the time we arrived in Munich, Germany, it was fairly late at night, and the weather was extremely bad. Pouring rain had found us again. We just had time to check into our rooms (really nice hotel this time – extremely modern!), change, and then we were off to the Hofbrauhaus – the largest beer hall in Munich.

Hofbrauhaus
Because of the weather – we didn’t actually get to see anything of Munich BUT the beer hall – which was extremely aggravating and unfortunate but there was nothing to be done. The Hofbrauhaus is an authentic Bavarian beer hall with a Bier Gaarten in its centre. Because of the weather – the hall was packed to the rafters, as all the Gaarten seats were too wet to occupy.

After a lot of running around (because Contiki hadn’t reserved us seating – we were told it wasn’t possible – but we saw a ton of other non-Contiki groups that DID have reserved seating so we weren’t exactly impressed) – we finally found some tables in the upstairs portion of the building where Chris, Liz, H-Rabbit and I were able to join Peter, Megan, Valeria and Theo for dinner.

The big thing at the Hofbrauhaus is ordering their 1-Litre beer steins, which is an absolutely crazy thing to do for H-Rabbit and I when we don’t drink beer at all. But – when in “Munich” – we obviously had to order one. We decided on a Radler – which is like a beer shandy – and others at the table ordered regular beers as well. Let’s just say that 1-litre beer steins are massive… I don’t think I made it even halfway through my Radler through the night – and we even shared with Gnomie!

For dinner I ordered a Pork Knuckle, which turned out to be one hell of a chunk of meat. With it came these really weird potato dumplings – and for note – they do not taste or feel like potatoes at all. Everyone else at the table ordered a variety of things. Once we were done – we all went and picked up some souvenirs of the night – including – dum-da-da-da… our very own 1-litre steins!! While yes – I know – I’ll never drink beer in them – can you just imagine a 1-litre Mudslide! Oh yeah, baby!

A tiny-weenie bit of Munich at night
After stuffing our faces and guts with pork and beer, we staggered out into the alleyways of Munich to try and find a cab that would take us back to our hotel. However – once out – we noticed it had finally stopped raining and quickly decided that we just HAD to see something of Munich besides the beer hall. Chris, Liz, H-Rabbit and I took out our maps and tried to figure out the walk that would take us the famous Glockenspiel.

Glockenspiel?
After taking a few wayward turns – we finally got figured out and made our way to the area marked at the Glockenspiel on our maps. Our biggest problem? None of us had ever seen a picture of the thing before so we had no idea what we were looking for. We knew it was a church of some sort, and that it had a beautiful tower with moving parts – however in our walk we passed almost 10 different church towers and obviously in the middle of the night – none of the moving parts of the clock tower would be moving. Finally we asked a nearby citizen who told us we were standing right in front of it. Let’s just say it looked nothing like I thought it would. I think I had some random Disney images stuck in my head as to what it should look like and was looking for that instead of the real thing. So we took a few pictures – and because we didn’t know about anything else we should be looking for – and didn’t want to head out to the nightclub area that the others were going to go to – we headed home.

Laundry Escapades
Our hotel was pretty amazing and finally we were at one that had laundry services. H-Rabbit and I gathered everything that was necessary to wash and Liz and Chris bundled up a few things. Good thing we went when we did – there were only two machines – and the others would be back soon trying to use the laundry as well.

Disaster struck a bit for Chris and Liz – their washing machine totally went on the fritz and locked their clothes in the machine. It took them hours to get done and I think in the end they just pulled their wet clothes out of the dryer (that wasn’t drying them) and shoved them in their suitcase.

Chris and I spent the hours watching the machines, him reading and me blogging. At one point we were bombarded by the drunken masses arriving from the clubs – but when they saw there was only two machines – and we already had them stuffed with our things – they decided to give up since even our stuff wouldn’t be done until 2 or 3am.

To note – it was a bit disappointing that really, all of Germany we saw was a beer hall. Once again – another thing we have to come back and see properly. Contiki is proving to be very much a “postcard” tour where you get to see something for a split second – but then that’s it and that’s all.

Europe Day 07: From Paris to Lucerne

2008-07-10T15:52:00.002-04:00

Oh what a night
Well – today I woke up still drunk. And as H-Rabbit keeps telling everyone – I apparently have no compunction about saying so. My retort to that is "What do you expect when you get home at 3am and are off again by 6am?" Thankfully – today is nothing but a driving day – which simply means hours and hours and hours on the bus.

From past, to present, to future
We’ve stopped now at a rest stop and I can actually use my computer here so I’m catching up on writing and adding in details to the days before. I realize I must touch upon the fact that I am NOT going to be correcting the numerous mist-matches in presence tense that you are going to be finding in these blogs. The simple fact is – sometimes I’m writing before things happen in expectation of them, other times I’m writing literally in the moment (a la now as I’m sitting here) and at other times quite a bit later than when a thing happened. That’s just how it’s going to be and there’s nothing to be done about it.

Long Ride
In everything we did in Paris – we were too busy to actually pick up any actual souvenirs, so we simply grabbed a few cute ones at the rest stop. I picked up my continuing train of magnets and H-Rabbit found a cute dish that shows the Paris skyline. The traffic is currently absolutely awful and it seems yet again we’re not going to get into Lucerne till the evening. Bus tours really include a LOT of time ON the bus – not necessarily the best way to spend one’s vacation.

Fresh air and beauty
Upon arrival in Lucerne we went straight to our hotel, which was quite nice and family run. One of the immediate things we noticed here in Switzerland was how fresh the air was, how fresh the water tasted, and how clean and beautiful everything looked. After a nice dinner and some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had (coloured and shaped like a Swiss flag) we headed down into town to catch the boat for our cruise around lake Lucerne.

Monument to Bravery
Upon arrival into town – which was very quiet and sleepy since everything was closed – we went to see what I count as another of my most memorable moments on the trip. Leona took us to view the absolutely gorgeous and astonishingly detailed monument to the fallen members of the Swiss Guard that died during the French Revolution. The monument is a carving of a fallen lion – the symbol of Swiss Guard – on top of broken symbols of the French monarchy from the time, right within the rock formations of a cliff. The slope of rock above the monument has also been carved in a way that diverts falling rainwater into a pattern around and over the carving. It is simply a breathtaking piece of artistic creativity.

Lake Lucerne
From the monument we went to the harbour to catch the boat for our Lake Lucerne cruise. From the water, you get a lovely panoramic view of the surrounding Alps – it’s no wonder that Lake Lucerne is apparently the most photographed lake in Switzerland. Our guide on the cruise pointed out the summerhouses of Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren that are in the area, as well as Wagner’s house that is now kept as a museum. The ride was extremely relaxing with drinks and a great time to spend with the rest of the tour group. After the cruise – we decided that tonight was a good chance to tuck in early as every night had been long and harried so far, and so off to the hotel we went. Lights out.

Europe Day 06: Paris!!

2008-07-09T14:27:00.000-04:00

Late as usual
We had planned to get up early but just couldn’t. Last night was a late one, and add it to the long bus ride beforehand, we were just too tired to make it a sunrise morning. Breakfast was weird – but then I’ve never expected much from European/Continental breakfasts no matter where they’re served. Since we didn’t leave early – H-Rabbit and I joined the free ride into the city with the rest of the group. Our Contiki plans had us going to a perfumery, but we decided ahead of time that we were going to skip that and just do what we planned from the drop off point.

The Opera House
We were dropped off at the side of the Grand Opera House. We didn’t go in to see the famous chandelier and grand staircase, cause well, it cost money and would take up valuable time. Today was all about “see it as best as we can” while getting in as much as we can as well (“As cheaply as we can” was also a high priority). If there’s anything we realize, we’ll have to come back to all the places again for a longer time – eight countries in three weeks is just a bit ridiculous to actually get things in properly.

Arc de Triomphe
From the Opera House we took the Metro to the Arc de Triomphe. It’s surrounded by a huge roundabout, so the only way to get there is to take a tunnel underneath the road. What amazes me by all this old architecture is the extreme and delicate details in all the marble, limestone and so many other seemingly indestructible stone materials. It not only withstands the test of time, but maintains such elegance, fragility and beauty that most modern structures could only hope to compare to. Underneath the Arc is the Monument to the Unknown Soldier – simple and elegant to match the Arc under which it rests.

Down the Champs-Elysees
From the Arc we then strolled down the Champs-Elysees pretending to be rich aristocrats of old. All the most expensive labels can be seen quick and clearly as you head down the road – Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Channel – we managed to only make it a little way down before we resigned to the fact that we actually couldn’t afford to even walk in to any of the places and maybe we should reserve this walk for a day in our futures when fortune was better on our side.

Back to the Eiffel
We walked back to the Metro station near the Arc to catch the train back to the Eiffel Tower. True to our word – we did not attempt to go up the tower again – last night’s experience was not to be tainted – but we did want to get just a few daytime shots (as well as a few that did not include the weird Tour de France tackiness that covered the whole front side). We played super-photographers in the park beside the tower as well as took some time to rest from all our rushing around. When we were done – we found ourselves some Paris crepes. I had chocolate stuffed in mine while H-Rabbit had hers with honey. They were absolutely scrumptious.

Musee d’Orsay
From the Tower we then took the Metro to try and get to the Musee d’Orsay. Somehow – because we had to switch from the Metro to the overland lines at some point – we got totally lost and were going the wrong way right out of Paris! Thankfully – we managed to find our way back – and apparently, for some strange reason of the universe, we looked less like lost tourists and more like people who knew what they were doing that other people who were also lost were asking US how to get places – weird, eh?

Once we finally reached the museum, I must say that it turned into one of my most absolute favourite places that we visited in Paris. I was totally moved and emotionally overwhelmed. To see some of my favourite paintings in real life from the likes of Monet, Renoir, Picasso and Cezanne was like walking into a dream. I was really excited that we were allowed to take pictures – but no flash – which made it hard to focus when you don’t have a tripod with you – but I think I got a few to remember the pieces by.

The Louvre
From the Musee d’Orsay, we walked across the street to the far end of the Louvre to make our way through the park grounds towards the main entrance. We took a lot of photos outside before going in, as the beauty of the palace is just as enthralling as the pieces that it holds. The juxtaposition of the pyramids is even more striking in person than pictures allow for – but they most definitely are much smaller in person than pictures or film ever could relay.

The new main entrance is actually right through the largest pyramid. It’s actually quite a trip to walk down through the structure and into the belly of the gallery. Once fully security-checked and cattle-herded, we grabbed a few maps and plotted our visual attack. We started with the sculpture “garden” and took some time to just wander before trying to head for the “biggies”. We slowly made our way towards the Venus de Milo and made sure to look at all the works that were in our path along the way.

Let me just say – the Louvre is massive… yes, massive – even using the right context of the word. From the Venus we then started our walk towards where everyone else was obviously heading – off to the one and only Mona Lisa.

Do you smile to tempt a lover Mona Lisa?
Let me just say – it’s not the French that are rude – but the freaking tourists. If I mention specifically which kind were the worst – I’d be labeled a racist – so I’m going to stay away from that one – but damned if I was embarrassed as a tourist myself on the behalf of all of them. So many of them were pushing and shoving we barely got up to see the Mona Lisa properly. After finally standing my ground and taking the time to simply look – I then turned my attention 180 degrees to the absolutely astonishing and gargantuan “Wedding at Canaan” canvas. It is as everyone always says – totally impressive and awe inspiring – as well as largely overlooked by the scrambling masses clutching for space to view but a glimpse of Mona.

Getting Lost at the Louvre
After disentangling ourselves from the crazy people, we then took our time walking through the museum and saw some of Leonardo’s other amazing works. We also saw lots of other inspiring pieces that really make you think about how the artists accomplished so much with so little. You really do need an entire week to spend at the Louvre by itself, let alone a week for Paris entirely. After we finally found our way out, I forced H-Rabbit to sit and take a break by the pyramid fountains just to let it sink in about where we were and what we were actually doing. After witnessing two such inspiring and moving galleries I do attest that I would mark today as one of the most memorable days in my life.

Notre Dame
From the Louvre we then made our way to Notre Dame. It was nearing time for us to head back to the hotel to meet the group for our dinner, and the line-ups to get into the church were just impossible so we only got to see the outside. We then tried to see Sainte Chapelle across the road – but that too was lined up for through the wazoo so instead we decided to head back with time to spare to the hotel so we had tons of time to get ready for Moulin Rouge! Though, once again – more things we missed that give us even more reasons to go back to Paris for sure one day.

Montmartre
For those of us who opted to, our Contiki tour included a night out at the Moulin Rouge. The tour bus took us through the city and within the northern red light district of Montmartre. The life of the city was in full swing in this part of town, and it wasn’t even 7pm.

Moulin Rouge
The tickets for the night were extremely expensive, but I can at least now say, without a doubt, that it was worth every penny. I think we felt even more justified when we learned what the non-tour-group price was. I couldn’t believe the amount – but the house was packed – which only proves that the place definitely delivers the entertainment it promises. While our food was generally what was expected – it was nice to be bombarded with free wine and “real” Champagne (only Champagne from the region of Champagne, France has the right to be called Champagne – everything else is just sparkling wine, so the rule goes).

The house was extremely packed, especially since it is a dinner theatre – our waiters barely had room to stand at our tables – let alone walk by them. Even though H-Rabbit, Chris, Liz, Peter, Megan and I were at the end of the group and got seated last – we ended up getting some of the best seats in the house. While were off to the extreme right of the house – we were first and front row, right against the stage. When we got to the dessert and Champagne part of dinner – that’s when the show started.

It was extremely well done with a ton of amazing acts. Being in the seats where we were – we even got right “in” to the show, being literally whipped with feathers and sequins and all sorts of things. It’s too bad that we have no pictures to show for it – but cameras are forbidden in the Moulin Rouge for, well, I’m sure you all know the reason why.

O’Sullivans
After the show, we all went out for the rest of the night to the bar right next to the theatre called O’Sullivans. While it was a pretty good bar, I must admit that it truly was filled with 90% tourists, and was probably pushed as the place to go by almost every tour guide that had ventured the Moulin Rouge with their entourage. However – we used this as a night to get to know our fellow tour peeps and have the first of what we assume will be many awesome nights out. After getting decidedly plastered – as most of the pictures will attest – we grabbed a taxi back home at about 3am and crashed to get a few hours sleep before we had to ride out early again the next morning.

Europe Day 05: From London to Paris

2008-07-08T17:24:00.006-04:00

Our Contiki tour begins!
Major early start today at 5:30am! I seemed to have lost little tour cards package that we were given to have on us, but after giving the initial card to our tour manager yesterday, apparently it didn’t matter that they were lost. We dragged our stuff to the other Contiki hotel, as that’s where we were being picked up by the bus, and met up with the people on our tour group, including two new friends we talked with yesterday, Belinda and Natasha from Cayman Islands. We had our suitcases weighed and they fell well below the limit allowed per person for the bus, which just means – WooHoo – more shopping!

On our way
After that we all got on the bus and took off. The bus was fairly packed, with 45 people, and ended up being a mix of two tours – Road to Athens as well as Road to Rome. There weren’t too many free seats, but everyone seemed comfortable. The group was pretty quiet – not much rah-rah – but I think that’s because everyone had a pretty late night and an extremely early morning. We have a lot of couples and a lot of girls – I’m sure the single guys are quite happy. We were introduced again to our tour manager – Leona – who gave us a rundown of general Contiki rules and whatnot – and we were also introduced to our driver Joop who we could tell would be a “jolly old soul”. This first drive was on our way to Paris. It was going to take a few hours to get to Dover so we just settled in.

White Cliffs of Dover
During the drive, you could tell that once upon a time, castles were the home du jour though Europe as we passed quite a few examples along the way. When we finally arrived in Dover, where we were to catch a ferry to Calais, France, we were definitely impressed with Dover castle and the famed white cliffs that stretch for miles.

Ferry Riding
The ferry we caught was fairly huge and had two major shops and lots of comfortable seating. It took about two hours to get to Calais, which was a bit long since we actually got waylaid when we arrived since the ports were all full.

Driving through France
From Calais, we had another few hours driving to a rest stop, and then another few hours driving after that before getting to Paris. While on our way, we passed Vimy Ridge – though only in sight – as the highway is quite far from the area. It seems either the monument was placed in a natural opening that could be viewed from the highway, or someone made it viewable. Anyhow, unless you’re warned it’s there, you’ll miss it, because when you’re driving by at 100km an hour, you are basically afforded a five second glimpse.

Paris Driving
Finally – after hours and hours on the bus – which we are realizing is going to be an on-going saga on this trip (I have no idea how we’re going to survive) we made our way into Paris. It truly was amazing driving into the city – the sights, the sounds, the people – there just seemed to be a fullness of life to it all that I don’t think I’ve witnessed too much back home. Before we went to our hotel, Leona gave us a quick tour of the city and some of the major landmarks. We jumped out to see and take pictures of Napoleon’s final resting place, as well as the Eiffel Tower, a little later, from the Tracadero area. However – about five seconds after leaving the bus – the sky decided to downpour on us, so we all ran back. The pictures we all got though are a bit neat, as it looks like doomsday is approaching with the Eiffel Tower in the background – ha!

After that, there was not point stopping anywhere else so we drove to the hotel which was in the southern region of Paris – just on the rim of the city proper.

Creating our own adventure
We had actually arrived in Paris quite late and there were no plans made for the evening except for a quick meal. With the weather it seemed fruitless to do anything, and someone had said that the Eiffel Tower might not even be open (which we couldn’t believe). Regardless of all the doom and gloom however, H-Rabbit and I decided to take off with our new friends Chris and Liz (awesome couple from Sydney) and check out the Eiffel Tower anyway. We knew from our schedule that we probably wouldn’t get another chance to see the Tower at night and we just didn’t want to miss that experience. After gearing up for the rain, we made our way through the Metro system and didn’t get lost, though it was a bit tricky figuring out just where we were with everything in French and the multiple lines all crisscrossing over and under each other.

Graffiti Note for Da Boyz: Every single inch of the Paris Metro/train tunnels are covered in graffiti – even the parts that you think haven’t seen the light of day and/or artificial light – ever. My only comment – it was all BAD graffiti – like black and white tagging only, and nothing artistic at all I must admit I found that very disappointing and strange for such a city renowned for its artistic talents.

Happy in the Rain
When we emerged from the Metro, it was beginning to rain again. At first – we were a bit lost because the station for the tower is not exactly that close to it – however venturing a few steps, we realized that it was just hiding behind some trees and the view was spectacular – even from far away. When we got to the base of the tower, it started to rain harder – however it opened up an awesome opportunity – the liens to go up the tower were getting shorter and shorter because people were leaving due to the rain. We didn’t know for sure if we wanted to go up at first – we were worried we’d pay for nothing if the sky was simply full of rain clouds – but seeing as we made it all the way – we figured we might as well – and it wouldn’t be too much of a burden to do it all again tomorrow if the views were bad. As we waited in line – we realized we might HAVE to do it again tomorrow anyway – as the message popped up saying “Third Floor Closed” – which is the highest point of the tower you can get to and of course exactly where we wanted to be. However – luck on our side – it opened up again just before we went to buy our tickets – so we were relieved. Apparently whenever the third floor gets too crowded – they close sales to it – which is quite aggravating – especially for people standing in line in the pouring rain!

One of the best experiences ever
It was about 11pm (yes – to that person who told us it would be closed at 10pm – it WAS open – and would be STILL open until Midnight!) when we hopped (though really, more like squished) on the tower elevator. As we ascended, the most awesome thing happened - the 11pm light show went off. It was absolutely breathtaking to have all these millions of lights just blinking and flashing and dancing all around you. H-Rabbit caught tons of video of it because the pictures just didn’t do the experience or effect justice. When we were let off at the second stage – we went immediately into the line to go to the top. We figured we’d do our picture taking and hanging around at each stage as we came down – to ensure we didn’t miss the third floor experience since time was of the essence.

Paris at your feet
The view from the top of the tower is absolutely mesmerizing – and I believe even more so at night. The city of lights just blazes beneath you and the beauty of it all just whisks you away. We took a ton of pictures of the city from every angle we could think of. It truly was a breathtaking view and experience. The adrenalin pumping through us even made us forget all about the rain. I can say for certain now that we wouldn’t have passed up tonight for anything. As we were approaching midnight, we figured we’d try and make a dash to get down to the bottom of the tower again to try and see the light show from the ground rather than on the elevator again. We didn’t quite make it for the very beginning – but we did manage to hit the ground before the show finished and got some great shots out front of the tower. I believe that the Tour de France “additions” most definitely only looked good at night, as their bright yellow “tackiness” definitely didn’t fair well earlier in the day when we were taking shots at Tracadero.

On our way home by taxi – as the Metro closes down at midnight – the four of us agreed that we shouldn’t ruin the experience of tonight by trying to go up during the day tomorrow. Our taxi ride through the streets of the city was quite beautiful as well as we needed to go right across Paris to get back to our hotel. Upon getting “home” we have now collapsed into bed to get ready for the HUGE day ahead of us tomorrow – as we need to try and see as much of Paris as we can in all of just one day, all on our own!

Europe Day 04: Last & Longest Day in London

2008-07-07T23:14:00.000-04:00

Monday, Monday
Being the start of the workweek (just not ours!), Tam had to get up pretty early. Our goodbyes were a bit rushed, as one bathroom for four people was a bit of a squeeze – but we managed. We thanked Tam for everything – she was an awesome host and we were extremely grateful for the free lodging for these past few days.

On our own
We were able to leave after Tam as the doors in her complex lock themselves after you shut the door. I have mixed feelings about this ability as it doesn’t allow room for mistake in possibly leaving your keys inside… but it was good for us because then we didn’t have to leave with Tam so early, and she didn’t have to wait for us.

A bit of aggravation
As we made our way with all of our luggage on the Tube back to Russell Square to lodge our stuff with the Contiki office for the day, we ran into a few aggravations. First – there were no ticket sellers at Seven Sisters, and we needed to buy day passes. We then tried to use the machines, but they simply wouldn’t accept the five-pound not we had and they also refused to take anything but exact change. There was also all of one person on duty at the entrance we were using and he proved to be very little help. Finally, he gave us directions to the entrance at the other end of the station where there more people on duty to help us.

RAIN!!
However, with our luck, yet again it was raining – and this time it wasn’t a nice sun-in, sun-out mix match – just plain ‘ole constant rain. We finally made it to the other entrance and then got lodged in the middle of rush hour traffic with all of our luggage. It was definitely a bit of rough going for both us and I believe the other people in the train as well. The Tube cars aren’t as wide as our subway cars and definitely don’t leave room for added baggage.

Contiki Basement
Eventually we made our way back to Russell Square. We didn’t get lost and I was pretty confident of my mastery of the Tube system. Toronto would be ten times better for it if we found some way to have the subway system a major international city should have. Right now – our transportation rank is down below sea level. We left our luggage at the Contiki basement – 1 pound per bag – and only once we’d fully done it did the guy bother to tell us we could have checked right into our hotel if we had wanted to. Seeing as the rain, Tube ride and money situation had already put me in a foul mood – I pretended to ignore this bit of information so as to prevent myself from exploding.

Bah money
While I absolutely love the ability to use European partner banks to my bank (for the lack of being charged for every transaction) – please let me tell you that their personal customer service leaves a lot to be desired. I was not impressed with our inability to prepare for the rest of Europe by not being able to get Euros on request – especially with such high inter-travel between the UK and the rest of the EU. To say the least – our treatment there was the day’s last straw and I had a bit of a frustration cry in front of Russell Hotel just to release the anger. Plus – it started raining again, which made me fairly grr-argh-ey.

No Loose PG Tips – just bags, bags, bags
It was at this time that Heather realized we had not found the one thing that her mom had asked her to bring back with us – loose leaf PG Tips tea. So at that point we started our hunt for groceries that would carry it. Well – let’s say that search lasted most of the day as it seems that every store we went to either didn’t have it at all, or only had the bag variety (by which I am told contains the crappier parts of the tea leaves as compared to loose leaf which is only the actual leaves).

Oxford Circus
From Russell Square we made our way to Oxford Circus where Tam said there were a lot of shops and good shopping. H-Rabbit and I wanted to head there because we realized that not only should we have never listened to anyone at all who told us about what to bring on the trip, but that we should also have never listened to any advice about the weather. We needed warmer clothes ASAP as the same weather we were experiencing in London was being called for all through France and Switzerland too.

UK Guys are too skinny
Being the way I am, it was going to take too much time to find a place with things to fit me, so I opted to go the guy route and look for stuff in that department. However low and behold – London guys seem to be as skinny or even skinnier than London girls. Yet another frustration for today – bah. We tried H&M and everything there too was skinny-fit. Not happy.

The Something Explorer
It was at this point that H-Rabbit said I needed some food – plus – it was raining again – so we ducked into a nice little pub around the corner from the Tube station. It was called The “Something” Explorer – the “something” referring to a word I can’t remember. I’ll have to go searching for my free lit I picked up there to give you the real name of the pub later on. Anywayz – we got a very nice sandwich to share – and the pub was extremely well taken care of – it was a bit funny that it was totally empty as it was definitely one of the most cleanest and modern pubs I’d seen the whole time we were here.

Back to the shopping
After Heather was convinced I was actually in a better mood, we then ventured into the Gap and finally managed to pick up a few things to augment our desperately lacking travel wardrobe. I managed to get a zippered sweater that I could throw over stuff whenever I was cold and H-Rabbit cleaned up yet again with a wrap, souvenir London Tee and a sweater as well.

The Big Bus Tour
With sweaters in hand for the continuing cold weather, we then felt ready to embark on the Big Bus Tour that we decided would be the best way to get around all day to catch the sites we had missed before.

The Big Bus Tour is just one of the stop-and-go, get-on-get-off bus services that operate in the city for tourists. We chose this particular company only because its three lines visited more of the sites that we had missed than any other line – PLUS – it had a smaller shuttle line that would actually take us right back to Russell Square when we needed to get to the Contiki meeting – a great option to have in our pockets since timing was obviously going to be down and dirty for the day.

The Big Bus Tour buses are double-decker, but with an open top for the upstairs section, so we knew it was risky with the weather and all. However, it was either that or find our own way around, which we were sure would take twice as long considering a few factors: our moods; the weather; and the fact that I stop every five seconds to take another photograph! It was accessible right from Oxford Circus, so we didn’t have to go anywhere else to catch it, and we found a guy selling tickets right on the corner. The tickets we were originally sold were really neat and would have been a great souvenir item, however the first thing that happens when you get on the bus is the driver takes THAT ticket away and then gives you this stupid, flimsy printed receipt and THAT’s what you have to keep safe and show to every driver throughout the day to get on and off. Bloody aggravating decision – but I guess also smart as there’s no way anyone can scam the tour company into becoming their daily transportation by showing the awesome ticket around for days (the original ticket had no date stamping or anything). Anywho – we did get a free pair of earphones each to listen to the recorded commentary (or Live if you’re on a Red Line bus), but missed out on free ponchos (they were all gone already) – yay for us having our own super-duper Canadian raincoats on hand because…

RAIN... again!
…what happened as soon as we got on the bus, and made our way up top (and managed to de-wet a few chairs enough to sit on them without soaking ourselves)? It began to… RAIN!! AGAIN!! However, armed with sweaters, raincoats and umbrellas – we made the brave decision to tough it out because it was the only way we’d actually see anything and be able to take picture while on the bus as the windows on the lower level were just not happy (foggy, cloudy, destroyed… basically – they might as well have been solid wood doors).

First off point: The Steps of St. Paul’s
Thankfully – during the first leg of the ride – the rain really was on and off, and a little way in, the sun actually came out again which was nice. I can’t quote remember which parts we ran through at this point but I do believe we passed Fleet Street and saw the building that was apparently the inspiration for tiered wedding cakes.

NOTE: As promised before – I’ll re-touch on things like our actual tour route and some of the things we’re seeing in other blogs later since obviously – my memory sucks, and I may totally have screwed up our actual driving route in recalling it, and there is no way I am going to be able to keep every single thing I’ve learned every day in my head for life at just one mention – there’s just too much information!

We made our first get-off point St. Paul’s Cathedral. I immediately began singing Mary Poppins’ Bird Woman song, so H-Rabbit made a beeline to get away from me – but I do love that song and it was neat to be in the actual place of somewhere I had dreamed about often as a kid. We took a few photos along the steps where many people were just hanging around. I do love how people are so comfortable here making their own public spaces. Toronto has very few comparable spots, and nowhere near the same amount – though our population also is nowhere near enough to keep them all filled. We also don’t attract anywhere near the same amount of tourists so you would never be able to recreate the same feeling of community even if we did.

We wanted to get a chance to see inside – but it cost money that we hadn’t budgeted for so we just leaned over ropes and pew stands and whatnot to get a good look at the inside – to the dismay of the people manning the line-up but so what.

After that – H-Rabbit spied a Marks & Spencer grocery store across the way and went in to try and continue the search for the PG Tips loose-leaf tea – but to no avail. M&S food stores only sell M&S food! Foiled again.

London Bridge is Falling Down
After we hopped back on to the Big Bus Tour and made our way towards London Bridge, which is, regardless of childhood lore, just a bridge - a regular, un-fancy, concrete and steel bridge. However – from it – you do get a pretty good view of the Tower Bridge down the way – now that’s a cool bridge. Yay for going there sometime soon.

Around the Globe Theatre
One of the things that H-Rabbit had wanted to see was the re-built Shakespearean Globe Theatre – however it wasn’t on the tour route. We managed to figure out that if we got off at London Bridge station, it seemed like we’d be able to walk there in a few minutes, see it, and then walk back and join the tour again when we were done. We obviously were not good judges of our London maps and it actually took a much longer walk to get there than we thought. Also – signage for the theatre is not happy and we got lost – only to find it by going down the most obscure set of stairs around a condo building right beside a bridge across the Thames, that led to the waterfront walkway towards the Art Gallery. Then magically – it was in front of us.

We were really hoping to go inside just to see it – as the web site we had checked the night before said we could either pay for a tour, or pay to just see the exhibition and inside – but we knew we didn’t have time for the tour since we still had to see so many other places and make it back to the Contiki headquarters for our tour meeting at 6pm.

However – at the front desk we learned that their web site sucks ass and is wrong – the only way in to see the theatre is either by taking the tour or seeing a show – neither of which we had the time for. So sadly – we only got to see the outside and had made the crazy trek finding the place for nothing.

Tower Bridge
Since the walk to the theatre ended up being way longer than we thought, we caught a local bus instead of the tour bus to take us directly to the Tower Bridge location, and got off before it crossed. That bridge is truly an impressive sight. I’m really glad we took the time to walk across it ourselves rather than ride across as it offers not only some awesome views of the city, but great views of itself as well.

Tower of London
At the base of the north side of the Tower Bridge, we then came across the fort that surrounds the Tower of London. I’ll be honest here – because I had no clue what the tower looked like – I was extremely disappointed that the actual Tower, which is in the centre of the fortress walls, is so short! You can barely tell there’s a tower there at all from the public walkways (for those of us who weren’t able to make it inside). Originally – we had wanted to go in to see the Crown Jewels that are supposed to be kept there – but we simply didn’t have the time (constrained by the damn occurrence of that Contiki meeting!) and so we didn’t really see the Tower of London at all – just the surrounding area. Let it be known – for awhile I was also quite confused – and took pictures of a much taller building across the street from the Tower – believing IT was the Tower – simply because it was much taller and actually looked like a tower. At this point – I still have no idea what I took a picture of but will have to look it up when I get home.

SUPER RAIN!
From the Tower of London stop, we hooked up with the Big Bus Tour again and went up top because we had thought the skies had cleared… only to be drenched and covered in SUPER RAIN – again! In our tussle to put on our rain gear and get everything covered – H-Rabbit managed to take a long sit in a very wet seat and gave herself wet pants for the rest of the day! This was our longest ride on the bus too since we were heading out all the way to the west end to see Buckingham Palace. Poor H-Rabbit – she was not impressed!

Buckingham Palace
Eventually we arrived at our destination and made the little trek towards the gates in front of the Palace. I was actually quite impressed with them, and the commemorative statue of Queen Victoria, more so than the palace itself. It’s just so… dreary looking and so symmetrical. Add the dreary weather and it just wasn’t as magnificent as some people might think. You can’t get into the palace and take a tour unless it’s August or September when the Royal family doesn’t reside there, so we didn’t have to worry about setting aside time for that. Hilariously enough – we did watch the antics of a weird dancing and waving Guard in front of the palace. Here we were thinking they all had to be super serious and here he was waving and shaking his booty at us. I never managed to get a picture, as he was always so quick about it or unexpected. However – both H-Rabbit and I saw it (along with about 20 other people) so it did indeed happen! Maybe the Queen needs to weed out her guards a bit better. Ha!

SUPER DUPER DOWNPOUR
Just as we finished taking our photos and looking around – we then got hit with the day’s most massive downpour. It was like having buckets of water poured down right on top of you. Even with all our rain gear – we were still getting wet – but unlike almost everyone else at the gates – we at least had umbrellas and could manage to wait the downpour out without having to move. Funnily enough – that was actually the only time I ever saw anyone run to try and get out of the rain. Every other time people just kept walking – sometimes without a coat or umbrella or anything. Londoners have definitely come to acquire an awesome skill of just ignoring the wet. I however could not – and so convinced H-Rabbit we should just get to the bus.

End of touring
Time had finally caught up with us and we realized we wouldn’t make the link to the Big Bus Tour line that ran by the Contiki area in time for our meeting so we got off at the closest Metro location – Green Park.

Loose PG Tips!
Before we hopped on, H-Rabbit noticed a Sainsbury grocery store, so we tried again for the elusive loose leaf PG Tips. Ta-da! Finally – we found some – but only after random help from a woman who thought we were American and seemed to be a bit flabbergasted by the fact that we were actually Canadian when we told her so. She said that apparently all the Indian stores in Toronto carry the stuff so next time we shouldn’t be too worried about finding it all the way over here.

Contiki Meeting
After buying the tea – and some awesomely delicious Brownie bites amongst a few other snacky things – we then Tubed directly to Russell Square for our Contiki meeting. I’m going to be brutally honest here – the “Begin the Tour” meeting the night before your tour starts is a big waste of time. Besides being reminded about every single rule that you should have already read in the paperwork you were sent ages ago, the only other thing you got to do was “sort of” meet the other people on your tour, and meet your tour manager. While I understand checking in, and giving pertinent information needed to happen – it most certainly didn’t have to happen in a meeting fashion that interrupted the day at a very specific time. When Contiki has full-time staff at a welcome desk pretty much all day long, we should have just been able to check in with them whenever we first arrived and given them whatever information they needed. They could also then have given us the information we needed. The standard start meeting is most definitely a way for them to cut their workload rather than serve their clients. So yeah, wrapping that up with a “not impressed”.

Checked into our first Hotel
After the meeting we grabbed our bags from the Basement and then walked over to the Imperial Hotel to check in. It was a standard room and pretty much what we were expecting, regardless of the rumblings we had heard from some girls in the meeting who described it as awful. They awesomely had a kettle and all the makings for tea so we rested a bit by watching some random hilarious British comedy show while Heather dried off and changed out of her wet clothes. Mine had survived quite well with my raincoat so I only needed a drying “period” to be comfortable again.
Back to Leicester one more time
To end our stay in London we decided to head back to Leicester one last time as it was the most liveliest part of town that we had seen our whole time there. We decided to get our “traditional” fish & chips meal at the Mermaid’s Tail (right in the square). The price actually wasn’t too bad, and neither were the fish & chips. After dinner we reminded ourselves sharply that we hadn’t picked up a single souvenir and I decided on magnets as my city-to-city souvenir for myself. We picked up a few other things as well and enjoyed the awesome nightlife the city had to offer.

Leicester to Piccadilly to Embankment
It was a Monday night but London’s nightlife was rip roaring and building with every moment – even though by this time it was nearing 11pm. Instead of less and less people being around, it seemed like there actually was more and more and more. The streets were teeming and alive. We went back to Piccadilly to see the London “Times Square” in full effect with lights and People and music. We then wanted to see the Thames in lights and took the Tube to Embankment again to see what we saw in the day under the night lights of the city. London at night was extremely beautiful – though I think that of pretty much every city at night I must admit.

The end of London
In the end, we Tubed “home” just in time – the last trains on all of London’s Tube lines end around the midnight mark – even though so many people were obviously out on the town. London cabbies must make a pretty penny when everyone finally makes their way home since it seemed like the entire city was out having a blast. We – however – had to be on a bus for 6:30am so we made it back into our rooms to settle in for a few hours sleep and semi-pack again for the start of our tour. Can’t believe we’re going to be getting a 5:30am wake-up call. It’s been a blast, but I know the adventure is only just starting – I can’t wait for what’s next.

Europe Day 03: Lazy London Day

2008-07-06T14:18:00.000-04:00

Late Start
We definitely took our time today. After realizing just how many hours we were awake for the past two days, we though maybe a good sleep in and a slow start was a really good idea.

Full Breakfast
When Tam came down, it was already lunch, but since that’s no different than our usual schedules at home – we barely noticed. She cooked us an amazingly full breakfast of eggs, mushrooms and bacon. I officially love UK bacon – unlike the stuff we get at home – there’s still meat on these cuts instead of the usual 90% fat. If I could ship some home I would.

Check out our Contiki Future
After breakfast and getting ready, we headed out by Tube again into the city core. Our first stop was Russell Square to check out the Contiki Basement office and get a bearing on where our hotel(s) were. We had to do all our check-ins and meetings at one place, and were staying the next night at another. Tam wouldn’t be with us tomorrow so we wanted to make sure we knew where we were and how to get there so we weren’t lost for our actual tour start.

Camden Market
Once leaving Russell Square, Tam then took us to Camden Market for some shopping and flea market bargains. This was definitely my kind of flea market. They had absolutely everything – and it was a mecca for crafters and artists of every kind. If we had flea markets like this at home (unlike the fairly dirty, sleazy and usually filled with cheaply made “Made in China” plastics markets we tend to be saddled with) I’d be there every weekend.

Leicester Square x2
From there, we went back to Leicester Square to see it more clearly and actually get a good look around since yesterday we were fairly out of it from jet lag, exhaustion an light-headedness. Biggest problem that hit us at this point was it started to pour. I am going to be honest – I do not like London’s rain. It’s cold and damp and gets into your clothes and doesn’t leave. The sun doesn’t dry it, the winds don’t take it away – it just hangs onto everything – and definitely gave way to a pretty grumpy me.

TGI Friday on Sunday
To get out of the pour, we dipped into a place called Tiger Tiger – but then we dipped right back out again. It said it served food but apparently we were too late and they had stopped serving and the waitress then totally ignored us. Apparently the place is a highly touted nightspot but really, with service like that, I don’t think I’d have reason to step in again ever. After that, with the rain still coming down hard, we simply slipped into TGI Friday’s to get out of the rain and eat something decent. Dinner wasn’t bad and it gave us a great chance to catch up and actually have a god chat with Tam. Lots of stories were told and we had a good set of laughs.

Piccadilly Circus
From dinner, Tam then walked us over to Piccadilly Circus, which wasn’t too far at all. The area is basically considered London’s version of Times Square, and is lit up with billboards and lights. In the centre stands a statue led up to by a large set of circular stairs that you can always find many people lazing around. Nowadays apparently they city is actually paying for the stairs to be washed of pigeon poop everyday so they can actually be used by people. Tam says before they weren’t cleaned at all and the place used to be really disgusting. You were lucky to find a clean place to stand let alone sit. I enjoyed being in the circus, if only to chuckle at my childhood visions of Piccadilly being an actual Circus and originally being disappointed a long time ago when I realized it was no such thing.

Tim Horton’s!
Yes – Canada has invaded Piccadilly Circus. Tam’s sole mission for taking us there was to find the supposed Tim Horton’s that set up shop there and found it we did indeed. Problem was, we were thoroughly stuffed from dinner and had no room to even get a back-home coffee – though Tam was pleased that she now knew where it was and could come by anytime for a taste of home.

Covent Garden
After making our find, Tam then took us to Covent Garden. Because it was Sunday, most of the little shops were closed by the time we got there, but there was some strange troupe of highly annoying American gymnasts doing an act in the back square. They basically pushed and begged for money about every 2 minutes during their act. In the middle it also started to pour again so we took this as our cue to leave and did not give the gymnasts any money because, well, in comparison to Cirque acts we can frequently see at home – these girls were just plain bad – and I really didn’t appreciate the constant and consistent pestering. Plus – as Tam said – we didn’t come to London to watch American artists.

Calling it a day
After making our way through the market – we decided it would be a good bet to just make our way home again. It was nice to have a short day that was relaxing. We also got a chance to meet Tam’s roommate who was… who he was. Caught up on a bit more Big Brother and then to sleep we went.

Europe Day 02: London!!

2008-07-06T11:53:00.001-04:00

Well, day two started on the plane, after the best sleep… oh wait – make that no sleep… but then again – in the end that really didn’t matter – because rah, rah, sis boom bah – we were in London!!

From the sky
Flying in found us covered in clouds. Britons may like to know that the clouds that cover them in grey and rain actually look amazingly beautiful from the other side. I believe that pilots get the best weather most of the time – everything is sunny above the clouds. Once we headed in though – you become amazed at how little cloud cover can be so dense and create such darkness beneath. However – the Fates were smiling and gave us a great day where the clouds moved quickly and the sun was allowed to shine through in parts all day long.

Customs
Jedi Jarvis would be glad to hear we took great notice of London Customs’ … well, customs. Strangely enough – the experience was quite different from what we’re used to from Canada and the States. I’m guessing their training is quite different. Their customs agents are all about smiling and talking to everyone and asking about the funny things in our vacation. They also actually invite multiple people to come up to the front to be talked to together. What Jedi Jarvis would probably not like to hear is a little story about the immigration cards we had to fill out… but that’s a private one.

SIDE NOTE: In prep for writing these, I realized that maybe my descriptions of important and historical places might not be correct, in either my understanding, who was telling me about them, or the validity of the reference material I had on me at the time. Hence – after this run of blogs, I’ll be doing some “Remembering Europe” blogs once I get home that will be snippet pieces about very specific things or places that we visited, and will include real “info and facts” as researched – rather than from my memory and/or random people’s “educated” guesses. Anywho – back to the blog….

King’s Cross/St. Pancras
After getting through all the airport regulars, we then had to take the train from Gatwick to King’s Cross/St. Pancras where we were going to meet my cousin Tam. She would then be taking us on the Tube to her part of town. Can I just say how much I LOVED the train ride! Those bloody things move so fast. It was nice to ride through the countryside and see the different levels of living outside of the city core. We even managed to see a graveyard for the decrepit and dying red telephone booths that have obviously been removed from the city proper. The best part of the ride was the portion on the south side of the Thames through the crowded Embankment area. When they say “right next to the tracks” in rental announcements – they literally mean right next to the tracks. And I’m not talking the first floor… the train ran right past the floors of buildings stories and stories up. Can you imagine waking up and brushing your teeth in your 10th floor bathroom and looking out the window only to see a train passing by 5 inches from your face?

Bad With UK Money & Payphones
After arriving at King’s Cross/St. Pancras – we did have a little bit of a stopper – as we were supposed to call Tam first before she came to pick us up. First, my cell phone that I brought, did NOT work, despite what Rogers and Fido told me before I left. With that, we then had to figure out a way to get some change to work the pay phones. Heather had a bit of an adventure with the store cashier on that one, as for some reason, they had more trouble determining what she would need for the phone than we did, and they gave her pound coins instead of pence coins… really ridiculous. Anywho – from there we then called Tamara – and couldn’t get her. Home phone, cell phone – all a miss. We then called her cell phone again – got her – but then only to talk to her for 9 seconds exactly (learned from Tam at a later time) before the phone hung up on me. Apparently it isn’t a regular call to call a cell phone here from a pay phone – but they don’t exactly tell you that on the signage. So after waiting some more, we called again – talked for another 9 seconds - and got hung up on again. Tam then took a chance that I might actually stay at the payphone and promptly called it right back. I really like that you can call payphones here – why don’t we have that in Toronto?

Tamara
Finally – after a bit more waiting while she rode the Tube towards us – there she was!

Boots – UK’s Shopper’s Drug Mart
After all our hellos and hugs and baggage looks, we then followed Tam to “Boots” (A pharmacy like Shoppers Drug Mart – I think we even used to have some Boots stores in Toronto once upon a time) to pick up a quick lunch. They have this great, on-the-go deal where you can get a drink, sandwich and dessert for about $3 pounds or less from this huge selection along one side of the store. It’s an utterly amazing concept that we definitely need at home for all us peeps who can’t get it up to make our own lunch, but don’t want to spend more than five bucks buying it either.

The Tube
From there – we then bought our tickets for the Tube for the next few days. I absolutely adore the Tube system as well. Stretching all across the city in fifty million different ways, with so many lines…. I can’t believe how pathetic the TTC seems in comparison – and the Tube isn’t even touted as one of the worlds best! Two of the most killer things: speed and arrival time. Those trains move so fast it’s unbelievable – and they arrive literally every minute or two. It’s a little weird to have to remember to vacuum through our tickets at the entrance and exit gates every time we got on and off – but it was definitely way better than having to stand in a fifty person line when you just don’t have a token or Metropass.

Seven Sisters
Tam resides in an area called Seven Sisters. I believe this resides in section 4 of the city, Upper East Side. It was only a 10-15 minute ride from the centre of the city and was a really nice area (a la us regular folks standards). While extremely close to the Metro station near her, it is actually a bit of a circular and roundabout walk to her place. I don’t believe I managed to memorize the pattern at all from her place to the station or vice versa.

Tam’s Flat
Tam lives in a two-floor flat along a cute little row-house section. The living, dining and kitchen area are on the ground floor, and there is a bathroom and two bedrooms upstairs. The flat has been really nicely done up and when she moved in it was fully furnished.

The Roommate
Tam did fill us in on the stories about her roommate. These stories I will also save for one on ones as most of them I don’t believe many of you will believe unless I tell you myself – and on the other hand, I have a slight idea it may not be the best idea to tell the world of the Internet.

Walk about London
After taking some time to settle down and settle in, as well as eat our quick-eats Boots meals, we then decided it would be good to get in a quick walking tour of a few of the London sites. Tamara was free to come with us, which proved quite fruitful as I think we saw a lot more with her than we ever would have trying to walk around on our own without some sort of a guide.

Embankment
After running through The Tube and learning about the ease and wonder of switching from line to line, we made our way to Embankment station right in the heart of downtown, based along the Thames. We got out of the Underground there and made our way across by foot on the Millennium bridge towards a few of the more tourist-y attractions.

Big Wheel Festivus
Lucky for us, we somehow managed to land right in the middle of a small festival of artists, which made our walk ten times more pleasurable. From the south side of the Thames we were making our way towards the London Eye, and had spectacular views across the water of the Big Ben clock tower and the parliament buildings. We also walked right under the London Eye, which is as huge as it seems to be in pictures and on television.

Anya, the ultimate tourista
I believe I began our trip as a severe embarrassment to both H-Rabbit and Tam, for I was full on tourista with my picture-taking and picking up of various “free” literature. I learned to take it a bit easier as the walk went on for only so much could fit into our little day-bags and – mostly – I kept getting left behind!

Quick sites
After passing the London Eye we got a glimpse of the Salvadore Dali museum, and then walked up to Westminster Bridge towards Big Ben.

Big Ben & Parliament
I’ll be honest – it was an absolute treat to be able to see these buildings in person, especially in the late afternoon during the setting sun as I can tell you now – I have never ever realized just how spectacular and shimmering those buildings are. On television and pictures, the parliament buildings always come out so dark, brown and dreary – but in person they are actually shining, glittery and gold! The carvings and detail work is unbelievable and you can’t even describe the feeling it gives you to think about the workmanship needed for such a feat of building.

Westminster Abbey
After the parliament buildings we took a quick jaunt around Westminster Abbey. We didn’t get to go inside, but the outside was just as impressive. The detail on all the historical buildings in London really was moving and made you really think about the work and time that people once had to make things right and make them beautiful. It almost makes you wish we didn’t live in the time and economy that we do today… until you think about slavery, abject poverty and all those other lovely things….

Guards in front of St. James Park
From Westminster, we then took a small walk to the gates before St. James Park. On duty were some of the Queen’s very own grumpy guards. H-Rabbit and I managed to get in queue to take a shot with one of them – but if you ever see the picture, you’ll realize just how scared we were to do it. Right before our pick he randomly decided to yell at the top of his lungs at some woman beyond us – but in doing so yelled right in my ear. We quickly snapped our picture and ran away.

Trafalgar Square – Pride followed us to London
Tam then walked us to Trafalgar Square – a huge meeting and gathering place in London in front of some important building that I can’t remember right now, but I’ll figure it out later. Just guess what we walk in on - London’s massive Pride celebrations! While their partying numbers in no way compared to our Toronto ones that we amassed the weekend before we left – I must say their Queens do it ten times better than any of the ones I’ve seen back home. You wouldn’t believe the spectacular costumes!

Leicester Square – Pubs & Excitement
After having our fill of the huge Pride concert in the square, we then went to another popular square filled with stores, shops, theatres and pubs – Leicester Square. You wouldn’t believe the amount of people that are always – and I really do mean ALWAYS – out in London. All hours, all the time, and things stay open really, really late… or early as the case may be. It was at this point we realized we were starving again and headed for some dinner.

Pub Food – So fulfilling
So let me just say – I don’t know one Canadian pub I’ve been to in Toronto that even comes close to comparing the pub food we found in London. The meal we had basically made my vacation before it even started. Heather and I both had pies (chicken and steak) and Tam settled for a steak proper – and let’s just say we probably ate three times our stomach space in food for less than a meal at McDonald’s. Just thinking of the meal now I can remember every bit of it.

Hare Krishnas
Once done with our food, Tam has a hankering for Hagen Daaz, so we went back to the centre of Leicester Square, got some ice cream and then sat down for a bit to enjoy it. Upon doing so – we then got “serenaded” by London’s Hare Krishnas that paraded through the square multiple times chanting and singing and begging everyone to join in. It was definitely a site to behold as it was just as all those movies from the 70’s portrayed it but I’d obviously never seen in real life seeing as how depleted the movement has become in Toronto.

Crash but no burn
After that – our first day in London and our trip entirely ended and we decided to Tube back to Tamara’s the finally get to sleep. While getting ready – we were introduced to the hardcore fandom Londoners seems to have for their version of “Big Brother” (which by the way is ten times more funny and fascinating than the American version for sure) as well as a show called “The IT Crew” (I think!) which hilariously reminds me of… well, you guess!

With that – it was then sleep – and prep for another full day of London!

Europe Day 01: Leaving on a Jet Plane

2008-07-04T17:15:00.000-04:00

At the airport, giddy with excitement!

One of my first trips abroad without my family (per se) was when I went to the Cayman Islands alone with my U. Chrismoose. I believe he taught me one of the best rules about traveling ever: the trip starts the moment you cease doing the everyday, not when you actually arrive.

With the knowledge then, our first Europe day actually began at home upon rising Friday morning, July 4.

We had stayed up really late the night before, about 2 to 3am packing – and still managed to get up by 7am to get through with all the things we needed to have done. While maybe not the best way to get a good night’s sleep before a big trip, I think the excitement about leaving had already started to boil and it was nearly impossible to contain.

It was strange to not have Wyn running about – but also a blessing. We really hadn’t thought about just how much we still needed to get done, and having managed to pretty much pack and finish the night before was only the beginning.

My sister Jello was going to hang at our place while we were away and I was determined not to leave her our condo “as is”. If we had I think she would have freaked.

So for hours we ran around cleaning the condo: sheets, vacuuming, laundry, kitchen, dishes – however out goal was left a bit short (Sorry Jello!!) Everything was pretty much done but We left the second sheet load in the dryer (but at least clean), and one last pile of dishes in the sink – just couldn’t get to them.

LanaByng came over and helped too with some Tupperware organization, and to say goodbye before we left. She also scored the rest of the Sex in the City DVDs H-Rabbit has hooked her on to watch while we’re gone.

Despite the major prep and completion of packing the night before – we still managed to be late for our 6pm departure time (H-Rabbit’s parents were driving up to catch our flight) – I don’t know how we do it, but we do it every time. I don’t think I’ve told anyone to ever expect us on time as it has never, ever happened.

Regardless of leaving late though – we still arrived in perfect time for our flight. It seems everyone in the city decided to bugger off for the weekend many hours earlier and the drive to the airport was faster than most regular evening trips. Our flight wasn’t for another few hours, so we waited the time out with computer exploring (the video we made with my iSight that I was going to put in here has been decidedly shelved for another time), read our travel books and people watched. And also finally grabbed some food – we didn’t eat very much during the day.

Because we had landed a pretty sweet deal on our airline tickets with Air Transat, that of course meant compensations in other departments. We were in economy class in a pretty small plane, didn’t get seat choices, and basically rode out the seven-hour flight amongst a raging horde of babies. All it took was for one screaming and wailing child to set off the whole plane of them – I don’t think I’ve heard anything like it – not even in a daycare. Our seat-mate was a nice lady from England who talked to us about our upcoming journey, however she was a bit of a pain for the hostesses and people near us as she complained about nearly everything and couldn't manage to sit in her seat for more than 5 minutes. She even startled one hostess into silence when she began to complain that the complimentary tea had been steeped too much and wasn't hot at all.

For a flight to England that leaves at 10pm, lasts for 6 hours, and lands in England at 10am the next day, England time, I believe the airlines have their flight itinerary all wrong! Whereas what we all should have been doing was trying our damndest to sleep, sleep, sleep so as to avoid having a dreaded experience curing jet lag, instead we were subjected to an awful two hours filled with “Drillbit Taylor”, almost full lighting in the cabin, interruptions for two meals, earphones, duty free, donating to Children’s Wish and continual operation of the severely bright “entertainment” system that just pushed advertising through the whole experience.

Believe it or not, the airlines have reduced to giving us “real” TV dinners for our flights a la President’s Choice. Chicken Korma baby! (Notice though the funnily “high class” thick blue plastic dinnerware….)

However – the deal was still worth it. Trust me. You wouldn’t the believe the flight prices we were facing otherwise – not to mention that some of those more expensive flights would have seen us in exactly the same conditions as we already experienced.

In the end – I think we only managed to get about 1 to 2 hours of sleep in 30-minute bouts. We had misplaced our earplugs early in the flight, which was definitely a mistake, as when we finally found them – it proved to be the only thing that managed to get us any rest (earplugs wonderful for the drowning out of screaming babies!).

Anyway, our first day actually ends and our second day begins within the same flight – and I’ll be honest – I couldn’t exactly tell you when – all I know is that the moment I chose to actually get some sleep – this is what I saw out the plane window… and our first day “in Europe” had begun.

A horizon at midnight… no sleep for us!

Spoiled Puppy!

2008-07-04T12:13:00.008-04:00

We've been spoiling Wyn rotten these past few days because we were pretty damn sure she knew something was up. When we left her with H-Rabbit's parents yesterday, she ran to the door and looked like a little kid wailing against the window. Here are a few shots from Wynnie's last few very spoiled days!

Pre-Europe #4: One day more...

2008-07-04T02:18:00.001-04:00

Gah!!

Today has been crazy - and I'm realizing that I'm already slacking on the up-to-the-minute blogging!! Very sad indeed!!

Anywho - it's 2am - and I wanted to quicky blog and catch the past days up, because well, I'm not that keen on back-date posting (as I've been good to be doing previously) since it would take a gagillion years, AND I'm about to drop dead.

Anywho - since our big weekend shop - the following has happened in life:
shopped some more - went to the Pride Parade - bought more clothes - bought the little things and meat for Canada Day bbq - went to friends for Canada Day bbq - watched fireworks through my bedroom window from Mel Lastman Square - bought a lens holder - bought a 2GB CF card - got my car Drive Clean tested - renewed my car's license for two years - left Wyn-Wyn at her new home for the next three weeks - dropped the car off at my 'rents - packed my suitcase - packed my carry-on - fretted about weight - found out Air Transat flights back from Greece allow you WAY more weight for your luggage than the ones going to England do, even though it's the same bloody carrier.... and done!!

That's everything that's happened since the weekend - and I managed to work two days in there somewhere too.

Now all that's left for tomorrow - Day 1 of our trip - is cleaning the condo for my sister who's going to stay here - buying some in-flight snacks - and then off to the airport.

I can't WAIT!!

Pre-Europe #3: The buying ends?

2008-06-28T23:34:00.000-04:00

Well - this Saturday basically saw me break my bank account. For a person who detests shopping, worries about money, and hates buying clothes above all other things - I not only did all three pretty much ALL day - but I believe I spent the most money I've ever spent all at once.

Ok - so some of it was pre-paying future bills, setting aside taxes and making sure that our rent is paid for the month we're away - but damn if I wasn't hyperventilating at all the money I saw disappear right in front of my eyes.

Today was basically a shop till you drop kind of day - and required a LOT of trying things on - cursing the lack of good-looking, comfortable walking shoes - and watching my credit card swipe over and over and over again. I believe VISA should be calling me first thing tomorrow morning to make sure that I didn't lose the card to a thief.

Anywho - what did we end up with? Let's see - first stop was dropping Bobo-Fett at at the groomers so that she didn't shed all over the carpet of her doggie-sitters for the three weeks we're gone - aka H-Rabbit's parents'. We then went and got H-Rabbit's new glasses and sun glasses so she could actually SEE Europe when we get there rather than just the end of her nose.

From there - we then made our way to Markville - where I picked up the very necessary socks and undies from Sears. We also met H-Rabbit's mom who works there - I was told to shop at Markville without visiting when we KNEW she was there was basically being asked to be murdered - so, c'est ca. H-Rabbit also picked up a pair of skorts that were on sale.

We then ventured elsewhere in the mall which led to tons of aggravating shoe shopping until we finally settled at Coast Mountain Sports. I think the sales rep was flabbergasted as what to do with us as we took forever, changed our minds ten times, and got him to bring out a ton of shoes.

At one point I'd even settled on a pair of walking-runners from The North Face for quite awhile as H-Rabbit was thinking about walking sandals and agonizing between a pair from The North Face and the super comfortable off-white flip-flops from Columbia - when I realized I didn't really like the shoes so much as the price - and that I really didn't want to buy something I hated just because it was cheap.

So instead - I went for a fairly expensive but good quality Keen walking sandal (since I needed sandals too for the super hot Italy and Greece) and H-Rabbit finally settled on a North Face gel-bottomed pair and we were at least set with one pair each (even though I still didn't have the walking-runners that I really needed...).

See - my problem with runners lie in that I absolutely adore Skater shoes - and hate running shoes - but Skater shoes are simply way too heavy and way to non-foot conforming for walking miles and miles and miles across Europe. The thing is - they are soooo awesome looking. You would think - that in this day and age - runners would also be awesome looking - but no. They're not - and for some reason - 99.99999% of them are white or at least white-based - and I detest that in a shoe. Especially if it's a shoe you reasonably expect to wear, oh, I don't know, outside!! In the dirt!! Where white shoes become brown!!

Anywho - back to the shopping. From there we then went to the Shoe Company to see if they had any runners I'd like - no luck. So we simply picked up our now half-the-size puppy (realizing that she is actually NOT fat - just fur-fat - and we actually have a damn skinny dog) and went home for a quick bite to eat before heading off to Vaughn Mills.

Oh - I forgot to mention - that amongst all that other shopping - we had also been stopping into clothes stores - however this had been mostly for H-Rabbit since I can't fit into anything on offer at most malls. So during our break - I also quickly looked up the stores that carry MXM so I could at least look young-ish in the chubby clothes that I needed to buy.

Before heading to our final destination of Vaughan Mills, we stopped at the Colossus Centre for me - and popped into the Addition-Elle they have there. After trying on a ton of clothes - I ended up walking away with: 2 bras (which cost a million dollars... ouch), 2 tank tops, some shorts, a bathing suit tank and a pair of skorts. That little trip alone cut into my credit card at a quarter grand - ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch.

Let's just say from that point on I stopped counting - and still have yet to look at the damage. That's the task for AFTER writing this.

At Vaughan Mills - we did a lot more stops for H-Rabbit - but I DID find my running shoes!! Athlete's World finally had a pair of New Balance black running shoes that a) didn't look like a dog's breakfast, and b) I could actually see my self-proclaimed-designer-self wearing everyday without cringing at every step.

After that - I was feeling pretty good that my list was finally complete (sans some itty bitty things) that I actually walked myself into an H&M (which I hate doing) and managed to find not one, but two hats for under $20 total, so that I don't burn my head in the hot European suns.

Thankfully after that, we ended with dinner and came home. I am soooooooo dreading looking at my account. Especially since there are a few more things that we need to get - but hopefully now I can scrounge around the house and make a few "substitutions" to alleviate the wallet pressure.

Hopefully.

Gah! Weight #2: 10,000 Uruk-hai!!!!!!!!

2008-06-27T09:22:00.001-04:00

Ok... not really, but 10,000 steps!!!!!!!

At least - that was Tuesday - I actually made my stepping quota - but then Wednesday was a total wash because we had to drive back and forth from Buffalo for a work photo shoot, and yesterday the bloody subway stopped working right when I was leaving for work... sooo - progress so far:

Tuesday: 10,000 steps
Wednesday: g.o.k. number of steps (the counter was forgotten)
Thursday: 5201 steps

So - promise to myself now - if I don't make 10,000 I simply have to to down and walk it off in the gym - either that or on the trampoline. One or the other.

Here's to another day...

Pre-Europe #2: The books

2008-06-24T22:43:00.000-04:00

Knocking another item off the preparation list: books.

Basically - one of the most prevalent pieces of advice we've been receiving from friends is that before we leave, we should really research ahead of time what events, sights, sounds and flavours we actually want to experience in each of the major city stops we make. Most people have been saying that when they just floated along with the Contiki version of the tour at every avenue, they really missed "actually" visiting most things that they wanted to. Sightseeing tours consisted more of walking up to the outside of monuments/places and "seeing" them - but never going inside or actually exploring them.

So - knowing that, Heather finally convinced me that we needed to buy a traveller's book for the area to at least find a few key things that we would plan on actually "experiencing" on our own, regardless of what the tour was doing. Once at Indigo - it took us awhile to settle on which book would be best for us - and the one we thought we wanted didn't even seem to exist (Rick Steves' version of Western Europe, which apparently, he hasn't done...)- but finally settled on "Let's Go: Western Europe". While not being an extensive descriptor, it does cover every city we're visiting and gives us a good base of things we might want to do in each plaee, as well as some great tips on food, cheap activities and things we shouldn't miss.

Besides that - Heather also reminded me that during our only one-week vacation in Cuba - I managed to finish reading two full novels, most of which occurred on our flights - so I might as well pick up reading material while we were at the bookstore. I had a little bit of a quandry at this junction as there weren't any books that were on my "need to read" list right now, and being out of distance range to call Mandy, and at a loss of a new cell number for Daena (who are both staunch sources of good reads), i had to rely heavily on book covers and inserts - very rarely a good way to pick a book.

In then end - I picked up the following three titles (there's was a Buy 3, Get 1 Free sale) after much humming and hawing and going through a ton of choices that I never really felt good about - but yeah, they are: The God of Small Things, By Arundhati Roy, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, By Michael Chabon and finally The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, By Mark Haddon. Here's to hoping they last me through the trip and that I don't fall victim to the dreaded possibility of the "unreadable" book. I've only had two or three of those in my lifetime so far - but the thought of reaching the next one still fills me with fear.

Gah! Weight #1: Kicking in some incentive the DS way….

2008-06-24T12:11:00.000-04:00

So I thoroughly admit the only time I bother doing anything “real” is when I don’t plan it, don’t anticipate it and just jump right in and do it, so yesterday – I took one angle I’d been looking at for addressing my effort towards my weight.

As I walked to work, I went right by the new EB Games in the Sheppard Centre, walked right up to the DS counter and picked up Ubisoft’s My Weight Loss Coach. Do I think following this thing is magically going to make me do all the things I know I should be doing but haven’t been doing. No. But it is going to help me begin to change my attitude towards getting up and making changing myself more fun than a chore – especially now that it’s been a year since understanding my cyst/hormonal/ovarian problems, and working in the whole hormonal control pills.

My biggest problem with weight loss is not being able to just follow my own plan – I seriously need to be given guidelines and instructions to follow that I can then lean on as my “barrier” to doing anything else. I figure if I can follow the simple instructions of a program like this, then it’s more likely that I’d be able to follow more stringent and EXPENSIVE instructions of something like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig. I know that I eventually need some sort of program like that – but my financial situation simply does not allow for the consideration at this point.
Anywho – I started working with the DS program and the included pedometer today and it’s already much more fun than listening to someone berate me about how I look or how seriously unhealthy I am. I’ve even clocked over 3000 steps so far.

I’m not going to blog about this every day, but I figured incentive number two to keep going and NOT embarrass myself is to also coordinate some of my stats every little while on here as well as the DS so I can see how it’s going and whether things are actually panning out.
So – with much strength and realization that this makes it all very REAL – here are today’s stats:

Weight: 230 lbs.
BMI: 40
Size: 18 to 20-top, 20 to 22-bottom

According to the program – my goal for the month is a loss of 5 pounds, so 1 pound per week. Fairly normal, respectable expectation, however, I’ve said that for months trying fifty million other things so we’ll see how it all works out.

Pre-Europe #1: The buying begins

2008-06-23T22:20:00.000-04:00

So we've got less than two weeks before we leave for our grand European adventure so all the purchases we have to make, that I was hoping to waylay, and magically forget about, are starting to pile up and need attention.

So today - we began with some of the fun stuff. Heather found a 75-300mm zoom lens on sale at Black's for our Canon digital SLR, so after work I ran to the super store at Dundas and Yonge and snatched it up. It was the only one left, and the only difference between it and the new version was that it didn't self-clean itself... whoop-de-doo.

While there - I also spent much time debating over a travel tripod and a monopod. In the end - I went with the monopod only because I found no use in the table-top size tripods and no matter how small the full-size travel tripods were, they still weren't small enough to fit comfortably in my backpack. At least with the monopod, I have stability AND I can manage to fit it in diagonally in my backpack. Plus - this particular monopod was only $25 - even though the much smaller, crappier and unstable Manfroto monopod was friggin' $84!

(Heather and I have already started playing with the new lens and monopod to get used to taking pictures quickly, as well as how things will go fi we shoot RAW for the entire trip. She's not liking that our numbers of pictures severely go down, but I LOVE what you can do to RAW to fix things that just aren't possible when the pic is already compressed.)

Oh! I guess I should backtrack a bit on our spending spree! Really - our trip shopping actually started two weeks ago when we first visited MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) to look at bags - but that day we only managed to pick up the camera case. Then last week we went and spent a fair amount of time during a lunch break to pick out my main carry-on backpack that has tons of room and space for my computer, as well as two small "purse" back-packs for each of us to take on small day trips and anywhere that I don't want to carry a big load with me. We're hoping that we really don't end up having to carry all too much during the day - though we are both worried about the security of our belongings in some parts, and/or the ability to go back and forth from the bus/hotels, etc.

Anywho - back to earlier today. When I finished with the monopod and lens - I tried finding a case for the lens and was denied! Blacks' selection was not up to par - but I talked to Mike later tonight and he said I just need to go to the downtown Henry's and there'll be something for me for sure. I want the soft-but-firm qualities of Lowe-Pro - but hopefully not get stuck with anything that's too bulky. Lowe-Pro continually fails to recognize that most of their carrying cases/bags are 99% of the time thrown into yet ANOTHER bag and are not carried around just on their own - the straps are not comfortable and they don't hold enough stuff...

Lastly - I went to the inside-the-Eaton-Centre Black's afterwards (cause the other location was closing) to pick up a lens cleaning pack, and then to best Buy to check out memory card prices. Compact Flash cards are ridiculously and non-sensically WAY more expensive than any other memory card which really pisses me off. There's no reason for it and I promptly did NOT buy any more memory. I'm hoping the cards we have will do, and I'll just have to download every night before we head to bed to make sure that we're set for the next day.

And that was the end of the day's shopping. We hope to get something bought and put away on our list each day since we have so few left. I can't believe we leave so soon!

Social Bookmarking

2008-06-22T12:32:00.000-04:00

Oi! So while I know I've totally been out of the "physically coding" spectrum of my knowledge, work and what-not for a few years - I can't believe that I had SOOO much trouble finding a decent code (aka working code) for a social bookmarking app/widget.

Searching Google was an abysmal foray which led me to every hack known to man that needed 50 other hacks to itself to actually work.

It was more through reading people's comments, forums and chats that I finally found one that I could live with, and could easily manipulate with my understanding of xml/javascript/html (which is a roller-coaster of limits) and that I still liked the look of.

Hans at Beautiful Beta has an extremely easy to insert and easy to understand Social Bookmarking javascript code that works wonderfully. He also gives direct instructions for use on Blogger, which had been the bane of many of the other apps I saw out there, which when I implemented simply did NOT work with Blogger. He's also got a lot of other widgets and codes that I'm sure would interest a lot of bloggers.

Anywho - that's my short technical rant for today - and I'm sure you can see the results of my work now (or really Hans' work) at the end of each of my posts now!

Topicular Blogs #1: Chocolate Whispers

2008-06-20T10:05:00.000-04:00

So far I've been trying to come up with regular blog columns that I can lean on when I'm in between "real" things to say... haha. Anywho - I've decided to do blog collections based by theme for this, as searched through Google - which will now bring me up to three columns that I could definitely do more regularly, or at least quickly when I realize I haven't blogged in awhile.

Today's topic: Chocolate Whispers

By Rosocrozit from One Year with my EOS (edited by me somewhat to fit my layout)

Washington Whispers Blog: By Paul Bedard
Paul forwards a warning about Atlanta's Bella Cucina foods and their Death by Chocolate cookies.

Candy Blog
Taking a look at Cadbury's Dairy Milk Whispers - or more commonly known as Malt Balls.

Wicked Whispers
A look at Ethel's Chocolate Lounge and a few notable chocolate quotes.

Rose's Recipes
Slight disappoinment as this "recipe" blog only has a picture of this White Chocolate Whisper Cake - however does provide a link to where the recipe came from.

Mark Sisson's Daily Apple
This one's all about how to "Dog Whisper" your food cravings. Actually quite a useful blog for those wanting to curb their carb craving appetites.

Ramblings of the Written Kind: #2

2008-06-17T09:19:00.000-04:00

Another piece dug out of the "drawer"...:

And it just hits you – this need to write and write and write because nothing comes out right when you say it and nothing seems so clear and honest as when you take that jump from heart and mind to page and ink.

I let the music on my stereo fill the room and even overpower some of my thoughts so that only the baer essentials from my brain drip through.

I feel bloated with emotion and energy – like I’m bursting at the seams with all these things that I want to do and see and experience, and yet life seems to get in the way. This city, this place, this experience of living has become some drollery of tedious cyclical momentum – energy building and building with no way to release itself into a wider arena than a life which presents itself as a room with no doors, no windows - only white-washed walls with no discernable physicality.

Sometimes I wish to just explode on the page with no idea as to what it is that I’m writing at all. I want to feel and express everything within, so much tied into such a small soul – in a way music does but with my own capabilities – of which music is not one. I used to think it was – but I am humbled by the greatness I come upon in others everyday. I do not have the voice of an angel, I do not have the fingers of a virtuoso, I do not have the perseverance of a struggling artist – I only have that deep inner want that drives talentless schmucks such as I into an oblivion of desperation with no way to actualize true fruition.

It would be one thing to write an actual story – something that could be read and understood and connected with an actual reader – but I have no cause to write such a tale – because there’s no real story to tell – no meaning to impart that I don’t believe hasn’t been told a million times.

And then, so it dies, this false sugar energy of mine disguised as actual ambition. Reality builds its brick wall in an instant and doubt and fear and listlessness pervade.

How fleeting inspiration is, and how I long for it to return.

Ouch! My ears....

2008-06-16T21:46:00.001-04:00

So - the thing is - I knew my phone was doing something to my ears when I used it - because basically if I ever spent more than 2 minutes on a call, the side of my head would actually get hot... but I kind of didn't think of it like this at all...

I seriously need to stick to texting only!

Ramblings of the Written Kind: #1

2008-06-13T08:40:00.000-04:00

One of my biggest failings when I write is that I constantly and consistently start and stop... and then do not continue when I pick up again. Instead, I start all anew. It definitely makes for a very unfruitful use of my writing for sure. However - I also tend to like the bits on their own for what they are - the memories they bring and the feelings they evoke.

I used to post on thisisby.us, and do still love that community to bits, it's just a bit of a task to write there, as it requires trying my hardest to keep the "me" out of "me"... so instead, I figured I'd post a few things here...

Here is a bit, I dug out of the heap...

Somewhere along the way, our relationship had turned into an old pair of jeans, the ones you basically love and wear to death. The hole of our fight had been patched lovingly, caringly, and slowly - with strong thread that not only bound the woven fabric of two existence planes of our partnership together, but interconnected them in a way that to the average eye, made them seem like one. But like those old pair of jeans, as time went by, the patch proved stronger than the original whole.

Bit by bit, just as every pair of jeans eventually do, the greater original base of who we were slowly wore away, and eventually, the only part that remained was the patch alone. We had turned ourselves into a woven scab of tiptoes and glances that were wholly evident in all our conversations and truths. Only a shadow of our original connection lay hidden under the patchwork we created – destined to forever be obscured for the sake of holding it all together. Oh to glance at the remnants of our original selves one last time – but no. Such an action would only kill all that is left, and leave a patch unto itself – something meaningless and no longer useful because its purpose had completely fallen away.

Running Around the Blogosphere: #1

2008-06-12T23:24:00.000-04:00

I've been really bothered and fidgety this week - sometimes to the point of full our aggravation, so I've been spending a lot of time hitting "Next Blog" to see what's happening in the blogosphere. I am learning quikcly however - that "Next Blog" may not be the best way to complete my traversing.

For the millions of blogs that must be out there - I find that the "randomness" of Next Blog per each session really isn't all that random at all. In fact it's so not random that I tend to come up with a few blogs three or four times. Weird.

Anywho - here are a few that I DID find that I liked this week.

IKEA Hacker
I absolutely LOVE the collection of IKEA hacks and creative manipulation that you can find in this blog. Lots of pictures and straightforward and simple writing makes the blog a great site for finding new and innovative ways in which you can use IKEA products.

I fully admit - our own IKEA hacks lay soley in art-ing up our Malma mirrors - but maybe when we stop renting and actually get a place of our own, I'll be more adverturous to try manipulating larger pieces.

I fully admit I haven't found a hack that I absolutely HAVE to try myself yet, but I am enjoying the bedroom and living room hacks the most.

N.Design Studio
I was totally drawn by this designer's blog background which is simply gorgeous and well laid out. The clear information groupings also then led me in to actually read the rest of the blog. S/He's got some great beginner tutorials in illustrator that I tried out as soon as I came across them. Plus - it's a little neat to think - here's this stranger that lives right in the same city as me and I'm totally pouring all over their personal web pad. Who knows - s/he could live next door!

S/He's got a lot of great freebies on-site, and links to other places where you can find more. It was also neat to read about the work s/he's involved with though the site hasn't been updated with a new blog post for awhile. I hope that s/he writers some new news soon.

Wack of Scrapbooking Blogs
Well - I didn't just want to pick on or another of these - cause damn there are like fifty-million of them! So what I tried to do was stick to ones that were in Canada, or better yet right here in Toronto. Here are two random ones I came across: Scrapbooking With Vanilla, and The Paper Tag.

I'll be honest - I didn't come across anything that totally excited me - though scrapbooking in general is still a rough spot for me. The bulkiness of it all still wrangles with the magazine designer in me who is so used to being able to lay out a page any way I want but feel total pleasure and gratification in a clean, silky, smooth page. Crinkles and patterns and thick paper with buttons and clips and all sorts of crazy things sticking out just doesn't appeal to me... especially when the photos and pretty paper begin to curdle and roll. Sigh.

Creations By Melinda
While this blog specifically isn't necessarily the best of the quilting blogs that I came across, I was entirely inpressed by this lady's art quilt that she did in all of one class in one day. It is always inspiring to see what other people are up to and what they can accomplish in specific amounts of time. I am always finding it hard to complete projects and wish I could be more assertive in getting my crafty things done.

Anywho - that's it for my romp around the Blogosphere today. Next week I'm going to concentrate on the blogs of Etsy artists that I like to get an inside look at how they go about creating their wares for sale, and not just looking at the wares themselves.

What this blog was supposed to be about...

2008-06-11T09:32:00.000-04:00

I have definitely moved way off track.

The point of starting this blog was to augment my initiative to get my butt moving on all the things that I want to accomplish in the grand scheme of my life, as well as to be different from all the other blogs that I've managed to dig a grand 'ole massive hole of anger, depression and crap into.

That said - I'm guessing I must start again.

Yesterday I had a great lunch with Paul and we talked all things magazine which is big goal number one in both our books. So - that's where my thoughts will lie today. I need to re-send my notes file, and I need to clear out the "garbage" in and around the house/life that's in my way.

I also need to severely set a date for writing and finishing the business plan.

And do my taxes.... which I haven't.... which is quite dumb as I'm pretty sure there's money coming to me and it would have been nice to have for Europe....

Oh! I should blog about the new iPhone! Which we sooooo wanted before leaving - but now it's not coming out until after we leave... which is aggravating... I'm thinking we most likely will just ahve to wait until we get back... but it would have proved extremely useful over there seeing as how it could have replaced my phone, DS, and computer all in one and now I ahve to think about taking all those things....

I was planning to blog while on trip but now I'm not so sure. One part not having time, other part not wanting to lug my precious Mac-ie all the way across the ocean!

Anywho - time to jet. Work awaits.

sky flashing

2008-06-10T00:59:00.000-04:00

My room is unbelievably sticky. We have awesome air conditioning and yet my room, of all the rooms in the condo, and me being the only one who is hot - is simply NOT cold.

It is aggravating to say the least.

The thunderstorms that we were warned about for friggin' days finally descended upon us. I officially distrust the weather network in all my being. They had made this past weekend absolutely hell to plan for - not least of all these first few work days.

I think I'm sick. I'm not sure with what yet. It started with sneezing - which went away - then an itchy throat - which went away - and now extreme lethargy - which is not going away. Though that may be much more highly attuned to the fact that I am not excited about anything right now.

I'm not even excited about Europe - because all the excitement has turned to worry that we don't have enough time to get ready or have enough money to pay for both the trip and the rent that needs to be covered at the exact same time.

It prolly would have been smart to find someone to sort of sub-let for the time we're gone - but that requires time, effort and work that I don't even want to pretend I have, let alone truly find in order to pull it off.

Thought jump... number eleven million as I look back at the rest of this post - but anywho - I am officially hating stuck-up academics - though that's not particularly true. I'm actually hating one specific academic who doesn't realize that they are way out of the loop - and out of academia. I fully appreciate the awesomeness that is our friend Mandy who is not only way, way, way, way farther in academic pursuit than this particular person - but has also managed to remain an awesome human being during it all.

Somewhere along the way someone lied to this other person way too much and they have no clue that pretty much 99% of the world does not care about how high their education is - because it still doesn't make them any better a person. You are not a great person. In fact - most times - you can be fairly, absolutely, crazy.

I at least can admit that I'm crazy - and I most definitely do not shove my education in anyone's face at the same time. If only because most of it was achieved in a cloudy haze of crap, and so far it hasn't proved to be worth a damn thing in life and I'm still doing okay.

Yeah - this was a shit post - but so be it. It has been one hell of a shit day.

Surrounded... by female suburbia

2008-06-08T11:27:00.000-04:00

Looking for the other words,
the ones profound, deep and vague
to cover the stinging truths.

I've realized lately that truth is relative,
very much spirited
by the reality we can actually handle -
the essences our fragility will bear.

I feel sad for the inability to conform,
and disgusted that I should feel so.

I hate that power the envelopes me,
that I've afforded to such people,
who have no respect or regard
for anything other than themselves.

I am not a fish out of water.
I am a fish with legs
who wishes never to go back.

Eight Minutes

2008-06-07T11:03:00.001-04:00

Eight minutes to just quickly say
everything that's running circles in my head

I'm not exactly excited about wedding after wedding
I don't see fulfillment in reaching the same goals
I don't want to follow just to be in touch
But I still miss them all, all the same

I hate that I'm an angry person
I hate that what I got from him was that
This boiled and concentrated pit of black
that only explodes in the confines of home

I'm frustrated with not having the things I want
and knowing that some of them are things I actually need
I look around and grow crazy with frustration
and yet can't lift a thumb in movement

I hate being lazy
I hate being cash-strapped
I hate being a different version of me

My mind wants to run back almost 15 years
My body ran forward almost 20
I do not see me in me

My eight minutes are up

My part in The Game

2008-06-01T13:04:00.000-04:00

Bandwagon hopping on to "The Game" as first posted in my world by Michele.

1. Hydrangea, 2. Dal Roti, 3. Before the wrap., 4. End Of The Day, 5. Orlando prend la pose, 6. Uberbahn, 7. Dust-up at Dusk, 8. Bailey's Irish Cream Cheesecake, 9. step magazine.JPG, 10. wynnie be good, 11. Crayon Me Beautiful, 12. Gemini

A Sunday in Pictures

2008-05-25T23:52:00.000-04:00

Because words alone seem boring at the moment. It could be because I'm drowning in Catch-22, or more likely loving it - and knowing that my own verbiage once again feels lacking. Anywho...

As I built this blog, I realized that one of my inane, random "restrictions" I gave myself for this "blog-round" seems to be hindering me - re: picture size.

I thought hey - wouldn't it be neat to purposefully take and/or create every image I use? And hey - wouldn't it be even neater to make all those images the exact same, ridiculously panoramic size and ratio?

I'm still in judging phase - but I currently believe my forced dimensions are actually ruining my original shots... time will only tell...

Let's begin:

The journey begins under an uncatchable canopy. Camera sight seems less inclined to envision the same as minds' eye.

Sightlines askew in the heart of the Distillery. And here is where dimension begins to displease me.

In for lunch for a friend and celebration. While food was good, being not a brew drinker, you'll have to ask the rest of the table for a better review.

Off to the 'rents house - Mum's garden was fairly full. First with a charging army of blue,...

... and then invaded by a staunch brigade of red,...

...watched over by towering stems of lilac, both in name and colour.

Ending in the exhaustion of one crazy pup.

Grating, annoying and persistent realization

2008-05-25T00:23:00.000-04:00

It happens with every single blog, every single attempt - every little wish to release the pressure of the thoughts and words that are constantly building and storing and building and storing and eventually evaporating all within my head because of whatever laziness that it is that prevents me from just writing the oh-so-wonder-fucking-ful thoughts down!

Whoosh.

Always starts with an ever-lovely running, ranting, developmentally poor sentence.

It only took a day but I think the frustration and agony of looking at my life's accomplishments at 30 is beginning to settle in. I'm angry at myself - I can feel it - I know it. For all the things that I'm still dreaming about but not doing anything about.

About the precariousness of stability in my life, and the laziness that jabba-the-huts all over any possible change to the situation.

About still being unsure - still craving, wanting, needing, and not being satisfied.

I'm angry at all of it - and I'm just dying to not be angry anymore.

I turned 30 today

2008-05-24T02:29:00.000-04:00

It was a pretty good day.

I don't think it's fully sunk in yet - but who's to say that there is anything to sink in anyway.

There are things that I wish were different in life - and then there are things that I wouldn't change in the world.

There are ambitions that I just can't let go, and others that I believe, perhaps, have met a time where they are no longer viable.

Then there is the unknown. And there's lots of that.

I've made a few decisions today that might be extremely significant, or perhaps not important at all. That's the best thing about the unknown - there's no predicting.

And hopefully - that makes it all worth it.

The really weird pain in my side...

2008-05-13T10:39:00.000-04:00

...is now gone.

And so I guess there's no reason to write about it anymore.

Unless it's a hernia.
Or a tumour.
Or my fibroids again.
Or....

Forget it - it's gone - I'm just going to leave it at that.

myriad

2008-05-12T18:16:00.000-04:00

This is for all the Humber grads (up to #5 now) who keep telling me the same damn, and very tired, story about the use of the word 'myriad' and have no clue - that with a little research called "looking in the dictionary" - they would realize that both they and their professor, are actually only half right.

Which also means you are half-wrong.

Please take your severely low-grade language snobbery somewhere else please.

MYR-I-AD
poetic/literary

noun
1 - a countless or extremely great number: networks connecting a myriad of computers.
2 - (chiefly in classical history) a unit of ten thousand.

adjective
countless or extremely great in number: the myriad lights of the city.
- having countless or very many elements or aspects: the myriad political scene.

ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (sense 2 of the noun): via late Latin from Greek murias, muriad, from murioi '10,000'

USAGE
Myriad is derived from Greek noun and adjective meaning 'ten thousand'. It was first used in English as a noun in reference to a great but indefinite number. The adjectival sense of 'countless, innumerable' appeared much later. In modern English, use of myriad as a noun and adjective are equally standard and correct, despite the fact that some traditionalists consider the adjective as the only acceptable use of the word.

Listing...s

2008-05-08T18:03:00.001-04:00

Is it wrong to use one's blog to list what I want to blog about, and yet not actually blog?

This week has basically been a whirlwind on steroids, but next week is going to be even worse - so time is non-existent... existant... existent... where the hell is the spellcheck on this thing....

Anywho - I figured the best way to remind me about all the things I WANT to blog about (so that I eventually do blog about them) is to list them here - on my blog - HA!

Anyhow - for me more than anyone else:
- Myriad (and a personal grievance)
- Be considerate. Be Safe. We're serious about blaming you.
- Trevor & Anna: Tuesday nights at the Concord Cafe
- All my burgeoning artistic peeps
- A thought about Wynnie
- This really weird pain in my side...

So I guess this list is a promise - here's all these things that I have to say and have developing in my head, and yet... can't come out - all due to time.

...
...

Now watch - I've gone and excited myself about writing and I'll be posting all of them tonight - HA! I guess I'm going to find out how this new "future posting" thing works on this Blogger thing...

ciao!

Future posts....

2008-05-01T23:04:00.000-04:00

Ok - so there's a ton of things I want to post about... but time is not on my side - at least in the department of gathering all the things I need to post properly... so just know - I'm not ignoring yet again, simply... stalling.

CDJN 101 - So You Want to Start a Magazine?

2008-04-28T18:04:00.001-04:00

As promised, I totally want to post about my experience over the weekend at the CDJN 101 course at Ryerson University in Toronto.

Since basically doing 'zines in college, and layout ever since highschool, I have known without a doubt that I wanted to head up my own magazine. And it never sunk in more than when I was given full reign to run the design and production of Centre of the City magazine when I worked with Metroland's TCN.

But, as many, many, many, many, and... many of my friends and family know, working through the Metroland way made me really frustrated, angry, depressed and many more things. It also managed to make me incapable of ever being able to set a magazine up on my own, because I knew that I needed REAL information from people in the REAL magazine market of which TCN had absolutely no contact with, nor wish to. Except for the amazing person that was my editor-in-chief, no one there knew anything about magazines at all, and it made for a very limited feeding ground for learning about what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. (One day I may venture into the dark and devoid blog that would be my feelings about Metroland, but that's another story.)

So, during my tenure there I ventured upon this course with a colleague of mine that has similar aspirations. However, as previously noted in another blog, attending just never seemed to be in the cards for us. We even both ended up leaving TCN before ever getting the chance to go.

Until now!!

I am overwhelmed, but so excitingly so, with all the information that this course provided for me this weekend in terms of starting up my own publication. So many aspects seem daunting, but many of the lessons taught were specifically designed to help someone deal with those daunting tasks.

The course is led by D.B. Scott who is a wealth of history, information and current trends. He not only knows his stuff, but he knows the industry through and through. Check out his blog Canadian Magazines for all the latest news in the industry and some great hints at the market today.

We not only had two full days of straight info, info, info - but someone who was open to any and all types of questions. We were even provided a massive "bible" of information on every aspect of creating and developing our own magazine. From financials/advertising, development and management, to editorial, circulation and design - If you could think of it, it was covered.

I'm really looking forward to spending the week poring over the bible, and wait in anticipation for the digital files D.B. is sending to us this week to use in helping us "figure out all the number".

So inspired!! I hope that it lasts and lets me see to fruition what I want to so badly!

Amazing Course of Inspiration

2008-04-25T18:25:00.000-04:00

After years of trying to attend this course, I'm finally doing it!! The CDJN 101 course at Ryerson is a two-day crash course about starting your own magazine.

Of course, as usual, each time I PLANNED to go to the course, either something waylaid me or it was cancelled.

However - the other week - I was totally feeling crappy about life and my ambitions in general and happened to take a look at what was up with the course - and lo and behold - there was one happening today and tomorrow. So right then and there I wrote to the admin, sent in my fax, plopped down the course fee - and there (here) I was (am).

And damn am I glad. The instructor is awesome and he's given us SO much information. After I finish tomorrow, I'll write a proper post with better information and notes, but yeah - I just wanted to post right now out of excitement!!

Something Learned

2008-04-21T09:06:00.000-04:00

I watched something amazing happen this weekend and I was ithcing to share it with A.V. but she's in Cuba!

My father changed.

The whole situation with my Nan has been trying to say the least, and I think, for reasons too many to account for here, especially hard on my Dad. He won't talk about it - he may spill a sentence here or there, but mostly we've been seeing his emotions in outbursts of frustration and anger - and sadly - mostly towards Nan.

But this weekend... I don't know - it just all changed.

When I think of any situation that involves multiple players, my personal visual connotation always evolves as a white void that has floating pods of grass and dirt where people stand. Each pod represents a different way of being, or thinking, or a "side" that you are on.

For our current environment - my father has been stuck on the same pod from the beginning till now - Anger and Frustration. In the beginning, he actually had some company, but as the months have passed by, most everyone in the family has fallen onto one of three other pods: that of Appreciative Laughter, Caring Manipulation, and Ever-lasting Patience. I myself have been skipping around on all three - with a few dips to visit Dad every now and then as his feeling isn't wrong, and we all get to the same place at points - it was just for him, it was lasting too long.

But this weekend - Dad magically appeared on Caring Manipulation with a hop and jump to Ever-lasting Patience here and there. It was so weird - but so... good.

So Dad - congratulations and awesome job. You changed, and it was amazing to see.

The things I don't remember...

2008-04-16T23:55:00.001-04:00

One of my favourite songs is 'White Rabbit' by Jefferson Airplane, featuring Grace Slick. There's multiple reasons, but mostly the very last line sticks in my head more than anything else. I first ran across the song when I was only 14. I was doing an ISP on the evolution of Rock & Roll and Jefferson Airplane played a huge part in that, as well as affecting major movement and sentiment in their songs about the war.

The funny thing is, that previous sentence is actually the point of my post. I can't remember that huge project in any shape or form that would let me make a more factual statement than the vague one I have given.

And this song fits perfectly I think... for this and so many other things in life.

White Rabbit

One pill makes you larger
And one pill makes you small
And the ones that mother gives you
Don't do anything at all
Go ask Alice
When she's ten feet tall

And if you go chasing rabbits
And you know you're going to fall
Tell 'em a hookah smoking caterpillar
Has given you the call
Recall Alice
When she was just small

When men on the chessboard
Get up and tell you where to go
And you've just had some kind of mushroom
And your mind is moving low
Go ask Alice
I think she'll know

When logic and proportion
Have fallen sloppy dead
And the White Knight is talking backwards
And the Red Queen's "off with her head!"
Remember, what the Door Mouse said
"FEED YOUR HEAD"
"FEED YOUR HEAD"

Tomorrow is approaching...

2008-04-15T00:30:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is approaching,
So much so that it is already here.
Hard steps to be a'takin.
Walk slowly, but not in fear.

I ruminated with Michele the other night about how, this time around, during this extremely hard and stressful time - I haven't done the one and only thing I usually do - which is write.

Whether it be a blog, or a page, or a short story or even just a "scene" - I've always written. Mostly to escape, sometimes to be creative, and always to find some piece of 'me' to hold on to.

Writing just does that. Even in the smallest amounts.

Usually - I've at least always "written" through prose and indirect intimation towards my state of mind in quick lines that fit into my msn handles. People are usually thoroughly confused or thoroughly shocked - but most definitely not dismissive.

But even that... for so long... has been... missing. Catapang even once commented how wax poetic it all was... but I just haven't been there in so long.

Until tonight.

I have begun with the above. It isn't great. It isn't meaningful - except in invisible ways. Oh the effort to get there - I crave to return to the ease that it used to flow from. Perhaps soon....