Blog – Page 38 – D Travels 'Round

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”

Home?

I traded rainy and cold Belgium for sunny and magnificent Spain around noon the day after leaving Amsterdam (about the same time I regained my sanity). Only, when I arrived in Spain, it wasn’t really sunny or magnificent. I just pretended it was because that’s how much I love freaking Spain. In fact, it wasContinue reading “Home?”

Savoring the sweet in Amsterdam

“Come by and see me at my coffee shop,” the note on my Facebook wall said from one Jonathan (my Travel Love from Zagreb) who was now residing in Amsterdam. As soon as I received that message, a little glimmer of what I felt in Zagreb shot through me. I had sent Jonathan a messageContinue reading “Savoring the sweet in Amsterdam”

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”

I’ll always remember my first time … Couch Surfing

Up until Berlin, I was a couch surfing virgin. Yup. Never had I slept on anyone’s couch via the very cool CouchSurfing. I had planned on surfing during my travels, not just to save a little cash, but because I have heard nothing but raves about the experiences people have had … the insight intoContinue reading “I’ll always remember my first time … Couch Surfing”