I had a great time in Gdansk, it is a beautiful city.
Gdansk was followed up by a long journey to Riga via Warsaw. I've been in Latvia for the past week and a half, staying with relatives, and spending most of my days in the historical archives researching family history.
I've learned a lot of interesting things. My time in the archives just flies by. I can't wait to be doing it professionally!
I've also caught up with some friends, visited relatives, and bought a variety of books (of course).
On Sunday though, it is off to London! I will be flying there and then spending a week sorting out baggage shipping and bank accounts, and then I get on a plane to go back to Canada.
This long journey is almost over... and then new adventures begin!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Berlin
I have now made my way to Gdansk in Poland. But first - Berlin!
I spent four nights in Berlin, staying with a couple from Couchsurfing that I was introduced to via my host in Lubeck. We had a good time, spending evenings playing the board game Settlers of Catan (I won two out of three of the games).
My days in Berlin were mostly spent investigating various sights related to the Berlin Wall. Having been to the Baltics, I have been to places that were behind the "Iron Curtain", so to speak, but it was very interesting to be in a place where that barrier was a very visible reality of life. I also got to browse some of the Christmas markets there in the city (they opened across Germany this past Monday, I'm told). Ate too much tasty food.
Caught the train to Gdansk early this morning. Well, more precisely, caught the train to Szczecin, where I had five minutes to find my next train, with no signs anywhere indicating what trains were on what platforms, so I took it on faith from a guy pointing vaguely in the direction of that one and saying "Gdansk" that that was the right one. I asked a couple of other people, and they seemed fairly certain, but I was still a bit nervous, though settled in for the five and a half hour train ride anyways. I was then joined in my compartment by a reggae musician from Jamaica, who, when entering the compartment, also asked if the train was going to Gdansk, and my answer was "I hope so". We had a nervous hour or so until the conductor came around to check our tickets, and since we weren't thrown off the train, we must have been on the right one, so we relaxed after that and had some good conversation.
Eventually the train pulled into Gdansk, and I found my way to my hostel. Then I headed out again to meet up with a local Couchsurfer for dinner, and we had a lovely meal at a nice restaurant, where I had hazelnut hot chocolate, mushroom soup, pierogies with wild boar and mushrooms in a rosemary and bacon sauce, followed by creme brule with lemon sorbet for dessert - and all for a very reasonable price!
Now I'm back at the hostel, and itching to get to bed, since I had to get up at 6am this morning. Goodnight!
I spent four nights in Berlin, staying with a couple from Couchsurfing that I was introduced to via my host in Lubeck. We had a good time, spending evenings playing the board game Settlers of Catan (I won two out of three of the games).
My days in Berlin were mostly spent investigating various sights related to the Berlin Wall. Having been to the Baltics, I have been to places that were behind the "Iron Curtain", so to speak, but it was very interesting to be in a place where that barrier was a very visible reality of life. I also got to browse some of the Christmas markets there in the city (they opened across Germany this past Monday, I'm told). Ate too much tasty food.
Caught the train to Gdansk early this morning. Well, more precisely, caught the train to Szczecin, where I had five minutes to find my next train, with no signs anywhere indicating what trains were on what platforms, so I took it on faith from a guy pointing vaguely in the direction of that one and saying "Gdansk" that that was the right one. I asked a couple of other people, and they seemed fairly certain, but I was still a bit nervous, though settled in for the five and a half hour train ride anyways. I was then joined in my compartment by a reggae musician from Jamaica, who, when entering the compartment, also asked if the train was going to Gdansk, and my answer was "I hope so". We had a nervous hour or so until the conductor came around to check our tickets, and since we weren't thrown off the train, we must have been on the right one, so we relaxed after that and had some good conversation.
Eventually the train pulled into Gdansk, and I found my way to my hostel. Then I headed out again to meet up with a local Couchsurfer for dinner, and we had a lovely meal at a nice restaurant, where I had hazelnut hot chocolate, mushroom soup, pierogies with wild boar and mushrooms in a rosemary and bacon sauce, followed by creme brule with lemon sorbet for dessert - and all for a very reasonable price!
Now I'm back at the hostel, and itching to get to bed, since I had to get up at 6am this morning. Goodnight!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Lubeck!
Back in Germany, in Lubeck now.
The rest of my time in Copenhagen was wonderful. Only had a few hours in Malmo before the sun went down, but saw some things.
The ferry ride over to Lubeck was interesting - had my own private cabin, which was nice. Most of the rest of the people taking this ferry were truckers, and it felt very odd to be sitting in a dining hall eating dinner (which was a wonderful buffet of all sorts of traditional Scandinavian and German food) with two hundred or so men, not a woman in sight except for the bartender. I saw some other women later on, but not during dinner.
Arrived in Lubeck early in the morning, and made my way to my Couchsurfing host's. We've had a great time exploring the city and cooking food. Last night we also went to a goth event, which involved a lot of good music and dancing until 4am.
Tomorrow, onwards to Berlin!
The rest of my time in Copenhagen was wonderful. Only had a few hours in Malmo before the sun went down, but saw some things.
The ferry ride over to Lubeck was interesting - had my own private cabin, which was nice. Most of the rest of the people taking this ferry were truckers, and it felt very odd to be sitting in a dining hall eating dinner (which was a wonderful buffet of all sorts of traditional Scandinavian and German food) with two hundred or so men, not a woman in sight except for the bartender. I saw some other women later on, but not during dinner.
Arrived in Lubeck early in the morning, and made my way to my Couchsurfing host's. We've had a great time exploring the city and cooking food. Last night we also went to a goth event, which involved a lot of good music and dancing until 4am.
Tomorrow, onwards to Berlin!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Hamburg and Copenhagen
So the rest of my time in Hamburg was spent visiting a variety of unusual museums (spices, Afghanistan, etc.), and following up on the Camino. I lost it in a few spots, but was then pointed in the right direction by a priest at one of the churches it passed, and then followed it along the waterfront for several kilometres.
Now I've made my way to Copenhagen, where I've been having a good time relaxing at a Couchsurfer's. I've visited a few cemeteries, one of which had a memorial to Latvian DPs (Displaced Persons) who died while living there in the years following the war. Saw the Little Mermaid - she was actually bigger than I'd been led to believe.
Saw the Parliament building, the Stock Exchange building and the "Freetown" of Christiana today. Also been enjoying food a lot.
Tomorrow I explore some museums, Thursday I go north to Elsinore for the day, then Friday over to Malmo, from where in the evening I will take the ferry back to Germany.
Goodnight!
Now I've made my way to Copenhagen, where I've been having a good time relaxing at a Couchsurfer's. I've visited a few cemeteries, one of which had a memorial to Latvian DPs (Displaced Persons) who died while living there in the years following the war. Saw the Little Mermaid - she was actually bigger than I'd been led to believe.
Saw the Parliament building, the Stock Exchange building and the "Freetown" of Christiana today. Also been enjoying food a lot.
Tomorrow I explore some museums, Thursday I go north to Elsinore for the day, then Friday over to Malmo, from where in the evening I will take the ferry back to Germany.
Goodnight!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Bremen!
I had a wonderful time in Bremen. Another lovely Couchsurfing experience with lots of yummy food.
I also visited the Emigration Center in Bremerhaven - a port from which over 7 million people departed for the New World, most of them German or Eastern European. It was very interesting, I provide a more thorough review on my genealogy blog.
Bremen is quite lovely - and, it appears, very few English-speaking tourists, since many people I encountered, even those working in tourist-oriented establishments, did not speak much, if any, English. Compared to most of the rest of the cities I've visited thus far, it was very calm.
The highlight of my day exploring Bremen was an old warehouse in the Schnoor district of Bremen that back in the day belonged to a Saint James charitable organization, and now houses a live-action museum of sorts - people dressed in period costumes that tell you about the economic and social life in the city (or, in the case of me and the two Lithuanian girls I was going on the tour with, hear the intrepretation from our English-speaking guide). One of the people was even dressed as Saint James, scallop shells and all. I made sure to get a picture of myself with him.
Today I made my way to Hamburg, and as seems typical at this point, immediately stumbled upon the Jakobikirche (Saint James church). After exploring the outside of it (one set of doors even detailed the life of Saint James), I made my way towards the Rathaus (town hall), then intending to visit some of the smaller museums along the river.
When I made it to the Rathaus, however, this plan was aborted in favour of a new one, for when I reached the corner of the square and happened to look up to the street signs standing there, on a sticker on the pole I saw a stylized yellow shell on a blue background with the caption "Pilgerweg" - I had had once again managed to inadvertently find the Camino! As a result, I started following it. Lost it by the Saint Michael church for a bit - as is typical, the Camino tends to take unpredictable paths when it approaches churches of note - but found it again, and followed it until it approached the neighbourhood of my hostel, at which point I veered off to pass through the Old Elbe Tunnel and then wander back towards the centre of town along the harbour. I will pick up the Camino again in the following days. I'm curious to see how far it goes!
Tomorrow, however, on the menu is the BallinStadt, the emigration museum here in Hamburg. Good night!
I also visited the Emigration Center in Bremerhaven - a port from which over 7 million people departed for the New World, most of them German or Eastern European. It was very interesting, I provide a more thorough review on my genealogy blog.
Bremen is quite lovely - and, it appears, very few English-speaking tourists, since many people I encountered, even those working in tourist-oriented establishments, did not speak much, if any, English. Compared to most of the rest of the cities I've visited thus far, it was very calm.
The highlight of my day exploring Bremen was an old warehouse in the Schnoor district of Bremen that back in the day belonged to a Saint James charitable organization, and now houses a live-action museum of sorts - people dressed in period costumes that tell you about the economic and social life in the city (or, in the case of me and the two Lithuanian girls I was going on the tour with, hear the intrepretation from our English-speaking guide). One of the people was even dressed as Saint James, scallop shells and all. I made sure to get a picture of myself with him.
Today I made my way to Hamburg, and as seems typical at this point, immediately stumbled upon the Jakobikirche (Saint James church). After exploring the outside of it (one set of doors even detailed the life of Saint James), I made my way towards the Rathaus (town hall), then intending to visit some of the smaller museums along the river.
When I made it to the Rathaus, however, this plan was aborted in favour of a new one, for when I reached the corner of the square and happened to look up to the street signs standing there, on a sticker on the pole I saw a stylized yellow shell on a blue background with the caption "Pilgerweg" - I had had once again managed to inadvertently find the Camino! As a result, I started following it. Lost it by the Saint Michael church for a bit - as is typical, the Camino tends to take unpredictable paths when it approaches churches of note - but found it again, and followed it until it approached the neighbourhood of my hostel, at which point I veered off to pass through the Old Elbe Tunnel and then wander back towards the centre of town along the harbour. I will pick up the Camino again in the following days. I'm curious to see how far it goes!
Tomorrow, however, on the menu is the BallinStadt, the emigration museum here in Hamburg. Good night!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Belgium
I guess I last updated in Brussels?
Well, finishing off the Brussels adventure.... followed the Camino through Brussels, where the markings ended at a stone monument given to the city of Brussels by the province of Galicia (the province of Spain where Santiago de Compostela is found).
At my Couchsurfing host's, we also had a sushi party with some other friends, where we rolled our own sushi and then had chocolate-tasting for dessert (as well as ice cream).
Then it was on to Ghent, where I visited Saint Bavo's Cathedral, several other churches, the Castle of the Counts and went up in the Belfry. I had another great experience Couchsurfing where we had a fondue party. I love cheese fondue! And Ceaser salad. And of course more chocolate. In Ghent I also had the best chocolate milkshake ever, at a place called Quetzal: De Chocoladebar.
Now I'm in Bruges, where I have visited a bunch of different museums (another chocolate one of course, as well as one dedicated to fries), as well as the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Been having a good time Couchsurfing as well.
Today I went on a sort of daytrip from Bruges, which took the form of a 35km round-trip bicycle ride to Sluis in the Netherlands and back, passing through several small villages such as Hoeke, Damme and Oostkerke. In Hoeke, I happened to stumble across another Saint James church!
Now I am very tired from that long trip, so I will be happy to spend several hours relaxing on a train tomorrow on the way to Bremen. Germany awaits!
Well, finishing off the Brussels adventure.... followed the Camino through Brussels, where the markings ended at a stone monument given to the city of Brussels by the province of Galicia (the province of Spain where Santiago de Compostela is found).
At my Couchsurfing host's, we also had a sushi party with some other friends, where we rolled our own sushi and then had chocolate-tasting for dessert (as well as ice cream).
Then it was on to Ghent, where I visited Saint Bavo's Cathedral, several other churches, the Castle of the Counts and went up in the Belfry. I had another great experience Couchsurfing where we had a fondue party. I love cheese fondue! And Ceaser salad. And of course more chocolate. In Ghent I also had the best chocolate milkshake ever, at a place called Quetzal: De Chocoladebar.
Now I'm in Bruges, where I have visited a bunch of different museums (another chocolate one of course, as well as one dedicated to fries), as well as the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Been having a good time Couchsurfing as well.
Today I went on a sort of daytrip from Bruges, which took the form of a 35km round-trip bicycle ride to Sluis in the Netherlands and back, passing through several small villages such as Hoeke, Damme and Oostkerke. In Hoeke, I happened to stumble across another Saint James church!
Now I am very tired from that long trip, so I will be happy to spend several hours relaxing on a train tomorrow on the way to Bremen. Germany awaits!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Brussels
Today is my last day in Brussels.
I have explored many different things, highlights being the Chocolate Museum (of course) and an exhibit of controversial photographs.
I'm also embarking on a tasting mission of many of the chocolatiers here in Brussels, to determine which one is The Best. My Couchsurfing host is also helping me in this venture. I've got chocolates from ten different chocolatiers that we're slowly going through.
Yesterday while I was writing down the information about the chocolates I'd just bought at Godiva, I stumbled - almost quite literally - over a metallic scallop shell set in the pavement. Why is this significant? This tells me that the Camino is alive and well in Brussels! I followed the way it pointed and found one other one, but I know there are more and now the Internet has given me the precise route, so this afternoon I am going to go out and follow them!
And eat more chocolate of course.
Tomorrow - on to Ghent!
I have explored many different things, highlights being the Chocolate Museum (of course) and an exhibit of controversial photographs.
I'm also embarking on a tasting mission of many of the chocolatiers here in Brussels, to determine which one is The Best. My Couchsurfing host is also helping me in this venture. I've got chocolates from ten different chocolatiers that we're slowly going through.
Yesterday while I was writing down the information about the chocolates I'd just bought at Godiva, I stumbled - almost quite literally - over a metallic scallop shell set in the pavement. Why is this significant? This tells me that the Camino is alive and well in Brussels! I followed the way it pointed and found one other one, but I know there are more and now the Internet has given me the precise route, so this afternoon I am going to go out and follow them!
And eat more chocolate of course.
Tomorrow - on to Ghent!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Antwerp!
I am in Antwerp now!
Spent the past two days here, again with the aim of things Camino-related. There is a Saint James church here as well, and this one was open! Lots of Saint James and Camino imagery about, including artwork of places along the Camino, posted in the church five years ago or so.
Also visited the Plantin-Moretus Museum, which houses the oldest surviving printing presses in the world, a 36-line Gutenberg Bible (the second printed edition of the Bible, after the original 42-line ones) and many other interesting printing/typographical/literary things.
Walked about town quite a bit, including a district known for its Art Nouveau architecture.
Tomorrow, onwards to Brussels!
Spent the past two days here, again with the aim of things Camino-related. There is a Saint James church here as well, and this one was open! Lots of Saint James and Camino imagery about, including artwork of places along the Camino, posted in the church five years ago or so.
Also visited the Plantin-Moretus Museum, which houses the oldest surviving printing presses in the world, a 36-line Gutenberg Bible (the second printed edition of the Bible, after the original 42-line ones) and many other interesting printing/typographical/literary things.
Walked about town quite a bit, including a district known for its Art Nouveau architecture.
Tomorrow, onwards to Brussels!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Utrecht!
So the past two days I have been in Utrecht.
Yesterday I visited the Moluku Museum – Museum of the Moluccas, a part of present-day Indonesia that has a long association with the Netherlands. It was quite interesting, though it was all in Dutch and the information pamphlet in English wasn't as detailed as the exhibits themselves, but I was able to gain some sense of the history.
I also visited the Catharijnconvent, a museum of Christian artwork and the religious history of the Netherlands. The entry price was quite steep, but I went because I knew they had several pieces relating to Saint James, and ever since doing the Camino de Santiago (in English, the Way of Saint James), I've been interested in seeing as many items relating to him as I can.
There are no shortage of these in Utrecht, since along with the pieces at the Catharijnconvent, there is a Saint James church - that was sadly locked when I tried to visit (even though it should have been open, according to the visiting times listed), but there was plenty of imagery outside the church for me to see – the weathervane, settings in the pavement and on the outer walls of the church, and on the street corner opposite.
Utrecht is also home to the centre of the Dutch “Friends of the Camino” organization, and they were open today, so I paid them a visit. They had a great collection of guidebooks, as well as a wall map showing routes to Santiago from all over Europe. They also gave me a pamphlet about their organization, as well as this quarter's magazine and a guide to Santiago – all in Dutch, so additional motivation for me to continue learning Dutch!
This morning I also went up in the Dom tower – the highest church tower in the Netherlands, built in the fourteenth century. 465 steps took us almost all the way up to the top. The day was overcast, and raining at times, but I think I still got some good views and pictures from up there.
Tomorrow it is back to Amsterdam for two days. Still have some sights to visit and postcards to mail. Then on to Belgium!
Yesterday I visited the Moluku Museum – Museum of the Moluccas, a part of present-day Indonesia that has a long association with the Netherlands. It was quite interesting, though it was all in Dutch and the information pamphlet in English wasn't as detailed as the exhibits themselves, but I was able to gain some sense of the history.
I also visited the Catharijnconvent, a museum of Christian artwork and the religious history of the Netherlands. The entry price was quite steep, but I went because I knew they had several pieces relating to Saint James, and ever since doing the Camino de Santiago (in English, the Way of Saint James), I've been interested in seeing as many items relating to him as I can.
There are no shortage of these in Utrecht, since along with the pieces at the Catharijnconvent, there is a Saint James church - that was sadly locked when I tried to visit (even though it should have been open, according to the visiting times listed), but there was plenty of imagery outside the church for me to see – the weathervane, settings in the pavement and on the outer walls of the church, and on the street corner opposite.
Utrecht is also home to the centre of the Dutch “Friends of the Camino” organization, and they were open today, so I paid them a visit. They had a great collection of guidebooks, as well as a wall map showing routes to Santiago from all over Europe. They also gave me a pamphlet about their organization, as well as this quarter's magazine and a guide to Santiago – all in Dutch, so additional motivation for me to continue learning Dutch!
This morning I also went up in the Dom tower – the highest church tower in the Netherlands, built in the fourteenth century. 465 steps took us almost all the way up to the top. The day was overcast, and raining at times, but I think I still got some good views and pictures from up there.
Tomorrow it is back to Amsterdam for two days. Still have some sights to visit and postcards to mail. Then on to Belgium!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Amsterdam!
I am in Amsterdam!
I arrived in Amsterdam yesterday morning, thoroughly confused as to what time it was because it seemed like the clock in the bus was changing at random between British and Dutch times.
The thirteen hour bus ride from London was... long. The most exciting part of it was the ferry crossing from Dover to Calais, which was about ninety minutes in the darkness. The ferry was quite large, but you could tell that you were on a ship nevertheless, since there was some light rocking (and rain, if you went outside).
Yesterday I strolled around town, getting an idea of the lay of the land. Had a variety of Dutch treats (stroopwafel, poffertjes). Returned to the hostel for a nap, and then attended “Hostel Night”, where they provided a free dinner of fajitas, and then played charades. After that I headed out to a nearby goth/alternative club, where I was able to listen to music that was more my style (after eight months in the Highlands where the radio station was almost always set to Top 40, this was very necessary!). Danced a bit, chatted with some Polish guys. Then returned to the hostel and went to bed.
Today, I visited the Oude Kerk and St Nikolas Kerk (two churches) – the most interesting parts were the choir stands in the Oude Kerk (where there were woodcarvings picturing various proverbs) and the floor of the Oude Kerk – this was made up almost entirely of graves with stone coverings. Some were very plain, others were very intricately carved – be careful you don't trip over them!
Following along with the religious theme, I visited Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder - a very intricate house church from the 16th century, when Catholics were persecuted and were not allowed to have churches that outwardly looked like churches, thereby many house churches were constructed. This one was quite fancy, on the top two floors of the house, and looked, well, like the interior of any normal church building.
I also visited the Torture Museum (quite small compared to the one in San Gimignano in Italy that I visited several years ago), as well as the Sex Museum, which was... informative. Lots of artwork from throughout the centuries, from all over the world. On the way back to my hostel, I also saw the Homomonument, a memorial to all of the GLBT people who have ever suffered persecution throughout the world.
Tomorrow I am heading to Utrecht for two days to stay with a Couchsurfer, and then I will be back in Amsterdam for two days after that.
Good night!
I arrived in Amsterdam yesterday morning, thoroughly confused as to what time it was because it seemed like the clock in the bus was changing at random between British and Dutch times.
The thirteen hour bus ride from London was... long. The most exciting part of it was the ferry crossing from Dover to Calais, which was about ninety minutes in the darkness. The ferry was quite large, but you could tell that you were on a ship nevertheless, since there was some light rocking (and rain, if you went outside).
Yesterday I strolled around town, getting an idea of the lay of the land. Had a variety of Dutch treats (stroopwafel, poffertjes). Returned to the hostel for a nap, and then attended “Hostel Night”, where they provided a free dinner of fajitas, and then played charades. After that I headed out to a nearby goth/alternative club, where I was able to listen to music that was more my style (after eight months in the Highlands where the radio station was almost always set to Top 40, this was very necessary!). Danced a bit, chatted with some Polish guys. Then returned to the hostel and went to bed.
Today, I visited the Oude Kerk and St Nikolas Kerk (two churches) – the most interesting parts were the choir stands in the Oude Kerk (where there were woodcarvings picturing various proverbs) and the floor of the Oude Kerk – this was made up almost entirely of graves with stone coverings. Some were very plain, others were very intricately carved – be careful you don't trip over them!
Following along with the religious theme, I visited Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder - a very intricate house church from the 16th century, when Catholics were persecuted and were not allowed to have churches that outwardly looked like churches, thereby many house churches were constructed. This one was quite fancy, on the top two floors of the house, and looked, well, like the interior of any normal church building.
I also visited the Torture Museum (quite small compared to the one in San Gimignano in Italy that I visited several years ago), as well as the Sex Museum, which was... informative. Lots of artwork from throughout the centuries, from all over the world. On the way back to my hostel, I also saw the Homomonument, a memorial to all of the GLBT people who have ever suffered persecution throughout the world.
Tomorrow I am heading to Utrecht for two days to stay with a Couchsurfer, and then I will be back in Amsterdam for two days after that.
Good night!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
On the road again!
This blog has been quiet for the past seven months, since I have been stationary here in Scotland.
But I am on the move again! The season here at the hotel has ended, and I am on my way to Inverness, then London and then onwards to Amsterdam! So updates will be happening frequently again.
But I am on the move again! The season here at the hotel has ended, and I am on my way to Inverness, then London and then onwards to Amsterdam! So updates will be happening frequently again.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Work!
So I've been busy working since the beginning of the month. I am at a small hotel (with bar and restaurant) in a remote part of northwestern Scotland.
My job title is that of "General Assistant" - which means that I clean the hotel rooms and serve people their food in the bar and restaurant (well, restaurant when it opens in the summer). One and a half days a week, I also work on the bar, serving people drinks and dealing with payments, when the regular bargirl has her day off.
It has been a lot to learn, but I'm getting there. The only jobs I don't know how to do are those of the chefs, which would actually be really useful at the moment, since things got thrown into chaos this afternoon when one of the chefs abruptly quit and is already on his way home. With him gone, the only people left of the seasonal staff are a Scottish girl, German guy and me. We will be joined by a girl from South Africa on the weekend, and quite possibly also an Australian girl.
The scenery here is beautiful - right on the edge of a sea loch, so I can watch the tides come in and out. Also surrounded by mountains. Kind of reminds me of the Pyrenees (complete with the sheep dung on walking paths!).
The weather is very unpredictable, and changes rapidly. Most days have had at least some precipitation (whether it be rain, hail, sleet or snow), I think there have only been three days without it since March 1. I've seen more hail than I ever have before. The winds can also be tremendous - no surprise that apparently this area is known for "horizontal rain"!
At any rate, I have some dishes to do here in the staff house, and then get ready for my evening bar shift. Ta for now!
My job title is that of "General Assistant" - which means that I clean the hotel rooms and serve people their food in the bar and restaurant (well, restaurant when it opens in the summer). One and a half days a week, I also work on the bar, serving people drinks and dealing with payments, when the regular bargirl has her day off.
It has been a lot to learn, but I'm getting there. The only jobs I don't know how to do are those of the chefs, which would actually be really useful at the moment, since things got thrown into chaos this afternoon when one of the chefs abruptly quit and is already on his way home. With him gone, the only people left of the seasonal staff are a Scottish girl, German guy and me. We will be joined by a girl from South Africa on the weekend, and quite possibly also an Australian girl.
The scenery here is beautiful - right on the edge of a sea loch, so I can watch the tides come in and out. Also surrounded by mountains. Kind of reminds me of the Pyrenees (complete with the sheep dung on walking paths!).
The weather is very unpredictable, and changes rapidly. Most days have had at least some precipitation (whether it be rain, hail, sleet or snow), I think there have only been three days without it since March 1. I've seen more hail than I ever have before. The winds can also be tremendous - no surprise that apparently this area is known for "horizontal rain"!
At any rate, I have some dishes to do here in the staff house, and then get ready for my evening bar shift. Ta for now!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Inverness
The rest of my time in Edinburgh was lovely. My Couchsurfing host and I had a lot in common, so lots to talk about. I also went on the hunt for David Hume's gravesite, which took awhile, but eventually I found it.
Yesterday I arrived in Inverness. Have done some shopping for necessities that I'll need for my new job (and more books as well of course), and went for a walk along the River Ness and then the Caledonian Canal. Elected not to go on a trip to Loch Ness, I'll save that for a weekend away from work later on in the spring.
Tomorrow I will do a bit more exploring here in Inverness and area (hoping to get out to the Clava Cairns), and in the afternoon catch a bus to Ullapool, where my employers will be collecting me, so tomorrow night I will be arriving at my new job! I start work on Sunday.
Next report will be from my workplace! Goodnight all.
Yesterday I arrived in Inverness. Have done some shopping for necessities that I'll need for my new job (and more books as well of course), and went for a walk along the River Ness and then the Caledonian Canal. Elected not to go on a trip to Loch Ness, I'll save that for a weekend away from work later on in the spring.
Tomorrow I will do a bit more exploring here in Inverness and area (hoping to get out to the Clava Cairns), and in the afternoon catch a bus to Ullapool, where my employers will be collecting me, so tomorrow night I will be arriving at my new job! I start work on Sunday.
Next report will be from my workplace! Goodnight all.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Edinburgh!
I arrived in Edinburgh on Sunday, and set to work exploring right away!
Visited Canongate Kirkyard and Greyfriars Kirkyard, which were both interesting cemeteries. The former also had the grave of Adam Smith that I needed to visit.
Monday, I took the bus out to Rosslyn Chapel, and went for a stroll in Roslin Glen nearby. Both were very beautiful. The chapel was smaller than I thought it would be, but very intricately carved. Since they're doing restoration work right now, they had a walkway up where I could walk around the outside of the roof to see it close up, which was interesting.
Paid visits to several smaller free museums, including the Museum of Childhood, the People's Story and the Writer's Museum. The People's Story in particular showed a detailed view on the lives of the common people of Edinburgh throughout the past few centuries.
Monday evening, I went on a ghost walk that took us into the haunted vaults beneath the South Bridge, as well as back to Canongate Kirkyard and stories of bodysnatchers and cannibals.
Today I spent the morning in Edinburgh Castle, which was also the home to the Scottish Military Museum as well as two regimental museums. The castle was much bigger with more to explore than I thought.
Afterwards, I went to the Camera Obscura exhibit, which also had a variety of other displays relating to illusion, holograms, light and photography. Was also very interesting.
After that, I retrieved my baggage from the hostel where I spent two nights, and have now settled in with a Couchsurfer, where I shall be for the next two nights. She made a lovely dinner tonight, and tomorrow I will be making some variety of Mexican food for dinner.
During the day, I plan to visit the burial place of David Hume on Calton Hill, and take in the sights at the bottom end of the Royal Mile, including Holyrood Palace and such (only from the outside though, since it costs an arm and a leg to get in).
And Thursday it is off to Inverness!
Visited Canongate Kirkyard and Greyfriars Kirkyard, which were both interesting cemeteries. The former also had the grave of Adam Smith that I needed to visit.
Monday, I took the bus out to Rosslyn Chapel, and went for a stroll in Roslin Glen nearby. Both were very beautiful. The chapel was smaller than I thought it would be, but very intricately carved. Since they're doing restoration work right now, they had a walkway up where I could walk around the outside of the roof to see it close up, which was interesting.
Paid visits to several smaller free museums, including the Museum of Childhood, the People's Story and the Writer's Museum. The People's Story in particular showed a detailed view on the lives of the common people of Edinburgh throughout the past few centuries.
Monday evening, I went on a ghost walk that took us into the haunted vaults beneath the South Bridge, as well as back to Canongate Kirkyard and stories of bodysnatchers and cannibals.
Today I spent the morning in Edinburgh Castle, which was also the home to the Scottish Military Museum as well as two regimental museums. The castle was much bigger with more to explore than I thought.
Afterwards, I went to the Camera Obscura exhibit, which also had a variety of other displays relating to illusion, holograms, light and photography. Was also very interesting.
After that, I retrieved my baggage from the hostel where I spent two nights, and have now settled in with a Couchsurfer, where I shall be for the next two nights. She made a lovely dinner tonight, and tomorrow I will be making some variety of Mexican food for dinner.
During the day, I plan to visit the burial place of David Hume on Calton Hill, and take in the sights at the bottom end of the Royal Mile, including Holyrood Palace and such (only from the outside though, since it costs an arm and a leg to get in).
And Thursday it is off to Inverness!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
On the move again!
I know there have been no posts for the past two months, but now I am posting again!
In an hour or so, I shall be heading to the train station to depart from London for Scotland, where I shall be spending the next seven and a half months working in a hotel on the northwest coast. I will be doing a bit of everything, from housekeeping to reception to waitressing. Should be a lot of fun!
At any rate, in the past two months, I've visited a variety of sites around London, as well as making a day trip to Oxford and a week-long trip to Aberystwyth in Wales to visit a friend. I shall provide more details on these travels, as well as pictures, and details on my new home, once I get settled.
For now, it is off to Edinburgh, then Inverness, and then Saturday, off to the coast and my new job!
In an hour or so, I shall be heading to the train station to depart from London for Scotland, where I shall be spending the next seven and a half months working in a hotel on the northwest coast. I will be doing a bit of everything, from housekeeping to reception to waitressing. Should be a lot of fun!
At any rate, in the past two months, I've visited a variety of sites around London, as well as making a day trip to Oxford and a week-long trip to Aberystwyth in Wales to visit a friend. I shall provide more details on these travels, as well as pictures, and details on my new home, once I get settled.
For now, it is off to Edinburgh, then Inverness, and then Saturday, off to the coast and my new job!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Londontown
Still no job to report. The economy here is taking quite a hit as well, with several major retailers going bankrupt recently. I'm remaining optimistic.
Before Christmas, I met a new friend and we visited some London sights - we went to the Babylon exhibit at the British Museum, and to the London Transport Museum. We also went to a pub that was rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666, so it has been around for awhile, and has had visitors such as Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
I have posted all of my photos from Spain, France and Portugal - they are available here.
Hope everyone had a good Christmas, and Happy New Year!
Before Christmas, I met a new friend and we visited some London sights - we went to the Babylon exhibit at the British Museum, and to the London Transport Museum. We also went to a pub that was rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666, so it has been around for awhile, and has had visitors such as Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
I have posted all of my photos from Spain, France and Portugal - they are available here.
Hope everyone had a good Christmas, and Happy New Year!
Monday, December 8, 2008
More London
Life goes on in London.
Acquired more clothing, and I've been exploring the neighbourhood. Lots of ethnic shops where I can get all different kinds of food (including a Lithuanian shop that sells a variety of Latvian food as well). And the regular supermarkets also have great selections of food.
One thing that has surprised me here is the price of food - everyone says London is very expensive, but the food here in grocery stores is actually fairly cheap. The cheese in particular seems to be about half the price I'd pay for it in Canada, even considering the exchange rate. I found one cheese specifically that is also available in Canada - same brand and everything - that sells for one pound here (so about two Canadian dollars), that in Canada would cost upwards of five dollars.
Public transit is also fairly cheap if you work it properly. Taking the Underground everywhere would be very pricey, but buses are not. Buses are only 90p, and they go everywhere, and the zone pricing system that applies to the Underground doesn't apply to buses. If I wanted to take the Underground downtown, it would involve a 20 minute walk to the station plus 30 minutes on the Tube, and that would cost 2 pounds. Or, taking the bus, I have a 30 second walk to the bus stop, 30 minutes downtown on the bus, and it only costs 90p. I'm not adverse to walking long distances since doing the Camino, but in this situation, why would I do that to just end up spending more money? There are three buses a 30-second walk away that all go to different parts of downtown, and they all come every 5-10 minutes, so it is a decent system.
And oh, all prices quoted are using Oystercard. It is more expensive if you don't use Oystercard, but really, why would you not use it? Oystercard is a reloadable card that you can use both for pay-as-you-go (the prices quoted above) as well as a card on which you can put Travelcards and bus passes. There is a 3-pound deposit to get the card, but that pays for itself very quickly (without Oyster, a cash fare on a bus is 2 pounds, so you'd only have to make three bus trips to make it worth it).
Still looking for work, as well as interview/work-appropriate shoes. However, it appears that shoe stores don't want to stock anything besides shoes that belong in a red light district, so it might take awhile before I find something that is appropriate. I'll keep looking.
Hopefully I can acquire at least some temporary employment by the end of the week. Ciao for now!
Acquired more clothing, and I've been exploring the neighbourhood. Lots of ethnic shops where I can get all different kinds of food (including a Lithuanian shop that sells a variety of Latvian food as well). And the regular supermarkets also have great selections of food.
One thing that has surprised me here is the price of food - everyone says London is very expensive, but the food here in grocery stores is actually fairly cheap. The cheese in particular seems to be about half the price I'd pay for it in Canada, even considering the exchange rate. I found one cheese specifically that is also available in Canada - same brand and everything - that sells for one pound here (so about two Canadian dollars), that in Canada would cost upwards of five dollars.
Public transit is also fairly cheap if you work it properly. Taking the Underground everywhere would be very pricey, but buses are not. Buses are only 90p, and they go everywhere, and the zone pricing system that applies to the Underground doesn't apply to buses. If I wanted to take the Underground downtown, it would involve a 20 minute walk to the station plus 30 minutes on the Tube, and that would cost 2 pounds. Or, taking the bus, I have a 30 second walk to the bus stop, 30 minutes downtown on the bus, and it only costs 90p. I'm not adverse to walking long distances since doing the Camino, but in this situation, why would I do that to just end up spending more money? There are three buses a 30-second walk away that all go to different parts of downtown, and they all come every 5-10 minutes, so it is a decent system.
And oh, all prices quoted are using Oystercard. It is more expensive if you don't use Oystercard, but really, why would you not use it? Oystercard is a reloadable card that you can use both for pay-as-you-go (the prices quoted above) as well as a card on which you can put Travelcards and bus passes. There is a 3-pound deposit to get the card, but that pays for itself very quickly (without Oyster, a cash fare on a bus is 2 pounds, so you'd only have to make three bus trips to make it worth it).
Still looking for work, as well as interview/work-appropriate shoes. However, it appears that shoe stores don't want to stock anything besides shoes that belong in a red light district, so it might take awhile before I find something that is appropriate. I'll keep looking.
Hopefully I can acquire at least some temporary employment by the end of the week. Ciao for now!
Friday, November 28, 2008
London!
I arrived in London Wednesday evening. I survived the plane trip, and am glad I don't have any more planned for the near future. I don't like flying.
Wednesday I arrived, made my way to my new flatmate's, and fell into bed since I was very tired (as anyone would be after taking two subways, a plane, a train, a bus and walking a bit on either end) and had a terrible headache from the plane.
Thursday, the two of us went grocery shopping, and she showed me some other places nearby. I also acquired a winter coat. I learned that it gets dark really early here – it was almost completely dark by 5pm. Then we returned home and cooked quesadillas and fajitas for dinner.
Today, I went into the city centre for my orientation (organized by the agency that I got my working holiday visa through), and then braved the crowds of Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road to acquire my mobile phone and my computer.
So now I am at home, enjoying being connected to the world again. This weekend I will relax and explore the area, as well as acquire some more professional clothes for job-hunting, and then on Monday, the job search begins.
Now that I am somewhat settled here for the foreseeable future, updates on this blog will be less frequent, since there won't always be something interesting to report, but I will try to give updates weekly at least as to how things are going, what my future plans are, and so on. When I start travelling again, then there will be more frequent updates again.
Bye for now!
Wednesday I arrived, made my way to my new flatmate's, and fell into bed since I was very tired (as anyone would be after taking two subways, a plane, a train, a bus and walking a bit on either end) and had a terrible headache from the plane.
Thursday, the two of us went grocery shopping, and she showed me some other places nearby. I also acquired a winter coat. I learned that it gets dark really early here – it was almost completely dark by 5pm. Then we returned home and cooked quesadillas and fajitas for dinner.
Today, I went into the city centre for my orientation (organized by the agency that I got my working holiday visa through), and then braved the crowds of Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road to acquire my mobile phone and my computer.
So now I am at home, enjoying being connected to the world again. This weekend I will relax and explore the area, as well as acquire some more professional clothes for job-hunting, and then on Monday, the job search begins.
Now that I am somewhat settled here for the foreseeable future, updates on this blog will be less frequent, since there won't always be something interesting to report, but I will try to give updates weekly at least as to how things are going, what my future plans are, and so on. When I start travelling again, then there will be more frequent updates again.
Bye for now!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
More Porto
This morning, my host, a friend of hers and I went on a wine cellar tour and tasting (since Porto is known for Porto wines). It was interesting, and I learned about the different Porto wines and how they are classified and made.
After lunch, they went to class and I went up in the Torres dos Clerigos, the highest tower in Portugal. The views of the city from the top were stunning, but I was afraid I would fall off, because there were large gaps in the walls and it was windy. But I made it down safely.
I acquired my Portuguese Harry Potter book, and another book to read on the plane tomorrow (in English), and went back to my host´s flat, where I was soon met by her, another Couchsurfer (this one from Switzerland) and my host´s boyfriend, and then we all went out for dinner (along with her roommate), and then dessert somewhere else. Talking to them all was fun.
Not quite sure yet what I am doing tomorrow morning, it may just end up being repacking my bags for the flight, and then getting to the airport in the early afternoon.
Tomorrow evening I arrive in London! Hopefully the next post I write will be from my own computer, to be acquired in London in the next couple of days.
Até logo!
After lunch, they went to class and I went up in the Torres dos Clerigos, the highest tower in Portugal. The views of the city from the top were stunning, but I was afraid I would fall off, because there were large gaps in the walls and it was windy. But I made it down safely.
I acquired my Portuguese Harry Potter book, and another book to read on the plane tomorrow (in English), and went back to my host´s flat, where I was soon met by her, another Couchsurfer (this one from Switzerland) and my host´s boyfriend, and then we all went out for dinner (along with her roommate), and then dessert somewhere else. Talking to them all was fun.
Not quite sure yet what I am doing tomorrow morning, it may just end up being repacking my bags for the flight, and then getting to the airport in the early afternoon.
Tomorrow evening I arrive in London! Hopefully the next post I write will be from my own computer, to be acquired in London in the next couple of days.
Até logo!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Porto!
I have successfully arrived in Porto, Portugal!
It was mostly easy, though I didn´t know that Portugal is an hour behind Spain in terms of the time, and hence in the same time zone as the UK.
Was met by my Couchsurfing host, and am currently at her apartment. This afternoon while she was in class, I wandered about the main shopping street trying to acquire some new clothes, as I am absolutely sick of the ones I´ve been wearing for the past month, and prices here are better than they will be in the UK.
I found some pants, a shirt, socks and winter gloves, but was not able to find a winter coat like I wanted - sizes here seem to run really small for them, but other things fit without problem. Strange.
Tomorrow I will explore the city some more, and in the evening, another Couchsurfer will be arriving here as well. Then Wednesday, it is on to London!
It was mostly easy, though I didn´t know that Portugal is an hour behind Spain in terms of the time, and hence in the same time zone as the UK.
Was met by my Couchsurfing host, and am currently at her apartment. This afternoon while she was in class, I wandered about the main shopping street trying to acquire some new clothes, as I am absolutely sick of the ones I´ve been wearing for the past month, and prices here are better than they will be in the UK.
I found some pants, a shirt, socks and winter gloves, but was not able to find a winter coat like I wanted - sizes here seem to run really small for them, but other things fit without problem. Strange.
Tomorrow I will explore the city some more, and in the evening, another Couchsurfer will be arriving here as well. Then Wednesday, it is on to London!
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