I asked Zia last night to knock on the door in the mornings to wake me up and I slept in slightly because of how tired I was last night but she said she didn't like doing it. It's okay, it doesn't bother me at all.
Pat had organized for us to Skype with him but he invited over Nonna and Nonno too. At my house. Not sure if he invited himself over, he'll need to clarify that part I guess. But I went over to Tony and Cristina's after Pat called us up and I got it all hooked up. Now there is always a slight lag in these things and it's sometimes annoying but older people just don't understand it. Hence why mum yells at me every-time I call her! Well they were yelling and talking and lagging and blurry and moving rooms and the kids were loud and screaming and the background was dark so we couldn't see. Finally it worked well, except it was blurry but there was a lag still. In the end we gave up after 30 minutes but it was the first time some of us got to see each other in a while. Marcus, Monica, Micaela, Agatha, Pat, Nonno, Nonna, mum, dad talking to Zia, Zio, Cristina, Joel and yours truly. But like I said it didn't last long so it felt more awkward than anything.
Once Tony got back from work we went to go to check out what's Europe's biggest waterfall. It's funny how it worked because we were split into different cars, boys in one and girls in the other. When we got there you could see the bus loads of Asians and old people. It was pretty amazing seeing the waterfall because the water there is actually pretty clear so seeing that is something that just amazed me. I think I looked bored but I wasn't, I'm just not used to strolling down the street at a slower pace than when I'm alone. When I go solo I just blitz through things to see more of everything but less of the detail. I'm
Not used to the slow romantic style walk of checking out the works. But we were able to actually walk around, despite Zio doing the usual old man thing and walking off or walking extra slow. That said, he paid for the four of us to go on a boat to get to the rock which sits right on the waterfall.
Ah let me explain that boat ride. And let me explain how I pissed myself laughing from an image that'll never got away. There was a 3 year old girl taking a piss in the crystal clear pristine waters of Europe's largest waterfall in Switzerland. Yep. She was held in the right position to piss directly into the water and I turned right at the exact moment to see it. Ah the memories. But let me explain how clear the water was, you could again see the bottom, you could see massive fish in and swans on the water. It was amazing.
I was told to bring my passport as well because I'd need it for when I go outside of Switzerland. We went to a town which was bombed in WWII from an American who confused it for Germany. German towns and Swiss towns look different, but the boarders changed and from the air I guess everything looks the same. Switzerland is a neutral country which doesn't engage in wars and therefor this is just one of those things that happens. So we got some sweets and walked around the town. Once we left we headed straight to Germany. For 20 minutes I was in Germany. We reached the first town, got to a place which had a restaurant, cafe and pizza place. Zio wanted to eat at the restaurant but no one else did, but I was going with the flow. Then everyone wanted pizza, but they saw too many flies inside and apparently on the food. So we left Germany...just like that. There was no need for the passport either which was good because I ended up creasing the thing from having it in my back pocket.
We just drove back to Fraunfeild and where we had Italian for dinner. Majorly of us got pizza which was actually amazing. Yet the prices weren't and Zio paid for the whole lot of us. I did however take a nice crap in the toilet there before I ate because Zia again over-fed me for lunch and I was in massive discomfort. However during dinner I asked if the waiter could get a photo of all of us. Firstly she held the camera upside down and didn't know why she couldn't use it right. Secondly she thought she took several photos but didn't because she never pushed the button down. So she did it again, this time she did it the right way around.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Friday 14th September
This morning just after I got up, I went for breakfast straight away. Zia started making me breakfast when Nonnas sisters husband came in and just gave me 100CHF and left. That's pretty much $100. I felt so bad because I didn't do anything except visit Switzerland but they seem to have appreciated that. Before I knew it he was gone, so he just came over for that and that's it. I chilled for a bit but I didn't understand what Zia wanted, she seemed to just waffle on and my habit is if someone does that, I just say yes and do my own thing. So I had a shower, wrong move. Talk of the town is that Zia asked me for anything that needed to be washed, I said yes, then I went to have a shower. Yep, talk of the town.
After lunch I was talking to Zia about where I've been and I was showing her photos. We were talking for about 2 hours about a lot of things and my phrase book and google translator on my phone was working like a charm, so I thought. I got a translation of "si tratta di un castello rispetto alla polonia" from "Your house is a castle compared to Poland". Actually it's better than my Nonnas house. But what happened was google translated that "your house castle respect Poland". See I thought that Google and I did a good job because Zia got all happy and she hugged me. Nope.
After talking for a while I went for a walk with Zia and Joel around Münchwilen and they showed me some interesting things. The town is actually really nice to look at because it has a fair amount of art works and a really beautiful clear creek. It's actually so clean the water, that you can see the rocks at the bottom clearly, unlike our brown creeks at home.
Joel wanted me to come with him for dinner at McDonald's whilst his parents went shipping, and yeah I was cool with that actually. We went to Winterthur and Cristina met up with a friend and went shopping and then Tony, Joel and I went for McDonald's. Let me just say how expensive it is there, about $12 for a small meal. Crazy insane prices, but they have ice tea so that's okay. There was actually a set of registers for people to place orders on and one was logged out, so I tried my log in..then it asked for my password. I suppose that I almost logged into my McDonald's account in another country. Thank God I didn't, imagine what would have happened if I did. So we went walking around and I got myself a Swiss army knife and a red original leather case for it. I spent 73CHF on that, from the money I got this morning. Badass. Joel got a magic box which as you flip it, it changed images, I didn't need it but I let Joel just keep it.
In the bank they had set up a competition where you throw the ball into the hole and you win a prize. I got it in the first time and won two prizes. I knew I'd get it because I'm Aussie and amazing. Seriously all that sports we play at home really had paid off. I got myself a pen and I let Joel pick something else. Tony got the last credit card pocket Swiss knife thing but he gave it to me. They're worth about 26CHF. It's pretty good to know that my family is looking out for me...with weapons and shit. But I am thankful that I got it, seriously it's amazing. I mentioned that I needed new shoes so then Tony took me into almost every shop with shoes but I wanted the Vans I saw in Madrid but haven't seen elsewhere since. I should have got them then and there!
After lunch I was talking to Zia about where I've been and I was showing her photos. We were talking for about 2 hours about a lot of things and my phrase book and google translator on my phone was working like a charm, so I thought. I got a translation of "si tratta di un castello rispetto alla polonia" from "Your house is a castle compared to Poland". Actually it's better than my Nonnas house. But what happened was google translated that "your house castle respect Poland". See I thought that Google and I did a good job because Zia got all happy and she hugged me. Nope.
After talking for a while I went for a walk with Zia and Joel around Münchwilen and they showed me some interesting things. The town is actually really nice to look at because it has a fair amount of art works and a really beautiful clear creek. It's actually so clean the water, that you can see the rocks at the bottom clearly, unlike our brown creeks at home.
Joel wanted me to come with him for dinner at McDonald's whilst his parents went shipping, and yeah I was cool with that actually. We went to Winterthur and Cristina met up with a friend and went shopping and then Tony, Joel and I went for McDonald's. Let me just say how expensive it is there, about $12 for a small meal. Crazy insane prices, but they have ice tea so that's okay. There was actually a set of registers for people to place orders on and one was logged out, so I tried my log in..then it asked for my password. I suppose that I almost logged into my McDonald's account in another country. Thank God I didn't, imagine what would have happened if I did. So we went walking around and I got myself a Swiss army knife and a red original leather case for it. I spent 73CHF on that, from the money I got this morning. Badass. Joel got a magic box which as you flip it, it changed images, I didn't need it but I let Joel just keep it.
In the bank they had set up a competition where you throw the ball into the hole and you win a prize. I got it in the first time and won two prizes. I knew I'd get it because I'm Aussie and amazing. Seriously all that sports we play at home really had paid off. I got myself a pen and I let Joel pick something else. Tony got the last credit card pocket Swiss knife thing but he gave it to me. They're worth about 26CHF. It's pretty good to know that my family is looking out for me...with weapons and shit. But I am thankful that I got it, seriously it's amazing. I mentioned that I needed new shoes so then Tony took me into almost every shop with shoes but I wanted the Vans I saw in Madrid but haven't seen elsewhere since. I should have got them then and there!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Thursday 13th September
When I got up this morning I had to thank my mum because Zia was told by mum that I just love to eat toasted ham and cheese sandwiches. What a joke. Mum warned me about it because I had called her up about a week ago and she told me that she didn't know what to say so she made up something. So sure enough Zia got out a normal toaster and a brand new sandwich press. She actually went to buy one. See what you did mum! So I got two sandwiches and a whole lot of hassling to eat up. I had coffee because they know I love coffee and it was pretty good to actually get more decent coffee for once. Now I didn't understand what I was being told seeming as my Italian is massively under developed and irregularly used. I was asked yesterday if I wanted to go to a chocolate factory and I said yes. Cristina said to be ready by 9am. I got up at 9am and Zia as slow making my breakfast because she didn't know how to use the new toasted press. Again, thanks mum. I went for a shave as I hadn't in about a week and oddly yuck. Especially since I had just met my family after so long and I looked like crap. I shaved and by 10am I was ready and we went to the Minor chocolate factory.
Cristina drove us over in Zio's car and I had no idea but it was his. When we got there it was one day too late for a guided tour so only groups could go in. But we could walk around. Which was pretty sweet because it was all open and the glass walkway was over the factory so it was interesting to watch. At the end we got chocolate which I thought I was going to buy for myself but Zia paid for it and I felt bad, it was about $20 worth. Then Cristina asked me for my opinion on a gift set and I said the annoyingly loud mug that makes noise each time you lift it is funny. She got it, again worth $20, and gave it to me. I didn't know it was my gift! I thought it was for someone else because originally she picked up a $10 gift set.
When we got back Zia again stuffed me with food and was happy with her little smile and kept trying to feed me more. I had a nap and we went to the town of Wil to go and buy stuff. I needed shaving cream as mine ran out this morning and when Zio said we were going to the shops I thought he meant directly across the road. Nope he drove for almost 10 minutes when I was told he wasn't able to drive. Apparently he can mum. Again thanks. When we got there they started taking me to shops with jackets worth $500 and asking if I liked them. Then I realised they wanted to buy me one. I said no, I don't have luggage space and they're expensive. They said they'll get me a watch. I said no, I have 3 already. Then they just got me shaving cream. But I saw lederhosen and it was almost $200 so I thought I'll get a shirt for Oktoberfest. Nothing was my size and Zia asked every shop assistant to look for me for my size because of how small I am and the sizes are too big. Long story short we found nothing for me. On the way out I saw H&M. Ah well. But I asked where Frey chocolate is because Pat and Agatha were asking for some. Since we were in the CoOp supermarket I thought it was a good question, but they don't sell it, however another major supermarket does. Whilst in the supermarket though there was a whole section of cakes and such and Zia said to pick anything and not to worry about the price. I thought if I go for a portion controlled food then I'd be told to have another and another, like the wafers which were opened. So I just grabbed a raspberry tart to just get it over and done with. I got yoghurt for the morning as I can't just live on bread, ham and cheese alone. This kind of went out the door as it just ended up sitting in the car, along with cheese and such for a good hour or so whilst we visited Zio's sister.
Just to make it clear, that's my Nonnas sister and my God do they look the same! Except this one probably has a valid reason for the walking stick but she looks to be slightly younger than Nonna. It was great to actually meet more family because it helps me feel like I'm at home and more relaxed and less awkward. I spoke to Frank, the son for a while outside because he spoke some English. His father just spoke to me in Italian and some German and I had no idea what was going on. Pretty much the picture attached describes how I feel. I also met Carmela who was in her room most of the time.
Once we got home we just had a quiet one. I ended up sleeping pretty well. Something I've needed for ages.
Cristina drove us over in Zio's car and I had no idea but it was his. When we got there it was one day too late for a guided tour so only groups could go in. But we could walk around. Which was pretty sweet because it was all open and the glass walkway was over the factory so it was interesting to watch. At the end we got chocolate which I thought I was going to buy for myself but Zia paid for it and I felt bad, it was about $20 worth. Then Cristina asked me for my opinion on a gift set and I said the annoyingly loud mug that makes noise each time you lift it is funny. She got it, again worth $20, and gave it to me. I didn't know it was my gift! I thought it was for someone else because originally she picked up a $10 gift set.
When we got back Zia again stuffed me with food and was happy with her little smile and kept trying to feed me more. I had a nap and we went to the town of Wil to go and buy stuff. I needed shaving cream as mine ran out this morning and when Zio said we were going to the shops I thought he meant directly across the road. Nope he drove for almost 10 minutes when I was told he wasn't able to drive. Apparently he can mum. Again thanks. When we got there they started taking me to shops with jackets worth $500 and asking if I liked them. Then I realised they wanted to buy me one. I said no, I don't have luggage space and they're expensive. They said they'll get me a watch. I said no, I have 3 already. Then they just got me shaving cream. But I saw lederhosen and it was almost $200 so I thought I'll get a shirt for Oktoberfest. Nothing was my size and Zia asked every shop assistant to look for me for my size because of how small I am and the sizes are too big. Long story short we found nothing for me. On the way out I saw H&M. Ah well. But I asked where Frey chocolate is because Pat and Agatha were asking for some. Since we were in the CoOp supermarket I thought it was a good question, but they don't sell it, however another major supermarket does. Whilst in the supermarket though there was a whole section of cakes and such and Zia said to pick anything and not to worry about the price. I thought if I go for a portion controlled food then I'd be told to have another and another, like the wafers which were opened. So I just grabbed a raspberry tart to just get it over and done with. I got yoghurt for the morning as I can't just live on bread, ham and cheese alone. This kind of went out the door as it just ended up sitting in the car, along with cheese and such for a good hour or so whilst we visited Zio's sister.
Just to make it clear, that's my Nonnas sister and my God do they look the same! Except this one probably has a valid reason for the walking stick but she looks to be slightly younger than Nonna. It was great to actually meet more family because it helps me feel like I'm at home and more relaxed and less awkward. I spoke to Frank, the son for a while outside because he spoke some English. His father just spoke to me in Italian and some German and I had no idea what was going on. Pretty much the picture attached describes how I feel. I also met Carmela who was in her room most of the time.
Once we got home we just had a quiet one. I ended up sleeping pretty well. Something I've needed for ages.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Tuesday 11th September
So rather than the usual September 11th anniversary the rest of the modern world is used to remembering, here in Barcelona it's their independence day. National independence I believe they call it. But Catalonia isn't a nation, yet they're fighting for it, for 300 years that is.
And guess who got caught in the riot and march?
And guess whose government has warned its citizens that whilst traveling never to enter any such events?
And guess who joined in?
...me
I got up with four British girls and one less annoying Canadian, which means I had no annoying Canadian. Seriously she would have to be the very fest annoying Canadian I've ever met and that's a pretty good effort seeming as Canadians are never like that, normally. When I went down stairs I met two girls from the hostel joining the tour so this meant already that it was going to be a good day. By girls they're really ladies but girls will do. So I got to meet Nutty Natty, the tour guide, who shortened her name because it's just far too long. I went on the Gaudi your with her an the two girls from the hostel but we had to go to the meeting point. The meeting point was Plaza Real (Royal Square) and there was nothing royal about it, but there was a square. We were smack bang in the middle of a gypsies market. They were everywhere selling everyone's things. It was actually pretty funny. But I didn't he my wallet or anything stolen, which I find a shame because I have nice things.
When I was walking down I was talking to Natty and she said that yesterday was Coopers second day on the job. Funny that because he mentioned how he worked for Top Deck and is sick and tired of traveling and he's been here in Barcelona for almost a year and he's not sure about the job security so he applied for several jobs. Second day at work. Yep.
I did see Bridey and Danny as well. In a twist of fate I was walking up to the hostel yesterday tired and ready to sleep and a block away from the hostel was Bridey and Danny from Contiki. It was just pure luck I saw them. We just chatted for a bit but that's all. Instill think it's funny to bump into people in another city half way across the world. I'm not even that popular, at all. Or am I? Anyways I saw them again today in the way to the meeting point as they were getting the bus to the airport.
During the tour we saw some of Gaudi's most famous buildings, stuff I've learnt about in school over 10 years ago. To think about that just blows my mind. To see it, blew my mind. Amazing. The Basilica was fantastic but seeing his other work was just as good. Natty explained how the nativity scene on the church was made. Gaudi used actual animals for his moulds, by drugging them, so that's why none of the animals are there in full, they're either half appearing and what not. As for the baby, he stole a dead baby.
At the end of the tour four of us got lunch and my god. It was €10.95 I think (I got short changed by the bitch at the counter because hey, it's Spain) and it was an all you can eat. It was actually pretty good, I can't complain at all. I got heaps of fresh veggies as well from there. Then I went around with probably the nicest American I've met so far. I found a gift for mum and it was so hard to find her something but I can't write what it is. Yet. She'll love it, I just know it.
We went to the hospital that Gaudi designed and died in as well. That was a walk! But then we tried to find Gaudi park and that was worse. Google maps wasn't complete and the map ingot wasn't the best. Actually the €3 map I got from the hostel that I got for free after talking to that lady about her love life, it's free no matter what. They just charge people for it, even though it's meant to be free from the government to tourists. Despite that we found the park. It was insane and busy and beautiful and VERY Willy Wonka.
The park was fantastic because it's what you see in every Barcelona advert. And I had been missing a lot of it in my time here because I didn't know what to actually do. Seeming as all the shops were closed today for the national independence, this meant I had a chance to see what every damn tourist should see. But after stuffing my face up I needed to take an epic shit. I found a toilet but kept walking, until the pain was so unbearable I had no option. I ran to the toilet to be greeted by a piss covered toilet and floor and no toilet paper. I walked out and sprayed my hands with disinfectant a few thousand times. I went to the toilet at the entrance and the guy was giving out toilet paper at the door. I asked for some but he wouldn't give me any at all, only to the women. Stupid cunt. DAMN SPANISH.
That aside I got to the hostel and left a nice present there in Spain. From Angelo with love. Then I agreed for dinner and to meet on the roof top at 8.15. Actually getting out of the metro was insane. Like I said, I was in the riot/march and had to walk so slow to get out of it. My option was to join in the chanting, then take photos from ground zero and on the rooftop of the hostel. It was so busy that you couldn't imagine it. I still can't believe it, but it was busy.
I met some people from the hostel there and we chatted for a bit. We actually decided to grab some food once the crowd died down a bit and by 9pm it did. All I can say is that I'm glad I went to McDonald's for desert later on because that €16 cannelloni was not bigger than my palm and was full of cheese and overly processed meat. Worst ever. But the funny thing is we thought we sat at the table for the pizza place but ended up being the fine dining place. When one of the guys called over a waiter for the pizza place he didn't come and we figured out why later on. Very awkward because we couldn't just get up and leave as well. For one person okay, for 10 people then it's hard. So I realised the time was 10pm, I went past McDonald's and got a tart then up to my room to pack. I had a shower so I didn't need to in the morning. But I couldn't sleep.
And guess who got caught in the riot and march?
And guess whose government has warned its citizens that whilst traveling never to enter any such events?
And guess who joined in?
...me
I got up with four British girls and one less annoying Canadian, which means I had no annoying Canadian. Seriously she would have to be the very fest annoying Canadian I've ever met and that's a pretty good effort seeming as Canadians are never like that, normally. When I went down stairs I met two girls from the hostel joining the tour so this meant already that it was going to be a good day. By girls they're really ladies but girls will do. So I got to meet Nutty Natty, the tour guide, who shortened her name because it's just far too long. I went on the Gaudi your with her an the two girls from the hostel but we had to go to the meeting point. The meeting point was Plaza Real (Royal Square) and there was nothing royal about it, but there was a square. We were smack bang in the middle of a gypsies market. They were everywhere selling everyone's things. It was actually pretty funny. But I didn't he my wallet or anything stolen, which I find a shame because I have nice things.
When I was walking down I was talking to Natty and she said that yesterday was Coopers second day on the job. Funny that because he mentioned how he worked for Top Deck and is sick and tired of traveling and he's been here in Barcelona for almost a year and he's not sure about the job security so he applied for several jobs. Second day at work. Yep.
I did see Bridey and Danny as well. In a twist of fate I was walking up to the hostel yesterday tired and ready to sleep and a block away from the hostel was Bridey and Danny from Contiki. It was just pure luck I saw them. We just chatted for a bit but that's all. Instill think it's funny to bump into people in another city half way across the world. I'm not even that popular, at all. Or am I? Anyways I saw them again today in the way to the meeting point as they were getting the bus to the airport.
During the tour we saw some of Gaudi's most famous buildings, stuff I've learnt about in school over 10 years ago. To think about that just blows my mind. To see it, blew my mind. Amazing. The Basilica was fantastic but seeing his other work was just as good. Natty explained how the nativity scene on the church was made. Gaudi used actual animals for his moulds, by drugging them, so that's why none of the animals are there in full, they're either half appearing and what not. As for the baby, he stole a dead baby.
At the end of the tour four of us got lunch and my god. It was €10.95 I think (I got short changed by the bitch at the counter because hey, it's Spain) and it was an all you can eat. It was actually pretty good, I can't complain at all. I got heaps of fresh veggies as well from there. Then I went around with probably the nicest American I've met so far. I found a gift for mum and it was so hard to find her something but I can't write what it is. Yet. She'll love it, I just know it.
We went to the hospital that Gaudi designed and died in as well. That was a walk! But then we tried to find Gaudi park and that was worse. Google maps wasn't complete and the map ingot wasn't the best. Actually the €3 map I got from the hostel that I got for free after talking to that lady about her love life, it's free no matter what. They just charge people for it, even though it's meant to be free from the government to tourists. Despite that we found the park. It was insane and busy and beautiful and VERY Willy Wonka.
The park was fantastic because it's what you see in every Barcelona advert. And I had been missing a lot of it in my time here because I didn't know what to actually do. Seeming as all the shops were closed today for the national independence, this meant I had a chance to see what every damn tourist should see. But after stuffing my face up I needed to take an epic shit. I found a toilet but kept walking, until the pain was so unbearable I had no option. I ran to the toilet to be greeted by a piss covered toilet and floor and no toilet paper. I walked out and sprayed my hands with disinfectant a few thousand times. I went to the toilet at the entrance and the guy was giving out toilet paper at the door. I asked for some but he wouldn't give me any at all, only to the women. Stupid cunt. DAMN SPANISH.
That aside I got to the hostel and left a nice present there in Spain. From Angelo with love. Then I agreed for dinner and to meet on the roof top at 8.15. Actually getting out of the metro was insane. Like I said, I was in the riot/march and had to walk so slow to get out of it. My option was to join in the chanting, then take photos from ground zero and on the rooftop of the hostel. It was so busy that you couldn't imagine it. I still can't believe it, but it was busy.
I met some people from the hostel there and we chatted for a bit. We actually decided to grab some food once the crowd died down a bit and by 9pm it did. All I can say is that I'm glad I went to McDonald's for desert later on because that €16 cannelloni was not bigger than my palm and was full of cheese and overly processed meat. Worst ever. But the funny thing is we thought we sat at the table for the pizza place but ended up being the fine dining place. When one of the guys called over a waiter for the pizza place he didn't come and we figured out why later on. Very awkward because we couldn't just get up and leave as well. For one person okay, for 10 people then it's hard. So I realised the time was 10pm, I went past McDonald's and got a tart then up to my room to pack. I had a shower so I didn't need to in the morning. But I couldn't sleep.
Wednesday 12th September
It goes like this. I had three hours sleep at most last night and I was worried I'd miss my flight if I didn't get up on time. So I had my two alarms set just incase I wasn't able to hear or feel the alarm. I put my phone under my pillow so I can feel it vibrate and then I have the alarm really low so I just hear it. I tried this out at home before I left and it actually worked. And it was good because it meant that my phone and wallet could only be in one place, and if it's under my pillow it'll be less likely to be stolen. That's a bonus. Everyone was saying but if someone steals my wallet they also steal my phone. True. But it's that large that I'll feel it and notice it anyway so it didn't bother me at all I think it was the safest option. How do I know? I was in Barcelona and I walked down La Rambla twice without having my wallet stolen. I was in the middle of a market full of stolen goods and didn't get my wallet stolen. By wallet I mean my actual wallet, my fake wallet wasn't touched either. My fake wallet is my old small wallet in which I put in my back pocket so it'll appeal more to pick pockets than my usual bulky wallet which the pick pockets should know I'd feel if it moved the slightest. But I'm slightly annoyed that it didn't get stolen the fake wallet. But if my real one did and my fake one wasn't then I'd be more pissed off. So inside the fake wallet was my Victorian Public transport card which has a photo because then it looks like a photographic ID card, an old VISA card which hasn't got any preloaded money and a sample AMEX cars. It looks real to anyone who didn't know because every card looks different and these have numbers on the credit cards.
But then today also marks the end of the phase for me being a solo traveler and I've moved into my next phase of going to visit my European family. It's the day that actually means I get to se family I haven't seen in 6 years, 16 years and most for the first time. Some I never knew existed. As I walked down Plaça. de Gracia this morning from my hostel to the aerobus (bus service to the airport) it hit me then. This part of my trip is over and the next just started. Whatever I've done for the past 28 days has been amazing, whatever I've done for the past 9 weeks has been incredible but whatever happens in the next 3 weeks is probably the most important for me. Blood is thicker than water and seeming as I haven't seen some family in years and some I've never met, it's going to mean a lot.
The flight was easy, I think about 30% was filled so I'm amazed that the flight wasn't cancelled at all. It claimed to be from 7.35am to 9.20 but we landed earlier but by the time I got my bag it was later. I got off the plane and to collect my bag and between baggage collection and the exit is a glass panel and all I could see was Zia Giovanna pacing up and looking out for me. I hadn't even collected my bag and it was 9.25am, she looked like she was worried about me not exiting. But I did. And she didn't recognize me. Tony, who I haven't seen in about 16 years recognized me and it didn't hit me that he was Tony. He kept saying he last saw me when I was 5, I thought he was joking. Then Zia mentioned Christina and that's when it all came back to me. Tony and Christina got married and came to Australia for their honeymoon. We had a dinner for them one night in the garage (as a good wog family does) and all I remember was Tonys purple suit. He hasn't actually changed at all in that time. Zio was lost, we couldn't find him in the airport and Zia was attached to me. But it was all good, it was to be expected.
Once we got back to their apartment block I went to where I'm staying, with my parallel grandparents, Zia and Zio. But that's all good, because the bed I've got is better than most I've stayed in during all of Europe. Probably not better than the Hilton but that's okay. Zia had a massive tray of lasagna ready to cook up and Tony was chatting to me in some English, German and Italian. It's a bit hard to have a full conversation but that's okay. Like mum said, all I need to know is "mangia". I actually freaked out when I saw a table setting for over 10 people but only 4 of us in the apartment.
In comes one cousin, another aunty, another and another. I met for the first time Joel (Jo-Elle for those non Europeans playing at home that need to know how to pronounce it) who is Tony and Christina's son. I saw Christina for the first time in 16 years and then Carmela and Carmelo for the first time ever. I hear so much about them and I've never met them until today and it's just amazing. Guiseppe, who is Carmela's son, so I guess my cousin, came along too. He and Joel speak English which is awesome but they're not exactly fluent but that's okay. It seriously felt like all we did was eat and eat but I loved it. Finally a home cooked meal!!! It's the little things in life that matter.
Then afterwards I needed to sleep once everyone left. Having only 3 hours sleep is a drainer. I slept for about 3 hours and felt kind of blegh and yuck but I needed it I think. When I got up for dinner, Guiseppe came and asked if I'd like to go out later with him drink drinks with his girlfriend as well. Seriously I've traveled this far, I'm up for drinks 24/7. Zio gave me a shot of something when I got there, I don't even remember if it was the morning or afternoon, that sleep ruined me.
Night came and so did the wifi password from Tony and thank god for that. I can only pick up wifi if I sand at the felt door of Zia's and stand only as far as two feet away from it. But that's fine. Tiny and Christina let me over to use their wifi in their apartment which was fantastic but I didn't want to use too much of it and be anti social. Which was good because they called me over to the kitchen for cake which was still warm. Warm cake is better than a warm toilet seat.
Later on I met Alina, Guiseppe's girlfriend. She seemed to blend into the family well, it makes me think how much my family here is so much closer than mine back at home. Not just physically as well, they're all pretty much in one apartment block, but emotionally. Anyway what I discovered is that Guiseppe is more like me than what my cousins back home are, by age, interests and such. But the best thing by far, both spoke English to me tonight, and their English is pretty good too. But the worst thing, we don't live together. What separates us is land and water for 16,000km. But what keeps us together are the Morello and Guarnaccia names.
But then today also marks the end of the phase for me being a solo traveler and I've moved into my next phase of going to visit my European family. It's the day that actually means I get to se family I haven't seen in 6 years, 16 years and most for the first time. Some I never knew existed. As I walked down Plaça. de Gracia this morning from my hostel to the aerobus (bus service to the airport) it hit me then. This part of my trip is over and the next just started. Whatever I've done for the past 28 days has been amazing, whatever I've done for the past 9 weeks has been incredible but whatever happens in the next 3 weeks is probably the most important for me. Blood is thicker than water and seeming as I haven't seen some family in years and some I've never met, it's going to mean a lot.
The flight was easy, I think about 30% was filled so I'm amazed that the flight wasn't cancelled at all. It claimed to be from 7.35am to 9.20 but we landed earlier but by the time I got my bag it was later. I got off the plane and to collect my bag and between baggage collection and the exit is a glass panel and all I could see was Zia Giovanna pacing up and looking out for me. I hadn't even collected my bag and it was 9.25am, she looked like she was worried about me not exiting. But I did. And she didn't recognize me. Tony, who I haven't seen in about 16 years recognized me and it didn't hit me that he was Tony. He kept saying he last saw me when I was 5, I thought he was joking. Then Zia mentioned Christina and that's when it all came back to me. Tony and Christina got married and came to Australia for their honeymoon. We had a dinner for them one night in the garage (as a good wog family does) and all I remember was Tonys purple suit. He hasn't actually changed at all in that time. Zio was lost, we couldn't find him in the airport and Zia was attached to me. But it was all good, it was to be expected.
Once we got back to their apartment block I went to where I'm staying, with my parallel grandparents, Zia and Zio. But that's all good, because the bed I've got is better than most I've stayed in during all of Europe. Probably not better than the Hilton but that's okay. Zia had a massive tray of lasagna ready to cook up and Tony was chatting to me in some English, German and Italian. It's a bit hard to have a full conversation but that's okay. Like mum said, all I need to know is "mangia". I actually freaked out when I saw a table setting for over 10 people but only 4 of us in the apartment.
In comes one cousin, another aunty, another and another. I met for the first time Joel (Jo-Elle for those non Europeans playing at home that need to know how to pronounce it) who is Tony and Christina's son. I saw Christina for the first time in 16 years and then Carmela and Carmelo for the first time ever. I hear so much about them and I've never met them until today and it's just amazing. Guiseppe, who is Carmela's son, so I guess my cousin, came along too. He and Joel speak English which is awesome but they're not exactly fluent but that's okay. It seriously felt like all we did was eat and eat but I loved it. Finally a home cooked meal!!! It's the little things in life that matter.
Then afterwards I needed to sleep once everyone left. Having only 3 hours sleep is a drainer. I slept for about 3 hours and felt kind of blegh and yuck but I needed it I think. When I got up for dinner, Guiseppe came and asked if I'd like to go out later with him drink drinks with his girlfriend as well. Seriously I've traveled this far, I'm up for drinks 24/7. Zio gave me a shot of something when I got there, I don't even remember if it was the morning or afternoon, that sleep ruined me.
Night came and so did the wifi password from Tony and thank god for that. I can only pick up wifi if I sand at the felt door of Zia's and stand only as far as two feet away from it. But that's fine. Tiny and Christina let me over to use their wifi in their apartment which was fantastic but I didn't want to use too much of it and be anti social. Which was good because they called me over to the kitchen for cake which was still warm. Warm cake is better than a warm toilet seat.
Later on I met Alina, Guiseppe's girlfriend. She seemed to blend into the family well, it makes me think how much my family here is so much closer than mine back at home. Not just physically as well, they're all pretty much in one apartment block, but emotionally. Anyway what I discovered is that Guiseppe is more like me than what my cousins back home are, by age, interests and such. But the best thing by far, both spoke English to me tonight, and their English is pretty good too. But the worst thing, we don't live together. What separates us is land and water for 16,000km. But what keeps us together are the Morello and Guarnaccia names.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Monday 10th September
Yesterday when I was talking to the Korean girls I said I was going on a free walking tour because of how good they are, so they said they'll come. Of course they didn't, but my new annoying Chinese Canadian friend could make it. What a shame. If I thought last night was bad then I don't know why I bothered to mention it because all throughout the tour she kept talking. I'll give out a few examples:
1. The meeting time in the Hostel lobby was 10am. In reality it was 10.10am but to get people on time they say 10. When we were walking she commented on how fast the guide was walking for us to get to the meeting point because she thought he was late. That's fine you can comment on that. But don't give me a whole story about it. Make an issue from something so minor.
2. We were told, and I even told her, to bring water. Simple right? No. Not simple. The group had to wait for her to buy water for several minutes and it was only her.
3. When she got back from getting water, all the guide (his name is Cooper) said was "Next I'll take you to a sad part of the city". Canadian girl then turns around and says "Sad? Sad how? Sad as in poor?". BITCH JUST CALM THE FUCK DOWN. He just said sad. Wait and you'll find out.
There are more examples but that'll do for now. Too many memories will haunt me. But the tour was great. I actually learnt a fair bit about Barcelona, like how it's part of Catalan and that the people there think of themselves as only Catalonian and not Spanish. We also went and saw where the Roman wall was built, how it was that well built that there are now apartments built on it and it's part of the structural wall. Don't forget that it's over 2,000 years old.
After the tour ended we had the option to eat tapas so I went because traveling solo you never know of you'll be able to meet someone else to have tapas with and if they're willing to meet half way and pay for half or what's fair. So this made it interesting. My amazing(ly annoying) Canadian friend and a British guy came along. I ordered food which I thought was heaps but wasn't in the end. The British guy only got a few things despite being bigger than me, I'll explain in a second, and Canada got what she wanted but wrote down the exact amount she'd owe at the end. The British guy hasn't had a job for 7 months, I understand. Actually I can tick off one thing on my life's bucket list, a toilet. I needed to shit, as you do, and I went to the bathroom to find toilets that you can't flush paper down. First time I've ever seen it, it's no longer a myth. I decided not to shit and to just fart. Best choice I made, or second best. Once I got out and paid we went to leave and Canadian girl needed to go back to the hostel by metro and so did the British guy. I could see he got annoyed with her and I didn't give a shit so I said I was doing my own thing. I ain't ever seeing them again. Honeybadger don't give a shit.
I walked around and outside of Barcelona Cathedral was an old man in a wheelchair asking for money, like anywhere. But this asshole hissed at me for not giving him money. Dafuq? Mate calm down because no one will ever give you money for being a douche. Then walked down the street I saw a shop selling hats, I thought I'll check it out, as I got up there the lady working saw me walk up started to close the doors. Bitch you just lost a sale. This explains why Europe is in crisis, no one wants to even work. Straight after that down a busy street this dickhead had his massive SLR camera out and didn't care about it, because it was busy I smacked it with my arm pretty hard. Like who the hell leaves that to just dangle from their neck and not care? I hope I broke it because he doesn't deserve it.
Then I saw a shop selling random things, like "What's new" so I went in. I called mum because I saw something she might want and amazingly she couldn't hear me so her reaction was to tell me by yelling at me that I'm cutting out. My natural reaction to being yelled at by my mum is to tell her off for telling me off.
"Angelo! I can't hear you! You're cutting out!".
"No mum you're not listening to me you keep interrupting".
Then it went on until I gave up an got the two items. But the Spanish bitch who worked there charged me for three. I had to tell her no it's only two I gave you and so she took her time to change that. So she gave me back small change, as in 5 cent pieces back. 8 of them to make up 90 cents. Stupid bitch. I then took my time to put away my change so she couldn't serve the next person. But like I said, the Spanish will rip anyone off from what I experienced.
Then I went for a walk around the city down towards the beach. I noticed two young guys, maybe 17 years old, talking to an old man then they walked off with a smile and put something on their pockets. As I walked past the old man said hello to me. You think I'm retarded? I've got bad news for you. I kept walking. I've seen more drugs here in Europe than Australia and it has only been just over 2 months compared to just over 20 years.
But the beach was amazing. I didn't know it was all man made until the tour earlier on but I liked it. I didn't prepare for the beach so I had shoes on and socks and nothing like a towel or bathers but I walked along the track. I only went to avoid going back to the hostel with Canada.
I eventually got to the park next to the zoo and I noticed some commotion going on. I walked near by and from what understand, some lady got ripped off by €50 with a fake note and random people tried to help her out but the group of gypsies were going ape shit. So I got a photo of it.
I got back to the hostel and just chilled because I had walked for something like 8 hours. I actually met the first Greek person on this tour and she spoke fluent English too. Then by the time dinner came along I got paella. Worst ever. €20 and it was small, even after I was told it was large, dry, flavorless and seemed to have just been microwaved. Ah the Spanish.
This is also the night I said I'd go out as it's the final time I could in Europe before seeing family. I got up at 2.30am and decided to just sleep. Having a nap before going out is so bad.
1. The meeting time in the Hostel lobby was 10am. In reality it was 10.10am but to get people on time they say 10. When we were walking she commented on how fast the guide was walking for us to get to the meeting point because she thought he was late. That's fine you can comment on that. But don't give me a whole story about it. Make an issue from something so minor.
2. We were told, and I even told her, to bring water. Simple right? No. Not simple. The group had to wait for her to buy water for several minutes and it was only her.
3. When she got back from getting water, all the guide (his name is Cooper) said was "Next I'll take you to a sad part of the city". Canadian girl then turns around and says "Sad? Sad how? Sad as in poor?". BITCH JUST CALM THE FUCK DOWN. He just said sad. Wait and you'll find out.
There are more examples but that'll do for now. Too many memories will haunt me. But the tour was great. I actually learnt a fair bit about Barcelona, like how it's part of Catalan and that the people there think of themselves as only Catalonian and not Spanish. We also went and saw where the Roman wall was built, how it was that well built that there are now apartments built on it and it's part of the structural wall. Don't forget that it's over 2,000 years old.
After the tour ended we had the option to eat tapas so I went because traveling solo you never know of you'll be able to meet someone else to have tapas with and if they're willing to meet half way and pay for half or what's fair. So this made it interesting. My amazing(ly annoying) Canadian friend and a British guy came along. I ordered food which I thought was heaps but wasn't in the end. The British guy only got a few things despite being bigger than me, I'll explain in a second, and Canada got what she wanted but wrote down the exact amount she'd owe at the end. The British guy hasn't had a job for 7 months, I understand. Actually I can tick off one thing on my life's bucket list, a toilet. I needed to shit, as you do, and I went to the bathroom to find toilets that you can't flush paper down. First time I've ever seen it, it's no longer a myth. I decided not to shit and to just fart. Best choice I made, or second best. Once I got out and paid we went to leave and Canadian girl needed to go back to the hostel by metro and so did the British guy. I could see he got annoyed with her and I didn't give a shit so I said I was doing my own thing. I ain't ever seeing them again. Honeybadger don't give a shit.
I walked around and outside of Barcelona Cathedral was an old man in a wheelchair asking for money, like anywhere. But this asshole hissed at me for not giving him money. Dafuq? Mate calm down because no one will ever give you money for being a douche. Then walked down the street I saw a shop selling hats, I thought I'll check it out, as I got up there the lady working saw me walk up started to close the doors. Bitch you just lost a sale. This explains why Europe is in crisis, no one wants to even work. Straight after that down a busy street this dickhead had his massive SLR camera out and didn't care about it, because it was busy I smacked it with my arm pretty hard. Like who the hell leaves that to just dangle from their neck and not care? I hope I broke it because he doesn't deserve it.
Then I saw a shop selling random things, like "What's new" so I went in. I called mum because I saw something she might want and amazingly she couldn't hear me so her reaction was to tell me by yelling at me that I'm cutting out. My natural reaction to being yelled at by my mum is to tell her off for telling me off.
"Angelo! I can't hear you! You're cutting out!".
"No mum you're not listening to me you keep interrupting".
Then it went on until I gave up an got the two items. But the Spanish bitch who worked there charged me for three. I had to tell her no it's only two I gave you and so she took her time to change that. So she gave me back small change, as in 5 cent pieces back. 8 of them to make up 90 cents. Stupid bitch. I then took my time to put away my change so she couldn't serve the next person. But like I said, the Spanish will rip anyone off from what I experienced.
Then I went for a walk around the city down towards the beach. I noticed two young guys, maybe 17 years old, talking to an old man then they walked off with a smile and put something on their pockets. As I walked past the old man said hello to me. You think I'm retarded? I've got bad news for you. I kept walking. I've seen more drugs here in Europe than Australia and it has only been just over 2 months compared to just over 20 years.
But the beach was amazing. I didn't know it was all man made until the tour earlier on but I liked it. I didn't prepare for the beach so I had shoes on and socks and nothing like a towel or bathers but I walked along the track. I only went to avoid going back to the hostel with Canada.
I eventually got to the park next to the zoo and I noticed some commotion going on. I walked near by and from what understand, some lady got ripped off by €50 with a fake note and random people tried to help her out but the group of gypsies were going ape shit. So I got a photo of it.
I got back to the hostel and just chilled because I had walked for something like 8 hours. I actually met the first Greek person on this tour and she spoke fluent English too. Then by the time dinner came along I got paella. Worst ever. €20 and it was small, even after I was told it was large, dry, flavorless and seemed to have just been microwaved. Ah the Spanish.
This is also the night I said I'd go out as it's the final time I could in Europe before seeing family. I got up at 2.30am and decided to just sleep. Having a nap before going out is so bad.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Sunday 9th September
I got up slightly later than I would have liked to but I don't think it would have mattered too much. Let me get this right, if you're lazy like me and you get a train last minute, it's expensive. €124 for a goddamn motherfucking train from Madrid to Barcelona. Everyone I spoke to said it was €40! I questioned the guy selling the ticket. He spoke no English and I wasn't going to have a bar of it. He turned the screen to show me the times and prices. Seriously how can it be justified that a simple train costs that much? At home it's $7 for a daily ticket to regional Victoria. It's $99 to Adelaide. What ticket costs $160 anywhere I've been? I was so pissed off. I had no option because it was 11am, I had to get to Barcelona somehow and I didn't know how to get to the airport or what flights would cost last minute or any direct coaches. I just bit the bullet.
To be fair it was last minute and the trains were express but when everyone else's ticket that I saw in front I me was €40 and mine was more than triple that, that's not acceptable. This is exactly what I was saying about Spain. They'll rip you off any way they can.
I got into Barcelona after about 3 hours. If the train is more than 10 minutes late, I read they give back a refund on the ticket. WHAT A SHAME! Surely a goat could have walked across the tracks, I know it's happened before. But the metro to my hostel was super super easy. I was so glad to find it was such ease. Luckily I looked it up moments before I left Madrid. But google was wrong, how surprising. I'm actually shocked because google is pretty good with metro systems. But it was just one line and no changes compared to what I searched online with two lines and one change.
As I got out of the metro I was looking around and saw people taking photos of a weird looking building. I figured it was a Gaudi building as it had that style and sure enough I was right. In got into the hostel and the lady in reception was talking about her love life too me, for about 20 minutes. She was saying how she's met an Aussie guy and how much she loves him because he was so nice. They only met for two days, a total of 18 hours and about 10 of them they were in a park talking. Then I asked for a map at th end and asked if its Gaudi who has his buildings here and she said yes. But she gave me a map for free rather than paying €3 for it because of how much we talked.
I got into my room, put on my bed sheet and decided to sleep on it ad not use a blanket and pay extra for it because it was hot enough. I could have used my sleeping bag liner but there was no need really. I just wore my Adidas pants and contiki top and I was good to go really. Seeming as in Madrid I had a sheet on top but didn't need it at all, because it was too hot anyway, it would have also been pointless in Barcelona. Believe me, it worked like a charm.
So once I got into the room and was laying down I met two Korean girls. I later went up for a drink on the roof top bar because I was in need of something. Beer on tap? No. Sangria on tap? HELLZ YEAH BOI! So I had that, looked around and went back. The Koreans were still there in the room. So much for a lay down and such. So I asked if they wanted to visit Sagaria Famalia, one of Gaudi's and Barcelona's most famous buildings. So we left and they weren't sure how to get there as they thought it was far. Screw that, it's only a 20 minute walk up. I said I was happy to just walk it and not use the metro, it's €2 per trip or €9.40 for 10, so that's €0.94 each. I didn't need 10, nor did I need the metro.
I went back to the hostel had a rest then decided to look for dinner. I found nothing for about 30 minutes and it's probably because the area I'm staying in is posh, there's heaps of expensive shops. I found just off the main road a beer cafe which had heaps of different beers. I got a burger and the waiter asked me which beer, with about 200 different types I had no idea. He then said the one at the top of the list is the best, I just got that. The burger was amazing though, the meat was massive and it was pink inside but just great. Potato chips were real as well and not crispy and overly oily. Next to me we're two Americans on what seemed like a date, so naturally I listened in. I heard random shit like "I don't like how people drink so much on holidays and party all the time" then the bitch said stuff about how she did drugs. Seriously? Drugs are okay but alcohol isn't?
I got back to the hostel and met two Austrian girls who came at 9.30 and then at 9.45 we had another girl joint us, a Chinese Canadian who couldn't understand how I'm Australian but Italian background. Oh boy did she ask a billion questions. She was like a three year old asking about everything and anything. I don't remember anymore because my brain shut off and I went to sleep with my eye mask and ear plugs.
To be fair it was last minute and the trains were express but when everyone else's ticket that I saw in front I me was €40 and mine was more than triple that, that's not acceptable. This is exactly what I was saying about Spain. They'll rip you off any way they can.
I got into Barcelona after about 3 hours. If the train is more than 10 minutes late, I read they give back a refund on the ticket. WHAT A SHAME! Surely a goat could have walked across the tracks, I know it's happened before. But the metro to my hostel was super super easy. I was so glad to find it was such ease. Luckily I looked it up moments before I left Madrid. But google was wrong, how surprising. I'm actually shocked because google is pretty good with metro systems. But it was just one line and no changes compared to what I searched online with two lines and one change.
As I got out of the metro I was looking around and saw people taking photos of a weird looking building. I figured it was a Gaudi building as it had that style and sure enough I was right. In got into the hostel and the lady in reception was talking about her love life too me, for about 20 minutes. She was saying how she's met an Aussie guy and how much she loves him because he was so nice. They only met for two days, a total of 18 hours and about 10 of them they were in a park talking. Then I asked for a map at th end and asked if its Gaudi who has his buildings here and she said yes. But she gave me a map for free rather than paying €3 for it because of how much we talked.
I got into my room, put on my bed sheet and decided to sleep on it ad not use a blanket and pay extra for it because it was hot enough. I could have used my sleeping bag liner but there was no need really. I just wore my Adidas pants and contiki top and I was good to go really. Seeming as in Madrid I had a sheet on top but didn't need it at all, because it was too hot anyway, it would have also been pointless in Barcelona. Believe me, it worked like a charm.
So once I got into the room and was laying down I met two Korean girls. I later went up for a drink on the roof top bar because I was in need of something. Beer on tap? No. Sangria on tap? HELLZ YEAH BOI! So I had that, looked around and went back. The Koreans were still there in the room. So much for a lay down and such. So I asked if they wanted to visit Sagaria Famalia, one of Gaudi's and Barcelona's most famous buildings. So we left and they weren't sure how to get there as they thought it was far. Screw that, it's only a 20 minute walk up. I said I was happy to just walk it and not use the metro, it's €2 per trip or €9.40 for 10, so that's €0.94 each. I didn't need 10, nor did I need the metro.
I went back to the hostel had a rest then decided to look for dinner. I found nothing for about 30 minutes and it's probably because the area I'm staying in is posh, there's heaps of expensive shops. I found just off the main road a beer cafe which had heaps of different beers. I got a burger and the waiter asked me which beer, with about 200 different types I had no idea. He then said the one at the top of the list is the best, I just got that. The burger was amazing though, the meat was massive and it was pink inside but just great. Potato chips were real as well and not crispy and overly oily. Next to me we're two Americans on what seemed like a date, so naturally I listened in. I heard random shit like "I don't like how people drink so much on holidays and party all the time" then the bitch said stuff about how she did drugs. Seriously? Drugs are okay but alcohol isn't?
I got back to the hostel and met two Austrian girls who came at 9.30 and then at 9.45 we had another girl joint us, a Chinese Canadian who couldn't understand how I'm Australian but Italian background. Oh boy did she ask a billion questions. She was like a three year old asking about everything and anything. I don't remember anymore because my brain shut off and I went to sleep with my eye mask and ear plugs.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Saturday 8th September
I again had a lazy as morning. Got up, spoke to the Aussie girl from Canberra and met another girl from Holland with a Scottish accent who looks like Fiona O'Laughlan. Just not the same age...without kids...the usual.
So then by 1pm I decided to check out the Prado Museum which I saw was number one on tripadvisor. I was hungry though so I decided to be a fat bitch and eat maccas. But if I found a nice cafe along the way I'd go for it. Nope, all tapas bars. Maccas was great, I got a CBO burger which was a chicken patti with mayo and it had bacon bits on top and bacon inside. It was actually really fantastic. And I got an ice tea with it too. Like it doesn't get much better than that. I was Facebook chatting to Bethany and Stef at the same time and all they were playing was bad music. Then suddenly some amazing Spanish songs came on and it was pretty loud the music, I didn't want to leave at all! But then a family of black people came along and I pissed off. It was time to grab some macaroons from the cafe because I've heard about it but never seen them in any maccas. Honestly I couldn't decide which one to go for and I wanted so bad to try them all but I thought no I'm going to be good. Again I was a fat bitch and got one of each, it was only €3.90. Oh another thing about Europa, they use . in place of , and , in place of . . So if you see 13,90 that's 13.90. When you see 100.000 that's just fucked up.
So I went to the Prado museum and amazingly got inside for free. Don't ask me how. I tried to dissect and come up with a theory as for how and why. You see, yesterday I didn't have my La Trobe uni card, but today I did. The lady looked at my youth card and saw that it had French on there. I showed my La Trobe card and she gave me a ticket and said it was free after some huffing and puffin. So maybe she thought I was French and because if you're from the EU you get free entry into a lot of places. As the sign said students only got half price. No idea. Just a theory.
I went for a walk around the nearby park as I heard it was amazing, it actually was and I was really surprised by that because there was always something different everywhere. Like they had a pond, a minutes walk later they had massive trees with areas to relax and such, then a really colorful garden right at the entrance. Just a big mix in a really large public area.
But as it was my last day I decided to nap and this time I didn't actually fall asleep. The other guy in the room John, from Peru who lives in Italy, was also getting hungry. So we set out at about 9.30 for dinner. We had tapas but noticed later it was an Italian place which was fantastic. They had whole legs of bruccuto just around the place, all the while playing The Godfather. We shared a few dishes and it was pretty good I guess.
So once I got back I decided to take a nap and go out. No one goes out until 2am remember. And that's what I finally did!!! Didn't sleep through this time. But I got back by 3 because I was actually really tired, so it was kind of pointless. But I couldn't sleep because the room was really warm. By 4am John comes in, and so does a girl. She climbs onto his bed and that's my bunk, just above me. He said she's too drunk and the metro opens in an hour so he'll take her home then. Like that's cool and all...but then I heard kissing and God knows what else. It's one thing it's hot in the room and I can't sleep, totally different when it's you face ploughing some drunk girl and justifying it with the excuse it's your friend. I was thinking do I cockblock the guy? Guys don't cockblock each other, that's not cool. So luckily just as things got heated up, in comes the four girls from the dorm. They laughed and walked out, so then I walked out too. Thank god that ended!
So then by 1pm I decided to check out the Prado Museum which I saw was number one on tripadvisor. I was hungry though so I decided to be a fat bitch and eat maccas. But if I found a nice cafe along the way I'd go for it. Nope, all tapas bars. Maccas was great, I got a CBO burger which was a chicken patti with mayo and it had bacon bits on top and bacon inside. It was actually really fantastic. And I got an ice tea with it too. Like it doesn't get much better than that. I was Facebook chatting to Bethany and Stef at the same time and all they were playing was bad music. Then suddenly some amazing Spanish songs came on and it was pretty loud the music, I didn't want to leave at all! But then a family of black people came along and I pissed off. It was time to grab some macaroons from the cafe because I've heard about it but never seen them in any maccas. Honestly I couldn't decide which one to go for and I wanted so bad to try them all but I thought no I'm going to be good. Again I was a fat bitch and got one of each, it was only €3.90. Oh another thing about Europa, they use . in place of , and , in place of . . So if you see 13,90 that's 13.90. When you see 100.000 that's just fucked up.
So I went to the Prado museum and amazingly got inside for free. Don't ask me how. I tried to dissect and come up with a theory as for how and why. You see, yesterday I didn't have my La Trobe uni card, but today I did. The lady looked at my youth card and saw that it had French on there. I showed my La Trobe card and she gave me a ticket and said it was free after some huffing and puffin. So maybe she thought I was French and because if you're from the EU you get free entry into a lot of places. As the sign said students only got half price. No idea. Just a theory.
I went for a walk around the nearby park as I heard it was amazing, it actually was and I was really surprised by that because there was always something different everywhere. Like they had a pond, a minutes walk later they had massive trees with areas to relax and such, then a really colorful garden right at the entrance. Just a big mix in a really large public area.
But as it was my last day I decided to nap and this time I didn't actually fall asleep. The other guy in the room John, from Peru who lives in Italy, was also getting hungry. So we set out at about 9.30 for dinner. We had tapas but noticed later it was an Italian place which was fantastic. They had whole legs of bruccuto just around the place, all the while playing The Godfather. We shared a few dishes and it was pretty good I guess.
So once I got back I decided to take a nap and go out. No one goes out until 2am remember. And that's what I finally did!!! Didn't sleep through this time. But I got back by 3 because I was actually really tired, so it was kind of pointless. But I couldn't sleep because the room was really warm. By 4am John comes in, and so does a girl. She climbs onto his bed and that's my bunk, just above me. He said she's too drunk and the metro opens in an hour so he'll take her home then. Like that's cool and all...but then I heard kissing and God knows what else. It's one thing it's hot in the room and I can't sleep, totally different when it's you face ploughing some drunk girl and justifying it with the excuse it's your friend. I was thinking do I cockblock the guy? Guys don't cockblock each other, that's not cool. So luckily just as things got heated up, in comes the four girls from the dorm. They laughed and walked out, so then I walked out too. Thank god that ended!
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Friday 7th September
So I've been walking around looking for dinner thinking that god I only have €1,000 left. But I keep thinking I have so much longer than I intend. I only have 5 nights left before I see family and three more will be at Oktoberfest. Okay I still have to pay for a few things there and I know it'll be expensive but I don't think I'll spend that much during two weeks with family and one week of touring left. But then again, I had an extra 1,000 only two weeks ago and it makes you wonder where it really goes! So I'm having a nice Italian dinner. Whenever I feel like I need to go back home and have some of nonnas cooking, I have Italian. Otherwise when I feel slightly homesick I have maccas. I didn't feel homesick and I don't feel like I have a lot of money but I don't have a lot of me time left. So I had Italian and picked pasta, it's ravioli with a sauce made from cream and blue vein cheese with pear and walnuts. Absolutely amazing. I wasn't too sure I'd be keen on it but I'm glad I got it.
So today I had a bit of a lazy day actually. Got up at 9.30, just in time for breakfast. Had breakfast and spoke to a girl from Canberra in the hostel. She's got a job here in Spain teaching English but she isn't sure to what age or anything. I'd freak out. Well done to her though. But it was about 11.15 when we finished talking and I chilled in the hostel while Quansayla cleaned up the room. I got back my laundry all folded as well which was great. Especially since it was €8 -_-
I got out and had an amazing lunch at 3pm. It was calamari with croquets but they're not the same as the Italian ones I'm used to. They're very soft because of the béchamel sauce. I think the lady who took my order wasn't sure I knew what I was ordering, she kept explaining that it's croquets, calamari and salad. Yes. I get it. However the bill was funny. I think there's something funny about the Spanish when they see a foreigner. The price magically increased from what I saw on the board and no one spoke English. Of course, that's convenient.
I went to the Royal Palace because I heard it's larger than the Palace of Versailles. Okay I'll give it that it's large, as large, well I don't know. I only saw about 20 rooms out of 2000+ it boasted about. But the worst was when I went to get a ticket and the guy wouldn't accept my international student youth card as an international student card. He pointed to the "youth" I said that's right, the fuck do you think I've been using for 2 months as a student card? This is the first time I ever had a problem. So I had to pay €10 for seeing a building I couldn't get photos of and didn't stay longer than 1 hour. Bigger than Versailles? Not so sure.
I went to check out the nearby temple. That was free so thanks Spain for something at least. It was okay but eh. I did however see on the way out a group of emo kids who were pretty much chilling at the park, like those MySpace all nighter days that idiots used to do back in the day in Melbourne. I never did one, so I can say that. But I did however get a photo of the emos as it was too funny. Sneaky shots.
I was so tired that I just slept for about an hour or so. I tried being social but eh. Didn't work. I did buy a tshirt online by pure randomness because I checked memebase.com and saw an ecce homo tshirt for only $20. By the time it gets delivered I should be home. So hats off to excellent planning.
By the time I got up I was crazing something. I felt like something cheap but realised it was all nasty. Then I felt like anything but tapas is everywhere and I was by myself. So I saw Italian and felt like yeah, it's been a while and it's time to eat it. Because even though it cost more, I have only a few days left then it's with family. I haven't got a whole lot of money but I have enough. So I got a pear and walnut pasta which came with a cream sauce but it had blue cheese. It was so perfect. Hit the spot really really well. I asked for lemon sorbe but out came a glass with the sorbe inside and in liquid form. It was great.
Later I decided to just chill then find somewhere to go out. So I had another nap. I woke up at 2am then thought stuff it and slept.
So today I had a bit of a lazy day actually. Got up at 9.30, just in time for breakfast. Had breakfast and spoke to a girl from Canberra in the hostel. She's got a job here in Spain teaching English but she isn't sure to what age or anything. I'd freak out. Well done to her though. But it was about 11.15 when we finished talking and I chilled in the hostel while Quansayla cleaned up the room. I got back my laundry all folded as well which was great. Especially since it was €8 -_-
I got out and had an amazing lunch at 3pm. It was calamari with croquets but they're not the same as the Italian ones I'm used to. They're very soft because of the béchamel sauce. I think the lady who took my order wasn't sure I knew what I was ordering, she kept explaining that it's croquets, calamari and salad. Yes. I get it. However the bill was funny. I think there's something funny about the Spanish when they see a foreigner. The price magically increased from what I saw on the board and no one spoke English. Of course, that's convenient.
I went to the Royal Palace because I heard it's larger than the Palace of Versailles. Okay I'll give it that it's large, as large, well I don't know. I only saw about 20 rooms out of 2000+ it boasted about. But the worst was when I went to get a ticket and the guy wouldn't accept my international student youth card as an international student card. He pointed to the "youth" I said that's right, the fuck do you think I've been using for 2 months as a student card? This is the first time I ever had a problem. So I had to pay €10 for seeing a building I couldn't get photos of and didn't stay longer than 1 hour. Bigger than Versailles? Not so sure.
I went to check out the nearby temple. That was free so thanks Spain for something at least. It was okay but eh. I did however see on the way out a group of emo kids who were pretty much chilling at the park, like those MySpace all nighter days that idiots used to do back in the day in Melbourne. I never did one, so I can say that. But I did however get a photo of the emos as it was too funny. Sneaky shots.
I was so tired that I just slept for about an hour or so. I tried being social but eh. Didn't work. I did buy a tshirt online by pure randomness because I checked memebase.com and saw an ecce homo tshirt for only $20. By the time it gets delivered I should be home. So hats off to excellent planning.
By the time I got up I was crazing something. I felt like something cheap but realised it was all nasty. Then I felt like anything but tapas is everywhere and I was by myself. So I saw Italian and felt like yeah, it's been a while and it's time to eat it. Because even though it cost more, I have only a few days left then it's with family. I haven't got a whole lot of money but I have enough. So I got a pear and walnut pasta which came with a cream sauce but it had blue cheese. It was so perfect. Hit the spot really really well. I asked for lemon sorbe but out came a glass with the sorbe inside and in liquid form. It was great.
Later I decided to just chill then find somewhere to go out. So I had another nap. I woke up at 2am then thought stuff it and slept.
Wednesday 5th September
Final day in Portugal and I wake up in Madrid tomorrow. Spain by train. Ha. God I'm funny. Sleeping next to me is some guy who looks like George and probably is some murderer, not that George looks like one but this guy has that vibe. Above me is an old guy and the opposite is an American. Eh.
The day started with me getting up late and eating my last ham and cheese breakfast on a chalk board. Alex was asleep and on someone else's bed and I suspect it was only us in the night. So 2 people in a 12 person dorm. Cool.
I went to Sintra which is an area outside of Lisbon, serviced by suburban trains, which has heaps of castles in the area and forts. It's a beautiful area but probably best done by car. Except there are good bus services around. But I'll get back the bus thing. For lunch I had grilled chicken and white sangria. Best choice for my final lunch in Portugal. I was looking for grilled chicken since Pat told me that it's around somewhere.
For €24 I got access to the Sintra Palace, Pane and Mond. The Palace was nice, you could get photos do that's always a bonus. The final room however was off bounds and no one told me that. No ropes were there blocking it like every other room similar. I just saw people inside so I walked in thinking the Palace continues. Then I noticed that staff were moving a table and all I hear was a staff member saying "Sinhor no!" firstly that's pretty awesome I was called that. I'm impressed and pleased. Secondly um mate wtf. If there is no rope I'm clearly going to think its fine to walk in. Your fault for not putting the rope up. The staff were pissed and gave me a stern look but it's not my fault no one closed off the area. So I walked out. Oh also I had a lot of sangria so I probably stumbled out.
Then I got to the bus stop and paid €5 for a return ticket. The drive up was insane. It was just up hill and constant twists and turns. There were three women on board who reminded me of Brides Maid where they were constantly screaming and laughing because it honestly felt like a ride rather than a bus trip. My stomach dropped, there were sharp turns. Fantastic! All for €5. It was a return ticket but once I got to the top I couldn't be bothered walk all the way back up to the road to get the bus do I walked down for 40min. It was worth it because of the views and down hill is easier than up.
Totally happy with the trains back though but I smelt. Bad. So imagine smelling bad due to sweating all day then not being able to shower and placing all your items in your bag so you can't access anything on the train. Smart. I did that. So now with sweat and stuff sleeping onboard the train will be fun.
But let's go on about dinner. It was a lovely place which I thought was Japanese and served all you can eat and drink for €13. Fantastic little place. But it had Thai statues so um... It was sushi and udon noodles. Not Japanese? No? Ok. I stuffed my face up so hard and went back to the hostel and got my bag. I was a little too early so I just charged my phone up and put on a heap of aftershave to cover my smell. But the staff kept watching me. Pfft. I got a taxi to the station for €8.50 because he'll at 9.30pm I'm not getting the metro.
The day started with me getting up late and eating my last ham and cheese breakfast on a chalk board. Alex was asleep and on someone else's bed and I suspect it was only us in the night. So 2 people in a 12 person dorm. Cool.
I went to Sintra which is an area outside of Lisbon, serviced by suburban trains, which has heaps of castles in the area and forts. It's a beautiful area but probably best done by car. Except there are good bus services around. But I'll get back the bus thing. For lunch I had grilled chicken and white sangria. Best choice for my final lunch in Portugal. I was looking for grilled chicken since Pat told me that it's around somewhere.
For €24 I got access to the Sintra Palace, Pane and Mond. The Palace was nice, you could get photos do that's always a bonus. The final room however was off bounds and no one told me that. No ropes were there blocking it like every other room similar. I just saw people inside so I walked in thinking the Palace continues. Then I noticed that staff were moving a table and all I hear was a staff member saying "Sinhor no!" firstly that's pretty awesome I was called that. I'm impressed and pleased. Secondly um mate wtf. If there is no rope I'm clearly going to think its fine to walk in. Your fault for not putting the rope up. The staff were pissed and gave me a stern look but it's not my fault no one closed off the area. So I walked out. Oh also I had a lot of sangria so I probably stumbled out.
Then I got to the bus stop and paid €5 for a return ticket. The drive up was insane. It was just up hill and constant twists and turns. There were three women on board who reminded me of Brides Maid where they were constantly screaming and laughing because it honestly felt like a ride rather than a bus trip. My stomach dropped, there were sharp turns. Fantastic! All for €5. It was a return ticket but once I got to the top I couldn't be bothered walk all the way back up to the road to get the bus do I walked down for 40min. It was worth it because of the views and down hill is easier than up.
Totally happy with the trains back though but I smelt. Bad. So imagine smelling bad due to sweating all day then not being able to shower and placing all your items in your bag so you can't access anything on the train. Smart. I did that. So now with sweat and stuff sleeping onboard the train will be fun.
But let's go on about dinner. It was a lovely place which I thought was Japanese and served all you can eat and drink for €13. Fantastic little place. But it had Thai statues so um... It was sushi and udon noodles. Not Japanese? No? Ok. I stuffed my face up so hard and went back to the hostel and got my bag. I was a little too early so I just charged my phone up and put on a heap of aftershave to cover my smell. But the staff kept watching me. Pfft. I got a taxi to the station for €8.50 because he'll at 9.30pm I'm not getting the metro.
Thursday 6th September
The train ride wasn't so bad actually. The beds were small and George didn't kill me, so I luckily survived the night. The moon was hanging low and it was massive but only half was shining, however it was a bright red. I thought it was a sign I was surely going to die but hey...look I'm still here! I didn't die even after using the toilets. I was looking for the flush but oh no, there was no flush. It was a bar you hold with your foot to open the back of the bowl and everything goes flying out. Yummy!
I got off the train after the ticket inspector woke us up an hour before arrival. I said "sorry what was that?" when he spoke Spanish. So he repeated himself...in fucking Spanish. I heard you talk English before, fool. So once we arrived I got off the train and stuck into a little corner with no ticket into the metro, another guy on my train was next to me but luckily we found a metro worker who let us out into the metro. Smart me figured out how to catch the metro the day before. It was really easy.
So I got out of the metro, which was easy to get because it reminded me of the Paris metro. I got up into the hostel, which was too easy to find. I then got told that there was no room available for me. My heart sunk. What the fuck was I to do? Where do I go? But I paid a deposit already!!! Then the receptionist said that there is no room for me in the hostel, but there is room in their other hostel. I felt some relief. Until she said that it's all the same, but better there. It's centrally located to the main centre, has a private bathroom, has a balcony and is nicer but more expensive. Yet they had to honor the price I paid. Ha. Damn right. So I had to go find the other damn hostel.
Now by this stage it's 10.15, I haven't showered in a day and I've slept in my clothes and climbed a hill and back I smelts I bad. So I had no choice but to eat mints and pray to the God of Lynx. I checked in and left my bag locked up as I went to the free walking tour. It was the final one I could do with Sandemans and the guy, Connor, he was fantastic. In Berlin the lady was great but this guy was fantastic. graces was probably just as good as him, from Porto. I learnt that years of inbreeding creates a hell of a lot of issues with Royals. The final Hob was disabled, so they got a bird, chopped the head off it and placed it on-top of the king. Also about the terrorist attack back in 1906 (killing 20~) and not the 2004 metro bombing (killing 119), however I can say I went to Madrid and used the very metro which was attacked. The town hall which took only 130 years after Madrid was made capital to be complete and also the Cathedral which was only completed in 1993, around 300 years to finish.
I decided to get a ticket to the tapas experience because I wasn't sure who would be in the hostel and if I'd met anyone to grab tapas. So once the tour finished at 1.40, I had lunch and by 2pm I had sangria and paella for €7. It then got to 2.30 and I left because I needed to check into the hostel and shower.
For the shower the option was either freezing cold or cold. I had a cold shower. So much for a better hostel bitch. But I only paid about €50 for the three nights. I felt so yuck but finally I could shower and dry off with my equally filthy towel. I met four girls from Antwerp in my room and they were really nice.
3.50 came and I left for the tapas, so I ate at 2 and then 4. It's okay, I hadn't eaten all day really so this made up for it. I met a girl from Melbourne and a couple who used to live in Melbourne but now are in Perth. They reminded me of those couples that just travel because they have the money but pretend to have the brains. You can talk as intellectually as you wish, but the moment you told me you quit your job in favour for a holiday of 3 months and you're just going to email your boss for your job back, really tells me how stupid you are. But ohhhh no. No one told me tapas can be a plate shared. We got a plate of paella between the four of us and the Melbourne girl couldn't eat it because of the seafood. The couple didn't eat any and so I was. I think I know why. I had a feeling I had a big snot in my nose but I couldn't find it. It seemed to be a phantom snot. So I eventually ignored it after trying to subtlety remove it. Once we left and I had half the paella, I sneezed and it was hard. Out comes flying the biggest wettest clog of snot in my life and it went right for my hand. I yelled "fuck!" because I realised why no one else ate...I had a massive snot I couldn't find but ended up ignoring because I couldn't find it thinking it was just my imagination. Nope. I thought how am I going to remove this beast? Luckily Alex have me a spare metro ticket in Lisbon and it was paper, I even tried to hand it out before I left Lisbon and no one wanted it. So I reached into my pocket and put it onto that and kept walking. Ah Angelo....
I tried tripe. The sauce was great but the tripe, oh god. Why? I thought it was chicken or something. Eh. But they had some other good foods there. The couple got a beer and everyone else said no thanks. I didn't get one either because I needed to sleep so bad. When the guy got out the beers he gave the couple like 4 different tapas. Goddamn it. I knew I'd get hungry soon so I got a midnight snack of Churros. They were amazing.
So I went to sleep, woke up lateish an still went out. I was told on the tour that nothing happens before 2am. Connor was right. So I looked for a place, had a drink or two and left by 3am. I was insanely tired. But when I was walking back there were kids, under 10, walking with their parents in the city streets. WTF!!
I got off the train after the ticket inspector woke us up an hour before arrival. I said "sorry what was that?" when he spoke Spanish. So he repeated himself...in fucking Spanish. I heard you talk English before, fool. So once we arrived I got off the train and stuck into a little corner with no ticket into the metro, another guy on my train was next to me but luckily we found a metro worker who let us out into the metro. Smart me figured out how to catch the metro the day before. It was really easy.
So I got out of the metro, which was easy to get because it reminded me of the Paris metro. I got up into the hostel, which was too easy to find. I then got told that there was no room available for me. My heart sunk. What the fuck was I to do? Where do I go? But I paid a deposit already!!! Then the receptionist said that there is no room for me in the hostel, but there is room in their other hostel. I felt some relief. Until she said that it's all the same, but better there. It's centrally located to the main centre, has a private bathroom, has a balcony and is nicer but more expensive. Yet they had to honor the price I paid. Ha. Damn right. So I had to go find the other damn hostel.
Now by this stage it's 10.15, I haven't showered in a day and I've slept in my clothes and climbed a hill and back I smelts I bad. So I had no choice but to eat mints and pray to the God of Lynx. I checked in and left my bag locked up as I went to the free walking tour. It was the final one I could do with Sandemans and the guy, Connor, he was fantastic. In Berlin the lady was great but this guy was fantastic. graces was probably just as good as him, from Porto. I learnt that years of inbreeding creates a hell of a lot of issues with Royals. The final Hob was disabled, so they got a bird, chopped the head off it and placed it on-top of the king. Also about the terrorist attack back in 1906 (killing 20~) and not the 2004 metro bombing (killing 119), however I can say I went to Madrid and used the very metro which was attacked. The town hall which took only 130 years after Madrid was made capital to be complete and also the Cathedral which was only completed in 1993, around 300 years to finish.
I decided to get a ticket to the tapas experience because I wasn't sure who would be in the hostel and if I'd met anyone to grab tapas. So once the tour finished at 1.40, I had lunch and by 2pm I had sangria and paella for €7. It then got to 2.30 and I left because I needed to check into the hostel and shower.
For the shower the option was either freezing cold or cold. I had a cold shower. So much for a better hostel bitch. But I only paid about €50 for the three nights. I felt so yuck but finally I could shower and dry off with my equally filthy towel. I met four girls from Antwerp in my room and they were really nice.
3.50 came and I left for the tapas, so I ate at 2 and then 4. It's okay, I hadn't eaten all day really so this made up for it. I met a girl from Melbourne and a couple who used to live in Melbourne but now are in Perth. They reminded me of those couples that just travel because they have the money but pretend to have the brains. You can talk as intellectually as you wish, but the moment you told me you quit your job in favour for a holiday of 3 months and you're just going to email your boss for your job back, really tells me how stupid you are. But ohhhh no. No one told me tapas can be a plate shared. We got a plate of paella between the four of us and the Melbourne girl couldn't eat it because of the seafood. The couple didn't eat any and so I was. I think I know why. I had a feeling I had a big snot in my nose but I couldn't find it. It seemed to be a phantom snot. So I eventually ignored it after trying to subtlety remove it. Once we left and I had half the paella, I sneezed and it was hard. Out comes flying the biggest wettest clog of snot in my life and it went right for my hand. I yelled "fuck!" because I realised why no one else ate...I had a massive snot I couldn't find but ended up ignoring because I couldn't find it thinking it was just my imagination. Nope. I thought how am I going to remove this beast? Luckily Alex have me a spare metro ticket in Lisbon and it was paper, I even tried to hand it out before I left Lisbon and no one wanted it. So I reached into my pocket and put it onto that and kept walking. Ah Angelo....
I tried tripe. The sauce was great but the tripe, oh god. Why? I thought it was chicken or something. Eh. But they had some other good foods there. The couple got a beer and everyone else said no thanks. I didn't get one either because I needed to sleep so bad. When the guy got out the beers he gave the couple like 4 different tapas. Goddamn it. I knew I'd get hungry soon so I got a midnight snack of Churros. They were amazing.
So I went to sleep, woke up lateish an still went out. I was told on the tour that nothing happens before 2am. Connor was right. So I looked for a place, had a drink or two and left by 3am. I was insanely tired. But when I was walking back there were kids, under 10, walking with their parents in the city streets. WTF!!
Friday, September 7, 2012
Wednesday 5th September
Final day in Portugal and I wake up in Madrid tomorrow. Spain by train. Ha. God I'm funny. Sleeping next to me is some guy who looks like George and probably is some murderer, not that George looks like one but this guy has that vibe. Above me is an old guy and the opposite is an American. Eh.
The day started with me getting up late and eating my last ham and cheese breakfast on a chalk board. Alex was asleep and on someone else's bed and I suspect it was only us in the night. So 2 people in a 12 person dorm. Cool.
I went to Sintra which is an area outside of Lisbon, serviced by suburban trains, which has heaps of castles in the area and forts. It's a beautiful area but probably best done by car. Except there are good bus services around. But I'll get back the bus thing. For lunch I had grilled chicken and white sangria. Best choice for my final lunch in Portugal. I was looking for grilled chicken since Pat told me that it's around somewhere.
For €24 I got access to the Sintra Palace, Pane and Mond. The Palace was nice, you could get photos do that's always a bonus. The final room however was off bounds and no one told me that. No ropes were there blocking it like every other room similar. I just saw people inside so I walked in thinking the Palace continues. Then I noticed that staff were moving a table and all I hear was a staff member saying "Sinhor no!" firstly that's pretty awesome I was called that. I'm impressed and pleased. Secondly um mate wtf. If there is no rope I'm clearly going to think its fine to walk in. Your fault for not putting the rope up. The staff were pissed and gave me a stern look but it's not my fault no one closed off the area. So I walked out. Oh also I had a lot of sangria so I probably stumbled out.
Then I got to the bus stop and paid €5 for a return ticket. The drive up was insane. It was just up hill and constant twists and turns. There were three women on board who reminded me of Brides Maid where they were constantly screaming and laughing because it honestly felt like a ride rather than a bus trip. My stomach dropped, there were sharp turns. Fantastic! All for €5. It was a return ticket but once I got to the top I couldn't be bothered walk all the way back up to the road to get the bus do I walked down for 40min. It was worth it because of the views and down hill is easier than up.
Totally happy with the trains back though but I smelt. Bad. So imagine smelling bad due to sweating all day then not being able to shower and placing all your items in your bag so you can't access anything on the train. Smart. I did that. So now with sweat and stuff sleeping onboard the train will be fun.
But let's go on about dinner. It was a lovely place which I thought was Japanese and served all you can eat and drink for €13. Fantastic little place. But it had Thai statues so um... It was sushi and udon noodles. Not Japanese? No? Ok. I stuffed my face up so hard and went back to the hostel and got my bag. I was a little too early so I just charged my phone up and put on a heap of aftershave to cover my smell. But the staff kept watching me. Pfft. I got a taxi to the station for €8.50 because he'll at 9.30pm I'm not getting the metro.
The day started with me getting up late and eating my last ham and cheese breakfast on a chalk board. Alex was asleep and on someone else's bed and I suspect it was only us in the night. So 2 people in a 12 person dorm. Cool.
I went to Sintra which is an area outside of Lisbon, serviced by suburban trains, which has heaps of castles in the area and forts. It's a beautiful area but probably best done by car. Except there are good bus services around. But I'll get back the bus thing. For lunch I had grilled chicken and white sangria. Best choice for my final lunch in Portugal. I was looking for grilled chicken since Pat told me that it's around somewhere.
For €24 I got access to the Sintra Palace, Pane and Mond. The Palace was nice, you could get photos do that's always a bonus. The final room however was off bounds and no one told me that. No ropes were there blocking it like every other room similar. I just saw people inside so I walked in thinking the Palace continues. Then I noticed that staff were moving a table and all I hear was a staff member saying "Sinhor no!" firstly that's pretty awesome I was called that. I'm impressed and pleased. Secondly um mate wtf. If there is no rope I'm clearly going to think its fine to walk in. Your fault for not putting the rope up. The staff were pissed and gave me a stern look but it's not my fault no one closed off the area. So I walked out. Oh also I had a lot of sangria so I probably stumbled out.
Then I got to the bus stop and paid €5 for a return ticket. The drive up was insane. It was just up hill and constant twists and turns. There were three women on board who reminded me of Brides Maid where they were constantly screaming and laughing because it honestly felt like a ride rather than a bus trip. My stomach dropped, there were sharp turns. Fantastic! All for €5. It was a return ticket but once I got to the top I couldn't be bothered walk all the way back up to the road to get the bus do I walked down for 40min. It was worth it because of the views and down hill is easier than up.
Totally happy with the trains back though but I smelt. Bad. So imagine smelling bad due to sweating all day then not being able to shower and placing all your items in your bag so you can't access anything on the train. Smart. I did that. So now with sweat and stuff sleeping onboard the train will be fun.
But let's go on about dinner. It was a lovely place which I thought was Japanese and served all you can eat and drink for €13. Fantastic little place. But it had Thai statues so um... It was sushi and udon noodles. Not Japanese? No? Ok. I stuffed my face up so hard and went back to the hostel and got my bag. I was a little too early so I just charged my phone up and put on a heap of aftershave to cover my smell. But the staff kept watching me. Pfft. I got a taxi to the station for €8.50 because he'll at 9.30pm I'm not getting the metro.
Tuesday 4th September
It was by pure luck that this morning I bumped into Alex at the tram stop. So it started off with me walking down to the information desk and I had forgotten my map and hadn't any idea how to get to Belém. As soon as I walked down the hill a guy offered me hashish. My first reaction was the best and what I had to go with. I laughed in his face and walked off. Then I found the info desk and the bitch wasn't helpful but I go a map which was more detailed than my shitty one I forgot. First I went in line thinking people were just anywhere because I went to check the sign for more info. It had too many people around for me to check. The girl in Porto who couldn't understand me and is from Uruguay said she got yelled at by people for not lining up at the bus stop. So it clicked to me and I walked off. But the line I was after kept bringing buses and not trams like I was told. So Alex then pops out of nowhere and he joined me in line and in front of us were two Italian guys who were in the same boat, looking for trams and not buses. But the lines were so long and it was hot that whatever came didn't matter. So once the buses arrived to our stop full, it was time to just give up for some. We met two girls in line once people started leaving in anger. It was noon and we got nowhere. So we got talking and Catherine and Andrea (sorry girls I have to Australianize your names) from French Canadia. I'm so thankful we met them because I know I would have been lost all day!
So for €2 each we got a taxi to Belém as it was better than waiting for a bus and cheaper too. We got some good info off the taxi driver who was fantastic so we tipped him. Once we got to the area we went straight to the monestarie. It was so wonderfully decorated with all the marble carvings and such. Never have I seen a courtyard so simple yet so detailed. At away it looks simple, green grass, yellow stone and bright blue sky. Up close the detail in the posts are amazing. It's so beautiful. So we walked around as a group, however I couldn't use a student card for a discount. This is everyones moment to say "AW". But €10 I got access to that and the Belem tower.
There was an exhibition on about the facts of the world over time as well as Portugal/Lisbon and the way Catholicism progressed over that time. I didn't know that it took about 600 years to construct the Cologne Cathedral. I didn't know the Dutch discovered New Zealand and Tasmania (but it explains a lot like how Zealand is in the Netherlands and Tasman was the ship which sailed there). I didn't know it was New Zealand who gave rights to females to vote, the first country in the world. I didn't know that Australia and New Zealand were split up colonies before Federation. I didn't know that Neal Armstrong, the man on the moon was still alive. I also didn't know why people kept writing on the walls correcting the information. But it was good.
Once we got out we went to the bakery. Now no one told me that this bakery is the one which invented the Portuguese Tart. No one. I just got told it's the oldest bakery and it's amazing. So I got everything but a tart. I got a bite later on but it was pretty good. It was warm compared to yesterday's which wasn't. Nonetheless it was errrr.
So we decided to make our way over to a monument and don't hate me for this but I can't remember the name of it! All because Catherine saw sailors in uniforms. So we made our way over and as we got there we were told to move out of the way. We were unsure but then suddenly we saw a chief or commanding officer, don't know, someone high up in the ranks. They had a ceremony and there was a small crowd watching.
Once we made our way to Belem tower, where we got great views of the bridge and surrounding areas, we made our way to find a bar. A'Marage. Yes we walked past it before we went to the tower but didn't know it. It's the building I thought looked amazing with its simple architecture and right next to a fancy hotel. We didn't know that. So we asked around and outside the hotel were two workers. We asked where the bar was and they denied they knew it, but they suggested we go to the hotel bar. So we did, thinking it was time to give up the chase. Seriously a corona was €8. We got up and left and luckily noticed that A'Marage was in out wifi zone. The white building next to the hotel was the place, suggested to the girls by someone they know. We sat there for a while and drank and it was fantastic.
Once we got back into the city we were actually hungry. We got offered hashish a few times and none of us couldn't stop laughing. Seriously, I'm not here for your drugs. Which I later found out were fake and they're just gypsies selling "hashish". If you go to the police and say that someone offered you drugs or that they sold you bad drugs, what will they do? Nothing. It's actually very smart.
So for €2 each we got a taxi to Belém as it was better than waiting for a bus and cheaper too. We got some good info off the taxi driver who was fantastic so we tipped him. Once we got to the area we went straight to the monestarie. It was so wonderfully decorated with all the marble carvings and such. Never have I seen a courtyard so simple yet so detailed. At away it looks simple, green grass, yellow stone and bright blue sky. Up close the detail in the posts are amazing. It's so beautiful. So we walked around as a group, however I couldn't use a student card for a discount. This is everyones moment to say "AW". But €10 I got access to that and the Belem tower.
There was an exhibition on about the facts of the world over time as well as Portugal/Lisbon and the way Catholicism progressed over that time. I didn't know that it took about 600 years to construct the Cologne Cathedral. I didn't know the Dutch discovered New Zealand and Tasmania (but it explains a lot like how Zealand is in the Netherlands and Tasman was the ship which sailed there). I didn't know it was New Zealand who gave rights to females to vote, the first country in the world. I didn't know that Australia and New Zealand were split up colonies before Federation. I didn't know that Neal Armstrong, the man on the moon was still alive. I also didn't know why people kept writing on the walls correcting the information. But it was good.
Once we got out we went to the bakery. Now no one told me that this bakery is the one which invented the Portuguese Tart. No one. I just got told it's the oldest bakery and it's amazing. So I got everything but a tart. I got a bite later on but it was pretty good. It was warm compared to yesterday's which wasn't. Nonetheless it was errrr.
So we decided to make our way over to a monument and don't hate me for this but I can't remember the name of it! All because Catherine saw sailors in uniforms. So we made our way over and as we got there we were told to move out of the way. We were unsure but then suddenly we saw a chief or commanding officer, don't know, someone high up in the ranks. They had a ceremony and there was a small crowd watching.
Once we made our way to Belem tower, where we got great views of the bridge and surrounding areas, we made our way to find a bar. A'Marage. Yes we walked past it before we went to the tower but didn't know it. It's the building I thought looked amazing with its simple architecture and right next to a fancy hotel. We didn't know that. So we asked around and outside the hotel were two workers. We asked where the bar was and they denied they knew it, but they suggested we go to the hotel bar. So we did, thinking it was time to give up the chase. Seriously a corona was €8. We got up and left and luckily noticed that A'Marage was in out wifi zone. The white building next to the hotel was the place, suggested to the girls by someone they know. We sat there for a while and drank and it was fantastic.
Once we got back into the city we were actually hungry. We got offered hashish a few times and none of us couldn't stop laughing. Seriously, I'm not here for your drugs. Which I later found out were fake and they're just gypsies selling "hashish". If you go to the police and say that someone offered you drugs or that they sold you bad drugs, what will they do? Nothing. It's actually very smart.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Sunday 2nd September
I got up this morning to about a billion fathers day messages and I almost forgot until mum txt me about it. So I called. And called. And called. And called and finally after 6 shots I got through. But the connection was poor so it kept cutting and wouldn't allow me to call. Never mind. I got through to dad and he got the message that it's fathers day and I love him and shit. Except he was babbling on about how he's doing some projects but it's not what he says, it's how long it takes for him to say it. Sometimes I care and others I don't, this time I did and the line cut out. Boo.
I didn't know which train to get from Porto to Lisbon so I asked at reception and thank god they were so helpful. I would have had no clue. They looked up the trains for me and everything which is fantastic. Tattva Hostel is going to get a good wrap from me.
I got the train and saw a different view and angle of Porto. A fantastic view of the city and a great feel of that German trains are like space ships. Not that the train was bad but it wasn't anything like the German ICE trains. I actually got photos of the view which are attached. There was a last going around in the train asking for money as well. Then I went to grab some food an all they had was crappy sandwiches which weren't appealing in any shape or form. So I felt bad when that lady begging for money saw a half eaten sandwich on the seat next to me. Eh. Stiff shit.
Once I got to Lisbon I had to figure out the metro and how to get from A to B. It was difficult with the info desk closed and no one about. Finally I found one guy who spoke English and worked for the metro and he helped me out. Thank god. But he cut off an old lady from buying a ticket for me which is really sweet. The old bitch got pissed off but ah I'm a tourist lady.
Once I got to the hostel I decided that it's time to find the free walking your. Did I get help? No, they advertised another tour. So I got the wifi password and it didn't work on my laptop, just my phone. I managed to figure out the meeting point as well so lucky for that. So since I only had half a sandwich for lunch and a small breakfast I went to grab food at the downstairs restaurant as it's really nice. I got there and it was 5.15pm. They said to me sorry but brunch is over. I said that's fine in after dinner. He said dinner isn't until 8. 8?! Fuck. I walked out and found a burger joint and for €5 I for a massive meal. I ate it and found the tour. On the way to the tour the street I'm staying on has a very narrow footpath and you can't use the other side of the road as the building next to it is under construction and scaffolding is up to the road. So two guys walking side by side and didn't move an inch as I was walking towards them. It was like from the film clip "bittersweet symphony" where I bumped into the dickhead and it wasn't a tap, it was a thud. Dickface move to the fucking side.
On the tour there were four of us in total plus the guide. Simona from Linate, next to Milano. I said to her that's exactly where I'm going to see my family! Small, small world. The tour was good and we saw a lot and I love these tours because they work so well. We saw a secret building which leads up to a French style restaurant from the 1800's. And it looked like it hadn't been touched since that time. It was run down but it was an amazing feel. We saw a church which was burnt in 1959 and restored but they never fixed up the majority of it. All they did was paint the walls red and left the stonework burnt and broken. It represents that 2,000 people killed in front of the church in 1506, but it was illegal to talk about until the 1970s. It was such a different church to what I've seen all around Europe.
At the end Simona gave me tips on what to see in Lisbon since the hostel wasn't that helpful. At all. I found out there was a kitchen and I got no your of the place. Also the washing machine doesn't work. Fantastic. Anyways she was so helpful and genuine. I was then deciding to go to a Fado and food tour. I rushed back to the hostel to get cash and clean up. Only have myself 5min. I went back to the other meeting point and I missed them by 5 minutes and didn't see it. So I went back to the hostel and slept. Probably the better option.
I didn't know which train to get from Porto to Lisbon so I asked at reception and thank god they were so helpful. I would have had no clue. They looked up the trains for me and everything which is fantastic. Tattva Hostel is going to get a good wrap from me.
I got the train and saw a different view and angle of Porto. A fantastic view of the city and a great feel of that German trains are like space ships. Not that the train was bad but it wasn't anything like the German ICE trains. I actually got photos of the view which are attached. There was a last going around in the train asking for money as well. Then I went to grab some food an all they had was crappy sandwiches which weren't appealing in any shape or form. So I felt bad when that lady begging for money saw a half eaten sandwich on the seat next to me. Eh. Stiff shit.
Once I got to Lisbon I had to figure out the metro and how to get from A to B. It was difficult with the info desk closed and no one about. Finally I found one guy who spoke English and worked for the metro and he helped me out. Thank god. But he cut off an old lady from buying a ticket for me which is really sweet. The old bitch got pissed off but ah I'm a tourist lady.
Once I got to the hostel I decided that it's time to find the free walking your. Did I get help? No, they advertised another tour. So I got the wifi password and it didn't work on my laptop, just my phone. I managed to figure out the meeting point as well so lucky for that. So since I only had half a sandwich for lunch and a small breakfast I went to grab food at the downstairs restaurant as it's really nice. I got there and it was 5.15pm. They said to me sorry but brunch is over. I said that's fine in after dinner. He said dinner isn't until 8. 8?! Fuck. I walked out and found a burger joint and for €5 I for a massive meal. I ate it and found the tour. On the way to the tour the street I'm staying on has a very narrow footpath and you can't use the other side of the road as the building next to it is under construction and scaffolding is up to the road. So two guys walking side by side and didn't move an inch as I was walking towards them. It was like from the film clip "bittersweet symphony" where I bumped into the dickhead and it wasn't a tap, it was a thud. Dickface move to the fucking side.
On the tour there were four of us in total plus the guide. Simona from Linate, next to Milano. I said to her that's exactly where I'm going to see my family! Small, small world. The tour was good and we saw a lot and I love these tours because they work so well. We saw a secret building which leads up to a French style restaurant from the 1800's. And it looked like it hadn't been touched since that time. It was run down but it was an amazing feel. We saw a church which was burnt in 1959 and restored but they never fixed up the majority of it. All they did was paint the walls red and left the stonework burnt and broken. It represents that 2,000 people killed in front of the church in 1506, but it was illegal to talk about until the 1970s. It was such a different church to what I've seen all around Europe.
At the end Simona gave me tips on what to see in Lisbon since the hostel wasn't that helpful. At all. I found out there was a kitchen and I got no your of the place. Also the washing machine doesn't work. Fantastic. Anyways she was so helpful and genuine. I was then deciding to go to a Fado and food tour. I rushed back to the hostel to get cash and clean up. Only have myself 5min. I went back to the other meeting point and I missed them by 5 minutes and didn't see it. So I went back to the hostel and slept. Probably the better option.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Monday 3rd September
The Portuguese in Lisbon must think I'm stupid. Something like €15 for just a sandwich in a little cafe that looked pretty funky but I mean for food at the price, it's robbery. So I went to a cafe and for €6 I got a glass of sangria and quiche with salad. And it was actually really nice. I think the key is don't go for the nearest cafe to the big attractions. I always walk for a bit to find something nicer and cheaper and they're generally less busy and less touristy. And for €1.50 I got a coffee and Portuguese tart. Amazing. However this morning I got jibbed. I saw a sign last night for an espresso frappe and so I went past this morning for it, they didn't have any because they start it next week but they had another frappe. So I got that. €5.50 for like 330mLs of a frappe which wasn't really a frappe. But I got coffee and ammeretto. It was good but not worth the price. If only they had signs with prices! But all I can say is suck my shit Target because most of this being paid by you assholes since I got my pay out for rage quitting. Yep 7 years and 1 day I worked there and I got paid out for it. Stupid assholes. And I can say that now without getting pulled into any retarded managers office because they can't handle criticism and the truth. Life is fantastic after Target. The movie "Office Space" reminds me of Target to a T. Especially the TPS reports scene.
Actually while I'm off topic I may as well throw this in. I checked out the stats of this blog and it turns out that I surpassed the 1,000 views mark by a long shot. But I found out that about 1/4 of my readers are from some Eastern European and Russian adult dating site. Not sure how that's happened but I guess that's fantastic for me because I'm advertising mostly central and western Europe for these guys. You're all welcome horny adults of poor countries and my family and friends.
I just got to the hostel and decided hey what a nice chance to drink a beer in the restaurant down stairs and then have a nap. The waiter thought otherwise and said there is no food until 4pm. That's cool I said, I was just after a beer. And she said to me "okay but there is no food until 4pm". Bitch. I heard you clearly the first time, which I why I asked for a drink. Don't give me lip.
I went to the Castelo Castle which overlooks the whole of Lisbon city and it had amazing views today. The city was clear and the people were nice I guess. The only problem were the blacks selling shit but you just walk past them. And even worse, the restaurants trying to get you to come in. No. I JUST ate. I saw peacocks and it felt like when I was a kid around the farm with Mauri (sorry if the topic is still too raw...). It was great. Especially when I was on top of a tower and was about to do a small silent fart but out came a massively loud fart and I couldn't help but laugh and thank the fact I was by myself up there. So I walked out and up came a couple. Awkward. Smell my insides.
I then finished up and tried to leave the place but got slightly lost. I walked down, like Simona said, if I walk up any hill there, I will get to the castle. If I walk down I will exit. So I walked down, smart move. I tried to find te church with the twin towers I kept getting photos of. Finally found it and it was closed. Thanks Monday. I went to the Pantheon. Closed. Monday seriously what the hell? I found my
Way back and decided to get to the hostel have a drink (as mentioned above) and then just chill and walk. As I was chilling I saw a few guys getting tours of the hostel and I left my stuff unlocked and on my bed. So I went over and met Alex in the dorm, a
Scottish doctor. Doctor. Doctor. Doctor. Dorm?
We chatted and went down to find out about dinner. Manuel at the desk said yes it's fine to eat in the hostel and it's €5 each. I was never told about it by reception when I checked in. They were rude and uninterested to help. All I got told was where my bed is and breakfast is down stairs each morning. Everyone else got a tour and shit. I'm so annoyed. So we went for a walk and got back by 7 as dinner was from 7.30. I asked reception what was happening and it was 7.45, they said 8 dinner starts. I went back at 8 and got told dinner is over for guests, it's now normal dinner service and we needed to book a table. WTF MATE! Turns out we had to buy a ticket for the €5 dinner which is with staff before normal dinner service from 7-8. They never gave us a ticket or anything. As nice as the place is, the staff aren't interested in working there and it's a shame. So we ate and had a few beers then went for a walk to a look out and had a beer there. I was watching a drunk guy stumble the whole time and that provided great entertainment.
The other entertainment was the drugs. Drugs seem to be everywhere. When I was walking back to the hostel I heard a guy say something but I couldn't hear him. He just stood in front of a shop and when I walked past he was like "hashish?" I said no and kept walking by. When I went out with Alex he got asked another several more times and he declined. There seems to be too much of it going on.
Actually while I'm off topic I may as well throw this in. I checked out the stats of this blog and it turns out that I surpassed the 1,000 views mark by a long shot. But I found out that about 1/4 of my readers are from some Eastern European and Russian adult dating site. Not sure how that's happened but I guess that's fantastic for me because I'm advertising mostly central and western Europe for these guys. You're all welcome horny adults of poor countries and my family and friends.
I just got to the hostel and decided hey what a nice chance to drink a beer in the restaurant down stairs and then have a nap. The waiter thought otherwise and said there is no food until 4pm. That's cool I said, I was just after a beer. And she said to me "okay but there is no food until 4pm". Bitch. I heard you clearly the first time, which I why I asked for a drink. Don't give me lip.
I went to the Castelo Castle which overlooks the whole of Lisbon city and it had amazing views today. The city was clear and the people were nice I guess. The only problem were the blacks selling shit but you just walk past them. And even worse, the restaurants trying to get you to come in. No. I JUST ate. I saw peacocks and it felt like when I was a kid around the farm with Mauri (sorry if the topic is still too raw...). It was great. Especially when I was on top of a tower and was about to do a small silent fart but out came a massively loud fart and I couldn't help but laugh and thank the fact I was by myself up there. So I walked out and up came a couple. Awkward. Smell my insides.
I then finished up and tried to leave the place but got slightly lost. I walked down, like Simona said, if I walk up any hill there, I will get to the castle. If I walk down I will exit. So I walked down, smart move. I tried to find te church with the twin towers I kept getting photos of. Finally found it and it was closed. Thanks Monday. I went to the Pantheon. Closed. Monday seriously what the hell? I found my
Way back and decided to get to the hostel have a drink (as mentioned above) and then just chill and walk. As I was chilling I saw a few guys getting tours of the hostel and I left my stuff unlocked and on my bed. So I went over and met Alex in the dorm, a
Scottish doctor. Doctor. Doctor. Doctor. Dorm?
We chatted and went down to find out about dinner. Manuel at the desk said yes it's fine to eat in the hostel and it's €5 each. I was never told about it by reception when I checked in. They were rude and uninterested to help. All I got told was where my bed is and breakfast is down stairs each morning. Everyone else got a tour and shit. I'm so annoyed. So we went for a walk and got back by 7 as dinner was from 7.30. I asked reception what was happening and it was 7.45, they said 8 dinner starts. I went back at 8 and got told dinner is over for guests, it's now normal dinner service and we needed to book a table. WTF MATE! Turns out we had to buy a ticket for the €5 dinner which is with staff before normal dinner service from 7-8. They never gave us a ticket or anything. As nice as the place is, the staff aren't interested in working there and it's a shame. So we ate and had a few beers then went for a walk to a look out and had a beer there. I was watching a drunk guy stumble the whole time and that provided great entertainment.
The other entertainment was the drugs. Drugs seem to be everywhere. When I was walking back to the hostel I heard a guy say something but I couldn't hear him. He just stood in front of a shop and when I walked past he was like "hashish?" I said no and kept walking by. When I went out with Alex he got asked another several more times and he declined. There seems to be too much of it going on.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Saturday 1st September.
It was an easy morning for me. I had my breakfast, met an Aussie and spoke to the German girls who actually are in my dorm. Didn't know that but I do now. I got to the room and everyone was pretty much gone so I relaxed and cleaned the junk out of my bag. I was taking out all the pointless receipts I just threw inside of it, partially because of habit and also so I could have a financial record of things. But that has to stop, I'm on holidays! As long as I have cash it's okay.
By the time I got out it was 12.30 and I had lunch which now that I think about it, it was expensive. €10 for a salad, side of calamari and then a beer. I wanted a coffee but if I got up I'd lose my table and the service wasn't great. A lot of these places seem to be run by friends only serving friends.
I went to the Palace Balso which is a really beautiful building used for its financial sector. It was the Portuguese stock exchange until only a few years ago when it was moved to Lisbon. Now you can't take any photos in the building but I'm a sneaky Italian who got some sneaky shots. The Arabic room took 18 years to complete and is the most famous room of them all. So I got a photo. Can't go there and not photograph like that church I went to. Come on!
I then went to the National Museum which wasn't busy at all. I only saw an older couple and that's it, the whole time. However I saw a photo of a Baronesa. Close enough, so I got a photo. I was walking back to the hostel when along the way I saw a market and saw some fantastic things a lot of people would have liked but didn't get anything because really who do you buy for and not get for? Okay I have something for Simona, only because I was given a Pink badge at a bar for free.
When I got back to the hostel the German girls were there so we got talking and found out a few things like one of them went to Australia to work for 6 months and backpack around. She never liked Melbourne, never knew about the Coogee beach ice cream (she went to the hotel a lot) and she worked at Subway and now lives in Munich. So I got dinner then later on chilled with them and a few guys from Melbourne.
Well I decided to go out on the pub crawl again and do the wine tasting again. I remembered. There are four types of white Port: sweet, extra sweet, dry and extra dry. Sweet is darker and dry is lighter in colour. The other is Tore which is brown and it's made with 500Ltr barrels so air passed through it. The Ruby is darker because less air goes through it in their 40,000Ltr barrels. Yes! Boom. Not so drunk after all.
However I was hungry and got awesome food for €2.20! It was two things as well. Amazing. Only because my dinner wasn't that filling, and I had desert too. It said it was pineapple and peach and I thought it meant in something or as a cake. Nope. Just a slice on pineapple with half a peach. Still good, I got some fruit!
Yeah anyway as it turns out the guys from Melbourne were into drugs and shit but that's fine. I got asked for drugs the other night as well. Then when we left we got asked by another guy. Not sure what the deal is exactly but innocent me is a bit shocked. But turns out one worked at Target and we also have the same hatred for the company and had to endure working with some of the same shit managers even though he's from Camberwell.
So one place I was at (same as where that drag queen looking bald thing was the other night) the German girls wanted to dance on the podium and I didn't want to. Like fuck that shit. I'd rather not make an ass of myself even though you'll never see me again. However we had one Italian who was crazy and he didn't give a shit. When I heard Call Me Maybe I did however dance so hard I hit my beer out of my hand, but that's acceptable. So when the girls went to the podium a British guy who was with us went to follow. And I'm a sheep when I'm drunk so I did too, until I saw a guy slapping him. Like slapping. Not punching him for getting in the way, but slapping. All over his face and it was hard but the guys were drunk. I said "well fuck this shit" and walked off. I don't remember coming to Europe to fight. So I decided to call it a night and go and that's when outside there was another fight. Awesome. So I couldn't go outside because security wouldn't let anyone through. I gave it a shot and saw Grace, the guide taking us out. We decided to go to that indie club and it was shit. I lost the people we were with and I heard The Killers though.
But I left and decided to walk back to the hostel but in the only style I knew, drunk/sober. I found out that when I drink there's sober me and drunk me because sober me is controlling drunk me. For example my body is walking and smacking into random objects but my mind is like "calm down Angelo, I told you not to drink, now don't stand there or you'll get run over." This may explain why drunk me is always as stupid as sober me. I found myself! EAT PRAY LOVE!
So I went back to the hostel...sorry got off track, and I went to cross the bridge because I thought I've been here for a few days now and I haven't crossed it. I haven't seen Porto from the other side, especially at night. And what do you know? It's beautiful. If only I had my glasses.
In the photos I have me with Me Gusta. My lunch. A photo of all the crowd, before the fight so it's just people on the streets. And finally a photo of Porto at night.
By the time I got out it was 12.30 and I had lunch which now that I think about it, it was expensive. €10 for a salad, side of calamari and then a beer. I wanted a coffee but if I got up I'd lose my table and the service wasn't great. A lot of these places seem to be run by friends only serving friends.
I went to the Palace Balso which is a really beautiful building used for its financial sector. It was the Portuguese stock exchange until only a few years ago when it was moved to Lisbon. Now you can't take any photos in the building but I'm a sneaky Italian who got some sneaky shots. The Arabic room took 18 years to complete and is the most famous room of them all. So I got a photo. Can't go there and not photograph like that church I went to. Come on!
I then went to the National Museum which wasn't busy at all. I only saw an older couple and that's it, the whole time. However I saw a photo of a Baronesa. Close enough, so I got a photo. I was walking back to the hostel when along the way I saw a market and saw some fantastic things a lot of people would have liked but didn't get anything because really who do you buy for and not get for? Okay I have something for Simona, only because I was given a Pink badge at a bar for free.
When I got back to the hostel the German girls were there so we got talking and found out a few things like one of them went to Australia to work for 6 months and backpack around. She never liked Melbourne, never knew about the Coogee beach ice cream (she went to the hotel a lot) and she worked at Subway and now lives in Munich. So I got dinner then later on chilled with them and a few guys from Melbourne.
Well I decided to go out on the pub crawl again and do the wine tasting again. I remembered. There are four types of white Port: sweet, extra sweet, dry and extra dry. Sweet is darker and dry is lighter in colour. The other is Tore which is brown and it's made with 500Ltr barrels so air passed through it. The Ruby is darker because less air goes through it in their 40,000Ltr barrels. Yes! Boom. Not so drunk after all.
However I was hungry and got awesome food for €2.20! It was two things as well. Amazing. Only because my dinner wasn't that filling, and I had desert too. It said it was pineapple and peach and I thought it meant in something or as a cake. Nope. Just a slice on pineapple with half a peach. Still good, I got some fruit!
Yeah anyway as it turns out the guys from Melbourne were into drugs and shit but that's fine. I got asked for drugs the other night as well. Then when we left we got asked by another guy. Not sure what the deal is exactly but innocent me is a bit shocked. But turns out one worked at Target and we also have the same hatred for the company and had to endure working with some of the same shit managers even though he's from Camberwell.
So one place I was at (same as where that drag queen looking bald thing was the other night) the German girls wanted to dance on the podium and I didn't want to. Like fuck that shit. I'd rather not make an ass of myself even though you'll never see me again. However we had one Italian who was crazy and he didn't give a shit. When I heard Call Me Maybe I did however dance so hard I hit my beer out of my hand, but that's acceptable. So when the girls went to the podium a British guy who was with us went to follow. And I'm a sheep when I'm drunk so I did too, until I saw a guy slapping him. Like slapping. Not punching him for getting in the way, but slapping. All over his face and it was hard but the guys were drunk. I said "well fuck this shit" and walked off. I don't remember coming to Europe to fight. So I decided to call it a night and go and that's when outside there was another fight. Awesome. So I couldn't go outside because security wouldn't let anyone through. I gave it a shot and saw Grace, the guide taking us out. We decided to go to that indie club and it was shit. I lost the people we were with and I heard The Killers though.
But I left and decided to walk back to the hostel but in the only style I knew, drunk/sober. I found out that when I drink there's sober me and drunk me because sober me is controlling drunk me. For example my body is walking and smacking into random objects but my mind is like "calm down Angelo, I told you not to drink, now don't stand there or you'll get run over." This may explain why drunk me is always as stupid as sober me. I found myself! EAT PRAY LOVE!
So I went back to the hostel...sorry got off track, and I went to cross the bridge because I thought I've been here for a few days now and I haven't crossed it. I haven't seen Porto from the other side, especially at night. And what do you know? It's beautiful. If only I had my glasses.
In the photos I have me with Me Gusta. My lunch. A photo of all the crowd, before the fight so it's just people on the streets. And finally a photo of Porto at night.
Friday 31st August
Last day of the month. So I woke up and hit my head and went back to bed. No joke. I kept hitting my head because I wasn't used to how low the bunk was, everywhere else I've been able to sit upright but here you can't. So I got up, had breakfast at 10, went back to bed and got up at 12ish then Skyped with mum and Alicia...and Mac. Poor dog was so confused when I was whistling at him from the other side of the world via a laptop. So I also found out no one has washed the dog since I did, over two months ago now. Buy everyone complains about the smell. Mm logic. That's my family for you. When I decided to go find food I went out of the rooftop terrace and got stuck. I had two German girls who were helping me because otherwise we'd all be stuck. Somehow plastic got in the way of the door and it got jammed. But the door is all glass so we didn't want to break the door and spent a good 5 minutes trying to free ourselves. Yes Porto I get it, you want me to stay.
Then I decided to walk around the city and chilled pretty much. Not much happened compared to yesterday. I walked down the streets and head James Morris (I think) and it was You're Beautiful. All I could think of was the first line, "my life is brilliant". It is. And I hope that's the first line or my day was ruined now. But I got my sunnies fixed because the screw started coming out and it's like a big thing for me because I'm that lazy.
I went to check out the book shop again and I hope I got better photos because what I got first thing was pretty shit. I walked up the church tower and then thought I found money but Euros are very papery. It feels like paper and not the plastic back at home. It was paper...not money. Eh so I got to the top and got some fantastic views and some Asians were sitting in the way. So as you do, push through Asian tourists. That's when I realized I needed to pee. So I went back to the hostel as its very central anyway and peed very happily.
I did go to a church with catacombs and also it was a really beautiful church. But you weren't allowed photos and any move you made echoed. So I had to either risk it or not take a photo. I risked it by using my phone because if I used my camera everyone would have heard the lens open. So I've attached a photo. Hope it turned out.
That's when I found out that the hostel had a free night of movies and it was Pulp Fiction. I've never seen it so I got excited but when I got to it, the damn Brazilians in the hostel kept talking so I just went to bed and had a nap. Just like in Dresden a 20 minute nap turned into an 8am wake up. Eh. Why?!
Then I decided to walk around the city and chilled pretty much. Not much happened compared to yesterday. I walked down the streets and head James Morris (I think) and it was You're Beautiful. All I could think of was the first line, "my life is brilliant". It is. And I hope that's the first line or my day was ruined now. But I got my sunnies fixed because the screw started coming out and it's like a big thing for me because I'm that lazy.
I went to check out the book shop again and I hope I got better photos because what I got first thing was pretty shit. I walked up the church tower and then thought I found money but Euros are very papery. It feels like paper and not the plastic back at home. It was paper...not money. Eh so I got to the top and got some fantastic views and some Asians were sitting in the way. So as you do, push through Asian tourists. That's when I realized I needed to pee. So I went back to the hostel as its very central anyway and peed very happily.
I did go to a church with catacombs and also it was a really beautiful church. But you weren't allowed photos and any move you made echoed. So I had to either risk it or not take a photo. I risked it by using my phone because if I used my camera everyone would have heard the lens open. So I've attached a photo. Hope it turned out.
That's when I found out that the hostel had a free night of movies and it was Pulp Fiction. I've never seen it so I got excited but when I got to it, the damn Brazilians in the hostel kept talking so I just went to bed and had a nap. Just like in Dresden a 20 minute nap turned into an 8am wake up. Eh. Why?!
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