Well, today was verdict day and I had been dreading it for quite sometime. It was the day I would check out of the Schengen states, and it did not go so well. I claimed ignorance, but the Dutch authorities followed SOP and submitted my overstay to the authorities. I will either get slapped with a fine, banned for a period of time (potentially from 1 to 3 years) or incur no penalty at all. In two weeks I'll have to call the proper authorities in Holland and find out what my punishment will be. I also have some kind of insignia hand drawn inside my passport recognizable by future authorities (like in the UK) that let's them know I overstayed my visa. My hope is that the UK authorities will be lenient because I have my flight booked for just one week from today. I am also hoping they won't scrutinize things too much as I already have a visa that extends through mid-July and I know it is still valid. So I keep my fingers crossed for a smooth entry. Otherwise there is no telling what kinds of extremely bad and stressful things may transpire. Oh and I also didn't know this crossing takes 6 hours, at least they've got wi-fi onboard. Anyhow, we arrive to Harwich around 20:00 and within the hour I should know whether or not I get to proceed into England to meet Mosh near South Wimbledon. Wish me luck. Toodles.
Zach
Monday, June 27, 2011
Nothing more to say
Nothing more to say really at all. I'm leaving Amsterdam tomorrow morning. It is at best bittersweet. I'll really miss this place. I've grown to love it. I know it well. I know the streets and alleys. I know where all the Albert Heijns are. I know and love this big city that's really not all that big. It really does have the perfect mix. If only it had some mountains ;] I'll be leaving tomorrow for England, but will already be plotting my return. Thanks to all the people who made Amsterdam a possibility...most namely: Annie and Petra. And thanks to all the friends I've made along the way: Dives, Travis, and Sander (and the whole Beer Temple Crew). Good luck to everyone. I'll see you when I get back ;]
Zach
Zach
Sunday, June 26, 2011
The Rain In Amsterdam
After some beers at The Beer Temple I'm ready for walking through the canals. And I head out. And I notice the falling mist; the miniature ripples spread out across the surface of the water. The long tendrils of bright orange light reaching for something unknown down the ends of dark streets and the angled shadows of street posts in the night. I find the night folding in on itself and I want to stand still and listen to everything happening around me: the light rain falling, the distant echo of voices, the clicking of high heels on cobbles, the metallic grinding of the gears of a passing bicycle.
After a brisk walk I'm at the footbridge at the end of Herengracht and I walk across, momentarily enjoying the lights on the canal below. Eventually I'm walking up the spiral staircase to my friends flat. Even later still, I'm listening to Jack Johnson as I lay in the dark listening to rain on the roof. "All the day's rewards waiting at the doors of sleep........"
06 26 11 0234
After a brisk walk I'm at the footbridge at the end of Herengracht and I walk across, momentarily enjoying the lights on the canal below. Eventually I'm walking up the spiral staircase to my friends flat. Even later still, I'm listening to Jack Johnson as I lay in the dark listening to rain on the roof. "All the day's rewards waiting at the doors of sleep........"
06 26 11 0234
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Well
Here in A'dam still. And I'm back with another photoless post. This past week has sucked up much of my brain's energy. It is definitely good to be back in Amsterdam. It feels good cruising through the streets and canals on Old Bill. The mental battle always raging inside is the debate between whether or not to suck it all up and keep pushing for another month. My Ma and good friend Adria have both suggested I try and stick it out and this morning after breakfast I thought I'd broken through the clouds and glimpsed the greener grass on the other side. For a moment in fact I actually did and after showering I was deciding I may just push for it and live out the remaining month here in Europe. But, my mind really is stubborn and cannot forget the previous couple of days when I'd already decided to head to London and call it quits early. This morning while trying to sleep in the dorm two drunk girls came in around 4 am and did nothing but yap their mouths off. They didn't stop yapping for 2 hours. And while getting soaked in the Amsterdam rain walking to the next hostel I decided that I really am done. I lived here in Amdam for 2 months and now I'm back and falling in and out of hostels. I have a place for the next two nights (thank god) but then Sat and Sun are still unspoken for. As it is I'll have to switch dormitories at this current hostel after tonight. And while these things really are trivial, I don't want to stay in hostels while visiting Amsterdam. It somehow suggests I am just passing through, that this is the first time I am here and I am just another traveling tourist. Dorms and hostels are for the young. For the kids traveling for the first time who don't want to see anything else other than the big cities. They want to go to Red Light District and smoke in coffeeshops. And rent bikes and go on Amsterdam Dungeon Tours. At the very least hostels scream: I am temporary! And that's the exact opposite of what I currently want.
While Ireland is some place I would love to visit. And once there I would have a place to drop my luggage for a time, I think about the next week and it's just so daunting to me. Flying to Belfast then training it down to Dublin and eventually to Cork is a complex thing. I could fly directly to Cork and avoid the craziness of two more cities, but then I'd have to find accomodation in Cork for 4 nights. And I am acquiring more luggage. And I am also not accustomed to traveling through cities in the high season. It is much more difficult to find accomodation a week ahead of time. These things plus the fact that I haven't been able to do laundry in over 2 weeks is really just something I don't want to deal with. It's something I shouldn't have to deal with. I'm at this point where I don't want to meet other travelers. I'm tired of falling in and out of people's lives. I've these brief glimpses for a couple days or a few weeks and then it's another goodbye, farewell, or see you later I don't want to have to go through. The feeling of permanence is something I long for. And even when I get to Laraugh and drop my bags with Marie and Ger it will only be a matter of time until I have to say goodbye again. I much rather head to London, stay with my good friend Mosh, and not move for awhile.
And a lot of people may think I am crazy to consider giving up the freedom that I've currently, but I really do feel that I am done. I'd like to find a job, earn money instead of always worrying about it. One thing I've forgotten, and that other people have forgotten as well is that my initial goal in coming to Europe was to find a job in Amsterdam, rent a flat, and stay put for 6 months. I never planned to see Europe in the way that I have. And I'm not saying it's a bad thing by any means. You have to go with the flow when traveling. That's the only way to really enjoy it. But I am beyond this kind of travel. I don't want small glimpses.
As everyone knows, I can always come back to Europe. I can come back to Amsterdam. I can travel to Ireland. Even though Adria made a good point about things continuing with this current experience and the memories and times I may spend in Ireland will be unique, if I travel to Ireland in 2 years or 10 years those experiences will also be unique. And so I'm quite certain at this time that the decision is final. I'm tired of being a stranger amongst strangers. I want to fly to Seattle and contemplate the future. And so that's all that's left to do. Get to London and book a flight home and then it's all done. So there we have it folks: the decision has been made to call it quits....
Zach
While Ireland is some place I would love to visit. And once there I would have a place to drop my luggage for a time, I think about the next week and it's just so daunting to me. Flying to Belfast then training it down to Dublin and eventually to Cork is a complex thing. I could fly directly to Cork and avoid the craziness of two more cities, but then I'd have to find accomodation in Cork for 4 nights. And I am acquiring more luggage. And I am also not accustomed to traveling through cities in the high season. It is much more difficult to find accomodation a week ahead of time. These things plus the fact that I haven't been able to do laundry in over 2 weeks is really just something I don't want to deal with. It's something I shouldn't have to deal with. I'm at this point where I don't want to meet other travelers. I'm tired of falling in and out of people's lives. I've these brief glimpses for a couple days or a few weeks and then it's another goodbye, farewell, or see you later I don't want to have to go through. The feeling of permanence is something I long for. And even when I get to Laraugh and drop my bags with Marie and Ger it will only be a matter of time until I have to say goodbye again. I much rather head to London, stay with my good friend Mosh, and not move for awhile.
And a lot of people may think I am crazy to consider giving up the freedom that I've currently, but I really do feel that I am done. I'd like to find a job, earn money instead of always worrying about it. One thing I've forgotten, and that other people have forgotten as well is that my initial goal in coming to Europe was to find a job in Amsterdam, rent a flat, and stay put for 6 months. I never planned to see Europe in the way that I have. And I'm not saying it's a bad thing by any means. You have to go with the flow when traveling. That's the only way to really enjoy it. But I am beyond this kind of travel. I don't want small glimpses.
As everyone knows, I can always come back to Europe. I can come back to Amsterdam. I can travel to Ireland. Even though Adria made a good point about things continuing with this current experience and the memories and times I may spend in Ireland will be unique, if I travel to Ireland in 2 years or 10 years those experiences will also be unique. And so I'm quite certain at this time that the decision is final. I'm tired of being a stranger amongst strangers. I want to fly to Seattle and contemplate the future. And so that's all that's left to do. Get to London and book a flight home and then it's all done. So there we have it folks: the decision has been made to call it quits....
Zach
Monday, June 20, 2011
Traveling traveling traveling traveling travelingggggg and more traveling?
I have been doing a lot of moving around lately. Too much in fact. The last two weeks have been exhausting: I've hit Milan, Verona, Munich, Bad Oeynhausen, and now Amsterdam. I'm feeling like I need to sit still for a long while, breathe deep, and regain some of my lost vigor. Arriving here to Amsterdam I come to find my mind a bit fatigued. I remember feeling this way at the end of the 4.5 months in South America. I remember writing about the need to stop the wheels from turning; to grasp the feeling of permanance. I touched it briefly in Italy during the month I spent with the Littlehales, but then it was straight out back into the fire once I left.
The one thing that still amazes me is how things usually work out exactly how they should. There have been a few times when things don't work out, but those are rare indeed. In the last week I've formally arranged two hitchhikes that have taken me from Munich to Hannover and Hannover to Amsterdam, without a cellphone, just putting faith in the other person to stick to their word and be where they need to be at the correct time and place. And it all works out. People don't put enough faith in humanity this day in age (and for good reason mind you) but things usually work out for the best and people usually are good at heart. And this just so happens to be the perfect segway into my next thought...
I've been so fortunate throughout the past 5 months to have encountered, used, abused, befriended and then said goodbye to so many good people. And without them I would not have been able to remain here for 5 months. It's something I think about often. I only hope in time that I can give some of it back. I want to. It's something everyone should do. And it feels good to do that. To give without expecting something in return. I've been shown a great amount of kindness throughout my experiences here. I've interacted with thousands upon thousands of people and I only hope when they think back (if they remember) they think fondly of the times we shared.
I think that is one thing I've learned more about myself on this trip. The last few years I've been learning about how I fit into this world and this trip has revealed even more of this to me. I now have a good understanding of how I fit into the world and how my actions, words, and thoughts affect people. I suppose that's just one part of what I've learned on this trip. All very interesting now isn't it?
Anyhow to update the travels, I actually only snapped 5 non-beer related photos while traveling in Munich and Northern Germany. Quite sad but I didn't feel overly inspired and I was never presented with a clear opportunity to do so. Just means I'll have to go back :D There are a few other stories floating about in regard to my German experience, but I'll save that for later. I'm out for bed. See you soon.
Zach
The one thing that still amazes me is how things usually work out exactly how they should. There have been a few times when things don't work out, but those are rare indeed. In the last week I've formally arranged two hitchhikes that have taken me from Munich to Hannover and Hannover to Amsterdam, without a cellphone, just putting faith in the other person to stick to their word and be where they need to be at the correct time and place. And it all works out. People don't put enough faith in humanity this day in age (and for good reason mind you) but things usually work out for the best and people usually are good at heart. And this just so happens to be the perfect segway into my next thought...
I've been so fortunate throughout the past 5 months to have encountered, used, abused, befriended and then said goodbye to so many good people. And without them I would not have been able to remain here for 5 months. It's something I think about often. I only hope in time that I can give some of it back. I want to. It's something everyone should do. And it feels good to do that. To give without expecting something in return. I've been shown a great amount of kindness throughout my experiences here. I've interacted with thousands upon thousands of people and I only hope when they think back (if they remember) they think fondly of the times we shared.
I think that is one thing I've learned more about myself on this trip. The last few years I've been learning about how I fit into this world and this trip has revealed even more of this to me. I now have a good understanding of how I fit into the world and how my actions, words, and thoughts affect people. I suppose that's just one part of what I've learned on this trip. All very interesting now isn't it?
Anyhow to update the travels, I actually only snapped 5 non-beer related photos while traveling in Munich and Northern Germany. Quite sad but I didn't feel overly inspired and I was never presented with a clear opportunity to do so. Just means I'll have to go back :D There are a few other stories floating about in regard to my German experience, but I'll save that for later. I'm out for bed. See you soon.
Zach
Friday, June 10, 2011
On the end of Italy and beginning of Germany...
Well, here I am, in Munich, at Ralph's flat. It all worked out as it usually does. And a mere 2 hours after first arriving in Germany, I was climbing the stairs out of the subway to meet Ralph. It always works out. I've no internet. So the inability to update things continues, but I should be able to find some kind of public library or cafe to snake an internet connection. At the very least, the Burger King at the train station has internet; I was tipped off on a google search and led to some guys travel blog, and that's where I found the handy tidbit. It really helped me out.
The small amount of Munich I've seen looks leafy and green but the weather here is grey. I was hoping for a change in weather; yesterday getting caught in the downpour and massive lightning storm was not at all fun. After things settled down, and I had formulated a backup plan if I wasn't able to get ahold of Ralph, I eased into the city and instead of running around like a chicken with its head cut off, I was able to enjoy the delights of Verona. The sun was out and things were lovely. I sat in Piazza Erbe for a long time watching the people pass for nearly 90 minutes. I watched as the final streaks of golden light faded. I walked back to the main piazza by the arena and sat down for dinner at restaurant named Liston 12. I couldn't have imagined a better place to sit. I was hoping for one final grandiose sunset but unfortunately was robbed of the final rays of sunlight as foreboding clouds in the distance began to build. Ironically enough on my last night I had a pizza and two pints of German beer; a blending of the two cultures and places I would soon be leaving and entering. And it all passes so quickly. I met an American girl (from California) at the stazione and she'd missed her train. I felt so bad for her. She was even further up the creek than I as she had no cellphone, didn't speak any Italian, and quite possibly had to wait all night for another train. Lying in my bed trying to find sleep I realized I could have done more to help her out; things always become so much more clear after it no longer matters, why is that? I didn't sleep last night until after the train had left Verona and woke up around 4 am to lots of chatter amongst the bunks above me.
I'm here drinking some coffee. I'll take a shower and head out down the street and see what I can see. From here things will be ok. I have a good feeling. Next week sometime I'll be in central Germany with Tilman, maybe we'll play golf, drink some beer, and listen to trance. I'll have to see if I can get a cheap bus ticket for up north. This past week I'm fed up with having to shell out loads of money for train tickets (one instance was my fault, the other was not).
Thinking back to two weeks ago, with the Littlehales and Umbertide, It's crazy how far we go, how many places we pass, and like we're being shot out of gun we're catapulted away so quickly. Like I wrote some time ago, the places I've spent time in are now just a pleasant memory. We move so fast time for reflections is not always possible. The small room I spent so much time in in Milan is now gone. The people I've met along the way all stored in my head.
In the wee hours of the morning I listened to the final bits of Italian I'd hear on this trip. The conversation among the other passengers in my cabin consisted of two men realizing they were both in Germany for the first time in their lives. One of them started chatting with me in Italian as I sat on the edge of my bed bleary eyed and half asleep, and for the last time I employed my minimal Italian skills. Ironic that he should look to me for help. After disembarking he waited for me and we walked down the platform together. He was looking to make a connection to another city in the north: Stuttgart. And I told him I could help him. We found the help desk for the train company and he was off. We shook hands, said ciao, and that was that. Italy had completely separated itself from me.
Here we are. Here is Germany: Munich, the heart of Bavaria. The beer mecca. Alright, time to move. We're off....
Zach
The small amount of Munich I've seen looks leafy and green but the weather here is grey. I was hoping for a change in weather; yesterday getting caught in the downpour and massive lightning storm was not at all fun. After things settled down, and I had formulated a backup plan if I wasn't able to get ahold of Ralph, I eased into the city and instead of running around like a chicken with its head cut off, I was able to enjoy the delights of Verona. The sun was out and things were lovely. I sat in Piazza Erbe for a long time watching the people pass for nearly 90 minutes. I watched as the final streaks of golden light faded. I walked back to the main piazza by the arena and sat down for dinner at restaurant named Liston 12. I couldn't have imagined a better place to sit. I was hoping for one final grandiose sunset but unfortunately was robbed of the final rays of sunlight as foreboding clouds in the distance began to build. Ironically enough on my last night I had a pizza and two pints of German beer; a blending of the two cultures and places I would soon be leaving and entering. And it all passes so quickly. I met an American girl (from California) at the stazione and she'd missed her train. I felt so bad for her. She was even further up the creek than I as she had no cellphone, didn't speak any Italian, and quite possibly had to wait all night for another train. Lying in my bed trying to find sleep I realized I could have done more to help her out; things always become so much more clear after it no longer matters, why is that? I didn't sleep last night until after the train had left Verona and woke up around 4 am to lots of chatter amongst the bunks above me.
I'm here drinking some coffee. I'll take a shower and head out down the street and see what I can see. From here things will be ok. I have a good feeling. Next week sometime I'll be in central Germany with Tilman, maybe we'll play golf, drink some beer, and listen to trance. I'll have to see if I can get a cheap bus ticket for up north. This past week I'm fed up with having to shell out loads of money for train tickets (one instance was my fault, the other was not).
Thinking back to two weeks ago, with the Littlehales and Umbertide, It's crazy how far we go, how many places we pass, and like we're being shot out of gun we're catapulted away so quickly. Like I wrote some time ago, the places I've spent time in are now just a pleasant memory. We move so fast time for reflections is not always possible. The small room I spent so much time in in Milan is now gone. The people I've met along the way all stored in my head.
In the wee hours of the morning I listened to the final bits of Italian I'd hear on this trip. The conversation among the other passengers in my cabin consisted of two men realizing they were both in Germany for the first time in their lives. One of them started chatting with me in Italian as I sat on the edge of my bed bleary eyed and half asleep, and for the last time I employed my minimal Italian skills. Ironic that he should look to me for help. After disembarking he waited for me and we walked down the platform together. He was looking to make a connection to another city in the north: Stuttgart. And I told him I could help him. We found the help desk for the train company and he was off. We shook hands, said ciao, and that was that. Italy had completely separated itself from me.
Here we are. Here is Germany: Munich, the heart of Bavaria. The beer mecca. Alright, time to move. We're off....
Zach
Thursday, June 9, 2011
One Photo: My Favorite
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Quick Update
Well folks I tell ya now, I'm in Milan. This is my 3rd day (more or less). It has been a difficult adjustment back into city life. I miss the quiet life in the Umbrian hills. Unfortunately the hotel I am staying at lacks a viable wi-fi connection. It's broken and they seem content letting it remain so. I am at an internet cafe (just like the old days traveling through South America). Another sidenote: Venice is no longer going to happen. Did I ever unveil my plan regarding Venice? I don't remember, but I was going to visit there for a day on my way to Munich (because I heard it might be cheaper and easier) but it was not true (not in 2011 anyway) instead I'll head to Verona for a day and then catch the nighttrain to Munich. The price was buenissimo, only 29€ for a ticket to Verona and a bed to Munchen. From Verona I leave at 2230 and arrive to Munich the following morning at 630 in the am. I'm quite excited to be visiting Germany, and the beer rich region of Munich. Soon I'll be there drinking under the shade of trees from large glass steins. So here we go. Sorry for the lack of updates. I've got some new photos and you can expect a large photo post when I get situated with Ralph. Okie dokie, that's all for now. TTFN!
Zach
Zach
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Back On the Terrace At Ospedale
I've been trying to write something (anything) for several days now and whenever I start, I get a few lines and then manage to convince myself that it sounds like rubbish and I stop writing. Sometimes inspiration can be such a fleeting thing. Like even with this entry, I feel like stopping. For some reason I am feeling ancy, not sure why. Haven't done much work today. Richard has left for Florence last night and won't be back until this evening. I cleared the piles of Rosemary prunings and restained the doors to the kitchen, did some reading and listening to music, had a shower....I've had a bit of a headache all today, and I was thinking as I listen to the sky exploding with thunder in the distance that it's most likely due to the change in atomospheric pressure. Dang storms wreaking havoc on my sinuses. Oddly enough it appears to have missed this house entirely (for the time being). There is supposed to be isolated showers and storms until midnight but all the storms seem to be sliding passed here due south.
My plans for the coming weeks remain nothing but a skeleton. I've contacted at least 8 couchsurfers with requests to crash on their couches for the 3 days I will be in Milan but none have responded. Quite odd. I am also still without a ride to Munich from Milan and I am still without an address for Ralph. So things are pretty much just in limbo X10 right now. The one thing that is concrete is my Ireland plans. I have found a family willing to host me for two weeks in July. I am quite excited about that; online I looked up the area and apparently it's where people go "to get away from it all." I have also been presented with an opportunity to photograph someone's garden and earn a bit of cash. I'm a bit worried though because the woman has said she would like 20 quality shots. Seeing as though I've never done paid work, let alone photograph a garden, AND that I was recommended by a friend, the pressure is building. We'll see how it goes. It may work out or it may not. I suppose I should just have confidence in my photographic skills and go with it.
I can't help but feel like if I were to go around to the other side of this house I'd be met with some kind of ominous looking wall of dark gray cloud ready to spew loads of rain. The air has that calm before the storm feeling and my danged sinuses are killing me. There is still sun and blue sky to the north and west however. Guess we'll see where the next few weeks take me. There's sure to be more adventure headed my way. Until next time....
Zach
My plans for the coming weeks remain nothing but a skeleton. I've contacted at least 8 couchsurfers with requests to crash on their couches for the 3 days I will be in Milan but none have responded. Quite odd. I am also still without a ride to Munich from Milan and I am still without an address for Ralph. So things are pretty much just in limbo X10 right now. The one thing that is concrete is my Ireland plans. I have found a family willing to host me for two weeks in July. I am quite excited about that; online I looked up the area and apparently it's where people go "to get away from it all." I have also been presented with an opportunity to photograph someone's garden and earn a bit of cash. I'm a bit worried though because the woman has said she would like 20 quality shots. Seeing as though I've never done paid work, let alone photograph a garden, AND that I was recommended by a friend, the pressure is building. We'll see how it goes. It may work out or it may not. I suppose I should just have confidence in my photographic skills and go with it.
I can't help but feel like if I were to go around to the other side of this house I'd be met with some kind of ominous looking wall of dark gray cloud ready to spew loads of rain. The air has that calm before the storm feeling and my danged sinuses are killing me. There is still sun and blue sky to the north and west however. Guess we'll see where the next few weeks take me. There's sure to be more adventure headed my way. Until next time....
Zach
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