Jess's Travels

Bar Trials, Lobster Water and Safari Onesies

jessiejames — Mon, 13 May 2013 23:44:00 GMT

They said finding work was going to be hard... and touch wood on this next bit... but I sent out my first CV's on Tuesday and within hours had responses and interviews lined up.

And that's how I found myself on trial in a bar two days later, pouring drinks once again and happy to say I've still got it. Unhappy, however, to say that on a bar tenders wage here 90% of my weekly earnings would go to rent. Hmmm..

I got the job too!

But here's the thing... I've also had three other interviews, been offered temp work and am through to the last round in a senior role with a really friendly company. That's two job offers in less than a week. It's time to make some decisions. And with other requests for interviews coming in today I'm feeling pretty good about my employment prospects.

On top of it all I should be moving into my new place in Clapham South in a couple of days, sharing with three really friendly girls. We'll end up with an international house - two from Europe, one from Latin America and me. It's a lot more money than I'd hoped, and I did toss up on whether it was the right place for me, but when I met with the landlord and he mentioned the date my lease had to end on I took it as a sign that it was the right decision - my first ever lease finishes on Sarah's 25th birthday. So here's the proof... it is possible to move to a new country, starting from scratch and be sorted within two weeks... fingers crossed anyway.

So I found myself homeless yesterday after spending my first two weeks in a great sharehouse I found through Airbnb (Kind of like couchsurfing but you pay your host so you feel less of a burden). I had major issues with a cab company, they sent a cab who couldn't find the place, left after not being able to call me back (no reception for me), and then when I called the company to request another they were really rude and then hung up on me - multiple times. You may not have seen the monstrously huge bag I brought with me but there was no way it was fitting on a bus, so the lovely Francis helped me walk it 20 minutes down the road with my 40kgs and I eventually got a cab with the nicest driver in the world who forgot to put the meter on so undercharged me. It was just one of those days when everything seems to go wrong - the hardest since I've arrived. But then again I can't complain, it all worked out in the end. Actually it ended with me walking to my last minute B&B in Brixton and getting serenaded by a drunk old man who saw my blue scarf and started singing Blue Eyes by Elton John to me. Now every time I walk down Coldharbour Lane I get it stuck in my head...

And it hasn't been all bad. Me and my date have been hitting the town of late, animal watching as the streets of Clapham filled with increasingly inebriated Aussies and Poms in animal onesies after the Safari-themed London Sevens Rugby Tournament on Saturday. I don't think the guy in the very small Tarzan outfit had any feelings because by that stage I was in four layers and still cold.

We discovered Lobster Water - a phenomenon caused by sharing unstable burgers and made more enjoyable when watching someone drink said water all for the sake of £1.

We've been back to the Bedford for the biggest Sunday roast I've ever seen, and some more really good local tunes.

On the other hand we have discovered that we are old... I'd joked that come midnight on Saturday we'd turn into pumpkins. So, it made us laugh a bit when we got up to leave, turned and saw the clock and it was exactly midnight. Oh well it's been a long week...

Moral to the story... Jobs are crazily underpaid here, and despite everyone telling me London would be cheaper, rent is more expensive than Sydney, and that's saying something. That said it is possible to sort your life out in a very small period of time. Now all I need is my bed, my job and to buy an animal onesie and I'll be a certified Londoner (as long as I can stay up past midnight)...

Foxes, Music and Commons Full of Cider

jessiejames — Tue, 7 May 2013 08:04:00 GMT

Wow I'm doing super well at this now... 2 stories in not so many days (hmm we'll see how long it lasts).

So I've figured it out. My main problem with finding jobs and houses has to do with one very awesome friend, a long weekend, and the fact that it has been... wait for it... SUNNY IN LONDON ever since I arrived. I know, you're thinking how could this be. But no joke, it's true, which means it has been perfect weather for being outdoors. And the locals are telling me to make the most of it while it lasts in case it's the only summer that actually appears...

The friend in question is of course Ms Ariane... no further names in order to protect her mysterious identity, but she has spent the best part of the past three days (it's a long weekend here of course on my first unemployed weekend) taking me to a new common and feeding me drinks as apparently there are no rules against lying around drinking beers in parks here... you're no scum of society, you're just having fun...

So with that in mind the two of us have been exploring said commons and making the most of glorious sunshine. I was seriously too hot today... how is that even possible? I'm told that you are not a local until you have cried on a common, so luckily after yesterday I can now confirm that I am officially local. Check out the amazing backdrop I had for that experience though...

Ok, ok so I know I may be going on slightly about these commons but they are fabulous, trust me you should go...

But I have been exploring other less sun-filled sides of London too, promise. For instance I have just come home from the Bedford in Balham, a pub I'm told is renowned for its comedy and live music, and we weren't disappinted tonight. They had an acoustic session where the acts played only two songs in the first set and more in the second in order to keep the crowd in the room - I get it, and it works. Thom Byles had some impressive guitar work and Jon Kenzie had some really quality tunes, but it was their surprise first act, Sansa - from Finland, that blew us away. Think Bjork's breathy voice with an acoustic guitar. She was so good and I really can't rate her highly enough, I just wish we could have heard her play more than three songs. But importantly for me, the Bedford was probably the first place I've walked into here and just got it, it just feels like my sort of place - the music, the atmosphere, it's quality but not pretentious. So if you're looking for me in future it may be the place to find me...

And lastly, look I know I've already mentioned the squirrels, but tonight I saw THREE FOXES - THREE! Skulking around the streets of Balham, probably hoping there'd be no horse-back riders coming after them with horns and dogs anytime soon. Ok so it doesn't take much to impress me obviously, but since I had never seen a fox before except for in 90's childrens cartoons I may have been a little excited.

Ciao for now...

Photos: London

jessiejames — Sun, 5 May 2013 05:27:00 GMT

The Start Up: Unemployed and Homeless

jessiejames — Sun, 5 May 2013 05:19:00 GMT

Hi All,

So my new adventure has begun. I'm finally in London - unemployed and homeless, and doing my best to get that sorted soon. Otherwise comfortable bridge suggestions are welcomed (along with any cardboard boxes you might want to throw my way)...

I've met up with a couple of friends and seen a few new places (Greenwich, Leicester Square, Brixton, and Notting Hill) which is great because I've seen so little of London on my past couple of trips. Otherwise I've spent most of my time sitting on my bed, trawling through house ads and trying not to get square eyes. My first two nights were spent in Greenwich on the top floor of an amazing hotel where I looked out over the London skyscape but one can't live the high life forever...

So to change it up I'm now staying in a share house in Brixton with a couple of Slovenian students and two English guys - I'm getting into the whole council flat scene. Most importantly I'm right across the road from Brockwell Common - I've got to give you credit London, you do know how to do awesome parks in the middle of the city. My first day here I went out walking and found the common - a huge ex-estate with winding paths, lawns with people playing soccer, children learning to ride bikes, and squirrels... yes that's right there are squirrels. Sitting up on the hill you look out over London - a pretty peaceful antedote to sitting in a room on the computer all day. My favourite thing though, is that the common tells you a lot about English culture more generally... for instance the importance of having great hair, of being overtly polite just to make sure people know you aren't being rude, and the ability for it to sometimes actually appear like Spring when it's still cold enough to be winter in Australia.

So I'm still here, muddling through. And hopefully I'll actually be able to use this to keep everyone a bit more up-to-date now that I actually have a computer again! Meanwhile if you hear of anyone in need of a great housemate/employee send them my way - I'll be under that bridge :)

Ciao for now,

The Night Before It Starts Again

jessiejames — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 22:51:00 GMT

From memory I was pretty rubbish at this last time - but knowing there are a few of you out there who are hoping to keep track of where I am I'll do my best to keep this page updated for you.

As you know it's been a tough year, so I'm setting out to improve 2012 by heading to Europe and walking across a country. First to Italy - Bellagio, Verona, Siena, Positano and Cinque Terre, then on to France and Spain...

This time tomorrow I'll be on a plane heading west. Will miss you all xo

London Still

jessiejames — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 10:36:00 GMT

Well not really, actually am in Ainsdale but I wanted the reference... and I will be in London this time tomorrow.

Fraz, I was planning on stopping by the Royal for a drink on Saturday, but if theres any chance I'm going to have to pour beer I think I'll just have to go to sleep instead - so thanks for ruining my plans - hope Sus's party went well.

To all else I'll see you guys next week, Have fun without me

Hola chicos

jessiejames — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 07:36:00 GMT

Hi all,

I know these have become few and far between but here is another quick update. I've been in Ireland for about a week and a half now and have been spending a lot of time with Erics family who are fantastic people and who have treated me like family while I've been here. Due to that I haven't actually been out and about all that much. I tried extremely hard to hire a car so I could drive around Ireland but after consecutive problems I have given up. A very stressful day was spent trying to organise this in Dublin and I got so frustrated that I ended up getting on the next bus out - to Belfast and after more hassles finally got up to see the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland - which despite gales and a lot of rain was well worth it - a really spectacular place to see.

Other than that I've spent most of my time between Baltinglass and Dublin - walking in the country and meeting little Irish couples who tell me 'its lovely to meet a foreigner', or the city (and accidently meeting up with a great guy that we met first stop in Rome and spent all our Roman time with - so odd), or going out with JJ's (Eric's cousin) housemates. So its been good.

I arrived in Galway tonight and the plan is to head out to see the Burren, Cliffs of Moher and probably the Aran Islands in the next couple of days - my last touristy stop in Ireland before heading back to Dublin at the end of the week to say goodbye to everyone. I fly to London on Monday.

And so you can all start getting excited and counting down the days because I'm in the UK for 10 days and then I'm flying home - alone this time because Eric's going to stay and live in Dublin for now, but it means I'll be back on the 16th of Feb. England probably won't be a lot of site-seeing either - more friends and family seeing but I'm looking forward to that. Too much backpacking has taken its toll and at the moment I really appreciate being able to sit down and do nothing (well really its probably more been watching family guy) in peace without any worry that someone will go through my bag while I'm out of the room.

Dommy and Cateb - I'm coming to your house when I get back - ha ha you have no choice

To all the boys and girls from Columbas - me and Gene want to go camping when we get back to celebrate so keep in mind that there will be a big party when we're all back - when's Frewers return anyway?

To any Royal folk that are still reading this...

Grub - I have succeeded in a way - but as we haven't been to pubs every night your stash may not end up as big as you'd hoped for.

Grant - As yet have not been anywhere long enough but am going to try with the lemon on the weekend when I go back to Dublin - I should at least be able to get my friends to play along.

Nige - I'm expecting these recordings to be around when I get back so you have 3 weeks... but no pressure

And to all the Cricket Club boys - hope the rain stops for at least one game - maybe it just keeps raining to force you to the pub early - to force you to notice that there's no Jess behind the bar - it might just stop when I get back - we'll see I suppose.

And now I'll go but I'll send all the news soon and be home in no time. Have fun all...

PS Go see Charlie Wilson's War - saw it in Carlow the other night and as a politics student whos obsessed with Afghanistan I think its a pretty good portrayal of what happened - so watch it it's good.

Quick update

jessiejames — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:11:00 GMT

So a very quick note to everyone sitting by their computer excitedly waiting and hoping for new news... I know you all are...

I'm in Dublin, few in an hour ago and I'm here safe and pretty excited to be in Ireland, also very tired because its almost midnight but I'll deal.

Anyway that's where I am, Had a fantastic time in Spain - met two people especially who I have become great friends with - you will all meet Karen at the end of next year and Steff some time in the future - they're Mexican girls who've been studying in Salamanca in Spain who took me in and are some of the best people I've ever come across.

Madrid was ok, weather wasn't great though so ended up watching movies - although it was nice to do something normal for once. Oh and I hung out with some of the Spainish royal family (we think, I have to double check that and find out his title) - well the point is that it happened, but thats a story for another time.

San Sebastian was muy bonita - or very beautiful for everyone non-Spainish speaking - pity it was so cold because the beach was great. But I got to climb hills and talk Spanish with the woman at the hostel who was unnecesarily lovely to me - I've been so lucky to come across such good people on my trip - people who are going out of their way to do nice things for me. For instance Rosa ended up doing all my washing for me, sounds like no big deal but it saved me €11 which is a lot of money, and a day of sitting around waiting for washing. These little things really make a huge difference to your life.

And Barcelona was one of the greatest cities I've been to. We ended up with 20 degree weather, it felt like summer and I got a bit homesick for warm weather because I was there. I'm definitely going back one day in the future, preferably in real summer here.

Well thats actually more than I intended to write but oh well, I meet up with Eric again tomorrow so no more solo travelling for at least a little while. And just in case you don't know what to do with yourself because I am away, just remember that I'll be back a month from today, so you can all start counting down - make an advent calendar sort of thing if you really want to get into it. And yes Krissa I will be putting up some of my 2500 photos as soon as I have the right computer and a bit of extra time, maybe this week though.

Hope everyone is well and let me know if there is any exciting news from home.

Miss you all and speak to you soon.

Sidenote

jessiejames — Wed, 2 Jan 2008 04:15:00 GMT

Just as a quick addition, I did end up jumping out of that helicopter. We'd met a skydiving instructor here who talked me into it. After all I am in the Alps, it was a helicopter and what a way to bring out 2007. It was amazing and the view was completely stunning. Now we're off to Nice in a few days which should be good.

Hasta luego chicos y chicas

Happy New Year from the top of the world

jessiejames — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 03:26:00 GMT

Happy New Years everyone. You all get it 10 hours before me but I'm planning on being up a mountain... did I mention in the Alps - maybe even jumping out of helicopter as you guys count down to 2008 so I can't be overly jealous. That said, have a fantastic 10 hours of 2008 without me and I'll join you all in the new year...

I'm in the most spectacular place I've ever seen in my life... Interlaken, Switzerland. I'm writing with a view of the alps behind the computer - it's tough but someone has to do it. We got in last night and will be here for New Years, last night we were came downstairs in our hostel to find an amazing local band, playing Spanish music , and all for free. Hours of wonderful entertainment.

Because I've been so lazy of late I'll just give a brief rundown of my adventures...

We spent 6 nights in Amsterdam with Chris and Xav, school friends of ours, and we had the first really relaxed time we've had yet - it was great actually having somewhere to call home for more than 3 days. Our first morning we got up to a white Amsterdam - I was daft enough not to have my camera though so there's not actually any proof - but it was pretty beautiful.

Christmas did not feel very Christmassy but that said we had friends there to share it with so it made it a lot better.

We missed a connecting train to Paris on Boxing Day but sorted it all out and ended up at a strange little hostel about 9pm. We went adventuring and managed to find half of the Eiffel tower (clouds just get in the way), a tradition that continued throughout our stay so I have a whole collection of pictures of the bottom half of the tower. It's definitely big despite my half impressions of it.

Montmarte was beautiful and the Sacre Couer stunning. The Louvre was so full of people and had so many pieces that both of us got fed up and left after about half an hour - we did see the Mona Lisa though.

Yesterday we left Paris after struggles we managed to get onto a train to Basel and then to Interlaken. We stupidly hadn't booked seats on boxing day but we convinced the conducter to let us on and sat in the side parts of the train for the trip. In the end we're here now which is all that matters.

he sky was clear last night when we arrived and I got to see proper stars for the first time on this trip which was exciting - the town has a Katoomba sort of feel and I'm really enjoying the small town nature of this place, feels a lot more like home.

And then this morning we woke up to a snow covered town, snow capped peaks, blue sky, fresh air, and after laundry time - clean clothes (it's sad but I can't explain how good that feels). So I'm pretty happy right now, if it continues like this it should be a great new year, hopefully indicative of the fantastic 2008 that I'm hoping for. In fact I'm contemplating coming back here to work for a month next summer, we'll see.

So that's about it. Hope you're all having a good time back home and enjoy tomorrow night.

Hasta luego all,

From real true mountains,

Jess

from Amsterdam

jessiejames — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 22:26:00 GMT

Hi all,

Havn't been very good with this lately but computer access is expensive over here...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone - it's only just Christmas Eve here but I'm sure you're all enjoying yourselves already at home.

I'm in Amsterdam, since Prague I've been to Cesky Krumlov, Munich, Berlin and Cologne so obviously there's a bit of an update needed, but for now none for you. Just wanted to let everyone know I'm thinking of you all, doesn't feel like Christmas here buit it is ridiculously cold.

Have a great time and I'll give you a much better story later.

Speak to you soon,

Jess

Praha

jessiejames — Sun, 9 Dec 2007 02:22:00 GMT

Hola chicos y chicas.

Here I am once again to recite the details of my life. I'm still in Prague, technically we're not meant to be but we are so we are going to enjoy it. We were meant to go to Cesky Krumlov this afternoon but when we arrived home last night at 11:30 this morning we decided it might be best to alter our plans... And so here I am for one night more.

Once again we've latched on to some Aussies - we had a very long night last night at a club called the Cross Club and if you ever come to Prague you have to go see it just because it is so interesting. There is mechanical stuff everywhere, its very loud and weird, Eric keeps calling it a spaceship - but absolutely worth going to for a long night out.

Just realised how many countries I'm behind in this so here's the update from the last week or so.

Leaving our little hostel in Budapest we were just so excited to get those unsavoury bags back onto our backs to journey into the world. Unfortunately, despite a great time in Budapest, our exit will forever be stained in my mind because as we got off the metro at the station, metro guards came along and fined us 5000 Hungarian florint (ok so it's about $35 but we're backpacking...and it's just mean) - we explained to her that we had only been told to buy one ticket but she was awful and took all of our money. So our wallets much lighter we boarded the train eventually and were on our way.

Bratislava was beuatiful. It had all the novelty of a good city with none of the pretentiousness. And sidenote here - *Slovakian girls have to be the most attractive girls I have ever seen in my life. - Just in case any of you guys at home are looking for a wife in future.*

There was a really odd mix of people in the hostel though, quite a few racists and just weirdos so we kind of avoided everyone ate really good pizza and just kept to ourselves. But this city just had a really good feeling about it - you felt really safe and happy there. I think it's probably due to the amount of trees around but who knows.

We only stayed in Slovakia for one day and then we were on our way here, to Prague. Apart from a strange German man staring at us for half the way and continually getting fines from the train guards, the trip was pretty uneventful. And once again I found there were hours of beautiful, quaint little Czech villages to watch as we went by that I'm actually going to stop in when I come back some time.

Prague has been a city of rest pretty much so far. The first night we both crashed and then hung out downstairs with the copious amounts of Australians and a couple of Americans. The following day the event that made me most happy was getting my washing done - I'm getting really sad but this trip really teaches you the important things - clean clothes, hot showers and not having to carry your life on your back are so underated in our daily lives.

But post-washing we went walking up to the Charles Bridge and round the river for a couple of hours. We got one of the best meals I've had in Europe so far - oh yes Relle hitting up the salmon (had doubts - it is a land locked country, but in the end so glad I chanced it). Back at the hostel we met up with some new people and decided on a night of jazz in the city so off we ventured.

Unfortunately we are all incredibly cheap so when they wanted 300 koruna for entry we gave up and decided we knew better and we'd find somewhere new. After about 40 mins of walking in the rain we found the other jazz club - it was booked out with a private party of old men and ladies singing karaoke - great - and that is how we ended up in an Irish pub in Prague.

On our way home we thought we'd check out the Cross Club because everyone here has raved about it and its just around the corner from our hostel. I've already gone on about it but we loved it, stayed for a little while and then had our plans for last night set.

Yesterday we went to Hrad Castle which had pretty spectacular views over the city, but sorry mum and dad - the memory card is full so I don't have any photos of it - half of these hostels don't have USB connections set up for me.

Afterward we went walking again, finding Christmas markets, again, but I love Christmas markets, and then it started pouring. That said the markets were too good for me to miss so Eric escaped and I got to look around properly for hours. The Czech Republic is big on garnets and amber from Russia so I was pretty much set perusing the amazing jewellery everywhere - following I now have green amber to add to my jewels collection which I'm pretty excited about.

And then to the club last night, at one stage I lost my wallet, and next to thinking my passport was missing in Rome this has to be one of the worst experiences since I got here. Thankfully I found it in the end, but the thought of losing everything important in there freaked me out.

Thanks to Robbo I've been sampling some of the fine local brews over here and I think I have to agree with Nigel that Kosevice (I think its called) is top stuff. Definitely a convert.

And thats about me up to date. We'll probably head out on more adventures when everyone wakes up this arvo (it's 5pm, dark and cold right now) and then to Cesky Krumlov tomorrow.

So for now enjoy the sun for me (if it comes out) and I'll speak to you all again soon.

Jess

Budapest

jessiejames — Tue, 4 Dec 2007 04:27:00 GMT

Hola chicas y chicos...

So I'm in Budapest... for now. Tomorrow we head to Slovakia - to Bratislava, that's right Robbo. If you're reading this you should feel bad because so much for those travel tips for Bratislava... I seem to have none in my memory. Anyway we're going tomorrow so now you all know where I'll be for at least a day.

So for the Budapestian rundown. We arrived the day before yesterday and didn't do much. It gets dark here, and I mean proper dark, by 4 o'clock which is really throwing me. So we just hung out at our hostel - Green Bridge - and made heaps of new friends, needless to say that the majority of them are Aussies with a couple of US and UK folks chucked in the mix. It really is getting ridiculous just how many Aussies we're meeting. I've met three Hungarians, who are beautiful, but only because they work at the hostel.

We went out the night we got here with our new friends, ate goulash (culture Hungarian style and we were very Hungry - terrible I know but it has to be said) and then went down to the local for some beer. Here the bartenders were awful - they really hated us, but we didn't care just danced the night away to the local covers band. It was Eric's birthday from midnight on so a Happy Birthday, dessert, and song later we managed to get him up singing House of the Rising Sun. Many adventures later we left but all in all a good night.

Yesterday we walked up a really big hill in Buda with spectacular views and then pretty much came back before spending last night out playing pool with the bartender.

And for today - once again nothing major... walked up big hill in Buda to the palace which was once again stunning and then found some great Christmas markets with definitely the best Hungarian band I've ever seen play.

SO while it's been pretty chilled out, Budapest has been great. Glad there's no real scamming stories to report here so for now I'll leave it there. Hope you're all doing good and I'll update you soon.

Jess

PS Grub - started the collection.

Wien

jessiejames — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 23:45:00 GMT

So a very quick update from the European front. The last week has flown by and both of us are pretty exhausted from the travelling - in fact Erics currently asleep. Here´s the low down...

From Roma we caught a train up to Florence. This city is spectacular. Despite getting slightly lost we found our hostel in the end it was small and homey and full of fantastic people. Our first day we went to a gallery called Uffizi where we checked out some big brand name artists - Boticelli, Da Vinci, Caravaggio... more Eric´s scene really but I actually really enjoyed it.

The other highlight was the second night whenj Philipe, our Mexican man from the hostel took us out to a tiny little wine bar his friend owns and we had the most fun yet drinking Vino Tinto, eating Panini and speaking in Spanish - oh yes am I ever practicing - we had Mariano from Argentina and Philipe to hone our skills.

We spent yesterday in Venice - a city full of exquisite beautiful things and scammers. As we got to the station two nice American people offered us there ferry tickets for free which meant we didn´t have to pay all day which was awesome - but they seemed to be the only nice people there. For a full account of the horrid tourist eating Venetians look up the Venice story - no there were a couple that were nice - but until then suffice to say that it was beautiful but I´m glad we didn´t stay any longer.

Last night we caught the train from Venezia to Vienna which is where I write this from. We saw some spectacular scenery on the way and now we are here. Like I said this is not too comprehensive but I really need to sleep.

So for now to all,

Ciao, and hope Aus is rockin without me.

Venice - Scammers and Expensive Taste

jessiejames — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:27:00 GMT

Just a quick story on the city of watery streets where the prices are always high and the scammers never sleep.

We arrived in Venezia the afternoon before yesterday, truthfully I don´t know what day it is anymore so sorry if that sounds a bit strange. We stayed out of the way so didn´t see that city that night but waited until yesterday when we arrived back in the city, dumped our bags and decided to explore.

We´d read that you should prepare to get lost in Venice because the street names and numbers don´t make sense and it´s all such a maze so we were prepared and that was fine by us. We split up and had 7 hours to ourselves to explore.

My first experience was on a water ferry thing when I took my hood off and then a moment later an old man was holding his hand over my seat....

"What´s this..." methinks "maybe he´s just saying hi... they´re probably really friendly"

But oh no, seemingly I had committed a foul misdemeanor as he was holding up a strand of my hair with a very accusing look on his face, and very scolding Italian on his lips suggesting that I had ruined his day by allowing a strand of hair to fall down (obviously too daft to realise I had no idea what he was saying). Yeah I get you don´t want to be covered in someone elses hair but is it me or is that maybe a massive overreaction??? Oh well you all know me, I go out of my way to make life horrible for others...

So I apologised in bad Italian, in fact I may have even said grazie (Italian for thanks)... and then I got into a bad mood. It just continued too with shop keepers telling me off for looking at their beautiful wares, one woman wouldn´t even turn on the light in the display room so that I could even look- and I was buying! Aarrgh!

To top it off we ended up meeting up for dinner and paying €45 for a meal we thought would cost us €10... and then the guy had the cheek to try and keep the change from a €50 - no way we would take no more!

The city and glass (Murano glass for any jewellery buffs) was beautiful but the people ruined it all for me.

So the motto of the story is ´Screw Venice` - they screwed us all day!

That said we did have one really genuine experience of niceness - as we got out of the station an American couple came up to us and offered us their daypasses on the ferry system for free. Then they left leaving us a bit stunned by their generosity. God bless the Americans.