tick tock

I can't believe my trip is nearly over. Depending on the moment it seems like I have been away for along time or sometimes it seems like it was only yesterday. Travelling with 2 changes of clothes in a backpack is a funny endevor to take on. In the midst of it, it can suck. You get dirty. Your clothes are smelly slept in creatures. You sleep in rooms with people who snore loudly or smell funny or won't cease the ongoing party or they get up dreafully early and slam door and zip and unzip bags without mercy for your slumbering ears. When you travel alone, you suffer through navigating foreign languages in dingy bus and train stations. It seems as though the whole world can see that you are alone and vulnerable and confused. And especially the scary people definitly know this, or at least that's what you tell yourself.

In order to travel one must inevitable transport oneself from one place to another. It's a dreadful to take this on.

"Bonjour, je n'parle pas francais. Tu parle anglais?"

Then you mangle your way through a conversation hoping that you are booking the right room for the right day and the right ticket going to the right place and you understand the time and where to get the bus. You need to navigate phone numbers 20 didgits long and try and get directions to that far away room in a dorm and hopefully arrive there safe all with not loosing your camera, bag, money or mind. Of course you need to repeat this for everything you do, from getting directions or following a map for the laundrette, grocery store, or anything else you want to see or need. And you walk and walk and walk. If you get on that bus, do you know where it's going?? How will you get back if you get too far?? Taxi's are not an option when you shoestring it around.

I think it many ways its better to do this alone. I would be much more distracted by another person to keep a watchful eye on all my belongings. I would get careless and compacent with another person travelling with me. There is a sense of security provided by another person and it's not reliable in the times you may need it the most. True, whn your lost at that distant tram station, with the sun setting quickly, it's less scary with your friend there, but when your both laughing in a relaxed moment and then next thing you know, you've dropped your wallet somewhere.. well then its not so great.

Poole has been really lovely. The weather has continued to be warm and lovely and sunny. Every Tuesday night, bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts come from all around to park down on the quay and admire each others bikes and matching outfits. It was quite a specticle. In fact it was as though Sturgis had come to Poole for the day. I had a pint of my favorite Strongbow cider with blackcurrent cordial, of which you can't get in most 'pubs' in Canada despite their immitation of the English way of life. Later I had an amazing dinner of marinated chicken with mint, almonds, and artichokes in a cream sause, with basmati rice. Later in my hotel, I had a 'sticky toffee pudding' while I watched the TV. I slept like a rock.

I leave tomorrow for Bristol to visit the boyfriend's family. Looking forward to it. I've spoken to them on the phone and they're looking forward to meeting me. I think it will be lots of fun.

Strangely, I am looking forward to getting back to my own bed, my feather duvet and pillows, my cat, the boyfriend and having an incoming flow of money rather than just the outgoing, and the usual routine. And of course a bit more travelling in my own country....

xoxo
Jill