Well after some difficulty I was able to book a bus to London. The problem, it leaves at 1o:30pm local time and is almost a 9hr trip.... On the bright side, I don't have to pay for a hostel room tonight and i'll arrive in London by 8am on Friday to have a full day touring the city.
This morning I hiked Arthur's Seat which has incredible views of the city and surrounding countryside. When i have more time I'll post something philosophical, as I warned about in an earlier post...
Cheers,
NPL
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Into the Higlands & Heather and Edinburgh Beyond...
Well the last time I checked in I was in Glasgow. Since then I traveled to Inverness,Scotland where I spent 3 days. The country/landscape around the area is beautiful: craggy mountains, muted purple heather ( i arrived to see it in bloom), and large rolling hills; some with wheat fields, others with pine or oak forests.
Inverness is perhaps most famous due to is close proximity to Loch Ness, home of the infamous monster. I took a 2.5 hr walk (7miles) to Loch Ness to see if I could find ol' Nessie but I had no such luck. The loch (lake) is huge and the 1/3rd I could see was very rough with white cap waves. I could see how people could think they saw the monster... I returned to the hostel in town using a method called hitching, aka hitch hiking.
The town and hostel had a quaint and cozy charm with kilt and souvenir shops everywhere. A lot of character. Another interesting thing about Inverness is that is at a point where the sea, the river Ness, and the man-made Caledonia canal merge. Supposedly there are a lot of seals and dolphins in the area but i didn't see any, and i walked for quite a while to catch a peak.
I am now in Edinburgh (EDIN-BURRA) where i arrived yesterday and walked the Royal Mile. Today i took a free 3 hr tour of the city and explored its National Gallery of Art. The city is interesting with a ton of stone buildings that are Georgian and Victorian in style, all with different facades. The streets are cobblestone. Another thing, the streets, especially along the Royal Mile are lined with tourist shops selling kilts, bagpipes, and wool or cashmere scarves.... The incessant bagpipes and varying styles of plaid are enough to make you go crazy! Oh and of course there is the nice castle with good views...
The plan is to leave this nice city tomorrow and head to London for a few days. Currently i am having some difficulty finding a bus for a Thursday departure. After i am done posting this I am going to head to the bus station and see what can be done...
I'd love to stay in London longer than a few days and the same with the UK overall, but the £ to $ exchange rate is killing my savings... Yesterday it was 1.84 down from 1.97 earlier in my travels. Basically i take the price in pounds and multiply by two to give me an idea of what it costs in dollars. Pretty darn expensive... Getting back to Euro spending countries will help a bit.
I still haven't found a location where i can upload photos but I am working on it... Give me a bit more time. Finally, two other things: If you have questions or comments send them to me either by commenting on the blog posts or by emailing me at nathan.p.litt@gmail.com. I believe my mum asked how food worked at hostels... She probably wants to make sure I am eating. Well i am eating... In hostels you have two options: eating out at restaurants, pubs or cafes, which is expensive or going to the local market and buying food and preparing it in the hostel. You are on your own. I usually buy, make, and eat spaghetti w/ sauce for dinner. Breakfast is toast w/ nutella and lunch is some type of cookies. Sounds good, huh?
Well, i hope to finalize travel arrangements for London in the next few hours as I'd prefer not to spend another day in Edinburgh despite how lovely it is. Ultimately, the unofficial, highly flexible plan is to be in France by the first few days of September.
yours truly,
NPL
P.S. Yesterday i saw a dead ringer for John Lennon, I saw an old guy with a Green Bay Packers hat on , and this morning I learned the origins of being 'shit faced'...
Inverness is perhaps most famous due to is close proximity to Loch Ness, home of the infamous monster. I took a 2.5 hr walk (7miles) to Loch Ness to see if I could find ol' Nessie but I had no such luck. The loch (lake) is huge and the 1/3rd I could see was very rough with white cap waves. I could see how people could think they saw the monster... I returned to the hostel in town using a method called hitching, aka hitch hiking.
The town and hostel had a quaint and cozy charm with kilt and souvenir shops everywhere. A lot of character. Another interesting thing about Inverness is that is at a point where the sea, the river Ness, and the man-made Caledonia canal merge. Supposedly there are a lot of seals and dolphins in the area but i didn't see any, and i walked for quite a while to catch a peak.
I am now in Edinburgh (EDIN-BURRA) where i arrived yesterday and walked the Royal Mile. Today i took a free 3 hr tour of the city and explored its National Gallery of Art. The city is interesting with a ton of stone buildings that are Georgian and Victorian in style, all with different facades. The streets are cobblestone. Another thing, the streets, especially along the Royal Mile are lined with tourist shops selling kilts, bagpipes, and wool or cashmere scarves.... The incessant bagpipes and varying styles of plaid are enough to make you go crazy! Oh and of course there is the nice castle with good views...
The plan is to leave this nice city tomorrow and head to London for a few days. Currently i am having some difficulty finding a bus for a Thursday departure. After i am done posting this I am going to head to the bus station and see what can be done...
I'd love to stay in London longer than a few days and the same with the UK overall, but the £ to $ exchange rate is killing my savings... Yesterday it was 1.84 down from 1.97 earlier in my travels. Basically i take the price in pounds and multiply by two to give me an idea of what it costs in dollars. Pretty darn expensive... Getting back to Euro spending countries will help a bit.
I still haven't found a location where i can upload photos but I am working on it... Give me a bit more time. Finally, two other things: If you have questions or comments send them to me either by commenting on the blog posts or by emailing me at nathan.p.litt@gmail.com. I believe my mum asked how food worked at hostels... She probably wants to make sure I am eating. Well i am eating... In hostels you have two options: eating out at restaurants, pubs or cafes, which is expensive or going to the local market and buying food and preparing it in the hostel. You are on your own. I usually buy, make, and eat spaghetti w/ sauce for dinner. Breakfast is toast w/ nutella and lunch is some type of cookies. Sounds good, huh?
Well, i hope to finalize travel arrangements for London in the next few hours as I'd prefer not to spend another day in Edinburgh despite how lovely it is. Ultimately, the unofficial, highly flexible plan is to be in France by the first few days of September.
yours truly,
NPL
P.S. Yesterday i saw a dead ringer for John Lennon, I saw an old guy with a Green Bay Packers hat on , and this morning I learned the origins of being 'shit faced'...
Friday, August 22, 2008
Belfast to Glasgow...
Hello to all my faithful readers out there! I am currently in Glasgow,Scotland having arrived from Belfast, Northern Ireland yesterday via ferry. I really liked Belfast much better than Dublin although there was less to do and see. It was smaller, less confusing and had a university-town like feel.
The ferry ride over was smooth and from the Scottish port of Stranraer, Scotland , I took a train to Glasgow. The Scottish countryside is amazingly beautiful. Today I wondered around the city and saw the cathedral, and some impressive art in some galleries and museums (the art galleries are generally free and I can appreciate it all from my studies at Lawrence). I am also now a pro at the Underground in the city.
My hostel for tonight is an old stone Victorian town house, which is very neat and spacious. It's very close to the University of Glasgow... I am on my way to the market to get pasta which is on the menu for tonight's dinner. In the UK it's quite expensive so while i love seeing everything here, I find myself wanting to move on to a cheaper or more affordable country.
I think tomorrow I'll head to the northeast of Scotland in the highlands for a day or two to see more of the natural beauty of the country and then I'll most likely book it to London. I'll know where I am headed after some more recon and due diligence tonight with the hostel owners or maybe I'll just pick a point on a map, hop on a train or bus (whichever is cheaper) and check it out.
Signing off from Hillhead Public Library in Glasgow, Scotland where I now have a four-week temporary membership! Oh the ways to get free Internet access...
Yours truly,
Nathan
The ferry ride over was smooth and from the Scottish port of Stranraer, Scotland , I took a train to Glasgow. The Scottish countryside is amazingly beautiful. Today I wondered around the city and saw the cathedral, and some impressive art in some galleries and museums (the art galleries are generally free and I can appreciate it all from my studies at Lawrence). I am also now a pro at the Underground in the city.
My hostel for tonight is an old stone Victorian town house, which is very neat and spacious. It's very close to the University of Glasgow... I am on my way to the market to get pasta which is on the menu for tonight's dinner. In the UK it's quite expensive so while i love seeing everything here, I find myself wanting to move on to a cheaper or more affordable country.
I think tomorrow I'll head to the northeast of Scotland in the highlands for a day or two to see more of the natural beauty of the country and then I'll most likely book it to London. I'll know where I am headed after some more recon and due diligence tonight with the hostel owners or maybe I'll just pick a point on a map, hop on a train or bus (whichever is cheaper) and check it out.
Signing off from Hillhead Public Library in Glasgow, Scotland where I now have a four-week temporary membership! Oh the ways to get free Internet access...
Yours truly,
Nathan
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
"Whisky in a Jar" with Micky Mac...
Well the best laid plans of mice and men... I had intended to stay in Galway, Ireland but there weren't any hostel rooms available so I took a bus to Clifden (on the west coast in the Connemara region). I hadn't planned on visiting there but I am glad I did. It is funny how things work out when you don't have a real "plan"... Clifden was gorgeous and right on the Atlantic. I spent one entire morning walking Sky Rd. which was a 20km or close to 13 mile loop along the coast. The scenery was amazing and there were ripe blackberries along the road. I hiked it with an Italian so I got to practice my language skills. Micky Mack was a traditional Irish singer/musician who played in the pub across the street from the hostel one night; i really enjoyed the music and the atmosphere of the pub!
I've gotten used to the hostel thing and have been meeting some really great people. It's incredible what eye contact, a smile, and a simple "hello" can do, it literally opens doors for you. While in Clifden I met some great people from all over, and you know how they say everything happens for a reason...? Well because of my unplanned two day visit to Clifden, I have invitations to stay at people's homes in France (Strasbourg and Paris), Germany (Nuremberg), Belgium, and Italy (Perugia) when I get to those areas during my travels.
I then traveled from Clifden to Dublin. Dublin was big and on my arrival i was a bit overwhelmed because at least an additional 60,000 people flooded the city that day to see a soccer match. So with the crowds and the difficult to read street signs, I spent a good deal of time wondering the city. I did see the famous Guinness Brewery but did not take the factory tour. I really enjoyed the National Gallery where i saw works of art by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt and many more... Plus the other sights of Dublin.
I am writing from Belfast, Northern Ireland which is part of the UK and not Ireland. On the bus on the way in to town this morning i saw a sign advertising KOHLER toilets... I am not as far from home as i think! I spent the rest of the day walking the city and getting to know it's layout. Tomorrow I am going to visit the castle and view the Protestant and Catholic murals and book my ferry ticket to Scotland for the following day. For now it's one day at a time, and that's the way I like it...
Cheers!
NPL
I've gotten used to the hostel thing and have been meeting some really great people. It's incredible what eye contact, a smile, and a simple "hello" can do, it literally opens doors for you. While in Clifden I met some great people from all over, and you know how they say everything happens for a reason...? Well because of my unplanned two day visit to Clifden, I have invitations to stay at people's homes in France (Strasbourg and Paris), Germany (Nuremberg), Belgium, and Italy (Perugia) when I get to those areas during my travels.
I then traveled from Clifden to Dublin. Dublin was big and on my arrival i was a bit overwhelmed because at least an additional 60,000 people flooded the city that day to see a soccer match. So with the crowds and the difficult to read street signs, I spent a good deal of time wondering the city. I did see the famous Guinness Brewery but did not take the factory tour. I really enjoyed the National Gallery where i saw works of art by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt and many more... Plus the other sights of Dublin.
I am writing from Belfast, Northern Ireland which is part of the UK and not Ireland. On the bus on the way in to town this morning i saw a sign advertising KOHLER toilets... I am not as far from home as i think! I spent the rest of the day walking the city and getting to know it's layout. Tomorrow I am going to visit the castle and view the Protestant and Catholic murals and book my ferry ticket to Scotland for the following day. For now it's one day at a time, and that's the way I like it...
Cheers!
NPL
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Ireland
I am writing from a hostel in Killarney, Ireland. i finally made it to Cork where i spent the night in a hostel and after walking around the city center and talking with some locals, i decided to move on to another location. It was a good starting point. i figure in a few days I'll know the ropes a bit better...
I took a bus to Killarney and the bus ride proved that every stereotype about Ireland is true: rolling hills, sheep in pastured fields, babbling brooks, and quaint houses. The people are pretty friendly and helpful too.
The scenery is stunning, absolutely beautiful. I biked around Killarney national park this afternoon and saw the lakes, the mountains (some of Ireland's highest) and I visited Ross Castle and Torc Falls. I am sure I'll sleep well tonight with all the biking I've done and the jet lag yet...
I just got back from walking around the city and will look for a local place to eat dinner tonight. I think I am headed to Galway tomorrow via bus.
Cheers,
NPL
p.s. I'll try to figure out how to post some pictures in the next week or so. For sure by the time I get to Germany...
I took a bus to Killarney and the bus ride proved that every stereotype about Ireland is true: rolling hills, sheep in pastured fields, babbling brooks, and quaint houses. The people are pretty friendly and helpful too.
The scenery is stunning, absolutely beautiful. I biked around Killarney national park this afternoon and saw the lakes, the mountains (some of Ireland's highest) and I visited Ross Castle and Torc Falls. I am sure I'll sleep well tonight with all the biking I've done and the jet lag yet...
I just got back from walking around the city and will look for a local place to eat dinner tonight. I think I am headed to Galway tomorrow via bus.
Cheers,
NPL
p.s. I'll try to figure out how to post some pictures in the next week or so. For sure by the time I get to Germany...
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
From the other side of the pond...
Well I've arrived in Europe and am currently waiting in Heathrow airport in London. The flight out of Chicago was delayed by almost 2 hrs and so I missed my connecting flight in London to get to Cork, Ireland. The flight I am currently waiting for just got pushed back another hour so I've had ample time to sit and people watch. I saw Willie Nelson and Daniel Craig, look-a-likes....
That's this week's update. Check back next week for more....
Just kidding! Once I do finally get to Ireland, I'll try to get a post up within the first few days there. This is certainly going to be one incredible adventure. Oh yeah, I forgot to add that on the flight into London as we circled the city, I had great views of the Thames River, Buckingham palace, the dome, the Eye, London Bridge, and the Parliament Building and Big Ben. I may not have to return to this city because I've already seen some of the biggest sights....
Anyway, my journey continues and I'll be happy when I get out of airports having to wait for delayed flights...
Cheers!
NPL
That's this week's update. Check back next week for more....
Just kidding! Once I do finally get to Ireland, I'll try to get a post up within the first few days there. This is certainly going to be one incredible adventure. Oh yeah, I forgot to add that on the flight into London as we circled the city, I had great views of the Thames River, Buckingham palace, the dome, the Eye, London Bridge, and the Parliament Building and Big Ben. I may not have to return to this city because I've already seen some of the biggest sights....
Anyway, my journey continues and I'll be happy when I get out of airports having to wait for delayed flights...
Cheers!
NPL
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Who, What, Where, When, and Why?
Many people I know (maybe you were one of them) have recently asked the following: who, what, where, when, and why?
Who: Me (if you don't know me, you'll have to ask) and a large portion of humanity that exists outside of Sheboygan; Wisconsin; and the US (Europe).
What: Traveling to experience firsthand other cultures and how other peoples live.
Where: Europe
When: August 13th - ?
Why: This is the biggest question, Why? The answer is, why not? If I don't do it now, each year that passes will make it less likely that I'd ever get a chance to have an experience like this. I think that working and the "real world" can wait. After 18 years of continuous structured education and the prospect of working for what seems like the rest of my life, a little break couldn't hurt. Besides, the "real world" is whatever you make it and hopefully the upcoming adventure will provide numerous invaluable experiences for the future. I am very fortunate that I have the opportunity to do something like this and while "backpacking" through Europe seems to be a cliche and ubiquitous thing for college students or recent grads to do, everyone gets something different from the experience. The "why?" question also begs for more personal questions to be asked: who am I, what do I believe in, why do I believe what I do?
Deep and philosophical? Maybe but if you're interested in regularly checking this, you're going to have to put up with it occasionally...
Ok, so it's an adventure, a journey of personal discovery, and to most adults in the "real world", a delay tactic before I join them in the rat race.
I've only got a few things to take care of yet in terms of preparation for the trip and as the departure date grows nearer, I'm getting more excited.
-NPL
Who: Me (if you don't know me, you'll have to ask) and a large portion of humanity that exists outside of Sheboygan; Wisconsin; and the US (Europe).
What: Traveling to experience firsthand other cultures and how other peoples live.
Where: Europe
When: August 13th - ?
Why: This is the biggest question, Why? The answer is, why not? If I don't do it now, each year that passes will make it less likely that I'd ever get a chance to have an experience like this. I think that working and the "real world" can wait. After 18 years of continuous structured education and the prospect of working for what seems like the rest of my life, a little break couldn't hurt. Besides, the "real world" is whatever you make it and hopefully the upcoming adventure will provide numerous invaluable experiences for the future. I am very fortunate that I have the opportunity to do something like this and while "backpacking" through Europe seems to be a cliche and ubiquitous thing for college students or recent grads to do, everyone gets something different from the experience. The "why?" question also begs for more personal questions to be asked: who am I, what do I believe in, why do I believe what I do?
Deep and philosophical? Maybe but if you're interested in regularly checking this, you're going to have to put up with it occasionally...
Ok, so it's an adventure, a journey of personal discovery, and to most adults in the "real world", a delay tactic before I join them in the rat race.
I've only got a few things to take care of yet in terms of preparation for the trip and as the departure date grows nearer, I'm getting more excited.
-NPL
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