Travelling is weird.
I mean, to be fair, it's any number of things. Exciting, eye opening, amazing, changing, dangerous, even boring at times... but of all the things that it is, weird is definitely the word that sticks out at me right now.
It may be that my 14 months out of anything remotely close to an educational institution has significantly decreased my vocabulary, (and also my ability to spell... and do basic maths... anyway irrelevant) but I think I'm sticking to it.
Right now I am sitting in the Suvarnabhumi Aiport in Bangkok, Thailand, waiting. Waiting to take my final flight... the last one of the eight that have transported me all around the globe. It feels so strange. So strange to think I have been travelling for 9 months. Dragging my bag around, finding places to sleep, eating without ever entering a kitchen, waiting in airports, bus ports, train stations, malls, street corners, concrete steps... you can probably name anything and I will have waited on, near, within sight of or for it. So much has happened in this time, 6 months, a full 3 seasons of camp as well as the other 3 months of backpacking. Camp itself was so long, so full... so many good times were had, so many lessons taught, so many experiences unlike anything I had ever done before. Friendships unlike any other, built on such different but such solid foundations. The whole thing was quite inexplicable, the experience is really one that has to be experienced to be fully appreciated.
And then once camp was over, I packed up my stuff and roamed far and wide, trundling the globe on the aimless but no less dedicated search that is backpacking. And I thought camp was full of unmatchable experiences. Turns out I had my fair share of eye-opening experiences that gave me a full new set of ways of looking at everything, the world, it's people, myself.
It feels weird to say that things will never be the same again, that I will never be the same again. The connotations are too negative, which is far far from what I mean when I say it. Change is useful, needed and in my case, refreshing. I feel like I can see everything through eyes no longer blinkered by the limits of what I knew before. I still have so much more to learn, but it's like I didn't even know what I did and didn't know before, but now I've been given a sort of clarity.
All this sort of rambling isn't really achieving what I intended... as my trip is literally hours away from ending, it almost feels like it never happened. But I know the things I've learnt will stick with me, even if it feels like I imagined the whole things. I know no one will be bothering to read this as I will be home so soon... but if any one of the incredible people I met while I was away reads this, thank you! Thank you for helping give me the best times of my life, I can't wait to see you again.
I hope anyone who has ever read or ever does read this gets a chance to experience the truly liberating feeling that is swinging your bag onto your back, pocketing your passport and heading out the door and into the big wide world. It's most definitely one of the best things you'll ever do.
Showing posts with label Transit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Transit. Show all posts
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Scottish Ramblings and Scraps of London and Oxford
Ok so I know I have been pretty slack of late keeping up to date with where I am and what's been happening... this became particularly evident after a rather charming email from my Dad:
'Hey Is, we got into Manchester midday yesterday. Where are you? Love Dad'
After reading that I decided if my Dad didn't even know where I was, sure thing no one else did, which was precisely the point of the blog in the first place. So, to define my current whereabouts seemed a worthy idea. Right now I'm on a train from Edinburgh to Manchester, having just been in Scotland for about a week, spending time with Sarah at her gap placement in Perth (more specifically near a small village called Bridge of Earn) and with my mate Anna in Edinburgh who I met in the summer at camp.
So that is where I am right now. However, when I do get this post up on the net I won't be there anymore... there's no net on the train see. Ah irrelevance and how I manage to contain it in these posts.
Just a quick note on where I am right now before I go on to describe where I have been... looking out of the train window (one of my absolute favourite new hobbies, how did I ever get bored on long trips before?) is a particularly delightful scene during this journey. Rolling farmland, tree-lined paddocks, tussocks of grass frozen still by the thick frost, the strong green of the hills diluted by it's almost pearly sheen. It is almost fairytale like in quality, I half expect a small imaginary creature that is usually found gracing the pages of Rowling's work to bound out from the hillocks, dancing some jig that for some reason is associated with all critters of the like.
Oh man, my first icicles! They hang like translucent daggers from the barbed wire fence, natures own small deterrent, sharp as a knife but as likely to crunch and crumble as the frosty grass beneath my feet. The train has paused, almost as if it too is admiring the small gasps of blue sky that penetrate the wooly grey blanket of cloud, allowing a few rays of sun to trickle down to the land below, merciful golden drops providing a small moment of relief for some bird or mouse than happens to find its way into the pool of light.
And on we trundle, a large metallic slug creeping its way through the green expanse, its steely trail interrupting the postcard-like cottages and barns that dot the patchwork of paddocks and pastures.
I wish I could relay to you exactly how it looks, but half-blurred images taken through a scratched window just can't do the majestic yet simple beauty of this countryside justice. I could waffle about it for hours, every time I glance out the window I see another classic scene just itching to be penned (well, I suppose in this case typed) but no, sacrifices must be made if any progress is going to result.
So my last half-post... this was originally intended to be it's other half, but I feel sufficient time has passed to give it its own, also not having the net and not knowing what I last wrote, I can't really provide the seamless transition between older text and new that would be needed.
I think I left off farewelling North America, so I must have landed in London by such a point and so I will go on from there. Apologies for the somewhat brief manner I am going to cover things, I get stuck if I go into everything.
It seems this darn window may actually provide more of a distraction, every time I avert my gaze from this screen I see so many endless grassy expanses just itching to be sprinted across, frolicked about in and in general just enjoyed thoroughly despite the mud and ice. Some of this frost is so thick I'm starting to mistake it for the first snow. Ah, a tunnel! Hiding the splendour for just a split second, only to reveal even more spectacular wild hills and slopes screaming out for someone to slide on.
How does one get anything done on this train? The view is literally rendering me absolutely worthless.
Ok, I will just admire without translating everything I see to literature. Easier said than done. However, I will do it. Have to do it.
Landing in London was a strange experience. The first time I had left the North American continent in a remarkably long time, and also only the 2nd continent I had visited since leaving my home one. Considering by the time I arrived there I had been away from home a while, it seemed an odd milestone. Nevertheless, landing was combined with that apprehensive excitement, the feeling all travelers know and are addicted to, the 'I'm in a New Place' feeling. You know the one. Love it. Anyway, Alex, Ben and I stepped off the plane brimming with this, only to have it somewhat drained away by waiting by the luggage carousel. For ages. And ages. Until every last bag had disappeared. A quick 'Um, so.... all our stuff is missing...' to a nearby airport worker got us the answer we expected. Our gear had been misplaced/delayed in Dulles. We filled out some forms and organised for them to drop off our gear at the address we found ourselves staying at. Leaving the airport (without being security checked at all, we literally walked past the customs officials leaning on their x-ray machine chatting over a cuppa) and hopping on the tube, we realised how lucky it was that our bags were not with us as the underground really is not roomy enough for 3 smaller packs, 3 bigger packs, 2 guitars, a tripod, 2 snowboards and 2 sets of ice skates.
We spent the next 2 nights in London, investing in a Big Bus tour ticket that lasted 48hrs. A sweet way to get about the place and see all the sights as well as learn about the city from the tour guides. A definite recommendation for winter travel over a short time period. London also happened to turn on the weather for us, it was absolutely beautiful. Sun shining, sky azure as home, the air itself was a rather mild 10 degrees or so.
Some facebook aided interaction helped us organise a visit to Oxford to see Chloe and have a mini-Fitzroy reunion. She met us at the bus station even though our bus was horrendously late. A few quick, excited hugs before we were off, bustling through the streets of Oxford, winding between crowds of Christmas shoppers, doing our best not to take people out with our packs. The modern shopfronts and buildings abruptly gave way to a huge ancient stone wall, looming above the street. It was the boundary of Christ Church, Chloe's (and therefore the best, she said) college, one of about 30. We dashed through Tom Quad, the beautiful stone gate scarcely receiving a glance as we hurried to get to the Hall in time for dinner. Climbing stone stairs anyone who had seen the first Harry Potter film would recognize, we passed through the huge double doors into the Hall. Images of knights and nobles raced through my mind, the long wooden tables, set for many, the walls clad with numerous portraits of notable Christ Church alumni, including Henry VIII and John Locke.
Again, I am unable to finish! I apologise profusely, however, just being reunited with my family is a pretty exciting thing and I am pretty busy. I'll write again soon I promise!
'Hey Is, we got into Manchester midday yesterday. Where are you? Love Dad'
After reading that I decided if my Dad didn't even know where I was, sure thing no one else did, which was precisely the point of the blog in the first place. So, to define my current whereabouts seemed a worthy idea. Right now I'm on a train from Edinburgh to Manchester, having just been in Scotland for about a week, spending time with Sarah at her gap placement in Perth (more specifically near a small village called Bridge of Earn) and with my mate Anna in Edinburgh who I met in the summer at camp.
So that is where I am right now. However, when I do get this post up on the net I won't be there anymore... there's no net on the train see. Ah irrelevance and how I manage to contain it in these posts.
Just a quick note on where I am right now before I go on to describe where I have been... looking out of the train window (one of my absolute favourite new hobbies, how did I ever get bored on long trips before?) is a particularly delightful scene during this journey. Rolling farmland, tree-lined paddocks, tussocks of grass frozen still by the thick frost, the strong green of the hills diluted by it's almost pearly sheen. It is almost fairytale like in quality, I half expect a small imaginary creature that is usually found gracing the pages of Rowling's work to bound out from the hillocks, dancing some jig that for some reason is associated with all critters of the like.
Oh man, my first icicles! They hang like translucent daggers from the barbed wire fence, natures own small deterrent, sharp as a knife but as likely to crunch and crumble as the frosty grass beneath my feet. The train has paused, almost as if it too is admiring the small gasps of blue sky that penetrate the wooly grey blanket of cloud, allowing a few rays of sun to trickle down to the land below, merciful golden drops providing a small moment of relief for some bird or mouse than happens to find its way into the pool of light.
And on we trundle, a large metallic slug creeping its way through the green expanse, its steely trail interrupting the postcard-like cottages and barns that dot the patchwork of paddocks and pastures.
I wish I could relay to you exactly how it looks, but half-blurred images taken through a scratched window just can't do the majestic yet simple beauty of this countryside justice. I could waffle about it for hours, every time I glance out the window I see another classic scene just itching to be penned (well, I suppose in this case typed) but no, sacrifices must be made if any progress is going to result.
So my last half-post... this was originally intended to be it's other half, but I feel sufficient time has passed to give it its own, also not having the net and not knowing what I last wrote, I can't really provide the seamless transition between older text and new that would be needed.
I think I left off farewelling North America, so I must have landed in London by such a point and so I will go on from there. Apologies for the somewhat brief manner I am going to cover things, I get stuck if I go into everything.
It seems this darn window may actually provide more of a distraction, every time I avert my gaze from this screen I see so many endless grassy expanses just itching to be sprinted across, frolicked about in and in general just enjoyed thoroughly despite the mud and ice. Some of this frost is so thick I'm starting to mistake it for the first snow. Ah, a tunnel! Hiding the splendour for just a split second, only to reveal even more spectacular wild hills and slopes screaming out for someone to slide on.
How does one get anything done on this train? The view is literally rendering me absolutely worthless.
Ok, I will just admire without translating everything I see to literature. Easier said than done. However, I will do it. Have to do it.
Landing in London was a strange experience. The first time I had left the North American continent in a remarkably long time, and also only the 2nd continent I had visited since leaving my home one. Considering by the time I arrived there I had been away from home a while, it seemed an odd milestone. Nevertheless, landing was combined with that apprehensive excitement, the feeling all travelers know and are addicted to, the 'I'm in a New Place' feeling. You know the one. Love it. Anyway, Alex, Ben and I stepped off the plane brimming with this, only to have it somewhat drained away by waiting by the luggage carousel. For ages. And ages. Until every last bag had disappeared. A quick 'Um, so.... all our stuff is missing...' to a nearby airport worker got us the answer we expected. Our gear had been misplaced/delayed in Dulles. We filled out some forms and organised for them to drop off our gear at the address we found ourselves staying at. Leaving the airport (without being security checked at all, we literally walked past the customs officials leaning on their x-ray machine chatting over a cuppa) and hopping on the tube, we realised how lucky it was that our bags were not with us as the underground really is not roomy enough for 3 smaller packs, 3 bigger packs, 2 guitars, a tripod, 2 snowboards and 2 sets of ice skates.
We spent the next 2 nights in London, investing in a Big Bus tour ticket that lasted 48hrs. A sweet way to get about the place and see all the sights as well as learn about the city from the tour guides. A definite recommendation for winter travel over a short time period. London also happened to turn on the weather for us, it was absolutely beautiful. Sun shining, sky azure as home, the air itself was a rather mild 10 degrees or so.
Some facebook aided interaction helped us organise a visit to Oxford to see Chloe and have a mini-Fitzroy reunion. She met us at the bus station even though our bus was horrendously late. A few quick, excited hugs before we were off, bustling through the streets of Oxford, winding between crowds of Christmas shoppers, doing our best not to take people out with our packs. The modern shopfronts and buildings abruptly gave way to a huge ancient stone wall, looming above the street. It was the boundary of Christ Church, Chloe's (and therefore the best, she said) college, one of about 30. We dashed through Tom Quad, the beautiful stone gate scarcely receiving a glance as we hurried to get to the Hall in time for dinner. Climbing stone stairs anyone who had seen the first Harry Potter film would recognize, we passed through the huge double doors into the Hall. Images of knights and nobles raced through my mind, the long wooden tables, set for many, the walls clad with numerous portraits of notable Christ Church alumni, including Henry VIII and John Locke.
Again, I am unable to finish! I apologise profusely, however, just being reunited with my family is a pretty exciting thing and I am pretty busy. I'll write again soon I promise!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Out of the Valley and into the Desert
Hey folks
Thought I'd use YVR's free internet to my advantage and get my blog on. May as well give a reason to dragging this laptop around the world. I swear my carry-on adds a fair bit to my overall luggage weight, laptop, camera, guitar... it's alot of stuff.
However, my other pack isn't all that light either, I managed to fall on my back, beetle style, in front of some transit guards at the Vancover City Centre train station. For a second there I thought they were both going to have to come over and help me up. Ah I'd forgotten how fun it is to lug large packs on public transport and use them as a vehicle to provide ultimate embarrassment. It's been a while.
In fact its been 6 months in Canada and nearly 6 months at camp, so being in the aiport (to actually catch a plane as opposed to saying farewell/loitering) is quite a strange experience. I was the last gapper left at camp and one of the last staff, so I have already said alot of goodbyes in the last few days, but I think the hardest one was saying goodbye to the Valley. The Upper Squamish Valley has been my home for the last 6 months, is the most beautiful place I've ever worked and the meeting ground for the congregation of some of the most incredible people I've ever met. As Parky drove me out of the driveway and down the valley road, I realised how much I'm going to miss this place. It's funny, it doesn't really feel like I'm not going to be back there in a couple of days, waiting for a fresh busload of kids to hang out with for the next few days, sitting in the staff lounge watching Role Models (for the 80th time) and riding a bike with no suspension around Boundary Trail just to save travelling time between my cabin and the Lodge. I'm sure once my flight touches down in Phoenix and I find myself out of the forest and into the desert it will dawn on me. Best of luck to Emily, Duncan, Trev, Eddie and Parky who are still busy tidying up the site after our last group a few days ago.
As sad as it is to leave my 'home' and all my new friends, embarking on the next phase of my gap year is incredibly exciting! It's kind of fun to have everything I own in the world once again fitting into a backpack (well it will be like that after I go to the US, I have an extra bag right now of things I'm sending home) and to be footloose and carefree. Also, all the visiting I have in store for the next few months in uber exciting. Can't wait to see Spud, Vicki, Summer and Kylie in Phoenix! In fact, boarding just opened and for some strange reason for a change I am at the front of the plane, so I better go!!
P.S. Here are a few more pictures from the Fall:
BC Coastal Mountains on the way back from Whistler
The weekend I helped Emily move into her Whistler house. Bit of a jump photo taken by a stranger. Love it
Sunset over Burrard Bridge. We were driving into Vancouver to celebrate Vanessa's birthday/Megan's housewarming
Sunset over Kitsilano Beach in Van. We took heaps of photos of this because it looked kind of like an Aussie sunset
Duncan with his new G&S skatey
One of my favourite photos I've taken all trip. The 'Band Photo' featuring Duncan, Eddie, Tyler and Crumbles
Night shots of the cabins in West Village: Charlie Charlie, Cloudburst, Serratus and Zenith
View from the Watershed Grill, our most frequented restaurant in Brackendale (the suburb outside Squamish)
Belden and Tyler at Tim Hortons, the Canadian's answer to overpriced Starbucks. Large Hot Chocolate $1.56... my drink of choice (mainly because it sets you back less than a toonie)
Crumbles, Tyler and I looking off into nowhere the night of our very first Thanksgiving. Thanks again to Trev's parents for welcoming us into their home for an amazing meal!
The annual Valley-wide Thanksgiving potluck dinner Parky hosted at camp. As none of the camp staff can cook/have the facilities, we earnt our meal organising parking and entertaining children. Some of the most amazing food ever, prepared by residents from the Upper Squamish Valley
The driveway on the 3 degree morning when we watched in snow in the mountains around camp. If you look at the trees on the mountain, you can see a line where the snow fell to. Aussies were incredibly excited about this, Canadians and Kiwi just complained about the cold.
Crumbles, Tyler and I on the doorstep of the Fort we built on Guerilla Monday (a Monday off where we spent the entire day running about camp dressed as guerrilla fighters shooting nerf guns) The cigarette Crumbles is holding is fake by the way... we were going for the authentic Vietnam look
Outside the high-tech camouflage wall Tyler built on the Fort. Three of the happiest guerillas you will ever meet.
Fall staff dinner at the Copper House opposite Shannon Falls in Squamish. Such an amazing night, excellent food, even better company and a really nice way to round off the Fall and the whole 6 months.
The place settings at our dinner, decorated by hand by our boss Shannon Wilson
Thought I'd use YVR's free internet to my advantage and get my blog on. May as well give a reason to dragging this laptop around the world. I swear my carry-on adds a fair bit to my overall luggage weight, laptop, camera, guitar... it's alot of stuff.
However, my other pack isn't all that light either, I managed to fall on my back, beetle style, in front of some transit guards at the Vancover City Centre train station. For a second there I thought they were both going to have to come over and help me up. Ah I'd forgotten how fun it is to lug large packs on public transport and use them as a vehicle to provide ultimate embarrassment. It's been a while.
In fact its been 6 months in Canada and nearly 6 months at camp, so being in the aiport (to actually catch a plane as opposed to saying farewell/loitering) is quite a strange experience. I was the last gapper left at camp and one of the last staff, so I have already said alot of goodbyes in the last few days, but I think the hardest one was saying goodbye to the Valley. The Upper Squamish Valley has been my home for the last 6 months, is the most beautiful place I've ever worked and the meeting ground for the congregation of some of the most incredible people I've ever met. As Parky drove me out of the driveway and down the valley road, I realised how much I'm going to miss this place. It's funny, it doesn't really feel like I'm not going to be back there in a couple of days, waiting for a fresh busload of kids to hang out with for the next few days, sitting in the staff lounge watching Role Models (for the 80th time) and riding a bike with no suspension around Boundary Trail just to save travelling time between my cabin and the Lodge. I'm sure once my flight touches down in Phoenix and I find myself out of the forest and into the desert it will dawn on me. Best of luck to Emily, Duncan, Trev, Eddie and Parky who are still busy tidying up the site after our last group a few days ago.
As sad as it is to leave my 'home' and all my new friends, embarking on the next phase of my gap year is incredibly exciting! It's kind of fun to have everything I own in the world once again fitting into a backpack (well it will be like that after I go to the US, I have an extra bag right now of things I'm sending home) and to be footloose and carefree. Also, all the visiting I have in store for the next few months in uber exciting. Can't wait to see Spud, Vicki, Summer and Kylie in Phoenix! In fact, boarding just opened and for some strange reason for a change I am at the front of the plane, so I better go!!
P.S. Here are a few more pictures from the Fall:
BC Coastal Mountains on the way back from Whistler
The weekend I helped Emily move into her Whistler house. Bit of a jump photo taken by a stranger. Love it
Sunset over Burrard Bridge. We were driving into Vancouver to celebrate Vanessa's birthday/Megan's housewarming
Sunset over Kitsilano Beach in Van. We took heaps of photos of this because it looked kind of like an Aussie sunset
Duncan with his new G&S skatey
One of my favourite photos I've taken all trip. The 'Band Photo' featuring Duncan, Eddie, Tyler and Crumbles
Night shots of the cabins in West Village: Charlie Charlie, Cloudburst, Serratus and Zenith
View from the Watershed Grill, our most frequented restaurant in Brackendale (the suburb outside Squamish)
Belden and Tyler at Tim Hortons, the Canadian's answer to overpriced Starbucks. Large Hot Chocolate $1.56... my drink of choice (mainly because it sets you back less than a toonie)
Crumbles, Tyler and I looking off into nowhere the night of our very first Thanksgiving. Thanks again to Trev's parents for welcoming us into their home for an amazing meal!
The annual Valley-wide Thanksgiving potluck dinner Parky hosted at camp. As none of the camp staff can cook/have the facilities, we earnt our meal organising parking and entertaining children. Some of the most amazing food ever, prepared by residents from the Upper Squamish Valley
The driveway on the 3 degree morning when we watched in snow in the mountains around camp. If you look at the trees on the mountain, you can see a line where the snow fell to. Aussies were incredibly excited about this, Canadians and Kiwi just complained about the cold.
Crumbles, Tyler and I on the doorstep of the Fort we built on Guerilla Monday (a Monday off where we spent the entire day running about camp dressed as guerrilla fighters shooting nerf guns) The cigarette Crumbles is holding is fake by the way... we were going for the authentic Vietnam look
Outside the high-tech camouflage wall Tyler built on the Fort. Three of the happiest guerillas you will ever meet.
Fall staff dinner at the Copper House opposite Shannon Falls in Squamish. Such an amazing night, excellent food, even better company and a really nice way to round off the Fall and the whole 6 months.
The place settings at our dinner, decorated by hand by our boss Shannon Wilson
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
LAX
Hello again, Alex and I are currently sitting upstairs in terminal 2 of LAX, stealing the free internet from the airline lounges. Thank god our 13hr flight is over, we have so far been on the road for 27 hours and counting, yet it is only 12.10pm on the 14th here.... weird.
We are slowly mastering the act of sleeping whilst sitting, however the thought of a warm bed right now is incredibly enticing. It's apparently 15 deg atm and completely overcast... rather unlikely LA weather.
We have discovered that airport food is ridiculously expensive, however on the flipside we did find a dollar on the floor in the security check in so things are looking up. Also, Alex wasn't refused entrance to the US so we are doing pretty well at the moment.
In a couple of hours we are going to board our flight to Vancouver and then get a lift with Alex's sister Amelia to the ferry over to Vancouver Island. Fingers crossed the fares aren't ridiculous, however it is looking like we are going to be scraping a living everywhere anyway.
We will post again once we are on Vancouver Island. Miss you all!
We are slowly mastering the act of sleeping whilst sitting, however the thought of a warm bed right now is incredibly enticing. It's apparently 15 deg atm and completely overcast... rather unlikely LA weather.
We have discovered that airport food is ridiculously expensive, however on the flipside we did find a dollar on the floor in the security check in so things are looking up. Also, Alex wasn't refused entrance to the US so we are doing pretty well at the moment.
In a couple of hours we are going to board our flight to Vancouver and then get a lift with Alex's sister Amelia to the ferry over to Vancouver Island. Fingers crossed the fares aren't ridiculous, however it is looking like we are going to be scraping a living everywhere anyway.
We will post again once we are on Vancouver Island. Miss you all!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Sydney International Airport
Hello everyone! My first post from the road! Alex and I have just completed our marathon layover in Sydney Airport and are only a little while away from boarding our plane to LA. Our flight from Perth went by pretty smoothly apart from some pretty hectic tubulence as we passed through the storm cloud.
The times are pretty crazy with all these time differences. Our 2pm flight to LA which is 13 hrs long arrives in LAX at 2:30pm... and then we arrive in Vancouver at abput 5pm. So we have travelled about 30hrs but will arrive in Canada only 17hrs after we left!! Pretty cool... except we are now somewhat sleep deprived... Alex fell asleep in the check-in line.
Thankyou to everyone who came to say goodbye, especially those who drove all the way out to the airport to see us. It was the perfect, albeit sad, way to start our trip.
I miss you all so much already! I will post again (hopefully) soon after we arrive in YVR.
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