I seem to always have to wake early to do my transitting. Why cant I even sleep in and transit in comfort?
11 August was spent going from Dublin to London, before finding my way to my beloved Astor Victoria HOstel, that I stayed in last time. Everytime I arrive in London the tube stuffs up. Last time, the tube from Heathrow to Victoria wasnt working. This time, the whole VIctoria line wasnt working. No matter, I picked up my things, and walked from Victoria station to the Astor and checked in.
As it was still light, i could then catch the tube out for a walksie. I had no map. I had no idea where I was. I got out at embankment...because i could, and just walked around. I found Trafalgar square and the National Art Gallery, Picadilly Circus, Soho, the Gay area, and ended up back at Convent Gardens. I like Covent gardens! Then I went home for dinner and sleep! I have been so sleep deprived lately!
12 August
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Ireland. The land of the Leprachauns
THe Paddy's Palace Hostel is grotty. Not recommended. Really friendly, bit grot.
My Paddywagon tour departed from the place though so I stayed there for ease. I had to share a room with 5 frenchies who spoke not a word of english!
8 August
The tour took off early in the morning, so bleary eyed, I dragged my stuff down four flights of stairs.
Like all tours of this sort, the beginning is always slightly awkward, and choosing where to sit on the bus is a big deal, as that is your designated seat for the rest of the trip. I chose a nigel seat. One without an adjoining seat, which suited me fine, in case the rest of the group were really weird. But then started the 'get to know you' games. Always awkward.
But luckily the group were all really great. I made pretty close friends with a few of the girls in my group. There was Bettina, the German girl, Marianne, the Irish girl who decided she wanted to explore her own country (and said she could only afford to explore her own country), Bernie, an aussie girl, Shivanni, another aussie girl (we're everywhere) and Sam, a really outgoing and friendly american from Las Vegas!
Of course there were other people on the tour...there were 12 of us in total, but those are the notables of whom I bonded with.
The tour was great. We went to the BLarney castle, where yes i did kiss the BLarney Stone, which is supposed to give you the gift of gab, despite being told horror stories about how the irish pee on the stone. But hey, in Ireland, do as the Irish do. We spent the night in Killarney, a beautiful town in the south west of IReland. Our tour guide Shane was fantastic. He recommended the best joint for food, and then the most fantastic pub where they did traditional irish dancing. It was amazing. They move so quickly and all in time and all in step. I really wanted to join in, but firstly i didnt know how and secondly i wasnt wearing the right shoes to learn how. My feet would have been destroyed.
The night was long. We went home around 3am.
9 August
THe second day of the tour was spent in a raining morning taking a horse drawn carriage through the Killarney National Park. I was chilled to the bone. SOOOOO cold, because i was so stupid I didnt bring my waterproof jacket. So i was soggy. We also visited the CLiffs of Moher, which really reminded me of the Three Musketeers movie, where that girl jumped off the cliffs, and the Burren, which is basically this huge rocky landscape. Really weird.
We spent the night in Galway, a town renowned for its night life. After trying out a free joint, which smelled like feet. Sam and I relocated to a place named Cuba, where we had major fun!
10 August
By the third day, the group had bonded. THe girls are amazingly nice, and we all got along so well. We went to the Clonmacnoise ruins, an ancient church. Before heading back to Dublin.
I went out for dinner with Bettina, before meeting Sam, Shiv and Marianne for drinkies. Haha, Shiv also brought along her new boyfriend....Shane the tour guide!!
My Paddywagon tour departed from the place though so I stayed there for ease. I had to share a room with 5 frenchies who spoke not a word of english!
8 August
The tour took off early in the morning, so bleary eyed, I dragged my stuff down four flights of stairs.
Like all tours of this sort, the beginning is always slightly awkward, and choosing where to sit on the bus is a big deal, as that is your designated seat for the rest of the trip. I chose a nigel seat. One without an adjoining seat, which suited me fine, in case the rest of the group were really weird. But then started the 'get to know you' games. Always awkward.
But luckily the group were all really great. I made pretty close friends with a few of the girls in my group. There was Bettina, the German girl, Marianne, the Irish girl who decided she wanted to explore her own country (and said she could only afford to explore her own country), Bernie, an aussie girl, Shivanni, another aussie girl (we're everywhere) and Sam, a really outgoing and friendly american from Las Vegas!
Of course there were other people on the tour...there were 12 of us in total, but those are the notables of whom I bonded with.
The tour was great. We went to the BLarney castle, where yes i did kiss the BLarney Stone, which is supposed to give you the gift of gab, despite being told horror stories about how the irish pee on the stone. But hey, in Ireland, do as the Irish do. We spent the night in Killarney, a beautiful town in the south west of IReland. Our tour guide Shane was fantastic. He recommended the best joint for food, and then the most fantastic pub where they did traditional irish dancing. It was amazing. They move so quickly and all in time and all in step. I really wanted to join in, but firstly i didnt know how and secondly i wasnt wearing the right shoes to learn how. My feet would have been destroyed.
The night was long. We went home around 3am.
9 August
THe second day of the tour was spent in a raining morning taking a horse drawn carriage through the Killarney National Park. I was chilled to the bone. SOOOOO cold, because i was so stupid I didnt bring my waterproof jacket. So i was soggy. We also visited the CLiffs of Moher, which really reminded me of the Three Musketeers movie, where that girl jumped off the cliffs, and the Burren, which is basically this huge rocky landscape. Really weird.
We spent the night in Galway, a town renowned for its night life. After trying out a free joint, which smelled like feet. Sam and I relocated to a place named Cuba, where we had major fun!
10 August
By the third day, the group had bonded. THe girls are amazingly nice, and we all got along so well. We went to the Clonmacnoise ruins, an ancient church. Before heading back to Dublin.
I went out for dinner with Bettina, before meeting Sam, Shiv and Marianne for drinkies. Haha, Shiv also brought along her new boyfriend....Shane the tour guide!!
America and Hannah
2 August
As united had been stupid, I realised that my insurance would likely give me money. After reading the policy, i found out that if they delayed by 12 hours, I would get $500 to spend as I pleased!!! YAy!!!
After meeting hannah at my new lodgings, the 2nd home on 2nd ave, we went to Soho for some SHOPPING!!! thanks to united, i got to buy a new outfit, which consisted of a pretty pretty dress, that was SO expensive, some victorias secret underwear and some new shoes. We stumbled randomly across Balthazars, and had a scrumplicious lunch there, before entering Chinatown for some massages and manicures! By the time I got back to my room, my luggage had shown up!
3 August
Hannah and I wanted to watch the Late Night Show being taped, but unknown to us, they were on holidays and not taping. As we didnt know, we woke up so early to line up for tix...what a waste of quality sleep time. Despite this, we more than made up for it with some 5th avenue shopping. By 4 pm, we were so tired. i hardly slept the night before...so we went back to our respective homes for nap time, to meet up again at 9pm for a swanky dinner.
THe two of us got pretty and went down to Greenwich village for a nice Italian meal.
4 August
Hannah and I went out to Maddison Ave for some very expensive shopping time. Maddison Ave hosts the brand names of the fashion houses, and also the most likely place you will meet a famous person. Just my luck, no famous people were out and about that day...After shopping, we went down to the Brooklyn bridge to catch the views of the harbour and the skyline.
5 August
So hannah has come to NY permanently to marry her NY man. Unfortunately, today she had to go to Conneticuit to see the inlaws, as the Mother in law had hurt her back. She's the family matriach and when she calls, all of them go running.
I had an alone day, which i spent at the Guggenheim museum, before strolling through/getting lost in Central park.
SO this funny thing happened after Hannah and I had dinner in Greenwich. After dinner, we went strolling along the streets, when we passed the Marc Jacobs store. After peering in a bit, the cleaner in there came out to ask for a light. We said, no sorry we dont have one, but can we look at the stuff in the shop? he said no of course, the shop was closed...but thought we had funny accents, and so a conversation commenced. Anyway, after a while, he said if we came back the day after, we could get 30% discount at the shop, as he got a staff discount there....it all sounded like crap but u know, it was all very tempting.
Anyway, i thought, as I liked Soho so much i would return there and explore the streets we didnt go to. After much wandering, i ended up back at the Marc Jacobs store....next to the Magnolia bakery. I hung around, bought some cupcakes (SOOOO sweet) and then rang Americo, the MJ cleaner. hehe, I reminded him who I was.....and got my discount!!!! i now have a pretty bag and a pretty wallet. SOOOOOO strange, sooo unexpected, but SOOOO wonderful!!!
6 August
Hannah came down to have brunch with me and then a sad farewell. I think she feels a little scared at the whole move. Its daunting for her, to go to a huge city like NY where she knows no one to start a whole new life with a whole new family.
I went to catch another United flight through Washington, over to London, before a BA flight to DUblin. Very long day of flying.
As united had been stupid, I realised that my insurance would likely give me money. After reading the policy, i found out that if they delayed by 12 hours, I would get $500 to spend as I pleased!!! YAy!!!
After meeting hannah at my new lodgings, the 2nd home on 2nd ave, we went to Soho for some SHOPPING!!! thanks to united, i got to buy a new outfit, which consisted of a pretty pretty dress, that was SO expensive, some victorias secret underwear and some new shoes. We stumbled randomly across Balthazars, and had a scrumplicious lunch there, before entering Chinatown for some massages and manicures! By the time I got back to my room, my luggage had shown up!
3 August
Hannah and I wanted to watch the Late Night Show being taped, but unknown to us, they were on holidays and not taping. As we didnt know, we woke up so early to line up for tix...what a waste of quality sleep time. Despite this, we more than made up for it with some 5th avenue shopping. By 4 pm, we were so tired. i hardly slept the night before...so we went back to our respective homes for nap time, to meet up again at 9pm for a swanky dinner.
THe two of us got pretty and went down to Greenwich village for a nice Italian meal.
4 August
Hannah and I went out to Maddison Ave for some very expensive shopping time. Maddison Ave hosts the brand names of the fashion houses, and also the most likely place you will meet a famous person. Just my luck, no famous people were out and about that day...After shopping, we went down to the Brooklyn bridge to catch the views of the harbour and the skyline.
5 August
So hannah has come to NY permanently to marry her NY man. Unfortunately, today she had to go to Conneticuit to see the inlaws, as the Mother in law had hurt her back. She's the family matriach and when she calls, all of them go running.
I had an alone day, which i spent at the Guggenheim museum, before strolling through/getting lost in Central park.
SO this funny thing happened after Hannah and I had dinner in Greenwich. After dinner, we went strolling along the streets, when we passed the Marc Jacobs store. After peering in a bit, the cleaner in there came out to ask for a light. We said, no sorry we dont have one, but can we look at the stuff in the shop? he said no of course, the shop was closed...but thought we had funny accents, and so a conversation commenced. Anyway, after a while, he said if we came back the day after, we could get 30% discount at the shop, as he got a staff discount there....it all sounded like crap but u know, it was all very tempting.
Anyway, i thought, as I liked Soho so much i would return there and explore the streets we didnt go to. After much wandering, i ended up back at the Marc Jacobs store....next to the Magnolia bakery. I hung around, bought some cupcakes (SOOOO sweet) and then rang Americo, the MJ cleaner. hehe, I reminded him who I was.....and got my discount!!!! i now have a pretty bag and a pretty wallet. SOOOOOO strange, sooo unexpected, but SOOOO wonderful!!!
6 August
Hannah came down to have brunch with me and then a sad farewell. I think she feels a little scared at the whole move. Its daunting for her, to go to a huge city like NY where she knows no one to start a whole new life with a whole new family.
I went to catch another United flight through Washington, over to London, before a BA flight to DUblin. Very long day of flying.
Mexico...The farewell
I have fallen badly behind in blogging, and its just such a headache to try and catch up. The trick is to not fall behind in the first place, but finding a net cafe and wasting hours of holiday time to blog is just not my priority.
30 July
So I was such a novelty in Mexico. Angie had told some of her friends about her friend from Aussieland and they wanted to meet me to 'practice their english'. Her friend Marie-Jose and her sister Isobel came over to pick me up and take me out. Was absolutely pouring weather.
1 August
It was so sad to leave mexico. I really loved it here. SO beautiful, and so unlike whatever anyone expects. Unfortunately it was a rushed departure, with Angie running home to take me to the airport. I love her. Did u hear that angie??
Anyway, upon arrival in NY at a ridiculously late hour of around midnight, i was patiently waiting for my luggage, only to see the luggage belt, and my wheelie bag not there. United air had lost my luggage.
30 July
So I was such a novelty in Mexico. Angie had told some of her friends about her friend from Aussieland and they wanted to meet me to 'practice their english'. Her friend Marie-Jose and her sister Isobel came over to pick me up and take me out. Was absolutely pouring weather.
1 August
It was so sad to leave mexico. I really loved it here. SO beautiful, and so unlike whatever anyone expects. Unfortunately it was a rushed departure, with Angie running home to take me to the airport. I love her. Did u hear that angie??
Anyway, upon arrival in NY at a ridiculously late hour of around midnight, i was patiently waiting for my luggage, only to see the luggage belt, and my wheelie bag not there. United air had lost my luggage.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Acapulco!
27 July
We left after Angie got home from uni to go to Acapulco. I am SOOO lucky....seriously its all luck. I met Angie when I was in London practically exactly a year ago last year. We were in a hostel room together in Bayswater, and we got along great, and have been in touch through MSN and email since. Randomly, I told her I was gonna be in Mexico and she invited me to stay with her. She is so sweet! And she has taken such good care of me.
We stayed in her apartment in Acapulco, which is this fantastically beautiful apartment, right next to the Hyatt.
After the four hour drive, we went for a walk down the main street, to get some icecream, before heading to the supermarket and grabbing some ingredients to cook at home. Manuel is Angie´s brother and wants to be a cook. He cooked up some arracherra for us, which was absolutely delicious before we had an early night.
28 July
The whole day was spent having much fun under the sun! Probably too much sun because I ended up with sunburn. I have pinkness all over! The coast of Acapulco is beautiful, and once again I have to repeat that I am SO lucky that Angie´s place is in the most perfect location.
We headed out that night to a pretty swanky bar that played fantastic music, mostly salsa, and Kickay tried to show me how to Salsa, but I am not skilled at ALL in that department. Oh well.
29 July
The day was spent on return to Mexico City. We had a brief stop by the markets for some silver jewellery... bling bling!
We left after Angie got home from uni to go to Acapulco. I am SOOO lucky....seriously its all luck. I met Angie when I was in London practically exactly a year ago last year. We were in a hostel room together in Bayswater, and we got along great, and have been in touch through MSN and email since. Randomly, I told her I was gonna be in Mexico and she invited me to stay with her. She is so sweet! And she has taken such good care of me.
We stayed in her apartment in Acapulco, which is this fantastically beautiful apartment, right next to the Hyatt.
After the four hour drive, we went for a walk down the main street, to get some icecream, before heading to the supermarket and grabbing some ingredients to cook at home. Manuel is Angie´s brother and wants to be a cook. He cooked up some arracherra for us, which was absolutely delicious before we had an early night.
28 July
The whole day was spent having much fun under the sun! Probably too much sun because I ended up with sunburn. I have pinkness all over! The coast of Acapulco is beautiful, and once again I have to repeat that I am SO lucky that Angie´s place is in the most perfect location.
We headed out that night to a pretty swanky bar that played fantastic music, mostly salsa, and Kickay tried to show me how to Salsa, but I am not skilled at ALL in that department. Oh well.
29 July
The day was spent on return to Mexico City. We had a brief stop by the markets for some silver jewellery... bling bling!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Mexico City
As soon as I arrived at Angie´s place we went out to get an english copy of the new Harry Potter.
23 July
Poor Angie has to wake up at 530am each morning to get to her classes by 7am. So she had arranged for her friend Enrique (Kickay)to be my tour guide around town.
Kicks arrived around 12 midday to commence our tour of the downtown region. Unfortunately, his dad is slightly crazy, and called him back just as we got there to go home and mow the lawn. So we had to turn the car around wait for him to mow the lawn, and then head head back out to the Zocolo.
We explored the cathedral, before heading to the LatinAmerica building and climing up to the top for the view of town.
Then a massive storm came. The skies opened up and down came the pouring rain! despite this, we still ran to the car. By the time we got there, we were both soaked through. I could wring my dress out and water would come pouring out.
We then met Angie at the Sona Rosa for a Hot Chocolate and cake...
and then out to the Condessa to try some Mescal...the product that exists before it becomes Tequila. Angie then convinced me to try some grasshoppers....
before having some real dinner...Sushi. Note that this whole time my feet were wet because they had been soaked through. We went home, dried off, and then I started the Harry Potter saga!
24th July
Today Kickay took me to Chapultapec to see the Castle. We had along for the ride Millay and her brother Enrique.
This is the roof of part of the castle. How much does it look like Harry Potter!!!
Then, after some tacos, we went to the Imax to watch the new Harry Potter movie with the last 20 minutes in 3D!!
25th July
Unfortunately, Kickay had to stay home to help his sister study. I dont understand that. Isnt studying a one person job??
Anyway, luckily Wednesday is Angie´s half day and she finishes school at 11. So we went to the Museum of Anthropolgy. I didnt intend to spend so long there, but we were there for a good 4 hours. The history of Mexico is so interesting. They have had influence from the Aztecs, the Mayans, the French, the Spanish...no wonder they´re people of all different colours!
Meanwhile, the Mayans have the same shaped nose as me.
26th July
Argh, its been raining everyday since I got to Mexico City! well not all day, but every afternoon the skies open up for a heavy thunderous shower.
Today Angie and her brother Manuel took me to Cayoacan, the city of Coyotes. It doesnt actually still have coyotes, but back in the day, there must have been many a coyote here!
We had lunch in a quaint little restaurant before heading back to the city for some shopping at Santa Fe. Ibought many pretty things which made me extremely happy!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Bye Bye Boys!
21st July
Sadly, Joeri and Sander departed, heading off to the beach, and then Belize and Guatamala. We said a sad goodbye, before they left back up to Puebla city for their next bus. I will miss them, as we had some fantastic travels together.
My day was spent mostly just sitting around all lonesome at the ranch. The other kids had gone to the rainforrest for a walkabout, but I didn't want to follow, mostly because i was wearing shorts, thongs, and a t-shirt, most inappropriate clothing for a trek through dense rainforrest again.
But that night, the family lit a bonfire, and roasted marshmellows, before burying corn cobs in the cinders to roast. We had hotdogs, and corn for dinner! Later, the singing and music started again, before another late night in bed.
22nd July
The entire family, except for Oscar's parents, left Puebla. I was incredibly lucky. I was originally going to be catching the ADO bus back to Mexico City alone on Saturday, with no knowledge of spanish, with 2 connecting buses. But the Family had offered to drive me to Mexico city, so long we left on Sunday. THat was fine with me! An extra day on the ranch, and a free lift into Mexico city.
So, the trip back was spent in a luxurious air conditioned red mini van. Angie was waiting for me on the other end, and so began the Mexico city leg of my journey.
Sadly, Joeri and Sander departed, heading off to the beach, and then Belize and Guatamala. We said a sad goodbye, before they left back up to Puebla city for their next bus. I will miss them, as we had some fantastic travels together.
My day was spent mostly just sitting around all lonesome at the ranch. The other kids had gone to the rainforrest for a walkabout, but I didn't want to follow, mostly because i was wearing shorts, thongs, and a t-shirt, most inappropriate clothing for a trek through dense rainforrest again.
But that night, the family lit a bonfire, and roasted marshmellows, before burying corn cobs in the cinders to roast. We had hotdogs, and corn for dinner! Later, the singing and music started again, before another late night in bed.
22nd July
The entire family, except for Oscar's parents, left Puebla. I was incredibly lucky. I was originally going to be catching the ADO bus back to Mexico City alone on Saturday, with no knowledge of spanish, with 2 connecting buses. But the Family had offered to drive me to Mexico city, so long we left on Sunday. THat was fine with me! An extra day on the ranch, and a free lift into Mexico city.
So, the trip back was spent in a luxurious air conditioned red mini van. Angie was waiting for me on the other end, and so began the Mexico city leg of my journey.
Oscar´s Ranch
20th July
It seems like every day these days starts of with an early wake up! Despite sleeping last night at about 230am, our breakfast call was at 8am. Oscar's mum makes the best Mexican breakfast of this bean mash stuff, tortillas, sour cream, and lots and lots of fruit. The Papaya and pineapple here are fantastic!
Our first stop after breakfast was to the banana plantation and its adjoining rainforrest and waterfall. We walked BEHIND the waterfall, and got super soggy! thank goodness for my waterproof camera!
pictures
After that, we were taken to the huge ranch! Oscar's dad took us for a walk around his ranch. While we started off at a dry pasture, with cows grazing, we eventually walked into another dense and wet rainforrest, that connected to the waterfall rainforrest of earlier that morning. The rainforest was extremely thick, and the plants were still wet from the rains.
pictures
By the time we emerged, Joeri, who was walking behind noticed my legs were covered in massive hive-like welts and they were very very itchy. I had thought the itchiness was just due to little cuts or irritation due to the plants,but it turns out it was more due to an allergic reaction from swiping against one of the plants. Most uncomfortable!
Thankfully, Oscar's dad let us go back for me to have a quick shower and the boys to have a quick clean up. We had slipped and slid through mud all morning due to walking through streams, and up and down muddy hills.
Then we returned to the ranch for a trip to Cuetzalan, an indigenous town in Puebla where they speak an indigenous dialect.
pictures
We stopped by the Yohualichan Pyramids
Pictures
Before returning to Cuetzalan for dinner.
It seems like every day these days starts of with an early wake up! Despite sleeping last night at about 230am, our breakfast call was at 8am. Oscar's mum makes the best Mexican breakfast of this bean mash stuff, tortillas, sour cream, and lots and lots of fruit. The Papaya and pineapple here are fantastic!
Our first stop after breakfast was to the banana plantation and its adjoining rainforrest and waterfall. We walked BEHIND the waterfall, and got super soggy! thank goodness for my waterproof camera!
pictures
After that, we were taken to the huge ranch! Oscar's dad took us for a walk around his ranch. While we started off at a dry pasture, with cows grazing, we eventually walked into another dense and wet rainforrest, that connected to the waterfall rainforrest of earlier that morning. The rainforest was extremely thick, and the plants were still wet from the rains.
pictures
By the time we emerged, Joeri, who was walking behind noticed my legs were covered in massive hive-like welts and they were very very itchy. I had thought the itchiness was just due to little cuts or irritation due to the plants,but it turns out it was more due to an allergic reaction from swiping against one of the plants. Most uncomfortable!
Thankfully, Oscar's dad let us go back for me to have a quick shower and the boys to have a quick clean up. We had slipped and slid through mud all morning due to walking through streams, and up and down muddy hills.
Then we returned to the ranch for a trip to Cuetzalan, an indigenous town in Puebla where they speak an indigenous dialect.
pictures
We stopped by the Yohualichan Pyramids
Pictures
Before returning to Cuetzalan for dinner.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Bus Rides Galore! Puebla City
Oscar is so lovely he invited us to stay at his parents ranch in Puebla. Problem is he forgot to tell his parents we were coming.
18th July
We three said a tearful goodbye to Oscar and Indy and headed down to Puebla city through Mexico City. We were cheap, so decided to buy the second class bus tickets, probably a silly mistake, as we stopped by EVERY little town, picking up all the Mexicans! but we did get to witness little everyday oddities, like this woman who carried a turkey onto the bus carried like a child in front of her.
Anyway, we reached Puebla City in the late afternoon, realising we couldn't continue the journey down to Oscar's ranch as it was getting late. So we got a room in the Hotel Victoria, and then went to a quaint little restaurant/bar thing by the Zocolo.
Weird thing was the further south we were travelling, the colder it was, until in Puebla city, even with long sleeves, I was chilly!
19th July
We woke up early the next morning after an aweful nights sleep. Sander and I were cramped up next to each other in a lumpy double bed that had a ditch in the middle so we kept rolling into the middle and into each other. And Sander smells a little.
We took a quick stroll through the city before resuming on the second class bus, through Teziutlan, until we reached Hueytamalco. It then started pouring rain.
We ran to the taxi stand and asked them to take us to the ranch, which we knew was only around 10 minute drive away. The stupid taxi drivers knew straight away we were tourists and started the price at 150 pesos. We got it down to 80 pesos, despite knowing the job should have and could have been done at 10 pesos only. Why rip off the little tourists??
We arrived at the ranch and no one was there. But we were busting to go to the toilet! Oscar had told us, that even if his parents weren't there, the door was always open and we could go in anyway. It was raining, I needed to pee, so we went inside and used the facilities. Haha! it was so funny! Imagine if it hadn't been their house?? anyway, after relieving ourselves, we sat outisde in a sheltered bbq area but then the rain got heavier....so we decided to go inside the house and sit down and play cards.
Eventually, a face showed up at the window! It was Oscar's dad, surprised to see 3 strangers at his dining table playing cards!
But luckily, Oscar had finally gotten through to his parents. Their ranch is so secluded that there is no cell phone access or internet, and the only way to contact them is through their satellite phone.
The parents are lovely people, but barely speak any english. It turned out they had a huge family gathering planned that night at the ranch house, so at about 9pm, roughly 20 Gabilondo relatives poured through the doors! It was a lovely night....after a bit, the younger few left, until it was a few of the older uncles left, who told us stories of how it was a Mexican tradition that the men would serenade the girls they were pursuing. They would sit under the window of their paramour and sing love songs, accompanied by their friends.
This still happens today....sometimes....but definitely less often than previously. How sad. I think its a lovely tradition. Oscar's grandmother told us of how her husband had wooed her that way, and how the uncles had won their wives like that too. I think its a beautiful tradition!
18th July
We three said a tearful goodbye to Oscar and Indy and headed down to Puebla city through Mexico City. We were cheap, so decided to buy the second class bus tickets, probably a silly mistake, as we stopped by EVERY little town, picking up all the Mexicans! but we did get to witness little everyday oddities, like this woman who carried a turkey onto the bus carried like a child in front of her.
Anyway, we reached Puebla City in the late afternoon, realising we couldn't continue the journey down to Oscar's ranch as it was getting late. So we got a room in the Hotel Victoria, and then went to a quaint little restaurant/bar thing by the Zocolo.
Weird thing was the further south we were travelling, the colder it was, until in Puebla city, even with long sleeves, I was chilly!
19th July
We woke up early the next morning after an aweful nights sleep. Sander and I were cramped up next to each other in a lumpy double bed that had a ditch in the middle so we kept rolling into the middle and into each other. And Sander smells a little.
We took a quick stroll through the city before resuming on the second class bus, through Teziutlan, until we reached Hueytamalco. It then started pouring rain.
We ran to the taxi stand and asked them to take us to the ranch, which we knew was only around 10 minute drive away. The stupid taxi drivers knew straight away we were tourists and started the price at 150 pesos. We got it down to 80 pesos, despite knowing the job should have and could have been done at 10 pesos only. Why rip off the little tourists??
We arrived at the ranch and no one was there. But we were busting to go to the toilet! Oscar had told us, that even if his parents weren't there, the door was always open and we could go in anyway. It was raining, I needed to pee, so we went inside and used the facilities. Haha! it was so funny! Imagine if it hadn't been their house?? anyway, after relieving ourselves, we sat outisde in a sheltered bbq area but then the rain got heavier....so we decided to go inside the house and sit down and play cards.
Eventually, a face showed up at the window! It was Oscar's dad, surprised to see 3 strangers at his dining table playing cards!
But luckily, Oscar had finally gotten through to his parents. Their ranch is so secluded that there is no cell phone access or internet, and the only way to contact them is through their satellite phone.
The parents are lovely people, but barely speak any english. It turned out they had a huge family gathering planned that night at the ranch house, so at about 9pm, roughly 20 Gabilondo relatives poured through the doors! It was a lovely night....after a bit, the younger few left, until it was a few of the older uncles left, who told us stories of how it was a Mexican tradition that the men would serenade the girls they were pursuing. They would sit under the window of their paramour and sing love songs, accompanied by their friends.
This still happens today....sometimes....but definitely less often than previously. How sad. I think its a lovely tradition. Oscar's grandmother told us of how her husband had wooed her that way, and how the uncles had won their wives like that too. I think its a beautiful tradition!
Queretero and the Surrounds
STILL SICK!!! and losing a lot of weight!
Lovely Oscar agreed to let the boys drive around Queretero and the surrounding towns, on condition that I don't drive! how rude!
16th July
St Miguel de Allende!
17th July
Climbed Penal de Bernal
San Juan de Rio
Lovely Oscar agreed to let the boys drive around Queretero and the surrounding towns, on condition that I don't drive! how rude!
16th July
St Miguel de Allende!
17th July
Climbed Penal de Bernal
San Juan de Rio
Guadalajara!
And the stomache ache continues....including all the painful diahorrea and vomitting...
15 July
We took an early tour around Guadalajara, a beautiful colonial town of Mexico.
After lunch (which I also couldn't eat) we started driving back to Queretero. Everything was going smoothly until we reached a massive traffic jam. NOTHING was going through because a huge semitrailer had crashed with another semitrailer, turning it onto its side so it was blocking BOTH directions on the highway.
Anyway, cars started going down a dirt track so what could we do but follow them along this unknown path into an unknown destination?
So our little band of about 50 cars trekked along this narrow dirt track, which continued on for around 10 minutes until it too became too jammed. Everyone got out of their cars...what was going on??? Word eventually reached us from the head of the cars that cars from the other direction had also taken this dirt track, which was definitely only ONE WAY, so now there too was a jam on this little track too!
Luckily, we had more cars goin OUR direction, and we bullied our way through, by tormenting the otherside so much telling them they'd NEVER get through becuase we had hundreds of cars behind us on our track. They believed us, and started turning around. An hour later, we were back on our way!
We stopped for KFC on the way back, returning to Queretero around Midnight, where poor little Oscar immediately crashed as he had to work the next morning at 6am!
15 July
We took an early tour around Guadalajara, a beautiful colonial town of Mexico.
After lunch (which I also couldn't eat) we started driving back to Queretero. Everything was going smoothly until we reached a massive traffic jam. NOTHING was going through because a huge semitrailer had crashed with another semitrailer, turning it onto its side so it was blocking BOTH directions on the highway.
Anyway, cars started going down a dirt track so what could we do but follow them along this unknown path into an unknown destination?
So our little band of about 50 cars trekked along this narrow dirt track, which continued on for around 10 minutes until it too became too jammed. Everyone got out of their cars...what was going on??? Word eventually reached us from the head of the cars that cars from the other direction had also taken this dirt track, which was definitely only ONE WAY, so now there too was a jam on this little track too!
Luckily, we had more cars goin OUR direction, and we bullied our way through, by tormenting the otherside so much telling them they'd NEVER get through becuase we had hundreds of cars behind us on our track. They believed us, and started turning around. An hour later, we were back on our way!
We stopped for KFC on the way back, returning to Queretero around Midnight, where poor little Oscar immediately crashed as he had to work the next morning at 6am!
Conquered by the Picar
Mexican food is spicy.
They add Lime, and salt and jalapeno to everything!
14th July
I woke up because of a painful tummy, slight at first but definitely there. ooooh the pain!!!
This wasn´t helped by the fact that we all woke up early to go to Guadalajara, which meant 4 hours in a tiny VW with no airconditioning, driving through HOT HOT Mexico.
I couldn´t eat the whole day....which upset me because i like to eat, everything just looked awful and unappetising, and had that same spicy flavour that i just could not eat!
Then, came the bad bits, the diahorrea and the vomiting. It all came out from both ends.
Anyway, after four hours of driving, we went through Guadalajara and straight to Tequila the birthplace of the Tequila! We took a tour of a Tequila plantation which included MANY free tequila shots, which i refused to drink because my stomache was not accepting any entries.
PICTURES
Then we drove back to Guadalajara to check into our hostel and take a stroll around town. We ended up at a club called the Wall Street where an amusing story took place. We were standing around the small table when I had a poke on my back. It was this girl who asked me if I was Joeri's girlfriend. After assuring her I was not, she asked me to ask him if he would take a photo with her, which I did, and a beautiful pick up then took place!
They add Lime, and salt and jalapeno to everything!
14th July
I woke up because of a painful tummy, slight at first but definitely there. ooooh the pain!!!
This wasn´t helped by the fact that we all woke up early to go to Guadalajara, which meant 4 hours in a tiny VW with no airconditioning, driving through HOT HOT Mexico.
I couldn´t eat the whole day....which upset me because i like to eat, everything just looked awful and unappetising, and had that same spicy flavour that i just could not eat!
Then, came the bad bits, the diahorrea and the vomiting. It all came out from both ends.
Anyway, after four hours of driving, we went through Guadalajara and straight to Tequila the birthplace of the Tequila! We took a tour of a Tequila plantation which included MANY free tequila shots, which i refused to drink because my stomache was not accepting any entries.
PICTURES
Then we drove back to Guadalajara to check into our hostel and take a stroll around town. We ended up at a club called the Wall Street where an amusing story took place. We were standing around the small table when I had a poke on my back. It was this girl who asked me if I was Joeri's girlfriend. After assuring her I was not, she asked me to ask him if he would take a photo with her, which I did, and a beautiful pick up then took place!
Monday, July 23, 2007
The Reunion!!
13th July
We woke up bright and early to head by bus to Queretero. The only flaw in the plan was that Oscar, who´s place we were staying at didn´t know we were coming yet.
Joeri frantically tried to SMS him. Anyway, we figured, we knew his address, and he knew we were in the country and to arrive by the weekend, so he should have expected us in some way shape or form.
After the bus, we took the taxi to his address, which due to Oscar´s stupidity was actually his OLD address, where we met his OLD roomates , who guided us to his current house and let us in.
Oscar came home roughly 3 hours later to see us sitting in his house, eating his eggs and chips and drinks! it was lovely to be back with my two bestest buddies from Queens!
We then met Indy, Oscar`s girlfriend, and went out to a cantina for some dancing and eating of MORE tacos, and this meat dish that Oscar insisted we try, which was basically 1 kg of marinated and cooked beef, that we were to roll up in tortillas along with guacamole, lime, salt, jalapenos, and cheese....all at once. It was a really fun night out, and it was best being back with Oscar and Joeri. Just like old times!
We woke up bright and early to head by bus to Queretero. The only flaw in the plan was that Oscar, who´s place we were staying at didn´t know we were coming yet.
Joeri frantically tried to SMS him. Anyway, we figured, we knew his address, and he knew we were in the country and to arrive by the weekend, so he should have expected us in some way shape or form.
After the bus, we took the taxi to his address, which due to Oscar´s stupidity was actually his OLD address, where we met his OLD roomates , who guided us to his current house and let us in.
Oscar came home roughly 3 hours later to see us sitting in his house, eating his eggs and chips and drinks! it was lovely to be back with my two bestest buddies from Queens!
We then met Indy, Oscar`s girlfriend, and went out to a cantina for some dancing and eating of MORE tacos, and this meat dish that Oscar insisted we try, which was basically 1 kg of marinated and cooked beef, that we were to roll up in tortillas along with guacamole, lime, salt, jalapenos, and cheese....all at once. It was a really fun night out, and it was best being back with Oscar and Joeri. Just like old times!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Mexico... The Arrival
11 July
I left Canada after Einstein's bar in the AM, which meant I only slept a few hours. I was SOOOO tired when i touched down in Mexico City airport, i could barely see, and had to whip out the glasses so I could see what i was doing and where I was. Anyway, after an uneventful plane flight (Air Canada showed the same movies as in the flight into Canada) I was looking around the airport for Joeri and his friend Sander, who were supposed to pick me up but they weren't there. Two hours later, they STILL weren't there.
So panic started to set in, and I wandered the airport for ages, not knowing what to do. Finally, i decided to reread emails sent from Joeri about when he was picking me up, and realised that he kept mentioning Thursday 11th July, when really, there is no such day!!! so I realised he must have thought I'd be flying in on the Wednesday. How stupid.
Anyway, i did what any girl stuck would do. I went to hostelworld.com, found an authorised taxi, and went to the hostel, thinking, what a crazy day, but thankfully i was ok.
Until I arrived at the hostel, and they had NO rooms!!! panicking again, the lovely people at the hostel booked me into another hostel. One more taxi later, I was settled into the hostel. Incidentally, Joeri later rang me and apologised profusely, as he should, and we met up for dinner (chinese food!), before having a few drinks and watching the Mexico/Argentina game with a few girls from the hostel.
12 July
The boys and I got up early and went to see the Pyramids at Teotihuacan. Even though there are many tours that depart from the hostelswe decided to do it the mexican way, and take the metro, the local bus, and find our own way there...
As Shelley had said before, the metro is truly a weird experience. The city has 25 million people crammed into a relatively small area, and they all want to catch the metro, so we were all squeezed in....and they don´t all smell like roses. Anyway, we caught the metro to the end of the line, and had to find the bus to Teotihuacan, but didn´t know where it was as the terminal is basically a huge concrete area with many many buses all packed in. So we decided to walk down the road, until a random bus stopped, a lady got out and said ¨blah blah blah Teotihuacan?¨ and we said yes yes we are going to Teotihuacan!! so we jumped on the bus and were on our way, mostly due to luck.
The pyramids are amazing! They`re massive and really incredibly impressive.
After catching the bus back, it was time to move hostels over to stay with Joeri and Sander. So the boys helped me carry my bag over to Hostel Amigo. Staying at Hostel Amigo made me realise, i really lucked out with my old hostel, which was really clean and nice, and way better than theirs! We had dinner with a friend of Sander´s from Netherlands in a Cantina, where I tried Tacos El Pastor and another Taco that had cactus inside it! All were really tasty, but kind of spicy. Then back to the hostel for sleepy time, as we were to leave early the next morning for Queretero!
I left Canada after Einstein's bar in the AM, which meant I only slept a few hours. I was SOOOO tired when i touched down in Mexico City airport, i could barely see, and had to whip out the glasses so I could see what i was doing and where I was. Anyway, after an uneventful plane flight (Air Canada showed the same movies as in the flight into Canada) I was looking around the airport for Joeri and his friend Sander, who were supposed to pick me up but they weren't there. Two hours later, they STILL weren't there.
So panic started to set in, and I wandered the airport for ages, not knowing what to do. Finally, i decided to reread emails sent from Joeri about when he was picking me up, and realised that he kept mentioning Thursday 11th July, when really, there is no such day!!! so I realised he must have thought I'd be flying in on the Wednesday. How stupid.
Anyway, i did what any girl stuck would do. I went to hostelworld.com, found an authorised taxi, and went to the hostel, thinking, what a crazy day, but thankfully i was ok.
Until I arrived at the hostel, and they had NO rooms!!! panicking again, the lovely people at the hostel booked me into another hostel. One more taxi later, I was settled into the hostel. Incidentally, Joeri later rang me and apologised profusely, as he should, and we met up for dinner (chinese food!), before having a few drinks and watching the Mexico/Argentina game with a few girls from the hostel.
12 July
The boys and I got up early and went to see the Pyramids at Teotihuacan. Even though there are many tours that depart from the hostelswe decided to do it the mexican way, and take the metro, the local bus, and find our own way there...
As Shelley had said before, the metro is truly a weird experience. The city has 25 million people crammed into a relatively small area, and they all want to catch the metro, so we were all squeezed in....and they don´t all smell like roses. Anyway, we caught the metro to the end of the line, and had to find the bus to Teotihuacan, but didn´t know where it was as the terminal is basically a huge concrete area with many many buses all packed in. So we decided to walk down the road, until a random bus stopped, a lady got out and said ¨blah blah blah Teotihuacan?¨ and we said yes yes we are going to Teotihuacan!! so we jumped on the bus and were on our way, mostly due to luck.
The pyramids are amazing! They`re massive and really incredibly impressive.
After catching the bus back, it was time to move hostels over to stay with Joeri and Sander. So the boys helped me carry my bag over to Hostel Amigo. Staying at Hostel Amigo made me realise, i really lucked out with my old hostel, which was really clean and nice, and way better than theirs! We had dinner with a friend of Sander´s from Netherlands in a Cantina, where I tried Tacos El Pastor and another Taco that had cactus inside it! All were really tasty, but kind of spicy. Then back to the hostel for sleepy time, as we were to leave early the next morning for Queretero!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Last Night in TO
Einstein's Bar with Phuong, voted best student bar to hang out in... Yes, i know i'm not still a student!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Final Hours in TO
My stay in TO is coming to an end...that's sad. I like it here. Its not particularly exciting, but I feel at home here.
I have stayed in many parts of this city:
- Sharon's place on the third floor,
- Canadiana on Queens street
- St Clair with the major
- Hostel in Kensington Markets
- Apartment of a friends with Oscar and Alexis
- Ross street with Alexis
- Sharon's place on the second floor
Anyway, tomorrow i am off to Mexico. Look forward to many pictures of me eating Tortillas and other Mexicano delights.
I am anxious about Mexico. I don't know why.
At least it is comforting to know I will be greeted by a familiar face at the airport. Joeri will be picking me up!!
I have stayed in many parts of this city:
- Sharon's place on the third floor,
- Canadiana on Queens street
- St Clair with the major
- Hostel in Kensington Markets
- Apartment of a friends with Oscar and Alexis
- Ross street with Alexis
- Sharon's place on the second floor
Anyway, tomorrow i am off to Mexico. Look forward to many pictures of me eating Tortillas and other Mexicano delights.
I am anxious about Mexico. I don't know why.
At least it is comforting to know I will be greeted by a familiar face at the airport. Joeri will be picking me up!!
Monday, July 9, 2007
Its been a long week...
I've moved my blog. Travellerspoint was fun because it had maps and stuff, but i missed blogger and its limitless and extremely slow system of uploading photos.
I'm going to do a montage of photos to show what's been up in the past week
I ate dessert on Baldwin street at John's Italian Cafe
I ate Korean BBQ on Queens street, where I accidentally left behind my beautiful new camera directly after taking this photo. The next day I had to run back down to the restaurant and wait outside the restaurant for 2 hours in the rain for the manager to come and see if the camera was found. Luckily, it was.
I ate Poutine
I saw Nina in Kingston...
and we ate breakfast at the Brass as usual! Mmmmmmm delicious two bacon and egg muffins with homestyle fries!!
Had a freezing cold bbq outside under a full moon for Canada Day
Had dinner with my good buddy the Major, also on Baldwin at John's Italian Cafe. I told him my parents were shouting us dinner in gratitude for letting me stay at his dad's house last Summer.
I moved houses, around the corner onto Spadina to stay with Sharon and Phuong, who have completely worn me out with their intense late nights!
I drank a Pineapple Smoothie. You may think this is not exciting, but it was delicious and has to be written about so I remember to go to Ginger next time I am in North America and buy a Pineapple Smoothie.
Other than these little things, I have managed to:
- Watch Die Hard with Nina and Sunny
- Watch Transformers
- Go shopping and buy, amongst other things lulus!
- Join a gym by telling them I was on exchange to U of T and wanted a one week trial period membership!
- Go to a Reggae party which looked like something out of Jamaica, and then spend one whole night out before sleeping at 7am and waking up at 11am.
That's all that was really memorable for now.
Bye!
I'm going to do a montage of photos to show what's been up in the past week
I ate dessert on Baldwin street at John's Italian Cafe
I ate Korean BBQ on Queens street, where I accidentally left behind my beautiful new camera directly after taking this photo. The next day I had to run back down to the restaurant and wait outside the restaurant for 2 hours in the rain for the manager to come and see if the camera was found. Luckily, it was.
I ate Poutine
I saw Nina in Kingston...
and we ate breakfast at the Brass as usual! Mmmmmmm delicious two bacon and egg muffins with homestyle fries!!
Had a freezing cold bbq outside under a full moon for Canada Day
Had dinner with my good buddy the Major, also on Baldwin at John's Italian Cafe. I told him my parents were shouting us dinner in gratitude for letting me stay at his dad's house last Summer.
I moved houses, around the corner onto Spadina to stay with Sharon and Phuong, who have completely worn me out with their intense late nights!
I drank a Pineapple Smoothie. You may think this is not exciting, but it was delicious and has to be written about so I remember to go to Ginger next time I am in North America and buy a Pineapple Smoothie.
Other than these little things, I have managed to:
- Watch Die Hard with Nina and Sunny
- Watch Transformers
- Go shopping and buy, amongst other things lulus!
- Join a gym by telling them I was on exchange to U of T and wanted a one week trial period membership!
- Go to a Reggae party which looked like something out of Jamaica, and then spend one whole night out before sleeping at 7am and waking up at 11am.
That's all that was really memorable for now.
Bye!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
NINA!!!
Kingston again :)
I've bought my ticket, I've got my bus, this weekend I'm heading by Coach Canada to Kingston to visit my darling Nina.
I've bought my ticket, I've got my bus, this weekend I'm heading by Coach Canada to Kingston to visit my darling Nina.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Jetlag
PAINFUL
This is the second time that I have done the Syd-Hon-Van-TO trip in one day. Last time it was SO painful, especially since after landing in TO at around 10pm, I had to catch a bus into Kingston that same night before arriving in a completely unknown town at around 2 in the morning, going into an unknown house, and sleeping in an unknown bed.
This time it was maybe a little bit better because i knew TO and I was staying at my friends place in a very familiar area.
But the jetlag is still so painful.
I can't sleep in planes. Never have, never will. So spending roughly 26 hours in either the plane or in transit meant 26 hours of not sleeping. Then when I did get into bed in TO, i couldn't sleep becuase my body thought it was still day time, when no, it was nighttime. And then when i DID want to sleep, it was time to get up!~
This blog entry has one purpose. Its sole purpose is so that next time i remember the pain of that flight, and NEXT time, i'll stop over in Vancouver. Vancouver is a lovely city, stop in Vancouver. That's my recommendation.
This is the second time that I have done the Syd-Hon-Van-TO trip in one day. Last time it was SO painful, especially since after landing in TO at around 10pm, I had to catch a bus into Kingston that same night before arriving in a completely unknown town at around 2 in the morning, going into an unknown house, and sleeping in an unknown bed.
This time it was maybe a little bit better because i knew TO and I was staying at my friends place in a very familiar area.
But the jetlag is still so painful.
I can't sleep in planes. Never have, never will. So spending roughly 26 hours in either the plane or in transit meant 26 hours of not sleeping. Then when I did get into bed in TO, i couldn't sleep becuase my body thought it was still day time, when no, it was nighttime. And then when i DID want to sleep, it was time to get up!~
This blog entry has one purpose. Its sole purpose is so that next time i remember the pain of that flight, and NEXT time, i'll stop over in Vancouver. Vancouver is a lovely city, stop in Vancouver. That's my recommendation.
Dinner + Movie
I'm staying with my buddy Alexis in TO right around the corner from Chinatown.
Because he goes to work each day, we wake up, have breakfast together, then he leaves for work before meeting me back at his place at around 6pm for dinner. I feel like i'm a housewife waiting for my husband to come home...."hunny how was your day?".
Anyway, last night, we went to little italy for dinner. I had penne Carbonara, which tasted EXACTLY like the version I made for you last Friday night Jonathan, (though maybe mine was a little better).
Then we went to watch the new movie with Izzy from Greys called Knocked up. It was so graphic. Very graphic. Stay away. Hopefully by this weekend I'll be with nina in Kingston!!! YAY!!!!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Tying up Loose Ends
Busy Busy Busy....
I'm trying out a new blogsite. My last one worked fine, but I thought, Out with the Old, In with the New!This blog site is specific to travel so hopefully its going to work better.
Judging from last time, I can tell you now that pictures are unlikely to be coming until I get back home and have the time to finally getting round to the whole uploading thing...
BUT, Simba is letting me use his phone so I can blog on the go. So look forward to many fun filled posts.
This whole pre-going part is so boring. Much anticipation, but so much STUFF to do...and all these goodbyes. I hate goodbyes.... and what's worse is i'm no good at them. Oh well, Bye for now.
I'm trying out a new blogsite. My last one worked fine, but I thought, Out with the Old, In with the New!This blog site is specific to travel so hopefully its going to work better.
Judging from last time, I can tell you now that pictures are unlikely to be coming until I get back home and have the time to finally getting round to the whole uploading thing...
BUT, Simba is letting me use his phone so I can blog on the go. So look forward to many fun filled posts.
This whole pre-going part is so boring. Much anticipation, but so much STUFF to do...and all these goodbyes. I hate goodbyes.... and what's worse is i'm no good at them. Oh well, Bye for now.
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