Im currently in London, just back for a couple of weeks organising
paper work or red tape as I like to call it, for work. Things were all
over the shop and I was told I wouldn't be able to work for a while -
suits me, time to plan a bit more travel.
I've just returned from 4 weeks in Europe. It was a total
whirlwhind and I swear the last week was a total blur. I can honestly
say I could not reccount all the details and no, this was not due to
drunkeness, though, that might have contributed at certain points.
I
feel as though I haven't stopped to take stock of what's going on in my
brain. Being someone who is overactive mind wise, it's a bit of a shock
to the system not to have time to reflect. But, it's different and I'm
liking it.
I'm feeling like I'm in no mans land a bit because I currently have no
home (well, no house), no job, and have no idea where I will be past
the next couple of weeks, sometimes past the next day. 3 years ago this would have completely
freaked me out, but now, I'm just midly freaked out to not freaked out at all to quite relaxed depending on the day :)
So, London,
it's a cool place. As long as you are in the right areas! (apparently).
I'm already depressed by the weather and it's not into winter yet, and
I'm already sick of the lack of personal space! However, I'd have to
say I am loving the city attitude of 'hey, im hungry, there's a stand
by the side of the road'. It is awesome after coming from a country
area to have so many things at your fingers tips - if you can afford
them, or for some, even when you can't.
Against my better
judgement I am beginning to like the Tube... I never thought I would.
But it's soo much easier then a car, or atleast it seems to be now I'm
here, but I wonder if my mind is playing Jedi tricks on me because I
have no other options!! :) I like the fact you can sit and read a book
when you go somewhere and that there are hundreds of people all sitting
in one place but never once making eye contact. I've become one of
those non eye contact non smiling people when I enter tube stations
within weeks of being here. Unless there is children on board, they
always get a smile!
Ipods are my saviour.
So, overall
vibe of London is good. I think it would be amazing if you knew a lot
of people here. There is always something going on, someone to have
drinks with or something cool to see or do. My flatmates (well,
temporary flatmates) are going to a Greenday concert this weekend then
flying to Iceland for a few days next week. Not bad!
So, plan for the next few weeks? Wicked Van around Scotland and then Egypt. Highly excited about both, though very different.
My
impression of western europe? Or what I saw anyway. Still SO much to
see. Was, very pretty, very different to anything I've ever known, and
very... special.
My favourites were Amsterdam (and not for the
reasons you are all thinking), Berlin, Lauterbrunen (Switzerland) &
Rome followed closely by Florence, Paris, Prague & Monacho.
Amsterdam
was a beautiful little town (or should I say city?!). I felt like it
was a town. I loved the bicycles everwhere and the fact they had their
own system for the bicycles with the red green 'walk' symbols for bikes
and pedestrians. I'd have to say this was one of my favourite things
all over, no idea why e.g. the horses red green picture walk sign at
Hyde park. The fact it was liberal I guess added to it's laid back feel
but that wasn't one of the main things that I liked. Sure, the red
light district was different, but not something that particularly
appealed to my taste. It's good to know that if people want to go and
smoke dope or have a good time that's at their disposal. I just liked
everything here as I walked along the streets. The canals, the clothes,
the people. It was a great place.
Berlin I loved for the history and the vibe. A lot of the people on our tour hated Berlin. But I loved it. We did a 3rd Reich walking tour and our guide was fantastic. It was fascinating looking at all the buildings the Nazis occupied and the Jewish Memorial. The Jewish memorial was a perfect representation I thought. Each stone shaped like a grave stone but each one slightly different size or on a different angle to represent the individual people who were murdered. The ground was slanted so you felt slightly off pace and uncomfortable as you walked through the memorial. It's how you should feel when thinking of the things that passed in world war two, it's unimaginable how the people must have felt at the time and the confusion they would have felt with what was happening to them and the human race in general & the world. We stopped at a Concentration camp and it was overwhelming to be where thousands had died. After reading so much about the Hollocaust, it was a humbling experience to see where it all happened first hand. I would like to think that people visiting it and feeling sorrow for the past somehow minutely makes up for the past, but I don't think anything ever can. Just learn and move on. Easy for me to say...
The Berlin wall was amazing too. It was really cool to stand on the cobble stones where the wall stood and go between the east and west and see no mans land and hear the stories about all the escapes and people desperate to go from one side to the other. It's hard to believe that the wall only came down 20 years ago, in my lifetime.
Rome I also loved for the history, you can't go past the colloseum! It was AMAZING. Looking down onto the stadium where people fought with beasts and looking up into the half intact stairs where thousands of spectators watched and egged on fighters and then influenced whether they live or die was extremely cool. I can't describe it any better then that! I was annoyed at the people trying to get us to do a guided tour when really, it's quite small and the audio guide was great. I also loved the aqueducts, thought they were the best thing and wish they had those in Australia!! K-rud? You taking note? Though I'm not sure we have enough water to go round as it is! Obviously St. Pauls Cathedral and the Cistein Chapel (scuse aweful spelling) have to get a mention in there (even though technically they are in Vatican city rather then Rome). Amazing to think one man painted the entire roof! And amazing to think that St. Pauls is so grand because they stole most of the gold and bronze from buildings all around Rome! I particularly liked seeing Raphaels paintings in the Vatican Museums too. His work really does stand out from other artists. Perfect balance of colour, skill, and somehow, more appealing... If you think I'm just saying this because he's famous go and check it out yourself... you will be suprised.
So paris I didn't note as one of my favourite but everything is soo different it's hard to pin one thing down! I absolutely adored the Louvre. Has to be one of the highlights of my trip. My friend was bored after about 10minutes so if you're not into art, maybe just make it a quick trip! I was in there for about 6 hours and pretty much in awe the whole time. I think Kind Loui's room is a must see (the room with his crown jewels). Apparently it's small scale to Palace Vasai but hey I haven't seen that yet. It was the most stunning room I've ever seen. Gold everywhere and beautiful paintings across the ceilings all with a story. That was one thing about European architecture. Nearly everyting had a reason or story behind it, it was never just 'pretty', whether political or personal, things had a function. I'm sure it must have given the politicians or the occupants of the residence of the time a real surge of courage? energy? to sit in the rooms which were design with the intent purpose to house them.
So I've completely lost track now and this has gotten mammoth!
Switzerland. Stunning scenery. Breath taking. Can't be described, probably photos are the best but unfortunately my camera card got wiped!! I shall be stealing photos off my friends though :) The train up to the peak is a must in my book as is skydiving out of a helicopter! I didn't do the skydiving there, I did it in Austria! This was equally as awesome (or I assume it was cause it was amazing) but my friend who did it there reccommends it to everyone. If I hadn't of had an injured wrist I would have done it there myself, but the train up to Jungfrau was amazing too. Some people thought it was overpriced, I thought it was worth every cent. Just don't go looking for the Ice caves - hot tip is you don't have to walk for 20mins up a hill to get to them... and yes, I know from experience. The huskys stopped the day before we went, but I'm sure that'd be great fun too. Can't think of a better location to do it.
Hot tips - so, my hot tips so far for travelling?
1) Don't panic - it doesn't help anything and 99% of the time it's a waste of energy cause whatever you are looking for/are anticipating is going to happen doesn't or works out. If eventually it doesn't work out - then panic.
2) Have tissues on you at all times
3) If you have a weak bladder and will potentially be laughing REALLY hard take a spare pair of undies - no I'm not kidding. Spare pair of undies also comes in handy when someone spills hot coffee on you and it goes through all your clothes!
4) Take rest stops. Stop and have a coffee. Chill out. However if you are an avid sight seeer then go go go. I tend to find I enjoy myself more, and still see tonnes, if I have breaks and refuel.
5) Talk to people before hand who've been there or read your guide book. This might seem arduous at times but man does it save you a lot of stress and potentially money. Sure, if you don't feel like it and like winging it then that's cool too, you always learn alot from the experiences but sometimes it's just really good to have a heads up. e.g. gyspies in paris, cabs in Barcelona and London, pickpockets etc. etc.
6) Be friendly!! There are so many friendly people when travelling it's just nuts. People you meet in hostels are great for chats and they might give you some hot tips if you are lucky. Except on the tube, avoid contact at all costs and never smile - it's part of the experience ;)
7) Enjoy your travels, live each day, wherever you are. You wont have this moment ever again.
Ah, I haven't got started on half the places yet, but there isn't enough time in the world!! Tata!
:) Em
