I got to T's husband M's parent's place and was given a warm welcome by the very German mum and dad. The place they live is in the upper class area of Germany, called Grunwald, where some people live in cathedrals worth 700 million euros. Just a trifle, really.
Their cottage, really, in comparison was still furnished nicely and had a cavalcade of family portraits etc adorning the walls that read such a rich history, it was really incredible to see. I wish my family had that! Or at least records beyond 3 generations! haha...
The party for T and M was tonight, so we ran around trying to get things ready and I pulled out the makeup case from the bag again to get primped with my one good dress. The party was really great, M got to see all his old friends again, some of which he hadn't seen in 10 years. I totally know the feeling because it's similar whenever I go home. He hadn't even seen his family for 3 years. Eek! 1.5 is bad enuf for me!
We upped and left about midnight to an underground private party held by M's friends from the local area. It was in town, so that meant a bunch of car-sharing, and I was 'lumped' with the cute German boys. Lumped... haha... We got there, I grabbed T and we danced. First on the dancefloor and boy how we worked it. I've missed that girl. Didn't give a shit that absolutely NONE of the guys were paying attention to me (what's new haha) and had a great time gettin' loooooose. Sorted.
I still wasn't sure of my whereabouts for Christmas day, as no one had mentioned it and even M wasn't sure it was still 'just a family' thing. When I met his lovely sister J, however, that was soon sorted. She asked me - nay, insisted - I come to their Christmas (as in Christmas Eve, they celebrate it a day earlier in Europe) dinner the next day. What a sweetheart. So I was enveloped in their cocoon of love and it was really a beautiful feeling. I wasn't going to be alone in a hostel on Christmas after all.
Monday, 27 December 2010
Most Expensive Bathroom Visit Ever
So I left my beautiful new family in Poimossel to travel south to Munich for my gorgeous friend T's wedding celebration, and to finally meet her new husband. Exciting times! The ride down was pretty nice, besides the 90 minute delay of my original train in Luneberg due to snow. No worries, however, as the 6:59 train arrived at 8:30, only 30 mins after my original train, and I was only a little late for my ride from Hannover.
The man who was driving turned out to be a Harry Krishna, and said some really beautiful things. When I told him about my getting the High Priestess card in my reading, he said it was true, he could see me in a past life all dressed to the nines and singing and dancing in a circle with other women "of nobility". Just the way I like it.
So I actually didn't need my headphones at all and enjoyed listening to the English parts of the conversation I could actually understood. It was a shame, then, that when we said goodbye he was a little awkward and went to shake my hand instead of kiss my cheek goodbye. I thought we had a connection, dammit! But anyway, I got the name of some famous horse whisperer from Germany that apparently trains horses in Hungary. So you never know, maybe I might just look him up for some guidance.
In Munich, I called T to arrange to meet her and hubbie near the main train station and when she arrived, she asked where my bag was. When I told her in the hostel, she said "no, no, you're staying with us!" So I went back to the hostel, an hour after I checked in, and checked out sans refund. Bummer. You know, that is the second time I have used that hostel for an hour or so. Too funny.
At least I got to use the bathroom. 11 euros for a bathroom. Gotta be a record.
The man who was driving turned out to be a Harry Krishna, and said some really beautiful things. When I told him about my getting the High Priestess card in my reading, he said it was true, he could see me in a past life all dressed to the nines and singing and dancing in a circle with other women "of nobility". Just the way I like it.
So I actually didn't need my headphones at all and enjoyed listening to the English parts of the conversation I could actually understood. It was a shame, then, that when we said goodbye he was a little awkward and went to shake my hand instead of kiss my cheek goodbye. I thought we had a connection, dammit! But anyway, I got the name of some famous horse whisperer from Germany that apparently trains horses in Hungary. So you never know, maybe I might just look him up for some guidance.
In Munich, I called T to arrange to meet her and hubbie near the main train station and when she arrived, she asked where my bag was. When I told her in the hostel, she said "no, no, you're staying with us!" So I went back to the hostel, an hour after I checked in, and checked out sans refund. Bummer. You know, that is the second time I have used that hostel for an hour or so. Too funny.
At least I got to use the bathroom. 11 euros for a bathroom. Gotta be a record.
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Farewell Pomoissel and your beautiful snow
Well, the weather really kicked me in the guts today as my special little farewell present. When I went to feed in the morning I was FREEZING!! It was one of those days where everything was snowy but there was no cloud - the worst. This means there is only freezing to come. I'm serious. The horses' water was all frozen so I got another bucket, but by the time I'd finished cleaning the paddock it had already started to freeze as well. Poor things, wonder if they got a good drink in all day.
The air was icy to my face and my hands got so cold I actually didn't know if I had fingers anymore or not. Oh, and goody, I just looked at the forecast and tomorrow max temp is -4. Wooooot!! I heard there were delays at the train station I am using tomorrow morning, so I hope that's sorted before I have to go. Don't particularly want to be waiting around freezing my tits off at 6:30am. Brrr... Frozen peas just thinking about it.
Did the chrissie present exchange today, which was very sweet. G gave me snowflake shaped lights to hang up and L gave me a cute little wallet and earrings which I totally would've chosen had I been asked. I gave them some candles and candle holders, quite pretty actually, and wrote a poem for L which I have copied in as a post so I hope you enjoy that. J, J and daughter M also got some candles which they liked.
I have really enjoyed staying here and having this amazing winter experience, this property has such a positive energy to it and it has been quite restful for me. I am not going to miss getting up to feed early though, but I suspect it will be expected of me all over again in Austria. Oh well, I'll just have to make the most of now before it happens again.
So it's an early start tomoz, then to Hannover by train and a lift from there to Munich. The guy seems nice so hopefully it will be a good ride. Maybe not 220km an hour though... fingers crossed. I bet I'll just sleep anyway. Speaking of which.... toodle-oo!!
The air was icy to my face and my hands got so cold I actually didn't know if I had fingers anymore or not. Oh, and goody, I just looked at the forecast and tomorrow max temp is -4. Wooooot!! I heard there were delays at the train station I am using tomorrow morning, so I hope that's sorted before I have to go. Don't particularly want to be waiting around freezing my tits off at 6:30am. Brrr... Frozen peas just thinking about it.
Did the chrissie present exchange today, which was very sweet. G gave me snowflake shaped lights to hang up and L gave me a cute little wallet and earrings which I totally would've chosen had I been asked. I gave them some candles and candle holders, quite pretty actually, and wrote a poem for L which I have copied in as a post so I hope you enjoy that. J, J and daughter M also got some candles which they liked.
I have really enjoyed staying here and having this amazing winter experience, this property has such a positive energy to it and it has been quite restful for me. I am not going to miss getting up to feed early though, but I suspect it will be expected of me all over again in Austria. Oh well, I'll just have to make the most of now before it happens again.
So it's an early start tomoz, then to Hannover by train and a lift from there to Munich. The guy seems nice so hopefully it will be a good ride. Maybe not 220km an hour though... fingers crossed. I bet I'll just sleep anyway. Speaking of which.... toodle-oo!!
My winter poem
The Warmth of Snow
She walked through the snowflakes, floating it seemed,
Feeling less human, more something she’d dreamed.
The primary touch of her boot-laden feet,
Left marks, all her own, in the ivory street.
The day yet created, she savoured the dawn,
Longed for extensions of time to the morn.
Life was so peaceful, just her and the white,
So fresh was the hour, so recent the night.
Her heart, in its casing of ice, throbbed within,
The worn woollen jacket a little too thin.
She’d leapt from her bed, spurred from frustrations great,
And thought of her comfort a little too late.
Looking instead for the comfort of earth,
Finding, in truth, the real weight of its worth.
For troubled a mind its purpose is clear,
To filter the darkness, release it of fear.
Such purpose hung heavy, surrounded her state
It clung to the air, then diluted her fate.
Her eyes draw to sunrise, in chorus with heart,
Her safety in darkness set soon to depart.
Now warmed by the snow, and lip without quiver,
She looked to what this new day could deliver.
Her worries and fears now supported by hope,
Renewed with a vigour, the knowledge to cope.
Her heart like the snow, which at first seemed so cold,
Now begged to be warmed by her stories untold.
And as the sun rose it tossed magic aside,
For this, this was real, no more reason to hide.
The rays hit the snowflakes, they answered forthwith,
No longer a dream, this vision no myth.
As sly as the sun, a smile crept to her face,
Now she knew why she had chosen this place.
She walked through the snowflakes, floating it seemed,
Feeling less human, more something she’d dreamed.
The primary touch of her boot-laden feet,
Left marks, all her own, in the ivory street.
The day yet created, she savoured the dawn,
Longed for extensions of time to the morn.
Life was so peaceful, just her and the white,
So fresh was the hour, so recent the night.
Her heart, in its casing of ice, throbbed within,
The worn woollen jacket a little too thin.
She’d leapt from her bed, spurred from frustrations great,
And thought of her comfort a little too late.
Looking instead for the comfort of earth,
Finding, in truth, the real weight of its worth.
For troubled a mind its purpose is clear,
To filter the darkness, release it of fear.
Such purpose hung heavy, surrounded her state
It clung to the air, then diluted her fate.
Her eyes draw to sunrise, in chorus with heart,
Her safety in darkness set soon to depart.
Now warmed by the snow, and lip without quiver,
She looked to what this new day could deliver.
Her worries and fears now supported by hope,
Renewed with a vigour, the knowledge to cope.
Her heart like the snow, which at first seemed so cold,
Now begged to be warmed by her stories untold.
And as the sun rose it tossed magic aside,
For this, this was real, no more reason to hide.
The rays hit the snowflakes, they answered forthwith,
No longer a dream, this vision no myth.
As sly as the sun, a smile crept to her face,
Now she knew why she had chosen this place.
Monday, 20 December 2010
Guided by the cards... and the snow
Today I woke to the silent fall of snow all around me, coating yet more of the landscape in a seemingly impenetrable but at the same time so fragile. Ahh, snow makes me so romantic... Anyway, that image soon faded when I realised the horses were waiting on me to feed them. So I trudged out in my wellies, gloves and several jumpers, reminded myself there was only 1 more morning of this to go, and sorted out the little fatties.
Lüneburg was a short but nice shopping trip for me - short because the cold still scares me (although it wasn't so bad today) and also because the longer I shop, the more I spend. That also scares me. I bought some cute little trinkets for the people I'm staying with and my mates getting married (kinda a joke, that one) as well as the parents that are throwing the wedding. Then L came home with a big shoe-box looking bag and said that was my present. Shiezer!! Now I feel so cheap and inadequate. I didn't expect anything from her...
I am still yet to book my flights or organise my visa for South America, tomorrow is kinda D day (or SA day) because I should book the flights before Christmas and New Year. I don't know if prices go up in the new year but I also don't know if I will have good internet access in Munich. I certainly can't stay on it all day like I can here!
So I have a few things left to sort out. But I am getting guidance from the tarot reading I got last night from J next door. It looked at 12 things in my life, gave a card for each, and overall it was a strong, positive reading. As usual. We laughed because I told her beforehand that I always get the High Priestess card and presto! That was the first to be drawn. I also got another Princess card and the Emperor card. So yes, strong and intuitive cards. I like the sound of that.
Lüneburg was a short but nice shopping trip for me - short because the cold still scares me (although it wasn't so bad today) and also because the longer I shop, the more I spend. That also scares me. I bought some cute little trinkets for the people I'm staying with and my mates getting married (kinda a joke, that one) as well as the parents that are throwing the wedding. Then L came home with a big shoe-box looking bag and said that was my present. Shiezer!! Now I feel so cheap and inadequate. I didn't expect anything from her...
I am still yet to book my flights or organise my visa for South America, tomorrow is kinda D day (or SA day) because I should book the flights before Christmas and New Year. I don't know if prices go up in the new year but I also don't know if I will have good internet access in Munich. I certainly can't stay on it all day like I can here!
So I have a few things left to sort out. But I am getting guidance from the tarot reading I got last night from J next door. It looked at 12 things in my life, gave a card for each, and overall it was a strong, positive reading. As usual. We laughed because I told her beforehand that I always get the High Priestess card and presto! That was the first to be drawn. I also got another Princess card and the Emperor card. So yes, strong and intuitive cards. I like the sound of that.
Sunday, 19 December 2010
Nativity plays warm my heart (but not my feet!!!)
Before I begin to talk about this day, I must remember to mention just how amazing the bread is here! Coming from such shitty bread-bearing places like Romania and Slovakia, I had started to become used to eating white carbohydrated air. But me oh my, it is just glorious the variety they have here. So many seeds, tastes, textures, even shapes... they have bread in a TRIANGLE for goodness sake!
But moving on... Today was not spectacularly different from the other days I have spent here. Fed the horses, slept til almost noon, then helped teach G some more about neck reining and fed the horses. Then me and G headed to L's school to see her perform as Maria in the annual nativity play. She goes to a Rudolph Steiner school so it was all a little different from the normal ho-hum white wash walls scenario of state schools. She did well and I followed it mostly, though it was all gobbeldy-gook to me, and her mum was proud as punch for her. I was FREEZING waiting for them to come out afterwards though, oh man I could NOT believe how cold I was.
I had compliments from both G and J about my riding their horses... both said they found them better behaved and trained after I worked with them. So that was nice to hear. L also told me she spent some of last night at her friend's house looking through the hundreds of photos of me on Facebook and becoming more and more amazed how I actually looked and acted when I went out. If only she knew...
Tomorrow I will head to Lüneburg to get some small treats for these guys for Christmas and maybe a wedding pressie for T and M, who I finally spoke to yesterday after days of stress. I was getting tid bit of info here, tid bit there... just wanted to know some concrete details!! So now that is sorted, I just need to find a lift! And the lift gods are yet to bless me on that one.
Oh, and finally, one of G's cats pissed on my backpack today to mark its territory. That was a nice little wake-up call in the morning.
But moving on... Today was not spectacularly different from the other days I have spent here. Fed the horses, slept til almost noon, then helped teach G some more about neck reining and fed the horses. Then me and G headed to L's school to see her perform as Maria in the annual nativity play. She goes to a Rudolph Steiner school so it was all a little different from the normal ho-hum white wash walls scenario of state schools. She did well and I followed it mostly, though it was all gobbeldy-gook to me, and her mum was proud as punch for her. I was FREEZING waiting for them to come out afterwards though, oh man I could NOT believe how cold I was.
I had compliments from both G and J about my riding their horses... both said they found them better behaved and trained after I worked with them. So that was nice to hear. L also told me she spent some of last night at her friend's house looking through the hundreds of photos of me on Facebook and becoming more and more amazed how I actually looked and acted when I went out. If only she knew...
Tomorrow I will head to Lüneburg to get some small treats for these guys for Christmas and maybe a wedding pressie for T and M, who I finally spoke to yesterday after days of stress. I was getting tid bit of info here, tid bit there... just wanted to know some concrete details!! So now that is sorted, I just need to find a lift! And the lift gods are yet to bless me on that one.
Oh, and finally, one of G's cats pissed on my backpack today to mark its territory. That was a nice little wake-up call in the morning.
Saturday, 18 December 2010
The cold scares me
Today I got another disappointing email from the person I´d organised a lift to Munich with, saying because I hadn´t SMSed her yesterday she gave my spot away. Great. I wasn´t aware I had to SMS, just email, which I did... but anyway. I was PISSED OFF that someone got the message so wrong, but then L and I went riding in the forest and that cleared my head a little.
The forest ride, all 2 hours of it, was beautiful because the sun kept peeking out from the clouds and making the snow sparkle and glisten. It was a little hectic for me, however, because I chose the thinnest gloves possible (me being the Aussie that refuses to believe the world ever gets cold enuf for super thick gloves) and even the 2 thick pairs of socks didn´t stop my feet from also freezing.
So while I was enjoying my time in the great snowy outdoors, I was also quietly wondering just how long it would be to get home. There is only so much my poor little sun-loving body can take. And extreme cold like this (about -7) scares me. True story.
We were going to go toboggening today but it didn´t happen so I´m glad I at least got a ride in. And now I am fine with the lift falling through because it will probably mean now I can spend a night checking out Hamburg and its sex district haha. Maybe that´s where I should look for a wedding present for T and M... ;)
The forest ride, all 2 hours of it, was beautiful because the sun kept peeking out from the clouds and making the snow sparkle and glisten. It was a little hectic for me, however, because I chose the thinnest gloves possible (me being the Aussie that refuses to believe the world ever gets cold enuf for super thick gloves) and even the 2 thick pairs of socks didn´t stop my feet from also freezing.
So while I was enjoying my time in the great snowy outdoors, I was also quietly wondering just how long it would be to get home. There is only so much my poor little sun-loving body can take. And extreme cold like this (about -7) scares me. True story.
We were going to go toboggening today but it didn´t happen so I´m glad I at least got a ride in. And now I am fine with the lift falling through because it will probably mean now I can spend a night checking out Hamburg and its sex district haha. Maybe that´s where I should look for a wedding present for T and M... ;)
Das is Aida, ja!
Last night I went to the theatre... but not just any theatre, a GERMAN theatre. Yes, that´s right, I went to Lüneburg to see the musical G plays violin in the orchestra for. Except she found out when she got there that she´d misread her schedule and didn´t have to play that night!
Anyway, I got myself schusched up, pulled my makeup case from the bottom of my bag and tottered out in a pair of L´s heels (having accidentally put my boots into the horse´s water trough thinking I was breaking the ice with wellies). I was glad to get out in the night air and see some sights, having been in this little village for a week now.
I checked out the little Christmas market before having some dinner (and regaining the feeling in my toes), and heading to the theatre to see a German version of the Elton John/Tim Rice musical Aida. G had explained the storyline before so I wasn´t totally lost, and found it quite entertaining anyway. I must admit, though, I am thoroughly spoilt with musicals and as a result, every off-key note that was sung or dance move out of time made me wince. But overall, I was glad I got a bit of culture into the ol´ noggin.
In terms of horses, I managed to work not 1, not 2 but 3 of them (poor Cowry felt very unloved) and was quite happy with myself. Did I mention yet that I am really enjoying my time here?
Anyway, I got myself schusched up, pulled my makeup case from the bottom of my bag and tottered out in a pair of L´s heels (having accidentally put my boots into the horse´s water trough thinking I was breaking the ice with wellies). I was glad to get out in the night air and see some sights, having been in this little village for a week now.
I checked out the little Christmas market before having some dinner (and regaining the feeling in my toes), and heading to the theatre to see a German version of the Elton John/Tim Rice musical Aida. G had explained the storyline before so I wasn´t totally lost, and found it quite entertaining anyway. I must admit, though, I am thoroughly spoilt with musicals and as a result, every off-key note that was sung or dance move out of time made me wince. But overall, I was glad I got a bit of culture into the ol´ noggin.
In terms of horses, I managed to work not 1, not 2 but 3 of them (poor Cowry felt very unloved) and was quite happy with myself. Did I mention yet that I am really enjoying my time here?
Friday, 17 December 2010
Beertastic, sliding snow spastic....
Yesterday I experienced a true local German bottle shop and also what it really meant to drive in a snow storm. At night.
Firstly, me and G went to the shops to get ingredients for the pizza we were cooking last night (and a yummy as hell rumball mmmm), then went to the bottle shop for some beer. Yay!! I was missing the yummy brown stuf :) I walked in - and let me say this wasn´t a particularly large shop - but I was simply staggered at how many different varieties of beer there was! I mean, every colour, flavour, idea imaginable... it was awesome. We just chose some simple pilsner and went on our merry way. But man, give some respect to ze Germans for that lot!
Then, later that day, I was asked by J to drive her to her friend´s place in the next village to get some herbs for her depressed horse. It had been snowing a fair bit all day and when I started driving, the first snowflakes were starting again. Now there are several things alarming about this picture... firstly, I am Australian. I drive on the left side of the road. Secondly, I have never driven in the snow. Thirdly, the car was a piece of shit and did not have snow-worthy tyres on. So I just gripped the woollen-covered steering wheel and smiled pleasantly as I drove carefully through the slippery streets.
After some freshly baked brownie cake, "mystical" herbal tea and a fairly deep conversation with someone I'd just met, we ventured outside to find the weather had pretty much turned into a snowstorm. This shit was currrraaaaazzzzyyy. I could hardly see 2 feet in front of me, the car was slippin' a little and to top it off, it was getting dark.
Then came the hill. A truck had already given up and was slowing traffic in both directions. The truck in front of me also didn't take long to lose steam and as I stopped to let him pull over, I then had the challenge of starting my own car up the hill. It was a bloody hard thing to do! And then when J was out pushing the car, I had to stop again. When 2 German men jumped out of their cars to help, they started shouting through the window at me. Seems this time I neglected to take the handbrake off. I was just laughing as J jumped into the car as it slowly made it up the hill, and the men were shaking their heads saying, "Bloody woman". Or the equivalent in German speak.
So I made it home alive. And then we made pizza. I've gotta say, it wasn't my finest product but they seemed to enjoy it. I was STUFFED, ate so much, and then waddled off to sort out this bloody resume for South America.
Firstly, me and G went to the shops to get ingredients for the pizza we were cooking last night (and a yummy as hell rumball mmmm), then went to the bottle shop for some beer. Yay!! I was missing the yummy brown stuf :) I walked in - and let me say this wasn´t a particularly large shop - but I was simply staggered at how many different varieties of beer there was! I mean, every colour, flavour, idea imaginable... it was awesome. We just chose some simple pilsner and went on our merry way. But man, give some respect to ze Germans for that lot!
Then, later that day, I was asked by J to drive her to her friend´s place in the next village to get some herbs for her depressed horse. It had been snowing a fair bit all day and when I started driving, the first snowflakes were starting again. Now there are several things alarming about this picture... firstly, I am Australian. I drive on the left side of the road. Secondly, I have never driven in the snow. Thirdly, the car was a piece of shit and did not have snow-worthy tyres on. So I just gripped the woollen-covered steering wheel and smiled pleasantly as I drove carefully through the slippery streets.
After some freshly baked brownie cake, "mystical" herbal tea and a fairly deep conversation with someone I'd just met, we ventured outside to find the weather had pretty much turned into a snowstorm. This shit was currrraaaaazzzzyyy. I could hardly see 2 feet in front of me, the car was slippin' a little and to top it off, it was getting dark.
Then came the hill. A truck had already given up and was slowing traffic in both directions. The truck in front of me also didn't take long to lose steam and as I stopped to let him pull over, I then had the challenge of starting my own car up the hill. It was a bloody hard thing to do! And then when J was out pushing the car, I had to stop again. When 2 German men jumped out of their cars to help, they started shouting through the window at me. Seems this time I neglected to take the handbrake off. I was just laughing as J jumped into the car as it slowly made it up the hill, and the men were shaking their heads saying, "Bloody woman". Or the equivalent in German speak.
So I made it home alive. And then we made pizza. I've gotta say, it wasn't my finest product but they seemed to enjoy it. I was STUFFED, ate so much, and then waddled off to sort out this bloody resume for South America.
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
South American plans... going south already??
The most remarkable thing about today was the progress I made in my plans for South America. After receiving the positive, hap-hap-happening Couchsurfing response... actually before I continue I will copy exactly what he wrote and you can tell me if it seems at all like something I would be interested in:
"During Carnivall we have a lot of diferent parties, usually some song in a big car, everybody singing or dancing. It's cool, but really hot. Bring light - or even lighter clothes. There is a lot of cars, everyday, in a lot of diferent places. It's also a party where you can date anyone. Usually is like a summer passion. What happens in the Carnival, stays in the Carnival. If you can live a passion like that, be gratefull, usually they are very intense, and ends in 7 days, but we can remember things like that for all our lifes. It happens just once or twice in our life, anyway, so don't worry too much.
It's also a party where you can be who you want. Bring a costume - or don't - dress like a poor girl, a princess, guys dressing like prostitutes, a lot of beer, a lot of sun. Yeah, it's a hell, but can be good.
What more can I say about carnival? Sometimes I just want to stay away from Rio, it's a too passional party, sometimes I just want to sleep in the beach, enjoy, go out without know when I will come back.
The best place to stay during carnival is a central place, or near the beaches. Do you want to stay here? I will host a couple, but I might host one people more. It will be a little crowded, but it's carnival. Bring some beers (I will wait for you with at least 100 cans in my freezer) and let's party!"
So there it is. Exactly what I wanted to hear in one message, wrapped up in a neat little package. Since I got that, I have been off the CHAAAAAAIIN trying to organise myself to get there and as excited as I am, even I have to admit I am continuing hitting barriers.
Firstly, there is the issue of price for the flight there. It is never cheap to get to South America at the best times of times, let alone Carnivale, so that is a challenge. Then I find out all the requirements I need to actually get into the country... those visa things and oh yeah, an onward ticket... WTF?? I don´t DO onward tickets. It means I need to put a semi-definite date to returning home for sis´ wedding, which scares me a little.
Then there´s the issue of earning money while I´m there. On what I will have left in the bank, I will last about 1 week (esp in Carnivale) so a job is a must. I already have 1 hostel saying I can work there but they have a 2 month minimum and also don´t feed me so I would still need money to spend. And I don´t particularly like the thought of being trapped in this hostel for 2 months, esp since I imagine I would be digging for another job straight away and want to move to that asap.
Ideally, I need a hostel with a 1 month minimum or even a salary (unlikely) instead of just accommodation but who knows... The search continues. Bless me world, you know I´m good for it.
"During Carnivall we have a lot of diferent parties, usually some song in a big car, everybody singing or dancing. It's cool, but really hot. Bring light - or even lighter clothes. There is a lot of cars, everyday, in a lot of diferent places. It's also a party where you can date anyone. Usually is like a summer passion. What happens in the Carnival, stays in the Carnival. If you can live a passion like that, be gratefull, usually they are very intense, and ends in 7 days, but we can remember things like that for all our lifes. It happens just once or twice in our life, anyway, so don't worry too much.
It's also a party where you can be who you want. Bring a costume - or don't - dress like a poor girl, a princess, guys dressing like prostitutes, a lot of beer, a lot of sun. Yeah, it's a hell, but can be good.
What more can I say about carnival? Sometimes I just want to stay away from Rio, it's a too passional party, sometimes I just want to sleep in the beach, enjoy, go out without know when I will come back.
The best place to stay during carnival is a central place, or near the beaches. Do you want to stay here? I will host a couple, but I might host one people more. It will be a little crowded, but it's carnival. Bring some beers (I will wait for you with at least 100 cans in my freezer) and let's party!"
So there it is. Exactly what I wanted to hear in one message, wrapped up in a neat little package. Since I got that, I have been off the CHAAAAAAIIN trying to organise myself to get there and as excited as I am, even I have to admit I am continuing hitting barriers.
Firstly, there is the issue of price for the flight there. It is never cheap to get to South America at the best times of times, let alone Carnivale, so that is a challenge. Then I find out all the requirements I need to actually get into the country... those visa things and oh yeah, an onward ticket... WTF?? I don´t DO onward tickets. It means I need to put a semi-definite date to returning home for sis´ wedding, which scares me a little.
Then there´s the issue of earning money while I´m there. On what I will have left in the bank, I will last about 1 week (esp in Carnivale) so a job is a must. I already have 1 hostel saying I can work there but they have a 2 month minimum and also don´t feed me so I would still need money to spend. And I don´t particularly like the thought of being trapped in this hostel for 2 months, esp since I imagine I would be digging for another job straight away and want to move to that asap.
Ideally, I need a hostel with a 1 month minimum or even a salary (unlikely) instead of just accommodation but who knows... The search continues. Bless me world, you know I´m good for it.
Monday, 13 December 2010
A glorious day
I had a wonderful day today. I did my normal waking up by 8am to feed then falling back asleep til midday routine, so I was plenty rested and had lots of downtime to think about my plans for next year. Who knows how I will manage to meditate in Prague, my mind is constantly going.
At the midday feed, it started snowing again but beautiful, fat clumps of snowflakes that I am still fascinated by, and I didn´t mind at all being out amongst it all so I decided to pick up all the leftover apples. Then after some internet surfing, I knew it was time. Time to tackle the beast that is my hair. It was dirty, I have a wedding coming up and I could not go with my hair in that state.
I decided to use the bath tub for better mobility and also the shower fills up slightly around my feet and if I was washing my hair, the hairs would be floating around and possibly start to touch me and cling to me. Hideous. So the bath it was. But before the big wash, I slid into the steaming water to just soak myself. As I did so, I looked out the window at the falling snow and white everything, and wondered if I´d ever have such an experience again. After a while it got too hot and I opened the window to let the cold air in. What a feeling...
Then, just as I was snug n warm in my fisherman pants, J came in asking if I wanted to ride to the shop for some chocolate. I fashioned my hair middle eastern style with a towel under my hoodie and was ready to roll. Quite effective really. I´m still wearing it as I type this.
The ride was beautiful, not really cold at all, and the snow had stopped so everything was just that beautiful white silence that only fresh snowfall can bring. I wish I had my camera.
Then when I was tidying up the kitchen, J came over with their cute little 4 year old daughter M because she said she wanted to hang out with me. They had explained I couldn´t understand her but she didn´t care, and just followed me around jabbering in German and throwing my sparkly tutu around the place. So easily amused.
And now I´m about to eat pumpkin soup for dinner. So yes, I would say that today was possibly the nicest day I´ve had here so far.
At the midday feed, it started snowing again but beautiful, fat clumps of snowflakes that I am still fascinated by, and I didn´t mind at all being out amongst it all so I decided to pick up all the leftover apples. Then after some internet surfing, I knew it was time. Time to tackle the beast that is my hair. It was dirty, I have a wedding coming up and I could not go with my hair in that state.
I decided to use the bath tub for better mobility and also the shower fills up slightly around my feet and if I was washing my hair, the hairs would be floating around and possibly start to touch me and cling to me. Hideous. So the bath it was. But before the big wash, I slid into the steaming water to just soak myself. As I did so, I looked out the window at the falling snow and white everything, and wondered if I´d ever have such an experience again. After a while it got too hot and I opened the window to let the cold air in. What a feeling...
Then, just as I was snug n warm in my fisherman pants, J came in asking if I wanted to ride to the shop for some chocolate. I fashioned my hair middle eastern style with a towel under my hoodie and was ready to roll. Quite effective really. I´m still wearing it as I type this.
The ride was beautiful, not really cold at all, and the snow had stopped so everything was just that beautiful white silence that only fresh snowfall can bring. I wish I had my camera.
Then when I was tidying up the kitchen, J came over with their cute little 4 year old daughter M because she said she wanted to hang out with me. They had explained I couldn´t understand her but she didn´t care, and just followed me around jabbering in German and throwing my sparkly tutu around the place. So easily amused.
And now I´m about to eat pumpkin soup for dinner. So yes, I would say that today was possibly the nicest day I´ve had here so far.
Sunday, 12 December 2010
Toasty warm with chicken curry
Thank goodness I was picked up from the random train station I got off at - it´s moments like these I wish I was a little more organised, like maybe have the address or full name of the people I was staying with, you know, just in case I actually didn´t have a lift and was stuck at the station forever and ever. Just a thought.
Anyway, I am now safe n sound in G´s house fully fed up with a nice chicken curry dinner and satisfied I have been for a ride in the forest. But fuck me it was cold. Not as cold as last time though, so I have to be thankful for that. But I wore one less jacket and by the end of the ride, I was rethinking just why I did that. And my flimsy stockings did almost nothing under my jodphurs. This Aussie just cannot dress for winter!!
I am currently entertaining the thought of South America for next year. Yes, yes I know I change my mind every second day but I am really vibing on this South America idea. I am thinking maybe I could hook up some work at a hostel for free accomm and food or whatever, and just work some Sophie deLightful magic in town til I find something to do for actual cash. Hopefully stay there for a few months... Otherwise just bail and go work on a farm somewhere in South America.
Anyway, I am now safe n sound in G´s house fully fed up with a nice chicken curry dinner and satisfied I have been for a ride in the forest. But fuck me it was cold. Not as cold as last time though, so I have to be thankful for that. But I wore one less jacket and by the end of the ride, I was rethinking just why I did that. And my flimsy stockings did almost nothing under my jodphurs. This Aussie just cannot dress for winter!!
I am currently entertaining the thought of South America for next year. Yes, yes I know I change my mind every second day but I am really vibing on this South America idea. I am thinking maybe I could hook up some work at a hostel for free accomm and food or whatever, and just work some Sophie deLightful magic in town til I find something to do for actual cash. Hopefully stay there for a few months... Otherwise just bail and go work on a farm somewhere in South America.
Saturday, 11 December 2010
Apple tea, olives, extra seats = sweet sweet bus ride
That´s it, I´m outta Slovakia and back in Germany! And it seems I was running away from the snow, which was my exact idea really... I got on the bus in Bratislava and it had just been lightly snowing, then as I traveled through Czech it was evident it had been really pouring recently. However, it held off largely until - when I was semi-comatosed from a sleeping pill - the bus had to slow to a virtual crawl and therefore ended up adding another 1.5 hours to the already 14 hour journey. Now in Germany, there´s little evidence of recent downpours and I´m hopeful I can ride some at G´s place.
I am so thankful for sleeping pills. Except when you´re woken by a jab from a policeman at the German border asking for your passport. That is one confusing wake-up call. I must´ve looked like a drugged-out escapee from the forests of Slovakia (I´m sure there are some out there) with my lion hair spurting all directions and unable to fully open my eyes for them to compare my passport photo with my actual face. Perhaps the pill worked so well because I´d lubricated myself up before I got on the bus with 5 beers and pasta with a sauce I created myself that included a Baileys-styles white liquor before I got on the bus. Mm mmmm...
The times I did look out the window it was quite pretty, with little mounds of snow everywhere and white roofs and streets covering the scars of the world. Nothin´ like a good bandaid hey.
I tell you, it is quite a weird experience teaching kids while looking out the window at their playground just covered with snow. I know I have been away long enuf to appreciate the look and experience of snow but somehow I just can´t get over it.
And speaking of kids, me and N did our presentation with them for the parents, teachers and virtually all the students and it went much better than expected. I was super stressed because the boss had arrived from Budapest and I didn´t want him to think he couldn´t leave the week to us and not screw it up. But everyone seemed to enjoy watching it... I guess it helps when we dress up one of the kids as Santa and get him to throw lollies into the crowd.
But regardless of the delay, the bus ride was pretty sweet. From Prague, the numbers started to dwindle - even tramp lady with evil smelling feet got off, thank fuck - and I was able to stretch across the whole row of seats and enjoy several free cups of apple tea and hot chocolate. Yum. Oh, and I popped out at one stop to get a sandwich and found the BEST olives EVER. Oh yeah mama...
Now I have to chill in Hamburg - which I´ve just found out is the sex capital of Germany (lucky chance or not...???) - for a little while before heading back to Lüneburg and then Göhrde, wherever the hell that is. I just hope someone is there to pick me up!
I am so thankful for sleeping pills. Except when you´re woken by a jab from a policeman at the German border asking for your passport. That is one confusing wake-up call. I must´ve looked like a drugged-out escapee from the forests of Slovakia (I´m sure there are some out there) with my lion hair spurting all directions and unable to fully open my eyes for them to compare my passport photo with my actual face. Perhaps the pill worked so well because I´d lubricated myself up before I got on the bus with 5 beers and pasta with a sauce I created myself that included a Baileys-styles white liquor before I got on the bus. Mm mmmm...
The times I did look out the window it was quite pretty, with little mounds of snow everywhere and white roofs and streets covering the scars of the world. Nothin´ like a good bandaid hey.
I tell you, it is quite a weird experience teaching kids while looking out the window at their playground just covered with snow. I know I have been away long enuf to appreciate the look and experience of snow but somehow I just can´t get over it.
And speaking of kids, me and N did our presentation with them for the parents, teachers and virtually all the students and it went much better than expected. I was super stressed because the boss had arrived from Budapest and I didn´t want him to think he couldn´t leave the week to us and not screw it up. But everyone seemed to enjoy watching it... I guess it helps when we dress up one of the kids as Santa and get him to throw lollies into the crowd.
But regardless of the delay, the bus ride was pretty sweet. From Prague, the numbers started to dwindle - even tramp lady with evil smelling feet got off, thank fuck - and I was able to stretch across the whole row of seats and enjoy several free cups of apple tea and hot chocolate. Yum. Oh, and I popped out at one stop to get a sandwich and found the BEST olives EVER. Oh yeah mama...
Now I have to chill in Hamburg - which I´ve just found out is the sex capital of Germany (lucky chance or not...???) - for a little while before heading back to Lüneburg and then Göhrde, wherever the hell that is. I just hope someone is there to pick me up!
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Third week aint so weak
I know I have been slack and I apologise. Well, not exactly slack - WORKING - but still I am deeply sorry you havent been kept abreast of all my activities. Turns out working with kids is more time consuming than I thought.
This week has probably been the easiest, I have felt more comfortable and in control especially since we had to be, given my Boss E was sick and not teaching this week. He came today and no doubt we will be having a few bevos this eve, but basically me and N are rockin this shit.
The kids are generally nice, the younger ones a little more - well, a lot more - energetic so we just basically play bloody games with them. The slightly older and more experienced English speakers, in my class, are a little harder to entertain although still do make the effort which I appreciate.
On Monday, the teachers asked if they could pop their heads in and see us in action so of course they decided to do so just after the most... special... of the students fell over and got a big bump on her head. Shiezer. But it was all ok... kinda.
Me and N have spent the week jamming on his guitar, practising a song for the kids at the end of the week, and organising the presentation etc. I must say I am even impressed with our organisation. I know big boss man is!
Anyway, time to jet, final evening festivities to get to!!!
This week has probably been the easiest, I have felt more comfortable and in control especially since we had to be, given my Boss E was sick and not teaching this week. He came today and no doubt we will be having a few bevos this eve, but basically me and N are rockin this shit.
The kids are generally nice, the younger ones a little more - well, a lot more - energetic so we just basically play bloody games with them. The slightly older and more experienced English speakers, in my class, are a little harder to entertain although still do make the effort which I appreciate.
On Monday, the teachers asked if they could pop their heads in and see us in action so of course they decided to do so just after the most... special... of the students fell over and got a big bump on her head. Shiezer. But it was all ok... kinda.
Me and N have spent the week jamming on his guitar, practising a song for the kids at the end of the week, and organising the presentation etc. I must say I am even impressed with our organisation. I know big boss man is!
Anyway, time to jet, final evening festivities to get to!!!
Monday, 6 December 2010
Overcrowded train?? LET'S GET BOOZED!!
On the way to the train station, we spun out trying to avoid a little black bird. I love snow. Did I tell you that already??
Once at the station, I faced an 11-hour train ride to Bratislava. I armed myself with a book (about silence, no less, WTF??), a sense of calm (ha!) and an urgent need to sleep. I managed the first half of the ride relatively unscathed. Kept having to change seats because I didn't reserve one so all the rich ass mo fos had to sit in their places. Workin for the man. haha... I shouldn't blog when I'm drunk. Or stoned for that matter.
Anyway.
Last few hours of the journey I got up to give MY seat over to aforementioned rich jerk and was met with a flurry of Prague alightees (made that one up) heading to mostly Bratislava I would imagine. Well. Someone had sent the memo out and it was official - eastern Europe was snowed in and no mother fucker was gonna take the bus. If in fact it was running at all.
So the train was packed. What to do?? Well, you find some people your age, sit down on the floor and make friends. You then, after many minutes of speculating whether they actually deserved it, break out the chocolate. Then, completely unprovoked, the girl also takes out her far superior chocolate and offers to all. We joke that all we need is wine at this time and boy turns to his bag and breaks out a bottle of white. Things are looking up.
We spend many minutes trying to open this bottle. It's hard man. Finally, with a toothpaste, we crack through and it is the beginning of the end. Four bottles later, the train grinds to a stop and we're at Bratislava. At Bratislava, we convince girl to stay for a drink before going to meet her friend. She's already drunk. It is sweet rubber arm action.
We walk into the pub and my English boss, E's girlfriend I says "oh hi, so you made it!!" Turns out she had messaged me to meet at that very pub and we happened to walk into it, me armed with several drunk randoms including one Slovakian TV presenter asking me for English lessons (hahahahahaha - I can hardly teach myself) and ready to party. Last time they spoke to me I was all tired n shit n not looking forward to the train ride. But turns out it was A-OK!
Once at the station, I faced an 11-hour train ride to Bratislava. I armed myself with a book (about silence, no less, WTF??), a sense of calm (ha!) and an urgent need to sleep. I managed the first half of the ride relatively unscathed. Kept having to change seats because I didn't reserve one so all the rich ass mo fos had to sit in their places. Workin for the man. haha... I shouldn't blog when I'm drunk. Or stoned for that matter.
Anyway.
Last few hours of the journey I got up to give MY seat over to aforementioned rich jerk and was met with a flurry of Prague alightees (made that one up) heading to mostly Bratislava I would imagine. Well. Someone had sent the memo out and it was official - eastern Europe was snowed in and no mother fucker was gonna take the bus. If in fact it was running at all.
So the train was packed. What to do?? Well, you find some people your age, sit down on the floor and make friends. You then, after many minutes of speculating whether they actually deserved it, break out the chocolate. Then, completely unprovoked, the girl also takes out her far superior chocolate and offers to all. We joke that all we need is wine at this time and boy turns to his bag and breaks out a bottle of white. Things are looking up.
We spend many minutes trying to open this bottle. It's hard man. Finally, with a toothpaste, we crack through and it is the beginning of the end. Four bottles later, the train grinds to a stop and we're at Bratislava. At Bratislava, we convince girl to stay for a drink before going to meet her friend. She's already drunk. It is sweet rubber arm action.
We walk into the pub and my English boss, E's girlfriend I says "oh hi, so you made it!!" Turns out she had messaged me to meet at that very pub and we happened to walk into it, me armed with several drunk randoms including one Slovakian TV presenter asking me for English lessons (hahahahahaha - I can hardly teach myself) and ready to party. Last time they spoke to me I was all tired n shit n not looking forward to the train ride. But turns out it was A-OK!
Saturday, 4 December 2010
16 and getting more than me!
I am officially jealous of a 16 year old. Sorry, 16 and a half. For the second night in a row, I have had to put headphones on to drown out the sound of her having sex with a hot German 26 year old (yep, that´d be MY age) and I am practically SCALING THE WALLS. What happened in my life to get me to this point?? Urgh. Her mum is downstairs making dinner - surely she can hear too... It´s not like she´s making much effort to muffle her screams.
Rant over. Moving on. It was a gloriously sunny day today and it made the snow glisten and sparkle... was just gorgeous. The weather has become a bit better too, was about -2 today I think. Positively balmy.
I leave tomorrow morning on a train direct to Bratislava, stoked I don´t have change trains at all. I really want to meet a hot stranger in the carriage and have some danger sex behind a seat or something. This 16 year old situation is getting out of hand. Something has to be done.
Rant over. Moving on. It was a gloriously sunny day today and it made the snow glisten and sparkle... was just gorgeous. The weather has become a bit better too, was about -2 today I think. Positively balmy.
I leave tomorrow morning on a train direct to Bratislava, stoked I don´t have change trains at all. I really want to meet a hot stranger in the carriage and have some danger sex behind a seat or something. This 16 year old situation is getting out of hand. Something has to be done.
Friday, 3 December 2010
Lazy days
For some reason I am really tired today. I woke up to feed the horses by 8am and afterwards fell asleep again until G woke me up at midday to feed again. I feel like all I´ve done today is sleep and feed horses. But luckily it´s not too cold and I can work outside for a reasonable amount of time before my limbs start seizing up.
I worked L´s horse Cowry today, it was pleasantly surprising that he was quite well trained and in the same manner I trained my beautiful girl Issi. But not perfect so at least there´s something to work on there. I wanted to ride today but it was one of those lazy days... evidently. Me and L watched some Sex & the City (in English, thank god, these German dubbings really throw me) and I finally pulled myself outside to work Cowry just before feeding time.
I´m madly working on my lesson plan for next week. It will be third week of teaching and I´m determined to be more organised this time. Although I have successfully flown by seat of said pants these past times, I don´t want to have the stressed feeling at the end of each school day, anxious about what the next day will bring. I was, as I guessed, asked to do another week straight after next but I declined. It would stuf around the people I´m staying with too much and I need a break - two weeks in a row is just too much for a fledgling teach like moi. I don't know how my mum has done it for umpteen years!
I had a few pangs of loneliness today as I looked on Facebook at what my mates in Oz and London were getting up to... this gypsy life can be so isolated sometimes but I just gotta remember how amazing it all is. And I won´t be away from home forever. I guess I´m also a bit scared to go home because I know it will be another stretch of no luck in love. Australia is not my love BFF, that´s fo sho. But no, I gotta stay positive - no expectations, no letdowns. At least I have my gorgeous friends waiting there for me.
I worked L´s horse Cowry today, it was pleasantly surprising that he was quite well trained and in the same manner I trained my beautiful girl Issi. But not perfect so at least there´s something to work on there. I wanted to ride today but it was one of those lazy days... evidently. Me and L watched some Sex & the City (in English, thank god, these German dubbings really throw me) and I finally pulled myself outside to work Cowry just before feeding time.
I´m madly working on my lesson plan for next week. It will be third week of teaching and I´m determined to be more organised this time. Although I have successfully flown by seat of said pants these past times, I don´t want to have the stressed feeling at the end of each school day, anxious about what the next day will bring. I was, as I guessed, asked to do another week straight after next but I declined. It would stuf around the people I´m staying with too much and I need a break - two weeks in a row is just too much for a fledgling teach like moi. I don't know how my mum has done it for umpteen years!
I had a few pangs of loneliness today as I looked on Facebook at what my mates in Oz and London were getting up to... this gypsy life can be so isolated sometimes but I just gotta remember how amazing it all is. And I won´t be away from home forever. I guess I´m also a bit scared to go home because I know it will be another stretch of no luck in love. Australia is not my love BFF, that´s fo sho. But no, I gotta stay positive - no expectations, no letdowns. At least I have my gorgeous friends waiting there for me.
First snow ride!!
So I had my first horseriding experience in the pouring snow yesterday and it was something else. One one hand, it was surreal because the snow had turned the place into a virtual ghost town, everything was white and I was rding bareback with just a sheepskin blanket to prevent the icicles on the horse´s fur from freezing my ass off.
On the other hand... the sensation of the ice-cold snow cutting into my face meant that at one point I could barely move my mouth to talk to G´s daughter L, I had stupidly forgotten to wear another layer under my jodphurs so my legs were also now frozen and my horse June couldn´t keep up with the Icelandic ponies´ brisk walk so we were constantly jogging - not a good idea given the fluffy sweet-as-pie snow actually masked a layer of slippery ice underneath. So we fell. Numerous times. Once to the knees. I stayed on but every fall made the young one even more nervous so that was a great feeling. Imagine the horse bolting into pure whiteness, no idea what´s underneath... eek.
Anyway, I am glad I did but I am not rushing out to do it every day - at least next time I will wear more clothes on the bottom half. I already look like a sumo wrestler up top. But fuck it, I´d rather have a fat suit on than freeze my tits off. Those things are valuable ;)
On the other hand... the sensation of the ice-cold snow cutting into my face meant that at one point I could barely move my mouth to talk to G´s daughter L, I had stupidly forgotten to wear another layer under my jodphurs so my legs were also now frozen and my horse June couldn´t keep up with the Icelandic ponies´ brisk walk so we were constantly jogging - not a good idea given the fluffy sweet-as-pie snow actually masked a layer of slippery ice underneath. So we fell. Numerous times. Once to the knees. I stayed on but every fall made the young one even more nervous so that was a great feeling. Imagine the horse bolting into pure whiteness, no idea what´s underneath... eek.
Anyway, I am glad I did but I am not rushing out to do it every day - at least next time I will wear more clothes on the bottom half. I already look like a sumo wrestler up top. But fuck it, I´d rather have a fat suit on than freeze my tits off. Those things are valuable ;)
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Thrifty buys and burning surprise
I saw a care on fire last night. I don't know how or why it happened but when we drove past in Dannenburg, the bonnet was ablaze. As horrible as I'm sure it was for the owner, who luckily was not inside at the time, all I wanted to do was stop the car and get out to warm my frozen body.
Anyway in that same trip to the shops, I went thrift shopping and got another jersey for 1.50 euros (super sweet!) and some shoes that don't actually let wetness in. This is a new experience for this little gypsy, whose shoe collection currently comprises one pair of cowboy boots with a split across the entire sole, almost completely broken slip-ons from H&M, my beloved heeled brogues, flip flops, mesh-material sneakers and house slippers. An entirely inappropriate ensemble for the depths of German winter.
I've finally gotten the dates from T re wedding and Prague so can now do some more planning. It seems I do have time to come back here for Christmas so will try to do so as I think it will be a lovely experience. I've really come to like everyone here, they don't expect much from me so it makes me want to do more, and G is such a kind and welcoming spirit, just the type of person I hope to be when I am her age (51 I think).
I hope to go riding this afternoon in the snow, a first for me (except for Iceland, although it was more raining with snow on the ground), but if J is feeling better she will take June and I won't have anyone to ride. I'm sure there will be another time to ride so I'm not fussed. The house is so terribly warm :)
Finally booked a reasonably priced train to Bratislava, from the station just half an hour away from here amazingly enuf. And no changes on the train - hello sleeping pill town! Planning to get back here and then to Munich and back again for Christmas is another thing entirely, however...
Anyway in that same trip to the shops, I went thrift shopping and got another jersey for 1.50 euros (super sweet!) and some shoes that don't actually let wetness in. This is a new experience for this little gypsy, whose shoe collection currently comprises one pair of cowboy boots with a split across the entire sole, almost completely broken slip-ons from H&M, my beloved heeled brogues, flip flops, mesh-material sneakers and house slippers. An entirely inappropriate ensemble for the depths of German winter.
I've finally gotten the dates from T re wedding and Prague so can now do some more planning. It seems I do have time to come back here for Christmas so will try to do so as I think it will be a lovely experience. I've really come to like everyone here, they don't expect much from me so it makes me want to do more, and G is such a kind and welcoming spirit, just the type of person I hope to be when I am her age (51 I think).
I hope to go riding this afternoon in the snow, a first for me (except for Iceland, although it was more raining with snow on the ground), but if J is feeling better she will take June and I won't have anyone to ride. I'm sure there will be another time to ride so I'm not fussed. The house is so terribly warm :)
Finally booked a reasonably priced train to Bratislava, from the station just half an hour away from here amazingly enuf. And no changes on the train - hello sleeping pill town! Planning to get back here and then to Munich and back again for Christmas is another thing entirely, however...
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
-10 and counting...
Today is officially the coldest day I have ever experienced in my life. I had to wake up by 8am to feed the horses and by golly gosh, I have never felt so cold. The poor horses' water was frozen, they have icicles hanging off their whiskers and even their shit was frozen into the ground when I tried to clean it up. But, on the plus side, I did get to see a real snowflake close up when they landed on the horses... I'm talking a real fairytale lookin' crystalised snowflake. Breathtaking.
Apparently it's down to -10 in the daytime here, pleasant enuf if you're an eskimo, and they promise more snow to come in the next couple of days. After that, apparently, it's going to "warm up". Hmph. We'll see what that means.
I am still trawling the internet for the best way to get to Bratislava - it ain't easy! The train fares are not that cheap and the longer I wait the worse it's going to get. AND this morning I woke to a confusing msg from my English teaching boss asking me if I wanted to stay longer. Stay longer where? I asked. Urgh, it's hard enuf organising all this without more complications. Just wish I didn't need the money so bad.
G invited me to Christmas here at her house, which is SO lovely and I would so much like to but I just think with the timing of T's wedding just before Christmas I will be resigned to spending it with strangers either in a hostel in Prague or still in Munich. Or, if I'm lucky, a nice new Couchsurfing friend. Sigh.
Apparently it's down to -10 in the daytime here, pleasant enuf if you're an eskimo, and they promise more snow to come in the next couple of days. After that, apparently, it's going to "warm up". Hmph. We'll see what that means.
I am still trawling the internet for the best way to get to Bratislava - it ain't easy! The train fares are not that cheap and the longer I wait the worse it's going to get. AND this morning I woke to a confusing msg from my English teaching boss asking me if I wanted to stay longer. Stay longer where? I asked. Urgh, it's hard enuf organising all this without more complications. Just wish I didn't need the money so bad.
G invited me to Christmas here at her house, which is SO lovely and I would so much like to but I just think with the timing of T's wedding just before Christmas I will be resigned to spending it with strangers either in a hostel in Prague or still in Munich. Or, if I'm lucky, a nice new Couchsurfing friend. Sigh.
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
F-f-f-freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezing
Two days in and I am relaxed. Sober but relaxed. I have a feeling this will be another unintentional detox stint but I guess it's all for the greater good. Today I rode shortly on G's beloved horse and got good feedback, so I'll be able to ride her again whenever I want. Maybe do some training as well. Speaking of, in the afternoon I worked with J to work her 2 horses in the little indoor arena they have.
It's still friggin freezing here. I have to put on my warmest jacket, thick gardening gloves, a scarf, my thick head scarf, thick socks and boots before venturing outside. It was sprinkling with snow earlier today and while that was actually quite pretty, it's still so DAMN COLD. I forgot that some parts of the world get this cold. Why aren't I helping in Tenerife or something??? At least I'm not in Munich, where news reports say there has just been a big dumping of snow. Just missed that one - phew!
The horses' water is always almost completely frozen and I have to pick up the shit before it too freezes into the ground. We can't use the outside taps cos that water is all frozen too. Sometimes I am scared to go outside. But then I grow a pair, put another pair on and brave it. Mostly it's not so bad because once I start moving around, I can feel my extremities again and all is well.
I am trying desperately to find a way to get to Bratislava cheaply... at the moment it is not so easy but I am sure I'll work something out. I hope...
It's still friggin freezing here. I have to put on my warmest jacket, thick gardening gloves, a scarf, my thick head scarf, thick socks and boots before venturing outside. It was sprinkling with snow earlier today and while that was actually quite pretty, it's still so DAMN COLD. I forgot that some parts of the world get this cold. Why aren't I helping in Tenerife or something??? At least I'm not in Munich, where news reports say there has just been a big dumping of snow. Just missed that one - phew!
The horses' water is always almost completely frozen and I have to pick up the shit before it too freezes into the ground. We can't use the outside taps cos that water is all frozen too. Sometimes I am scared to go outside. But then I grow a pair, put another pair on and brave it. Mostly it's not so bad because once I start moving around, I can feel my extremities again and all is well.
I am trying desperately to find a way to get to Bratislava cheaply... at the moment it is not so easy but I am sure I'll work something out. I hope...
German folk songs and spiritual ceremonies
Being allowed a sleep-in on my first day at the new property, I felt a little more rested and ready to prove I was worth the effort it took me to get there! Also feeling a little like I have let them down going to Bratislava after just one week but I need the cash...
I learnt the ropes for how to feed the horses etc, met the lady I will be staying with next door (actually the landlady to the original couple I met) and moved my things over. After a pretty chilled out day catching up on my internet things, J suggested we could ride over to her daughter's kindergarten for a special ceremony they have around Christmas time. So we hopped onto an Icelandic pony each and rode bareback (she doesn't own saddles) to the school.
The ceremony was really sweet, some kind of ritual where they place a spiral shaped wreath-type object in the middle that eventually leads to a candle on a stand. Each little Arian child takes their own unlit candle stuck in an apple and walks through the spiral maze until they get to the candle, they light their own candle and proceed back through the spiral until they find their spot on the wreath to put their candle. When they do this, they get a big gold star from the wreath which was laying where they put the candle. J tells me this is symbolic for going into yourself, then coming out of yourself. All the while the parents and other kids sit on chairs around the outside of the wreath and sing German folk songs, which I tried to sing too but reading German isn´t something I´m too skilled at just yet.
When we rode back in the freezing cold darkness, I was a little nervous because I didn´t know the horse or the road but I survived. At home, I met G´s daughter who also lives where I am staying. They are all lovely and can speak English, but I feel so ignorant not knowing any other languages. These people can all speak several! Oh well, I´ll just keep plugging along...
I learnt the ropes for how to feed the horses etc, met the lady I will be staying with next door (actually the landlady to the original couple I met) and moved my things over. After a pretty chilled out day catching up on my internet things, J suggested we could ride over to her daughter's kindergarten for a special ceremony they have around Christmas time. So we hopped onto an Icelandic pony each and rode bareback (she doesn't own saddles) to the school.
The ceremony was really sweet, some kind of ritual where they place a spiral shaped wreath-type object in the middle that eventually leads to a candle on a stand. Each little Arian child takes their own unlit candle stuck in an apple and walks through the spiral maze until they get to the candle, they light their own candle and proceed back through the spiral until they find their spot on the wreath to put their candle. When they do this, they get a big gold star from the wreath which was laying where they put the candle. J tells me this is symbolic for going into yourself, then coming out of yourself. All the while the parents and other kids sit on chairs around the outside of the wreath and sing German folk songs, which I tried to sing too but reading German isn´t something I´m too skilled at just yet.
When we rode back in the freezing cold darkness, I was a little nervous because I didn´t know the horse or the road but I survived. At home, I met G´s daughter who also lives where I am staying. They are all lovely and can speak English, but I feel so ignorant not knowing any other languages. These people can all speak several! Oh well, I´ll just keep plugging along...
Driving or low-level flying???
When I woke up on Sunday in Munich, I felt I had had the strangest dream that someone had climbed into my bed uninvited and started trying to hook up with me. The fact I was in a different bunk kinda made me wonder if it was in fact a dream. Then, when all but one of the boys left to get breakfast and I tried not to get up at all, one comment from the remaining boy confirmed it was not in fact a dream. Dammit.
Doing my best to forget it happened at all and not give said boy any impression that it was to be repeated in any way, shape or form - as well as reminding him he actually had a gf - I turned over in my bed and tried to mentally ready myself for checkout. That done (and me having gotten away with not paying anything!!), we went downstairs and threw our bags into the luggage room before heading to a beer hall for a hair of the dog. Took me a little longer to invite any hairs or dogs back in my world but I managed. What a trooper.
At 3pm, I had to meet the lady who my new German host family had arranged to take me to Hamburg in her car. At 3:30pm I was starting to worry - I couldn´t get through to this lady and she apparently already left by the time my host had gotten through to her. Luckily she turned around and picked me up. Hey, it was easy money for her, she had 2 others in the car already!!
I dozed on and off during the 6 hour trip as she cruised at a pleasant 220km/hour down the autobahn. Yes, I admit it, I was shitting myself at first, having never been that fast in a car in my life (even with my dad driving race cars) but eventually fatigue took over any nervous emotion my body cared to throw at me. At least we got there in good time.
I got my ticket to Luneberg at Hamburg train station and managed to jump on the wrong train, so had to break the news to my new hosts that I wouldn´t be at Luneberg til 11:30pm. Oops. Finally got to the house about 12:30am and just collapsed.
Doing my best to forget it happened at all and not give said boy any impression that it was to be repeated in any way, shape or form - as well as reminding him he actually had a gf - I turned over in my bed and tried to mentally ready myself for checkout. That done (and me having gotten away with not paying anything!!), we went downstairs and threw our bags into the luggage room before heading to a beer hall for a hair of the dog. Took me a little longer to invite any hairs or dogs back in my world but I managed. What a trooper.
At 3pm, I had to meet the lady who my new German host family had arranged to take me to Hamburg in her car. At 3:30pm I was starting to worry - I couldn´t get through to this lady and she apparently already left by the time my host had gotten through to her. Luckily she turned around and picked me up. Hey, it was easy money for her, she had 2 others in the car already!!
I dozed on and off during the 6 hour trip as she cruised at a pleasant 220km/hour down the autobahn. Yes, I admit it, I was shitting myself at first, having never been that fast in a car in my life (even with my dad driving race cars) but eventually fatigue took over any nervous emotion my body cared to throw at me. At least we got there in good time.
I got my ticket to Luneberg at Hamburg train station and managed to jump on the wrong train, so had to break the news to my new hosts that I wouldn´t be at Luneberg til 11:30pm. Oops. Finally got to the house about 12:30am and just collapsed.
Monday, 29 November 2010
Pub crawls and almost-brawls
I arrived in Munich at 5am on Saturday, half an hour before scheduled, and even more worried that this would mean no public transport had started yet. But if there´s one thing I can safely say about the Germans is that they are efficient. And by 5am the trains were indeed running, in fact I don´t know if they ever even stopped!
I made friends with a couple from Tasmania who were traveling through, and we jumped on the train to the city. After some initial wrong turns and some helpful directions from a hot German lady bored at her desk, I finally made it to the hostel I´d booked one of those drunken nights in Bratislava, thinking I´d at least be able to shower n shit before having to check out again.
I had a couple of hours sleep max, woke n showered etc, and wandered to the super expensive internet cafe to get in touch with my mate T who´d come over from Souf London with 3 mates for a city break. After some hiccups in meeting, we finally found each other and pretty much headed to one of the many beer halls for some steins.
His mates happened upon us at one of these pubs and we continued to drink. I was already spacing out in the toilets before we even had dinner so I paced myself and made sure I was OK before heading downstairs at the hostel for the beer crawl. I, at this stage, had had a spare bed put into the boys´ hostel room so I was shacking up with them for the night.
Downstairs, we were told the bar crawl would not be happening because the guide wasn´t coming so I decided I would be the guide. I gathered a bunch of people drinking at the bar - some from England, Scotland, America etc - and we set off to another beer hall. A minor hiccup on the way, however, when one American dickhead said "pub crawls are so lame" or something. And when one of my mates rightly observed it was much more enjoyable than standing outside in his shorts and flip flops smoking a cigarette. To which the American arked up and tried to start a fight.
I, fearing my much-organised efforts for a pub crawl would be wasted if a fight broke out before it even started, got immediately in the face of this wanker and managed to get struck by one of his flailing arms. Crying hurt, I managed to get everyone on my side and rightly label this loser an absolute waste of space, and somehow dragged everyone off to enjoy themselves elsewhere. Phew.
A few more beers, a cab ride, a visit to the Hard Rock Cafe bar and we were back on our way to the hostel bar which by this stage was rammed. I was flitting about here n there, in fine form if I do say so myself, and by night´s end had many of the guys eating out of the palm of my hand. Just when I was starting worry my bruised ego would never repair itself... I love Germany :)
I made friends with a couple from Tasmania who were traveling through, and we jumped on the train to the city. After some initial wrong turns and some helpful directions from a hot German lady bored at her desk, I finally made it to the hostel I´d booked one of those drunken nights in Bratislava, thinking I´d at least be able to shower n shit before having to check out again.
I had a couple of hours sleep max, woke n showered etc, and wandered to the super expensive internet cafe to get in touch with my mate T who´d come over from Souf London with 3 mates for a city break. After some hiccups in meeting, we finally found each other and pretty much headed to one of the many beer halls for some steins.
His mates happened upon us at one of these pubs and we continued to drink. I was already spacing out in the toilets before we even had dinner so I paced myself and made sure I was OK before heading downstairs at the hostel for the beer crawl. I, at this stage, had had a spare bed put into the boys´ hostel room so I was shacking up with them for the night.
Downstairs, we were told the bar crawl would not be happening because the guide wasn´t coming so I decided I would be the guide. I gathered a bunch of people drinking at the bar - some from England, Scotland, America etc - and we set off to another beer hall. A minor hiccup on the way, however, when one American dickhead said "pub crawls are so lame" or something. And when one of my mates rightly observed it was much more enjoyable than standing outside in his shorts and flip flops smoking a cigarette. To which the American arked up and tried to start a fight.
I, fearing my much-organised efforts for a pub crawl would be wasted if a fight broke out before it even started, got immediately in the face of this wanker and managed to get struck by one of his flailing arms. Crying hurt, I managed to get everyone on my side and rightly label this loser an absolute waste of space, and somehow dragged everyone off to enjoy themselves elsewhere. Phew.
A few more beers, a cab ride, a visit to the Hard Rock Cafe bar and we were back on our way to the hostel bar which by this stage was rammed. I was flitting about here n there, in fine form if I do say so myself, and by night´s end had many of the guys eating out of the palm of my hand. Just when I was starting worry my bruised ego would never repair itself... I love Germany :)
Cute little Kookaburras
Friday arrived along with my fuzzy head and after just one close call in the classroom, I managed to refrain from vomiting the entire day. Word to the wise: do not try to write on the chalkboard when hungover. For something I never realised had a smell, that shit STINKS to high heaven when you´re battling a funny stomach.
We had our presentations to the parents, teachers and some other classes - my kids sang ´Kookaburra sits in an old gum tree´ and told the audience what they learnt in English class - and we gave out the certificates for the English week. My kids did really well, I was well proud and E said he thought my presentation was the best of the 3 classes. Chuffed with that! I was even asked by one of my students if I did private tuition :) And the kid was 9 years old OK, so don´t get any ideas...
After school, we went back to the apartment and the others packed quickly for their train while I chilled out a few hours before going to the bus stop for my ride to Munich. After all, I had to have time to finish cleaning the damn oven!
My bus left at 7:15pm and took 10 hours to get to Munich, via Budapest and Prague. Every time we stopped I had no idea which country I was in or what weather it would be. Well, it´s a given it will be cold, but at some points it was snowing and that just threw me. Imagine not even knowing where in the world you are... very strange situation.
We had our presentations to the parents, teachers and some other classes - my kids sang ´Kookaburra sits in an old gum tree´ and told the audience what they learnt in English class - and we gave out the certificates for the English week. My kids did really well, I was well proud and E said he thought my presentation was the best of the 3 classes. Chuffed with that! I was even asked by one of my students if I did private tuition :) And the kid was 9 years old OK, so don´t get any ideas...
After school, we went back to the apartment and the others packed quickly for their train while I chilled out a few hours before going to the bus stop for my ride to Munich. After all, I had to have time to finish cleaning the damn oven!
My bus left at 7:15pm and took 10 hours to get to Munich, via Budapest and Prague. Every time we stopped I had no idea which country I was in or what weather it would be. Well, it´s a given it will be cold, but at some points it was snowing and that just threw me. Imagine not even knowing where in the world you are... very strange situation.
Giving thanks for turkeys and fireworks
So because 2 of us teachers are from the States, come Thursday we had to celebrate a little tradition they like to call Thanksgiving. We ordered a massive turkey - and I mean massive - which didn´t come til after 6pm. And this thing would not be cooked for at least 5 1/2 hours... so what else to do but drink the time away???
Well, I did actually find something else to do. I had organised with some of my students from a previous teaching week to go to town and do some sightseeing, so I met 4 of them while the others went back to the apartment to rest and prepare dinner. The weather was nice n sunny, although still cooooooooooooold, and I got to see the city from the castle hill, the Presidential Palace and some other cool statues.
Luckily, earlier in the day me and the other teachers had found a fireworks store and picked up some supplies before heading home so we had plenty to amuse ourselves with back at the apartment. I bet the neighbours were pleased.
At about midnight, we got sick of waiting and brought the turkey out to eat what was cooked. After devouring some tasty meat, me and teacher with gf were left to our own devices and of course within 5 minutes had let off a firework INSIDE the apartment and had an oil spill from the oven to the kitchen floor. T cleaned the burn marks off the walls and floor, and I was on my knees dealing with the oil. Fun times.
Before I knew it, it was 2:30am and I remembered that I had school the next day. But, thank god, only one more day of it.
Well, I did actually find something else to do. I had organised with some of my students from a previous teaching week to go to town and do some sightseeing, so I met 4 of them while the others went back to the apartment to rest and prepare dinner. The weather was nice n sunny, although still cooooooooooooold, and I got to see the city from the castle hill, the Presidential Palace and some other cool statues.
Luckily, earlier in the day me and the other teachers had found a fireworks store and picked up some supplies before heading home so we had plenty to amuse ourselves with back at the apartment. I bet the neighbours were pleased.
At about midnight, we got sick of waiting and brought the turkey out to eat what was cooked. After devouring some tasty meat, me and teacher with gf were left to our own devices and of course within 5 minutes had let off a firework INSIDE the apartment and had an oil spill from the oven to the kitchen floor. T cleaned the burn marks off the walls and floor, and I was on my knees dealing with the oil. Fun times.
Before I knew it, it was 2:30am and I remembered that I had school the next day. But, thank god, only one more day of it.
Drunken bowling shenanigans
If you knew how drunk we got last Wednesday night and the ensuing teaching week plus hectic weekend in Germany, you would understand why I have not blogged since last Tuesday. Let`s start from the beginning...
Today was pizza day. And my first time at making it with my students. It was probably the most stressful thing I´ve done yet in my short teaching career. I swear I went a little grey before the end of the three periods it took to finally make the damn things. So I was super glad when it was happy fun times at the bowling place that night.
A student and teacher from a previous school came with us (the boss, the other teacher and the boss´ girlfriend) and we firstly played some pool before heading to the bowling lanes. I, as usual, did not wow with my ´skills´ and enjoyed instead getting myself into an increasingly flirty situation with aforementioned teacher. Who also has a gf. Hey, it was allllllllllllllllllll innocent fun.
We had been drinking since school finished at lunch time so by the time we got home it was pretty messy. I finally had my clothes washed by the people who own the apartment we stay in but their version of ´washing´ is just to put the clothes in, turn the machine on and tell us when it had finished. Ha! Fold say what??
Anyway, waking up the next day was a little harder and of course that was the day the kids decided to be total brats. I was over it. Hump day came a bit late for me.
Today was pizza day. And my first time at making it with my students. It was probably the most stressful thing I´ve done yet in my short teaching career. I swear I went a little grey before the end of the three periods it took to finally make the damn things. So I was super glad when it was happy fun times at the bowling place that night.
A student and teacher from a previous school came with us (the boss, the other teacher and the boss´ girlfriend) and we firstly played some pool before heading to the bowling lanes. I, as usual, did not wow with my ´skills´ and enjoyed instead getting myself into an increasingly flirty situation with aforementioned teacher. Who also has a gf. Hey, it was allllllllllllllllllll innocent fun.
We had been drinking since school finished at lunch time so by the time we got home it was pretty messy. I finally had my clothes washed by the people who own the apartment we stay in but their version of ´washing´ is just to put the clothes in, turn the machine on and tell us when it had finished. Ha! Fold say what??
Anyway, waking up the next day was a little harder and of course that was the day the kids decided to be total brats. I was over it. Hump day came a bit late for me.
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Rihanna kissed a girl, Miley went buck wild
A quick blog about some of the MTV videos I'm watching. Seriously, what is going on with the world today - I take 6 months out from the music industry and I am lost! Firstly, Rihanna has a video about a girl falling in love with her, then Miley Cyrus is rockin' out with - might I add slightly amazing costumes I would kill to wear in a burlesque routine, like feathered ring rings, AMAZING!!! - much more 'come here and fuck me' attitude than a girl at her age really should have. Come to think of it, she really isn't a girl anymore so maybe I'm the one whose behind the times. But, would somebody please think about the children???! Simpsons quote there, not sure if you got it.
So now I also have to deal with lesbo Rihanna, slutty Miley and Slovak pop. Imagine my excitement. At least I got to laugh at the some of the 'Nitro Circus' shenanigans the Jackass crew get up to.
Oh, and on a final note about MTV film clips... really, really there are too many middle of the road pop songs with good looking girls with no real sense of individuality or spark, just styling and production. I really don't like to pass judgement where it's not necessary, and believe me sometimes it's necessary, but fuck me dead.
Anyway, rant over. I'm out. Where's my beer??
So now I also have to deal with lesbo Rihanna, slutty Miley and Slovak pop. Imagine my excitement. At least I got to laugh at the some of the 'Nitro Circus' shenanigans the Jackass crew get up to.
Oh, and on a final note about MTV film clips... really, really there are too many middle of the road pop songs with good looking girls with no real sense of individuality or spark, just styling and production. I really don't like to pass judgement where it's not necessary, and believe me sometimes it's necessary, but fuck me dead.
Anyway, rant over. I'm out. Where's my beer??
Reality MTV wins over reality
There is something telling about having just 2 channels available to you in English on TV. In my such circumstance, I have CNN and MTV and you would not believe the dignity I sacrifice to prevent having to watch anything remotely meaningful and important. I'll watch fucking Jersey Shore over Ireland going bankrupt. I'm sorry guys but even bad LA boob jobs and ugly guys that think they're all that win over hardhitting news. You seriously want me to think??
I have enuf on my plate having to deal with 3 different classes of kids trying to learn English or get away with not learning it. Today, while I got more hugs and of course more wonderment at my hair, I managed to skive off a couple of lessons in the computer room (everyone do an Australia Quiz yayyyyy!!!) and do some games to make the time go a little quicker. Think I'm doing all right so far.
Things on the recent heartbreaking situation have quietened down for me, as I come to realise that it's probably the best way to have things. This way I still get an awesome, good friend I know I can have good times with and I also am not building up expectations of anything that might not happen, which as a girl I have a tendency to do. This way I am free to enjoy the rest of my time overseas and also have nothing to rush back for, except the little matter of my sister's wedding. Ahem.
I have enuf on my plate having to deal with 3 different classes of kids trying to learn English or get away with not learning it. Today, while I got more hugs and of course more wonderment at my hair, I managed to skive off a couple of lessons in the computer room (everyone do an Australia Quiz yayyyyy!!!) and do some games to make the time go a little quicker. Think I'm doing all right so far.
Things on the recent heartbreaking situation have quietened down for me, as I come to realise that it's probably the best way to have things. This way I still get an awesome, good friend I know I can have good times with and I also am not building up expectations of anything that might not happen, which as a girl I have a tendency to do. This way I am free to enjoy the rest of my time overseas and also have nothing to rush back for, except the little matter of my sister's wedding. Ahem.
Sunday, 21 November 2010
The truth... SUCKS
I am hopeless in relationships. In my life, I have never had a monogomous relationship and indeed found it incredibly hard to sustain even an open relationship. More often than not, I shun the whole experience when I realise I'd rather end it all and remain friends than lose this person forever.
I have several different types. For either sex. But when it comes to guys, my ultimate prime time is the skinny-legged skater boy with a badass sense of humour and a chilled but adventurous spirit. These guys never like me. Well, one New Yorker did that time a few years back while on a business trip, but that never amounted to anything.
Before I left London, I met a guy who strangely enuf matched this criteria and even more strangely seemed to reciprocate my feelings. In an utterly unbelievable circumstance. I was stunned, still am stunned, that I ever felt this reaction from a guy like this but I rolled with it.
Fast forward several months, and several trashy nights out (that's the only night there is with us) and I have several positive hook-ups under my belt as well as some very encouraging remarks to feel pretty much sorted. But everyone can be, and often is, proven wrong.
Last night, this happened to me. As pushy as I get with a few beers under the belt, I finally managed to speak my mind (wasn't much of a push) and found out... he's not interested. I was heartbroken. Drunk and heartbroken. And anyone that knows me knows this ain't a good combo. But, luckily, I seem to be growing up and managed to extract myself from the situation, only wake up a few of my friends needing a shoulder to lean on and write a reasonably reasonable reasoning to said boy the next day.
This reasoning was answered promptly in a sweet manner that comes as no surprise, and I am a little more comfortable with things. Mainly that my initial suspicions of his feelings were not entirely unjust and I'm not completely deluded. Well, I'm a little deluded but not to do with this. I think.
Anyway, so the rollercoaster continues... I am now in Bratislava, via a hideous plane ride to Budapest at ridiculous o'clock which I almost vomited on (shiezer I almost said 'also vomited' there!!), and ready-ish to teach a class of 9-10 year olds at school tomorrow. Mum would be so proud.
I have several different types. For either sex. But when it comes to guys, my ultimate prime time is the skinny-legged skater boy with a badass sense of humour and a chilled but adventurous spirit. These guys never like me. Well, one New Yorker did that time a few years back while on a business trip, but that never amounted to anything.
Before I left London, I met a guy who strangely enuf matched this criteria and even more strangely seemed to reciprocate my feelings. In an utterly unbelievable circumstance. I was stunned, still am stunned, that I ever felt this reaction from a guy like this but I rolled with it.
Fast forward several months, and several trashy nights out (that's the only night there is with us) and I have several positive hook-ups under my belt as well as some very encouraging remarks to feel pretty much sorted. But everyone can be, and often is, proven wrong.
Last night, this happened to me. As pushy as I get with a few beers under the belt, I finally managed to speak my mind (wasn't much of a push) and found out... he's not interested. I was heartbroken. Drunk and heartbroken. And anyone that knows me knows this ain't a good combo. But, luckily, I seem to be growing up and managed to extract myself from the situation, only wake up a few of my friends needing a shoulder to lean on and write a reasonably reasonable reasoning to said boy the next day.
This reasoning was answered promptly in a sweet manner that comes as no surprise, and I am a little more comfortable with things. Mainly that my initial suspicions of his feelings were not entirely unjust and I'm not completely deluded. Well, I'm a little deluded but not to do with this. I think.
Anyway, so the rollercoaster continues... I am now in Bratislava, via a hideous plane ride to Budapest at ridiculous o'clock which I almost vomited on (shiezer I almost said 'also vomited' there!!), and ready-ish to teach a class of 9-10 year olds at school tomorrow. Mum would be so proud.
Line it up, line it up, it's BUSINESS TIME
This last 24 hours has been a rollercoaster for me... not only did I manage to catch a ridiculously early flight from London to Budapest but I did so while emotionally, mentally and physically tired, and I have renewed faith in my ability to indeed 'grow a pair'.
'Backing it up', however, is another matter completely. Even before I was devastated with the news that I am indeed not my favourite boy's favourite girl, I was already bailing on said boy's farewell drinks at not much after 1am. Urgh. I just had such a major night on Friday and wasn't able to sleep in to revitalise enuf before starting again. All my other mates did, and I was the only one alive and willing to go to Broadway Markets so I ended up just chilling at a mate's house.
Friday night, though... ai ai ai... Someone, who may or may not be an old school friend I hadn't seen in years, suggested at a mere 3pm timeslot to have a line. Well... a few Hoxton bars later and before I know it I'm having a crunk-off with a random American girl at another random friend's random east London apartment lining shit up every 5 minutes. And it's 5am. Shit.
Of course I couldn't get through to my trashbag former flatmate, it being a Friday night n all, and ended up crashing at wiiiiiife's house. While she tried to sleep it off next day, I crept off to my mate's and awaited instructions for favourite boy's farewell drinks. To be continued...
'Backing it up', however, is another matter completely. Even before I was devastated with the news that I am indeed not my favourite boy's favourite girl, I was already bailing on said boy's farewell drinks at not much after 1am. Urgh. I just had such a major night on Friday and wasn't able to sleep in to revitalise enuf before starting again. All my other mates did, and I was the only one alive and willing to go to Broadway Markets so I ended up just chilling at a mate's house.
Friday night, though... ai ai ai... Someone, who may or may not be an old school friend I hadn't seen in years, suggested at a mere 3pm timeslot to have a line. Well... a few Hoxton bars later and before I know it I'm having a crunk-off with a random American girl at another random friend's random east London apartment lining shit up every 5 minutes. And it's 5am. Shit.
Of course I couldn't get through to my trashbag former flatmate, it being a Friday night n all, and ended up crashing at wiiiiiife's house. While she tried to sleep it off next day, I crept off to my mate's and awaited instructions for favourite boy's farewell drinks. To be continued...
Saturday, 20 November 2010
Back in London...let the drinking commence!
Back in London town and it's - as to be expected - been a crazy few days. After an initial minor freakout pre-return re finding somewhere to stay, I ended up back at the old flat just off Brick Lane with my old flatmates! Good times, at least it was central. And I also had another good mate offer his pad too, so I felt well loved!
Wednesday night consisted of drinking with my trusty, trashy former flatmate and the next day waking to a lunch appointment with my DC girls. Well, almost all of them. That led appropriately to me being drunk by early afternoon wandering the streets of central London, while one of the girls stumbled off to try and avoid acting drunk while nannying, and the other freaking that she'd be fired from the 2-hour lunch break she'd just rewarded herself.
I eventually found myself in the British Museum of all places, somewhere I'd walked past so many times and never even considered going into. The place is huge, incredibly huge, and full of sooooooo many artefacts! Well impressed. But, being a bit boozed, it was one mummy too many and after updating my Facebook status while resting I found someone else to meet after work as I killed time.
Visited old workmates before meeting up with a friend who had just returned to my world after initially getting annoyed at me for something I am still not quite sure I did, I continued to drink steadily and by dinner time was well up for bargaining my way into a good Brick Lane curry deal with other mates. By the time I stumbled home I was spent.
Wednesday night consisted of drinking with my trusty, trashy former flatmate and the next day waking to a lunch appointment with my DC girls. Well, almost all of them. That led appropriately to me being drunk by early afternoon wandering the streets of central London, while one of the girls stumbled off to try and avoid acting drunk while nannying, and the other freaking that she'd be fired from the 2-hour lunch break she'd just rewarded herself.
I eventually found myself in the British Museum of all places, somewhere I'd walked past so many times and never even considered going into. The place is huge, incredibly huge, and full of sooooooo many artefacts! Well impressed. But, being a bit boozed, it was one mummy too many and after updating my Facebook status while resting I found someone else to meet after work as I killed time.
Visited old workmates before meeting up with a friend who had just returned to my world after initially getting annoyed at me for something I am still not quite sure I did, I continued to drink steadily and by dinner time was well up for bargaining my way into a good Brick Lane curry deal with other mates. By the time I stumbled home I was spent.
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Bolting horses and lost phone courses
So the asshole at the border. He decided that I'd come into the UK too many times since my visa expired in June and hence asked me a million questions to suss out exactly what I was doing coming back again. After explaining - several times - that the only reason I had 2 stamps in my passport already was because I went before and after a flight back to Oz, but he wouldn't listen. Trying to keep my temper and also make my bus connection back to London, I patiently listened to him warble on about his suspicions that my activities in eastern Europe were most likely illegal and therefore he was suspicious of me in general etc etc.
Anyway, long story short, he downgraded my passport stamp to one which would raise eyebrows next time I came in and gave me sufficient reason to question any further need to visit my friends in London for quite some time. As I say, asshole.
Slightly shaken, I was finally in the UK and off to party with friends. Well, it wasn't quite as smooth as that because I hadn't actually told anyone I was coming so most of them had plans. Regardless, some of the old faithfuls came out of the woodwork and presto, I had a night! Not only did I end up at my favourite boy's house but I scored his hoodie which is super comfy and, although it is now covered with horse, cat and dog hair, and odd stains (minds out of gutters thanks) is still a lifesaver as England comes to grips with the onset of winter. It smells of horse but I still sleep in the damn thing.
My time in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire has been so lovely. The lady I'm staying with, a friend I made while working at the Romanian trail place, is just a pleasure to know and I am so glad I came to visit. She is about my mum's age with kids younger than me, but we get on like a house on fire and she is so generous. I want to make sure I get up tomorrow so I can get her a thank you gift.
Anyway, the first day I rode a horse that bolted on me. Apparently doesn't bolt on anyone else but me, so that made me feel great. Managed to slow it down sufficiently so all was good. Today I rode 2 more, much more enjoyable except that I lost my mobile as I cantered along at some point. Looked everywhere for it but alas, it's been sucked into some muddy shithole never to be seen again. A shame, as I used it for a memory stick/USB as well, but there you go. Zip your pockets up properly, kids. Reminds me of the time I didn't do my shoelaces up when I was 5 and went careering down a flight of stairs into a glass window at the bottom. Good times.
So I'm off back to London tomorrow night, more riding tomorrow and some more dog walking, hopefully the weather will continue to be beautiful and I will continue to be happy.
Anyway, long story short, he downgraded my passport stamp to one which would raise eyebrows next time I came in and gave me sufficient reason to question any further need to visit my friends in London for quite some time. As I say, asshole.
Slightly shaken, I was finally in the UK and off to party with friends. Well, it wasn't quite as smooth as that because I hadn't actually told anyone I was coming so most of them had plans. Regardless, some of the old faithfuls came out of the woodwork and presto, I had a night! Not only did I end up at my favourite boy's house but I scored his hoodie which is super comfy and, although it is now covered with horse, cat and dog hair, and odd stains (minds out of gutters thanks) is still a lifesaver as England comes to grips with the onset of winter. It smells of horse but I still sleep in the damn thing.
My time in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire has been so lovely. The lady I'm staying with, a friend I made while working at the Romanian trail place, is just a pleasure to know and I am so glad I came to visit. She is about my mum's age with kids younger than me, but we get on like a house on fire and she is so generous. I want to make sure I get up tomorrow so I can get her a thank you gift.
Anyway, the first day I rode a horse that bolted on me. Apparently doesn't bolt on anyone else but me, so that made me feel great. Managed to slow it down sufficiently so all was good. Today I rode 2 more, much more enjoyable except that I lost my mobile as I cantered along at some point. Looked everywhere for it but alas, it's been sucked into some muddy shithole never to be seen again. A shame, as I used it for a memory stick/USB as well, but there you go. Zip your pockets up properly, kids. Reminds me of the time I didn't do my shoelaces up when I was 5 and went careering down a flight of stairs into a glass window at the bottom. Good times.
So I'm off back to London tomorrow night, more riding tomorrow and some more dog walking, hopefully the weather will continue to be beautiful and I will continue to be happy.
Monday, 15 November 2010
Quick update - now in England!
Only a short blog today because I am limited on time before I head out for another ride... But I am now in the UK, after a little trouble at the border (more on that later) and I am visiting a friend in Cambridgeshire and riding her horses while she is teaching at school.
The weather is sunny today, a pleasant surprise, but it's still cool. Everyone has been super nice to me here and the lady I'm staying with, who was actually one of the guests in Romania I helped with, is so lovely.
Spent Sat night in London, ended up staying at my favourite boy's house and of course drinking a bit too much cheap wine so I felt a little shabby on the coach up north but I made it there in one piece. And I scored a super comfy hoodie from said boy, which I don't want to give back but will have to soon because I have NO room in my bag for anything else!
The weather is sunny today, a pleasant surprise, but it's still cool. Everyone has been super nice to me here and the lady I'm staying with, who was actually one of the guests in Romania I helped with, is so lovely.
Spent Sat night in London, ended up staying at my favourite boy's house and of course drinking a bit too much cheap wine so I felt a little shabby on the coach up north but I made it there in one piece. And I scored a super comfy hoodie from said boy, which I don't want to give back but will have to soon because I have NO room in my bag for anything else!
Saturday, 13 November 2010
Friday, 12 November 2010
Teacher does good
So I have mum to thank for giving me some good teaching genes because after my first week of English teaching in Slovakia, I have been asked to come back for another week from Nov 22 (which means more money) and have also gotten some reallllly sweet gestures from the kids.
One group made a big banner on coloured A4 pages saying "you are the best lectors" which I think in Slovak means we're the best teachers. I also had some students ask for my Facebook page, others age for my email and others still getting photos with me and the other kids. As soon as I got back to Budapest, I checked my email and saw I already had emails and friend requests from them. Cute! I had a love letter written for me, which I want to copy and scan onto the net cos it is so sweet!
I will miss the pretty girls and the daily beer and smoke sessions. But then again, I will do it all again in about a week's time!
One group made a big banner on coloured A4 pages saying "you are the best lectors" which I think in Slovak means we're the best teachers. I also had some students ask for my Facebook page, others age for my email and others still getting photos with me and the other kids. As soon as I got back to Budapest, I checked my email and saw I already had emails and friend requests from them. Cute! I had a love letter written for me, which I want to copy and scan onto the net cos it is so sweet!
I will miss the pretty girls and the daily beer and smoke sessions. But then again, I will do it all again in about a week's time!
Thursday, 11 November 2010
Post-teaching bump
OK so I can officially say that I've done an alright job on my first week of teaching. Today was my fourth day, we have one more to go, and I had the pleasure (ahem) of being watched by 2 of the local English teachers and the headmistress at some point during the day.
However, both of them gave me glowing reports and praised the Project Week design so I hope they pass that onto my boss and the students. Even my students brought cameras in to take photos with me. So that's a good sign! Unless they just think I'm a loco lookin'...
My classes focused on music, review writing and song structures etc. Something I'd like to think I know a little about, or at least more than grammar and punctuation. Eek! I would so easily be stumped if I got hammered with those finicky points. Oh well, I'd better get on with my final lesson plan. Only a few more periods to go and then I can relaaaaax.
However, both of them gave me glowing reports and praised the Project Week design so I hope they pass that onto my boss and the students. Even my students brought cameras in to take photos with me. So that's a good sign! Unless they just think I'm a loco lookin'...
My classes focused on music, review writing and song structures etc. Something I'd like to think I know a little about, or at least more than grammar and punctuation. Eek! I would so easily be stumped if I got hammered with those finicky points. Oh well, I'd better get on with my final lesson plan. Only a few more periods to go and then I can relaaaaax.
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
He be a dorky kiwi
Quick update tonight because I am stoned and can't think much too hard. I mean too hard. Sigh.
Three days in and I am still alive. This is a good sign. I went to the other school with the teachers and after being told one of the classes is really shit and unresponsive, I was quite worried. But I was effervescent, fun and confident, and I think I went well. They were quite active and contributed to all the things I asked of it. So blurgh to the other teachers.
Speaking of teachers, there is one here who is a dork. Now I try not to be judgemental but he is not only a nerd and a Kiwi, but also a narrow-minded prick sometimes and I often find myself thinking 'sigh'. What's the point of arguing, bringing up the fact he's a loser... just no point. I sometimes think I am not more accepting and open but then I meet people like this... THEN I think (because I'm a girl) me thinking this is not open and accepting because I have cast judgement. Hmmm... what to believe?? I'm so lost. Place hand gently on forehead.
Three days in and I am still alive. This is a good sign. I went to the other school with the teachers and after being told one of the classes is really shit and unresponsive, I was quite worried. But I was effervescent, fun and confident, and I think I went well. They were quite active and contributed to all the things I asked of it. So blurgh to the other teachers.
Speaking of teachers, there is one here who is a dork. Now I try not to be judgemental but he is not only a nerd and a Kiwi, but also a narrow-minded prick sometimes and I often find myself thinking 'sigh'. What's the point of arguing, bringing up the fact he's a loser... just no point. I sometimes think I am not more accepting and open but then I meet people like this... THEN I think (because I'm a girl) me thinking this is not open and accepting because I have cast judgement. Hmmm... what to believe?? I'm so lost. Place hand gently on forehead.
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
Oi stoner, kick that ball!
Those that know me know that I've not been the biggest fan of teenagers, or kids, in my life so this whole teaching English thing is a real test to myself. And it's been interesting so far.
As I wrote in this very blog, the first day was a bit of getting to know everyone, and I don't exactly know how well I did... so after my classes yesterday I was determined to be a little more organised so as to avoid talking so much in every class. Discussion is one thing, talking while everyone stares blankly or falls asleep is another.
So today I focused on tattoos, thinking it would be a cool theme to do. Of course people asked me where I had tattoos, as well as how many piercings I had and where they were (details of which I tended to be fuzzy)... but I resisted the urge to take off my clothes to show them (I must be growing up) and maintained some dignity... as their grown-up teacher. Which is funny, considering I am merely 7 years older than some of them. That age gap has not been much of an issue for me in the past...
Anyway, by day's end I was sick of the classroom and the stoner in the back trying to nap on the desk was giving me the shits, so we went outside. I had a couple of American footballs with me so tried to teach them 'over and under', a game I used to play in primary school. Thinking I was keeping it simple because I was talking in English, it actually turned out to be a poor choice of game and before we even got started, kids were refusing to take part. So I just said, 'Fuck it, do what you want then - NO, THAT DOES NOT MEAN SMOKE!'
I learnt that the cute pinkeye guy is actually 19 - that could be interesting. I should stop having these thoughts.
Tomorrow I swap and go to the other school to teach their kids. Just repeat my lessons I guess. Lazy ass shit that I am.
As I wrote in this very blog, the first day was a bit of getting to know everyone, and I don't exactly know how well I did... so after my classes yesterday I was determined to be a little more organised so as to avoid talking so much in every class. Discussion is one thing, talking while everyone stares blankly or falls asleep is another.
So today I focused on tattoos, thinking it would be a cool theme to do. Of course people asked me where I had tattoos, as well as how many piercings I had and where they were (details of which I tended to be fuzzy)... but I resisted the urge to take off my clothes to show them (I must be growing up) and maintained some dignity... as their grown-up teacher. Which is funny, considering I am merely 7 years older than some of them. That age gap has not been much of an issue for me in the past...
Anyway, by day's end I was sick of the classroom and the stoner in the back trying to nap on the desk was giving me the shits, so we went outside. I had a couple of American footballs with me so tried to teach them 'over and under', a game I used to play in primary school. Thinking I was keeping it simple because I was talking in English, it actually turned out to be a poor choice of game and before we even got started, kids were refusing to take part. So I just said, 'Fuck it, do what you want then - NO, THAT DOES NOT MEAN SMOKE!'
I learnt that the cute pinkeye guy is actually 19 - that could be interesting. I should stop having these thoughts.
Tomorrow I swap and go to the other school to teach their kids. Just repeat my lessons I guess. Lazy ass shit that I am.
First day of school...and I'm still alive
So yesterday was my first as an English teacher, and I'm not quite sure what these kids thought of me. Perhaps that I was boring, that I talked too much, that I had activities that were unentertaining. To be honest, I didn't even have a lesson plan so I am glad I made it out of there alive.
I ask my fellow teachers (of which there are 3 others) for information about what to do and get half an answer before I'm distracted by beer, weed, food or another more interesting conversation. So I am kinda on my own here... but as I usually do, I just winged it and somehow made it through. I wasn't really even nervous, although I noticed the guy who runs this thing was shaking in his boots. Is it because I'm too confident, or maybe I don't care, or perhaps I just have no idea about anything so this ain't no different...?? Either way, I guess it was good that I wasn't shaking because kids notice these things.
The weather turned from glorious in Budapest to shitty and rainy in Bratislava. And it looks like being rainy all week, which will ensure some lovely moods. To be fair, most of the kids are fine (one I call ‘Pink Eye’ but he can speak decent English and is kinda cute, minus pink eye) but of course we have a couple of them that don't do any work and another (I've named him 'Serbia') with I think ADHD... but all in all, I guess it could've been worse.
I am currently researching embarrassing and misspelt tattoos for my next class and figuring out which outfit I can wear that will be easy to show my tattoos if necessary. Pullin' out all the stops here...
I ask my fellow teachers (of which there are 3 others) for information about what to do and get half an answer before I'm distracted by beer, weed, food or another more interesting conversation. So I am kinda on my own here... but as I usually do, I just winged it and somehow made it through. I wasn't really even nervous, although I noticed the guy who runs this thing was shaking in his boots. Is it because I'm too confident, or maybe I don't care, or perhaps I just have no idea about anything so this ain't no different...?? Either way, I guess it was good that I wasn't shaking because kids notice these things.
The weather turned from glorious in Budapest to shitty and rainy in Bratislava. And it looks like being rainy all week, which will ensure some lovely moods. To be fair, most of the kids are fine (one I call ‘Pink Eye’ but he can speak decent English and is kinda cute, minus pink eye) but of course we have a couple of them that don't do any work and another (I've named him 'Serbia') with I think ADHD... but all in all, I guess it could've been worse.
I am currently researching embarrassing and misspelt tattoos for my next class and figuring out which outfit I can wear that will be easy to show my tattoos if necessary. Pullin' out all the stops here...
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Legal? Professional sports players? Hi class...
OK, this will be my last post before I leave Hungary for Slovakia so I just want to pre-warn everyone that I have been given a class full of teenagers, several of which are 18 (ie legal), professional hockey players and male. Although really, when have you known me to be gender picky...
Anyway, these 'kids' are going to be my new class for the next week. I'm a little scared. They could rip me apart or try to seduce me. Or go for the double whammy. I don't even have my lesson plan ready!! And I'm stoned. And probably will be all week.
Sigh.
Anyway, these 'kids' are going to be my new class for the next week. I'm a little scared. They could rip me apart or try to seduce me. Or go for the double whammy. I don't even have my lesson plan ready!! And I'm stoned. And probably will be all week.
Sigh.
Awkward and amusing times in Eastern Europe
Whoever thought I'd never have use for my limited Romanian language skills can eat their bilingual words, motherfucker! Well, actually, that would include myself too but anyway... I could not stop laughing at what happened last night.
Arriving at Nyugati train station, I first had to shake a random but sweet Hungarian guy who asked if I needed any help. Although I know he was just trying to be friendly, he made things a little awkward when he said 'oh Sydney... I knew a girl from Sydney. But she died.' Hmm... what do you say to that??
Anyway, afterwards I was directed to the pub I always meet my English teaching friend at in Budapest, and went to ask a cute boy and his friend sitting on the steps which way to go... after hearing him say 'no inteleg' ('don't understand' in Romanian), I said 'ah ha! you're Romanian!' and proceeded to ask him how to get there in Romanian. There were slightly miffed as to why an English-speaking person knew any Romanian, and even more miffed as to which direction I was after, so I just laughed my ass off and found directions from someone other local. Seriously, who would've thought I'd EVER need that random skill again??! Too funny.
So then I met my friend E at the pub, had a couple of beers (sweet, sweet beer) and headed back to his for a few more and a smoke that put me on my ass. I was tired from all the traveling and fell asleep before my head hit the pillow. What a day.
Arriving at Nyugati train station, I first had to shake a random but sweet Hungarian guy who asked if I needed any help. Although I know he was just trying to be friendly, he made things a little awkward when he said 'oh Sydney... I knew a girl from Sydney. But she died.' Hmm... what do you say to that??
Anyway, afterwards I was directed to the pub I always meet my English teaching friend at in Budapest, and went to ask a cute boy and his friend sitting on the steps which way to go... after hearing him say 'no inteleg' ('don't understand' in Romanian), I said 'ah ha! you're Romanian!' and proceeded to ask him how to get there in Romanian. There were slightly miffed as to why an English-speaking person knew any Romanian, and even more miffed as to which direction I was after, so I just laughed my ass off and found directions from someone other local. Seriously, who would've thought I'd EVER need that random skill again??! Too funny.
So then I met my friend E at the pub, had a couple of beers (sweet, sweet beer) and headed back to his for a few more and a smoke that put me on my ass. I was tired from all the traveling and fell asleep before my head hit the pillow. What a day.
Muffin top mamas and Hungarian ho's
Next stop: Budapest. With my (still 20kg) backpack on my back, I boarded the train to Forli via Ancona and sat looking around at the chavvy women staring at me, my hair, my probably general unkeptness as their tacky bling rings caught the sunshine and their muffin tops spilled over their super tight jeans. Good call senoritas.
Anyway, 5 hours later I was finally at Forli airport, the destination I'd come to as a result of cheap ticket searching. In total, the train, plane and bus transfer journey cost me about 70 euros. To get from Italy to Budapest. Pretty good!
There was a super tall blonde woman on my flight to Budapest, who all the men were staring at. She was all fake though - fingernails, hair, tan - and when I stared for a moment too long at her tight white t-shirt I realised even her boobs were fake. I struggled to make myself think she didn't want the attention, she just looked like that and was probably sick of people staring at her. Then I saw the see-through t-shirt with no bra. She went from poor little stared-at girl to attention-seeking stripper. Split second.
Anyway, 5 hours later I was finally at Forli airport, the destination I'd come to as a result of cheap ticket searching. In total, the train, plane and bus transfer journey cost me about 70 euros. To get from Italy to Budapest. Pretty good!
There was a super tall blonde woman on my flight to Budapest, who all the men were staring at. She was all fake though - fingernails, hair, tan - and when I stared for a moment too long at her tight white t-shirt I realised even her boobs were fake. I struggled to make myself think she didn't want the attention, she just looked like that and was probably sick of people staring at her. Then I saw the see-through t-shirt with no bra. She went from poor little stared-at girl to attention-seeking stripper. Split second.
Ciao to those legs......
Greetings from your slack blogger!! Yes, I know I've been shit but internet access is always awkward when you don't have your own computer and to be honest, nothing that groundbreaking has really happened to report.
Last you heard I was picking olives in Italy. Well, that finished a few days later, actually when I was granted my second day off (unexpected, given I was leaving the next day and didn't think they'd bother giving me the Friday off). On the spur of the moment, I decided to take the 2+ hour train to Arezzo and check out this town that had not overwhelmed me with its description in dad's 80s tour guide of Italy.
The town itself was not so big, surprising for something that appears quite prominent on the Italian map, but it allowed me to do my cheapskate walk around it in record time (I am my father's daughter) and catch the Rapida (fast) train back on my slow train ticket. They didn't really care. I cared, though, about the addicted smokers using every small stop to puff out the windows and doors. Urgh.
Again, the touristy parts were full of American tourists (man, how they grate on my ears) although it was in general not that busy. A welcome calm.
Once I checked my train times back at the 'stead, I realised I was on a later train than first thought and voila! M unexpectedly asked if I wanted to ride so this time I got a go on Edwi, the largest but laziest of the 3. He's only 5 but already you can feel him saying, "ohhhhhh do I reallllllllly have to canter???"
Afterwards, I said goodbye to the gorgeous 360 view of the remnants of Tuscany, the carb-heavy dinners with pane de chocolatte dessert, the gorgeous dancing girls on the nightly variety show in their tiny outfits with their beautiful, long, bronzed legs framing the host's desks... sorry, where was I?? Yes, I will miss this place and the family - even the freaky looking ferret/alien/cat Jerry - but I know I can always come back if I really want. Would like to find somewhere I can take the horses out into the wilderness though... But all in all, a lovely experience!
Last you heard I was picking olives in Italy. Well, that finished a few days later, actually when I was granted my second day off (unexpected, given I was leaving the next day and didn't think they'd bother giving me the Friday off). On the spur of the moment, I decided to take the 2+ hour train to Arezzo and check out this town that had not overwhelmed me with its description in dad's 80s tour guide of Italy.
The town itself was not so big, surprising for something that appears quite prominent on the Italian map, but it allowed me to do my cheapskate walk around it in record time (I am my father's daughter) and catch the Rapida (fast) train back on my slow train ticket. They didn't really care. I cared, though, about the addicted smokers using every small stop to puff out the windows and doors. Urgh.
Again, the touristy parts were full of American tourists (man, how they grate on my ears) although it was in general not that busy. A welcome calm.
Once I checked my train times back at the 'stead, I realised I was on a later train than first thought and voila! M unexpectedly asked if I wanted to ride so this time I got a go on Edwi, the largest but laziest of the 3. He's only 5 but already you can feel him saying, "ohhhhhh do I reallllllllly have to canter???"
Afterwards, I said goodbye to the gorgeous 360 view of the remnants of Tuscany, the carb-heavy dinners with pane de chocolatte dessert, the gorgeous dancing girls on the nightly variety show in their tiny outfits with their beautiful, long, bronzed legs framing the host's desks... sorry, where was I?? Yes, I will miss this place and the family - even the freaky looking ferret/alien/cat Jerry - but I know I can always come back if I really want. Would like to find somewhere I can take the horses out into the wilderness though... But all in all, a lovely experience!
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Many options make a list grow...
Using the other Australian helper's computer, a Mac just like mine, I often forget it's not my machine and while away the hours while she no doubt sits upstairs tapping her foot in impatience. Oops! But, on a day like today where there is little else to do but scour the net for ways and means to carry out my latest travel whim, it's easy to do.
It started out nice yesterday but rained insistently from midday - all hopes of an outside lunch on the patio with the amazing view now dashed - and we scrubbed the horses clean from their muddy rolling patches with little room to move in the stable area while it became increasingly dark outside. Thanks daylight saving, you're a pal.
Experienced my first bad Italian mood also that evening when we decided to muck out the horses earlier due to the clock change - big mistake, as the host mum got all uppety about what time the horses get fed etc. Not that I was planning on feeding them til normal time anyway, I just couldn't work out why she got so upset. Maybe she thought we were trying to get it out of the way while they were visiting relatives in Rome. But hey, at least she was getting annoyed at us DOING work not avoiding it!
There is still at least 1 dog following me around all the time (esp at night which is good cos this property is prime real estate for horror movie fantasies) - just the way dogs should be. None of this bite yer finger off business (speaking of which, I'm almost healed completely yay!!). Now the ageing cat Jerry (who looks more like a mutated ferret with its cancerous ears now cut off and his white fur stained with more cancer scabs) also wants to jump up for cuddles every time it can, poor thing. It is a bit of a minefield patting him, though, I gotta be honest.
I've started scooping around the options on this new website where you can get paid to do horse work, which is a welcome relief, but now face the problem of too many options!!! Whatever am I going to do in 2011 before I have to return for my sister's wedding?? Oh oh, just found a place in SA that will pay for help training and exercising horses... sweet. And add it to the list.
It started out nice yesterday but rained insistently from midday - all hopes of an outside lunch on the patio with the amazing view now dashed - and we scrubbed the horses clean from their muddy rolling patches with little room to move in the stable area while it became increasingly dark outside. Thanks daylight saving, you're a pal.
Experienced my first bad Italian mood also that evening when we decided to muck out the horses earlier due to the clock change - big mistake, as the host mum got all uppety about what time the horses get fed etc. Not that I was planning on feeding them til normal time anyway, I just couldn't work out why she got so upset. Maybe she thought we were trying to get it out of the way while they were visiting relatives in Rome. But hey, at least she was getting annoyed at us DOING work not avoiding it!
There is still at least 1 dog following me around all the time (esp at night which is good cos this property is prime real estate for horror movie fantasies) - just the way dogs should be. None of this bite yer finger off business (speaking of which, I'm almost healed completely yay!!). Now the ageing cat Jerry (who looks more like a mutated ferret with its cancerous ears now cut off and his white fur stained with more cancer scabs) also wants to jump up for cuddles every time it can, poor thing. It is a bit of a minefield patting him, though, I gotta be honest.
I've started scooping around the options on this new website where you can get paid to do horse work, which is a welcome relief, but now face the problem of too many options!!! Whatever am I going to do in 2011 before I have to return for my sister's wedding?? Oh oh, just found a place in SA that will pay for help training and exercising horses... sweet. And add it to the list.
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Working weekend
Saturday, a day off for most, was spent picking hooves and olives... and had the heavens not opened the next day, I would've spent Sunday doing more of the same. As it was/is, however, I am sitting on the internet getting the things done I've not been able to do for the last week or so. Like giving you fuckers photos!! Urgh, the effort involved in that for a start...
I'm glad I am not picking olives today, as much as I love that plant, because I was starting to see olive branches every time I closed my eyes. And my manky dog bite finger is almost healed so I don't want to accidentally rip it open again from a particularly stubborn olive branch.
It's really a funny process, olive picking... you arrange all these big mesh nets under several trees (a long process for the hilly orchard we've been working on) and then pull (or milk as I see it) each branch free of olives, and at the end push all the olives into a pile at the botto. After picking out most of the leaves, you put them in a carton and voila, they're ready for the factory! We ate some of the first batch for dinner last night, tasty stuff!! Although we never made it to the olive oil party the factory invited us to and that was a bit of a disappointment. Would've been a laugh.
I'm glad I am not picking olives today, as much as I love that plant, because I was starting to see olive branches every time I closed my eyes. And my manky dog bite finger is almost healed so I don't want to accidentally rip it open again from a particularly stubborn olive branch.
It's really a funny process, olive picking... you arrange all these big mesh nets under several trees (a long process for the hilly orchard we've been working on) and then pull (or milk as I see it) each branch free of olives, and at the end push all the olives into a pile at the botto. After picking out most of the leaves, you put them in a carton and voila, they're ready for the factory! We ate some of the first batch for dinner last night, tasty stuff!! Although we never made it to the olive oil party the factory invited us to and that was a bit of a disappointment. Would've been a laugh.
Day off success!
My day off was a complete success, if you count being able to withdraw money and not miss any of my public transport bits n pieces. Although at the end of it all, I did feel like I spent much of my day waiting for buses and trains.
Firstly, I finally worked out a way to get to Budapest for my week of teaching in Slovakia (I feel cold just thinking about it) and then ran down the driveway to see if I could catch the next bus. Not knowing when the next bus was, I was simply hoping it was there when I got to the bottom of the st. Not so, however, as I sat for almost an hour before the next bus came - and when it did, it almost drove past completely thanks to a big truck in front of it.
With some extra time now up my sleeve, I went to the old town of Orte, another hilltop medevial situation. Cute little place. Then I headed to Orvieto, like Orte but bigger and much more touristy. All day I swear all I heard was French, American and Australian accents. Awesometastic (insert vomit sound here). I really don't like tourist places. Am developing a hatred of them.
Orvieto itself was good, although I was too tight to pay to go in anywhere and therefore spent my time wandering the streets looking in the free churches and cathedrals, and taking pictures of the little streets with cute hanging plants etc. There were apparently caves under the town that were used to catch pigeons and store wine etc but I never found them and ended up walking around the perimeter of the town instead, which was fine.
My hopes of getting back before dark went unfulfilled as the train and bus schedules did not mesh, and I ended up having to walk up the mega long and steep driveway in the dark, getting freaked out by black things running across the path in front of me. At first I thought it was one of the dogs chasing something in the bush but then I heard kind of pig-like noises. I walked a little faster.
Dinner was at a nice cave restaurant in nearby Vasanello, which we walked to under a beautiful starry sky. But it was FUCKING FREEZING outside. Definitely not looking forward to Slovakia.
Firstly, I finally worked out a way to get to Budapest for my week of teaching in Slovakia (I feel cold just thinking about it) and then ran down the driveway to see if I could catch the next bus. Not knowing when the next bus was, I was simply hoping it was there when I got to the bottom of the st. Not so, however, as I sat for almost an hour before the next bus came - and when it did, it almost drove past completely thanks to a big truck in front of it.
With some extra time now up my sleeve, I went to the old town of Orte, another hilltop medevial situation. Cute little place. Then I headed to Orvieto, like Orte but bigger and much more touristy. All day I swear all I heard was French, American and Australian accents. Awesometastic (insert vomit sound here). I really don't like tourist places. Am developing a hatred of them.
Orvieto itself was good, although I was too tight to pay to go in anywhere and therefore spent my time wandering the streets looking in the free churches and cathedrals, and taking pictures of the little streets with cute hanging plants etc. There were apparently caves under the town that were used to catch pigeons and store wine etc but I never found them and ended up walking around the perimeter of the town instead, which was fine.
My hopes of getting back before dark went unfulfilled as the train and bus schedules did not mesh, and I ended up having to walk up the mega long and steep driveway in the dark, getting freaked out by black things running across the path in front of me. At first I thought it was one of the dogs chasing something in the bush but then I heard kind of pig-like noises. I walked a little faster.
Dinner was at a nice cave restaurant in nearby Vasanello, which we walked to under a beautiful starry sky. But it was FUCKING FREEZING outside. Definitely not looking forward to Slovakia.
Friday, 29 October 2010
Milk those olives!
Just when my hands started to smart slightly at the 'milking cows' action of stripping olive trees, I was granted my day off. So here I am, on my day off, sitting on the computer wishing and hoping I haven't missed one of the few buses into town so I can get to Orvieto to do some sightseeing. This really will be my last chance to do so before I leave, so forgive me if this blog is slightly rushed.
A couple of things I forgot to mention in my last explanatory blog... there are currently 2 other helpers here, both lovely - one from Adelaide (it's so funny I only meet Adelaidians overseas, not in Oz!) and another from Japan. The Japanese girl surprised all our stereotypical expectations, esp my host who wasn't sure at first if she was a girl or a boy! Too funny. But I am bunking now with Japanese girl and all is well. Ariel the dog still follows us around and sleeps outside our door. It's a nice feeling. I miss having a dog.
Speaking of dogs, I had a sad dream last night where my sister's dog Molly went missing and she was about 10 years old in the dream so most people thought she was sick and went away to die without us seeing, in the bush somewhere. Anyway, it wasn't the way I wanted to wake up but anyway... at least it moved my dream on from the recurring theme of a past friend who has popped up repeatedly over the last few weeks. At least I'm not dreaming of olives yet though...
We delivered our first batch of olives to the oil factory yesterday and were taken through the process of how it's all made. The smell was divine! Then we were given invites to their 'oil party' on Saturday, how fun!! Really hope we go, I'm sure we will. Ahh, the things that make me excited these days.
As opposed to the last place in Slovenia, these people always offer me wine and I find myself having a glass at lunch and dinner. Italian wine. Excellent...
The hosts are really nice here and I am so glad I've broached the subject of riding their horses. I went well the first time and ended up riding the 6 year old for most of the time, so I guess she was trustful enough! She also put me onto a site where people get PAID for horsework around the world. I'm super excited about that, may actually mean I can travel for longer. It's just those few little factors itching away at me for the moment... but all will be decided in time.
Travel plans, as always, are fluid as olive oil and I am currently trying to devise ways to get back to London for certain events and Munich for the same. JUST figured out how I'm getting back to Budapest for my teaching in Slovakia. Phew. What a life, eh!
A couple of things I forgot to mention in my last explanatory blog... there are currently 2 other helpers here, both lovely - one from Adelaide (it's so funny I only meet Adelaidians overseas, not in Oz!) and another from Japan. The Japanese girl surprised all our stereotypical expectations, esp my host who wasn't sure at first if she was a girl or a boy! Too funny. But I am bunking now with Japanese girl and all is well. Ariel the dog still follows us around and sleeps outside our door. It's a nice feeling. I miss having a dog.
Speaking of dogs, I had a sad dream last night where my sister's dog Molly went missing and she was about 10 years old in the dream so most people thought she was sick and went away to die without us seeing, in the bush somewhere. Anyway, it wasn't the way I wanted to wake up but anyway... at least it moved my dream on from the recurring theme of a past friend who has popped up repeatedly over the last few weeks. At least I'm not dreaming of olives yet though...
We delivered our first batch of olives to the oil factory yesterday and were taken through the process of how it's all made. The smell was divine! Then we were given invites to their 'oil party' on Saturday, how fun!! Really hope we go, I'm sure we will. Ahh, the things that make me excited these days.
As opposed to the last place in Slovenia, these people always offer me wine and I find myself having a glass at lunch and dinner. Italian wine. Excellent...
The hosts are really nice here and I am so glad I've broached the subject of riding their horses. I went well the first time and ended up riding the 6 year old for most of the time, so I guess she was trustful enough! She also put me onto a site where people get PAID for horsework around the world. I'm super excited about that, may actually mean I can travel for longer. It's just those few little factors itching away at me for the moment... but all will be decided in time.
Travel plans, as always, are fluid as olive oil and I am currently trying to devise ways to get back to London for certain events and Munich for the same. JUST figured out how I'm getting back to Budapest for my teaching in Slovakia. Phew. What a life, eh!
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
Going nutty for Nutella
Three days into the proper work schedule of Torre Amena (Red Tower) and I will give you a little indication of what my days and nights consist of. Firstly, we help with the mucking out, grooming, feeding and stable tidying of the horses. That's pretty simple but does involve getting up before the sun which is a bit unnatural in my eyes, but you gotta do what you gotta do. I just like complaining! And anyone who knows me knows I am NOT a morning person. But the cool morning air does help to give me a quick wake-up call once I step out.
The horses are a bit flighty but nothing unexpected from semi-young competition horses. They're all quite big, esp Edwi who I reckon is over 17 hands. The dogs, 5 in total, are adorable. All really sweet, particularly Ariel who is the 'helpers' dog... she follows whoever is visiting on the farm helping out, sleeps in front of our cottage door and always stays watching us work. Cute!!
Dinnertime, and in fact any other meal-related event, usually involves chocolate which is totally fine with me. But sometimes even I have to say no (not often) because of choccy overload!! They esp like Nutella... and choc and bread... But having just eaten lunch before writing this I need to stop talking about food or I'll feel sick. But it's Italy, they like you to eat well! Although I am chided often for my method of eating, esp spaghetti which I cut with a knife once. Mistake!
What else?? Oh yeah, we started picking olives yesterday but only got half a day in before it started to rain. Today is another story, beautifully sunny but windy as hell. It's ok in the olive grove as it's pretty sheltered but I'm about to have my first ride on the horses so who knows if it will spook at the wind and I go flying! Guess we can only wait n see! I'm just glad I've been asked to ride, I was getting such itchy feet...
The horses are a bit flighty but nothing unexpected from semi-young competition horses. They're all quite big, esp Edwi who I reckon is over 17 hands. The dogs, 5 in total, are adorable. All really sweet, particularly Ariel who is the 'helpers' dog... she follows whoever is visiting on the farm helping out, sleeps in front of our cottage door and always stays watching us work. Cute!!
Dinnertime, and in fact any other meal-related event, usually involves chocolate which is totally fine with me. But sometimes even I have to say no (not often) because of choccy overload!! They esp like Nutella... and choc and bread... But having just eaten lunch before writing this I need to stop talking about food or I'll feel sick. But it's Italy, they like you to eat well! Although I am chided often for my method of eating, esp spaghetti which I cut with a knife once. Mistake!
What else?? Oh yeah, we started picking olives yesterday but only got half a day in before it started to rain. Today is another story, beautifully sunny but windy as hell. It's ok in the olive grove as it's pretty sheltered but I'm about to have my first ride on the horses so who knows if it will spook at the wind and I go flying! Guess we can only wait n see! I'm just glad I've been asked to ride, I was getting such itchy feet...
Monday, 25 October 2010
Hitting the Help X jackpot
On the road again and it was a quick return to me stressing out in the backseat with dad drifting ever-closer to the middle of the autobarn and massive trucks kept beeping to move us over. Of course, he instead took my horror as an insult to his perfect driving skills and henceforth I was the rude little child in the back. Not to worry, I thought, only a few more hours before we part and I can breathe again. I love my dad but sometimes... And it's not like his wife wouldn't have wanted to see the back of me – she always needs to bite her tongue because it's her husband's child and her husband's wallet but I know she thinks we're all little brats. It's not my fault her children never step out of line. Except the one I once ran into at a rave... tut tut.
Moving on... We got to see some lovely Italian countryside and as we headed deeper into Tuscan territory I could see the delight spread across dad's face. Not wanting to stress out and try to get too much in, we took out time with lunch and then ended up having barely enuf time to get to Cortona and no time at all for Montepulciano. It was OK though, because Cortona is a beautiful place to visit at the very least. It was built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Tuscan valleys, and has all the streets leading to one central piazza. The streets are narrow and cobbled, really cute! There were some stupidly overpriced art galleries there that I saw some nice artwork in but alas...
We found we were running fairly behind schedule for our arrival to Orte so we stepped on it and I rang M to tell her we were going to be late. She sounded non-plussed about it all so I relaxed and rolled along with the countryside and dad's drifting steering wheel until we reach what I thought was going to be the little 3-street town of Orte. Turns out the old part of the town is also on a clifftop, a magnificent sight to see as we drove past down some back streets, and seemingly from medieval times. Looking forward to checking that little puppy out someday soon.
We pull into the driveway and wind our way up to a big, red towered villa at the top of the road and I slowly take a breathe out. Have I hit the jackpot here? Very nearly possibly. It was all smiles from my new hosts as they stood smiling and waiting (by chance) at the top of the driveway. I peeked over their shoulders at the view of the Tuscan valley down below as the warm afternoon sun kissed my cheeks and I took off my heavy jacket. I knew I'd be in for a much more comfortable 2 weeks at this joint.
Moving on... We got to see some lovely Italian countryside and as we headed deeper into Tuscan territory I could see the delight spread across dad's face. Not wanting to stress out and try to get too much in, we took out time with lunch and then ended up having barely enuf time to get to Cortona and no time at all for Montepulciano. It was OK though, because Cortona is a beautiful place to visit at the very least. It was built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Tuscan valleys, and has all the streets leading to one central piazza. The streets are narrow and cobbled, really cute! There were some stupidly overpriced art galleries there that I saw some nice artwork in but alas...
We found we were running fairly behind schedule for our arrival to Orte so we stepped on it and I rang M to tell her we were going to be late. She sounded non-plussed about it all so I relaxed and rolled along with the countryside and dad's drifting steering wheel until we reach what I thought was going to be the little 3-street town of Orte. Turns out the old part of the town is also on a clifftop, a magnificent sight to see as we drove past down some back streets, and seemingly from medieval times. Looking forward to checking that little puppy out someday soon.
We pull into the driveway and wind our way up to a big, red towered villa at the top of the road and I slowly take a breathe out. Have I hit the jackpot here? Very nearly possibly. It was all smiles from my new hosts as they stood smiling and waiting (by chance) at the top of the driveway. I peeked over their shoulders at the view of the Tuscan valley down below as the warm afternoon sun kissed my cheeks and I took off my heavy jacket. I knew I'd be in for a much more comfortable 2 weeks at this joint.
Dear Diary... I want to live in Bologna
Last night together, the three of us hardy travellers. I'm starting to wear thin of their extreme sensibility and dad's not-so-subtle thoughts on what I should be doing with my life he so kindly offered to add at each available chance. But hey, he's a parent after all and I wouldn't be doing my duty as a child if I wasn't disappointing him just a little.
So we arrived in Bologna, a city in Italy I'd not been before but was keen to check out, particularly since it was – as the name suggests – the birthplace of spaghetti bolognese. After dinner, however, it was most definitely the sights of the streets that impressed me more than the sauced pasta dish. It was possibly the shittest meal I've had since being with dad, and I've eaten a lot so I have much to base as comparison. The sights of the streets though, ooh la la... Turns out Bologna is a university town, much to my enjoyment, so along the rows of fashion shops there were real-life models of people looking cool right there on the pavement. I was chomping at the bit to get me some of these lookers, but I kept stopping and reminding myself that they were Italians and my past experiences with such men (never mind the women – can you IMAGINE??!) are not even worth remembering their names for. Urgh, I just remembered another one...
We went back to the hotel and had another early night, and I readied myself to head to my new host family in Orte the next day.
So we arrived in Bologna, a city in Italy I'd not been before but was keen to check out, particularly since it was – as the name suggests – the birthplace of spaghetti bolognese. After dinner, however, it was most definitely the sights of the streets that impressed me more than the sauced pasta dish. It was possibly the shittest meal I've had since being with dad, and I've eaten a lot so I have much to base as comparison. The sights of the streets though, ooh la la... Turns out Bologna is a university town, much to my enjoyment, so along the rows of fashion shops there were real-life models of people looking cool right there on the pavement. I was chomping at the bit to get me some of these lookers, but I kept stopping and reminding myself that they were Italians and my past experiences with such men (never mind the women – can you IMAGINE??!) are not even worth remembering their names for. Urgh, I just remembered another one...
We went back to the hotel and had another early night, and I readied myself to head to my new host family in Orte the next day.
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
Bleeding craziness by the lake
Luckily the first half of today was spent in the back seat of the car, because I was too tired to be exerting much energy. That damned throbbing tooth kept me up to the point that even a Sandra Bullocks movie seemed appealing in aid of making me weary. Tough times.
Today was our 'Bled tour' day, and it ended up being really nice. The initial drive around the snow-topped mountains awarded us some pretty awesome views and another lake to ooh ahh at (dad loves a good lake), and it gave dad another chance to pretend he was in the Targa Tasmania going around some of those hairpin bends. Inside every man is a little boy.
After lunch (again a massive undertaking), we went for a walk around Lake Bled, and took an insane amount of photos on the camera my bro gave me (after I severely disabled my pretty new little Nikon). Dad was annoyed he couldn't take photos on his nice, big Nikon but since I pretty much wrecked it to the point of needing repair (don't know how but I bent one of the tiny pins in the memory card space), I kept quiet. He doesn't want to openly blame me but...
Dad's wife bought a watercolour painting from a local man by the river, who ended up doing a quick watercolour sketch of us 3 and basically laughing hysterically at his own jokes (or just laughing because) for about 10 minutes while dad tried not to impatiently tap his foot... the guy was crazy, but it was pretty funny.
Then we headed to Bled Castle, which as dad says has possibly the best view he's ever seen from a castle - which is a big call considering he's seen a good chunk of the most beautiful castles in the world! Big castle connisseur there... I gotta admit though, it was pretty nice. Sitting right over the lake, and the sun decided to finally come out in the afternoon so we had some good photo opportunities. Yay!
Now I'm obviously on the computer but wondering if dad has falling asleep, because I haven't heard him knock on the door for dinner yet. And that's unlike him. Must rouse him now. Adijo!
Today was our 'Bled tour' day, and it ended up being really nice. The initial drive around the snow-topped mountains awarded us some pretty awesome views and another lake to ooh ahh at (dad loves a good lake), and it gave dad another chance to pretend he was in the Targa Tasmania going around some of those hairpin bends. Inside every man is a little boy.
After lunch (again a massive undertaking), we went for a walk around Lake Bled, and took an insane amount of photos on the camera my bro gave me (after I severely disabled my pretty new little Nikon). Dad was annoyed he couldn't take photos on his nice, big Nikon but since I pretty much wrecked it to the point of needing repair (don't know how but I bent one of the tiny pins in the memory card space), I kept quiet. He doesn't want to openly blame me but...
Dad's wife bought a watercolour painting from a local man by the river, who ended up doing a quick watercolour sketch of us 3 and basically laughing hysterically at his own jokes (or just laughing because) for about 10 minutes while dad tried not to impatiently tap his foot... the guy was crazy, but it was pretty funny.
Then we headed to Bled Castle, which as dad says has possibly the best view he's ever seen from a castle - which is a big call considering he's seen a good chunk of the most beautiful castles in the world! Big castle connisseur there... I gotta admit though, it was pretty nice. Sitting right over the lake, and the sun decided to finally come out in the afternoon so we had some good photo opportunities. Yay!
Now I'm obviously on the computer but wondering if dad has falling asleep, because I haven't heard him knock on the door for dinner yet. And that's unlike him. Must rouse him now. Adijo!
It's just so beewwwwwwdiful
Hardly any sleep last night. It sucked balls. I ate a tough tuna steak for dinner and a piece got stuck in the stupid back cavern of my teeth, the cavern that defies my comfort in sleep!! Damn you cavern!!! The bane of my existence my whole life.
Anyway, yesterday we spent a lot of time driving which was fine with me since it was mostly through the SE wine region of Slovenia. Some of it was gorgeous back roads that wound through little villages, vineyards and farms. Others were on motorways - and I tell ya, Slovenians love a good motorway. I sat in the back trying to fall asleep so I wouldn't let myself stress out by way of osmosis through dad's stressing. I swear about 99% of the time he forgets he's on holiday and still thinks he's due back in the office in 10 minutes.
But you just can't go past Slovenia in the autumn - many of the trees are yellowing, the others are turning red and some stay green. The mix is just stunning. On top of this, the mountains are getting more than a slight drizzling of snow on the tops and even as we wound up the mountains today, it was obvious there had been a decent snowfall recently that still sat all around the road and in the forest. We were all in awe.
In Ptuj, we stopped at the castle and had a look around. There were some weird artworks in there... the girls looked pregnant but also had massive cleavage, it was just a weird combination for people who were meant to be regal and high class. More like discarded hookers.
Dad keeps me amused with his super Aussie pronounciation of everything Slovenian - I can't believe I'm correcting him! It's a slavic language, for fuck's sake, what do I know?! But to be honest, I am actually half decent at this language thing... which I made the mistake of telling dad. Now he's on this not-so-subtle warpath to get me to uni as a linguistic expert. He just does not give up. I swear he's dropped subtle hints before, but now he's just being plain obvious.
The message is loud n clear: "You're making a big mistake traveling for so long, you're going to be left behind from everyone back at home, you're missing out on big life opportunities, you won't have anything to fall back on without a uni degree, uni opens up new doors" and on it goes... Seriously, I know he misses me, but this ain't gonna bring me back any sooner. I regret none of the decisions I've made in my life so far and I have had an AMAZING 26 years so far. But it seems I'm the only one around here that has any trust in life.
Anyway, yesterday we spent a lot of time driving which was fine with me since it was mostly through the SE wine region of Slovenia. Some of it was gorgeous back roads that wound through little villages, vineyards and farms. Others were on motorways - and I tell ya, Slovenians love a good motorway. I sat in the back trying to fall asleep so I wouldn't let myself stress out by way of osmosis through dad's stressing. I swear about 99% of the time he forgets he's on holiday and still thinks he's due back in the office in 10 minutes.
But you just can't go past Slovenia in the autumn - many of the trees are yellowing, the others are turning red and some stay green. The mix is just stunning. On top of this, the mountains are getting more than a slight drizzling of snow on the tops and even as we wound up the mountains today, it was obvious there had been a decent snowfall recently that still sat all around the road and in the forest. We were all in awe.
In Ptuj, we stopped at the castle and had a look around. There were some weird artworks in there... the girls looked pregnant but also had massive cleavage, it was just a weird combination for people who were meant to be regal and high class. More like discarded hookers.
Dad keeps me amused with his super Aussie pronounciation of everything Slovenian - I can't believe I'm correcting him! It's a slavic language, for fuck's sake, what do I know?! But to be honest, I am actually half decent at this language thing... which I made the mistake of telling dad. Now he's on this not-so-subtle warpath to get me to uni as a linguistic expert. He just does not give up. I swear he's dropped subtle hints before, but now he's just being plain obvious.
The message is loud n clear: "You're making a big mistake traveling for so long, you're going to be left behind from everyone back at home, you're missing out on big life opportunities, you won't have anything to fall back on without a uni degree, uni opens up new doors" and on it goes... Seriously, I know he misses me, but this ain't gonna bring me back any sooner. I regret none of the decisions I've made in my life so far and I have had an AMAZING 26 years so far. But it seems I'm the only one around here that has any trust in life.
Monday, 18 October 2010
Couchsurfing cuties to Maribor mountains
I forget what it's like traveling with my dad and his wife but now the memories come racing back to me like a Formula 1 torpedo. They are just SO SENSIBLE! And while that works extremely well in their relationship, I just could not live with it. So no, thank you for the offer dad, but I am NOT living with you when I get back to Australia. Whenever that may be. Well, at least not longer than I need to before I find a place of my own. Thanks daddy :)
There are so many 'just in case's and 'you never know's, nothing left to chance, nothing unplanned, everything 1, 2, 3 and we're done, next monument please, hurry up we've gotta get on the road again, let's program the sat nav while we're on the autobarn, wait do I have a chance to scratch my ass?? JUST RELAX. The amount of times I have had to remind dad that he is on holiday, we are in possibly the smallest country we'll ever holiday in, he can take it easy... he thinks I'm nagging him but I am simply trying to get him to breathe. Just breathe.
So now I've vented my frustrations, possibly because I'm one cocktail and half a litre of beer down, I can say that today has consisted of a lovely stroll through downtown Ljubljana, the first day we've seen commercial activity since we arrived on the weekend. I met a local girl through Couchsurfing who video interviewed me about Couchsurfing and we had a quick coffee afterwards (although after a big traditional Slovenian lunch I had no room for anything but water) and I sat there the whole time wondering if she thought I was as pretty as I thought she was. Guess I'll never know. Or will I...???
She tells me there is a really cool ex-military site which is now a boho kinda club district that I should check out... shame I found out about it just before we left town but it's not like I can't ever come back. And now I have a guide :)
My overall impression of Ljubljana has been positive - the people are not the ugliest in the world, a change from other (ahem) parts of Europe, and they seem to have an understated sense of class/style which also shows through their shops. I've been well impressed by their range of shoes!! Have absolutely no room in my bag though, so no chance of a random shopping spree. There is some beautiful architecture and everything seems quite well maintained, so you can't complain about that. Except that I like derelict buildings so a little less maintenance wouldn't have gone astray for my weird tastes. Still, you can't please everyone, can you??
Now I'm in our new hotel near (another) mountainous region of Maribor, which we'll explore tomorrow. Dad and his wife are resting in their room, I'm downstairs drinking. Life is good.
There are so many 'just in case's and 'you never know's, nothing left to chance, nothing unplanned, everything 1, 2, 3 and we're done, next monument please, hurry up we've gotta get on the road again, let's program the sat nav while we're on the autobarn, wait do I have a chance to scratch my ass?? JUST RELAX. The amount of times I have had to remind dad that he is on holiday, we are in possibly the smallest country we'll ever holiday in, he can take it easy... he thinks I'm nagging him but I am simply trying to get him to breathe. Just breathe.
So now I've vented my frustrations, possibly because I'm one cocktail and half a litre of beer down, I can say that today has consisted of a lovely stroll through downtown Ljubljana, the first day we've seen commercial activity since we arrived on the weekend. I met a local girl through Couchsurfing who video interviewed me about Couchsurfing and we had a quick coffee afterwards (although after a big traditional Slovenian lunch I had no room for anything but water) and I sat there the whole time wondering if she thought I was as pretty as I thought she was. Guess I'll never know. Or will I...???
She tells me there is a really cool ex-military site which is now a boho kinda club district that I should check out... shame I found out about it just before we left town but it's not like I can't ever come back. And now I have a guide :)
My overall impression of Ljubljana has been positive - the people are not the ugliest in the world, a change from other (ahem) parts of Europe, and they seem to have an understated sense of class/style which also shows through their shops. I've been well impressed by their range of shoes!! Have absolutely no room in my bag though, so no chance of a random shopping spree. There is some beautiful architecture and everything seems quite well maintained, so you can't complain about that. Except that I like derelict buildings so a little less maintenance wouldn't have gone astray for my weird tastes. Still, you can't please everyone, can you??
Now I'm in our new hotel near (another) mountainous region of Maribor, which we'll explore tomorrow. Dad and his wife are resting in their room, I'm downstairs drinking. Life is good.
Sunday, 17 October 2010
Teensy tiny Slovenia
Having extrapilated myself from the clutches of Rottweilers and stallions in countryside Slovenia, I have now acclimatised to a new kind of holiday with daddy dearest. And I've still not taken out any money.
Dad came with his wife yesterday to pick me up from the farm and I couldn't get out of there quick enuf. I was so excited to see him and also to just move on, I jumped in the car and bid the place a final goodbye. We went straight into the capital Ljubljana (pronounced lube-lee-arna, took me a while to get that one) and found the accommodation I'd booked for us. Was a bit worried about whether it was going to be nice enuf for them but it has turned out more than adequate. Me done good.
Went out for dinner by the city river, which was so nice and reminded us of Switzerland or Stockholm... as everything else has been in this country, it was clean, neat and orderly. Maybe it's more like Germany then. Everything is nice and sensible - dad loves it.
Today we jumped in the car and opted for a last-minute planned route skirting the city centre, checking out some cute little towns and old buildings. We didn't get out much except to eat (fine with me), which was good since it was raining all day, and I enjoyed just staring into the yellowing autumn forests as we wound up and down the hills and rolled through the pasturised valleys. My favourite town was Skolja Toka. So romantic...
Everything is so darned close to each other, I'm now getting an idea of just how small this country is. I hope I can stretch this holiday out for a few more days before seeing everything it has to offer!
Ate way too much for lunch and now am trying to prepare myself for another no doubt overfilling for dinner. This is what happens when I holiday with dad. We eat. And drive. And stop to eat. And eat again.
Dad came with his wife yesterday to pick me up from the farm and I couldn't get out of there quick enuf. I was so excited to see him and also to just move on, I jumped in the car and bid the place a final goodbye. We went straight into the capital Ljubljana (pronounced lube-lee-arna, took me a while to get that one) and found the accommodation I'd booked for us. Was a bit worried about whether it was going to be nice enuf for them but it has turned out more than adequate. Me done good.
Went out for dinner by the city river, which was so nice and reminded us of Switzerland or Stockholm... as everything else has been in this country, it was clean, neat and orderly. Maybe it's more like Germany then. Everything is nice and sensible - dad loves it.
Today we jumped in the car and opted for a last-minute planned route skirting the city centre, checking out some cute little towns and old buildings. We didn't get out much except to eat (fine with me), which was good since it was raining all day, and I enjoyed just staring into the yellowing autumn forests as we wound up and down the hills and rolled through the pasturised valleys. My favourite town was Skolja Toka. So romantic...
Everything is so darned close to each other, I'm now getting an idea of just how small this country is. I hope I can stretch this holiday out for a few more days before seeing everything it has to offer!
Ate way too much for lunch and now am trying to prepare myself for another no doubt overfilling for dinner. This is what happens when I holiday with dad. We eat. And drive. And stop to eat. And eat again.
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