It´s my second WorkAway so far. This time I´m helping a family that runs a dog shelter. They have about 16 or so dogs, some rescued, some here temporarily. They randomly sit next to me on the bench and smell my shoes. It´s funny.
I took a few of them on a walk yesterday. Got to see some of the Portuguese countryside. It is WINDY here. But full of rolling hills and eucalyptus pines. And this area is surrounded by GIANT wind turbines. It gives sort of a surreal atmosphere to this place.
These ppl have a garden with lots of fruits and vegetables. They have oranges, tangerines, lemons, portuguese sour plum thingies, etc. And the hostess is an amazing cook. It´s a good break from all the restaurants and bars.
But it´s getting a bit lonely here. No one my age for miles. You know me, I´ve never been that much of a loner. I´ll prolly head to Seville in a day or two...
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Lisbon to Lagos
Well I learned a few hard lessons- if you don´t know where you´re going, don´t walk downhill right away. Especially with a 40lb pack on. I must´ve walked for three hours uphill. It sucked.
I had another go at hitchhiking out of Lisbon...no such luck. I waited for two hours. Lame. So I ended up just taking a bus to Lagos.
My first night in Lagos was cool. The hostel was very nice. But not very crowded, so it was a bit boring. Apparently, this is a huge tourist town in the summer. Lots of surfers and beachgoers come to visit.
But it´s SOOOOOO windy here! I mean, windy enough to blow a bottle of beer off the table! Crazy. And it´s been rainy too. I can´t wait for some sunny weather.
I had another go at hitchhiking out of Lisbon...no such luck. I waited for two hours. Lame. So I ended up just taking a bus to Lagos.
My first night in Lagos was cool. The hostel was very nice. But not very crowded, so it was a bit boring. Apparently, this is a huge tourist town in the summer. Lots of surfers and beachgoers come to visit.
But it´s SOOOOOO windy here! I mean, windy enough to blow a bottle of beer off the table! Crazy. And it´s been rainy too. I can´t wait for some sunny weather.
Hostel Life
I swear, I don´t think I´ll ever stay in a hotel again. There are so many interesting ppl at hostels.
The other night I was drinking with a German, an Australian, a British guy, and a guy from California. It was awesome. We stayed up till like 3am exchanging stories. And last night, me and two Irish guys watched old Eddie Murphie movies until late.
And these places aren´t bad AT ALL. Most of them have nice lobbies, and awesome common areas, and the rooms are always clean. One thing i don´t like though- shared bathrooms. I took a leak the other day, and heard a girl taking a massive dump. Disgusting. Enough said.
And most hostels have these folders with sightseeing recommendations and travel tips, so it´s informative as well. And they usually have bars with cheap drinks, and free breakfast.
Anyways, that´s my two cents for tonight...
The other night I was drinking with a German, an Australian, a British guy, and a guy from California. It was awesome. We stayed up till like 3am exchanging stories. And last night, me and two Irish guys watched old Eddie Murphie movies until late.
And these places aren´t bad AT ALL. Most of them have nice lobbies, and awesome common areas, and the rooms are always clean. One thing i don´t like though- shared bathrooms. I took a leak the other day, and heard a girl taking a massive dump. Disgusting. Enough said.
And most hostels have these folders with sightseeing recommendations and travel tips, so it´s informative as well. And they usually have bars with cheap drinks, and free breakfast.
Anyways, that´s my two cents for tonight...
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Whew.
Wow, this is gonna be a long six months.
We arrived in Lisbon yesterday and walked around. Cool city, but not a whole lot to see. So I'm leaving tomorrow.
We took a day trip over to Sintra, which is a small town with a lot of castles. It was fun. The streets are so steep though! My legs are so tired.
Me and a friend were racing up the mountain to the castle, and he decided to take a shortcut through the forest. He got lost, lol. So we just met back at the hostel.
But the castles were amazing. So high up, so cold and windy, and so old. I got some great pics.
The food here is kinda annoying me. I feel like I need something with more substance. Like a Chinese food buffet. Mmmm...
I start hitchhiking to Lagos tomorrow...wish me luck.
We arrived in Lisbon yesterday and walked around. Cool city, but not a whole lot to see. So I'm leaving tomorrow.
We took a day trip over to Sintra, which is a small town with a lot of castles. It was fun. The streets are so steep though! My legs are so tired.
Me and a friend were racing up the mountain to the castle, and he decided to take a shortcut through the forest. He got lost, lol. So we just met back at the hostel.
But the castles were amazing. So high up, so cold and windy, and so old. I got some great pics.
The food here is kinda annoying me. I feel like I need something with more substance. Like a Chinese food buffet. Mmmm...
I start hitchhiking to Lagos tomorrow...wish me luck.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Hmmm...
Well...I'm quickly running out of money jumping from small town to small town. So I think I'm gonna have to be a little smarter from now on.
Yesterday was a long day. We took a few buses, tried to hitchhike, paid for an expensive taxi, and had to find a farm with basically no directions. It was a nightmare.
We arrived in Coruche after dark, and were wandering around asking for this farm. The Portuguese ppl are actually very nice to strangers. We got some general directions and then started walking uphill for like 3 miles. We finally decided we were lost, so we stopped at a stranger's house to ask if they've heard of the farm we were heading to.
They called all their friends and family, got directions, and even had their brother (who was a local fireman) come pick us up and drive us over here. So helpful. And funny.
We just got done with dinner, some kind of stir fried pork with potatoes and clams. Soooooo good.
Yesterday was a long day. We took a few buses, tried to hitchhike, paid for an expensive taxi, and had to find a farm with basically no directions. It was a nightmare.
We arrived in Coruche after dark, and were wandering around asking for this farm. The Portuguese ppl are actually very nice to strangers. We got some general directions and then started walking uphill for like 3 miles. We finally decided we were lost, so we stopped at a stranger's house to ask if they've heard of the farm we were heading to.
They called all their friends and family, got directions, and even had their brother (who was a local fireman) come pick us up and drive us over here. So helpful. And funny.
We just got done with dinner, some kind of stir fried pork with potatoes and clams. Soooooo good.
Coruche
Welp...we finally made it to Portugal. We're working for a Duchess on her farm/mansion. It's kinda cool. I'll post some pics later.
There's a guy our age here too from Belgium. He's working his way across Europe too.
I'm actually standing up by a window trying to get WiFi, so I'm gonna cut this one short.
There's a guy our age here too from Belgium. He's working his way across Europe too.
I'm actually standing up by a window trying to get WiFi, so I'm gonna cut this one short.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Toilet Paper and Talavera
Two quick stories:
First of all, there is GREAT toilet paper here in Europe, even in the cheap hostels and the crumby bus stations. It's like really thick one-ply with alot of texture. Kewl.
Secondly, we were walking around Talavera yesterday and as we were resting on a bench, this lady came over and sat right next to my friend Mauricio. She looked homeless and she reeked of alcohol, so we didn't wanna talk to her. And when she spoke Spanish, Mauricio faked an American accent and was like "No speaka. Only English. No comprende." (I almost lost it cause we always joke around in that voice back home)
So she just sat there quietly rummaging through her plastic grocery bag. AND THEN, she pulls out a can of sardines in hot sauce!! And she has a long wooden kitchen spoon! AHAHAHAHAHH! She tried to open the can, but her fine motor skills were a bit lacking, and she ends up spraying hot sauce all over the bench, her leg, and Mauricio (who promptly but politely scooted to the opposite side of the bench and tried to sneak away). Very funny. Guess you had to be there.
First of all, there is GREAT toilet paper here in Europe, even in the cheap hostels and the crumby bus stations. It's like really thick one-ply with alot of texture. Kewl.
Secondly, we were walking around Talavera yesterday and as we were resting on a bench, this lady came over and sat right next to my friend Mauricio. She looked homeless and she reeked of alcohol, so we didn't wanna talk to her. And when she spoke Spanish, Mauricio faked an American accent and was like "No speaka. Only English. No comprende." (I almost lost it cause we always joke around in that voice back home)
So she just sat there quietly rummaging through her plastic grocery bag. AND THEN, she pulls out a can of sardines in hot sauce!! And she has a long wooden kitchen spoon! AHAHAHAHAHH! She tried to open the can, but her fine motor skills were a bit lacking, and she ends up spraying hot sauce all over the bench, her leg, and Mauricio (who promptly but politely scooted to the opposite side of the bench and tried to sneak away). Very funny. Guess you had to be there.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Autobuses and Beer
Well, we spent most of the day in bus stations and small towns. There was a ton of cool mountains and villages, but nothing extremely picture worthy.
After being in bus stations all day, we finally made it to Caceres late tonight and found a decent looking hostel in town. So expensive though, like 23 euros. But it was good because the town looked a little dangerous and we just wanted to find a place quick.
We walked around a bit after ditching our bags, and we found some more cool small bars and restaurants. One thing that I have been noticing is the beer sizes here. They don't use English units, so the "pint" doesn't exist! Instead they have a smaller like decalitre or something. It's basically a small glass a little smaller than a normal soda can. Lame. I miss America where everything is bigger and better.
Anyways, we watched some dorks play pool and darts, and thought about making some bets with them, but decided not to. Then we just chilled with some cheap alcohol in the hostel and watched tv. Didn't meet any more fellow travelers today, just a bunch of old Spanish people.
Anyways, I'm being inseparable from my laptop...as always. We're visiting the caves in Caceres tomorrow, and heading to Lisboa later for a WorkAway job.
Buenos Noches.
After being in bus stations all day, we finally made it to Caceres late tonight and found a decent looking hostel in town. So expensive though, like 23 euros. But it was good because the town looked a little dangerous and we just wanted to find a place quick.
We walked around a bit after ditching our bags, and we found some more cool small bars and restaurants. One thing that I have been noticing is the beer sizes here. They don't use English units, so the "pint" doesn't exist! Instead they have a smaller like decalitre or something. It's basically a small glass a little smaller than a normal soda can. Lame. I miss America where everything is bigger and better.
Anyways, we watched some dorks play pool and darts, and thought about making some bets with them, but decided not to. Then we just chilled with some cheap alcohol in the hostel and watched tv. Didn't meet any more fellow travelers today, just a bunch of old Spanish people.
Anyways, I'm being inseparable from my laptop...as always. We're visiting the caves in Caceres tomorrow, and heading to Lisboa later for a WorkAway job.
Buenos Noches.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Trains, Castles, and More...
A lot has happened since breakfast. Seriously. It feels like I have been over here for weeks already, but it has barely been 30 hours. I wish I could explain the camaraderie that travelers feel for eachother. It's like you instantly have so many things in common.
Well after my early breakfast today, I took a walk around the plaza in dt Madrid. So nice not having to be the one rushing to work. I just wandered around looking at statues and buildings. There are NO street signs though. Sometimes the names of the streets are painted on the sides of buildings. So weird.
I met back up with another backpacker at the hostel, and we decided to walk around the city more. We walked down tiny streets, waved at beautiful Spanish girls, and then got the strange feeling that it was time to move on.
Good thing we didn't have an itinerary.
So we ditched our bags at the train station and took the Metro to the soccer stadium. It was massive. We didn't go inside though cause the line was way too long. And it totally wasn't worth 18 euros.
We stopped at this small shop for lunch. I had this thick, fried quesadilla filled with these delicious potatoes and sauce. And the BEST bread ever. So good.
I think my stomach is shrinking. Cause there's no way I would've normally been full from that.
We slowly made our way back, in light snow, to the train station. We got tickets to a medium sized town called Toleda, south of Madrid. It's an amazing town FULL of castles. Actually, the whole town is built around a massive castle on a hill surrounded by high walls. It looks extremely intimidating.
We must've seen dozens of castles and walked around for miles before stopping for food. We found a cool Lebanese shop that had these HUUUUGE slabs of pork and chicken that they shaved to make sandwiches. They stuffed all this meat, along with lettuce and tomatoes, between two of their perfectly toasted fresh bread slices. It was divine.
Anyways, we also found a cool hostel that was built inside an old castle. I'm heading outside right now to take some more pics.
Well after my early breakfast today, I took a walk around the plaza in dt Madrid. So nice not having to be the one rushing to work. I just wandered around looking at statues and buildings. There are NO street signs though. Sometimes the names of the streets are painted on the sides of buildings. So weird.
I met back up with another backpacker at the hostel, and we decided to walk around the city more. We walked down tiny streets, waved at beautiful Spanish girls, and then got the strange feeling that it was time to move on.
Good thing we didn't have an itinerary.
So we ditched our bags at the train station and took the Metro to the soccer stadium. It was massive. We didn't go inside though cause the line was way too long. And it totally wasn't worth 18 euros.
We stopped at this small shop for lunch. I had this thick, fried quesadilla filled with these delicious potatoes and sauce. And the BEST bread ever. So good.
I think my stomach is shrinking. Cause there's no way I would've normally been full from that.
We slowly made our way back, in light snow, to the train station. We got tickets to a medium sized town called Toleda, south of Madrid. It's an amazing town FULL of castles. Actually, the whole town is built around a massive castle on a hill surrounded by high walls. It looks extremely intimidating.
We must've seen dozens of castles and walked around for miles before stopping for food. We found a cool Lebanese shop that had these HUUUUGE slabs of pork and chicken that they shaved to make sandwiches. They stuffed all this meat, along with lettuce and tomatoes, between two of their perfectly toasted fresh bread slices. It was divine.
Anyways, we also found a cool hostel that was built inside an old castle. I'm heading outside right now to take some more pics.
Night in Madrid
So me and my new Costa Rican friend pretty much dominated downtown Madrid last night. Met a lot of interesting ppl, and saw a ton of cool looking bars (didn't go into any though cause they're suuuuuuper expensive).
But our hostel has a bar where all the travelers were hanging out. It was cool. Met two girls from Utah (so obnoxious), but it was nice to hear an American voice. They had actually just come from working in Hawaii for the past three years, so we had a lot to talk about. Too bad they were ugly.
So now I'm sitting in the eating area downstairs enjoying a very strong black coffee and a croissant drizzled with honey. Just met a British girl who has been living in Virginia.
It's amazing how many languages the young ppl here know. I feel left out. Kinda.
But our hostel has a bar where all the travelers were hanging out. It was cool. Met two girls from Utah (so obnoxious), but it was nice to hear an American voice. They had actually just come from working in Hawaii for the past three years, so we had a lot to talk about. Too bad they were ugly.
So now I'm sitting in the eating area downstairs enjoying a very strong black coffee and a croissant drizzled with honey. Just met a British girl who has been living in Virginia.
It's amazing how many languages the young ppl here know. I feel left out. Kinda.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
UUUGGGGHHHHH
Alright, where to start...how about some highlights?
- Trip started off with a little bad luck (missed the airport exit...twice). I still made it on time though.
- Met a nice British woman waiting for the same flight as me. She was very talkative. Their accents sound so much funnier in real life.
- Had a layover in London/Heathrow. Worst airport ever. Tons of funny looking cars though.
- Finally landed in Madrid. Freeeeeeedom. Now what to do with it? Guess I'll take a walk.
- Two hours later, I realize I'm back to where I started. Lame.
- An hour later, I finally reach downtown Madrid, Plaza Del Sol. Very cool. Didn't take any pictures yet cause my legs hurt so bad. I'm starting to rethink the whole Crocs thing.
- Had multiple good-looking Spanish girls try to talk to me. But I just smiled like a dumb ass and said "English", at which they promptly walked away. Grrrr...
- After the third hostel, I finally found one with open beds. It's actually really nice. Has a bar, and an atrium with a fountain, and free WiFi. And it was only 16 Euros (which is incidentally twice my daily budget).
In conclusion, I'm quickly learning that you at least need to have a plan on where you are going to spend the night. I missed the pouring rain by literally ten minutes. And I also realized that hardly ANYONE speaks English here (totally called that one wrong).
But besides a few minor setbacks, it still has been an exciting day. I'm sitting here talking to a very friendly French girl and a very funny Polish girl and just having a swell time. I'm prolly leaving Madrid tomorrow though. Too many bad memories already. Adios.
- Trip started off with a little bad luck (missed the airport exit...twice). I still made it on time though.
- Met a nice British woman waiting for the same flight as me. She was very talkative. Their accents sound so much funnier in real life.
- Had a layover in London/Heathrow. Worst airport ever. Tons of funny looking cars though.
- Finally landed in Madrid. Freeeeeeedom. Now what to do with it? Guess I'll take a walk.
- Two hours later, I realize I'm back to where I started. Lame.
- An hour later, I finally reach downtown Madrid, Plaza Del Sol. Very cool. Didn't take any pictures yet cause my legs hurt so bad. I'm starting to rethink the whole Crocs thing.
- Had multiple good-looking Spanish girls try to talk to me. But I just smiled like a dumb ass and said "English", at which they promptly walked away. Grrrr...
- After the third hostel, I finally found one with open beds. It's actually really nice. Has a bar, and an atrium with a fountain, and free WiFi. And it was only 16 Euros (which is incidentally twice my daily budget).
In conclusion, I'm quickly learning that you at least need to have a plan on where you are going to spend the night. I missed the pouring rain by literally ten minutes. And I also realized that hardly ANYONE speaks English here (totally called that one wrong).
But besides a few minor setbacks, it still has been an exciting day. I'm sitting here talking to a very friendly French girl and a very funny Polish girl and just having a swell time. I'm prolly leaving Madrid tomorrow though. Too many bad memories already. Adios.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Where I've Been
A map of my travels so far...click the link below the map...
View Joey's European Tour in a larger map
Here's a larger map of where I currently am...
View Joey's European Tour in a larger map
Here's a larger map of where I currently am...
My Calendar
Cool. Found a way to embed my Google Calendar on here. This is how I'll be keeping track of when I need to be in a certain city. Click on each highlighted "Event" to read more info...
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