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About the blog of me

Im travelling around the world, working as i go, living life as much as i can, enjoying everything thing and everyone i encounter. Along the way I capture these moments of fun and beauty and like to share these with whoever is watching.

Tag: ‘drink’



10,000 miles

Monday, November 9th, 2009

So we’re in calgary and our odometer shows a figure of 175,000 which means we’ve driven ten thousand miles around north America!

ok so i just tried to make the route in google maps, and google maps couldn’t manage it, it found it too big and the page crashed, wicked google!

i have had enough driving for now, and we’re only 1,700 miles from where we started in Los Angeles, but we did take the scenic route, which has been great fun. i don’t think i need to recap here, as everything we have done is down below in this blog. i just have to show some photos!

i’m sat in some dingy econolodge, the radiator wouldn’t turn off, so we have the air conditioning on, don’t tell the environment, but somebody has removed all radiator controls, and the only other option was to sleep with the door open, but maybe the -4 outside would make it too chilly in here.

alan’s just woken now, so i guess time to do stuff.

regina was cool, we had no number or address for the guy who we were staying with, but we did know where he worked, and it all worked out as we arrived when he did, and he even got the night off. so we went and had dinner and saw some bars, alan picked up this pretty but really stupid girl and well it was fun.

yesterday we headed off out on the road for what was the hardest, most boring drive of the trip. we had 500 miles on prairie lands to cross. we had to do all we could to keep from passing out while driving. this involved absolutely horrible music, throwing grapes out of the window to have them crash on the front of the car and general being annoying to each other, but we made it here to calgary to drive past a bar showing the kiwi’s playing wales on tv.

so rugby, pie mac and cheese and a pint made for a nice finish to the day.

there seem to be a noticable number of english, ozzy and kiwi people around here, and i guess it’s the close proximity to the snowy mountains.

so alan has to goto customs and beg for his ski bag to be released and then off we go to banff, can’t wait, mountains, snow, and the lifts open wednesday!!!

photos: alan trying to play patience in the car, our greek breakfast yesterday and the nothingness expanse we drove across yesterday. i notice the iphone photos aren’t great quality, buggar!

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Worst nights sleep

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Last night super tired after I love you man
Nightmares underground growing progressing each time I fell back to sleep
Then this morning and disaster dreams
To top it off the road construction going on from early.
All in I’ve seem thousands of people die in my dreams, too much bad energy.
I sooo need sleep some day soon.
Well on a lighter note, Halloween was great fun, always great getting dressed up.
So alan went in a suit and my pig mask, a corporate pig. Some of the guys at the party just didn’t seem to understand this concept, stupid.
And I wen as popeye, simple, fun but with a can of beer instead of spinach.
We all had fun playing cards and drinking before we went down to a house party. Then an after party back at courts and well that led to waking up feeling pretty rough yesterday.
But having pizza in a restaurant around the corner, it felt good to see plenty of the employees had been having fun the previous night, not looking tip top.
Alan, Cara, Laura and I went for a walk to Kensington Market, toronto’s Camden style area. We had the idea to have a contest to see who could have the most interesting costume collected on our tour of the shops, and if the picture shows then you can see mine, and I won! So they all owe me a burger from this excellent veggie restaurant across the park, I’ll cash in later and have a great breakfast tomorrow.
So off we’ll go today to see niagra falls, so it should be cold and wet.

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Partied out

Saturday, October 10th, 2009

Sat on the loo in a dreary motel near lake Charles, a beautiful oil refinary of a town in Louisiana, drained from the last few days.
I have to say the the haunted house that we went to last night was the best haunted house ever. Maybe because I’ve never been to one that you actually walk around, you don’t get those in th UK. It was interesctive to the point of no touching. Basically you walk through a dark, fake smokey, strobey, creepy maze while props jump around, jets of air burst in your face and ghoulish monsters chase and jump out at you. Three girls, three guys together was a great fright out, ah ha!
Then emily, sharleen, alan and I went out for a quick drink down 6th, cheap and busy. I still seem to find partying with so many Americans strange. I definately enjoy it, but guess I don’t feel quite a part of it. The grinding of girls, breakdancing guys just is different than I’m used to. Give me another month and it’ll be like home!
So what to say, we were going to go and chill a while at emily’s. Emily and I got out of the car, alan slammed the door of the car and shirleen squeeled the tyres and they were gone. No need to wonder whether they premeditatively arranged to ditch us, or why.
No complaints from me, I slept in a super comfy bed with the company of a lovely girl.
So today after some pumpkin bread, fresh enough to burn, alan and I set off yo leave Texas. It rained all the way, tired we had a sketchy drive, but made it safe to Louisiana. The radar detector is soo useful, not that we care to drive our beast fast anyway.
So time to get ready for new Orleans tomorrow!

sweatin’ it up in austin baby

Friday, October 9th, 2009

it’s pretty humid, got the fan on my legs, and alan’s laptop roasting my legs.

we’re couchsurfing again in texas, and it’s warm. we’re staying with a group of students, of all different ages, but young, and it’s been pretty cool, melissa is the girl that is the organiser, but we’ve been having fun with all.

we came to austin to party, and party we have. we’re even staying a day extra for some reasons. reasons to stay, cheap drinks tonight, and pretty girls asking us to stay, good enough? yes!

so what’s happened, we arrived into austin, and arrived at the house, and i kind of though that melissa’s brother knew we would be coming, but he didn’t so it felt kinda awkward until we explained our invasion. it’s their first time hosting, so their couchsurf virgins, not the first time for us, but i quite like being with people who’ve never hosted for them. that way, not only are we new to a place, but it’s a new situation for them.

so after that, alan and i went for a nice midday run by the river in the afternoon sun, super humidity, almost 40 degrees, owch and swaety that was, fun, but tiring, the first time i have gone for a run since cross country when i was 12. then we headed down to barton spring for a dip in the cool cool creek, and chilled in the sun.

come evening melissa, sharleen, emily alan and i met a couple other guys, had dinner and then almost went to a heavy metal gig. we were aiming for a rock gig, but got lost walking round the block. i think the metal was lively like we would hacve liked, rock being too mellow, no dancing or anything, but it was cool, and we even got some 3d specs! trippy, well the guys beard was when we were wearing them.

afterwards, a little tipsy, some more than other we all went and climbed some old thing and watch the night city with wine.

then for more stupidity and grazes we came back and with beers climbed up a tree house in a field out back. melissa had lotsa trouble and i hacve embaressing photos to prove, but i kind of fell/slid half down the tree, so my arm is looking pretty bad ass.

then most of the guys found some sort of a bed, emily and i lay in the field, no stars, a field in a city, but no cows, was wicked though. i’m finding fields can be one of the funnest places!

so yesterda, i called fed ex to ask where my macbook is, and they were useless, had no record of it, let alone trying to deliver it 7 times and leaving notes at my mate’s office in san francisco, bloody idiots. so i got on to apple customer care, and after several periods on hold, and thirth minutes of a call, she even complained that the line way crap, so i informed her that i was on a iPhone of course, and she found me a lady who know where my computer was being held. it had been returned to apple in Tenessee, great! so now it’s being delivered to ian’s mom in new jersey, so i hope this works better for me and my laptop.

we finally got to town in the end at almost 5pm, and time for cupcakes.

then end.

not.

alan just pointed out to me that my 3000 photos that i’ve taken matches how many miles we’ve done, a picture per mile! but i have no macbook to view them with!

oh yeh i was doing some couchscouting for new orleans and came across this profile, check it now!
There are two requirements if you stay with me:
2) EVERYONE (collaborative efforts are OK) who stays has to draw me a picture in my picture guest book at some point before departure.
I can bake like a motherfucker; it’s science.
I’m still alive. Stand in awe; bask in my glory.

to say the least.

back to yesterday and we saw some crazy shops, but best off found our halloween costumes, but u can find out at halloween!

we had a little bar crawl down to the colorado to see the millions of bats fly out from roost, to go eat the pesky bugs.

out again we went last night, and sonow we’re kinda shattered, thus chilling before we go out again tonight.

i am covered in mosquito bites, it’s a little annoying, but i hope not a sign that it’s going to get bad.

that’s it for real.

Daan saf y’all

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

We ended up spending almost a week in New Mexico, a bit longer than the expected day and a half. We certainly enjoyed our time there.
As you can tell we aren’t in NM any longer but now Texas, so far we drove 60 miles and saw 2 cars until we got to this town for a late mexibrunch.
Albuquerque was pretty cool, and felt like we were there three days, rather than the 1.5 that was reality. It was our first couchsurf of the trip, staying with jessica and cloice near their university. So first off we went out to a greek night held by a church. Nothing religious, but Greek food, dancing, drinking and fun. We even tried dancing, couldn’t get the footwork down but was a laugh. Love for spinaköpita! After we had a bit of a drink with their friends before turning in.
Shame it wasn’t an early night as we had to get up at half four un the morning, which was painful. And so cold that it required dressing for winter. We had to queue for a park and ride, yellow school bus #3, and queue and queue again for the event, toilet, lame breakfast burrito. We spent a good while watching the bizarre spectacular that is known as Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, the worlds largest event of this type. Literally 100,000s of people from all overbthe world come to see around 750 hot air balloons taking off, or for some just attemping, supposedly the worlds most photographed event! It’s was cool, amazing, surreal, cold and we we knackered.
So after another sleep we woke up, feeling like a new day we went into town for a chill, chat and pizza. Later after being locked out, we went out to a blues night, which I’d pretty cool, no way I’d try to dance to that, bit it was enjoyable to sit and watch and drink the night away. I had a minimal sleep being kept up by our host, but we escaped yesterday after an authentic new Mexican meal, not to be tried again!
Yesterday we passed by White sands, where the first atom bomb was tested, they still create misiles and there are the White sands dunes. In the middle of nowhere are some pure brilliant White beautiful sand dunes, great for some fun, photos and alan to get his second run in with the law. Luckily for him he still managed to go Scott free.
Later we arivedbin Carlsbad, a little late, for our next couchsurf experience where we slept from arrival to departure. Oh and barely escaped alive thanks to that mental dready dog. All fingers still attached we went to the the caverns by the same name which was awesome. Not the largest, deepest or longest cave system in the world, maybe the beautifulest. It’s a nice long walk, with lots of geological wonder.
So no more new Mexico, time for the mammoth state of Texas, which doesn’t sound too exciting, going by lonely planet and Lets Go guide books.
It’s about time we made some distance.

Terminal velocity

Friday, September 25th, 2009

Its been an aqesome day so far, we woke up at seven am then jumped out of a plane from 3 miles. It’s awesome seeing the desert rush at you, hoover dam and Vegas in the distance. It was all over in no time at all, so have to go and do it again!
The whole last 24 hours has been great.
We went golfing yesterday aiming for the jets landing beyond the fence. I need more practice, it’s been maybe a decade.
We’re staying in circus circus, pretty budget and a bit far down the strip but cool. So last night we spent ages trying to find our way out of the hotel, it’s true there aren’t any exit signs.
We found treasure island for a drink, posh but cheap dinner in Harrah’s then went down to Wynn to see a show.
It was great, an acrobatic, aquatic dance called Le Reve. It was astounding how strong those guys are and the timing they have. The set was equally great.
So after we sat in a less posh place and drank more before playing the tables. We have age issues looking young, not a problem with ID. Alan won a good bit, me no.
So time to go and enjoy some rides.

Natural goodness

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

Sat by a baby river in the glorious sun by the reeds, loving nature.
It’s great to wander about, get stung by nettles, use Dock leaf to take the sting away, enjoy juicy Blackberries, and sweet nettle flowers.
I met with sean the other night and we had a bit of a crazy run around, having the odd pint, great conversations and laughing at kareoke in the only open bar we could find late sunday night in Peterborough.
Now I’m down cambbridge way to chill and organise myself for the next week before heading away. I had to get out of the house as the Internet and tv were making me feel stupid.
Oh and I had some fun with smarties and camera this morning.

Why is there a great big Belgian helicopter in Regents park?

Sunday, August 9th, 2009

There’s a huge helicopter here in the north of Regents park, why?
I got a new passport the other day, after lots of waiting and hanging around. While waiting I saw G.I. Joe in Peterborough cinema, which wasn’t bad. I did expect the worst, but was quite entertained. I guess I was impressed due to my poor expectations.
Afterwards, I met jab for a pint at charters and we were joined by sean and tessa which was nice. It’s been years since I’ve seen them. Sean’s becoming hippy! And I saw adam. It’s wicked to have time to catch up with people.
Last night hannah, angel and I went out in the east end, cargo. It was cool. Even cooler that the club has a photo booth :) It wasn’t cool that I lost my phone. As it turned out it slipped out of my pocket in the taxi. And luck would have it that the taxi driver answered it and returned it :)
In Angel’s place they have a free gym and pool. So after breakfast we had a quick sauna and jacuzzi, wonderful.
Are these Belgians lost?
Today I’m just chilling. I think I’ll head back up to Cambridge in a bit.
I wish it was sunnier here in England.

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Misty fens

Friday, August 7th, 2009

It’s two days since I was at the gym, I’m still achey, so I definately wish to go some more. Alan is huge, it’s almost wierd.
I saw the hangover, it’s funny, good enough to save to my computer.
I just changed trains, rushed, bought water and got funny tasting water, damn!!! Kinda refreshing.
Ely looks nice, misty, where is the beautiful weather?
Yesterday I was super productive, I filled in forms, wrote a résumé, sent off my broken hard disk and feel great for actually getting stuff done.
Dad and I went to see moon, a good film. I don’t think I’ve ever been to the cinema with dad to see a film that you have to concentrate, so new things. Very psychological, dark, great sound track, worth seeing. I’ve never been to a cinema that you can soy and drink alchohol in, so I had me a nice glass of red wine :)
Afterwards I met olivia, maybe for the first time in 4 or 5 years. It’s strange how meeting some friends and it’s like it’s been no time at all. We went to the cheeseyest club I think I’ve ever been to. After in a bar a guy tried picking me up, I didn’t realise and said something a bit rude, but still got a drink out of it!
Stayed at olivia’s with her freaky little dog. And now I’m en route to Peterborough to get a new passport, I think I’ll get there way too early, so will get me some lush breakfast somewhere. I need it after drinking last night.

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whole again

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

so back in the uk, missing budapest.

the night before, i met jackie, bobby and leslie, and we went with the aussies to deak ter for a couple of beers. it’s worrying how some many young giurls easily look mid twenties, best to nt talk to girls, nahhh.

all evening we were entertained with lightening all around us, with pre storm winds, but no rain, which was lovely. the best part of the storm, minus the wet stuff is great outside in the park. so the aussies and  headed off to szimpla. we arrived just in time before the rain, and had a long pint.

it was interesting that we came upon long in depth spiritual conversations, when the previous night none of us probably thought the others were even of such thoughts.

so the thought not necessary now, doesn’t mean that the same will be in the future thought.

so to yesterday morning and tired again i went to the dentist. this timeall went well, lots of chatting, no pain, a bit of dental cement, and i have a new tooth, so all my pearlies look great! (must remember to floss, and not eat trees!!!)

having seen a biker being squished between 2 german cars kinda puts a damper on my ideas of learning to ride a motorbike.

i had a great time couch surfing this past weekend, all in all staying in four places over 5 days, tiring, but great to meet some great people, and just have fun with others, travlling is wonderful :)

so i flew back, read the newspaper, boring, a car magazine, expensive and unproductive, but had some good music to listen to. wizzair isn’t a bad airline, pretty basic, but not unpleasant like ryanair!

i had a few pints with alan in downtown cambridge, watching posh chavs abuse the punting kids, ate burritos, mmm, and loving the cider.

so today we visited the garage to see my car. it’s in bits, but the guy says wont cost too much to fix. however it wont be ready before monday. so time to chill here at dad’s and get things done.

off to gym with alan now.

i will miss budapest. it was great, beatiful girls, fun parties, cool bars and parks, so sunny. well the sun just makes life so nice, it’s a shame living in the uk people don’t get enough sun, as it makes such a great difference to the happiness you have in life. maybe some pictures later

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