Covered in sunscreen (SPF 30) and armed with my book and a sheet to layout, I headed to the beach. The sky looked a bit threatening that morning … teetering between sun and clouds and sunny with clouds, so I wasn’t sure if a beach day was even possible. But, I had to make itContinue reading “The otherside of the Atlantic Ocean”
Category Archives: Europe
Sick, sick, sick
The last few days in Merida, I began to feel sick. I couldn’t breathe well, I had that sexy throat-y voice and a cough. A miserable cough that would keep me up at night. I blamed it on the yellow fever vaccine I had received a few days earlier. It sucked. I don’t do sick.
A week of Spanish
When an editor e-mailed me waaaaay back in February about VaughanTown, and I applied and was accepted to a program, I never, ever imagined how greatly it would change the course of my life (and by life, I mean this great ol’ adventure I am on). But, it sure did. In a beautiful and amazingContinue reading “A week of Spanish”
Motor bikes in Merida
I’m not the bravest girl in the world. YES, I am traveling alone, and YES, that is brave. But, I am not brave. For instance, I will NEVER jump out of an airplane. OK. Maybe not NEVER, but not any time soon. I will NEVER bungee jump. NEVER. And, up until the billiard hall’s grandContinue reading “Motor bikes in Merida”
Back back back to Extremadura
Nearly six weeks after my initial trip into Extremadura, I was at it again. This time, the bus was replaced by a nice four-door sedan, and the 20 Anglos were replaced by two Spaniards — Marcos and Jesus, a friend of mine from the Monfrague VaughanTown program. Just like the first time on the bus,Continue reading “Back back back to Extremadura”
Getting pricked in Spain
I stood in the back office of the pharmacy off of Francisco Silvela, arm sleeved rolled up, fist clenched.
“No me gusto,” I said to the pharmacy technician as she prepared removed the shot from its white box.
“Si,” she said, sympathizing with me (?).
And then I felt the needle break the skin. Then, it was over.
“Gracias,” I said, smiling with relief. “Hasta luego.”
“Adios,” she responded.
I gathered my belongings and headed out the door back into the overcast Madrid day.
That was shot numero dos, Hepatitis A.
A backpacker goes shopping
I stood in Anthony’s bathroom, looking at myself in the mirror. Same jeans. Same gray T-shirt from Target with doves flying on it. Same old gray fleece. Same hiking shoes. Same, same, same! GROSS. “Anthony, I cannot stand it! I have to go and get something new. Now.” I moaned to him, throwing up myContinue reading “A backpacker goes shopping”
Paranoia
White widow. Northern Lights. Casey Jones. Joints. Spliffs. Pipes. Hash, hash … more hash. My eyes were wide. I had seen it all before, in the pretty glass case displays, but had forgotten. For anyone who enjoys a occassional puff of the wacky tobacky, being in Amsterdam is like being a kid in a candyContinue reading “Paranoia”
The city I hadn’t planned on
I sat in the lobby of Eden Hotel in Rembrandt Square, waiting patiently for B and N to walk through the rotating doors. It had been a long trip from Berlin, made longer by the fact that I was so excited to meet up with two of my best friends in the entire world. InContinue reading “The city I hadn’t planned on”
Berlin – the other love
I may love Madrid, but Berlin … man, it comes in a close second. Seriously. It may have been really cold … and windy … and rainy in Berlin, but after escaping Borris‘, I was hit smack in the face with all of its awesomeness. First, it was Hostel Aloha. It didn’t even bother meContinue reading “Berlin – the other love”
D Travels 'Round 