I can't do it. I can't go through all the wonderful places again. It's too upsetting. I don't want to be here in England. I want to be on the road.
"Man is born free, but everywhere is in chains".
That's how I feel. He was a smart cookie, the guy who wrote that. Jean Jacques Rousseau. He wrote political philosophy. I might have mis-spelt his name. Don't care. All I know is I have this emptiness inside of me. This turgid fatalism. I know my travelling goose is cooked, at least for a little while.
Where next? Scandinavia maybe, then all the way south to Greece, criss-crossing eastern European countries. Perhaps South America. Who knows. But somewhere. Anywhere. Any place that I can wake up and feel alive in. Yes, I've been bitten. But the truth is I already was. I knew what I was doing. The box (Pandora's) is open but you know what? I'm glad. That's the way it should be.
Everyone needs a 'reason' - something other than friends and family. Some greater goal. Some find it in religion, some in sports, activities, music or whatever. But this is mine. For good or for bad. I need the road, and I'll be on it again as soon as I can. Anyone fancy it?
Thanks for reading. Until we meet again.
Rich x
Thursday, 9 October 2008
Monday, 6 October 2008
...and so the dance ends...
Well. That's it. It's over. Finished. Done. Ended.
...or is it? No, I'm not going to jump on a plane or a train tomorrow, skip work and disappear like a guy that likes to Canoe! No, what I mean is...well, it's never really over is it? You're everything you do and every person you meet. And in that respect, this trip will always live on (oh, and I've got a knackered ankle as well, but that will go in time).
So, overall memories of the trip? Hmmm, let me try to run down the list of the people I met...these are people I chatted to or went out with. Remember the trip was for 16 days only...
The two guys from Chile
Rachel
'The sixth'
'The unit'
The lovely french girls...Julie and Lucie Loison
Raghu
Adriana
Nicholas
Claudia
The two Aussies (whatever your names REALLY were!)
The five Argies (Carol, Vicky, Maya, Alexandra and Debs)
Zoo
Alice
Danny
The two Kiwis in Amsterdam - sorry guys, can't remember your names!
Morgan
Carly
Mike
Shaun
John
Alexandre
The girl who looked like Liv Tyler (she did!!!!!)
..and her friend!
Apologies to all the rest of you. I know there are more, but hey.
That's around 30 people. That's pretty amazing really. We made friends easily and despite the fabulous places we visited and the amazing trips we took, sights we saw and experiences we had, it was the people that made the trip special. But then it always IS the people isn't it!?
So Final thoughts.
Maybe I'll write this again in a couple of weeks time and come up with something completely different. Dunno. I guess you're supposed to rediscover yourself, or something as equally profound. But what do I actually 'feel' about the trip?
Exhausted. Shattered. Senses filled to overload. Invigorated. Sad. Reaffirmed in many ways. Purposeful. Richer; so much richer.
I'm going to leave it there for now and finish this when I have more energy. I'm bushed and work is calling tomorrow. Back to life.....pooper scoopers!
I want to post the way I was feeling in each city and a little more about the places. I'll do it later this week.
Later. x
...or is it? No, I'm not going to jump on a plane or a train tomorrow, skip work and disappear like a guy that likes to Canoe! No, what I mean is...well, it's never really over is it? You're everything you do and every person you meet. And in that respect, this trip will always live on (oh, and I've got a knackered ankle as well, but that will go in time).
So, overall memories of the trip? Hmmm, let me try to run down the list of the people I met...these are people I chatted to or went out with. Remember the trip was for 16 days only...
The two guys from Chile
Rachel
'The sixth'
'The unit'
The lovely french girls...Julie and Lucie Loison
Raghu
Adriana
Nicholas
Claudia
The two Aussies (whatever your names REALLY were!)
The five Argies (Carol, Vicky, Maya, Alexandra and Debs)
Zoo
Alice
Danny
The two Kiwis in Amsterdam - sorry guys, can't remember your names!
Morgan
Carly
Mike
Shaun
John
Alexandre
The girl who looked like Liv Tyler (she did!!!!!)
..and her friend!
Apologies to all the rest of you. I know there are more, but hey.
That's around 30 people. That's pretty amazing really. We made friends easily and despite the fabulous places we visited and the amazing trips we took, sights we saw and experiences we had, it was the people that made the trip special. But then it always IS the people isn't it!?
So Final thoughts.
Maybe I'll write this again in a couple of weeks time and come up with something completely different. Dunno. I guess you're supposed to rediscover yourself, or something as equally profound. But what do I actually 'feel' about the trip?
Exhausted. Shattered. Senses filled to overload. Invigorated. Sad. Reaffirmed in many ways. Purposeful. Richer; so much richer.
I'm going to leave it there for now and finish this when I have more energy. I'm bushed and work is calling tomorrow. Back to life.....pooper scoopers!
I want to post the way I was feeling in each city and a little more about the places. I'll do it later this week.
Later. x
Friday, 3 October 2008
Oh my! Amsterdam....
So here we are in Amsterdam.
I have SO much to write about this place that I could spend days merrily typing away.
It's the strangest, most different city I have ever been to. God, where to begin!? Ok, let's start with something easy. The bicycle / road / pedestrian system!! How confusing is that!? Both myself and Neil have nearly been run over 3 times each by mad cyclists and moped-ers. The thing is, it's mostly, if not totally, our faults. You see they have this system where the bikes pretty much have their own roads. Add to this tram lanes and sometimes when you're crossing the roads you have to contend with 6 streams of traffic, all moving at varying speeds. It might sound easy but you just come and try it. Especially after a few sherberts!
We obviously haven't frequented the coffee shops to get stoned as that would be just wrong. In fact we've just sampled several varieties of coffee in the various establishments. They're absolutley as cool as you can imagine. A totally new experience for me.
The red light district. Again, only visited for anthropological reasons. I feel a bit sorry for these girls. Yes, they're attractive, but you wonder. As I've been wondering the streets I've been pondering whether visiting one would make me cooler or less cool. I guess it would depend on who you're talking to. And did I visit one.... Ha....I couldn't possibly comment.
The city has a feel and coolness about it that makes me desperate to return. I can't believe it's so close and I've never been. It's almost Victorian in a lot of it's ways. It's a difficult one to explain, and is something that I'll have to try and talk people through face to face.
Oh and one other thing about Amsterdam. It's SO easy to get lost. I've been lost a couple of times and I like to think I'm quite good at reading maps. But not in Amsterdam!!!
Hope everyone is good and I'll try and post from Paris tomorrow.
I have SO much to write about this place that I could spend days merrily typing away.
It's the strangest, most different city I have ever been to. God, where to begin!? Ok, let's start with something easy. The bicycle / road / pedestrian system!! How confusing is that!? Both myself and Neil have nearly been run over 3 times each by mad cyclists and moped-ers. The thing is, it's mostly, if not totally, our faults. You see they have this system where the bikes pretty much have their own roads. Add to this tram lanes and sometimes when you're crossing the roads you have to contend with 6 streams of traffic, all moving at varying speeds. It might sound easy but you just come and try it. Especially after a few sherberts!
We obviously haven't frequented the coffee shops to get stoned as that would be just wrong. In fact we've just sampled several varieties of coffee in the various establishments. They're absolutley as cool as you can imagine. A totally new experience for me.
The red light district. Again, only visited for anthropological reasons. I feel a bit sorry for these girls. Yes, they're attractive, but you wonder. As I've been wondering the streets I've been pondering whether visiting one would make me cooler or less cool. I guess it would depend on who you're talking to. And did I visit one.... Ha....I couldn't possibly comment.
The city has a feel and coolness about it that makes me desperate to return. I can't believe it's so close and I've never been. It's almost Victorian in a lot of it's ways. It's a difficult one to explain, and is something that I'll have to try and talk people through face to face.
Oh and one other thing about Amsterdam. It's SO easy to get lost. I've been lost a couple of times and I like to think I'm quite good at reading maps. But not in Amsterdam!!!
Hope everyone is good and I'll try and post from Paris tomorrow.
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
Ich Bin Ein Berliner (or however it´s spelt!)
...so onto Berlin.
The curse of bad weather hit us again. We got here at about noon yesterday, dropped our bags at the incredibly cheaply priced Hostel (9 Euros) and headed for the sights.
First stop was Checkpoint Charlie. Oh dear. Oh very, very, dear. What have they done to this place? You´ll be familiar that this was the checkpoint between the US and Soviet sectors of Berlin during the Cold War. It has some special meaning to anyone who studied or followed politics following the second world war, especially those over the age of 30. I was really looking forward to seeing this sight. And what did I find when I arrived? Some dumb ass American actor dressed up in uniform selling photos to tourists for one Euro each regailed in uniform and holding the Stars and Stripes (the American flag to those who are unsure). This was subtely offset with the snack bar across the road named ´Snack Point Charlie´! I KNOW that the tenticles of commercialism stretch far and wide but come on! People lost their lives trying to escape from behind the Iron Curtain. How about the memories of the familes who were seperated from their loved ones for decades. Grrrrr, not happy at all.
So off we went, moods to match the cold rain beating down on us. Next was a memorial to the Jewish dead of WW2. What a contrast. It´s an incredible museum / memorial. I went to Auschwitz last year and any of you that have been will know that nothing can surpass that experience for reflection and realisation of the evil humankind is capable of...but this place was moving all the same.
We took in the Reichstag and then conceded defeat to the elements. We headed home. The evening was spent scoffing a feast of a half roast chicken and fries, washed down with smuggled in 70 cent a bottle beer. Far more sensible than purchasing the 3 Euro offerings from the Hostel. Met an interesting guy from Toronto in Canada, Danny is his name. I´ve lost count of all the people we´ve met on this trip. Hostelling is SO sociable. It´s definately the future!
And so the final major destination will be reached today...Amsterdam. Good way to finish I think you´ll agree!
Will post again when I can. Oh, and I know it´s an early post but the Chinese guy in the dorm is snoring like a trooper, lol. Yes, that´s a drawback to the Hostelling lark! ;-) x
The curse of bad weather hit us again. We got here at about noon yesterday, dropped our bags at the incredibly cheaply priced Hostel (9 Euros) and headed for the sights.
First stop was Checkpoint Charlie. Oh dear. Oh very, very, dear. What have they done to this place? You´ll be familiar that this was the checkpoint between the US and Soviet sectors of Berlin during the Cold War. It has some special meaning to anyone who studied or followed politics following the second world war, especially those over the age of 30. I was really looking forward to seeing this sight. And what did I find when I arrived? Some dumb ass American actor dressed up in uniform selling photos to tourists for one Euro each regailed in uniform and holding the Stars and Stripes (the American flag to those who are unsure). This was subtely offset with the snack bar across the road named ´Snack Point Charlie´! I KNOW that the tenticles of commercialism stretch far and wide but come on! People lost their lives trying to escape from behind the Iron Curtain. How about the memories of the familes who were seperated from their loved ones for decades. Grrrrr, not happy at all.
So off we went, moods to match the cold rain beating down on us. Next was a memorial to the Jewish dead of WW2. What a contrast. It´s an incredible museum / memorial. I went to Auschwitz last year and any of you that have been will know that nothing can surpass that experience for reflection and realisation of the evil humankind is capable of...but this place was moving all the same.
We took in the Reichstag and then conceded defeat to the elements. We headed home. The evening was spent scoffing a feast of a half roast chicken and fries, washed down with smuggled in 70 cent a bottle beer. Far more sensible than purchasing the 3 Euro offerings from the Hostel. Met an interesting guy from Toronto in Canada, Danny is his name. I´ve lost count of all the people we´ve met on this trip. Hostelling is SO sociable. It´s definately the future!
And so the final major destination will be reached today...Amsterdam. Good way to finish I think you´ll agree!
Will post again when I can. Oh, and I know it´s an early post but the Chinese guy in the dorm is snoring like a trooper, lol. Yes, that´s a drawback to the Hostelling lark! ;-) x
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
Prague....land of the hotdog and cheeseburger
Prague....Gulp! Another beautiful city. I loved it to bits, totally wonderful (sorry Colin, didn´t get to check out the bar you used to own / run).
Ok, you´ve got to bear in mind that we arrived in Prague on the back of one of the worst nights of our respective lives. We determined to have a good time and enjoy ourselves but I could tell Neil was a little down and I felt the same way myself.
So. Day 1 in Praguge. We were stressed because of the night / morning before. We got to the hostel, showered, dumped our stuff and headed out. We eventually found a bar selling beer at below the magical 30 Czech Crowns (1 pound = 31 Krona) and settled in. We were having an ok time but obviously as the beer flowed so our moods lightened. It wound up being a good night. We met a guy from Dorest. I think he was Cypriot. Neil remarked mentioned that he understood as he had (Simon had) a ´nice tan´. He obviously meant that the guy had a nice tan because he was from Dorset, but it was funny as. I hope you understand what I mean there.
Day 2. Prague is a beautiful city. It has wonderful sights to behold. We walked up to the castle and took in the amazing buildings. There was a church there that was fantastic to look inside. The setting sun was playing all sorts of tricks through the stained glass windows. The photos will not do the place justice...but hey ho. And then to the night. We got back to the hostel at about 8. We had arranged to go out with Zoo and Alice (two Lyonese French people we had been chatting to). Of course we asked the rest of the dorm if they fancied the night out and the 5 Argentinan girls were up for it. Wow, what a night we had. We ended up rolling in at 5am, totally smashed out of our skulls. It was definately the best night we´ve had so far. Have you had one of those nights recently when everyone gets on, no one is quiet and it´s just a mad party? Maybe it´s just me but I hadn´t had one of those in a while. It was fantastic. There was Zoo who was crazy when he chilled out, Alice who was as cool as. Then there was Carol who was mad even when she hadn´t had a drink - she was the glue that held the rest of the girls together. The lovely Deborah, the music mad Vicky, the poorly (bless) Maya, and the football playing Alexandra. They were all wonderful. We must have made a good impression as we now have 3 invites to stay over at their houses should (when!) we visit South America.
Day 3. Not a lot to say about this day. We recovered! We spent most of the day in bed, sleeping or reading. Understandable due to the late finish the night before.
Other memories from Prague:
We ran out of money so had to survive the final day on mostly hotdogs and cheeseburgers which are as cheap as chips out there.
No wonder Kafka wrote ´The trial´. The street crossing timers ticking away on every street corner are enough to send anyone into a paranoid spiral!
Happy birthday Sam. I thought about you yesterday but couldn´t text as I had no credit and didn´t get paid until today. I thought abotu you, and dad, and it made me sad. Chin up baby. X
Oh, and a final word for the beautiful women of Prague. Oh my god! You western women REALLY have something to live up to!
Take care all. Rich x
Ok, you´ve got to bear in mind that we arrived in Prague on the back of one of the worst nights of our respective lives. We determined to have a good time and enjoy ourselves but I could tell Neil was a little down and I felt the same way myself.
So. Day 1 in Praguge. We were stressed because of the night / morning before. We got to the hostel, showered, dumped our stuff and headed out. We eventually found a bar selling beer at below the magical 30 Czech Crowns (1 pound = 31 Krona) and settled in. We were having an ok time but obviously as the beer flowed so our moods lightened. It wound up being a good night. We met a guy from Dorest. I think he was Cypriot. Neil remarked mentioned that he understood as he had (Simon had) a ´nice tan´. He obviously meant that the guy had a nice tan because he was from Dorset, but it was funny as. I hope you understand what I mean there.
Day 2. Prague is a beautiful city. It has wonderful sights to behold. We walked up to the castle and took in the amazing buildings. There was a church there that was fantastic to look inside. The setting sun was playing all sorts of tricks through the stained glass windows. The photos will not do the place justice...but hey ho. And then to the night. We got back to the hostel at about 8. We had arranged to go out with Zoo and Alice (two Lyonese French people we had been chatting to). Of course we asked the rest of the dorm if they fancied the night out and the 5 Argentinan girls were up for it. Wow, what a night we had. We ended up rolling in at 5am, totally smashed out of our skulls. It was definately the best night we´ve had so far. Have you had one of those nights recently when everyone gets on, no one is quiet and it´s just a mad party? Maybe it´s just me but I hadn´t had one of those in a while. It was fantastic. There was Zoo who was crazy when he chilled out, Alice who was as cool as. Then there was Carol who was mad even when she hadn´t had a drink - she was the glue that held the rest of the girls together. The lovely Deborah, the music mad Vicky, the poorly (bless) Maya, and the football playing Alexandra. They were all wonderful. We must have made a good impression as we now have 3 invites to stay over at their houses should (when!) we visit South America.
Day 3. Not a lot to say about this day. We recovered! We spent most of the day in bed, sleeping or reading. Understandable due to the late finish the night before.
Other memories from Prague:
We ran out of money so had to survive the final day on mostly hotdogs and cheeseburgers which are as cheap as chips out there.
No wonder Kafka wrote ´The trial´. The street crossing timers ticking away on every street corner are enough to send anyone into a paranoid spiral!
Happy birthday Sam. I thought about you yesterday but couldn´t text as I had no credit and didn´t get paid until today. I thought abotu you, and dad, and it made me sad. Chin up baby. X
Oh, and a final word for the beautiful women of Prague. Oh my god! You western women REALLY have something to live up to!
Take care all. Rich x
Sunday, 28 September 2008
Munchen part 2
..ok, that's better. Now, where was I?
So I've gone to the beer festival in the futile hope of bumping into Neil. The beer buzz obtained earlier is beginning to wear off and I'm starting to get a little concerned. No sign of Neil at teh fest so I head back. It's now around 8pm. We have a train to catch to Prague at 5.16am (the time of that train will always be indeliably inprinted on my mind). So I'm wandering around the station, looking for Neil. Time ticks by.....more time ticks by. I'm tired, hungry and starting to worry. Now I don't tend to panic in general. Shit happens, we all know that. But I was now getting worried, and if I'm honest a little scared. I'm in Munich, have lost my buddy, haven't a clue where he is. I have my passport but no bag; Neil had the locker key. I have some Euros but not enough to get home if required. My inter-rail ticket was in my bag. I'm worried for myself and I'm worried for Neil.
For those of you that don't really know Neil that much, he's a genuine, responsible bloke. There's no way he'd ever leave a friend stranded. So where the fuck is he!!!? He's either dead in a ditch, been pinched by the busies (nicked) or in hospital. 9pm comes and goes. 10, 11.......then I see loads of people emerging from the Metro and I'm thinking that maybe he's gone to the Fest and will now come back once it kicks out. He doesn't. 12, 1, 2....3, 4....I'm cold. Deperate. I havent slept. I'm trying hard not to panic. I figure he might get back in time for the train. 5.16am. He doesn't. It was the longest night of my life and not an experience I'd want to repeat. I'm just about to phone Jen to ask her if there's a Consulate in Munich, or get a number for the one in Berlin when who appears from nowhere but Neil. Now to say I was relieved is a massive understatement. It was like a scene from 'From here to eternity', lol. We gave each other a massive hug like we'd been seperated for years. And no, it wasn't gay. lol. I've not been scared like that for years, maybe since I was a boy. Man, it was a freaky experience. There are so many more feelings about that night that I'd like to convey, but can only really tell the full story face to face (esp. as I'm getting shafted for 2 Czech crowns a minute here, lol!). I'll leave it to Neil to explain what happened to him.
So a quick word on Prague. Amazing. There, that's a quick word. It's awesome. I love it nearly as much as Rome. The people, the buildings, the laid back atmos - just brill.
Anyhoo, I'm off to enjoy it. I'll try and post tomorrow.
Take care all
So I've gone to the beer festival in the futile hope of bumping into Neil. The beer buzz obtained earlier is beginning to wear off and I'm starting to get a little concerned. No sign of Neil at teh fest so I head back. It's now around 8pm. We have a train to catch to Prague at 5.16am (the time of that train will always be indeliably inprinted on my mind). So I'm wandering around the station, looking for Neil. Time ticks by.....more time ticks by. I'm tired, hungry and starting to worry. Now I don't tend to panic in general. Shit happens, we all know that. But I was now getting worried, and if I'm honest a little scared. I'm in Munich, have lost my buddy, haven't a clue where he is. I have my passport but no bag; Neil had the locker key. I have some Euros but not enough to get home if required. My inter-rail ticket was in my bag. I'm worried for myself and I'm worried for Neil.
For those of you that don't really know Neil that much, he's a genuine, responsible bloke. There's no way he'd ever leave a friend stranded. So where the fuck is he!!!? He's either dead in a ditch, been pinched by the busies (nicked) or in hospital. 9pm comes and goes. 10, 11.......then I see loads of people emerging from the Metro and I'm thinking that maybe he's gone to the Fest and will now come back once it kicks out. He doesn't. 12, 1, 2....3, 4....I'm cold. Deperate. I havent slept. I'm trying hard not to panic. I figure he might get back in time for the train. 5.16am. He doesn't. It was the longest night of my life and not an experience I'd want to repeat. I'm just about to phone Jen to ask her if there's a Consulate in Munich, or get a number for the one in Berlin when who appears from nowhere but Neil. Now to say I was relieved is a massive understatement. It was like a scene from 'From here to eternity', lol. We gave each other a massive hug like we'd been seperated for years. And no, it wasn't gay. lol. I've not been scared like that for years, maybe since I was a boy. Man, it was a freaky experience. There are so many more feelings about that night that I'd like to convey, but can only really tell the full story face to face (esp. as I'm getting shafted for 2 Czech crowns a minute here, lol!). I'll leave it to Neil to explain what happened to him.
So a quick word on Prague. Amazing. There, that's a quick word. It's awesome. I love it nearly as much as Rome. The people, the buildings, the laid back atmos - just brill.
Anyhoo, I'm off to enjoy it. I'll try and post tomorrow.
Take care all
Saturday, 27 September 2008
Munich. Ever seen The Vanishing?
Munich. Oh god!
Ok, the day began well. We got into Munich early doors and of course we hunted out the nearest beer tent. We found a market with reams and reams of benches set outside. The beer was strong and the steins held a litre each. We had a right good time and got a sustantial buzz of just two. Next we headed for the world's oldest beer house. Two more steins in there and we were rocking. In fact the whole place was rocking...loads of chants going on, the atmosphere was amazing.
So far so good. So we head out and in the main square there's a political rally going on. Somehow we get swept up in the crowds and manage to lose each other. Now we had arranged to meet at Burger King in the train station if we got split up. Unfortunately, probably due to the drink, this plan went a little awry. Neil looked about where we had got split up whilst I headed to the train station. When a while had passed I thought Neil might have headed to the main beer festival so I got on the metro and headed out. Neil, at this point got to the station.
No - there is a huge row going on in this Internet cafe at the moment. I'll continue this later. It gets, much, much better by the way.
Ok, the day began well. We got into Munich early doors and of course we hunted out the nearest beer tent. We found a market with reams and reams of benches set outside. The beer was strong and the steins held a litre each. We had a right good time and got a sustantial buzz of just two. Next we headed for the world's oldest beer house. Two more steins in there and we were rocking. In fact the whole place was rocking...loads of chants going on, the atmosphere was amazing.
So far so good. So we head out and in the main square there's a political rally going on. Somehow we get swept up in the crowds and manage to lose each other. Now we had arranged to meet at Burger King in the train station if we got split up. Unfortunately, probably due to the drink, this plan went a little awry. Neil looked about where we had got split up whilst I headed to the train station. When a while had passed I thought Neil might have headed to the main beer festival so I got on the metro and headed out. Neil, at this point got to the station.
No - there is a huge row going on in this Internet cafe at the moment. I'll continue this later. It gets, much, much better by the way.
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