Shenanigans around the globe

Recently my (middle) sister and I went to Basel, Switzerland for a couple nights. It's the first time we have gone away just the two of us so it was long over-due. After a turbulent flight and bumpy landing, which included almost losing my hand (she doesn't like flying) we were in Basel airport. Which is an airport with exits to three countries - France, Germany and of course Switzerland. We had a cozy studio apartment just a stroll away from the Rhine and a wee walk from the town centre. The host had left us a lovely welcome in the form of mini bounties on our pillows, so after our swift tiny snack it was time to explore and make the most of our 48 hour trip. We meandered along the river - coffee and pastry in hand - taking in the beautiful architecture and pointing out our favourite houses, passing nursery groups lead by men (a sight I've not come across before) and many joggers. All the building are in muted colours, with accentuating darker shutters and balconi...

Found an old journal and within it I wrote blog style posts while on my round the world trip so I thought I'd copy them into this blog. From Vancouver we flew to Fiji. 3rd stop - Fiji Wave of heat. Clouds of mosquitoes. Nadi Bay Hotel. Celebrating New Years with a funny/sleazy kiwi man and Sna. Creepy man in room 7 who will wait for me for sexy time - American style... wonder if he's still waiting. Cocktails. Spending three hours swimming in the pool with a German guy and an Alaskan army dude. Prim and proper frogs everywhere. First bikini waxes. Cats joining us for dinner, perching behind us on our chairs. Constant dampness from sweat, sunscreen, insect repellent, pool water, seawater and rain. One lousy fan. Anti-itch cream. The ultimate lei. Being barefoot for a solid two weeks. Sunshine at Coralview. Crab races (no. 3 always wins). Drunk Australians...Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi! Playing shithead. Comparing insect bites. Lazing in hammocks eating coconut....

Found an old journal and within it I wrote blog style posts while on my round the world trip so I thought I'd copy them into this blog. From New York we flew to Vancouver to stay with family. 2nd stop - Vancouver  Starting off as "secondaries" at Newark airport, being puffed at by this walk-through machine. 35 minute journey. Family. Singing and playing the bass on Rock Band and getting 90% for both. Stupid couch - broken toe. Getting obsessed with the Twilight saga (side note: I was 17). Trudging through two foot of snow. Beautiful dead birds. Picnic on Bowen island by the lake. Chips on Grouse Mountain to escape the cold (it was -15 degrees). Dim Sum - trying chicken feet - like marbles in a slimey sack. Redeemed by garlicky fried tiny white fish. Mastering chopsticks... sort of anyway. Seeing old friends from Nepal. Sledging on bin lids at midnight down the streets of Vancouver on the first night of snow, trying (and failing) to avoid the parked cars. Being attacked by...

Found an old journal and within it I wrote blog style posts while on my round the world trip so I thought I'd copy them into this blog. 1st stop - New York  Busy streets. Crowded subways. $2 hot dogs that are completely amazing, and garlicky. Twinkle of the city from the top of the Empire State Building at dusk, stretching forever. Never ending streets, sky touching tarmac in the distant horizon. Documented memories at Ellis Island. Taxi! Lemon meringue pie and root beer at 1am in an all American diner. Laughing so hard at danger fields comedy club, trying to remain unnoticed so we wouldn't get picked on by the comedians, forgotten gloves, late night chats with comedians. Fat squirrels. Yummy cheesecake. Floating pumpkins at the Macy's thanksgiving parade. Sweet sweet potato pie. Amy Ruths Cafe. Waffles bigger than your face with blueberries, bacon, whipped cream and maple syrup for breakfast. Being a ghetto chick for a week. Best shower ever. Drinking smuggled beer in the ...

Me and the Aussie one ventured forth to Amsterdam a couple of weeks ago. It was our first official holiday, meaning it was a trip out-with either of our home nations. Many people assume the only reason anyone goes to Amsterdam is for the Hash or the Hookers but we realised there is a third "H" people travel for; History. Even the taxi driver on the way to the airport said people only go for the hash and hookers and then spent the next twenty minutes telling us about his nephew, who used to have a hash addiction and who's step-father wants to send to Amsterdam for his 18th birthday. We however were going for the history and because its a new place (for us). The flight was uneventful apart from the fact we were given food, now as I am accustomed to cheaper airlines (where it's surprising that you don't have to pay for the toilets) the prospect of free drinks and a snack was quite exciting. Upon arrival we headed for the train, passing a solemn sign stating ...

Glasgow is full of some wonderful people. I was inspired to write this post on the bus tonight, this (kinda posh) man got on and warned me that the next guy "wasn't doing to well", he was incredibly drunk or worse and it was nice to be warned incase he was violent. This got me thinking of all the small encounters I've had or witnessed, that have helped me maintain my faith in humanity and that I've not forgotten. Most of these encounters have happened at bus stops or on the bus... About four years ago I was on the bus going home, I was minding my own business when this man sat next to me and started up a conversation, now I don't mind that but he was drunk and being slightly creepy. I was trapped by the window and felt it would be too rude/obvious if I moved seats as he seemed pretty harmless and I didn't want to make a big deal of anything. There was a woman sitting in front of me, maybe five/six years older than me, she held up her phone in a way that ...

Back in October I was admitted to hospital, It was a strange experience as I am more used to be the carer not the caree. It was also the 1st time in my entire life (including when I was born) I have been admitted to hospital. It all started on a Monday, arguably the worst day of the week, I woke up stiff and sore all over. My throat was scratchy and I just felt generally bad. Instead of staying in bed and snuggling with the cats, I got up and went to uni. Throughout the day I felt like I was developing man-flu (that's how bad it was) however this did not prevent me from going to the cinema with the boyfriend after uni. I think I dosed off a bit and gradually felt worse. While waiting for the bus I developed rigors (shaking, exaggerated shivering) particularly in my arms, and wanted nothing more than my bed. That night I had a really bad fever and ended up sweating so much I soaked through the sheets and the mattress, which was discovered in the morning. I ached all over so badly....