So that everyone can see my photos - here are the links to the albums I've posted from my trip:
Dear Helsinki, I think I have a crush on you
To Paris, with Love
You Cannes have fun...and it sure was Nice
Sonya and Julian's Wedding
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
5 Flights, 2 trains and more tube rides than one needs (France/UK Part 4)
My first original bit of this update - since I was so busy with getting to the UK and prepping for the wedding I didn't have much chance to update.
Aug 26
Had a relatively uneventful night - Janet finally recovered from her hangover after I'd gone on an epic journey up the hill to this old castle overlooking Nice. It was amazing. Though far too many stairs. I wasn't prepared for the massive hike I took myself on and thus did all this walking in my flip flops.
Got lost in Old Nice, but that was okay because it's a fantastic place to get lost in.
Back to the hostel and got Janet moving. We met up with Jake and the 3 of us went for dinner in Old Nice (nevermind that I had just come from there). I showed them where I'd gotten some amazing gelato and we wandered around for a little while.
Attempted to drink on the beach but everyone was just exhausted so it was an early night.
Aug 27
Up and packed around 9... went and got some breakfast and strolled along the boardwalk one more time.
Bus to the airport, checked in and got on the plane - lucky I did too, as Janet was stranded in Nice one more day due to a whole host of issues.
Froze on the plane since I didn't think to grab my sweater as it was 27C outside in Nice. Should have thought though, since it was about 18C when I touched down in London. It was fun to fly into London City Airport since we flew over all the iconic landmarks - the Gerkin, the London Eye, Tower of London, Tower Bridge etc.
Got off the plane and figured out how to get to the hotel. Waited for the guys (forever) at the Aldgate East (Leman St. Entrance) because I didn't think walking was going to be an effective way to find people. Eventually they found me and we went to the hotel. Almost got hit by a car 3 times within as many blocks. Pretty much every time I came to a street I looked the wrong way and stepped out into traffic.
Dumped the stuff off and put on warmer clothes. Off to the pub at the end of the street.
Back to the hotel to figure out what we were doing in regards to meeting Huff's sister Liz and her bf Jimmy. Grabbed our map and set off to find them on commercial street.
Got lost. Walked in circles... realized our map only shows bus routes. Flippin useless. Found a pub. Decided it was best to stay there while we waited.
Liz and Jimmy found us - off to Brick lane we went. Got haggled by the guys at all the curry shops all saying they'd give us the best deal (how odd is that - the brown guys saying they'll GIVE us a good deal! Usually they're wanting the good deal) Got overwhelmed and had to stop for a drink... 2 for £5!! How could we say no, really.
Walked back down Brick Lane with the goal of getting a couple rounds of drinks, papadums, starters, mains, rice and naan, all for £10 each. We almost succeeded. Got starters, mains, rice, naan, and 20% off drinks bought at the store for £10 each. Not too bad. Picked probably all the hottest things on the menu and had a great time.
Back to the hotel we went, I crawled into the beds (we had 2 twin beds pushed up beside each other for the 3 of us) and slept on the crack between the guys.
Aug 28
Up super early to pack and get ready for the wedding. Packed an overnight bag and had a shower. Out the door to the tube station and off to Kings Cross station. Dropped my big bag off at the left luggage people and went to buy a ticket. Figured it made sense to buy a return ticket to make Sunday easier.
Got some breakfast (muffin and coffee) and onto the train. Yay for free wifi on the train.
Got picked up at the train station by someone, but not sure who he was (found out later that he was the best man's father). Dropped off at the hotel where the girls were getting ready. And cue photo-gal....
Shot the girls getting ready, got myself ready and off to the church we went. Wedding ceremony was long (I thought) for a protestant wedding but easy to shoot due to great lighting conditions. Was befriended by the videographer.
Will skip all the boring wedding info - it was a great time, suffice it to say. Off to the hotel, completely exhausted, passed out pretty much the moment I laid down.
Aug 28
Slept in a bit, though it seems the only sunny parts of the day in the UK are at 6am.
Walked to a McD's for breakfast, but missed breakfast. Back to the hotel to get our stuff and head to the train station. My foresight of getting a train ticket for the return was pointless because we were leaving from a different station and on a different line. They couldn't even exchange it for me.
Arrived in Liverpool station - had to tube to Kings Cross to get the guy's stuff. I left mine there to make life easier. Tube to Aldgate - check back into the hotel from the other day, have a nap. Coordinate with Sonya, plan to go to her place around 7:30. Head out in search of something to eat. Walk... stop at a pub.... walk.... find a grocery store, buy random food.... walk.... stop and eat random food outside a university....walk.... debate another pub... walk... and arrive at Sonya's.
Enjoyed some finger foods at Sonya's and some drinks along the canal behind her house. Put the pictures on her computer and then had to head back to the tube station. Tubed to Kings Cross, grabbed my massive backpack and tubed to the airport... 25 stops later. Arrived at Heathrow something like 12:00am.
Scouted out a spot to sleep - another girl joined me and we shared the bench. Alternated between emailing people and attempting to sleep. The airport was insanely cold. Eventually at 5:20am the check in desk opened and I was able to check my bags. Proceeded to customs because I really just wanted to check in and eat something and nap til my flight left.
Got on the flight - slept the entire way to Helsinki.
Helsinki to NYC was a good plane - lots of movies to watch and food was decent too. Arriving was something of a panic situation because there didn't seem to be enough time to get my stuff and get to the next flight. Luckily they said it was delayed so I didnt' need to panic. Got onto the smallest plane ever (only 3 seats in each row) and took off to Toronto.
I was an extremely happy girl when Adrian told me that he'd pick me up, so I didn't have to wait for the shuttle to take me home. He met me outside the arrivals and took me home...
Aug 31
Back to work. Sigh. Pictures will be up on my photo blog soon!
Aug 26
Had a relatively uneventful night - Janet finally recovered from her hangover after I'd gone on an epic journey up the hill to this old castle overlooking Nice. It was amazing. Though far too many stairs. I wasn't prepared for the massive hike I took myself on and thus did all this walking in my flip flops.
Got lost in Old Nice, but that was okay because it's a fantastic place to get lost in.
Back to the hostel and got Janet moving. We met up with Jake and the 3 of us went for dinner in Old Nice (nevermind that I had just come from there). I showed them where I'd gotten some amazing gelato and we wandered around for a little while.
Attempted to drink on the beach but everyone was just exhausted so it was an early night.
Aug 27
Up and packed around 9... went and got some breakfast and strolled along the boardwalk one more time.
Bus to the airport, checked in and got on the plane - lucky I did too, as Janet was stranded in Nice one more day due to a whole host of issues.
Froze on the plane since I didn't think to grab my sweater as it was 27C outside in Nice. Should have thought though, since it was about 18C when I touched down in London. It was fun to fly into London City Airport since we flew over all the iconic landmarks - the Gerkin, the London Eye, Tower of London, Tower Bridge etc.
Got off the plane and figured out how to get to the hotel. Waited for the guys (forever) at the Aldgate East (Leman St. Entrance) because I didn't think walking was going to be an effective way to find people. Eventually they found me and we went to the hotel. Almost got hit by a car 3 times within as many blocks. Pretty much every time I came to a street I looked the wrong way and stepped out into traffic.
Dumped the stuff off and put on warmer clothes. Off to the pub at the end of the street.
Back to the hotel to figure out what we were doing in regards to meeting Huff's sister Liz and her bf Jimmy. Grabbed our map and set off to find them on commercial street.
Got lost. Walked in circles... realized our map only shows bus routes. Flippin useless. Found a pub. Decided it was best to stay there while we waited.
Liz and Jimmy found us - off to Brick lane we went. Got haggled by the guys at all the curry shops all saying they'd give us the best deal (how odd is that - the brown guys saying they'll GIVE us a good deal! Usually they're wanting the good deal) Got overwhelmed and had to stop for a drink... 2 for £5!! How could we say no, really.
Walked back down Brick Lane with the goal of getting a couple rounds of drinks, papadums, starters, mains, rice and naan, all for £10 each. We almost succeeded. Got starters, mains, rice, naan, and 20% off drinks bought at the store for £10 each. Not too bad. Picked probably all the hottest things on the menu and had a great time.
Back to the hotel we went, I crawled into the beds (we had 2 twin beds pushed up beside each other for the 3 of us) and slept on the crack between the guys.
Aug 28
Up super early to pack and get ready for the wedding. Packed an overnight bag and had a shower. Out the door to the tube station and off to Kings Cross station. Dropped my big bag off at the left luggage people and went to buy a ticket. Figured it made sense to buy a return ticket to make Sunday easier.
Got some breakfast (muffin and coffee) and onto the train. Yay for free wifi on the train.
Got picked up at the train station by someone, but not sure who he was (found out later that he was the best man's father). Dropped off at the hotel where the girls were getting ready. And cue photo-gal....
Shot the girls getting ready, got myself ready and off to the church we went. Wedding ceremony was long (I thought) for a protestant wedding but easy to shoot due to great lighting conditions. Was befriended by the videographer.
Will skip all the boring wedding info - it was a great time, suffice it to say. Off to the hotel, completely exhausted, passed out pretty much the moment I laid down.
Aug 28
Slept in a bit, though it seems the only sunny parts of the day in the UK are at 6am.
Walked to a McD's for breakfast, but missed breakfast. Back to the hotel to get our stuff and head to the train station. My foresight of getting a train ticket for the return was pointless because we were leaving from a different station and on a different line. They couldn't even exchange it for me.
Arrived in Liverpool station - had to tube to Kings Cross to get the guy's stuff. I left mine there to make life easier. Tube to Aldgate - check back into the hotel from the other day, have a nap. Coordinate with Sonya, plan to go to her place around 7:30. Head out in search of something to eat. Walk... stop at a pub.... walk.... find a grocery store, buy random food.... walk.... stop and eat random food outside a university....walk.... debate another pub... walk... and arrive at Sonya's.
Enjoyed some finger foods at Sonya's and some drinks along the canal behind her house. Put the pictures on her computer and then had to head back to the tube station. Tubed to Kings Cross, grabbed my massive backpack and tubed to the airport... 25 stops later. Arrived at Heathrow something like 12:00am.
Scouted out a spot to sleep - another girl joined me and we shared the bench. Alternated between emailing people and attempting to sleep. The airport was insanely cold. Eventually at 5:20am the check in desk opened and I was able to check my bags. Proceeded to customs because I really just wanted to check in and eat something and nap til my flight left.
Got on the flight - slept the entire way to Helsinki.
Helsinki to NYC was a good plane - lots of movies to watch and food was decent too. Arriving was something of a panic situation because there didn't seem to be enough time to get my stuff and get to the next flight. Luckily they said it was delayed so I didnt' need to panic. Got onto the smallest plane ever (only 3 seats in each row) and took off to Toronto.
I was an extremely happy girl when Adrian told me that he'd pick me up, so I didn't have to wait for the shuttle to take me home. He met me outside the arrivals and took me home...
Aug 31
Back to work. Sigh. Pictures will be up on my photo blog soon!
Nice is nice... (France/Finland Part 3)
Haven't updated much since all I've done for 3 days is basically sit on the (rocky) beach and drink wine and beer.
Absolutely not complaining. There was a guy playing trumpet on the beach earlier. Was pretty awesome.
Had an amusing evening last nigt-drinking beer on the beach, playing drinking games. Went to wayne's, the only bar we've been to...with the exception of the completely random reggae bar we went to that we went to that the tall guy with dreads paid for 5 of us to get into... And then bought us drinks. Not a fan of Cuba libre drinks or vodka shots.
Met random guys from the uk, though they abandoned me at the bar and I had to finish my drink alone.
A tip- the correct answer to random guys who pull over and open their car window to ask "do you have a boyfriend" is always "yes" whether or not that is the case. I can't imagine what stories I'd have if I'd answered no. :S
Another tip-drinking every type of alcohol known to man is recipe for disaster...poor Janet has been just above corpse status all day.
Breakfast was a coffee at a Turkish or morroccan cafe and then a fantastic chocolate croissant on the boardwalk overlooking the water.
Hmmm seems 3hours on the beach may have been too much. My skin on my back hurts a bit... And I have a significant tan line across my chest and on my butt... Oh well.
Not sure what to do with my afternoon. Janet is pretty much comatose and the guys have afternoon plans as well.
Perhaps just read my book seaside or sit and enjoy a coffee somewhere. Still have wine to drink... May be flying solo on that one.
Absolutely not complaining. There was a guy playing trumpet on the beach earlier. Was pretty awesome.
Had an amusing evening last nigt-drinking beer on the beach, playing drinking games. Went to wayne's, the only bar we've been to...with the exception of the completely random reggae bar we went to that we went to that the tall guy with dreads paid for 5 of us to get into... And then bought us drinks. Not a fan of Cuba libre drinks or vodka shots.
Met random guys from the uk, though they abandoned me at the bar and I had to finish my drink alone.
A tip- the correct answer to random guys who pull over and open their car window to ask "do you have a boyfriend" is always "yes" whether or not that is the case. I can't imagine what stories I'd have if I'd answered no. :S
Another tip-drinking every type of alcohol known to man is recipe for disaster...poor Janet has been just above corpse status all day.
Breakfast was a coffee at a Turkish or morroccan cafe and then a fantastic chocolate croissant on the boardwalk overlooking the water.
Hmmm seems 3hours on the beach may have been too much. My skin on my back hurts a bit... And I have a significant tan line across my chest and on my butt... Oh well.
Not sure what to do with my afternoon. Janet is pretty much comatose and the guys have afternoon plans as well.
Perhaps just read my book seaside or sit and enjoy a coffee somewhere. Still have wine to drink... May be flying solo on that one.
So, I can't think of a good reason NOT to live in Europe.... (France/Finland Part 2)
Aug 22
2:48pm
Leaving paris to head to Cannes/Grasse to visit Olivier. Train left late, story of my life with trains. Didn't have anywhere near enough time in Paris, seems to be a theme- not enough time anywhere
Sitting beside a very nice German girl who speaks French, English, and probably 8 other languages. Jealous of these Europeans, with their abilities to communicate with everyone everywhere and so grateful for their patience with me, the so obviously clueless canadian girl who looks at them helplessly at the onset if any communication, attempting to get out "je ne parle francais... Anglais?" before they think I'm a complete moron.
I seem to have an ability to attract the black men of Paris-the only guys who've hit on me have been such. It doesn't come without it's merits, as the (very attractive) bus driver this morning either thought I was cute while clueless and when I got off the bus too soon he told me to get back on and he desposited me off at the correct stop.
The French children also seem to enjoy me. Had a small baby immitating me yesterday on the metro, sticking her tongue out at me in response to me doing the same thing to her. on the train today a kid, probably about 4 was entertaining himself and I by playing a hide and seek/peek a boo game with me...and annoying his mother in the process.
11:54
Olivier met me at the cannes train station and we drove back to his house. It was nice to not have to carry my backpack any longer. Arrived here and met his cat Sidney, who is much smaller than hamish though really that's most cats I think.
Anne-Sophie, Oliviers girlfriend arrived home from work at the tourist place in town and we all went in the pool. I'm incredibly pale in comparison to everyone here!!
Went to Antibes for dinner, got to have typical French dinner of crepes with cheese and ham- le galettes jambon et fromage avec un salade croquante - with crunchy salad. Whatever cheese they used was awesome!! Reminded me of the cheese from Greece, saganaki.
After eating we strolled along the pier with yacht envy. Some seriously massive boats! Multi million dollar ones I mean.
Trying to use more French. My comprehension is improving though I'm still not confident with speaking. Tomorrow we will go to Cannes and enjoy the beach, work on our tans and then not sure. On tues before I head to Nice, Anne-Sophie is going to take me to one of the area perfume factories and tell me about the process.
Exhausted now, looking forward to sleep
2:48pm
Leaving paris to head to Cannes/Grasse to visit Olivier. Train left late, story of my life with trains. Didn't have anywhere near enough time in Paris, seems to be a theme- not enough time anywhere
Sitting beside a very nice German girl who speaks French, English, and probably 8 other languages. Jealous of these Europeans, with their abilities to communicate with everyone everywhere and so grateful for their patience with me, the so obviously clueless canadian girl who looks at them helplessly at the onset if any communication, attempting to get out "je ne parle francais... Anglais?" before they think I'm a complete moron.
I seem to have an ability to attract the black men of Paris-the only guys who've hit on me have been such. It doesn't come without it's merits, as the (very attractive) bus driver this morning either thought I was cute while clueless and when I got off the bus too soon he told me to get back on and he desposited me off at the correct stop.
The French children also seem to enjoy me. Had a small baby immitating me yesterday on the metro, sticking her tongue out at me in response to me doing the same thing to her. on the train today a kid, probably about 4 was entertaining himself and I by playing a hide and seek/peek a boo game with me...and annoying his mother in the process.
11:54
Olivier met me at the cannes train station and we drove back to his house. It was nice to not have to carry my backpack any longer. Arrived here and met his cat Sidney, who is much smaller than hamish though really that's most cats I think.
Anne-Sophie, Oliviers girlfriend arrived home from work at the tourist place in town and we all went in the pool. I'm incredibly pale in comparison to everyone here!!
Went to Antibes for dinner, got to have typical French dinner of crepes with cheese and ham- le galettes jambon et fromage avec un salade croquante - with crunchy salad. Whatever cheese they used was awesome!! Reminded me of the cheese from Greece, saganaki.
After eating we strolled along the pier with yacht envy. Some seriously massive boats! Multi million dollar ones I mean.
Trying to use more French. My comprehension is improving though I'm still not confident with speaking. Tomorrow we will go to Cannes and enjoy the beach, work on our tans and then not sure. On tues before I head to Nice, Anne-Sophie is going to take me to one of the area perfume factories and tell me about the process.
Exhausted now, looking forward to sleep
The bus driver is into Druids? and other musings while traveling (Finland/France Part 1)
This year on my travels I decided to type up some thoughts etc while on my journeys... I posted it on facebook as I went, and I'm just far too lazy to come up with something original... so here it is.
Aug 18
The airbus picked me up, and within minutes the driver informed me he was a musician who would be performing at a week long Pagan festival north of toronto. He makes mention that the the people there are happy and people in "real life" ate bitter assholes.
He has a book entitled "the mysteries of Druidry" laying on the floor of the bus
Toronto Pearson airport finally has wifi. Free, I mean.
The woman at the Finnair check in counter informs me that my bag weighs 14kg, and I think I've packed everything I ever like to wear. What are people crying about when I tell them they only get 20kg??
My bag gets checked all the way thru to Paris and i'm able to grab a change of clothes to land in Paris with. Forgot the toothbrush but somehow have a massive tube of toothpaste so I'll be okay.
Realize that Swiss Chalet has a 300% mark up on their Rickard's Red after ordering a drink. Don't care since really there isn't any other bar to go to here. Remember after security that all the "good" stuff at this airport is after the duty free section.
Thoughts while travelling
Aug 19
Slept most of thr flight had an empty seat between me and the old Asian man sharing my row. Hope he didn't mind I took over the seat. Slept in about 100 dfferent contorted positions due to there being about an inch from my knees to the seat ahead. Can't speak for the food as I skipped dinner. Breakfast was a stale bun with some turkey type meat and some cheese and somthing vaguely resembling lettuce. No free wine :(
Woke up when they announced the "breakfast" and coffee (yay coffee!!) and was treated to views of fjords and the craggy coast line of northern Norway. Incredibly beautiful and just seeing it from the plane makes me think Norway deserved to be on my list of places to visit.
It's neat to see the roads snaking thru the rugged terrain, bridges spanning the bodies of water. Can't really imagine what possessed people to settle way up here with limited access to the world. I have a feeling that unless you go off to school or catch the travel bug you likely stay for life.
2:52pm
On the bus to the city centre to meet Atte. Pretty sure a girl just got on with a hula hoop. In it's own carrying case. Is hula big here?
From what I could tell from the plane, finland is covered in tall evergreen trees. I could have sworn I was landing in northern Canada. Maybe everything north of the 49th parallel is covered in evergreens?
Can't read a word anything says. Probably a good thing I'm just going to the city and back. Correction- only words I recognize are ones that ikea has named stuff after like Malm. Don't know what/where that is, just know my entire bedroom set is names after it.
My little camera appears to be broken, thank god Adrian loaned me his for my underwater housing.
Aug 20
10:15am
Rafe was rigjt, helsinki is awesome- the people are friendly and the city is beautiful. I think I have a crush on the city.
Learned Sweden is the other official language and the signs are in both languages. Which explains the familiar ikea words.
Moomi is a famous childrens cartoon character. Must bring something with him home for Wylie.
The free wireless at HEL made me angry.
Finland is definitely canada's cousin-the people love to go to the cottage, BBQ, and drink beer.
J'ai mal à tete parce-que je (enjoyed) trop des boissons dans Helsinki!!
Enjoyed a picnic with reindeer meat, meatballs, wine and fruit at suomolinna (sp?) and walked around tr fortress. Met up with some of Atte's coworkers randomly and a night of drinking proceeded.
6:06pm
Getting from the airport to the gard de Nord was okay. After standing in an epic line I was able to use my rail pass to get from cdg to the city. Saved me 8.70€!
Made friends with an old French man that vaguely resembled robin Williams if he was French and less hairy.
Figured at gard de nord I would be proactive and book my train ticket to Cannes saving myself having to do it Sunday morning. This consisted of waiting in the wrong (long) line about 4 times. Once I was finally able to book my train (only 3€!) I was off to figure out the metro and get to the hostel to drop my stuff off and freshen up. And find some food, since the sandwich given to me on the plane wasn't doing much anymore.
Found the hostel, found my room-4 european floors up!! and dumped everything on the bed.
Checked up on Internet and went for a walk to find food. I think I have language stage fright because I panic when I have to speak French. Went back to the room and had a short nap.
Left again with camera in hand in search of the louvre, as it appeared within reasonable walking distance. Grabbed a chocolate croissant to eat. Found a street, rue st Denis, with no cars and too many places offering crepes for 1€. I think I know what is for dinner. Resting my tres fatigue pieds dans la fountaine a la louvre.
9:08pm
After the louvre I walked down the champes élysées...all the while singing the nofx song in my head. Unfortunately I didn't make a friend like the song is about.
My feet were killing me, but I figured I should maybe go look at the eifel tower while I was relatively close. Strolled over there, marvelled at the massive lines to go up to the top...and then laid on the grass for a bit. Took the metro home and stopped at the very conveniently located grocery store. Bought some bread, turkey, Italian mozzerella and some yogurt. Oh yes, and a tall can of beer. Made a very unexciting sandwich and now laying on my bed trying to decide what to do next. Should check out the lights of Paris but my feet are just completely dead.
Tomorrow thinking I'm going to do the bike tour I'd read about, as I really don't think I can handle anymore walking!! leanot with my flip flops and not until I get some serious sleep!
Aug 18
The airbus picked me up, and within minutes the driver informed me he was a musician who would be performing at a week long Pagan festival north of toronto. He makes mention that the the people there are happy and people in "real life" ate bitter assholes.
He has a book entitled "the mysteries of Druidry" laying on the floor of the bus
Toronto Pearson airport finally has wifi. Free, I mean.
The woman at the Finnair check in counter informs me that my bag weighs 14kg, and I think I've packed everything I ever like to wear. What are people crying about when I tell them they only get 20kg??
My bag gets checked all the way thru to Paris and i'm able to grab a change of clothes to land in Paris with. Forgot the toothbrush but somehow have a massive tube of toothpaste so I'll be okay.
Realize that Swiss Chalet has a 300% mark up on their Rickard's Red after ordering a drink. Don't care since really there isn't any other bar to go to here. Remember after security that all the "good" stuff at this airport is after the duty free section.
Thoughts while travelling
Aug 19
Slept most of thr flight had an empty seat between me and the old Asian man sharing my row. Hope he didn't mind I took over the seat. Slept in about 100 dfferent contorted positions due to there being about an inch from my knees to the seat ahead. Can't speak for the food as I skipped dinner. Breakfast was a stale bun with some turkey type meat and some cheese and somthing vaguely resembling lettuce. No free wine :(
Woke up when they announced the "breakfast" and coffee (yay coffee!!) and was treated to views of fjords and the craggy coast line of northern Norway. Incredibly beautiful and just seeing it from the plane makes me think Norway deserved to be on my list of places to visit.
It's neat to see the roads snaking thru the rugged terrain, bridges spanning the bodies of water. Can't really imagine what possessed people to settle way up here with limited access to the world. I have a feeling that unless you go off to school or catch the travel bug you likely stay for life.
2:52pm
On the bus to the city centre to meet Atte. Pretty sure a girl just got on with a hula hoop. In it's own carrying case. Is hula big here?
From what I could tell from the plane, finland is covered in tall evergreen trees. I could have sworn I was landing in northern Canada. Maybe everything north of the 49th parallel is covered in evergreens?
Can't read a word anything says. Probably a good thing I'm just going to the city and back. Correction- only words I recognize are ones that ikea has named stuff after like Malm. Don't know what/where that is, just know my entire bedroom set is names after it.
My little camera appears to be broken, thank god Adrian loaned me his for my underwater housing.
Aug 20
10:15am
Rafe was rigjt, helsinki is awesome- the people are friendly and the city is beautiful. I think I have a crush on the city.
Learned Sweden is the other official language and the signs are in both languages. Which explains the familiar ikea words.
Moomi is a famous childrens cartoon character. Must bring something with him home for Wylie.
The free wireless at HEL made me angry.
Finland is definitely canada's cousin-the people love to go to the cottage, BBQ, and drink beer.
J'ai mal à tete parce-que je (enjoyed) trop des boissons dans Helsinki!!
Enjoyed a picnic with reindeer meat, meatballs, wine and fruit at suomolinna (sp?) and walked around tr fortress. Met up with some of Atte's coworkers randomly and a night of drinking proceeded.
6:06pm
Getting from the airport to the gard de Nord was okay. After standing in an epic line I was able to use my rail pass to get from cdg to the city. Saved me 8.70€!
Made friends with an old French man that vaguely resembled robin Williams if he was French and less hairy.
Figured at gard de nord I would be proactive and book my train ticket to Cannes saving myself having to do it Sunday morning. This consisted of waiting in the wrong (long) line about 4 times. Once I was finally able to book my train (only 3€!) I was off to figure out the metro and get to the hostel to drop my stuff off and freshen up. And find some food, since the sandwich given to me on the plane wasn't doing much anymore.
Found the hostel, found my room-4 european floors up!! and dumped everything on the bed.
Checked up on Internet and went for a walk to find food. I think I have language stage fright because I panic when I have to speak French. Went back to the room and had a short nap.
Left again with camera in hand in search of the louvre, as it appeared within reasonable walking distance. Grabbed a chocolate croissant to eat. Found a street, rue st Denis, with no cars and too many places offering crepes for 1€. I think I know what is for dinner. Resting my tres fatigue pieds dans la fountaine a la louvre.
9:08pm
After the louvre I walked down the champes élysées...all the while singing the nofx song in my head. Unfortunately I didn't make a friend like the song is about.
My feet were killing me, but I figured I should maybe go look at the eifel tower while I was relatively close. Strolled over there, marvelled at the massive lines to go up to the top...and then laid on the grass for a bit. Took the metro home and stopped at the very conveniently located grocery store. Bought some bread, turkey, Italian mozzerella and some yogurt. Oh yes, and a tall can of beer. Made a very unexciting sandwich and now laying on my bed trying to decide what to do next. Should check out the lights of Paris but my feet are just completely dead.
Tomorrow thinking I'm going to do the bike tour I'd read about, as I really don't think I can handle anymore walking!! leanot with my flip flops and not until I get some serious sleep!
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