And so it was that our time in St Thomas was coming to an end. We'd had a ball, as I knew we would in each other's company (we're just that great) and also with the kind hospitality of L and B.
I slept in a little more than normal, I guess, but was still up way before E. Tried to sunbake on the banana lounges by the pool at L's, but the weather wasn't being too kind. It was very cute, though, when I heard a scuttle scuttle and saw the dog, usually very reserved with strangers, had stuffed herself under my chair rather awkwardly with her ass poking out at the side. Cute!
The first drops of rain fell and E emerged from her slumber. We debated food options - delivery pizza, going into town, big greasy breakfast - then realised it was not even 10am so not much would be open, and really, pizza for breakfast? Even I would poo-poo that.
It was a ghost town at the bottom of the hill. Not even Pizza Hut was open yet (yep, we actually tried). There was one place with no menu and pretty much no food, then we happened upon a bar just opening. I ordered a pile of grease with some BBQ sauce on the side, and E a "Big Kahuna Burger" complete with chips (of the crisps variety) and absolutely no sauce. Shittiest meal ever.
Back to the house it was to do a bit of a clean up and watch some satellite TV. I have enjoyed not having a TV in St Maarten but on this day in St Thomas, I was glad. The weather was just balls.
Then we had to return the car, and I somehow navigated us back to L's work to meet her there. The guys at the rental place certainly liked the look of E and I, even asked us for a picture with them. "Sure, you have a camera?" "Uhh, no, but I can get one from home." "Don't worry about it then, guys." Ha! But it felt kinda good to have at least ONE guy try to pick us up on this godforsaken island!! Where are all the prying eyes, I ask???
We stopped by one of B's takeaway restaurants, Texas BBQ Pit, to get an assortment of BBQ goods for a late lunch/early dinner. Man, it tasted good! Even for E, the vegetarian/pescetarian/sometimes carnivore. She was tuckin' into those ribs like there was no tomorrow!
Then it was off to the airport, where we arrived way too early and had plenty of time to kill once we checked in. So L drove us to Tickles, a bar nearby, for some beers. Had some more of the local brew, quite nice actually, tucked into 2 bowls of free popcorn (fatty fat fatty!!) and then we headed back to the airport. Liat was again running late so we had plenty of time. Luckily.
We put our bags through security screening and voila! What do they find in my carry-on?? My pocket knife! Now I carry this around because I work with horses, not for any dodgy reason. But it had gone through St Maarten security no problems, so I never even realised I still had it in my bag. The guys told me I could just check it in - easier said than done.
The women at the counter refused to do it, spending way more time arguing with me about there being no more time than actually getting it done, and in the end the kind security guy had to come over with me to explain it could actually still be checked in, even if he had to walk the damn thing over to the plane himself. And so it was checked in.
E gets a little stressed in airports so had been a bit worried when we didn't walk into the waiting lounge together. And she was probably wondering what was taking me so long to come through now. Security and I thought we'd take advantage of this. I waited inside while 2 of them came out, gloves n all, and told E I would not be making the flight due to the knife found in my bag. She looked at them, asking if they were serious. They gravely asked her if she wanted to still take the flight or wait there with me. Then they burst into a fit of giggles and told her they were kidding. Priceless!
The short plane ride was uneventful, except for the prying eyes of some cute little black kids next to us who were not yet at the age of knowing staring is rude (actually, most of the guys in St Maarten never seem to get taught that either).
Back "home", we caught a pimpin' taxi playing some reggae concert with Damien 'Dr Gong' Marley and his knee-length dreds (how would he take a shit with them??) and then went to Pineapple Pete's for some internet and more prying eyes. This time we paid the bill.
Showing posts with label rain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rain. Show all posts
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Monday, 28 November 2011
And the heavens opened
I didn't think working on a Sunday would be quite as painful as normal, as this time I'd been switched to work with J. But lordy lord, was I wrong. It was the most despicable weather I have seen in my 5 weeks living here. Rain, rain and more rain.
I knew it was coming, as I sat eating my granola (American way of saying honeyed muesli) and yoghurt, watching the clouds devour every inch of the sky. If I'd been smart, I would have taken the annoying sucking sounds of my old man neighbour skinning (and sucking) bamboo as a warning sign that this day would indeed suck.
The boss wasn't around, not entirely surprisingly since anyone with half a brain was indoors as they say "fucking or sleeping" (glad to know my options are plentiful), so we were given our daily tasks as normal and expected to carry them out. Which we did... in time.
We had one lot of customers come - a cruise ship ride for J and 4 locals for me. Well, by locals I mean people living here. I didn't expect a tip, nor did I receive one. Most probably because just 100m into the ride my young horse decided to throw a tantrum and complete bonkers-out. It sensed the herd of non-working horses nearby and of course at that time that decided to gallop away, and he got all excited, jumping around and rearing up.
This did nothing to instil confidence in the 2 women already very nervous on their first ride, and the man with his young cousin. In fact, the young boy liked the excitement but I could tell the man was a little more dubious. Either way, no one came off, the one horse that bolted slowed and turned back quickly, and we were on our way again. I thought for one moment I would have had to dismount and change horses, but I pushed him on and he calmed down.
At that stage in the day, the weather wasn't yet raining horribly, just sprinkling, but it was windy. And the clouds were out, making views of the nearby islands impossible. It's always hard, too, when you have people that live on the island, to tell them things they probably already know. Our rides are really tailored to tourists, so when you have locals you really just have to have nice conversation.
And then I had the task of putting them in the right order - the young boy first, but then the scared girls in the middle and the older cousin at the back that probably wanted to be close to the young boy. Much more than meets the eye with being a horse guide. Most people probably don't even realise what goes through our heads!
As the rain fell around midday, J and I looked at the now murky water and thought it a perfect time to swim. Well, he was a bit uncertain... but I was keen, pulling off my t-shirt... and then he was keen haha.... amazingly, my white sports bra was thick enuf it wasn't see-through in the water. Was fun, though, going crazy in the rain. Afterwards, pretty much assigned myself lunch, as there was not much I could do without catching fever.
Had some people book a one-hour ride, then cancel, then another couple booking a two-hour ride (why????) then not show up... so I was on alert for the afternoon, praying they wouldn't turn up. Seriously... who books a ride on a day like today?? Ridiculous.
So obviously I made no tips today - the first time for me. No surprising, but still a bit of a bummer. This week I made a killing, though, so all good. Got a sympathy tip from J, who got a decent amount from his cruise ship ride - unusual - so maybe my freaky horse cost me some extra moolah. Oh well, off to the glue factory for you, m'dear.
At the end of the day - oh, how I longed for the end - the boss was there and congratulated us on getting everything done in the shitty weather. No problem. At all. Brrrrr. I rejected a lift from R and stayed around talking about the crazy hurricane weather of the island, how it'd changed in the last few decades and "Old Years" (what they call New Years Eve)... was quite interesting except that I was slowing starting to freeze still in my wet t-shirt. Seriously the first time I've properly been cold on the island. Was actually visualising sitting in front of a fire.
Came home and made myself entirely too much stir fry - in fact, I ate it all, as I always do. What was I saying about losing weight on this island?? Well, not much else to concentrate on really, is there? Can't shelter under trees like I did today thinking all kinds of sad things about not being with my love, now can I? Time to get crackin', let's get some of this weight off. Just the same, it's also easy to eat my way through the depression. Now where was that packet of M&Ms???
I knew it was coming, as I sat eating my granola (American way of saying honeyed muesli) and yoghurt, watching the clouds devour every inch of the sky. If I'd been smart, I would have taken the annoying sucking sounds of my old man neighbour skinning (and sucking) bamboo as a warning sign that this day would indeed suck.
The boss wasn't around, not entirely surprisingly since anyone with half a brain was indoors as they say "fucking or sleeping" (glad to know my options are plentiful), so we were given our daily tasks as normal and expected to carry them out. Which we did... in time.
We had one lot of customers come - a cruise ship ride for J and 4 locals for me. Well, by locals I mean people living here. I didn't expect a tip, nor did I receive one. Most probably because just 100m into the ride my young horse decided to throw a tantrum and complete bonkers-out. It sensed the herd of non-working horses nearby and of course at that time that decided to gallop away, and he got all excited, jumping around and rearing up.
This did nothing to instil confidence in the 2 women already very nervous on their first ride, and the man with his young cousin. In fact, the young boy liked the excitement but I could tell the man was a little more dubious. Either way, no one came off, the one horse that bolted slowed and turned back quickly, and we were on our way again. I thought for one moment I would have had to dismount and change horses, but I pushed him on and he calmed down.
At that stage in the day, the weather wasn't yet raining horribly, just sprinkling, but it was windy. And the clouds were out, making views of the nearby islands impossible. It's always hard, too, when you have people that live on the island, to tell them things they probably already know. Our rides are really tailored to tourists, so when you have locals you really just have to have nice conversation.
And then I had the task of putting them in the right order - the young boy first, but then the scared girls in the middle and the older cousin at the back that probably wanted to be close to the young boy. Much more than meets the eye with being a horse guide. Most people probably don't even realise what goes through our heads!
As the rain fell around midday, J and I looked at the now murky water and thought it a perfect time to swim. Well, he was a bit uncertain... but I was keen, pulling off my t-shirt... and then he was keen haha.... amazingly, my white sports bra was thick enuf it wasn't see-through in the water. Was fun, though, going crazy in the rain. Afterwards, pretty much assigned myself lunch, as there was not much I could do without catching fever.
Had some people book a one-hour ride, then cancel, then another couple booking a two-hour ride (why????) then not show up... so I was on alert for the afternoon, praying they wouldn't turn up. Seriously... who books a ride on a day like today?? Ridiculous.
So obviously I made no tips today - the first time for me. No surprising, but still a bit of a bummer. This week I made a killing, though, so all good. Got a sympathy tip from J, who got a decent amount from his cruise ship ride - unusual - so maybe my freaky horse cost me some extra moolah. Oh well, off to the glue factory for you, m'dear.
At the end of the day - oh, how I longed for the end - the boss was there and congratulated us on getting everything done in the shitty weather. No problem. At all. Brrrrr. I rejected a lift from R and stayed around talking about the crazy hurricane weather of the island, how it'd changed in the last few decades and "Old Years" (what they call New Years Eve)... was quite interesting except that I was slowing starting to freeze still in my wet t-shirt. Seriously the first time I've properly been cold on the island. Was actually visualising sitting in front of a fire.
Came home and made myself entirely too much stir fry - in fact, I ate it all, as I always do. What was I saying about losing weight on this island?? Well, not much else to concentrate on really, is there? Can't shelter under trees like I did today thinking all kinds of sad things about not being with my love, now can I? Time to get crackin', let's get some of this weight off. Just the same, it's also easy to eat my way through the depression. Now where was that packet of M&Ms???
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Tropical = torrential
Woke up a bit tired today, after my busy day off yesterday. Surprisingly, my arms didn't hurt from the kayaking which either means I didn't try hard enuf or I am now used to using my muscles. Which is new. Haha...
I took just one ride out today, a French-Canadian on a one-hour tour. To my delight, she displayed neither stereotypical traits of French or Canadian and tipped me nicely at the end. I was on Chico, boss' orders, and he was fine on trail until we hit the water. Played about with me, rearing and trying to escape out onto the beach, at one point even sitting down in the water (thoroughly soaking me) then springing out in a nice rear action. Was an interesting ride but enjoyable all the same.
There was another ride in the afternoon which J took - 2 people I can only assume were father and son, the son part a cowboy-in-waiting with his cowboy hat and gun-ho! attitude. I told them I wanted to hear "Yee-ha!!" from the top of the mountain - and so I did haha
Am yet to do a day's work here with no rides at all, most probably that will happen one Sunday. But it's good, I usually get put on the rides when they come in - I'd like to think that's because I'm good at guiding, most likely it's because they prefer to keep the men on the ground doing the hard work. Either way, it works for me.
Today was officially the end of my one-month working here, so I was paid the rest of my salary. Am trying to figure out a way to transfer the cash I'm paid into my Aussie account so I can use my credit card online and pay it back using money from the Aus account. Because at the moment, there isn't enuf in there to pay for tickets to St Thomas or buy some of the other things I'm wanting to.
Didn't hear from A today :( Didn't like that feeling. I know it's only a day but I so look forward to getting his messages. I hope it was due to an internet fault at his end, but I just have a funny feeling he didn't want to write to me for some reason. I just feel it in my stomach. Probably just paranoid. Argh, this distance thing is harder than I thought it would ever be.
Good news is that work is slow tomorrow for a cruise day, so I managed to get a late start and can fit in a morning kayak with the girls (2 others that work at Seaside - we joke that we're the "Seaside Angels" with paddles as guns). Not sure how often I will be able to do that but I thought I'd take the chance while I had it.
Stuck around a bit after work, just chilling with R and A.Talking about impregnating horses as one is about to drop (hopefully before or after his family goes on holidays!), was interesting to hear why he chooses to breed certain horses from his pack. Then we talked about dogs... made me miss having one. One day, when I settle down... one day.
Went home to find I needed to do my weekly my grocery shop so I grabbed my bag (save the earth, like I'm the only one here who cares) and got on my way. In the store, I heard what I thought were raindrops on the tin roof... sure enuf, I looked out and it was PELTING down. So I had to wait for a lull, even though I live just around the corner. Seriously, it was hard rain. Gotta love living on a tropical island.
I took just one ride out today, a French-Canadian on a one-hour tour. To my delight, she displayed neither stereotypical traits of French or Canadian and tipped me nicely at the end. I was on Chico, boss' orders, and he was fine on trail until we hit the water. Played about with me, rearing and trying to escape out onto the beach, at one point even sitting down in the water (thoroughly soaking me) then springing out in a nice rear action. Was an interesting ride but enjoyable all the same.
There was another ride in the afternoon which J took - 2 people I can only assume were father and son, the son part a cowboy-in-waiting with his cowboy hat and gun-ho! attitude. I told them I wanted to hear "Yee-ha!!" from the top of the mountain - and so I did haha
Am yet to do a day's work here with no rides at all, most probably that will happen one Sunday. But it's good, I usually get put on the rides when they come in - I'd like to think that's because I'm good at guiding, most likely it's because they prefer to keep the men on the ground doing the hard work. Either way, it works for me.
Today was officially the end of my one-month working here, so I was paid the rest of my salary. Am trying to figure out a way to transfer the cash I'm paid into my Aussie account so I can use my credit card online and pay it back using money from the Aus account. Because at the moment, there isn't enuf in there to pay for tickets to St Thomas or buy some of the other things I'm wanting to.
Didn't hear from A today :( Didn't like that feeling. I know it's only a day but I so look forward to getting his messages. I hope it was due to an internet fault at his end, but I just have a funny feeling he didn't want to write to me for some reason. I just feel it in my stomach. Probably just paranoid. Argh, this distance thing is harder than I thought it would ever be.
Good news is that work is slow tomorrow for a cruise day, so I managed to get a late start and can fit in a morning kayak with the girls (2 others that work at Seaside - we joke that we're the "Seaside Angels" with paddles as guns). Not sure how often I will be able to do that but I thought I'd take the chance while I had it.
Stuck around a bit after work, just chilling with R and A.Talking about impregnating horses as one is about to drop (hopefully before or after his family goes on holidays!), was interesting to hear why he chooses to breed certain horses from his pack. Then we talked about dogs... made me miss having one. One day, when I settle down... one day.
Went home to find I needed to do my weekly my grocery shop so I grabbed my bag (save the earth, like I'm the only one here who cares) and got on my way. In the store, I heard what I thought were raindrops on the tin roof... sure enuf, I looked out and it was PELTING down. So I had to wait for a lull, even though I live just around the corner. Seriously, it was hard rain. Gotta love living on a tropical island.
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
It's all just, "cock, cock, cock"
Let me in on one of my most amusing conversations with my workmates recently. We were talking about how my boss wanted to leave off feeding the chickens and roosters, as he wanted them a little hungry because there was a fight later that day. Now I've been told that this island is mad for cock fighting. They say they really like their "sport" here. Watching animals fight doesn't really fall into the category of sport for me, but each to their own. I guess fist-pumping the air does give the biceps a good workout.
The receptionist, R, is talking about how crazy these men are about cock fighting - some people live by it. And she's chatting away... "Oh, it's big 'round 'ere, sometimes it's like all them boys think 'bout is cock, cock, cock..." Yes, I looked away at that point, fearful they'd see my immature little mind ticking overtime. Ahh, the simple things in life.
So today wasn't so busy, again, but this time mainly because of the torrential rain that plagued the morning. I woke to drizzle and by the time we were ready to receive the first riders of the day, it was pouring. Needless to say, my ride never turned up so I was stuck doing menial tasks (still in the pouring rain - I suppose I could've cowered away until it stopped, but how's that for a first week of work ethic??) until something else came along.
I, the rasta guide, got nice tips from the ride that did come as he took them in the heavy rain (well, the half of them that were still keen to mount). I had just one ride, a girl who used to work at the stables and is leaving soon, and her friend (both Dutch). I have to say, they are lovely girls and it was really a nice ride - no tips though, which didn't surprise me. I would've probably felt weird accepting tips from them anyway.
Wasted a bit of time on horseback looking for a couple of cheeky horses who ended up being in the paddock the whole time. Again on Fresita, J's favourite (he was off today), we went out to collect the horses free-grazing for the afternoon. Man, that horse can fly - I held her back because I'm still unfamiliar with the tracks and it was a bit slippery from the rain. But I'd love to give her the rein. Whoooa.
Tomorrow is a busy day, lots of rides scheduled so it'll be a taste of what high season is like. Probably won't even get a lunch break. Gotta slip, slap, slop, cos my noggin is looking a little Rudolf red-nosed these days. Been told that's still cute... dammit, I am trying to look unappealing right now and I'm still told by my bosses that the boys are distracted. The price of being fresh meat, right?
October 25 - makes me think that in just 2 months it'll be Christmas here. Another Christmas away from friends and family, and now my boy. Actually, this must be the fourth Christmas in a row (fifth altogether) that I'm away. I hope it is nice here with my new friends...
The receptionist, R, is talking about how crazy these men are about cock fighting - some people live by it. And she's chatting away... "Oh, it's big 'round 'ere, sometimes it's like all them boys think 'bout is cock, cock, cock..." Yes, I looked away at that point, fearful they'd see my immature little mind ticking overtime. Ahh, the simple things in life.
So today wasn't so busy, again, but this time mainly because of the torrential rain that plagued the morning. I woke to drizzle and by the time we were ready to receive the first riders of the day, it was pouring. Needless to say, my ride never turned up so I was stuck doing menial tasks (still in the pouring rain - I suppose I could've cowered away until it stopped, but how's that for a first week of work ethic??) until something else came along.
I, the rasta guide, got nice tips from the ride that did come as he took them in the heavy rain (well, the half of them that were still keen to mount). I had just one ride, a girl who used to work at the stables and is leaving soon, and her friend (both Dutch). I have to say, they are lovely girls and it was really a nice ride - no tips though, which didn't surprise me. I would've probably felt weird accepting tips from them anyway.
Wasted a bit of time on horseback looking for a couple of cheeky horses who ended up being in the paddock the whole time. Again on Fresita, J's favourite (he was off today), we went out to collect the horses free-grazing for the afternoon. Man, that horse can fly - I held her back because I'm still unfamiliar with the tracks and it was a bit slippery from the rain. But I'd love to give her the rein. Whoooa.
Tomorrow is a busy day, lots of rides scheduled so it'll be a taste of what high season is like. Probably won't even get a lunch break. Gotta slip, slap, slop, cos my noggin is looking a little Rudolf red-nosed these days. Been told that's still cute... dammit, I am trying to look unappealing right now and I'm still told by my bosses that the boys are distracted. The price of being fresh meat, right?
October 25 - makes me think that in just 2 months it'll be Christmas here. Another Christmas away from friends and family, and now my boy. Actually, this must be the fourth Christmas in a row (fifth altogether) that I'm away. I hope it is nice here with my new friends...
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Sweat... my old friend (or enemy??)
Sweat. It has returned to my life. As much as I bitched about the cold of the European winter, at least I didn´t sweat. BUT, alles gut, and I will certainly not start to complain about Brazil when I just got here.
After posting yesterday, I took the dog for a walk (crazy fucker that it is)and sorted myself out at the beautician (Brazilian in Brazil, anyone?? haha still not old) before returning to the hotel and its rooftop pool. I´ll be squeezing every last drop from this free 4-star ride, you got that right. It is so nice just to have a room to myself with a big queen bed.
The rooftop had a cool view of Rio but unfortunately was situated right next to a building site so along with the pigeons, I had an audience of Brazilian builders. Ahh well. Good for the ego I guess. This place is gonna be good for that, at least. I certainly had to put F back in his place later in the night when he tried his luck. But more on that later.
I went back to the room for a quick kip, which turned into a 5-hour slumber that went right through the time I´d promised to be at F´s for dinner. Oops. So I ran over late and had a delicious soup (the boy can cook) as well as some capirinhas and beers. Things got a little too close for comfort when F was giving me a massage so I had to make the lines a little more definite, and ensure I would have no midnight visitors in my bed during my Carnival Couchsurf.
And I guess I got a taste of what the Brazilians will be like when the parties start. The old "can´t blame a guy for trying" seemed to be the way he was rolling, fine with me as long as the trying stops now. He is a nice guy and very generous with his apartment (and he has a cute dog!) so I would enjoy being friends with him. And getting the ego boost that he thinks I`m awesome and "stand out in a crowd". Well, I sure hope I do, he´s gotta find me some way when I dash off to go dance on a podium or something.
Small hints of Carnival are starting to appear on the street, little stalls with glittery masks and feathered hats, and about twice as many people as yesterday. I almost thought I would have less breakfast to choose from this morning cos the room was so much fuller. Alas, they must´ve known I was coming. Can´t wait to get to the beach when it´s sunny.
Should head out to the botanical gardens soon, F suggested it as a place to chill today despite the on-off rain. Apparently good weather is due to return for the weekend - just in time for the parties! Well, regardless it would be good to see some more of the city via the bus. And I wonder how many more people I can offend by speaking Spanish to today.
After posting yesterday, I took the dog for a walk (crazy fucker that it is)and sorted myself out at the beautician (Brazilian in Brazil, anyone?? haha still not old) before returning to the hotel and its rooftop pool. I´ll be squeezing every last drop from this free 4-star ride, you got that right. It is so nice just to have a room to myself with a big queen bed.
The rooftop had a cool view of Rio but unfortunately was situated right next to a building site so along with the pigeons, I had an audience of Brazilian builders. Ahh well. Good for the ego I guess. This place is gonna be good for that, at least. I certainly had to put F back in his place later in the night when he tried his luck. But more on that later.
I went back to the room for a quick kip, which turned into a 5-hour slumber that went right through the time I´d promised to be at F´s for dinner. Oops. So I ran over late and had a delicious soup (the boy can cook) as well as some capirinhas and beers. Things got a little too close for comfort when F was giving me a massage so I had to make the lines a little more definite, and ensure I would have no midnight visitors in my bed during my Carnival Couchsurf.
And I guess I got a taste of what the Brazilians will be like when the parties start. The old "can´t blame a guy for trying" seemed to be the way he was rolling, fine with me as long as the trying stops now. He is a nice guy and very generous with his apartment (and he has a cute dog!) so I would enjoy being friends with him. And getting the ego boost that he thinks I`m awesome and "stand out in a crowd". Well, I sure hope I do, he´s gotta find me some way when I dash off to go dance on a podium or something.
Small hints of Carnival are starting to appear on the street, little stalls with glittery masks and feathered hats, and about twice as many people as yesterday. I almost thought I would have less breakfast to choose from this morning cos the room was so much fuller. Alas, they must´ve known I was coming. Can´t wait to get to the beach when it´s sunny.
Should head out to the botanical gardens soon, F suggested it as a place to chill today despite the on-off rain. Apparently good weather is due to return for the weekend - just in time for the parties! Well, regardless it would be good to see some more of the city via the bus. And I wonder how many more people I can offend by speaking Spanish to today.
Friday, 14 January 2011
Warm(ish) weather is icy icy baby
It's been raining the last couple of days, which makes for some interesting situations. I have to be extra careful now because the snow is melting away, exposing the ice that has laid underneath for weeks, and even the mud is sometimes slippery. On the other hand, it is pretty good weather (as in 2 jumpers instead of 2 jumpers and a heavy overcoat kinda weather) for wintertime.
But luckily, because of my gammy wrists, I am having an easy day today, largely inside resting (although typing on the computer for hours probably isn't helping the wrist situation) and not having to do the animals in the afternoon. I keep thinking how nice it is of G to give me the afternoon off, then I remember I haven't actually had a day off in the almost two weeks I've been here! Not that I mind, it's not an issue and G needs me to do the work because she physically can't at the moment. Like I said, good brain and body training.
Well, I'm off now to teach myself some more Spanish. Yesterday was numbers 1 - 1000, today basic phrases. OK. Deep breaths. Ouch, my head already hurts thinking about it.
But luckily, because of my gammy wrists, I am having an easy day today, largely inside resting (although typing on the computer for hours probably isn't helping the wrist situation) and not having to do the animals in the afternoon. I keep thinking how nice it is of G to give me the afternoon off, then I remember I haven't actually had a day off in the almost two weeks I've been here! Not that I mind, it's not an issue and G needs me to do the work because she physically can't at the moment. Like I said, good brain and body training.
Well, I'm off now to teach myself some more Spanish. Yesterday was numbers 1 - 1000, today basic phrases. OK. Deep breaths. Ouch, my head already hurts thinking about it.
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.
Sunday, 19 September 2010
Nighttime swimming and ridin' with the silver surfers
Feeling well chuffed with my choice of hostel - great location, cheap price, clean and well run - I set my sights on putting together some options for the Swedish girls once they arrived in Budapest. After getting a good night's sleep - and fuck knows I needed it after the multiple disruptions from the night before - I was up and ready to meet them at Keleti station next morning.
It had started to rain but the walk there was quick and painless. Finally collecting the girls from their late-arriving train, I attempted to make the walk back to the hostel as uneventful but managed to wander too far down the street and get the poor girls soaked while I turned my map in all manner of directions.
Once safely delivered to the hostel, we headed for breakfast and decided then that we'd check out the House of Terror and try for some monuments in the big park. The rain persisting, quite appropriately, as we checked out the place of torture and interrogation during fascist and soviet rule, and by the time we finished we were more concerned with food than seeing monuments. I'd already seen them and they could always go after I left the next day.
At the hostel, I arranged to meet the American guy and his Slovakian girlfriend I met last time that owned an English school for a drink and talk about potential job opportunities. At this point, I left the Swedes to their own devices and pushed them in the direction of Buda. A few beers and one confirmation of work later, I'm scrambling around the city in the general direction of Buda and after arriving late, we scouted the uber-expensive restaurant district of Buda for some semi-reasonable food and drink.
Our meal, while tasty and not tooooo expensive, was most interesting because for the most part we spoke in the broken Romanian we'd learnt in the past 2 months. And it was pretty funny! Much easier to talk about the people around you when you're speaking a language virtually no one else would know. And we did alright!
We then headed off, at my suggestion, to the baths nearby for some night swimming. It took forever to find the damned things but when we did, we paid about £10 and went inside to the modern-day version of a Turkish bathhouse. Mostly young people, quite a few couples, gross Hungarian men staring at the women and even a woman with what I can only assume was Elephantisis on her legs. Mixed crowd.
We messed around wrestling and jumping in the different temperature pools before my alcohol-soaked brain started to melt in the water and we called it a night. Not too cheap but a good and unusual way to spend a Friday night, particularly with people who don't tend to drink much.
Now I'm on the plane to London with the silver surfers on BA (none of this low budget airline business!!), so very excited to see everyone! I need to get my cowboy boots fixed too. Pronto. Lots more use for them to come!!
Oh, and another Help X host contacted me from Wales asking for help in January at a cob stud. The website is quite good and the horses just beautiful, I'm seriously considering it but awaiting more info on what kind of training I'm needing to do. Cos I am OUT if it's dressage!!
It had started to rain but the walk there was quick and painless. Finally collecting the girls from their late-arriving train, I attempted to make the walk back to the hostel as uneventful but managed to wander too far down the street and get the poor girls soaked while I turned my map in all manner of directions.
Once safely delivered to the hostel, we headed for breakfast and decided then that we'd check out the House of Terror and try for some monuments in the big park. The rain persisting, quite appropriately, as we checked out the place of torture and interrogation during fascist and soviet rule, and by the time we finished we were more concerned with food than seeing monuments. I'd already seen them and they could always go after I left the next day.
At the hostel, I arranged to meet the American guy and his Slovakian girlfriend I met last time that owned an English school for a drink and talk about potential job opportunities. At this point, I left the Swedes to their own devices and pushed them in the direction of Buda. A few beers and one confirmation of work later, I'm scrambling around the city in the general direction of Buda and after arriving late, we scouted the uber-expensive restaurant district of Buda for some semi-reasonable food and drink.
Our meal, while tasty and not tooooo expensive, was most interesting because for the most part we spoke in the broken Romanian we'd learnt in the past 2 months. And it was pretty funny! Much easier to talk about the people around you when you're speaking a language virtually no one else would know. And we did alright!
We then headed off, at my suggestion, to the baths nearby for some night swimming. It took forever to find the damned things but when we did, we paid about £10 and went inside to the modern-day version of a Turkish bathhouse. Mostly young people, quite a few couples, gross Hungarian men staring at the women and even a woman with what I can only assume was Elephantisis on her legs. Mixed crowd.
We messed around wrestling and jumping in the different temperature pools before my alcohol-soaked brain started to melt in the water and we called it a night. Not too cheap but a good and unusual way to spend a Friday night, particularly with people who don't tend to drink much.
Now I'm on the plane to London with the silver surfers on BA (none of this low budget airline business!!), so very excited to see everyone! I need to get my cowboy boots fixed too. Pronto. Lots more use for them to come!!
Oh, and another Help X host contacted me from Wales asking for help in January at a cob stud. The website is quite good and the horses just beautiful, I'm seriously considering it but awaiting more info on what kind of training I'm needing to do. Cos I am OUT if it's dressage!!
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Rain eases the pain
OK, so I spoke too soon last night. Just after I posted that blog about giving ourselves the day off, we were summoned to help the gypsies with hay bales (my favourite, ooooohhhh how I love the hay....) but luckily that didn't take too long. I was just 2 sips into my beer when it happened. Afterwards, I was another 2 sips into my second beer when we were asked to help with mucking out the stables, another favourite pastime of mine.
I've still not been talked to about the party on Sat night and I doubt I will, given I've now told them this Sat will be my last night before heading off to the other place. I have been told, however, that my favourite little gypsy boy will be getting the boot on Monday because he's been covering up for the others or something. I think he's one of their best workers - yes, I'm a little bias - but he's good with the horses and works hard. Anyway, I'm not gonna get involved. I just feel sorry for the poor lad. And I'm about to leave too. What a week he'll have haha.
Today the miserable weather returned with a vengeance - it seems they were right when they said it literally changes overnight from summer to winter here. I'm cold!!! We're helping with the grass and maybe taking some horses back to the herd afterwards, although I'm not sure that will be possible given how much grass we have to transport and the number of daylight hours left in the day. I'm not particularly liking today and so that makes leaving easier. Rain makes things boring and harder to escape the boss when he's in a bad mood. Also, the boss' wife smokes inside and that annoys me too. I say that now because it's drifting into my face as I type *insert crude coughing noise here*
I've still not been talked to about the party on Sat night and I doubt I will, given I've now told them this Sat will be my last night before heading off to the other place. I have been told, however, that my favourite little gypsy boy will be getting the boot on Monday because he's been covering up for the others or something. I think he's one of their best workers - yes, I'm a little bias - but he's good with the horses and works hard. Anyway, I'm not gonna get involved. I just feel sorry for the poor lad. And I'm about to leave too. What a week he'll have haha.
Today the miserable weather returned with a vengeance - it seems they were right when they said it literally changes overnight from summer to winter here. I'm cold!!! We're helping with the grass and maybe taking some horses back to the herd afterwards, although I'm not sure that will be possible given how much grass we have to transport and the number of daylight hours left in the day. I'm not particularly liking today and so that makes leaving easier. Rain makes things boring and harder to escape the boss when he's in a bad mood. Also, the boss' wife smokes inside and that annoys me too. I say that now because it's drifting into my face as I type *insert crude coughing noise here*
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
Rain, rain and more rain... and mice.
Today it rained. And rained. And rained. I rode good ol' Vivke this morning, foal in tow (it's gorgeous, getting all high n mighty with the dogs now and chasing them for a change), and it was quite pleasant. I was equipped with a rain jacket so it was OK. Welcome change to the sun. The afternoon ride, however, not so well prepared. Momentary sun poking out from the clouds fooled me into thinking the rain was over - fool I be, as I rode back DRENCHED in the torrential rain. Poor old Bombyana.
Now I've just stuffed myself way too full (what a change) with the leftovers and am sitting in the living room making myself paranoid about mice crawling over my feet, falling from the ceiling, jumping out from cupboards. I don't know why I am so scared, I used to own one of the damn things, but there's just something about the wild ones. And I know the cat is useless. I just located the source of the dead mouse smell, and it was indeed a dead mouse. In the corner. I ain't cleaning it up. Hideous. I can at least thank my time at TMN for giving me such a keen sense of dead mouse smell. Now that's a skill to pass down the generations.
Second day in and I'm by myself with the gypsies. They kinda treat me like the temporary boss, which is quite funny since I don't really know what they're saying. But hey, I guess it's a compliment! Ha! It's also funny, I guess because I'm older and louder, I'm kinda the leader in the threesome of me and the 2 Swedish girls. They're perfectly capable but I think they don't mind just taking orders. Not that I order them around but I seem to find myself organising meals (even cooking them, shock horror!) and whose riding who etc. I'm sure the gloss will fade soon enuf.
I have been here for just shy of two weeks and it already feels so homey. Another couple emailed me from the same Help Exchange website crying for help with their horses on a property a couple of hours drive from here, still in Transylvania. I think I'll go and see if I can save any of the beasts from becoming dog meat, but I still want to stay here for a little bit. Was thinking perhaps late Aug/early Sept I could head there, the couple are English I think and sound nice. Also sound like they don't mind a pint or two, how very unusual for the British, so I'll fit in fine.
Eww, this smell is only gonna get worse. Grrr. I wish I didn't have to sit here with the internet cable.
Sasha and Bertus slept on the landing of my room last night, it was very nice to have some company and feel a bit more secure. Nice dogs, they are. Tonight I'll bring them in again then tomorrow I meet the others to camp out somewhere. Can't wait, the weather looks a treat.
I got an email response from one of the South African properties I enquired to, and they're keen to have me whenever I want to come. So I've been busying myself researching and researching, as I do, about vaccinations, flights, dates etc... I don't think I will work in Cyprus, I'll just have time to visit P for a little bit and then head to South Africa via London perhaps. It's not that cheap to fly there unfortunately. We'll see what happens.
Now I've just stuffed myself way too full (what a change) with the leftovers and am sitting in the living room making myself paranoid about mice crawling over my feet, falling from the ceiling, jumping out from cupboards. I don't know why I am so scared, I used to own one of the damn things, but there's just something about the wild ones. And I know the cat is useless. I just located the source of the dead mouse smell, and it was indeed a dead mouse. In the corner. I ain't cleaning it up. Hideous. I can at least thank my time at TMN for giving me such a keen sense of dead mouse smell. Now that's a skill to pass down the generations.
Second day in and I'm by myself with the gypsies. They kinda treat me like the temporary boss, which is quite funny since I don't really know what they're saying. But hey, I guess it's a compliment! Ha! It's also funny, I guess because I'm older and louder, I'm kinda the leader in the threesome of me and the 2 Swedish girls. They're perfectly capable but I think they don't mind just taking orders. Not that I order them around but I seem to find myself organising meals (even cooking them, shock horror!) and whose riding who etc. I'm sure the gloss will fade soon enuf.
I have been here for just shy of two weeks and it already feels so homey. Another couple emailed me from the same Help Exchange website crying for help with their horses on a property a couple of hours drive from here, still in Transylvania. I think I'll go and see if I can save any of the beasts from becoming dog meat, but I still want to stay here for a little bit. Was thinking perhaps late Aug/early Sept I could head there, the couple are English I think and sound nice. Also sound like they don't mind a pint or two, how very unusual for the British, so I'll fit in fine.
Eww, this smell is only gonna get worse. Grrr. I wish I didn't have to sit here with the internet cable.
Sasha and Bertus slept on the landing of my room last night, it was very nice to have some company and feel a bit more secure. Nice dogs, they are. Tonight I'll bring them in again then tomorrow I meet the others to camp out somewhere. Can't wait, the weather looks a treat.
I got an email response from one of the South African properties I enquired to, and they're keen to have me whenever I want to come. So I've been busying myself researching and researching, as I do, about vaccinations, flights, dates etc... I don't think I will work in Cyprus, I'll just have time to visit P for a little bit and then head to South Africa via London perhaps. It's not that cheap to fly there unfortunately. We'll see what happens.
Sunday, 18 July 2010
Crazed Aussie takes Swedish girls hostage in Transylvania
Well, kind of... Yesterday I did manage to be possibly the worst trail guide in history when Hubert entrusted me to take the newly arrived Swedish girls out on a ride. We got back reasonably late from the airport and it was past 7 before we headed out and in 2.5 hours I managed to get us completely lost in the forest before finding a trail back to home soil. And as the sun went down, I tell you, I fully realised just how the werewolf tales came to be... that is some scary shit.
It wasn't so much the forest itself that's scary, it's the possibility of running into a bear, or a (regular) wolf or even shepherd dogs - they're the scariest because they're always around. The bear and wolf thing is more unlikely but because it was getting dark I thought it might've been feeding time. And it wasn't so much us I was worried about, it was the 4 week old foal that was running alongside its mummy as we rode. Cute as a button but a walking meat on a stick for any nighttime predators. So I smile away as I went down wrong turn after wrong turn - who knew my theory of "you just go down" was a little waylaid when you're surrounded by gullies - and eventually found my way.
Truth be told, it was actually one of my funniest rides ever, given I was on my new fave horse Goody, he was a killer bushbasher (ran into an itchy tree or annoying insect at one pt and had to quickly disembark before he rolled on top of me) and made those steep gullies his bitch. And anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE a good bushbash on horseback. It was only afterwards I found out one of the Swedish girls didn't like going downhill. Doesn't mind so much now :) Welcome to the Wilson School of Riding.
Oh, and yesterday I think I saw a dead teenage boy on the side of the road. I think he got hit by a car. There were police etc but they were just standing around looking at his body, which was sprawled in an awkward position on the sidewalk (no blood though). Heavy.
Today, being Sunday, we took a horseback stroll to the neighbouring village. The four of us found a shop (ie a hole in the backyard of someone's house that had cold beer and chips - super sweet), had a couple of cold'uns and jumped back on to head home as it started to pour. All good, though, it was a welcome change to sunlight and warded the mozzies off if only for a short while.
When we got back, H took the most vicious dog off its rope to introduce it to us (it was lovely) then one of the other dogs started it and I witnessed my first hectic dog fight. One was attached mouth to neck, the other mouth to leg.... shudder. I didn't know whether to jump in and help or just stand - I chose the latter. Maybe next time I'll help. Maybe.
It wasn't so much the forest itself that's scary, it's the possibility of running into a bear, or a (regular) wolf or even shepherd dogs - they're the scariest because they're always around. The bear and wolf thing is more unlikely but because it was getting dark I thought it might've been feeding time. And it wasn't so much us I was worried about, it was the 4 week old foal that was running alongside its mummy as we rode. Cute as a button but a walking meat on a stick for any nighttime predators. So I smile away as I went down wrong turn after wrong turn - who knew my theory of "you just go down" was a little waylaid when you're surrounded by gullies - and eventually found my way.
Truth be told, it was actually one of my funniest rides ever, given I was on my new fave horse Goody, he was a killer bushbasher (ran into an itchy tree or annoying insect at one pt and had to quickly disembark before he rolled on top of me) and made those steep gullies his bitch. And anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE a good bushbash on horseback. It was only afterwards I found out one of the Swedish girls didn't like going downhill. Doesn't mind so much now :) Welcome to the Wilson School of Riding.
Oh, and yesterday I think I saw a dead teenage boy on the side of the road. I think he got hit by a car. There were police etc but they were just standing around looking at his body, which was sprawled in an awkward position on the sidewalk (no blood though). Heavy.
Today, being Sunday, we took a horseback stroll to the neighbouring village. The four of us found a shop (ie a hole in the backyard of someone's house that had cold beer and chips - super sweet), had a couple of cold'uns and jumped back on to head home as it started to pour. All good, though, it was a welcome change to sunlight and warded the mozzies off if only for a short while.
When we got back, H took the most vicious dog off its rope to introduce it to us (it was lovely) then one of the other dogs started it and I witnessed my first hectic dog fight. One was attached mouth to neck, the other mouth to leg.... shudder. I didn't know whether to jump in and help or just stand - I chose the latter. Maybe next time I'll help. Maybe.
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