Sorry about the delay in posting, life on the road has been hectic in the last few weeks, read on and you will see why.
Since my last post I have visited a few new countries, France and Ireland, I am also going to count Wales in there too. More about that later..
I have a thirst for knowledge, that probably doesn't come as a surprise to those of you who know me, I am thankful about the adventure that I am having. I have learned so much about not only the world, but also about myself. I have grown in many ways, (my ass included), and challenge myself everyday to be better than I was yesterday.
I have discovered that the only person you have any control over is yourself, everyone is different, and a person has no right to judge or criticise ones decisions. We have all walked different paths to get to where we are, we each have our own stories to tell. I am thankful for the people I have met, the stories that I have heard and the adventures that have been had!
Paris: In June my friend Charlie and I ventured to Paris to see one of my favourite bands, Of Monsters and Men. This was a bloody fantastic idea that I had.. Why see a band in London when you can travel the globe and see music at the same time? Paris has been a country that has been on my wish list since I was a child. It was definitely worth the wait. my excitement could not be controlled when I caught my first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, I actually think I might have weed a little in my knickers. Happens to the best of us right? The three hour wait in the cold was definitely worth the wait once we got to the top... The journey up was interesting, being in an elevator in such an open area was a tad scary... As I said, worth it. The views we breathtaking. Watching the sun set over Paris in inexplicable, something that has to be seen to be believed. Being at the top of a structure that I'd only seen in books and postcards, looking down on famous streets and other architectural clumps around the city really did take my breathe away. Seeing the lights of the city, made my eyes a little moist. The gig was bloody fantastic, will try and see them again before I head home, but it wasn't even the best part! Exploring the city by day, then again by night was mind-blowing..
Having travelled already for nearly 9 months means that my bank account has dwindled significantly, ask mum, she had the pleasure of opening a bank statement last week ;) There is something invigorating about being able to survive on minimal cash. Just because you don't have any money, doesn't mean you miss out on experiences or adventures.
I can't tell you my favourite things about Paris, I loved it all.
I often get asked about what my favourite country is, or the best thing I've done.. That's like asking "How is a raven like a writing desk", there are both many answers and none. I love everywhere I have been, but everywhere I have been has been for a different reason that can't be put in a favourite and not favourite column.
I didn't get that kiss under the Eiffel Tower, which I think every little girl imagines at some time, but I did get to drink wine and eat cheese under it. I think every single (not as in everyone, just ones without a partner... Just for clarification) girl would agree, that this is also a very good option.. I mean, who doesn't like cheese or wine!
I flew home from Paris as my good friend Rach had somehow managed to get her hands on centre court tickets for Wimbledon! Was a great day seeing Tomic, Stosur, Djokovich and S. Williams! Definitely worth the 8 hour bus ride! June 29th
Centre Court- Middle Saturday 2013
Mumford and Sons on their Gentleman of the Road tour, Olympic Park, Stratford London- July 6
London Holi Festival of Colour! New friends, much vodka consumed and so many pretty colours!!!
August 10th.
Before: Corinne, Emma, Anna, Rachel and Immo
Battersea Power Station. What a venue!
The thing I love about being a spontaneous traveller, even though I have no money, I can still figure stuff out so I can travel to Dublin to see Eminem.. The time couldn't be more perfect. The gig came 10 days after Alex's birthday, we always said that when Eminem came to Australia we'd go.. That never happened, but now I have seen him twice, blown my mind both times.
My trip to Dublin, 16-19 August, was a very last minute thing, I picked up some last minute nannying hours which gave me 200 quid which at the time was spare.. Oh how wrong I was.. Anywho. with that money I was able to book my ticket, a return bus journey (yes.. bus... oh dear lordy) and accommodation.. I was also lucky enough to have 20Euro cash left over from my trip to Paris.. How far could I make that go? The bus journey there was bearable, 9 hours on a bus, 3 on a ferry and halfa back in the bus later and there I was in Dublin.. I arrived at 6:30am, having been awake for almost 30 hours it was fair to say that I was knackered.. I think in my 12 hours journey I scored 2 hours sleep on the ferry.. Me being me, and having a terrible sense of direction I found a McDonald's and spent my first 4 Euros on breakfast ( I did make cheese and vegemite toasties for the bus ride, I ate them an hour in...) I also managed to steal some power and hack the wifi... Check-in for the hotel was not until 2:30pm. After hanging out in Maccas for 3 hours I felt a bit creepy, I ventured to the cool area of Dublin called Temple Bar and found my hostel. I stayed at Barnacles Temple Bar Hostel, recommend it for anyone staying in Dublin, very convenient location, a very nice hostel- http://barnacles.ie/.They told me that check-in was strictly 2:30, but that I could head up and hand out in the common room.. Thank you very much.. I chucked on my eye mask, pulled up my blanket, Ipod in and I was out!!! At 12, some noisy French kids came in and woke me, but as they were leaving someone came in, an Australian WOOOO! we started talking and we discovered that she was also going to the gig! I didn't have to go alone yay! We also ended up in the same room.. Small world... The gig itself was an eye opener.. It was at Slane Castle, a spectacular venue about 42km from Dublin, we got on the bus at 4, so many people already so hammered!!! We got talking to a few locals on the bus, if you call it that, basically they talked (and spat) and we tried to decipher.. Before getting off the bus, I'd seen more ass, penis and boobs than in a Miley Cyrus film clip, the bus even ran over a drunk girl.. Didn't even stop.. Welcome to Ireland!!!
We got of the bus and ventured for about 4km through an eerie forest with mud sludges everywhere (I was wearing thongs, probably the only one who was.. Smart move I say!). Security was rigorous, 3 checkpoints before we even had to show our tickets! CRAZY! Made it, what a view when we walked in, the castle on the hill, the stage and 80,000 people! This may be a stereotype, but there are not many good looking man in Ireland.. I wish they'd keep their shirts on! The gig was an eye opener, so many violent drunks and people who didn't care, Men pushing women around, one learnt very quickly not to take on an Aussie school teacher, I will not be bullied and will not be moved by pushing.. All he needed to do was say excuse me and I would have shifted.. Simple.. Manners are free!
Areial view of 80,000 people
Eminem did not disappoint, they guy who lay passed out in a pool of his own vomit with his friends just giving him a little kick every now and then to see if he was still breathing and the bogan fights I saw just made the experience that little bit more... Irish???... Getting back to the buses was a trek, we put on our "walk really fast" hats and passed probably 10,000 people just so we didn't have to wait for a bus..
View of the stage and of Slane Castle
I did a walking tour of the city, a country full of history and many, many terrible decision... No wonder the country is in such a difficult position at the moment!
The bus ride home was longer, but made bearable by some awesome people that were on it.. We may have drank a little too much on the ferry, talked a lot of shit, but enjoyed the guitarring skills of one of them, a journey I won't forget!!!
Not much travel for me for the next few months, just saving my little behind off so I can tour Europe before I embark on a South East Asia tour in December!!! I am sure the adventures will keep coming though!! My bestest friends have booked their tickets.. 112 days until I see their beautiful, smiling faces.. I can't wait to share stories!
Thanks heaps again to everyone for the love, messages of support, care packages, letters, postcards and other means of communication! Keep it coming!!!
Love you all
xoxo
“A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.”
Read more at http://matadornetwork.com/bnt/50-most-inspiring-travel-quotes-of-all-time/#lxdIBiPLebKuit0g.99
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