I am a strong, independent woman. No one will ever take that away from me!
So... why do I sometimes forget and let people? Why do I allow people to get under my skin or get close to people that I KNOW are bad news?
The hardest thing about the continuous travel I've done for almost 4 years is always starting over. Each time I decide to go to a new location, start a new job, or even travel for a couple days... i'm starting anew: no friends, no knowledge of the location and typically no money!
Sometimes I'm a sucker for a quick friend. Once said friend is established I'll attach myself and ignore others. Even if I realize right away that said friend is all bad, not up to my level (not to sound stuck up... but I know what I mean!), and/or is making me depressed. What I don't understand is after that understanding why I continue to spend my time with them and ignore others who are trying to be my friends.
I would say its for companionship. Sometimes its nice to make one good friend to spend time with then a bunch of 'friends'. Even though sometimes I miss out on lots of friends, sometimes it pays off. Sometimes it doesn't!
Yup, sometimes it also comes back to bite me in the behind. But... what can I say. Sometimes we all walk down the wrong paths... the important thing is to figure it out and skip over to the right path, singing some lovely tunes.. and then realize that smile and happiness was right there the whole time... and those people left around are the people worth your friendship
"A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are." Unknown
"No man can be happy without a friend, nor be sure of his friend until he is unhappy." Thomas Fuller
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL MY FRIENDS OUT THERE. I know sometimes I'm a needy friend, or a long lost friend.... but I hope you know I'll always be there (even if its just a skype chat) if you need me too! Love you and miss you all!!
"Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget." Unknown
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Friday, February 18, 2011
More options
6) Bulgaria. Emi is going to back to Bulgaria to visit family this summer. I would be able to stay with her and see a bit of the Country with a local. Her son can take me hiking. It'd be great. I had a not of fun when I hung out with away from my job in Ukraine... and this would be a similiar opportunity. I would love to still see: Moldova, Slovenia, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herezegovenia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, and Turkey. (well, and Russia and Belarus!) I think going back to the region would allow me great opportunities. However, it'll take lots of money and I wouldn't work. I could maybe volunteer at an orphanage or something for awhile? Or maybe find a teaching english job. At the beginning this option didn't sound great but I'm thinking about it more and more. I could find nanny jobs in Turkey maybe after/before, as well?
Pros: a local to show me around, place to stay, new country(ies)
Cons: back to Europe, money, language
7) Washington, D.C. It's always been where I've said I'd live after I finished school. The more and more I think about it... its kinda exciting. I know it'd be hard and scary to find a job... but they are out there. Have considered going as a nanny and getting my feet on the ground. And start applying for jobs after a couple months. I know thats bad... but its a thought?!
Pros: professional job, public transport,
Cons: Weather, costs: no housing, car, no savings, high cost of living
I'll keep adding to my lists as I think of them. Really would LOVE LOVE LOVE any advice, thoughts you might have! Suggestions from people that seem to start over all the time!?
Pros: a local to show me around, place to stay, new country(ies)
Cons: back to Europe, money, language
7) Washington, D.C. It's always been where I've said I'd live after I finished school. The more and more I think about it... its kinda exciting. I know it'd be hard and scary to find a job... but they are out there. Have considered going as a nanny and getting my feet on the ground. And start applying for jobs after a couple months. I know thats bad... but its a thought?!
Pros: professional job, public transport,
Cons: Weather, costs: no housing, car, no savings, high cost of living
I'll keep adding to my lists as I think of them. Really would LOVE LOVE LOVE any advice, thoughts you might have! Suggestions from people that seem to start over all the time!?
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Options...
...for my life....
So while considering my options for the future... I thought I'd write some out...
1) Stay in Lancelin til 2 May. Thats when my visa expires. I can make a bit more money. I won't be saving too much as there aren't too many hours. But it doesn't cost too much to live and I've cheap rent... as long as I can get food from Joondalup.
+ Pros: Cheap rent, beautiful and on the beach, save money
- Cons: Mike leaves in March, Lee's back in March, lonely and dark apartment, drink too much here
Can Change: get into a workout routine every morning, be okay with sitting alone and watching tv/movies/etc (like most adults!), do a windsurfing lesson or three with Mike, read, take advantage of the people that are in town
2) Go back to Sacramento. I don't know exactly why Sac, except I have friends and family there. Think I'd apply to start the teaching credential in January 2012 (Sept deadline). I feel like I only want to do it as its the 'easy' option and doesn't take any thought or effort. Not sure what I'd do until then, though. Have thought about: trying to find some government job... should be able to get some connections from Robb/friends? Maybe preschool teaching... even though that doesn't pay well and just not worth the effort/pay ratio! Other than that it'd be random retail/restaurant/secretary work? How would I benefit going back now. Maybe wait til August so I'm there with enough time to apply for credential program?
+ Pros: friends/family. Maybe someone would let me stay in a spare room for a bit? Spending time with Tyler. Maybe getting him into DeMolay? Volunteer with Bethel 3/Jobs Daughters.
- Cons: No car. No place to live. No real reason to be there. Feel a bit lost and 'stuck' if I go back. Hear the job prospects are slim. Friends are all in their own place in lives with kids/careers/etc.
3) Try anywhere USA! Could be somewhere in California or anywhere. Maybe Washington DC. I don't know that I'd have anymore luck than going back to Sac. And worse than that... I'd have no connections, friends, family, or anything!
+ Pros: clean slate. Job opportunities?
- Cons: No car. No place to live. No job. Lonely
4) Taiwan. I'd go to teach English. However, its scary because I know its a smoggy, humid/rainy country... and I know that weather/smog really drive me mad. I'm not sure how I'd do in a non english speaking Country, again. Its overwhelming knowing I'd have to find a job, a flat, friends and everything from scratch. I'd be very lonely, hot, and sweaty... overwhelming sounding. But it'd also give me a job that I'd have for a year... and enable me to use as experience if I want to continue to do it as a career.... which I don't actually know until I do it!
+ Pros: year long contract. CV advancing. New Country. New opportunities. Chance to save a bit of money? Chance to maybe do online credential program.
- Cons: Overwhelming to start with: no job, flat, friends. Lonely. No English.
5) Africa (somewhere, obviously thats a continent not a country.) I'd find somewhere to volunteer: teaching english, working with an Orphanage, pretty much anything. It'd be scary, overwhelming, lonely, non english speaking, isolating, basic amenities (most likely).... but its somewhere I've always wanted to go and something I've always wanted to do. I feel like it'd give me a bit of a purpose. I'm scared I won't have enough money to travel a bit of Africa if I go and get to the next spot after, though. I'm overwhelmed with trying to find somewhere that doesn't cost thousands of dollars... obviously paying for my accomadation/food is fine. I'd love to find a proper nonprofit... that maybe I can learn some of the office stuff, as well?
+ Pros: Fulfillment. Purpose. Volunteering. New Country (ies?). New opportunities.
- Cons: Costs. Scary and lots of unknown. Lonely. No english.
Basically... I feel like I'm always planning three months at a time. I feel like my dream would be to go to Africa but it'd cost all of my money to go for a short period of time.. and I'd have no money to get out. Plus, I'd be planning little bits again. And I'm kinda over that. I don't know what or how I'm supposed to decide. Do I go easy and go home. Go where I'm pretty sure I can get a job and go to Taiwan. Do I do the scariest and go to Africa? Ahh... either way its all scary... because I only have a tiny tiny bit of savings and thats got to get me through whereever i go and on to the next spot. Ugh. I do know I need a bit of purpose in my life. I can't see myself traveling endlessly forever... but I do still LOVE traveling! I need a bit of purpose in the travel though!
I need to figure out what I want to do LONG TERM. Over and over, 2 ideas continue to come up and I guess I'm a bit torn on which direction to go. 1) Teaching or teaching abroad. For this I can get my credential and then either stay in the States and get some experience and then get a proper teaching job overseas. There will always be places hiring teachers abroad... even if its just teaching english... having my credential would give me a hire pay scale. 2) Working for a non profit. If I do this I'd need to get my masters. That comes down to time/money/experience. Many of the programs you need to have experience.. and all of them you have to be able to afford it! Ugh. If only I hadn't screwed myself over with the student loans. Children: Thats number 1 to help. I love working with kids and want to either work to help them in a nonprofit or teach them and help them grow in this world!
I noticed in EACH of these opportunities I wrote 'lonely' as a Con. I think I need to work on myself. Obviously I get bored sitting alone and doing things without others. I need to work on being 'okay' with sitting for a few nights by myself and reading/watching tv/or whatever. For some reason this has always bothered me... even if I do it often. I need to learn to love myself... because no one will want to spend time with me if I'm not okay with me!
Obviously I have some soul searching to do. Which direction do I want to go? Which path do I follow... road do I take. As individual and independent as I've always been. I think its scary sometimes and I guess I'm at the point where I wish someone would just figure it out for me. I've not felt this 'lost' in 4 years since I finished Uni and booked my ticket overseas. Its like I need a new hurdle. Well, apparently, now its time to figure out a bit of my future. I would love any advice, thoughts, or anything.
<3 me
So while considering my options for the future... I thought I'd write some out...
1) Stay in Lancelin til 2 May. Thats when my visa expires. I can make a bit more money. I won't be saving too much as there aren't too many hours. But it doesn't cost too much to live and I've cheap rent... as long as I can get food from Joondalup.
+ Pros: Cheap rent, beautiful and on the beach, save money
- Cons: Mike leaves in March, Lee's back in March, lonely and dark apartment, drink too much here
Can Change: get into a workout routine every morning, be okay with sitting alone and watching tv/movies/etc (like most adults!), do a windsurfing lesson or three with Mike, read, take advantage of the people that are in town
2) Go back to Sacramento. I don't know exactly why Sac, except I have friends and family there. Think I'd apply to start the teaching credential in January 2012 (Sept deadline). I feel like I only want to do it as its the 'easy' option and doesn't take any thought or effort. Not sure what I'd do until then, though. Have thought about: trying to find some government job... should be able to get some connections from Robb/friends? Maybe preschool teaching... even though that doesn't pay well and just not worth the effort/pay ratio! Other than that it'd be random retail/restaurant/secretary work? How would I benefit going back now. Maybe wait til August so I'm there with enough time to apply for credential program?
+ Pros: friends/family. Maybe someone would let me stay in a spare room for a bit? Spending time with Tyler. Maybe getting him into DeMolay? Volunteer with Bethel 3/Jobs Daughters.
- Cons: No car. No place to live. No real reason to be there. Feel a bit lost and 'stuck' if I go back. Hear the job prospects are slim. Friends are all in their own place in lives with kids/careers/etc.
3) Try anywhere USA! Could be somewhere in California or anywhere. Maybe Washington DC. I don't know that I'd have anymore luck than going back to Sac. And worse than that... I'd have no connections, friends, family, or anything!
+ Pros: clean slate. Job opportunities?
- Cons: No car. No place to live. No job. Lonely
4) Taiwan. I'd go to teach English. However, its scary because I know its a smoggy, humid/rainy country... and I know that weather/smog really drive me mad. I'm not sure how I'd do in a non english speaking Country, again. Its overwhelming knowing I'd have to find a job, a flat, friends and everything from scratch. I'd be very lonely, hot, and sweaty... overwhelming sounding. But it'd also give me a job that I'd have for a year... and enable me to use as experience if I want to continue to do it as a career.... which I don't actually know until I do it!
+ Pros: year long contract. CV advancing. New Country. New opportunities. Chance to save a bit of money? Chance to maybe do online credential program.
- Cons: Overwhelming to start with: no job, flat, friends. Lonely. No English.
5) Africa (somewhere, obviously thats a continent not a country.) I'd find somewhere to volunteer: teaching english, working with an Orphanage, pretty much anything. It'd be scary, overwhelming, lonely, non english speaking, isolating, basic amenities (most likely).... but its somewhere I've always wanted to go and something I've always wanted to do. I feel like it'd give me a bit of a purpose. I'm scared I won't have enough money to travel a bit of Africa if I go and get to the next spot after, though. I'm overwhelmed with trying to find somewhere that doesn't cost thousands of dollars... obviously paying for my accomadation/food is fine. I'd love to find a proper nonprofit... that maybe I can learn some of the office stuff, as well?
+ Pros: Fulfillment. Purpose. Volunteering. New Country (ies?). New opportunities.
- Cons: Costs. Scary and lots of unknown. Lonely. No english.
Basically... I feel like I'm always planning three months at a time. I feel like my dream would be to go to Africa but it'd cost all of my money to go for a short period of time.. and I'd have no money to get out. Plus, I'd be planning little bits again. And I'm kinda over that. I don't know what or how I'm supposed to decide. Do I go easy and go home. Go where I'm pretty sure I can get a job and go to Taiwan. Do I do the scariest and go to Africa? Ahh... either way its all scary... because I only have a tiny tiny bit of savings and thats got to get me through whereever i go and on to the next spot. Ugh. I do know I need a bit of purpose in my life. I can't see myself traveling endlessly forever... but I do still LOVE traveling! I need a bit of purpose in the travel though!
I need to figure out what I want to do LONG TERM. Over and over, 2 ideas continue to come up and I guess I'm a bit torn on which direction to go. 1) Teaching or teaching abroad. For this I can get my credential and then either stay in the States and get some experience and then get a proper teaching job overseas. There will always be places hiring teachers abroad... even if its just teaching english... having my credential would give me a hire pay scale. 2) Working for a non profit. If I do this I'd need to get my masters. That comes down to time/money/experience. Many of the programs you need to have experience.. and all of them you have to be able to afford it! Ugh. If only I hadn't screwed myself over with the student loans. Children: Thats number 1 to help. I love working with kids and want to either work to help them in a nonprofit or teach them and help them grow in this world!
I noticed in EACH of these opportunities I wrote 'lonely' as a Con. I think I need to work on myself. Obviously I get bored sitting alone and doing things without others. I need to work on being 'okay' with sitting for a few nights by myself and reading/watching tv/or whatever. For some reason this has always bothered me... even if I do it often. I need to learn to love myself... because no one will want to spend time with me if I'm not okay with me!
Obviously I have some soul searching to do. Which direction do I want to go? Which path do I follow... road do I take. As individual and independent as I've always been. I think its scary sometimes and I guess I'm at the point where I wish someone would just figure it out for me. I've not felt this 'lost' in 4 years since I finished Uni and booked my ticket overseas. Its like I need a new hurdle. Well, apparently, now its time to figure out a bit of my future. I would love any advice, thoughts, or anything.
<3 me
Saturday, May 15, 2010
London Living
My time spent in London... has been really boring.
Literally, I sleep in, maybe meet up with Pete, do laundry, talk to pete about our nights plans, maybe watch scrubs, meeting up with others for lunch, bus/day trips to see Australian coworkers and sometimes I even get online to look up all the stuff I need to get done. Oh, I've seen 2 movies during the last 2 weeks, gone to a CS meet up, work drinks with Pete... basically we seem to do stuff at night... well, at least meet up and do dinner. Its sad when dinner is cheaper to do out (cuz he has a two for one at a lot of places) and my food is so expensive... and that way we can do stuff... since he works so late. Last weekend consisted of: sleeping in, making a really late brunch, Portobello Market, sitting around while Pete fixed a computer (That was torture as it turned into 8 hours.. and I would've done something but no one though it'd take that long), making a curry, going to sleep cuz Pete played xbox games with his brother in NY ... sleeping in, walking along the riverfront, showing Pete the Tower of London and Tower Hill (which we didn't go in), a fair trade fair, a trip to starbucks, the Tate Modern, and then a tube ride home.
Its been SOOOO cold, dreary and miserable that I haven't done much. The last thing i've wanted to do is walk around and get all down from the weather... i'm really affected by it.
So TODAY, turns out, the one day I told myself I'm ACTUALLy going to research the gazillion things I need to do... and not wonder around the neighborhood in circles (i seem to visit each of the grocery stores, often)... the sun decides to shine! Instead of going out into it though...i sucked it up and sat next to the windows while doing all my research! At least I got a bit done....and got a trim... which feels like a huge haircut. Maybe should've actually gotten more taken off and actually styled. Oh well.
Tonight is movie night. I'm gonna make nachos and watch a movie. And get up early tomorrow and spend my last weekend enjoying London. Maybe. Hopefully they'll be a bit of sun out!
I think i'm a sad London visitor... except I feel just like a Londoner... someone who isn't out to 'site see' and just lives their day to day lives in and around London. In the end.. I've seen and done more than Pete has... so I'm just enoying hanging out and visiting!
Literally, I sleep in, maybe meet up with Pete, do laundry, talk to pete about our nights plans, maybe watch scrubs, meeting up with others for lunch, bus/day trips to see Australian coworkers and sometimes I even get online to look up all the stuff I need to get done. Oh, I've seen 2 movies during the last 2 weeks, gone to a CS meet up, work drinks with Pete... basically we seem to do stuff at night... well, at least meet up and do dinner. Its sad when dinner is cheaper to do out (cuz he has a two for one at a lot of places) and my food is so expensive... and that way we can do stuff... since he works so late. Last weekend consisted of: sleeping in, making a really late brunch, Portobello Market, sitting around while Pete fixed a computer (That was torture as it turned into 8 hours.. and I would've done something but no one though it'd take that long), making a curry, going to sleep cuz Pete played xbox games with his brother in NY ... sleeping in, walking along the riverfront, showing Pete the Tower of London and Tower Hill (which we didn't go in), a fair trade fair, a trip to starbucks, the Tate Modern, and then a tube ride home.
Its been SOOOO cold, dreary and miserable that I haven't done much. The last thing i've wanted to do is walk around and get all down from the weather... i'm really affected by it.
So TODAY, turns out, the one day I told myself I'm ACTUALLy going to research the gazillion things I need to do... and not wonder around the neighborhood in circles (i seem to visit each of the grocery stores, often)... the sun decides to shine! Instead of going out into it though...i sucked it up and sat next to the windows while doing all my research! At least I got a bit done....and got a trim... which feels like a huge haircut. Maybe should've actually gotten more taken off and actually styled. Oh well.
Tonight is movie night. I'm gonna make nachos and watch a movie. And get up early tomorrow and spend my last weekend enjoying London. Maybe. Hopefully they'll be a bit of sun out!
I think i'm a sad London visitor... except I feel just like a Londoner... someone who isn't out to 'site see' and just lives their day to day lives in and around London. In the end.. I've seen and done more than Pete has... so I'm just enoying hanging out and visiting!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The Netherlands, Holland and a world of the Dutch
Pete and I went to Holland for a long weekend.
We arrived Friday around 9pm ish... and it was crazy bright still. Not used to the light so dark... having been/lived close to the equator for the last few months.
Sadly we arrived into town pretty late for their National Day. Everyone (well, loads and loads of people) were on their way home. You could hardly walk at central station. Their national day is the 29th so many of these people had been partying in the streets since Thursday night. It was a site to see though... a sea of Orange. Orange on EVERYTHING, everyone, and anything possible!!
Mind you... holiday weekend.. and last minute trip. We were 3 kms outside the city centre... but still 'in' the city. And the prices were TRIPLE the normal costs. As in a 16 or 20 bed dorm room was anywhere from 35 to 60 Euros EACH! With that in mind Pete booked us a room... and one of the only rooms we could find (ok, we did book it Friday!) so we didn't have to deal with 15 crazy drunk people for 2 days straight!!! On the way to the hotel... i got kicked... 3 times.. on the crazy packed Metro. None of them were on purpose... but drunk people do drunk and stupid things. I got walked on, spilled on. Seriously, even Pete was doing it. I thought maybe I had a label on that I'd forgot to remove.. or some sort of target!! Well, we finally dropped off our bags and decided to walk back into town and see who was still about.
The town was 'dying' down. Well, not really. There were bits we walked around that were sooo crowded you couldn't get past. There was trash EVERYWHERE, there were bits closed off. Basically, one could see that it'd been a GREAT party during the day. To me it seemed like people were sooo far past their happy point and were just stumbling around. We walked around a bit but I was freezing and exhausted and wanted to go back.
Saturday... I had the best of intentions to wake up early and make the most of the day. But instead... jet lag really got me that day... so I slept in. Think i got out of bed in just enough time to go get a cup of tea before breakfast closed at 11. We ended up getting in line at a museum to decide we didn't have enough time before the walking tour. We met up with Daniella (someone Pete met in the South Island in NZ) who lives an hour away in Holland. We did the walking tour.... with 61 other people (in just OUR group)... there were 3 or 4 groups that day. Literally, thats how crowded the city was! We ended up getting Mexican for a really late lunch... sitting inside... meeting up with an old co workers of petes... taking Daniella back to the station.. and exploring the Red Light District. (which I'll get to in a bit)
Having just spent 8 months in summer and no where near anythign cold.. I didn't have a proper jacket. I had picked one up from Davids (one of very few things I got to keep) but for some strange reason didn't bring it. I also had thrown out ALL of my scarves, gloves and hats. Don't ask. But in my mind May= spring and warmth. Oh, i know, i had taken my RAIN coat thinking with a jumper it'd be plenty. Remember... I was thinking warm... not FREEZING!! Turns out. I was wrong. I was no where NEAR warm. I had gone from 30+ degrees for 8 months to 3 degrees. And when you realize I'd spent the last 4 months closer to 40 degrees... it was over a 35 degree temperature flux!! I didn't handle it well with just a thin jumper and rain coat!!!
Ok, so basically the weekend went like this: sleep in, freeze, avoid the cold, freeze, complain, repeat, continue. I was miserable!!
Sunday: sleep in... freezing in line in the rain for 2 hours for the Van Gough museum....walking through the museaum..... waited at HardRock (i have to buy shot glasses) to decide that we wnated Mexican instead... finding the mexican.... searching online for an hour for a new hotel (that would take us for just one night)... finding the new hotel which was in the city centre so we could explore.... searching for an ATM... paying for said room.. and getting into room and realizing it was the size of a tissue box but a cool loft style room.... me falling asleep while Pete looks up somewhere to explore for the night.... me convincing Pete that its TOOOOO WAY TOOOO Cold to leave the room to go anywhere... and then... both sleeping.
Monday: Sleeping in (ok, I said I'd gotten lazy)... going to the Anne Frank House... deciding that I wouldn't stand in the cold and rain for 2 hours... even though it was teh ONE thing I wanted to do in Amsterdam. Walking around to coffee shops (which mean a place to smoke pot) and looking at random things. Going to the train station and heading to Delft to stay the night with a friend of Pete's from uni. Getting to Delft... looking at old pics... walking through the city centre to a pub... going to another pub... cooking an awesome gluten free vegan dinner....starting a movie... me falling asleep.
Tuesday: waking up at a reasonable hour... enjoying a breakfast FEAST... train back to Amsterdam...back to the Anne Frank House.. this time we waited as it wasn't as cold or wet...enjoying it but getting really depressed... walking around the red light district.. enjoying a couple shots... more mexican.... more walking around.. and then off to the train... airport...flight.. and then getting the millionth degree from immigration in the uk!
Wow. The Red Light District. Its a bit shocking. And a bit not as exciting as I'd heard it talked up to be. There are chicks in windows... literally. All day long, even across from the 'Old Church' trying to get you to open their door for 15 mins of pleasure. It'll only cost you around 60 Euros. It was crazy to see that even during the day there were so many girls in the windows. There are different areas: for those with different preferences (think ethnic, cross dressers, big boned, etc) you just have to search and you can be as happy as your heart or pocket book would allow. Now my thought always goes to the guys walking into/out of these rooms. What do they think? Do you think they have any thoughts about what the people that see them think? Or when you resort to a prostitue does it not matter what a random stranger thinks when you walk out of a room? I dunno.. but I was feeling bad FOR THEM.. and they sure as hell didn't seem to care!!! also in the Red light district are sex shops, sex shows, coffee shops, and anythign else you can think of.
However, in saying all this... it was no where near what I thought it'd be. I'd heard Amsterdam worked and talked up to be this crazy place. I had such a laid back, relaxed and low key weekend. I had a couple drinks... mostly cuz the last day Pete set out to find a good brownie and I decided I'd have a drink or two as I wasn't going near Pot. Seriously, we didn't party, we enjoyed a bottle of wine in Delt, i had a glass of wine another night. I think i've become boring.
Now for those as confused as I was.... Holland is The Netherlands as The Netherlands is Holland. Its a nickname that has now taken over the Dutch world! Haha!!!!
It was a fun trip.. and glad we chose there as it was one place I didn't get to in my backpacking adventure in the Summer of 07!
We arrived Friday around 9pm ish... and it was crazy bright still. Not used to the light so dark... having been/lived close to the equator for the last few months.
Sadly we arrived into town pretty late for their National Day. Everyone (well, loads and loads of people) were on their way home. You could hardly walk at central station. Their national day is the 29th so many of these people had been partying in the streets since Thursday night. It was a site to see though... a sea of Orange. Orange on EVERYTHING, everyone, and anything possible!!
Mind you... holiday weekend.. and last minute trip. We were 3 kms outside the city centre... but still 'in' the city. And the prices were TRIPLE the normal costs. As in a 16 or 20 bed dorm room was anywhere from 35 to 60 Euros EACH! With that in mind Pete booked us a room... and one of the only rooms we could find (ok, we did book it Friday!) so we didn't have to deal with 15 crazy drunk people for 2 days straight!!! On the way to the hotel... i got kicked... 3 times.. on the crazy packed Metro. None of them were on purpose... but drunk people do drunk and stupid things. I got walked on, spilled on. Seriously, even Pete was doing it. I thought maybe I had a label on that I'd forgot to remove.. or some sort of target!! Well, we finally dropped off our bags and decided to walk back into town and see who was still about.
The town was 'dying' down. Well, not really. There were bits we walked around that were sooo crowded you couldn't get past. There was trash EVERYWHERE, there were bits closed off. Basically, one could see that it'd been a GREAT party during the day. To me it seemed like people were sooo far past their happy point and were just stumbling around. We walked around a bit but I was freezing and exhausted and wanted to go back.
Saturday... I had the best of intentions to wake up early and make the most of the day. But instead... jet lag really got me that day... so I slept in. Think i got out of bed in just enough time to go get a cup of tea before breakfast closed at 11. We ended up getting in line at a museum to decide we didn't have enough time before the walking tour. We met up with Daniella (someone Pete met in the South Island in NZ) who lives an hour away in Holland. We did the walking tour.... with 61 other people (in just OUR group)... there were 3 or 4 groups that day. Literally, thats how crowded the city was! We ended up getting Mexican for a really late lunch... sitting inside... meeting up with an old co workers of petes... taking Daniella back to the station.. and exploring the Red Light District. (which I'll get to in a bit)
Having just spent 8 months in summer and no where near anythign cold.. I didn't have a proper jacket. I had picked one up from Davids (one of very few things I got to keep) but for some strange reason didn't bring it. I also had thrown out ALL of my scarves, gloves and hats. Don't ask. But in my mind May= spring and warmth. Oh, i know, i had taken my RAIN coat thinking with a jumper it'd be plenty. Remember... I was thinking warm... not FREEZING!! Turns out. I was wrong. I was no where NEAR warm. I had gone from 30+ degrees for 8 months to 3 degrees. And when you realize I'd spent the last 4 months closer to 40 degrees... it was over a 35 degree temperature flux!! I didn't handle it well with just a thin jumper and rain coat!!!
Ok, so basically the weekend went like this: sleep in, freeze, avoid the cold, freeze, complain, repeat, continue. I was miserable!!
Sunday: sleep in... freezing in line in the rain for 2 hours for the Van Gough museum....walking through the museaum..... waited at HardRock (i have to buy shot glasses) to decide that we wnated Mexican instead... finding the mexican.... searching online for an hour for a new hotel (that would take us for just one night)... finding the new hotel which was in the city centre so we could explore.... searching for an ATM... paying for said room.. and getting into room and realizing it was the size of a tissue box but a cool loft style room.... me falling asleep while Pete looks up somewhere to explore for the night.... me convincing Pete that its TOOOOO WAY TOOOO Cold to leave the room to go anywhere... and then... both sleeping.
Monday: Sleeping in (ok, I said I'd gotten lazy)... going to the Anne Frank House... deciding that I wouldn't stand in the cold and rain for 2 hours... even though it was teh ONE thing I wanted to do in Amsterdam. Walking around to coffee shops (which mean a place to smoke pot) and looking at random things. Going to the train station and heading to Delft to stay the night with a friend of Pete's from uni. Getting to Delft... looking at old pics... walking through the city centre to a pub... going to another pub... cooking an awesome gluten free vegan dinner....starting a movie... me falling asleep.
Tuesday: waking up at a reasonable hour... enjoying a breakfast FEAST... train back to Amsterdam...back to the Anne Frank House.. this time we waited as it wasn't as cold or wet...enjoying it but getting really depressed... walking around the red light district.. enjoying a couple shots... more mexican.... more walking around.. and then off to the train... airport...flight.. and then getting the millionth degree from immigration in the uk!
Wow. The Red Light District. Its a bit shocking. And a bit not as exciting as I'd heard it talked up to be. There are chicks in windows... literally. All day long, even across from the 'Old Church' trying to get you to open their door for 15 mins of pleasure. It'll only cost you around 60 Euros. It was crazy to see that even during the day there were so many girls in the windows. There are different areas: for those with different preferences (think ethnic, cross dressers, big boned, etc) you just have to search and you can be as happy as your heart or pocket book would allow. Now my thought always goes to the guys walking into/out of these rooms. What do they think? Do you think they have any thoughts about what the people that see them think? Or when you resort to a prostitue does it not matter what a random stranger thinks when you walk out of a room? I dunno.. but I was feeling bad FOR THEM.. and they sure as hell didn't seem to care!!! also in the Red light district are sex shops, sex shows, coffee shops, and anythign else you can think of.
However, in saying all this... it was no where near what I thought it'd be. I'd heard Amsterdam worked and talked up to be this crazy place. I had such a laid back, relaxed and low key weekend. I had a couple drinks... mostly cuz the last day Pete set out to find a good brownie and I decided I'd have a drink or two as I wasn't going near Pot. Seriously, we didn't party, we enjoyed a bottle of wine in Delt, i had a glass of wine another night. I think i've become boring.
Now for those as confused as I was.... Holland is The Netherlands as The Netherlands is Holland. Its a nickname that has now taken over the Dutch world! Haha!!!!
It was a fun trip.. and glad we chose there as it was one place I didn't get to in my backpacking adventure in the Summer of 07!
Cham Am to London
Well... I had quite the long adventure to end my SE Asia trip and arrive in London!
*3 hour bus trip Cha Am to Bangkok
*2 hour wait on the side of the road for supposed airport bus (that never came)
*45 min taxi ride to airport
*check in and 3 hour wait at airport
*most horrendous 10 hour flight to Cairo (words can't describe how horrific this was.. so I'll just not even attempt)
*5 hour layover in Cairo
*5 1/2 hour flight
*45 mins through security, getting bag, walk to tube
*30 min tube ride to Pete's
*2 hours: shower, get new sim card
*1 1/2 hours: tube/train ride to Rainham, Kent to David's
*3 hours to sort through all my crap (sooo much!)
*1 1/2 hour train/tube ride back to pete's in London
During that journey.... I slept:
*1 hour on flight from Bangkok to Cairo (ugh, again, I'm going to NOT mention how horrific this flight was!)
*1 1/2 hours during layover
*the BEST 20 min nap on Cairo to London flight (seriously, cat naps sometimes are sooo much more restful!)
I was super exhausted by the time I made it back to Pete's!
I had made note that I started my JOURNEY (that doesn't include the gettting up, time spent ath beach, etc that day) at 9am London time on TUESDAY and collapsed (literally after walking in the door, putting jammies on and brushing my teeth!) into bed at 11:45 WEDNESDAY night!
The stupid thing was.. I was wide awake the next morning... because my body thought it was the afternoon. However, jet lag hit me the next day or two (thrown in with the flight to Holland, another time change, etc)!
*3 hour bus trip Cha Am to Bangkok
*2 hour wait on the side of the road for supposed airport bus (that never came)
*45 min taxi ride to airport
*check in and 3 hour wait at airport
*most horrendous 10 hour flight to Cairo (words can't describe how horrific this was.. so I'll just not even attempt)
*5 hour layover in Cairo
*5 1/2 hour flight
*45 mins through security, getting bag, walk to tube
*30 min tube ride to Pete's
*2 hours: shower, get new sim card
*1 1/2 hours: tube/train ride to Rainham, Kent to David's
*3 hours to sort through all my crap (sooo much!)
*1 1/2 hour train/tube ride back to pete's in London
During that journey.... I slept:
*1 hour on flight from Bangkok to Cairo (ugh, again, I'm going to NOT mention how horrific this flight was!)
*1 1/2 hours during layover
*the BEST 20 min nap on Cairo to London flight (seriously, cat naps sometimes are sooo much more restful!)
I was super exhausted by the time I made it back to Pete's!
I had made note that I started my JOURNEY (that doesn't include the gettting up, time spent ath beach, etc that day) at 9am London time on TUESDAY and collapsed (literally after walking in the door, putting jammies on and brushing my teeth!) into bed at 11:45 WEDNESDAY night!
The stupid thing was.. I was wide awake the next morning... because my body thought it was the afternoon. However, jet lag hit me the next day or two (thrown in with the flight to Holland, another time change, etc)!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Excited, overwhelmed, thrilled, nervous, exhilarating, and shocking….
Are the words I would use to describe my first day in Cambodia. Now this is Southeast Asia!
Goodness me, I knew what I was getting myself into but it doesn’t make it any less shocking to the system! The first thing I had to do was bargain to get a cheap ‘tuk tuk’ ride from the airport to the hostel. Now for those that don’t know, all drivers have deals with certain guesthouses and try thus try to sell you on the ‘best one.’ I was having none of it. I knew the name of 2 hostels and was keen to see if I could find some backpackers and didn’t want a guesthouse!
Getting to the hostel is a completely different story. Everyone has seen the crazy driving in movies and on tv. But let me tell you… when you have bikes, motos, tuk tuks (I don’t even know if they’re called that here), cyclos, cars, big trucks all vying for the same 1 or 2 lanes it’s a BIT insane! Lanes are not important, horns are. Beep if someone is going to slow or blocking your bit. It’s a case of the bravest and biggest win. To add to the craziness most intersections are a game of chicken. There are some more major intersections with lights (that are mostly followed) that have awesome symbols and count down the time til green/red, respectively. Now I arrived to the capital of Cambodia so that means CITY. If you recall, they aren’t my favorite thing! SMOG, dust and everything was insane! Many drivers of the aforementioned vehicles wear face masks, and I reckon it’s a good idea I start back on my allergy meds!! I had a huge smile on my face the whole ride to the hostel! What and adventure!
After setting my two feet back on solid ground (seriously, I was scared at the start of the ride!) I realized any adventure would have to wait until after a nap! A couple hours later I was refreshed, showered and ready to go with the two girls from my hostel on that adventure! What better way to start my time in Cambodia than visiting the killing fields. We hopped back in a tuk tuk for a 15 km ride South of Phnom Penh which allowed us to see industrial bits, some villages, and day to day life (well, as well as going by it allows).
I’ll be the first to admit, I’m a big history buff, but not very up to date about anything in Southeast Asia. I know tid bits of info and stuff I’ve learned/heard over the years but that’s about it. The Choeung Ek Killing fields were used to mass slaughter prisoners in the late 1970s. Children were thrashed against trees and decapitated, men and women were often beaten to save bullets. They got off trucks, blindfolded, silent and often killed right away. Children and women, famous singers/actors/models, or being a foreigner (I believe 9 Australians) would not spare one the cruelty. Walking around the killing fields clothes and bone fragments are still visible in the dirt. A 17 story (I’m drawing a blank on the Buddhist monument name) was built to honour all those who lost their lives. Many of the mass graves were unearthed and the bones are separated by type (female/male/age) of skulls on level 2-10, clothes on 1, and the rest of the bones on 11-17. It was humbling to walk around and be face to face, literally, or so many innocent victims that didn’t have a chance. To realize this was happening the year my brother was born was a bit terrifying. (While not exactly within my lifetime, its only 3 years before I was born.) The only other time I’ve been as humbled was walking through Auschwitz. It really makes me wonder about humans and who we are or claim to be.
We then went to the Genocide (properly named- Tuol Sleng museum) which was a high school before it was turned into a prison. S21 as it was known was where people were kept before taken to the killing fields. Prisoners were tortured and the thoughts were that it was helpful and cheaper to not have to transport and deal with them anymore. What once had been classrooms had obviously hastily been constructed into cells.
After the humbling afternoon I decided to walk around the market down the street. I was on a mission to buy a Cambodian SIM card so I can communicate. On my travels I’ve had some amazing adventures having a local number! Funny fact the hostel owner told me; Cambodia has more cell/mobile phone companies than any other Country in the world. Its shocking to see all the different options I had. There are at least 10 different prefixes (011, 012, 089, etc) that I keep seeing around town. Makes me wonder why such a poor country needs so many mobile phone providers but I guess the competition makes it cheaper? I wandered through the food market, down to the river and up the park in the middle. My stroll brought me to the most bustling, relaxing looking place around sunset. The locals were all out playing badmitton, exercising, or playing a few other games in the park strip that runs across from my hostel.
Unfortunately, right as I was enjoying my stroll I started to feel really unwell. Good old anti-malaria pills got to me… a couple times! I had dinner and a rest to let my tummy settle, read about SEA and decided to write my blogs! This way they are written and when I get Internet connection they can go up, super fast! I know they are way long and probably boring to most. But I thought I’d get back into blogging… for now anyways! Well, sleep beckons as I know at sunup its going to be lively outside my window and I think that’s only 5 hours away… I’m not so sure though seeing as I’m in the Northern Hemisphere now!
Lets see what tomorrow brings!
(Sorry, I KNOW the pics are messed up, loaded on top of each other, etc. I can't go back and fix it.. so just pretend it looks normal! I guess my only option is to do 'no layout' and have them all in one line down the side.)
Goodness me, I knew what I was getting myself into but it doesn’t make it any less shocking to the system! The first thing I had to do was bargain to get a cheap ‘tuk tuk’ ride from the airport to the hostel. Now for those that don’t know, all drivers have deals with certain guesthouses and try thus try to sell you on the ‘best one.’ I was having none of it. I knew the name of 2 hostels and was keen to see if I could find some backpackers and didn’t want a guesthouse!
Getting to the hostel is a completely different story. Everyone has seen the crazy driving in movies and on tv. But let me tell you… when you have bikes, motos, tuk tuks (I don’t even know if they’re called that here), cyclos, cars, big trucks all vying for the same 1 or 2 lanes it’s a BIT insane! Lanes are not important, horns are. Beep if someone is going to slow or blocking your bit. It’s a case of the bravest and biggest win. To add to the craziness most intersections are a game of chicken. There are some more major intersections with lights (that are mostly followed) that have awesome symbols and count down the time til green/red, respectively. Now I arrived to the capital of Cambodia so that means CITY. If you recall, they aren’t my favorite thing! SMOG, dust and everything was insane! Many drivers of the aforementioned vehicles wear face masks, and I reckon it’s a good idea I start back on my allergy meds!! I had a huge smile on my face the whole ride to the hostel! What and adventure!
After setting my two feet back on solid ground (seriously, I was scared at the start of the ride!) I realized any adventure would have to wait until after a nap! A couple hours later I was refreshed, showered and ready to go with the two girls from my hostel on that adventure! What better way to start my time in Cambodia than visiting the killing fields. We hopped back in a tuk tuk for a 15 km ride South of Phnom Penh which allowed us to see industrial bits, some villages, and day to day life (well, as well as going by it allows).
I’ll be the first to admit, I’m a big history buff, but not very up to date about anything in Southeast Asia. I know tid bits of info and stuff I’ve learned/heard over the years but that’s about it. The Choeung Ek Killing fields were used to mass slaughter prisoners in the late 1970s. Children were thrashed against trees and decapitated, men and women were often beaten to save bullets. They got off trucks, blindfolded, silent and often killed right away. Children and women, famous singers/actors/models, or being a foreigner (I believe 9 Australians) would not spare one the cruelty. Walking around the killing fields clothes and bone fragments are still visible in the dirt. A 17 story (I’m drawing a blank on the Buddhist monument name) was built to honour all those who lost their lives. Many of the mass graves were unearthed and the bones are separated by type (female/male/age) of skulls on level 2-10, clothes on 1, and the rest of the bones on 11-17. It was humbling to walk around and be face to face, literally, or so many innocent victims that didn’t have a chance. To realize this was happening the year my brother was born was a bit terrifying. (While not exactly within my lifetime, its only 3 years before I was born.) The only other time I’ve been as humbled was walking through Auschwitz. It really makes me wonder about humans and who we are or claim to be.
We then went to the Genocide (properly named- Tuol Sleng museum) which was a high school before it was turned into a prison. S21 as it was known was where people were kept before taken to the killing fields. Prisoners were tortured and the thoughts were that it was helpful and cheaper to not have to transport and deal with them anymore. What once had been classrooms had obviously hastily been constructed into cells.
After the humbling afternoon I decided to walk around the market down the street. I was on a mission to buy a Cambodian SIM card so I can communicate. On my travels I’ve had some amazing adventures having a local number! Funny fact the hostel owner told me; Cambodia has more cell/mobile phone companies than any other Country in the world. Its shocking to see all the different options I had. There are at least 10 different prefixes (011, 012, 089, etc) that I keep seeing around town. Makes me wonder why such a poor country needs so many mobile phone providers but I guess the competition makes it cheaper? I wandered through the food market, down to the river and up the park in the middle. My stroll brought me to the most bustling, relaxing looking place around sunset. The locals were all out playing badmitton, exercising, or playing a few other games in the park strip that runs across from my hostel.
Unfortunately, right as I was enjoying my stroll I started to feel really unwell. Good old anti-malaria pills got to me… a couple times! I had dinner and a rest to let my tummy settle, read about SEA and decided to write my blogs! This way they are written and when I get Internet connection they can go up, super fast! I know they are way long and probably boring to most. But I thought I’d get back into blogging… for now anyways! Well, sleep beckons as I know at sunup its going to be lively outside my window and I think that’s only 5 hours away… I’m not so sure though seeing as I’m in the Northern Hemisphere now!
Lets see what tomorrow brings!
(Sorry, I KNOW the pics are messed up, loaded on top of each other, etc. I can't go back and fix it.. so just pretend it looks normal! I guess my only option is to do 'no layout' and have them all in one line down the side.)
Home is where my backpack lies
Well, as I’ve been known to do from time to time, I completely procrastinated getting any vaccines to come to Southeast Asia. However, in my defense, I spent the last 7 weeks in the middle of Kakadu National Park without regular phone or internet (so no research available and no clinics near with which to get jabbed. When moving up my flights out of Australia, I did consider staying in Darwin to do some vaccines but decided I could do them in Singapore. And on top of that I decided I didn’t need to spend much time there as it is not on the top of my ‘must see’ places.
With that in mind, I arrived in Singapore, got through customs, found the MRT (train) and my hostel all by 830 on Sunday night without any hassles. My first thought was how WEIRD it was to be back in a hostel. Yes, I stayed in some in NZ/Aus but it was a different context in my mind. I had more belongings and felt lived there (or somewhere close by). In my mind I kept saying a combination of things: “What in the world are you doing starting this craziness again!?! I’ve missed the hostel world with random strangers turned instant friends. I wonder how much more I can get rid of out of my backpack!”
I spent a lovely night and morning talking to some great people and was in no rush to go explore the crazy city of Singapore. If you didn’t know, I’m NOT a city person. I do not enjoy the craziness, people, buildings and anything else that comes with them. I finally set out for the day to figure out where to get some vaccinations. Turned out I needed to go to the Travllers Clinic at one of the hospitals. In total it cost me $250 to get: two shots, 4 months anti malaria pills (they have to be taken for 1 month after leaving the region), and the actual visits to the two clinics. Not bad, and I reckon cheaper than it would’ve been in Aus and a much more enjoyable experience. I then ended up exploring a bazillion shopping centres. I was overwhelmed at seeing so many old brands. Its been almost 3 years since I left home (& 2 years since London) so to see the old recognizable brands, stores, etc again was pretty crazy. I know I didn’t spend the last 2 years in the middle of the outback but I did spend hours just wondering around the shops… and buying nothing buy some fruit.
Thailand Dragon fruit to be exact. I’d tasted it once and thought the colors were pretty awesome. Here are some pics (sorry, I wasn’t being clever, just trying to get the contrast in colours).
I continued my aimless wonders, exploring Singapore from the MRT station that led to countless malls (seriously!) never feeling the need to venture out into the torrential downpour that was there that day. In my desire to avoid the city, smog, cars, etc I did alright. I did walk through China town (keeping with the shops) which was one of the best I’ve ever seen.
I met up with a Dutch couple in Little India for dinner. We did our own money exchange (they were heading to Aus and I needed USD coming to Cambodia where they’d just left). Enjoyed a great night of convo and then they left to the airport, and I shortly after.
One of the joys of backpacking on a budget is well, being frugal. I found out the MRT and buses didn’t run at the early hour I’d need them so my only option was a taxi. Of course, I found this out only after I’d paid for both nights. Well, in the end I decided to forfeit my money on the bed as I’d save heaps more taking the train before 11 (to get my deposit on the travel card before that office closed). I put my big bag in left luggage and then attempted to sleep. It was a painful attempt. The construction all around, hard annoyingly spaced curved plastic seats did nothing to help the matter. Needless to say I was thrilled to get onto the flight where I slept from sitting down for about 1-2 hours! Best nap, ever!
Well, I didn't take many photos.. and I've got to sort out the issue with the amount of online storage...so I guess no pics for now :-(
With that in mind, I arrived in Singapore, got through customs, found the MRT (train) and my hostel all by 830 on Sunday night without any hassles. My first thought was how WEIRD it was to be back in a hostel. Yes, I stayed in some in NZ/Aus but it was a different context in my mind. I had more belongings and felt lived there (or somewhere close by). In my mind I kept saying a combination of things: “What in the world are you doing starting this craziness again!?! I’ve missed the hostel world with random strangers turned instant friends. I wonder how much more I can get rid of out of my backpack!”
I spent a lovely night and morning talking to some great people and was in no rush to go explore the crazy city of Singapore. If you didn’t know, I’m NOT a city person. I do not enjoy the craziness, people, buildings and anything else that comes with them. I finally set out for the day to figure out where to get some vaccinations. Turned out I needed to go to the Travllers Clinic at one of the hospitals. In total it cost me $250 to get: two shots, 4 months anti malaria pills (they have to be taken for 1 month after leaving the region), and the actual visits to the two clinics. Not bad, and I reckon cheaper than it would’ve been in Aus and a much more enjoyable experience. I then ended up exploring a bazillion shopping centres. I was overwhelmed at seeing so many old brands. Its been almost 3 years since I left home (& 2 years since London) so to see the old recognizable brands, stores, etc again was pretty crazy. I know I didn’t spend the last 2 years in the middle of the outback but I did spend hours just wondering around the shops… and buying nothing buy some fruit.
Thailand Dragon fruit to be exact. I’d tasted it once and thought the colors were pretty awesome. Here are some pics (sorry, I wasn’t being clever, just trying to get the contrast in colours).
I continued my aimless wonders, exploring Singapore from the MRT station that led to countless malls (seriously!) never feeling the need to venture out into the torrential downpour that was there that day. In my desire to avoid the city, smog, cars, etc I did alright. I did walk through China town (keeping with the shops) which was one of the best I’ve ever seen.
I met up with a Dutch couple in Little India for dinner. We did our own money exchange (they were heading to Aus and I needed USD coming to Cambodia where they’d just left). Enjoyed a great night of convo and then they left to the airport, and I shortly after.
One of the joys of backpacking on a budget is well, being frugal. I found out the MRT and buses didn’t run at the early hour I’d need them so my only option was a taxi. Of course, I found this out only after I’d paid for both nights. Well, in the end I decided to forfeit my money on the bed as I’d save heaps more taking the train before 11 (to get my deposit on the travel card before that office closed). I put my big bag in left luggage and then attempted to sleep. It was a painful attempt. The construction all around, hard annoyingly spaced curved plastic seats did nothing to help the matter. Needless to say I was thrilled to get onto the flight where I slept from sitting down for about 1-2 hours! Best nap, ever!
Well, I didn't take many photos.. and I've got to sort out the issue with the amount of online storage...so I guess no pics for now :-(
Monday, May 04, 2009
Time travel
Skipping ahead a few blogless months brings me to May! Seeing as I've been gone from Wellington for 2 months, I won't backdate about my life. (I know my mom would like it though). Maybe when I actually think about pictures again I'll do some short captions with pics? Well, maybe I'll recap.
*I had the best last month in Wellington. Enjoyed the sunshine and friends and lived up every moment of Feb! I left the 25th and headed to the Islands where I spent a month in Fiji/Samoa. Went back and got my stuff and moved to Melbourne on 1 April. I went to Sydney to visit KC and his crew for a week. Then got the best surprise when my best friend decided to head to Aussie for a week. Spent my birthday with her. Then back to reality.
*The computer is officially dead. After having issues since Mar 07, its making the worlds worst sound. I refuse to put more money to the piece of crap! I will suffice on internet cafes until I can save enough to get a "cheap" apple.
*After some painful searching, I've finally found a flat. I'm moving in with Auria, who is a 35 year old New Yorker, I met through one of the Couch surfing hosts we both stayed with. We move in Thursday, the 7th of May. Its unfurnished though, so for awhile we won't have much!
*I temped for 3 days before leaving to visit with Sac town folks and am hoping to get some more temp work ASAP. Also, looking to apply anywhere and everywhere. Literally, I'll work and McDonalds, I don't care. I can't expect to take jobs from all the Aussies who are hurting during this time. And anything will pay the bills.. so I'm gonna just go with whatever.
*I've made a couple friends here in Melbourne... and always on the look out for more. I think that will be heaps easier once I'm settled in the flat.
Uhh.. I could go on and on.. but don't want to be too boring, so i'll wait until I have some pictures before I update more.
*I had the best last month in Wellington. Enjoyed the sunshine and friends and lived up every moment of Feb! I left the 25th and headed to the Islands where I spent a month in Fiji/Samoa. Went back and got my stuff and moved to Melbourne on 1 April. I went to Sydney to visit KC and his crew for a week. Then got the best surprise when my best friend decided to head to Aussie for a week. Spent my birthday with her. Then back to reality.
*The computer is officially dead. After having issues since Mar 07, its making the worlds worst sound. I refuse to put more money to the piece of crap! I will suffice on internet cafes until I can save enough to get a "cheap" apple.
*After some painful searching, I've finally found a flat. I'm moving in with Auria, who is a 35 year old New Yorker, I met through one of the Couch surfing hosts we both stayed with. We move in Thursday, the 7th of May. Its unfurnished though, so for awhile we won't have much!
*I temped for 3 days before leaving to visit with Sac town folks and am hoping to get some more temp work ASAP. Also, looking to apply anywhere and everywhere. Literally, I'll work and McDonalds, I don't care. I can't expect to take jobs from all the Aussies who are hurting during this time. And anything will pay the bills.. so I'm gonna just go with whatever.
*I've made a couple friends here in Melbourne... and always on the look out for more. I think that will be heaps easier once I'm settled in the flat.
Uhh.. I could go on and on.. but don't want to be too boring, so i'll wait until I have some pictures before I update more.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Less than 2 months....
Seeing as I have less than two months left in Taiura I'm making a list (that I can go back and refer to) of 'Things I still need to do on The Coromandel.'
It pretty much includes EVERYTHING here as I haven't done anything except Cathedrol Cove. (Here is what The Coromandel pamphlet says -Carl works for them-, what my NZ guide book says I should do, and most importantly what the locals -aka Binds and Sue- tell me I shoudl do!!)
-Drive around the whole Coromandel (stoping at all the lookouts, etc)
-Hot Water Beach (during LOW tide)
-Hahei/Cooks Beach (Cooks Monument! gorgeous blue waters! blow holes during high-stormy?- tide)
-Coromandel Town (Driving Creek Railway, arts/cratspeople)
-Whitianga (food and wine): bone carving,
-Take the lil ferry (its just a lil boat) over to Pauanui for the day
-Whangamata Beach (Shakespeares Cliff after taking a ferry?)
-Waihi (Martha Mine-gold mining)
-Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway (At least to 4.5 km to the walkway? -tramp through the dark railway tunnel, to Owharoa Falls)
-Paeroa (home of L&P)
-Thames (Rapaura watergardens)
-Scallop Festival (Super famuous, I'm volunteering, so free entry to an even that sold out in like one day!)
-The Pinnacles! (3 hour walk each way in/out, plus summit and night at the base huts!)
Things AROUND The Coromandel (In the North Island)
-Auckland (hopefully explore with a local so they can show me the best of)
-Waitomo glow worms, black water rafting, repelling
-Tauranga: Prestons Kiwifruti Winery, The Mount
-Kiwi 360 (in Te Puke) 'The Kiwifruit Capital of the World'
Can I just say I wish I had taken advantage of doing some of the LOADS of walks around here (10 min-2 hour drive) while it was warm and DRY out! I am looking forward to doing some of this but am not going to kill myself to get it done. I know I can always come crash on the couches/spare beds/camp/etc back here at the Muirs if I need/want to explore this area again in the summer! I'm excited to get down to Wellington and start making some friends that will go on weekend adventure trips with me. I really want to get out and explore the native bush because it is so amazing here!!
Who knows what from that list I'll actually be able to do before I 'leave.' Ehh, you don't get out and enjoy what you have around you until its too late! (Just like never going hiking up towards Tahoe off 50 or 80, or going more to SF to walk, Napa/the wine country to explore etc!)
It pretty much includes EVERYTHING here as I haven't done anything except Cathedrol Cove. (Here is what The Coromandel pamphlet says -Carl works for them-, what my NZ guide book says I should do, and most importantly what the locals -aka Binds and Sue- tell me I shoudl do!!)
-Drive around the whole Coromandel (stoping at all the lookouts, etc)
-Hot Water Beach (during LOW tide)
-Hahei/Cooks Beach (Cooks Monument! gorgeous blue waters! blow holes during high-stormy?- tide)
-Coromandel Town (Driving Creek Railway, arts/cratspeople)
-Whitianga (food and wine): bone carving,
-Take the lil ferry (its just a lil boat) over to Pauanui for the day
-Whangamata Beach (Shakespeares Cliff after taking a ferry?)
-Waihi (Martha Mine-gold mining)
-Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway (At least to 4.5 km to the walkway? -tramp through the dark railway tunnel, to Owharoa Falls)
-Paeroa (home of L&P)
-Thames (Rapaura watergardens)
-Scallop Festival (Super famuous, I'm volunteering, so free entry to an even that sold out in like one day!)
-The Pinnacles! (3 hour walk each way in/out, plus summit and night at the base huts!)
Things AROUND The Coromandel (In the North Island)
-Auckland (hopefully explore with a local so they can show me the best of)
-Waitomo glow worms, black water rafting, repelling
-Tauranga: Prestons Kiwifruti Winery, The Mount
-Kiwi 360 (in Te Puke) 'The Kiwifruit Capital of the World'
Can I just say I wish I had taken advantage of doing some of the LOADS of walks around here (10 min-2 hour drive) while it was warm and DRY out! I am looking forward to doing some of this but am not going to kill myself to get it done. I know I can always come crash on the couches/spare beds/camp/etc back here at the Muirs if I need/want to explore this area again in the summer! I'm excited to get down to Wellington and start making some friends that will go on weekend adventure trips with me. I really want to get out and explore the native bush because it is so amazing here!!
Who knows what from that list I'll actually be able to do before I 'leave.' Ehh, you don't get out and enjoy what you have around you until its too late! (Just like never going hiking up towards Tahoe off 50 or 80, or going more to SF to walk, Napa/the wine country to explore etc!)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
I <3 my Mom
She's so right.
I want to travel, and I should.
No more of this setting deadlines for this grad school thing. I'm going to look into teaching English in an Asian or South East Asian Country for 6 months. After NZ I'm going to (hopefully) meet up with KC in Australia for 2 weeks and travel there. I'm going to look into a working holiday visa for there as well. So I can travel and tour and work to pay for it (there are lots of backpack type jobs). I plan on visiting more of the Pacific Islands. Then over to South East Asia and then Asia and maybe get to the rest of Eastern Europe that I didn't get to see and/or Africa? There is SO much of the world out there and I'm going to see it!!
I plan on traveling around and spliting it up with work or volunteering. No clue on timeframe or plans. But I'm going to make it happen. Basically, I've just realized (just now) that I can go with the flow and do what I WANT!
I've realized this is the time to do it. The only bills I have are the student loans and if I go to gradschool I'd be getting another HUGE loan and would have to get a 'real' job to pay for things.
She's made me realize I need to follow my heart and I can work for the rest of my life. Grad school will always be there. Granted, I hate the fact that I'll be old, have no 'real' job experience or Masters but I think traveling, adapting and learning is something that most jobs can't teach.
Something about traveling, experiencing new places, cultures and people excites me, scares me, intrigues me, etc and I live for it! I live to explore and to uncover what else is out there.
Thanks mom for putting my mind right (ok, I say this, but it could just be for today.. as I'm always going back and forth about what to do next .)
I think my mom and I have gotten lots closer since I've been away. I've always heard a lot of daughters say that not living with or right next to their mom made them get closer, and I totally agree. Love you mom, thanks for being the best and giving me all the encouragement and inspiration you do!
I want to travel, and I should.
No more of this setting deadlines for this grad school thing. I'm going to look into teaching English in an Asian or South East Asian Country for 6 months. After NZ I'm going to (hopefully) meet up with KC in Australia for 2 weeks and travel there. I'm going to look into a working holiday visa for there as well. So I can travel and tour and work to pay for it (there are lots of backpack type jobs). I plan on visiting more of the Pacific Islands. Then over to South East Asia and then Asia and maybe get to the rest of Eastern Europe that I didn't get to see and/or Africa? There is SO much of the world out there and I'm going to see it!!
I plan on traveling around and spliting it up with work or volunteering. No clue on timeframe or plans. But I'm going to make it happen. Basically, I've just realized (just now) that I can go with the flow and do what I WANT!
I've realized this is the time to do it. The only bills I have are the student loans and if I go to gradschool I'd be getting another HUGE loan and would have to get a 'real' job to pay for things.
She's made me realize I need to follow my heart and I can work for the rest of my life. Grad school will always be there. Granted, I hate the fact that I'll be old, have no 'real' job experience or Masters but I think traveling, adapting and learning is something that most jobs can't teach.
Something about traveling, experiencing new places, cultures and people excites me, scares me, intrigues me, etc and I live for it! I live to explore and to uncover what else is out there.
Thanks mom for putting my mind right (ok, I say this, but it could just be for today.. as I'm always going back and forth about what to do next .)
I think my mom and I have gotten lots closer since I've been away. I've always heard a lot of daughters say that not living with or right next to their mom made them get closer, and I totally agree. Love you mom, thanks for being the best and giving me all the encouragement and inspiration you do!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Palangi in Tonga
--Sorry in advance, I gave up trying to place the pictures on the right and left because it wasn't working and was just screwing up the text and makng it all jibberish and mixed up! I give up...from now on I officially succomb to blogger powers that be and will have my pictures in straight lines down the left hand side and stop trying to fight it!--
***I absolutely LOVED Tonga. I went to main island of Tongatapu and stayed in the village of Hofoa which is a few villages (and km) outside of the main town Nuku'Alofa.
I couchsurfed (stayed) with a very nice guy, Enrique, who is in Tonga as a Peace Corp Volunteer. I also spent loads of time around the corner, at his neighbors Alexis and Andrew who are also PCVs.
I'll go through my week in a (hopefully) orderly fashion, with some explanations and descriptions of what I did and some pics. This will be a super long post but hopefully you'll enjoy it!
Monday
I arrived in Tonga to see the airport was loaded with people waiting for loved ones. On the way into town it was amazing to just look out the windows of the 'shuttle' and see such a different environment and knew I would love Tonga from that first few minutes! I met Enrique at the PC office and he took me around town to show the me 'important' things. -The Royal palace (which is undergoing renovations for the Coronation in August), the Royal Tombs, the market (pics to come later) and showed me a couple stores. We eventually made our way to the bus stop and piled on with all the other Tongans. Getting on a bus in any Country can be an experience, especially with a huge bag, but this was definitely a Tongan experience!! I dropped my stuff off, came up with a slight outline of my week and then headed to meet the neighbors. They also
had two couchsurfers staying with them. As it turns out they were cooking so we ended up having a big, home cooked meal. There were not enough utensils to go around so the 'hosts' ended up using serving spoons. We spent the rest of the night playing cards (BS, with three decks, and I won) and talking!
Tuesday
After a lil sleep in (930ish) I woke up and Enrique and I decided to bike to the blowholes. That was entertaining because I'm out of shape and was riding a one speed beach cruiser, not exactly the most comfortable of bikes. Luckily Tongatapu is mostly flat with only slight inclines. It was a leisurely bike ride where I really took in the surroundings (vast numbers of coconut trees, crops, houses, etc) and eventually we made it the 15 km to the coast. It turns out it was the wrong time of day so we decided to stay and play cards to see if the tide was coming in. After doing that for a couple hours and a nice picnic lunch of pb sandwiches we got back on the bikes. (The blow holes never got much bigger!) I wanted to see the Mormon temple as Tonga has a large population of LDS. Its right next to the Mormon High School (where the English only sign is at the bus stop). We then passed a quarry and the friendly Tongan let us go in and look at it. We were passing a field on a dirt row and there was some music coming out of the bush. I figured someone was just playing their stereo really loud... but it turns out people were actually playing/blasting live music. I wanted to go see them so we turned around and met this guy names Siua who walked us into the bush in front of his house. I met the guy playing the keyboard and guitar and found out they were playing gospel music. We biked back to town and went to the PC office. Alexis and I went for ice cream and then biked the scenic way back to A&A's house for the evening. We decided that we wanted some coconuts and they tried to climb the tree...not getting far at all (I didn't attempt, I know I'm too accident prone)! One of the guys in the Rugby field sent one of the younger ones over to climb for us and he managed it in two seconds flat and kicked down loads of them for us. We then attempted to hack them open with a machete. It was loads of fun, entertaining and lots harder than it looks (I have a new found respect for Survivors now), haha! We ate coconut and drank the 'island sprite' and found out their cat loves coconuts! I went over and watched the village Rugby team practice. There were some cute neighborhood kids there. Again we had a huge meal contributed by a little of everyone. While hanging out that night (after deciding on the beach for the next day) we decided we would try to make Kava. As no one had the proper utensils required we used a strainer and sock to filter the Kava...very Palangi of us. It was fun times though.
Wednesday
On cue, it was a gorgeous day and perfect for the beach! We headed out, again on the bus, to Kanokupolu (or Ha'atfu?) which is supposedly the best surfing beach on the island. Now, important to note is that Tonga has reef lined beaches which are PERFECT for snorkling. We all sat in the shallow reef and talked eventually getting out to partake in another picnic of PB and bread and left over rice! After lunch I snorkled and saw some gorgeous fish! Then it was time to head to Cory and Joe's house (two other PCVs). I hung out with them for a bit then they walked me to the resort where I would be watching the dinner show. I met up with Sarin and Helene at Liku'alofa. We had some cocktails and beers, saw a great sunset and eventually it was time for the show. Dinner was a Tongan feast style umu and the dancing was great. They did a variety of Tongan and then showed neighboring Pacific Islander dances. More drinks and some music and the night was over.
Thursday
When I had met Siua at his house on Tuesday he said he'd give me a tour of the island, and I took him up on that, especially since Helene and Sarin wanted to see the island as well. He met us at 10 on the clock (not very Tongan of him, we were expecting to have to wait!) and we were off. It turned out to be an amazing tour! He took us to the three corners, literallly, of the island. We went to and saw: the 'religious rock' thats not there any more (they are re-building the monument/rock thing--how very Tongan), the Blowholes (where the tide was in and they were HUGE), the lookout where we were going to climb down to an amazing sandy beach until I sprained my ankle (Seriously, it happens once a year!), 'Anahulu Cave, the Royal Estate with more gorgeous beaches, Ha'amona'a Maui Trilihon, and this great white tower thing in Niutoua, fishing pigs, flying foxes (bats) and I'm sure I'm forgetting so much. Ok, besides hearing great stories from a local, we got to go places like the white tower that most people don't know about. In getting there we ended up having to really off road it and knocked part of the van off, then backing out, ran into a tree and smashed the back lights! It was great and we found out it was his friends car...only in Tonga is that alright! haha! It was great fun!! Because the speed limit is so SLOW and we spent time chilling on different beaches just talking and hanging out it took us about 6 1/2 hours to tour the whole island (its not that big)! Siua came back to get the girls to take them to the airport and I hung out again at A&A's house for the night until it was time to do Kava. I wanted to Dua (i'm sure I'm spelling that wrong), serve kava, because its the only way females can go to the Kava circles. It was an interesting night and loads of fun. I didn't take an pictures because I felt a little stupid about it because I ended up being an extra one and they were nice enough to let me sit in and help part of the time.
Friday
I slept in a little and decided I was going to walk to town and explore a little more. I got ice cream (what better breakfast after sweating so much on the walk in!) and sat at the Talamahu market and people watched. Eventually I decided to walk through the market and almost bought a purse made out of Tapa. I explored some shops and was hungry so I went to a cafe. I read the little Tonga tourist guide and it said the national center had Tapa demonstrations after 2 so I thought, hey, I've got no other plans, I'll take the long walk out there! Yeah, turns out they lied and it stopped at 2!! So I took the long walk for nothing! I didn't want to waste the walk so I went to the museum-gallery thing there. It was neat and I got to read a little history and see some of the Royal family stuff. I walked all the way back into town and then out to Hofoa! Not sure WHY i didn't get on one of the million buses that past me, I was really just enjoying watching and looking at everything. That night some people came over to Enrique's to celebrate a PCVs birthday. I wasn't too into partying or drinking so I just sat and watched everything. I went to bed after taking a migraine pill (not sure if the dust and stuff had got to me or it was the period!) and was out like a light for the next 10 1/2 hours!
(oops, I didn't take any pics This day!)
Saturday
I got woken up by Enrique because Siua had called. He wanted to hang out with one of his friends. They came and picked me up and asked what I wanted to do. I really wanted to go to Pangaimotu. They drove me to the dock and hung out with me while I waited for the boat. I went to the little island and spent the day relaxing on the touristy 'palangi' island. It was chill and ended up being perfect because I could see the black clouds over the main island while we had sun. I snorkled, had lunch, walked around the island, and just laid in the sun for 5 hours. I caught the boat back and Siua and his friend were there to pick me up and take me back to the house. We were going to go out that night, I was all ready and waiting and A&A's house... but it turns out they got a flat tire on the way home so we weren't able to. Instead I just hung out and talked with the PCVs all night. Oh, and I did laundry in a very funny machine!
Sunday
Anyone who wants to go to Tonga must udnerstand that Sunday is Gods day. Literally, nothing is open (except the bread store, a chinese restaurant and the palangi tourist island trips! We bought food the night before to cover what we wanted to eat on Sunday! A&A and Alicia and Bobby were cool enough to go to church with me. It was the big Weseylan Church conference so we hitched (another, very Tongan thing) into town just in time to see a loaded church. Literally people were crammed in and standing and sitting all around the outside of the church. The music and signing was amazing and I could listen to it all day. After church was a feast. What a great Tongan experience. Walking through the rows of tables we eventually got asked to sit down, and after some prayers (i think?) and other talking the free for all began. Tongans eat with their hands so that was neat to see after hearing about it all week. People were tearing into the pigs, and other dishes. I quickly snatched the coke from the basket (what you have to do if you want something) and tried some more Tongan food (what didn't have meat in it!)! It was a great experience and I'm glad I got to see and participate in a real feast (instead of just the touristy one, even though there were loads of tongans at that). We then spent a little time chilling at the PC office and napped (hey, I hear thats what everyone does on Sunday afternoons)! After a quick stop to buy some cheesy bread (again, the only place I saw open in town) we went to their friends house to play Cranium. We spent the evening play the game (my team wone once!) and then got a ride, Tongan style, all crammed into the car back to the house. We all went to sleep pretty early that night!
Monday
I woke up super sad that it was my last day but decided to make the most of it! I still had loads I wanted to take pics of decided to call Siua to see what he was up to. He was trying to fix the car so he said he'd come get me when it was done. I waited awhile (i'd woken up early) and eventually started walking into town. I got a ride after a few mins and went back to the Market. I took pictures, bought a purse and a couple postcards and eventually Siua found me. He drove me to a cemetary and another cool place (that if the tide was out we could've walked across to) and then dropped me back off in town. I went looking for a shirt to buy and to find something for Bella and Oscar. I didn't find anything for them that wasn't sold at one of the Chinese shops...and something I could get here, so i didn't get anything. I really wanted this shirt that was died by Kava but it was 40 Top and decided I'd already bought my purse and against it... i never wear tshirts anyways! I had lunch at a Cafe (I needed something besides bread that I'd eaten most of the week) and then headed back out to Hofoa. I got a ride from someone in the village when I was already most of the way there. I took a couple pics and then decided I was really bummed that I hadn't seen Tapa. It was the one thing all week I'd wanted to do. I decided to follow the sound of the pounding and ended up walking up to someones house. They didn't speak English too well but let me watch for a few mins. Then the nicest lady came aroudn the corner and explained to me how they make Tapa, showed me the trees it comes from and then said she was going to paint one and said I could come watch. I helped her lay out the Tapa Cloth an watched so eagerly. I felt like a little kid as I was just amazed by it. They use these little acorn looking things as brushes, and its all natural (from the brush, die, what they make the cloth out of, paste to put it together and even the hammer things they pound it with). Ske kept asking I wanted to do some and I was scared I'd mess it up but after she'd done the design I decided I could color some in. It was awesome to be able to help! I didn't do too much as I had to leave to pack up my stuff! Siua said he'd take me to the airport like he did the other girls after going out. We went to Ambassador bar, I had a drink, the three guys smoked and then we left. We ended up going back and exchanging cars (long silly story about girlfriends and wives not seeing cars at their houses, etc!) and having a great laugh about that! Then we headed out for the 40 min ride to the airport! I said goodbye to Siua cuz he was awesome and if I go back I've totally got to see him again!!! I checked in and had to go to what I could tell was the screening of only Palangi's bags! The security gaurd dude was really nice and I ended up eventually talking to him more. I got on the plane and froze on the way home. I swear the door was leaking freezing cold air. I didn't sleep much because of that!
Tuesday Then I got off the plane, through customs and biosecurity and got McDonalds as I was starving, I'd only had a bowl of beans for lunch! I tried to sleep but at 3 am the stores in the departure part of the airport were all opening (when I just wanted to CLOSE!) and a huge loud group sat right behind me. I maybe slept on and off for an hour til 530. I went out to catch the Airbus....and thought it was going to take me to Sky City. Turns out I went to the end of the line and the driver looked at me and asked where I was going! I told him and they said they don't go there anymore, they changed their route the prior week. Why he didn't tell me that when I paid and told him where I was going, I'm not sure. So he dropped me off on the closest corner, I stopped to by a Starbucks Chai Latte and walked up the hill 3 blocks to Sky City. I got a good 1 hr nap on the bus to Thames in nasty weather but the heater was on!! When we got there it was pouring and I hoofed it to where Carl works. Turns out he wasn't there (he'd gone to Rotorua for the day) and so a coworker drove me (I was soaking wet) to his moms, who didnt answer the door, so I dropped my bags in her backyard and went to the drycleaners (his parents business that his sister manages). She asked if I wanted to make some money since I had nothing to do that day, of course I did! I worked from about 10 to 2:30 (with lunch) and made $55! Yay, then Jeanette (carls mom) took me to her house where I read a magazine and napped for 30 mins until Carl picked me up a little after 6. I got home at 7! So ends the vacation!!
Random Info I learned about Tonga
-Palangi is a white person or tourist
-They have wild dogs, pigs, chickens, roosters, cats, and other animals that all run loose (and occasionally all chase each other), make noises at weird hours and then are eaten (ok, only the pigs and sometimes dogs).
-a million people pile into cars, backs of trucks, etc.
-its easy and common to hitchhike (hand down not thumb up) or people will just stop and ask if you want a ride
-the same sound is used to ward of dogs (and animals), get peoples attention, hit on women and about three other uses (think of clearing a throat, making a weird scary scratching sound... not sure how else to describe it)
-rats are in all the houses (not so great if like me you HATE rodents) I saw on in Enriques and heard it running through the roof a few nights and then once at A&A's heard it as well
-animals are not treated like (how we would consider) pets very often, unless its by a Palangi
-Tongans want to marry Palangi's... ask you to find them girl/boy friends, to marry them, etc. With little shame
-No one has water heaters so showers are cold
-Tongans are the friendliest people!
-The headnod is still a totally appropriate way to acknowledge someone (or hit on them)
-While its not 3rd world its defienetly not first world. I would say its somewhere between 2nd and 3rd world
-I got hit on ridiculous amounts... and unlike some places where they are intimidatings Tongans made me just laugh!
-People say 'BYE' when they pass you (it has something to do with how they translate) and by the end of my week I was saying it too.
-Houses are sometimes beyond anything that as an American we would expect to live in but Tongans do it (with whole families) and gladly
-Education is in Tongan (with English taught a little) until high school grade when everything (books, etc) is in English
-Lice are rampant (and I heard huge, in size) and its common to see girls going through their mothers hair picking them out
-villages were all decorated for a contest to win $5000 Top (in effort to clean up Tonga for the coronation in August)
-Men wear 'skirts' and I can't remember what their proper name is, or the thing they were over them. Basically, I love the traditional Tongan Clothes!
-Houses in mourning are draped with black and purple
-All the red and white flag, village decorations, I saw were home made, cut out of old clothes and sewn onto tape or strips of material
-Banana and Coconut trees are everywhere! Along with loads of other crops!
-fale kaloas (sp?) are little shops on the side of the road, usually with bars around it that you walk up and tell them what you want, pay and they hand it out to you bagged up. They are mostly owned by Chinese now.
-Lots of downtown Nuku'alofa was burned down in the riots 2 years ago and they are just now starting to slowly build some things back in the empty spots (and i mean a couple!)
-hitting is used in school as discipline (and at home, and often)
-PCV (peace corp volunteers) are great people and totally willing to show you around their 'home' and tell you about the PC even if its not all great!
-Again, Tongans are super friendly! I can't state that enough!!
I'm sure I'm forgetting loads of what I learned, observed, etc. If you have any questions I'd love to hear them. I had such an amazing time, loved being in the sun and getting a tan (I came back to freezing cold, stormy weather!) and really want to go back. I would've extended my trip except for a stupid online class I'm starting this week, for the heck of it! I can't wait to go back and know its a place I will be heading back to eventually, next time I want to see 'Eua (which is renound for its beautiful hiking, lookouts, etc), and Vava'u which is more touristy and expensive but I hear has great diving (so incentive to get certified) and where all the Yachties go.
The Kingdom of Tonga is such a great place... you should all go!!! (its like Hawaii, but cheaper!)****
***I absolutely LOVED Tonga. I went to main island of Tongatapu and stayed in the village of Hofoa which is a few villages (and km) outside of the main town Nuku'Alofa.
I couchsurfed (stayed) with a very nice guy, Enrique, who is in Tonga as a Peace Corp Volunteer. I also spent loads of time around the corner, at his neighbors Alexis and Andrew who are also PCVs.
I'll go through my week in a (hopefully) orderly fashion, with some explanations and descriptions of what I did and some pics. This will be a super long post but hopefully you'll enjoy it!
Monday
I arrived in Tonga to see the airport was loaded with people waiting for loved ones. On the way into town it was amazing to just look out the windows of the 'shuttle' and see such a different environment and knew I would love Tonga from that first few minutes! I met Enrique at the PC office and he took me around town to show the me 'important' things. -The Royal palace (which is undergoing renovations for the Coronation in August), the Royal Tombs, the market (pics to come later) and showed me a couple stores. We eventually made our way to the bus stop and piled on with all the other Tongans. Getting on a bus in any Country can be an experience, especially with a huge bag, but this was definitely a Tongan experience!! I dropped my stuff off, came up with a slight outline of my week and then headed to meet the neighbors. They also
had two couchsurfers staying with them. As it turns out they were cooking so we ended up having a big, home cooked meal. There were not enough utensils to go around so the 'hosts' ended up using serving spoons. We spent the rest of the night playing cards (BS, with three decks, and I won) and talking!
Tuesday
After a lil sleep in (930ish) I woke up and Enrique and I decided to bike to the blowholes. That was entertaining because I'm out of shape and was riding a one speed beach cruiser, not exactly the most comfortable of bikes. Luckily Tongatapu is mostly flat with only slight inclines. It was a leisurely bike ride where I really took in the surroundings (vast numbers of coconut trees, crops, houses, etc) and eventually we made it the 15 km to the coast. It turns out it was the wrong time of day so we decided to stay and play cards to see if the tide was coming in. After doing that for a couple hours and a nice picnic lunch of pb sandwiches we got back on the bikes. (The blow holes never got much bigger!) I wanted to see the Mormon temple as Tonga has a large population of LDS. Its right next to the Mormon High School (where the English only sign is at the bus stop). We then passed a quarry and the friendly Tongan let us go in and look at it. We were passing a field on a dirt row and there was some music coming out of the bush. I figured someone was just playing their stereo really loud... but it turns out people were actually playing/blasting live music. I wanted to go see them so we turned around and met this guy names Siua who walked us into the bush in front of his house. I met the guy playing the keyboard and guitar and found out they were playing gospel music. We biked back to town and went to the PC office. Alexis and I went for ice cream and then biked the scenic way back to A&A's house for the evening. We decided that we wanted some coconuts and they tried to climb the tree...not getting far at all (I didn't attempt, I know I'm too accident prone)! One of the guys in the Rugby field sent one of the younger ones over to climb for us and he managed it in two seconds flat and kicked down loads of them for us. We then attempted to hack them open with a machete. It was loads of fun, entertaining and lots harder than it looks (I have a new found respect for Survivors now), haha! We ate coconut and drank the 'island sprite' and found out their cat loves coconuts! I went over and watched the village Rugby team practice. There were some cute neighborhood kids there. Again we had a huge meal contributed by a little of everyone. While hanging out that night (after deciding on the beach for the next day) we decided we would try to make Kava. As no one had the proper utensils required we used a strainer and sock to filter the Kava...very Palangi of us. It was fun times though.
Wednesday
On cue, it was a gorgeous day and perfect for the beach! We headed out, again on the bus, to Kanokupolu (or Ha'atfu?) which is supposedly the best surfing beach on the island. Now, important to note is that Tonga has reef lined beaches which are PERFECT for snorkling. We all sat in the shallow reef and talked eventually getting out to partake in another picnic of PB and bread and left over rice! After lunch I snorkled and saw some gorgeous fish! Then it was time to head to Cory and Joe's house (two other PCVs). I hung out with them for a bit then they walked me to the resort where I would be watching the dinner show. I met up with Sarin and Helene at Liku'alofa. We had some cocktails and beers, saw a great sunset and eventually it was time for the show. Dinner was a Tongan feast style umu and the dancing was great. They did a variety of Tongan and then showed neighboring Pacific Islander dances. More drinks and some music and the night was over.
Thursday
When I had met Siua at his house on Tuesday he said he'd give me a tour of the island, and I took him up on that, especially since Helene and Sarin wanted to see the island as well. He met us at 10 on the clock (not very Tongan of him, we were expecting to have to wait!) and we were off. It turned out to be an amazing tour! He took us to the three corners, literallly, of the island. We went to and saw: the 'religious rock' thats not there any more (they are re-building the monument/rock thing--how very Tongan), the Blowholes (where the tide was in and they were HUGE), the lookout where we were going to climb down to an amazing sandy beach until I sprained my ankle (Seriously, it happens once a year!), 'Anahulu Cave, the Royal Estate with more gorgeous beaches, Ha'amona'a Maui Trilihon, and this great white tower thing in Niutoua, fishing pigs, flying foxes (bats) and I'm sure I'm forgetting so much. Ok, besides hearing great stories from a local, we got to go places like the white tower that most people don't know about. In getting there we ended up having to really off road it and knocked part of the van off, then backing out, ran into a tree and smashed the back lights! It was great and we found out it was his friends car...only in Tonga is that alright! haha! It was great fun!! Because the speed limit is so SLOW and we spent time chilling on different beaches just talking and hanging out it took us about 6 1/2 hours to tour the whole island (its not that big)! Siua came back to get the girls to take them to the airport and I hung out again at A&A's house for the night until it was time to do Kava. I wanted to Dua (i'm sure I'm spelling that wrong), serve kava, because its the only way females can go to the Kava circles. It was an interesting night and loads of fun. I didn't take an pictures because I felt a little stupid about it because I ended up being an extra one and they were nice enough to let me sit in and help part of the time.
Friday
I slept in a little and decided I was going to walk to town and explore a little more. I got ice cream (what better breakfast after sweating so much on the walk in!) and sat at the Talamahu market and people watched. Eventually I decided to walk through the market and almost bought a purse made out of Tapa. I explored some shops and was hungry so I went to a cafe. I read the little Tonga tourist guide and it said the national center had Tapa demonstrations after 2 so I thought, hey, I've got no other plans, I'll take the long walk out there! Yeah, turns out they lied and it stopped at 2!! So I took the long walk for nothing! I didn't want to waste the walk so I went to the museum-gallery thing there. It was neat and I got to read a little history and see some of the Royal family stuff. I walked all the way back into town and then out to Hofoa! Not sure WHY i didn't get on one of the million buses that past me, I was really just enjoying watching and looking at everything. That night some people came over to Enrique's to celebrate a PCVs birthday. I wasn't too into partying or drinking so I just sat and watched everything. I went to bed after taking a migraine pill (not sure if the dust and stuff had got to me or it was the period!) and was out like a light for the next 10 1/2 hours!
(oops, I didn't take any pics This day!)
Saturday
I got woken up by Enrique because Siua had called. He wanted to hang out with one of his friends. They came and picked me up and asked what I wanted to do. I really wanted to go to Pangaimotu. They drove me to the dock and hung out with me while I waited for the boat. I went to the little island and spent the day relaxing on the touristy 'palangi' island. It was chill and ended up being perfect because I could see the black clouds over the main island while we had sun. I snorkled, had lunch, walked around the island, and just laid in the sun for 5 hours. I caught the boat back and Siua and his friend were there to pick me up and take me back to the house. We were going to go out that night, I was all ready and waiting and A&A's house... but it turns out they got a flat tire on the way home so we weren't able to. Instead I just hung out and talked with the PCVs all night. Oh, and I did laundry in a very funny machine!
Sunday
Anyone who wants to go to Tonga must udnerstand that Sunday is Gods day. Literally, nothing is open (except the bread store, a chinese restaurant and the palangi tourist island trips! We bought food the night before to cover what we wanted to eat on Sunday! A&A and Alicia and Bobby were cool enough to go to church with me. It was the big Weseylan Church conference so we hitched (another, very Tongan thing) into town just in time to see a loaded church. Literally people were crammed in and standing and sitting all around the outside of the church. The music and signing was amazing and I could listen to it all day. After church was a feast. What a great Tongan experience. Walking through the rows of tables we eventually got asked to sit down, and after some prayers (i think?) and other talking the free for all began. Tongans eat with their hands so that was neat to see after hearing about it all week. People were tearing into the pigs, and other dishes. I quickly snatched the coke from the basket (what you have to do if you want something) and tried some more Tongan food (what didn't have meat in it!)! It was a great experience and I'm glad I got to see and participate in a real feast (instead of just the touristy one, even though there were loads of tongans at that). We then spent a little time chilling at the PC office and napped (hey, I hear thats what everyone does on Sunday afternoons)! After a quick stop to buy some cheesy bread (again, the only place I saw open in town) we went to their friends house to play Cranium. We spent the evening play the game (my team wone once!) and then got a ride, Tongan style, all crammed into the car back to the house. We all went to sleep pretty early that night!
Monday
I woke up super sad that it was my last day but decided to make the most of it! I still had loads I wanted to take pics of decided to call Siua to see what he was up to. He was trying to fix the car so he said he'd come get me when it was done. I waited awhile (i'd woken up early) and eventually started walking into town. I got a ride after a few mins and went back to the Market. I took pictures, bought a purse and a couple postcards and eventually Siua found me. He drove me to a cemetary and another cool place (that if the tide was out we could've walked across to) and then dropped me back off in town. I went looking for a shirt to buy and to find something for Bella and Oscar. I didn't find anything for them that wasn't sold at one of the Chinese shops...and something I could get here, so i didn't get anything. I really wanted this shirt that was died by Kava but it was 40 Top and decided I'd already bought my purse and against it... i never wear tshirts anyways! I had lunch at a Cafe (I needed something besides bread that I'd eaten most of the week) and then headed back out to Hofoa. I got a ride from someone in the village when I was already most of the way there. I took a couple pics and then decided I was really bummed that I hadn't seen Tapa. It was the one thing all week I'd wanted to do. I decided to follow the sound of the pounding and ended up walking up to someones house. They didn't speak English too well but let me watch for a few mins. Then the nicest lady came aroudn the corner and explained to me how they make Tapa, showed me the trees it comes from and then said she was going to paint one and said I could come watch. I helped her lay out the Tapa Cloth an watched so eagerly. I felt like a little kid as I was just amazed by it. They use these little acorn looking things as brushes, and its all natural (from the brush, die, what they make the cloth out of, paste to put it together and even the hammer things they pound it with). Ske kept asking I wanted to do some and I was scared I'd mess it up but after she'd done the design I decided I could color some in. It was awesome to be able to help! I didn't do too much as I had to leave to pack up my stuff! Siua said he'd take me to the airport like he did the other girls after going out. We went to Ambassador bar, I had a drink, the three guys smoked and then we left. We ended up going back and exchanging cars (long silly story about girlfriends and wives not seeing cars at their houses, etc!) and having a great laugh about that! Then we headed out for the 40 min ride to the airport! I said goodbye to Siua cuz he was awesome and if I go back I've totally got to see him again!!! I checked in and had to go to what I could tell was the screening of only Palangi's bags! The security gaurd dude was really nice and I ended up eventually talking to him more. I got on the plane and froze on the way home. I swear the door was leaking freezing cold air. I didn't sleep much because of that!
Tuesday Then I got off the plane, through customs and biosecurity and got McDonalds as I was starving, I'd only had a bowl of beans for lunch! I tried to sleep but at 3 am the stores in the departure part of the airport were all opening (when I just wanted to CLOSE!) and a huge loud group sat right behind me. I maybe slept on and off for an hour til 530. I went out to catch the Airbus....and thought it was going to take me to Sky City. Turns out I went to the end of the line and the driver looked at me and asked where I was going! I told him and they said they don't go there anymore, they changed their route the prior week. Why he didn't tell me that when I paid and told him where I was going, I'm not sure. So he dropped me off on the closest corner, I stopped to by a Starbucks Chai Latte and walked up the hill 3 blocks to Sky City. I got a good 1 hr nap on the bus to Thames in nasty weather but the heater was on!! When we got there it was pouring and I hoofed it to where Carl works. Turns out he wasn't there (he'd gone to Rotorua for the day) and so a coworker drove me (I was soaking wet) to his moms, who didnt answer the door, so I dropped my bags in her backyard and went to the drycleaners (his parents business that his sister manages). She asked if I wanted to make some money since I had nothing to do that day, of course I did! I worked from about 10 to 2:30 (with lunch) and made $55! Yay, then Jeanette (carls mom) took me to her house where I read a magazine and napped for 30 mins until Carl picked me up a little after 6. I got home at 7! So ends the vacation!!
Random Info I learned about Tonga
-Palangi is a white person or tourist
-They have wild dogs, pigs, chickens, roosters, cats, and other animals that all run loose (and occasionally all chase each other), make noises at weird hours and then are eaten (ok, only the pigs and sometimes dogs).
-a million people pile into cars, backs of trucks, etc.
-its easy and common to hitchhike (hand down not thumb up) or people will just stop and ask if you want a ride
-the same sound is used to ward of dogs (and animals), get peoples attention, hit on women and about three other uses (think of clearing a throat, making a weird scary scratching sound... not sure how else to describe it)
-rats are in all the houses (not so great if like me you HATE rodents) I saw on in Enriques and heard it running through the roof a few nights and then once at A&A's heard it as well
-animals are not treated like (how we would consider) pets very often, unless its by a Palangi
-Tongans want to marry Palangi's... ask you to find them girl/boy friends, to marry them, etc. With little shame
-No one has water heaters so showers are cold
-Tongans are the friendliest people!
-The headnod is still a totally appropriate way to acknowledge someone (or hit on them)
-While its not 3rd world its defienetly not first world. I would say its somewhere between 2nd and 3rd world
-I got hit on ridiculous amounts... and unlike some places where they are intimidatings Tongans made me just laugh!
-People say 'BYE' when they pass you (it has something to do with how they translate) and by the end of my week I was saying it too.
-Houses are sometimes beyond anything that as an American we would expect to live in but Tongans do it (with whole families) and gladly
-Education is in Tongan (with English taught a little) until high school grade when everything (books, etc) is in English
-Lice are rampant (and I heard huge, in size) and its common to see girls going through their mothers hair picking them out
-villages were all decorated for a contest to win $5000 Top (in effort to clean up Tonga for the coronation in August)
-Men wear 'skirts' and I can't remember what their proper name is, or the thing they were over them. Basically, I love the traditional Tongan Clothes!
-Houses in mourning are draped with black and purple
-All the red and white flag, village decorations, I saw were home made, cut out of old clothes and sewn onto tape or strips of material
-Banana and Coconut trees are everywhere! Along with loads of other crops!
-fale kaloas (sp?) are little shops on the side of the road, usually with bars around it that you walk up and tell them what you want, pay and they hand it out to you bagged up. They are mostly owned by Chinese now.
-Lots of downtown Nuku'alofa was burned down in the riots 2 years ago and they are just now starting to slowly build some things back in the empty spots (and i mean a couple!)
-hitting is used in school as discipline (and at home, and often)
-PCV (peace corp volunteers) are great people and totally willing to show you around their 'home' and tell you about the PC even if its not all great!
-Again, Tongans are super friendly! I can't state that enough!!
I'm sure I'm forgetting loads of what I learned, observed, etc. If you have any questions I'd love to hear them. I had such an amazing time, loved being in the sun and getting a tan (I came back to freezing cold, stormy weather!) and really want to go back. I would've extended my trip except for a stupid online class I'm starting this week, for the heck of it! I can't wait to go back and know its a place I will be heading back to eventually, next time I want to see 'Eua (which is renound for its beautiful hiking, lookouts, etc), and Vava'u which is more touristy and expensive but I hear has great diving (so incentive to get certified) and where all the Yachties go.
The Kingdom of Tonga is such a great place... you should all go!!! (its like Hawaii, but cheaper!)****
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