Damn song has been in my head for days.....
Sunday, 15 April 2012
Sand In My Shoes......
Rightooooo!
This one will be pretty short sharp and shiny!
So I went to the states for a few days! I never in my life thought I would go there. Obviously a few days over Easter doesn't do it justice, so I will have to go back again properly, but I couldn't believe how much of a giant stereotype it was. Seriously, poor black people standing on corners, booty dancing in clubs, over the top insincere customer service, fat people, everything.
Not to say it was bad though, Seattle was quite cool, plus I got to see RADIOHEAD!
On the way back though I sort of got boned over. 90% of the time things always work out for me when travelling. This time not so much. After copping shit from people at the hostel for only booking my buses and ferries the night before I left (and 1 hour before going out) I got to America with no dramas. On the way back though, I mistakenly presumed that America would be like every other country in the world and the transport system would link up with each other. This is not the case in the states....
So after catching the very first bus from Seattle to Port Angeles (tiny ferry town on the peninsula) I had missed the very last ferry to Victoria by 2 hours. So I had to stay in hicksville on Easter weekend. Exciting times were had.... :/
Ok so after that I came home and worked a few arvo shifts and tried to spend time with Mandy for her last few days in BC before she headed off on Friday.
People tend to think that if you're travelling, you're either in a long term relationship travelling together, or you're screwing around whenever you can.
As most people that know me would know, I'm not one for one nighters, I enjoy things a lot more when I get to know girls a bit more and make a connection.
Either way, it's a nice feeling to share time with someone you like, even if you know it's not going to go anywhere or get serious. When you do finally go your separate way's, it can still feel like a break up, even if you never went out officially in the first place. It's a weird feeling, but an awesome one.
Looking back in years to come, hopefully both people will only have fond memories, and even if you never speak to or see them again, you can think back and enjoy what you had for what it was and nothing more :)
Soppy shit but it's true.
Anyways, time for bed, night shift on a saturday night has this little duck tired!!
This one will be pretty short sharp and shiny!
So I went to the states for a few days! I never in my life thought I would go there. Obviously a few days over Easter doesn't do it justice, so I will have to go back again properly, but I couldn't believe how much of a giant stereotype it was. Seriously, poor black people standing on corners, booty dancing in clubs, over the top insincere customer service, fat people, everything.
Not to say it was bad though, Seattle was quite cool, plus I got to see RADIOHEAD!
On the way back though I sort of got boned over. 90% of the time things always work out for me when travelling. This time not so much. After copping shit from people at the hostel for only booking my buses and ferries the night before I left (and 1 hour before going out) I got to America with no dramas. On the way back though, I mistakenly presumed that America would be like every other country in the world and the transport system would link up with each other. This is not the case in the states....
So after catching the very first bus from Seattle to Port Angeles (tiny ferry town on the peninsula) I had missed the very last ferry to Victoria by 2 hours. So I had to stay in hicksville on Easter weekend. Exciting times were had.... :/
Ok so after that I came home and worked a few arvo shifts and tried to spend time with Mandy for her last few days in BC before she headed off on Friday.
People tend to think that if you're travelling, you're either in a long term relationship travelling together, or you're screwing around whenever you can.
As most people that know me would know, I'm not one for one nighters, I enjoy things a lot more when I get to know girls a bit more and make a connection.
Either way, it's a nice feeling to share time with someone you like, even if you know it's not going to go anywhere or get serious. When you do finally go your separate way's, it can still feel like a break up, even if you never went out officially in the first place. It's a weird feeling, but an awesome one.
Looking back in years to come, hopefully both people will only have fond memories, and even if you never speak to or see them again, you can think back and enjoy what you had for what it was and nothing more :)
Soppy shit but it's true.
Anyways, time for bed, night shift on a saturday night has this little duck tired!!
Friday, 6 April 2012
It Begins....
Time for some ramblings....
So it was my birthday on the 26th. I had to work at 6am wwoofing in the hostel, but woke at half 5 to find that 3 of my mates had cleaned up the whole kitchen for me the night before (as a birthday present), effectively giving me no work to do!
From then on the day only got better......
So after a bit of a kip, I got a call from a convenience store about starting work the next day. So I have a job now!! Well it's a shit job but its a start until summer hits and better jobs are available...
ANYWAYS..
So after a bit more sleep, some lads took me out to a nice Irish pub for a few beers about half 3. When we got back (pretty tipsy) I went to my friends room because someone said they wanted to see me. When I got there, I opened the door and the whole room ( a very cramped elevator shaft) was chockas with balloons and half the hostel jumped out from behind the wall, screamed surprise and sang happy birthday to me with a birthday cake. I was speechless. After that the party started and the free shots began. I don't remember too much after leaving the hostel, but I had one of best nights ever. So big ups to the people at the Ocean Island for making it the best birthday Ive ever had... Much love.
So my birthday was my last big night here. The next day I started work (struggle town) and into routine I go.
My mate Adam and I are currently flat hunting, just need to find the right one. We've seen a few nice ones, but they get taken pretty quickly. We have a favourite pub in the Cook Village, so we want to live near there for that sole reason (and its a nice area).
The hostel is still kicking arse. The prices are going up a fair bit for summer, so everyone is moving out. There is so much crazy shit around here. From drunken Germans running around naked on the street, proposing to his girlfriend and offering to wheel her to Vegas to get married in a McDonalds wheelie chair, to alcoholics in the hostel, talking to kettles and claiming to be "The new sherrif in town".
It's been fucking awesome.
Now I have 6 days off work, and in 2 days I am heading to Seattle to see Radiohead.
Life sucks right now.
So it was my birthday on the 26th. I had to work at 6am wwoofing in the hostel, but woke at half 5 to find that 3 of my mates had cleaned up the whole kitchen for me the night before (as a birthday present), effectively giving me no work to do!
From then on the day only got better......
So after a bit of a kip, I got a call from a convenience store about starting work the next day. So I have a job now!! Well it's a shit job but its a start until summer hits and better jobs are available...
ANYWAYS..
So after a bit more sleep, some lads took me out to a nice Irish pub for a few beers about half 3. When we got back (pretty tipsy) I went to my friends room because someone said they wanted to see me. When I got there, I opened the door and the whole room ( a very cramped elevator shaft) was chockas with balloons and half the hostel jumped out from behind the wall, screamed surprise and sang happy birthday to me with a birthday cake. I was speechless. After that the party started and the free shots began. I don't remember too much after leaving the hostel, but I had one of best nights ever. So big ups to the people at the Ocean Island for making it the best birthday Ive ever had... Much love.
So my birthday was my last big night here. The next day I started work (struggle town) and into routine I go.
My mate Adam and I are currently flat hunting, just need to find the right one. We've seen a few nice ones, but they get taken pretty quickly. We have a favourite pub in the Cook Village, so we want to live near there for that sole reason (and its a nice area).
The hostel is still kicking arse. The prices are going up a fair bit for summer, so everyone is moving out. There is so much crazy shit around here. From drunken Germans running around naked on the street, proposing to his girlfriend and offering to wheel her to Vegas to get married in a McDonalds wheelie chair, to alcoholics in the hostel, talking to kettles and claiming to be "The new sherrif in town".
It's been fucking awesome.
Now I have 6 days off work, and in 2 days I am heading to Seattle to see Radiohead.
Life sucks right now.
Friday, 16 March 2012
Canada. Y U No Like Tall Guys???
Another night, another punch in the face from a random walking down the street.
I don't know what's going on with these damn Canucks. For over 6 months I lived in a dingey part of Cardiff, a notorious rough town in the U.K and had no problem at all ever. Before that I managed over 6 months in Edinburgh, walking down Leith Walk into the harbour every day for work and never had an issue. Hell even in Prague two of us had to walk through a gang of thugs with our backpacks to get to our hostel.
But in two months in Canada, I have been started on by a random for 'thinking I'm taller than him', been dragged across the street from behind by some flipping nutter with a cut across his eye, and then two nights ago punched in the face by some crack head before he legged it while being pursued by an army of bouncers that I was talking to.
All I'm gonna say is.......
I don't know what's going on with these damn Canucks. For over 6 months I lived in a dingey part of Cardiff, a notorious rough town in the U.K and had no problem at all ever. Before that I managed over 6 months in Edinburgh, walking down Leith Walk into the harbour every day for work and never had an issue. Hell even in Prague two of us had to walk through a gang of thugs with our backpacks to get to our hostel.
But in two months in Canada, I have been started on by a random for 'thinking I'm taller than him', been dragged across the street from behind by some flipping nutter with a cut across his eye, and then two nights ago punched in the face by some crack head before he legged it while being pursued by an army of bouncers that I was talking to.
All I'm gonna say is.......
Monday, 12 March 2012
Victoria
Been a bit slack of late with this thing!
The last few weeks have been flat chat. I've finally broken out of Vancouver!! Now I'm happily settled in Victoria, which is the capital of British Columbia!
I don't even know where to start to be honest. The city is beautiful. There's a wicked harbour 10 minutes from the hostel which has seals and a wicked view. Beacon Hill park is 10 minutes away as well and you can chill out, feed the ducks/geese and peacocks and see a bald eagle or two. The legislative building is AMAZING! Architecturally its beautiful, large and imposing. At night it lights up and can be seen from over the harbour.
I'm starting to fall in love with the place.
I've been lucky to find a hostel that I love. It's called the Ocean Island Inn and its the closest hostel Ive found to The Travellers Inn in Edinburgh. The place is more giant flat than hostel to be honest. Two thirds of the people staying here are long termers, and I reckon half of those are Canadians from other provinces looking for work.
The Aussie ratio here is at a wicked level, myself being one of three (the other two are chill too)
The people staying here are more family than friends, and we do a lot of stuff together as a big group.
I am loving it here so much at the moment that I have decided to live here until I leave Victoria.
I started working at the hostel for free accommodation and food a few weeks ago, and with any luck, I can find myself some night work so I can do both and save tonnes of cash for summer.
The work front has been slow. All the pubs I have applied at have told me to wait until the start of April when the cruise ships start coming in. I have been pretty lazy to be honest, and going out most nights probably doesn't help. I really do need to get my arse into gear soon though as I just checked my funds, and half of my Asia funds are gone!! Going to have to work hard when I finally do get a job...
We had a 90's night at the hostel the other night. Everyone dressed up, there was a dance off and the music was banging. Anyone who knows me knows I love my 90's music so this was right up my alley. I went op shopping with a couple here and Blair managed to find some MC Hammer pants. You just can't compete with that haha.......After the bar closed we went off to a regular haunt called Sopranos which is a karaoke bar. I vaguely remember singing Mr Jones by The Counting Crows with a mate before we were rescued by a bloke from the hostel.
Not sure what else to report. We've had bonfires on the beach, basketball games, karaoke nights, club nights, hikes, and tonnes of other nights here, it's been wicked.
So glad I came to Victoria......
The last few weeks have been flat chat. I've finally broken out of Vancouver!! Now I'm happily settled in Victoria, which is the capital of British Columbia!
I don't even know where to start to be honest. The city is beautiful. There's a wicked harbour 10 minutes from the hostel which has seals and a wicked view. Beacon Hill park is 10 minutes away as well and you can chill out, feed the ducks/geese and peacocks and see a bald eagle or two. The legislative building is AMAZING! Architecturally its beautiful, large and imposing. At night it lights up and can be seen from over the harbour.
I'm starting to fall in love with the place.
I've been lucky to find a hostel that I love. It's called the Ocean Island Inn and its the closest hostel Ive found to The Travellers Inn in Edinburgh. The place is more giant flat than hostel to be honest. Two thirds of the people staying here are long termers, and I reckon half of those are Canadians from other provinces looking for work.
The Aussie ratio here is at a wicked level, myself being one of three (the other two are chill too)
The people staying here are more family than friends, and we do a lot of stuff together as a big group.
I am loving it here so much at the moment that I have decided to live here until I leave Victoria.
I started working at the hostel for free accommodation and food a few weeks ago, and with any luck, I can find myself some night work so I can do both and save tonnes of cash for summer.
The work front has been slow. All the pubs I have applied at have told me to wait until the start of April when the cruise ships start coming in. I have been pretty lazy to be honest, and going out most nights probably doesn't help. I really do need to get my arse into gear soon though as I just checked my funds, and half of my Asia funds are gone!! Going to have to work hard when I finally do get a job...
We had a 90's night at the hostel the other night. Everyone dressed up, there was a dance off and the music was banging. Anyone who knows me knows I love my 90's music so this was right up my alley. I went op shopping with a couple here and Blair managed to find some MC Hammer pants. You just can't compete with that haha.......After the bar closed we went off to a regular haunt called Sopranos which is a karaoke bar. I vaguely remember singing Mr Jones by The Counting Crows with a mate before we were rescued by a bloke from the hostel.
Not sure what else to report. We've had bonfires on the beach, basketball games, karaoke nights, club nights, hikes, and tonnes of other nights here, it's been wicked.
So glad I came to Victoria......
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things
Reasons not to drink.........
Notable omissions : Hand sanitizer wipes.
Sunday, 5 February 2012
Nationalities In Our Hostel/Vancouver
Australians
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Germans
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Irish
English
Kiwis
Canadians
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Germans
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Irish
English
Kiwis
Canadians
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