What dreams may come

Today didn't consist of all that much besides travelling within.  I've mentioned before how much time travelling alone gives you time to be in your own company to think.  
   I slept in this morning and enjoyed waking up nice and slow.  Selina had to go to class early so I was in no rush to do much of anything.  I got up, showered, got organised, cleaned the dishes to do my part for staying there, packed all my things back away and headed to town.  Managed to get a few little "gifties" together and sent off....keep an eye out in your mailboxes folks....12-14 days ;)
Wandered around a little longer before it was time to head back and gather my things.
Selina came home around 4 and we headed for my train.  Was happy she came to see me off as the transit system still is not my favorite place to face alone.
I found and boarded my train....was only like a 2 hour ride to Interlaken with a change of trains in Berne.
Riding the train I sat in my thoughts.....what to do next, where to stay, how much money I have left (this occupies much of my time lately as Switzerland is SOOOOO expensive!!!)  I had to pay 2 franks to go pee the other day....2 franks!  Thats like $3.50 or something crazy.  And a meal at Burger King was 14.90 franks!!!  OY!
So I will definatly be looking to couchsurf a few more times as money has a way of disapearing way too fast.
I've also been thinking alot about what happens once I get back home.  Bills to pay, back to routine, this no longer sounds fun after my recent decisions of should I hike in the Swiss Alps today or venture onto Italy and visit the canals by boat in Venice.....sigh.  Way more charming and glamorous don't you think?
Travellers....how do you return home after 3 months away?  I have always heard travel changes you but don't think I ever realized just how much truth there is in that statement.  When I started this 3 month Eurotrip it was going to be "my once in a lifetime" but now that's something I just cannot fathom.  I want to see more of the world, meet more of the people, breathe in the culture and taste the food.   I always thought I was a wanderer before....well now the desire to wander is even greater and I'm not too sure what to do about that!
Not all that wander are lost.....

I've been missing the horses.  I think it's almost time I find my way back to a job doing what I love.  Just need to find the right position for me.  Something where I can still have a work/life balance and not push my body so hard.  Well there's the intention so I'll go of the outcome and see what happens

Ahhh there I go again.   Thinking about the future.  STOP.  Ok...I'm supposed to focus on today....well today is almost over as it's 11:30 and my bunk mates are bustling about.  I arrived the the BEST hostel ever this evening, it looks like a cheaper hotel.  Everything is clean staff are friendly and the beds are big and comfy with huge lockers in the room and a balcony....you know how hot I always am....well to be able to step out into the fresh mountain air is something I really love.  Ahhhh such a good feeling!  We even have a bathroom attached...though that, although convieniant I don't always like.....I'm a lady, with tummy troubles, in a foreign country eating foreign food....you do the math lol.

Anyway am planning to hit the Alps tomorrow.  Both my mind and my waistline could use a break from the people, the city and the tasty snacks you find all along the way.  Tomorrow I'm going to strap on my running shoes, take my camera and have an adventure in the mountains just me, myself and I....YAY!!  I want to slow down, need to slow down, breathe, take in the world around me and RELAX.

Well I could ramble for hours tonight as I have lots on my mind but the little chinese guy next to me keeps peeking at me from under his covers so I think my keyboard ticking is keeping people awake.

Oh hostels....

Goodnight world....zzzzzz

Lovely girls!!

Said goodbye to France and caught the train to Zurich Switzerland.  I was so excited to be couchsurfing at a girls place....yay!  I arrived to the station and met Selina, my beautiful, bubbly new host.  She was so kind and her place was perfect!  We had a nice night chatting, eating some Swiss chocolate and watched Eat, Pray, Love.  It made me reflect on my travels and made me realize I haven't taken enough time to slow down and enjoy my experiences.  Just like in life back home I always rush to get here and there.  I need to SLOW DOWN, breathe, taste food and take in the atmosphere more.  I get so energized and anxious with so many people buzzing about the streets around me I need to take some time to ground myself and not let their energy get to mine.  Otherwise before I know I'll be home again and my travels will seem nothing more then a dream.

Movie night with Selina :)

Today Selina had time to show me around Zurich.  We went to the old town, walked along the water.  Had a hotdog in this amazing pretzel type bread with a type of tartar sauce....mmmm.  Walked through some Christmas markets and gazed in the windows of all the pretty swiss chocolate stores.  She also said I had to try this thing called Maroni...I think it's a chestnut that they cut a slice into and then roast.  It's really warm and kind of has a consistancy of a potato but it's slighty sweet.  It's a big thing over here and she was amazed I had never tried it.   It was good, though not my first choice in tasty snack.
Also I think what my girlfriends have told me is true....there are good looking men here and I wish I was staying longer to get to know some of them!  Note to self....return to Switzerland!

Selina had class at 4ish so she left me to my own devices and I walked around some more, took some pictures before following my map back to the bus and back to the apartment.   I layed down for a nap....the first real nap I've taken since being away and it was glorious!  I woke up at 6 when she came home again and we headed out to the cafe where she works to meet with her friends for dinner and coffee.  I had a spinach and feta quiche and a warm chai tea...yummy.  It was so nice to be around a table of ladies listening to them chatter about life, love, and happenings.  I soooo need more girls around me!  I truly miss my girlfriends that I do have....though don't have the connection these ones do.  Most of them grew up together and are very close, like sisters it seemed.  Beautiful girls!
We returned home to relax for the evening and I've been planning what to get up to tomorrow.  I also head to Interlaken tomorrow so have been checking hostels, things to do ect as well as the next step.....ITALY!
I'm not ready to leave Zurich and Selina's but maybe it's just all the more reason to return again someday!

Chateau Versailles

After a glorious nights sleep I got up this morning to Abdeiliah making crepes....yummy!  After breakfast i got organised and took the train to St Lazare station to meet the girls as we were heading to Versailles for the day which is about 30 minutes away by train.
What a beautiful little town.  We walked along the store fronts peering into all kinds of shops.  Wandered through a saturday market with all kinds of goodies before making our way to the Chateau Versailles.  What a ginormous palace and the gardens so stunning!  Can't even immagine what it's like in the summer with all the flower and fountains running!  We got our tickets and made our way through the rooms and corridors.  What a breahtaking place and to believe people lived there so many years ago!  The history of all the kings, queens, guards, marie antionette ect that live there is too facinating to describe.
The famous hall of mirrors is something that must been seen to understand how grand it all is.
We spent many hours in there before heading out for a late lunch and thn heading back to Paris.   On the ride back the girls and I talked about Twighlight and how we wanted to see the new one that just came out so we made a plan, made sure it was in english and found the way to get to the theatre just in time for a 6:05 show.  YAY what a great day!  Made it back by 9 pm, Abdul and I had dinner and now I'm catching up on my online duties before heading off to sleep and onto Switzerland tomorrow!!!

Fast little criminal

Paris is like any other city with it's different sights, sounds, smells ect but there is something different about the "city of love"  For such a huge city, everything is built grand and open so what usually seems cramped and chaotic...here its just normal, not over crowded (most places anyway)
The history and arcitecture are incredible and all the stories of acient times that come with it.

Yesterday I got up at 7 and headed for the city as my host was leaving so I needed to as well.  I thought I'd use the early morning as a time to hit up Mcdonalds for some free wifi time.  Id been there for an hour or so when a dodgy woman came up the stairs asking for money.  She appeared to be known by staff as one immediatly gave her a nudge and told her to leave.   I went back to what I was doing.  Normally I have nothing out except my computer but this time I had my phone out as I was texting at the same time so I put it down on the pad of paper I was writing on right beside my paper.  About 15 minutes or so later she came back up this time with a green piece of paper with writing on it asking for money.  She put the paper beside me and I said no no no no and kept looking at my computer screen and then she went away.  I looked down and noticed my phone wasn't there....it took a second to register as I looked in my purse first to make sure I didn't put it away....then I freaked and JUMPED down the two flights of stairs screaming "SHE STOLE MY PHONE SHE STOLE MY PHONE"  I caused a rukus in Mcdonalds and everyone started talking loud in french and one poor woman thought I was pointing at her.  When everyone just looked around frazzled I wasn't sure what to do....then realizing I had just left my computer wide open up stairs as well as my backpack with my purse, passport and everything back upstairs I bounded up there as fast as humanly possible.  I asked loudly if anyone could watch my things as I had just watched a computer for another guy but he had since left.  Everyone shook their heads and said "no englais"  So I paniced and started shoving things into my backpack, grabbed my coat, scarf, bag, pulled my power cord out of the wall and with it trailing behind me jumped back down the stairs in a frienzy.  One little french woman came up to me speaking very fast and was pretty demanding about it telling me "police police police you stay"  I wanted to run out those doors so fast as she couldn't have gone far.  Then another little french man not speaking much english told me to stay as well so I calmed myself and put everything back in my bag.  That's when the big gorgeous man dressed all in motorcyle gear came in and was on his phone as well as his walkie talking was going off in his pocket.  He told me "fine fine, you come" so I follwed him across the street while he's still on his cell phone talking to police.  We got over to the other side which ir right where you go to get on the metro lines and two other civilian looking people, also with radios, were standing with two ladies, one of which is the one who stole my phone.  I hollared at her "you stole my phone, give me back my phone"  She said she had nothing but eventually her friend handed it back over to the big burly police man.  Everyone was still going on and on in very fast french so I was a little confused and only catching every other word....when the police car pulled up and I had to get in the back.  But it was a normal car, not scary in the back like our police cars back home.  They told me I was going to give a statement and all was fine.  So headed to the police station, told them what happened and about an hour or so later I left with my phone in hand and very grateful to all the people who helped me in record time!  Whew!

So by this time I was late to meet Lauren, Lindsay and their mom and the louvre, so I got directions and headed there.  Took me awhile to chill out after that and I have to say I'm no longer very nice to people because here you get apprached ALOT.....to give money, sign something for "pretending to be deaf people" or guys hand you cards with writing on them to distract you while they steal.  No way.  I clutch my bag, I don't look at them and I walk briskly by shaking my head and saying NO.  I learned my lesson!!

Got to the Louvre in all it's glory.  You could easily spend a week in there looking at all the exhibits but we saw what we could and then headed for the Eiffel Tower as we wanted to be there at sunset.  The girls had the hop on off bus tickets so I said I'll meet them there and I took the metro.  I'm learning to love the metro :)
The girls forgot to consider traffic so got there about 2 hours after I did haha.  In the meantime I took hundreds of picutres as well as helped other tourists get their perfect shot with the tower as well.  Finally just as the sun set they arrived and we got in line to head to the top.  We timed it perfectly as we got to be at the top of the tower at 7 pm when it sparkled and we all stood and awwwwed with delight!  What an intense, thrilling, challenging day and here we were where things couldn't be more better.
After the tower we headed for dinner in a cute little bistro before I ran off to pack my things and head to meet my new couchsurf host.  I was late leaving and ended up not finding my way there until 11:30 pm.  Bless his heart he's super duper kind and was waiting for me with freshly ordered pizza :)  We chatted for awhile and then I had a long hot shower and headed for bed in my OWN room on a big couch/bed.....the end to an incredible day in Paris!!

Little life lessons in Paris

Left Antwerp on a 6 hour bus ride....got harrassed by a guy for an hour who insisted I come with him to Tunesia.  Kept touching me, trying to hold my hand and kiss my arm....finally told him to leave me alone and go back to his seat.  I'm not good at being mean but this is starting to become a lesson that repeats itself!
Got held up at the border so the heavily armed police could check the bags coming from Amsterdam....all was good and we were back on our way.

I arrived in Paris at 8 pm and made my way through the metro directions Miguel, my second couchsurf host had left me.  Paris is actually really easy to navigate, much to my surprise, as usually I hate using the metros but I have it completly figured out here...yay me!
Arriving at Miguel's was a bit eye opening.  He told me he lived in a very small place and that I would be sleeping on the floor but I figured that was fine as he lives 10 minutes from the Eiffel tower....perfect.
Well firstly it was a million degrees...I'm always hot as is and everywhere in Paris seems to have the heat CRANKED even though this is the warmest place I've been lately!  C'mon people!!!
No kidding less then 5 minutes later we hit the town.  Met up with one of his girlfriends, Laur who was super nice!  She took me to some shops and showed me the lights of Paris.   She is a local here and was very informative.  I got my first glimpse of the stunning lit up and sparkly Eiffel Tower, The Arc de Triomphe, the main streets and many more places....all on my first night!
Arrived back at Miguels at 2 am ......I slept on the hardwood floor with only my silk sleep sheet and some of my clothing I piled underneath.  Way less then ideal however I wasn't going to climb into his tiny single bed with him even though he offered.  Jeesh!  I keep saying I want to meet a man yet am so totally turned off/discusted and down right angry with the way some men attempt to treat women.  GAH!  I won't rant anymore about that on here....  He is a very nice guy and very helpful....introduced me to his friend and showed me around the whole first evening I arrived which was great to see and have someone who speaks french to the locals.

This morning I peeled myself off the floor....in a fair amount of pain I could hardly get up.  It's been awhile since I slept on a floor like that haha.  But not letting anything get me down I looked on the bright side.  I had a roof over my head and I was safe in a foreign place.  I got ready fairly quickly and headed out the door the same time he did for the day.  I managed to meet up with Crystal, a local girl from back home YAY and her dad.  We went for breakfast/lunch and then to the church Montmartre Basilique du Sacre-Coeur and wandered around the little shops in the squares behind it.  There were many artists set up selling their work...soo stunning but much over my backpacker budget!
 Around 4 I said goodbye to them and set out to meet Lauren and Lindsay and their mom, the two sisters I hung out with back in Ireland!  I love when travellers cross paths again and again :)  We met up outside the Louvre and walked down to the big lit up ferris wheel thing and took a ride to see all above Paris.  It was foggy but still a great view!  From there we wandered through the pretty Christmas markets and ate a kebab and some chocolate puffy things...yummm.

We parted ways and they headed back to their hotel and I wandered the rest of the way down Champs - Elysees on my own to the Arc de Triomphe which is where I climb back on the Metro and make my way back to Miguels.  I opted to go in search of wifi so ended up in a good old Mcdonalds not far from where I'll be staying....so here I write to you.  Quite a day and a fair amount to relfect on.  So many lessons and challenges  that come up while your travelling.  So far nothing I can't handle though it's interesting to watch the lessons repeat themselves.  All part of helping me grow into the savvy world traveller I set out to be!!
See me roar!!   ;)

Antwerpen

I landed in Antwerp last night.  I was so excited I managed to take the right train/tram combinations and got to where I was supposed to be.  I was a little apprehensive as it was the first time I was going to try "couchsurfing"  but much to my delight, my host Wesley was a fabulous first time choice!  He came to meet me where I got off the tram and he was fun, welcoming, happy and we had the best conversation.  He lives in a huge old house with 3 other guys.  We headed out to a funky little jazz bar for the evening with his friends and I got to sample a few different kinds of Belgian beer.  Yep beer IS better in Belgium!

Today we took the bikes out and rode through the city.  Wes showed me around to the historic sights.   We also went to the new museum as you can go all the way to the top and look out over Antwerp.
I haven't ridden a bike in years let alone ride bikes ever how these guys do it.  Bikes own the road here and I'm not used to riding within inches of cars and people.  It was a little nerve wracking as I wobbled on that bike.  They seem to keep them so steady and straight but I kept wobbling....not something that you want to be doing as you hear a car approaching up from behind....but I survived and it was the best way to experience the city!!  Such FUN!
But boy oh boy do my butt bones hurt....I don't know if it was the fact I was riding a boys bike and the seat was pretty narrow or what but YOWZAS!  I'm gonna feel that one tomorrow haha.
After sightseeing we headed to a neat little restaurant for dinner where Wes said we had to get the baked potatos.  They were the most AMAZING baked potatos filled with chicken, mushrooms, spinnach and cheese all in a cream sauce....drool!  It was even better then it sounds!  I love the tiny salad in comparison lol

We wandered back to where we parked the bikes and rode back home...the whole way I kept shifting and trying to sit different ways as my butt bones felt like they were going to pop through my skin haha.
Had a nice relaxing evening and am off to Paris tomorrow!!  I'm so lucky to be on this adventure.  It's something everyone should do once in their lifetime!  Pure bliss....travelling just feels like home to me :)
Onto the next destination!
Ta Ta!

Waffles, Chocolate and Fries....Oh My !

I'm finally getting caught up.  My past two hostels either haven't had wifi, it never worked or it was crazy expensive so I've been writing and saving my blog entries and posting them when I finally get online.  So bare with me :)  They will come!

Today was my first full day in Bruges.  Lovely town but the people really don't send out friendly vibes.  I smile and say hello to most people and I rarely get smiles back....hmmmpfh fine then!  Not letting it affect me so I just keep on my merry way!
When I told a friend about that he said "hunny welcome to Europe"  surely ALL europeans aren't unhappy and dispise tourists do they?  I don't feel Canadians respond the same way to tourists at all....over all we are pretty open adn welcoming aren't we?  Maybe that's why I find it strange.  I had a conversation with a guy at the hostel back in Amsterdam about a girl he dated, and broke up with because she was too nice and she was Canadian.  He pointed at me and said "your way too nice....ALL the time"  I don't think I'm THAT nice....well maybe I am haha.

Anyway Bruges is made of of old school buildings, cobblestone streets, little canals and many restaurants.    Ohh the food, even my guide book says that Belgium is not a place you'll ever go hungry and in most cases if you could die from calorie intake alone....Belgium would kill you.  French fries were invented here, there's truffles and praline chocolates on every corner and waffles with every kind of topping immaginable including....you guessed it...chocolate!!
Most people speak Flemish (Dutch) or French.  Much like Amsterdam I can't even begin to pronounce the words written on street signs.  They speak with a sound made in the back of your throat like your trying to cough up a lugie....you think that would make your throat hurt speaking like that?
 Talked with a local in the burger joint last night who's been here all his life.  He said the people are old school as well and didn't have many nice things to say about Bruges haha.
It was a crisp but sunny day today...again I'm still so thankfull for the weather as I've officially been travelling for one month today and have only had like 1 day of rain....amazing!!!

I wandered the streets all morning and enjoyed getting lost.  I set out to find a travel adapter as I must have left mine in Amsterdam though my roomate says she didn't see it.  Much to my dismay I was told everything is closed on Sundays but to try a store called Saturn by the train station.  Success !  It was open.  Saturn was like an even bigger version of Future Shop!!!  But I just browsed besides finding and buying my new adapter.

From there I took pictures as I went.  Walked thru the town centre, into some little shops that were open and took in the air that is Bruges.  There's a bit of a funky smell you catch every now and again.  I'm guessing it's from all the water ways.  I really had no idea Amsterdam and Belgium were built on so much water!
The sun has gone now so I've taken cover in a local pub where there's free wifi whoo hoo.  I intend to park my butt here until as late as possible before heading back to my hostel as there's nothing to do there.  I'm also researching the next leg of my trip.
Tomorrow I take the train to Antwerp where I'm being hosted....my first couchsurf...yay sooo exciting!  I'll be spending 2 days there before heading onto Paris where I have another couch lined up for 3 days.
I have a bit of a travel dilemma at the moment as the train from Antwerp to Paris is almost $300!  Thats so not in my budget so I'm looking into passes, for trains busses ect.  So if any of you have advice please let me know!
Cheers!

Wheels on the bus go round & round

Well the past day has been slighty eventuful.  Yesterday I made the decision to book the trip to Bruges.  I walked into town in Amsterdam til I found a Mcdonalds with wifi and I sat there for a few hours to sort it all out haha.  I booked a bus ticket and confirmed a hostel that was 25 euros a night….not excited but at least it meant I had a place to sleep.

Got up early this morning so I had time for my free breakfast and to print my ticket before leaving.  Made my way to the train station and thankfully got on the right train to the bus station.  Had a 6 hour long bus ride with the most annoying little girl sitting behind me who liked to sing really fast and really loud in a language I couldn’t understand.  To make it worse she had a cough that sounded like that terrible barking and while standing up singing would then proceed to couch in my general direction.  Gross.  Everyone around me is sick, 3 girls in my room last night were all hacking and sneezing and now I feel even worse today.  Nope backpacking sure isn’t glamourous at all…..

But I finally made it to the Bruges, had a good 25 minute walk or so to find the hostel and luckily I made it just before dark.  Upon dropping my things off I wanted to head to town to find food as all I had all day were snacks.  I found the city centre and got lost along many cobblestone streets.   Everything here is old and beautiful though the people didn’t seem overly friendly.  After reading a map made by young locals it doesn’t seem to be the overall impression either….the locals don’t like to be bothered with tourists hmmmm.

From what I have seen there is nothing “newish” here….no Mcdonalds, no Starbucks, nothing I recognize.  Everything is in Duth/Flemish and French.  OY!

I managed to find some kind of burger joint that resembled a Mcdonalds and ate there.  The prices in this place are WAY to high for my budget so it’s a good thing I only have one full day and 2 nights here!

It’s really cold tonight, the coldest its been on my trip so far and usually I embrace the cool weather!  I happily strolled down the dark windy streets, meandering at my own pace after being cooped up in a bus all day.  I enjoyed the fresh air.  I do have to say that although the slower pace here is nice after Amsterdam I almost felt safer walking alone in the dark there because there were always so many people and tons of lights.  Here I found myself on pretty dark roads a few times with no one in sight.  Probablly fine but feels kinda eerie in the misty evening.  But I made it back to my hostel safely.  Guess it’s going to be an early night as I don’t have wifi and the hostel is filled with old people that just bussed in…..strange.

It’s clean, spacious and quiet but nothing special and certainly not a place with any kind of character.  It resembles more of an army camp….with old people lol.

But it’s a place to sleep, I’m not on a park bench in the cold and I’m really excited to look around in the day light tomorrow.  Minus the fact the unfriendly guy at the front desk informed me tomorrow is Sunday and everything is closed.   Hmmmm.  Double hmmm because I left my darn adapter to plus everything in and charge it, in Amsterdam so now I have to go in search of a new one.  Easy to find in big cities….have a feeling not so fun to find here.  Well at least it gives me something to focus on tomorrow.

2 nights here and then I’m off to Antwerp.  Got a conformation back from Wesley, my first couch surfer host….yay exciting.  Seems like a super nice guy and is going to show me around!  Don’t worry Dad they come with references haha ;)  He checks out.

Had lots of time to reflect on the bus today.  On my travels, on how I’m doing, on life.  Lots of time to be in your head when your alone.  But thus far I haven’t regretted the decision to travel alone one bit.  Yes at times I miss someone to take photos with or to know the person your sitting next to on the bus but being alone really forces me to put myself back into the world after being kind of introverted the past few years.  It’s not easy and I certainly don’t have it down pat yet.  Things defiantly start to get more fun when I put myself out there.

Anyway kind of rambling cause I have nothing else to do but I don’t have much battery left on here so I might as well catch up on some sleep tonight.

Miss you all.  Hope things are well and your keeping warm back home.  I hear it’s been snowing brrrrr.

Much love xoxox

I Will be back!

Oh Amsterdam.  What an interesting place.  I must visit again sometime.  I have loved the time I’ve spent here though I would love to come back with friends as it would be MUCH more fun.   There is always something to do, there are people out at all hours of the day and night.  Young and old they are all mixed in together.  The amount of people on bikes and bikes chained to…everything….are amazing.   It’s easier to get run over by a bike then the trams or the cars…though the trams are nuts as is.  People walk along the tracks that run un marked through the streets, they beep when they are approaching and people part to the sides as the trams pass by mere inches from people.  Frightening!

 I can see now how only 2 or 3 days in once place really isn’t much time.  If you want o explore and fit everything you possibly can into those days then there’s no room for sitting on the internet and planning….especially when the wifi never works in the hostel which is a HUGE pain.  So I’d have to go hunt out Starbucks and McDonalds.  After finally getting online today and realizing I don’t have a place to stay tomorrow night I gave up on doing anything this evening so I could get the basics sorted out.   I was starting to worry a little. The hostel situation wasn’t looking good as everything in this area skyrockets on the weekends so the cheapest hostel was 50 euros!!  I had sent out some couch surf requests but hadn’t heard much back so I made the plan to head to Bruges in Belgium tomorrow and found a hostel for $25/night…still way over my budget but at least it’s a place to sleep.  Was starting to think I’d be taking up a park bench somewhere….just kidding!!  I heard back from a guy in Antwerp so long as everything works out he will be my first couch surf host….YAY!

Then came the fun of figuring out how to get to Bruges….hmmm.  The easiest way is the train however the cheapest and longest way is the bus….done!  So I booked a ticket and despretly hope I can find my way from point A to point B tomorrow as it all seems a little confusing.   No one said traveling is easy….and it sure aint!

So if everything stays the same I’ll be spending 2 nights in Bruges, 2 night in Antwerp then onto Paris where I’m looking to couchsurf as well.  Takes a bit more time to plan however think that is going to have to be my focus from here on out as money is quickly dwindling and I’m not even buying anything….simply just eating and sleeping….I so DO NOT have enough money to get me through the next two months which has got me thinking what to do.  Might have to cut some places out?  Can’t really come home early as my final flight is non refundable non transferable.  Well….guess I’ll worry about that more once my funds hits the red zone.

The hostel here is nice, I’m in a 4 bed female dorm and the beds are soooo comfy.  It’s very noisy outside from the bars in the area and well, it’s Amsterdam so everyone is high on something and the things you hear are quite interesting.  Last night a girl (with a really good voice) sang :”Whats love got to do, got to do, got to do with it…..what’s love got to do got to do got to do with it) over and over and over.  Not sure how she still had a voice the way she was belting it out.  Finally people started yelling at her to shut it….thanks goodness lol.

I’ve felt pretty safe here though as to be honest I was kind of intimidated about in the beginning.  But because there’s soooo many people out all the time it never really feels scary, even when the people can be dodgy.  I’ve been out wandering the streets by myself everynight past 11 and made out just fine.

I went to check out the Rjyskmusuem (spelling?) during the day.  Was beautiful to see though I need to learn a lot more about art history!  I didn’t feel it was worth the 12.50 euro entry fee.  I’m on a tight budget so that’s about the only activity I could do while in Amsterdam.  I walked….ALOT.  Got my picture taken with the IAMsterdam sign.  Ate the local goodies and just sat and watched time pass by.  Yep Amsterdam is a neat and mind boggling place.  Don’t know when but I will so be back!

Last night one of the girls from the hostel and I ventured into the red light district to check it out.  Now that was an experience!  Red lights, mostly naked girls that tap on the windows as you walk by and the shady men that visit those places….gross.  No need to elaborate more haha.

Anyway it’s late again and I have to be up early…wish me luck en route tomorrow.  Talk to you in Bruges!!

I AMsterdam

I made it!  I was traveling pretty much all day today.  Left the hostel around 9:30 am, got the 10 o clock bus to Belfast.  Had some time to eat lunch and walk around (with my heavy backpack in tow)  Caught the 2:15 bus to the Airport.  Had awhile to wait to board my 6 o clock flight.  Landed in Amsterdam at 8:30ish….I lost another hour of my life as I crossed another time zone so am now 9 hours ahead of home I believe.

I didn’t rush out of the airport as I decided I wanted to eat and get everything organized there before setting out to find my hostel at 10 pm in Amsterdam!  Yikes!

Nothing like jumping in full force.

Managed to get on the right train to Central Station….yay me.  This part of traveling is probably much easier for those that have ventured off the island and been forced to use public transit for me, the total oblivious to trains, trams and busses this is the worst part and I dread it everytime I board one.   So far I haven’t made any huge mistakes but at this part in the game I still get nervous about it.  When does that go away?  Maybe I’m just too sensitive on the topic….I dunno it just stressed me out. From the central train station the the 5-10 minute walking directions sounded pretty easy.  Apparently not so as I ended up walking around for a good 45 mins with my damn heavy backpack so by this time I felt like with every step that my feet are being grinded against the pavement.  I weaved in and out of streets as wizzing biclyes went by and whofts of marijuana smoke slithered out of the cafes.  Oh boy do I feel far from Canada at this point!  I can’t even begin to pronounce the Dutch signs and although most people speak English it doesn’t seem to be the first language they try when speaking to you….it at least seemed that way tonight anyways.  But people were friendly.  A few pointed me in the wrong direction hence walking for such a long time but at least they tried.

From the few places I’ve seen tonight it’s even harder to navigate then Ireland, there’s even less street signs and even fewer cross walks.  I thought people were bad for ignoring signs in Ireland….well there weren’t all that many signs to look at here for people just cross whenever.  And there’s tram tracks all over the place, from every direction I didn’t even know which way to look to see if they were coming haha.  And the bikes…..bikes EVERYWHERE.  Not sure I’m ready to jump in and ride around like they do.

Finally at 11:15 pm I made it to St. Christophers Hostel.   I have to walk through a very busy bar to get to reception…..that should be fun for tomorrow but tonight think I might just hit the sack.  I apparently a booked a 4 person female dorm which looks more hotel style with real single beds….quite nice.  It’s technically next door to the main hostel and up some pretty intense stairs.  But there’s only two rooms at the top for a total of 8 people I think and a bathroom/shower just outside.  The only thing is they only have wifi down in the bar.  I hate that as it’s a bar not a place to be sitting on your computer…..at least that’s how I feel and I need some computer time to arrange the next part of my trip.  For now I am writing this from my room and then will quickly upload it when I head down.

I think that’s about all to report for today.  I miss Ireland already but am uber excited to explore Amsterdam in all it’s hustle and bustle.  The sound level of the bar downstairs is increasing…..earplugs it is!  But after a long day it’s just too much excitement for me to face tonight.

Sweet dreams all.

Girls just wanna have fun

Since arriving back from the tour I've been relaxing mostly.  I'm starting to get sick again....someone told me to go get some Actifed so might try that tomorrow!  ICK.  Why do I have such a crappy immune system.....sigh.

(Lauren & Lindsay the fabulous sisters!!)

The past two days I've been hanging with Lauren and Lindsay, the two girls from Seattle that I met on the pub crawl and that were also on the 3 day tour.  We've been shopping, exploring, eating and hanging out.  What fun!  I just love Dublin and could easily live here.  Although I am still extremely lucky with the weather as in my 3 weeks abroad I've still only hit one day of rain....amazing in October/November I know!!
I didn't spend too much money shopping as 1, I don't have much money to spend and 2, I don't have room in my backpack haha.  So I splurged on some earrings, a scarf, some new undies and make up.  Girlie I know!  It's been fun!  Oh I also bought a cute pair of tall flat boots and skinny jeans because EVERYONE around here is wearing boots and I stick out like a sore thumb in my runners.
I have found the secret as to why everyone here looks amazing all the time and although there are plenty of high end expensive stores there is also PENNEYS!  My new favorite obsession.  You can buy everything at Penneys.  Men's, Women's and kids.  Everything from comfy casual clothes to fancy nights out to underwear to stylish winter coats for.....CHEAP.  Everything is ridiculously cheap!  So I can see myself adding to my wardrobe and having to send some stuff home or leave it behind as the deals and fashions are too good to pass up.  I tried to refrain today as I found out there's another one in Amsterdam so I can go through with this flight and then buy one of those nice coats on the other side.  At this rate I am going to be that traveller wearing everything imaginable on the airplane like I talked about in my first few blog posts haha.  The best part....I'm loving it!  I normally hate shopping but here it's been nice break from sightseeing and running around all day everyday.  This is me putting it out to the world that from now on I promise to spend a little more money on fashion and try to look half as good as European people look!
I still want to buy my Ireland sweatshirt but I suppose I'm out of time and after seeing how I can look it has made me want to spend the money on nice clothes rather then a memorabilia sweatshirt.....so we'll see.
I also got my makeup done today which was a nice way to pamper myself.  The deal was if you bought two products you got your makeup done for free so I got some primer and foundation.  Here's to hoping my cheap make up brushes and I can apply it as good as she can!

I was supposed to go back to Belfast today as I fly to Amsterdam tomorrow but I love the Abbey Court hostel and Dublin so much I wanted to stay.  So I'm taking the 9 or 10 o clock bus tomorrow to Belfast and then my flight to Amsterdam is around 6ish I think.
This hostel is paradise and I'm going to be sad to leave.  Every evening I've been sitting in the hammock room catching up on uploading pictures, writing my blog and researching for my next country to head to.  It's been fantastic.  It's right in the middle of everywhere I want to be and although breakfast is still only toast and cereal the staff are super and it's so clean.  Last night, and I think tonight too I've been alone in my 12 person dorm room after it being full the first night so am really enjoying my temporary privacy.  Being able to change my undies without trying to move as fast as light before someone comes in is a nice switch.....ahh the little things lol. :)

I just booked a flight to Egypt for December....yay soooo excited!  I'm going to visit a friend there for 6 days.  Love totally unplanned side trips! Whoo hoo.
Well next time I'll talk to you will be from Amsterdam
Adios!

Toppa the mornin to ya

Today was the last day of our 3 day adventure.  We said goodbye to Mark....our awesome Paddywagon driver and were given Darren....a not to exciting one haha.  We missed Mark!!
We left Kilarney and headed 2 and a half hours to Blarney to visit the castle and kiss the Blarney Stone.  Was really neat to go inside the castle and explore all the little rooms as they used to be.  The stairwell to get to the top was a spiral staircase that got increasingly smaller as you reached the top.  Once up there we waited our turn to kiss the famous stone.   The jolly old Irish guy holds onto you as you slide backwards, upside down over what feels insanely high up (don't worry there are safety bars below) to press your lips against that cold stone surface that so many others have kissed too haha.  All in good fun!
We had 2 hours to explore the grounds, shops and eat lunch.  I happened to find another yummy salad!!!  yay for me.  Attempting to eat good food after all the snacks and traditional Irish food I've been devouring.
After we left Blarney we had a 3 hour drive to our next stop at (fill in the blank castle :) )
We were there about half hour then made our final trip back to Dublin.  I was only a 5 minute walk from my new hostel which was awesome with all my gear.  I AM IN HEAVEN!!!  After staying in the last two hostels with one bathroom/shower combo for twelve people and only one room key I have just walked into paradise!  It's on the main street right on the water of the river, close to everything, beautifully decorated with big rooms, a cinema, computer and kitchen room and where I'm currently typing to you from and my most favorite of all, is the hammock/beanbag room.  It's painted like the sky with flowing colors as you relax in the hammock and finally have some peace and quiet.....this is a backpackers bliss!

 After 3 intensely busy days there is nothing better then coming back to a place that feels like home and is enjoyable.....except maybe a shower....which is something I'm also about to go and do because I am dirty!!  Because we only had one shower in the last hostel I opted to wait the extra day anyway......my hair just gets curlier the dirtier it gets anyway lol.  I wouldn't be the first person I know of to warn you to not stand too close in case I stink :P  Just kidding, I'm not that bad!
Tonight I plan to do NOTHING, shower, catch up on my blogging, eat and sleep.  Tomorrow I'm meeting 3 of the girls from the tour to go shopping and maybe head to the old jail which is supposed to be a really neat tourist attraction.
In the meantime I'm going to surf the interweb as I rock gently back and fourth in my very own hammock <3  Ahhhh this is the life!!!

The mighty Cliffs of Moher

Alrighty…it’s been a busy few days so I HAD to sit down and blog tonight even though I really should get some beauty sleep!  Some of it might be point form that I will fill in later once I have time to look back on notes and pictures.

I can’t currently get online at the moment so am just typing this and will upload it later but because of that I can’t remember what I last wrote about, or what day it was for that matter.

Well a brief recap….I took the bus/ferry from Belfast to Dublin, I think I wrote about that.  Spent a few days in Dublin.  Visited the Guinness factory and enjoyed a pint.  Joined the free walking tour with the Sandeman’s group.  Went on a pubcrawl Thursday night and headed off early for my 3 day tour with Paddywagon on Friday morning.

The first day we headed to a little town called Cong.  Visited the Ashfield (think it was called) castle where Pierce Brosnon got married.  What a stunning place!!  The we went to Kylemore Abbey and Victorian walled gardens, I find it fascinating to read all the history and see how they managed to build these gorgeous stone structures so many years ago.  I took some time and paid my respects to those that laid there in rest.

From there we stopped at Corcomroe Abbey…so glad I took pictures of the these places or I’d never remember their names!

I was so tired once evening rolled around and we arrived in Galway.  He had an hour to settle and head out for the evening.  Foung a cute pub for dinner and I actually found a really yummy salad for once….yay!  Getting a little tired of Beef and Guinness stew and lasagna’s…..any everything comes with potatoes, sometimes two different types!   So I REALLY enjoyed my salad…..mmmm J

After dinner and watching a huge soccer game on the big screen we headed out to more of a club type scene.  Great fun but stayed away from the alcohol after my big night the night before.

On our way home we got roped into visiting Cowboys or Coyotes..... as all the clubs have people out recruiting you to come to their bars and will actually walk you there, offer deals ect…..so we went as a whole crew.  The girls were dancing on the bar like in Coyote Ugly…..there was a mechanical bull and a really cheesy karaoke DJ.  We watched some of the girls ride the really pitfull mechanical bull then headed for bed.

This morning we headed off at 9:30 and said goodbye to Galway….I really like Galway and would love to spend some more time there rather then just one night.

On the road out the highway this morning we stopped at a wishing well in the middle of no where where you step up onto a rock and make a wish, then throw a coin from your right hand over your left shoulder….if you get it directly in the water you wish comes true.  A few of us got it in but most bounced off the rock structure first so maybe we’ll get half our wish??  Haha

We visited what they call “The mini Cliffs of Moher”  we had another perfectly sunny day…..didn’t look at all like November!  I’ve been soooooo lucky.

This part of Ireland is much different scenery wise then the North was.  The north has big open green green fields where as here in the South it’s much more rocky and not nearly as green.  I was surprised how different it really is!

We stopped in Doolin for lunch and had a little visit with a local donkey (yay animal contact….I miss my animals)

After filling our bellies with amazing food we made our way to the real Cliffs of Moher.  I’ve heard how windy, cold, foggy ect it can be up there but yet we had more glorious sunshine.  Was slighty windy but no more then it would be on a normal day the at the West Coast.

Took some super pictures I’m really excited about.  We became part of the risktakers and  took our life into our own hands as we crossed the paved walkway and got a little closer to the edge.  Your not supposed to, yet hundreds of people do as theirs still a perfectly safe walkway to go along….it’s just dangerous because with the wind people have been blown off and killed…apparently it happens quite frequently.

We boarded our bus and had a 3 hour drive into Kilarney which is where we are tonight.

Our hostel is less then glamourous but I’m sure I will encounter some worse then this one through my travels so I’m trying to keep an open mind.

Had another hour before we got ready to repeat the night before.  Dinner, drinks, dancing…pretty common.  Was another fun night and I really enjoyed it here.

Tomorrow is our last day on the tour as we make our way back to Dublin.

So on that note I must get some sleepy down time!!

Guinness for All!

I arrived in Dublin yesterday evening.  Found myself a bite to eat, had an awesome shower in my 10 person dorm room with an en suite....what a nice feature!  The water was hot and pressure was fantastic....these things make a backpacked quite happy :)  Little things....like full length mirrors in rooms go a long ways for good ratings haha!
This hostel is also awesome cause it offers something free to do every night!!!  Last night was wine and cheese, tonight was a free dinner, tomorrow is free beer whooo hoo!!!  It's called The Times Hostel on College street in Dublin,  within easy walking distance to everything you could possibly want.
Today was laundry day.....hated wasting the morning but it needed to be done.  I was starting to stink....and the type of stink cause by sink covered up by perfume lol....ok maybe it wasn't that bad or maybe I just got used to my own company lol :P
So now every article I currently have to my name is clean....yay!  Great feeling.  After I was done with the "chores" I headed out for the day.  I meandered the busy streets and darted in and out of a few souvenir shops.  I haven't bought much so far but my "thing" is to by pins, like their flag or something that says the name of the country I've been too.  It's cheap and it's fun to find them.
I want to buy an Ireland sweatshirt but have yet to find the right one I want....wanting what you buy is very important when living out of a backpack with limited space!
I grabbed a quick bite to eat at Burger King....first time I hit a fast food place but after realizing my budget seems to be dwindling quite rapidly without really spending it on anything besides food and shelter I think I'll be dining alot more often in the cheaper places of fast food...ugh....life of a backpacker is so not glamorous....just FUN! 
From there I made my way to the Guinness Factory.  What a neat place, all 7 stories of it!  Once at the top you get to enjoy a free pint in the gravity bar and lookout over every angle of Dublin.
I stopped to pet the horses that were pulling carriages and people around.  Such good ponies they are.
At the free dinner tonight I was chatting with some girls about the life of a backpacker and how we all get "fashion envy"  visiting all these amazing places with beautifully made up women in their fashionable outfits meanwhile any makeup we put on in the morning has since run down our faces as we navigate the streets carrying everything on our backs like perfectly practices turtles haha.  Oh well Ce la vie!
Some of the girls from the hostel and I are going out in search of live music this evening which usually isn't more then a few steps away.....from pub to pub to pub.
So better go get ready!  Talk soon!
    Shawna xoxox

Giant's Causeway

Went to bed late again last night.  Wasn't doing anything special but was shocked at the news of losing Hickstead yesterday!  Had to watch tribute videos to him.  Can't believe the loss of such an amazing, once in a lifetime, world class horse.  My thoughts and prayers go out to Eric Lamaze and his team <3

Got up around 8 am this morning and headed down for my freshly made warm English breakfast....yummy!
I only had about a 10 minute walk to meet my tour guide for the day and like that we were off to the Giant;s Causeway, rope bridge, Derry and the Dun Leuce Castle.
Another super sunny day but darn COLD!  It was freezing this morning and there was frost everywhere.
The bus with Paddywagon tours was nice and comfy and our guide Troy was hilarious!
The rope bridge made my knees shake more then I thought it would.  Don't worry I took a video so you can see what I went through :)  That felt pretty high, and wobbly haha.
From there we headed to the Giants Causeway.  What an amazing wonder of the world....how the heck did those rocks get like that??  Had the perfect conditions for pictures.

We then loaded up and had a quick photo op of what is said to be one of the most haunted castles ever before heading into Derry, the walled city.  Back in the day they built the walls to separate the English from the Irish, however the Irish couldn't afford to build the wall so the Englished paid for it on the condition that the town put London in front of their name....so it is now called Londonderry.....or Derry to the original people.  It's complicated but a really interesting place with a great feel.
Had an hour and a half drive back to Belfast and now I'm relaxing for the evening planning my day tomorrow as I'm off to Dublin....yay!!

MTV Music award craziness!!!

Ok the past two days...where do I even begin!!  I left the Edinburgh hostel Saturday morning at 8:30 am.  Had a pretty good trek to the bus station with my bags...I better have fanastic legs and buns by the time I'm done backpacking haha.
I'm so happy I sleep well on public transit as it made the just over 3 hour bus ride go fairly fast.  The Scottish countryside was incredible and much different then the highlands I had seen the day before.   Green rolling hills everywhere that stretched to the sky and right down to the ocean.  Rocky terrain and tons of sheep and cows to see.

The bus dropped us offat the ferry terminal and we had a 3 hour wait til the ferry arrived.  Boy oh boy was that a trip!  It was a beautiful sunny day and yet that 3 hour ferry ride rocked back and fourth the whole way.  I wasn't sure if I was going to make it without being phsyically ill.  Insert green sea sick face....bleck!
But after what felt like forever we docked in Belfast Ireland around 6 pm.  I had met a nice older man who pointed me in the right direction for which bus to get on from there to get to Europa bus station and then find a cab to take me to my hostel.   When I walked out of the bus station I was launched into a sea over screaming girls hoping to get a glace of Justin Bieber as apparently he's staying at the Europa hotel.  Chaos!
I made it to my hostel and as I was checking in met a super nice Aussie girl who asked me if I was heading out for the night....we instantly hit it off and made a plan!  Right was time to shower and get reasdy pronto!  Then we hit the town.  The hostel staff gave us some bar reccomendations and told us what was going on around town.
Little did I know that I would be arriving in Belfast the same time as the MTV Europe music awards and all the HUGE named celebrities which turned little Belfast into quite the buzzing little city.  Nothing like this has ever been hosted here before.
It was a great time, we found a more local pub that was filled with University students as the school is close by.  Our original plan was to hop around a bit but we mostly just chilled there for the evening.  Once the bar closed of course we wanted food before heading home....well this is when the trash of ALL kinds come out of the woodwork.  There was terribly drunk people falling in the streets, girls with as little clothing on as possible....you could actually SEE many bum cheeks hanging out of dresses as they teetered on their 5 inch high heels.  Yep classy!
We spotted a KFC and decided that would work.  Upon going inside to the swarm that was already in there we witnessed....I'm not even too sure what to call it.  There was garbage EVERYWHERE.  There were mountains of bags, fries and drink cartons on all the tables, the chairs had been removed from the restaurant, there we cops behind the kitchen and quite the trail of blood on the floor....we had obviously just missed a pretty big brawl of sorts.   I was definatly not in Canada anymore.  This was 110 times worse that any crazy Vancouver night I've EVER seen.
Well we made it out alive and back to the hostel.  What a day!
Onto today, Sunday.....I slept in late after staying up til 3ish.  Woke up to another amazing sunshiny day....I have really lucked out as I have yet to hit rain and I'm in Ireland, it's un heard of!!
So I set out for the day to see Belfast.  I stopped along Botanic Aveune at Maggie May's cafe for a uber yummy breakfast before carrying on.   I headed back past Europa Hotel where swarms of teenie boppers in crazy amounts of make up with their hair done to the nines were screaming every time the doors swung open.  I quietly stood but joined the masses haha.  It was fun.  Saw two people from Jersey Shore and apparently Katy Perry walked by but being short as heck I totally missed her.  Had enough of that scene so I kept walking.
 I just happened to head by city hall as they were setting up for Jason Derulo's sound check.  Wasn't expecting too see much so people were fairly sparse but I decided to keep watching.  I'm glad I did as it turned into a full on mini concert whoooo hoo!  All of a sudden people came from everywhere but thankfully I was pretty much in the front row and had a perfect place to watch from :)

After that was done I decided I wanted to head up to Odyssey arena which is where the awards were being held.  The buzz of the city was incredible today.
The Swatch team had a stage and screens set up doing flash dances and drawing for tickets.  I watched a for a minutes and decided what else have I got to do I stood in line.
3 hours later I was at the base of the stage and hoping to get my chance to shake it to be entered in the draw.  As 6 o clock was getting closer it was not looking good that I'd get up there.  Much to my happiness they cut the line a few people behind me and I was in the running.  Though still with too many people and being out of time they put our names in the draw but we didn't actually have to get up and dance, just cause we'd been waiting so long they knew they had to keep us happy.  I hoped with every ounce of me I'd win those tickets....much to my dismay my name wasn't called.  The last woman's name that was called was super cute.  She was older and she spoke a few words about living life to the fullest and just because she's older and was there alone she still wanted to play to.  Upon coming of the stage she was bombarded by people, one guy in particular.  She made a few calls and since her husband was overseas she had no one to bring.  The people swarming her suddenly got worse.  I happened to say a few words to her and try to help keep the crazies away as I stood quietly yet still hinting towards loving to have a ticket :)  Well it came down to a 50/50 chance....a coin toss.  After one of the security guards had already done a few coin tosses it came down to this other guy and me.  Well like always I should have went with my gut as I changed my call at the last minute to tails, and I lost boooooo.  So I was sooooo close to actually being inside that venue tonight watching all the incredible stars performing tonight.....Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Beyonce, pretty much anyone who's anyone was there.  Sigh.  I'm a good loser and stayed posotive and supportive.  She appologies immensly and genuwinely felt bad.  I understood.  On that note I had had enough of being an adoring fan so I headed back to the hostel hoping to catch it live on TV at least.  No such luck, hostel doesn't get the channel and online streaming ins't working.  Darnit.
So here I sit in Belfast, on the biggest night in their history not at or anywhere near the MTV music awards.  Oh well, the rest of the day was a good run while it lasted.
So I didn't do much touring of Belfast but I sure had fun!!
I'm off toa tour of the Giants Causeway and Derry tomorrow so off to bed now.  Sweet dreams all!

The higlands and the coos

What a super fun filled packed 2 days!!  Woke up early this morning after staying up way too late.  Indulged in an amazing shower at midnight and felt luxurious getting into bed clean!  However forgot that my phone was still on Sweden time so was up an hour earlier then need be....damnit!  6 am gross.
Headed back down Princes street to the Royal mile and met our tour guide from The Hairy Coo!  And after signing in 24 of us climbed aboard the quaint little bus.  As Donald our guide said she was built in the last century, she wasn't built for comfort or speed she was just built haha.  We had sooo many wonderful stops I can't even remember them all.  We saw castles, lakes, lochs, hairy coos, adorable little towns, towering bridges and stunning Scottish countryside.  I've said it before and I'll say it again....I LOVE SCOTLAND!

It was a free tour where you tip the guide what you can afford or feel what it was worth.  It was worth the world unfortunately I'm a poor backpacker so only coughed up 8 pounds.  Great deal for me :)
We ate at cute little places and walked alot including up a mountain side to a monument.  My feet are actually sore today as are my calves after sprinting up the mound yesterday!
Upon returning back to Edinburgh after a whole day out I had an hour to kill before setting off for another nighttime tour....The real Mary Kings close!  What a neat story!  It's like a whole underground town with a history filled with fear, terror, sickness and death.  But at one time that was street level.....strange to go down there after seeing where it is today.  Fascinating!
Me and the girls wandered the Royal Mile and made our way back to the hostel. 
I feel ill....I have eaten myself into a food coma and can now fully understand why the common life expectancy of those living here is 65!  I ate my first deep fried mars bar today...both yummy and sickening at the same time.
I think tomorrow I shall go one a healthy food hunt and eat salad and nothing but green food hahah.   Healthy food is pretty hard to find around these parts though.  Really it is.  Here's to will power and hoping I have some!!
I'm gonna upload my pics and head off to bed.  Have an 8 and a half hour bus/ferry ride to Ireland in the morning.
Till next time....g'nite all!

Lookit the cute lil hairy coo.....(said with a scottish accent)

Edinburgh and Beyond....

Edinburgh castle in all it's glory ontop the no longer active volcano it lives on.

I had the most awesome day today!!!  After a late start from not sleeping very well I got ready and wandered out the hostel by 11ish.  I leisurely strolled down Princes street and through the parks.  I took some pictures, and ready my Let's Go Europe book while I killed some time before the free walking tour.  Closer to 1 I made my way up the Royal Mile, grabbed a Starbucks...mmmm....and met up with the guides.  For 3 hours we wandered, marveled and took many photos.  I LOVE EDINBURGH!  So far this might be my favorite place, even considering Bath.
After the walking tour we headed for a pub.  I tried Haggis....didn't order one for myself because I'm still revolted by the mere thought of it but I took a fork full, put it in my mouth, chewed, swallowed and survived haha.  The spice to it is actually really good but as I was processing my taste buds all I could think of were the ingredients....YACK!  But at least I tried it in Scotland, yay me :)
From there we decided to keep wandering together, a common theme after these tours.  Walk walk and keep walking.  We decided we wanted to try to find one of the ghost tours for the evening but nothing too late as some don't start until 9 pm. 
We had heard the Mary Kings Close was a good tour and at 4:45 we found out there was one at 5 pm.  Instead of being rational and just calling to see if we'd make it we pulled an Amazing Race episode and took off out the door gears grinding.  Well we in fact made it there by 5:02 as it's a good 15-20 minute walk from the hostel, red faced and out of breath to our dismay....SOLD OUT.  HAHA Of course it was but it made for great fun and a good dash of exercise.
So we bought a ticket for tomorrow and headed on our way.  After sitting to regain our breath we wandered around the corner to a Chocolate Cafe. OMG it was beyond decadent!  I had a white hot chocolate and a brownie....which I barely finished...this coming from a certified chocoholic.  I was impressed!  Yummm
We decided upon a Double Dead tour we were going to do at 7:30 so had a bit more time to kill.  We visited some shops and wandered around the cobblestone streets then made our way to the tour meeting place.
We went down into the underground tunnels and taverns and heard the haunting stories from the past.  Edinburgh is considered one of the most haunted cities in the world and people come from all over to prove the paranormal.  It was fantastic....I love that stuff!
After a bone chilling tour under the streets of Edinburgh we made our way back to the roadways and down to the Cemetery in Greyfriars Graveyard where J.K Rowling got most of her inspiration for the characters in Harry Potter as well as the Hogwarts school which sits up on the hill.  We walked amongst the gravestones as our guide told us stories from long ago.  We then entered into the Covenanters Prison which is usually locked off from the public.  A very chilling place to be as the owl hooed and bats flew above us.  We stood inside the Black Mausoleum which paranormal investigators frequently watch as there have been over 100 reports of people fainting while inside as well as being physically attacked.  I'm kind of hoping something strange shows up in my pictures!
That was the end of our 2 hour ghost tour.  So yet again we walked back across the main sights back to our hostel.  I'm thankful for my super good shoes as even with them my feet are sore today so am looking forward to shower and to jump into bed clean for another action packed day of sightseeing tomorrow!

This picture was taken after our sprint of failure....notice the red and glistening faces haha

Whiskey in Scotland = FAIL!

Had my first night out in Scotland last night.  Met up with a girl who I originally met on the plane over from London and she happened to be staying at the same hostel I am in Edinburgh.  She had met some other people so out we went.
We were on a mission to drink some Whiskey like the real Scots.....however I am STILL no a good whiskey drinker.  ICK.  Ever since I drank wayyyy too much of it back in high school I can't touch the stuff.  Takes me right back to the night on the bathroom floor.
However we all had our shot on the rocks and that was it.  Beer after that thanks!
It was a quaint little pub on the Royal Mile with live music and the vibe was fantastic.
We stayed out til about 1 am then headed out for our 1 or 15 minute walk back to the hostel.  It was finally cold out and I was loving it.  I haven't stopped sweating since I got to this hostel.  When I get back Canada I am so going to get some drugs to stop sweating, this is ridiculous.  No one else looks as frazzled, shiny and gross as I do.  I just want a normal body temperature for once!!!
My bed is right by the window which is a catch 22.  The beeze is nice however I'm also right beside the old school water heater type thing.  Why does everywhere in the UK have the places piping hot then have all the windows open?  Really seems backwards.
Also wasn't as pleasant as I woke up with the sunshine this morning....and well half the people in my dorm seemed to be checking out early and it was loud so didn't get much sleep last night.
Wandered down for breakfast in my pajamas....that's the great thing about travelling....who cares!!!  Your probably not gonna see them ever again so why not haha.
Grabbed some toast and some cereal and headed back to bed.  Solution....put scarf over head.  Darkish-ness....fantastic.  And I dosed off for another couple hours and feel MUCH better.
The weather has improved since I first woke up this morning as well so it's time to explore and wander outside.
Jenn (the girl I met at the airport and I) have booked a free day tour to with The Hairy Coo (LMAO hahahahah they are the hairy highland cow things) tomorrow and are heading to the highlands YAY.  You give them a tip for whatever you think the tour is worth but they seem o forgive poor backpackers when we can only give 5 pounds or so.  Anyway it's super worth it for us!
Well I'm gonna go find me some more men in kilts....hehehe....makes me giggle every time!
Ciao!

Ohhhh Kilts....hehe!

I said goodbye to Niclas this morning and his sister was so wonderfully nice to me and drove me to the airport :)
Flight went well....good old Ryanair fight for your life again lol.  But I still managed to wrangle myself my trusted window seat.
It was cloudy and grey when I left Sodertalje but above the clouds but blinding warm sunshine.  It was glorious!!
I'm amazed at how well I sleep on planes.  Both my siblings are terrible flyer's and usually have to hit the Atavan before take off.....me on the other hand am usually asleep before take off, no drugs involved haha.  I don't know what it is, as soon as the pressurize the cabin I'm out like a light.  This time I fought to stay awake to at least watch takeoff and say goodbye to Sweden.
And then zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
I woke up when we were ready to land.  Flying into Scotland was green and lush looking with lots of farmland and sheep.
Got through customs and found my way to the bus.
Had my first unfortunate and missed my stop (couldn't hear the guy) and ended up having to lug my stuff the farthest I have had to since my trip began.  Whooo eeee that was a workout!  Took me about 20 minutes to walk back to where I was supposed to get off.  With my 38 pound backpack and 13 pound day bag strapped to my body I was attracting attention...maybe it was trhe fact my calves were starting to burn and I was starting to sweat like crazy.  Most people are bundled up for the cold and me....I'm always WAY TO FRIKKEN HOT!  Gross.
Anyway I made it, checked in.  Made my way up many many stairs to the 3rd floor and found bed number 13 to call home for the next 3 days.  Wifi actually works in my 20 people mixed dorm room but it does tend to come and go.  No one else is here at the moment so I opened the windows, took off some layers and relaxed for a few minutes.  Once I'm done writing this I'll wander down to check out the rest of the many floored hostel and find something for dinner.  I think I'll lay low tonight and look up what to go see tomorrow.....walk tour, pub crawl, exploring.....oh the choices!
There's today's update.....talk soon xoxox

Oh and YAY I'm back in the world of English speaking folk....spell check works again!!

Goodbye Sodertalje...you'll be missed

It's my last night in Sodertalje....onto Edinburgh Scotland tomorrow :)
I have thoroughly enjoyed my stay here this past week.  The weather has been amazing and Autumn here is beyond beautiful.  The leaves are so vibrant and without the rain like back home you get eo enjoy leaves dancing on the wind for many days!
Got to visit with some old friends I hadn't seen in awhile, caught up on some much needed sleep and ate WAY too much.....thanks Niclas!  Sweden has amazing food....breads and cheeses and choclate....mmmm.  As much as I enjoyed it I am hoping to get back to eating better which proves to be quite tough on this side of the pond.  I usually try to get hostels that include breakfast....usually that just consists of bread and cereal.   And pizza.....they eat alot of pizza....EVERYWHERE!!   I love bread as much as the next person however my body is the type to expand rather rapidly when enjoying such fluffy, yummy startchy goodness haha.
The movie Eat, Pray, Love with Julia Roberts keeps coming to mind.  If you haven't seen it.  Watch it, you'll understand!

The past few days I've spent planning the next leg of my adventure.  Booked hostels, busses and tours for Scotland, Ireland and then onto Amsterdam whooo hooo.  I have a fun filled next two weeks by the looks of things.
Tomorrow my trip resally begins as up until now I haven't really been alone.  Starting tomorrow it's all me.  No more friends to visit, no more wonderful real beds in houses to sleep in with my own bathroom and shower.  From now on hostels with many many roomates will be my home for the next 2 and a half months.
Let the real adventure begin!!!
Goodnight all

Oh and FYI if my spelling has been off this last week it's because I don't have spell check,  Well I do but it's in Swedish so it says everything is wrong haha.  Haven't figured out how to turn this page back to English as it switches automatically.