Midges, Skye Island, Road Trips, Surprise Parties, Calgary to Kamloops to Vancouver, and Dear Santa Fe...
England and Scotland - August 12 - 24
I left camp packed into the backseat of Sean's 2 door car, Erin and I were surrounded with 2 guitars, our lives, Catie's stuff, Sean stuff and a trunk filled with left-over Willy's booze from the last night VC party. We only had to drive as far as Halfords where we bought a roof rack and threw some of the stuff on the roof. Sean's parents fed us a delicious meal in Preston and we left the next morning for Hadrians Wall near Newcastle. It was raining most of the first 2 days. We camped at a rest area and chatted with an older Italian couple who didn't speak any English. We shared some wine and communicated simple ideas through the close proximity of Spanish and Italian.
After three lazy driving days with frequent stops for hiking or sightseeing we made it to Glenbrittle Campground on Skye Island in Scotland. I got my feet wet in more than one Loch on the way and Nessy didn't turn out to be as scary as imagined. Glenbrittle campground is a simple, beautiful, quiet spot right on the beach with just the bare necessities. It is perfect. We camped there three nights, climbed the Cullings, hid from Midges at dusk, played music, swam, ate, drank and slept. It was a beautiful spot to recover from facilities issues, stressful parent phone calls, 7:15 staff meetings, bad food, mischievous kids, programming, all-night departures, and everything else Village Camps.
Sean's parents took us in dirty and smelly from 6 days of sleeping on the ground. They fed us and let us lounge around in comfort. It was a perfect example of the hospitality I've known throughout my travels in Europe.
Erin and I said goodbye to Catie and Sean who were headed to Paris and went to Manchester to see my friend Jen from Pamiers. She showed us around her neighborhood and we ate well and got rained on one last time in England. It was great to see Jen in her home! The next day Erin and I flew over the pond, back to North America but still a long way from home, Calgary.
Canada - August 24 - September 4
The Pre-Surprise Party (Lukey's friends partying without him) began with hugs and happy reunions. The plan was to lay low at Kim and Jerad's house while people trickled in unbeknown to Lucas. It was a fabulous time. There was Mari and Juder and Sarah brought Origami from Japan and we caught up on life and traveling and Euchre games. Kim, Jerad and their two daughters put up with 8 guests over the course of 5 days or so. It was more open-door, generous, kind, and fun hospitality.
The party was a big shock for the birthday boy. We danced and laughed and it was the beginning of the Post-Party. We went out in Calgary, had a private dance party at a club, went to the stunning Banff National Forrest, ate ice cream, heard stories about China, looked at pictures, etc. Sarah left, and then Erin, who'd I'd spent almost every waking and sleeping moment with for the past 3 months. Jude, Mari, Lucas and I drove the neighbors van packed with Lucas's life to Kamloops where he was about to start school. It was a beautiful drive and I was in Brittish Columbia for the first time.
Mel from Mauzac picked me up the next day and we drove the rest of the way to Vancouver. Vancouver is a really cool city composed of a bunch of islands and surrounded by ocean and mountains. More generous hospitality was extended my way by Mel and her friends and we saw as much as we could in the short time before my next flight. I hadn't seen Mel for 2 years so we caught up on whats been going on, shared travel stories, and drank beers. On the 4th, I flew back to the land of the free and home of the brave.
New Mexico - Sept 4 - Present
Canada to the States is a smooth transition so culture wasn't shocking. Except now US dollar bills look like funny money. The micro brews are better here though. Santa Fe isn't just a city, it's a life-style. The sun shines every day. The homes are adobe and the wildflowers and prairie dogs are everywhere. It's called the Land of Enchantment and I'm learning why. Laura's dreads are longer and she has two dogs. We still get along like we're back in the PT Cruiser road-tripping to New York.
The last two weeks have slipped by with swimming in Hot Springs, camping at Lake Abiquiu, hiking, dog walking, playing music, swinging in Hammocks, drinking Margaritas, selling green chiles at the market and eating delicious food.
I'm headed home to my parents in a week, fat, rested, and happy. My bags are light, I've only got one bank account now, and I won't be getting any stamps in my passport for a while. I've left things behind all over Europe and a few in Canada, mostly clothes, but especially friends. I hope they all come and visit me one day so that I can offer the hospitality I've received. And I hope to make it to some Spanish and French and Czech and English and Canadian weddings.
My brother mailed me his phone (828)329-8961). Our time in America overlapped by a couple days but he was on the east coast. The ironic thing is that now that I have a phone that can call people for free during all these certain circumstances, my favorite person to call is the person who's phone I now have. Jason's somewhere in India L-I-V-I-N. I downloaded a Harry Hood ringtone in his honor.
I fly home on the 25th. I can't wait to see my Mom and Dad. I can't complain about life. I'm finding it really, really good.
I left camp packed into the backseat of Sean's 2 door car, Erin and I were surrounded with 2 guitars, our lives, Catie's stuff, Sean stuff and a trunk filled with left-over Willy's booze from the last night VC party. We only had to drive as far as Halfords where we bought a roof rack and threw some of the stuff on the roof. Sean's parents fed us a delicious meal in Preston and we left the next morning for Hadrians Wall near Newcastle. It was raining most of the first 2 days. We camped at a rest area and chatted with an older Italian couple who didn't speak any English. We shared some wine and communicated simple ideas through the close proximity of Spanish and Italian.
After three lazy driving days with frequent stops for hiking or sightseeing we made it to Glenbrittle Campground on Skye Island in Scotland. I got my feet wet in more than one Loch on the way and Nessy didn't turn out to be as scary as imagined. Glenbrittle campground is a simple, beautiful, quiet spot right on the beach with just the bare necessities. It is perfect. We camped there three nights, climbed the Cullings, hid from Midges at dusk, played music, swam, ate, drank and slept. It was a beautiful spot to recover from facilities issues, stressful parent phone calls, 7:15 staff meetings, bad food, mischievous kids, programming, all-night departures, and everything else Village Camps.
Sean's parents took us in dirty and smelly from 6 days of sleeping on the ground. They fed us and let us lounge around in comfort. It was a perfect example of the hospitality I've known throughout my travels in Europe.
Erin and I said goodbye to Catie and Sean who were headed to Paris and went to Manchester to see my friend Jen from Pamiers. She showed us around her neighborhood and we ate well and got rained on one last time in England. It was great to see Jen in her home! The next day Erin and I flew over the pond, back to North America but still a long way from home, Calgary.
Canada - August 24 - September 4
The Pre-Surprise Party (Lukey's friends partying without him) began with hugs and happy reunions. The plan was to lay low at Kim and Jerad's house while people trickled in unbeknown to Lucas. It was a fabulous time. There was Mari and Juder and Sarah brought Origami from Japan and we caught up on life and traveling and Euchre games. Kim, Jerad and their two daughters put up with 8 guests over the course of 5 days or so. It was more open-door, generous, kind, and fun hospitality.
The party was a big shock for the birthday boy. We danced and laughed and it was the beginning of the Post-Party. We went out in Calgary, had a private dance party at a club, went to the stunning Banff National Forrest, ate ice cream, heard stories about China, looked at pictures, etc. Sarah left, and then Erin, who'd I'd spent almost every waking and sleeping moment with for the past 3 months. Jude, Mari, Lucas and I drove the neighbors van packed with Lucas's life to Kamloops where he was about to start school. It was a beautiful drive and I was in Brittish Columbia for the first time.
Mel from Mauzac picked me up the next day and we drove the rest of the way to Vancouver. Vancouver is a really cool city composed of a bunch of islands and surrounded by ocean and mountains. More generous hospitality was extended my way by Mel and her friends and we saw as much as we could in the short time before my next flight. I hadn't seen Mel for 2 years so we caught up on whats been going on, shared travel stories, and drank beers. On the 4th, I flew back to the land of the free and home of the brave.
New Mexico - Sept 4 - Present
Canada to the States is a smooth transition so culture wasn't shocking. Except now US dollar bills look like funny money. The micro brews are better here though. Santa Fe isn't just a city, it's a life-style. The sun shines every day. The homes are adobe and the wildflowers and prairie dogs are everywhere. It's called the Land of Enchantment and I'm learning why. Laura's dreads are longer and she has two dogs. We still get along like we're back in the PT Cruiser road-tripping to New York.
The last two weeks have slipped by with swimming in Hot Springs, camping at Lake Abiquiu, hiking, dog walking, playing music, swinging in Hammocks, drinking Margaritas, selling green chiles at the market and eating delicious food.
I'm headed home to my parents in a week, fat, rested, and happy. My bags are light, I've only got one bank account now, and I won't be getting any stamps in my passport for a while. I've left things behind all over Europe and a few in Canada, mostly clothes, but especially friends. I hope they all come and visit me one day so that I can offer the hospitality I've received. And I hope to make it to some Spanish and French and Czech and English and Canadian weddings.
My brother mailed me his phone (828)329-8961). Our time in America overlapped by a couple days but he was on the east coast. The ironic thing is that now that I have a phone that can call people for free during all these certain circumstances, my favorite person to call is the person who's phone I now have. Jason's somewhere in India L-I-V-I-N. I downloaded a Harry Hood ringtone in his honor.
I fly home on the 25th. I can't wait to see my Mom and Dad. I can't complain about life. I'm finding it really, really good.
posted by emily at 8:33 PM
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