tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87025666351744700952023-11-16T10:21:50.611-05:00Monotonous MinutiaeOne idiot's ramblings whilst blissfully unemployed.Kaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-4924621293572298392008-12-04T17:47:00.010-05:002008-12-04T19:54:20.087-05:00Week 35.5: Europe Photo UpdateHere's a selection of shots I took in the last two months that I was unable to post until now. Enjoy (or not).<br /><br /><br />Geneva<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OhYm3J1SJN_qO-eAqZqgwIZMWELjZ5HRk7kwwdiOUS8wKrkHgHE4eebIdLlfHo70MvrwRtQa1B53qNreCEGoXOgvrzbRfqQP2N6qngsrwZcaB4aSYGD-cNWZfWEcSXoFUJKsnD3gQu-Q/s1600-h/IMG_3930.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OhYm3J1SJN_qO-eAqZqgwIZMWELjZ5HRk7kwwdiOUS8wKrkHgHE4eebIdLlfHo70MvrwRtQa1B53qNreCEGoXOgvrzbRfqQP2N6qngsrwZcaB4aSYGD-cNWZfWEcSXoFUJKsnD3gQu-Q/s200/IMG_3930.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276071394999480690" border="0" /></a><br />a red flower<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXdLBEMVxS2mHyjs0n1zfqGTExP0XfKsrGlSSXQ2pAcsnsClx0Rv8HzcQJMSXtRV3KR5VEDsAkW3UgNr_3DaDMIQn3Vm9J236PaFzoCIEkBNmP2npyGbsG_xyGT93zMMbeJdhCanTv8P1/s1600-h/IMG_3934.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXdLBEMVxS2mHyjs0n1zfqGTExP0XfKsrGlSSXQ2pAcsnsClx0Rv8HzcQJMSXtRV3KR5VEDsAkW3UgNr_3DaDMIQn3Vm9J236PaFzoCIEkBNmP2npyGbsG_xyGT93zMMbeJdhCanTv8P1/s200/IMG_3934.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276071399158906594" border="0" /></a><br />a green plant<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qn0cPCqZFd8y38fhVRbtmNcJYi6ti4g05cuJPPl9cv4E13B_cZomQmdMAbXBjfuFM1e4uYpXjjNu0Nt9nbbKeVF3JfO65ibDMLFxphtlFAgn6S9ooiTp_qriXEtKhCt7Kd2HmKR20kIf/s1600-h/IMG_3941.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qn0cPCqZFd8y38fhVRbtmNcJYi6ti4g05cuJPPl9cv4E13B_cZomQmdMAbXBjfuFM1e4uYpXjjNu0Nt9nbbKeVF3JfO65ibDMLFxphtlFAgn6S9ooiTp_qriXEtKhCt7Kd2HmKR20kIf/s200/IMG_3941.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276071406345621506" border="0" /></a><br />the piece of artwork that I liked the most at the UN<br /><br /><br />Mont-Pelerin<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14RKhRFnXzGYXAU44FddGpGGFV6E9vFpmieduoW3RRMWi7mvOmgHHapa5A5w7kdZa8c9dikQ879XYljCDbsMTLNEwRF2BXAqS2WkABqwIiu5CvI77OMqMNk4PMqThdwbYQt_MEbd21We3/s1600-h/IMG_3970.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14RKhRFnXzGYXAU44FddGpGGFV6E9vFpmieduoW3RRMWi7mvOmgHHapa5A5w7kdZa8c9dikQ879XYljCDbsMTLNEwRF2BXAqS2WkABqwIiu5CvI77OMqMNk4PMqThdwbYQt_MEbd21We3/s200/IMG_3970.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276071420864281362" border="0" /></a><br />attempt at creativity<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNp_DvuUXA72TLBRwEcaLQv836ZuCfaKPBdagpCklmvPc3kIU35jiIGZuZtl_AOuBzNVcEyNG5AYAPoDVXBdwsqwznk0Nzz_MsTS73VHyIhIPA5dZNR2mn196r0_hoeq4uMTL-0zPiP9a/s1600-h/IMG_4026.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNp_DvuUXA72TLBRwEcaLQv836ZuCfaKPBdagpCklmvPc3kIU35jiIGZuZtl_AOuBzNVcEyNG5AYAPoDVXBdwsqwznk0Nzz_MsTS73VHyIhIPA5dZNR2mn196r0_hoeq4uMTL-0zPiP9a/s200/IMG_4026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276095635253236706" border="0" /></a><br />jaw dropping beauty<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVAfgha1Z9VGdQl9atadNus0DwOkcgVhGRfwkFQ-bDon8r4P9ZyRRJWPhw8pKhlI5xB27zMef0A9lELmwFYRv4cisOoFlCNYxfhMQzJvj1SO7WuSLu8yD4XU0GyKhGHfNNKAV4mNGBN4_/s1600-h/IMG_4031.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVAfgha1Z9VGdQl9atadNus0DwOkcgVhGRfwkFQ-bDon8r4P9ZyRRJWPhw8pKhlI5xB27zMef0A9lELmwFYRv4cisOoFlCNYxfhMQzJvj1SO7WuSLu8yD4XU0GyKhGHfNNKAV4mNGBN4_/s200/IMG_4031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276071427360914642" border="0" /></a><br />learned first hand that walking in rivers in October in Switzerland is cold<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrLGGcgiBlCxcFS9S2k8RnSjyAMq5rtoHnELryWagLFdnFjoLSnl9_SrXh-6PznbAEcFxsIiyXb8QOwRLP2Lbp5JLSE3dHlvUgSqdoAi32U3dESrMnCuJuBAvdplS8mKpO3xVnF_cQp2Q/s1600-h/IMG_4041.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrLGGcgiBlCxcFS9S2k8RnSjyAMq5rtoHnELryWagLFdnFjoLSnl9_SrXh-6PznbAEcFxsIiyXb8QOwRLP2Lbp5JLSE3dHlvUgSqdoAi32U3dESrMnCuJuBAvdplS8mKpO3xVnF_cQp2Q/s200/IMG_4041.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276077841500378322" border="0" /></a><br />feel free to stroll through the vineyards<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRBm91PlFA9pu4cNhe4RBWil4OFsnxe8bRJY8lItljLSltgQXLwLE9Qk6vFmdX6ueQu1FGT0oEPEqeakajjfMyLFESmamD1zpBZB0urGG31exKvM52FKpp3sRaVN8xkWohuoiwc7oL9H3/s1600-h/IMG_4043.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRBm91PlFA9pu4cNhe4RBWil4OFsnxe8bRJY8lItljLSltgQXLwLE9Qk6vFmdX6ueQu1FGT0oEPEqeakajjfMyLFESmamD1zpBZB0urGG31exKvM52FKpp3sRaVN8xkWohuoiwc7oL9H3/s200/IMG_4043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276077844293650466" border="0" /></a><br />chalet suisse, swiss chalet? looks different than it does in Canada<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUPuGB93gPseBUWu6_EmL-LQ6UEmQXtQzxiKjIwQiiLLwMjZE73rK4uOvrHoej2knjw2sHbUl9VJ2xsBZaEDC1rRo_XVzlY1sslfQPHvIBeIgSkxgdB5eZAmV6vyXVKDLvs2-h3wjRGQL/s1600-h/IMG_4044.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUPuGB93gPseBUWu6_EmL-LQ6UEmQXtQzxiKjIwQiiLLwMjZE73rK4uOvrHoej2knjw2sHbUl9VJ2xsBZaEDC1rRo_XVzlY1sslfQPHvIBeIgSkxgdB5eZAmV6vyXVKDLvs2-h3wjRGQL/s200/IMG_4044.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276077854750764258" border="0" /></a><br />jaw dropping beauty 2<br /><br /><br />Bern<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDzYtisq9P8BvayE_fuflyLf7S4Z89UmEqHXdKWeHmU9-PRjtco4LP0FnVgfAWdo5VTtwgXtfxy6vL6HOoakqncg_dpZTRuPV1VD_sxatpBzbaeK2xSw1c8qleYyexQfrb8QauYs0jxSi/s1600-h/IMG_4047.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDzYtisq9P8BvayE_fuflyLf7S4Z89UmEqHXdKWeHmU9-PRjtco4LP0FnVgfAWdo5VTtwgXtfxy6vL6HOoakqncg_dpZTRuPV1VD_sxatpBzbaeK2xSw1c8qleYyexQfrb8QauYs0jxSi/s200/IMG_4047.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276077856251966786" border="0" /></a><br />autumn in the city<br /><br /><br />Torino<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopObRW27xdJrqz1KV1E_G6VpJpVzk6BwKnC4boSbdK5cLO1dEnL_xjPg6ikouGr4SMUNTGIxYk-7CFqm65jh_BPGJ-sfdKxeI2wsKpnTKH2Tuya2gVUHFWJaJTJ_4IKEnvXQGYyjl9p_7/s1600-h/IMG_4049.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopObRW27xdJrqz1KV1E_G6VpJpVzk6BwKnC4boSbdK5cLO1dEnL_xjPg6ikouGr4SMUNTGIxYk-7CFqm65jh_BPGJ-sfdKxeI2wsKpnTKH2Tuya2gVUHFWJaJTJ_4IKEnvXQGYyjl9p_7/s200/IMG_4049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276077864871631202" border="0" /></a><br />a building<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQ_OviAP7fL1i2PKTQFfB-OERlsriN8lvZjJ9ke2Wk5O_abr0Cqmq0OVHdNI2Iwvkp48akFq1-AFmRd8f-DvzA_cV4sE-CmS8kWYz6xSRvenkyi3KtccGzi5578s0_l723iLO2F_kQlEa/s1600-h/IMG_4050.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQ_OviAP7fL1i2PKTQFfB-OERlsriN8lvZjJ9ke2Wk5O_abr0Cqmq0OVHdNI2Iwvkp48akFq1-AFmRd8f-DvzA_cV4sE-CmS8kWYz6xSRvenkyi3KtccGzi5578s0_l723iLO2F_kQlEa/s200/IMG_4050.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276078631284577554" border="0" /></a><br />a hazy, expansive, flat city<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_QjcliDNqSKCFQG7dbKKQv5jz7AsDlhjqoglKWDT6NVzt_Yv9BMTgQD0Z48WEJh1nlTekVmHW6sIJa6pzHm7KBmEdOOp0rsRgoJTOgovyCDSGPRJ83V8urdpK096doEt_LseTATfX2do/s1600-h/IMG_4055.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_QjcliDNqSKCFQG7dbKKQv5jz7AsDlhjqoglKWDT6NVzt_Yv9BMTgQD0Z48WEJh1nlTekVmHW6sIJa6pzHm7KBmEdOOp0rsRgoJTOgovyCDSGPRJ83V8urdpK096doEt_LseTATfX2do/s200/IMG_4055.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276078635388181714" border="0" /></a><br />a church<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdK-ugGaDINo7xamnh1zR0VkRw3oI4ALY9sgRh5zJtgE-mX6Lm0JFQ0YqqggItzefpXZNKAuREcKexdH7nZnZH50Gu6bilQ00TURIa2VmWm-_94gAedwy7snnY2rxUqc0YsYAyYtjMKWNF/s1600-h/IMG_4063.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdK-ugGaDINo7xamnh1zR0VkRw3oI4ALY9sgRh5zJtgE-mX6Lm0JFQ0YqqggItzefpXZNKAuREcKexdH7nZnZH50Gu6bilQ00TURIa2VmWm-_94gAedwy7snnY2rxUqc0YsYAyYtjMKWNF/s200/IMG_4063.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276078644473755122" border="0" /></a><br />a street<br /><br /><br />Rome<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIeSYNHw6cGXAUEEDg5Q9G6B2Vg3LN79TFVyPWokw6OMow_v0FrTvL9z6Yga9MtAoq2vG1KyWx83P8knlG-UCST4le9msh0mxeifFUZ_tZQeX_bn9I97-PImrGsqRrNMSBZ491JBsxuId/s1600-h/IMG_4071.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIeSYNHw6cGXAUEEDg5Q9G6B2Vg3LN79TFVyPWokw6OMow_v0FrTvL9z6Yga9MtAoq2vG1KyWx83P8knlG-UCST4le9msh0mxeifFUZ_tZQeX_bn9I97-PImrGsqRrNMSBZ491JBsxuId/s200/IMG_4071.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276078649737862466" border="0" /></a><br />a fountain<br /><br /><br />Genova<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwcDREvgb3ODicxqHzYQglm_hxP3ht0Gwd9gij5L70ESZK_hIbRFDm_EZVGFf37qsMCACBLnLcCgDOon5Qlp4RBIw2AgtLLoitdGOgcLvi71ESgCWzXvcIOFHU9G8XLOwSA-jwmV6TSIo/s1600-h/IMG_4094.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwcDREvgb3ODicxqHzYQglm_hxP3ht0Gwd9gij5L70ESZK_hIbRFDm_EZVGFf37qsMCACBLnLcCgDOon5Qlp4RBIw2AgtLLoitdGOgcLvi71ESgCWzXvcIOFHU9G8XLOwSA-jwmV6TSIo/s200/IMG_4094.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276083483882415986" border="0" /></a><br />steps<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Dm2sJaFQR1BQzqw_Fw9rSMjaRAJ_FFE1afaDw8t9Ky_ZsFTQoelzILH19f2v27TKjS7aSHt16a_rjLwk5CD2EPimB5XXSxbHzB0IL2Skh9Q0CXtMKBzTklGV7pXROTBpRTIB9gdzs7mg/s1600-h/IMG_4097.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Dm2sJaFQR1BQzqw_Fw9rSMjaRAJ_FFE1afaDw8t9Ky_ZsFTQoelzILH19f2v27TKjS7aSHt16a_rjLwk5CD2EPimB5XXSxbHzB0IL2Skh9Q0CXtMKBzTklGV7pXROTBpRTIB9gdzs7mg/s200/IMG_4097.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276083489622322674" border="0" /></a><br />deserted castle; ya, I hiked up to it<br /><br /><br />Grenada<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1Y_Ud7h-jDPgDor4Rcf-aNZAru-8XVq-2HL1E4sHFTKDykYIKv8c-wV_-woYZAVY5CLuI5DsP78qjjFsA42_1lWpbyP0gYf_87vj7KAGzdJZJayLPHyOPVp5jvLmeHstpoCXZO5k_SE3/s1600-h/IMG_4103.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1Y_Ud7h-jDPgDor4Rcf-aNZAru-8XVq-2HL1E4sHFTKDykYIKv8c-wV_-woYZAVY5CLuI5DsP78qjjFsA42_1lWpbyP0gYf_87vj7KAGzdJZJayLPHyOPVp5jvLmeHstpoCXZO5k_SE3/s200/IMG_4103.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276083492489405026" border="0" /></a><br />view of La Alhambra from the hostel<br /><br />Avignon<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lb4rpA7FziOFa3WmCqwSS-rQqrnslxGu-v3vYYfXzEGm6_fiF1Xb6sM27krzW9UHG4vt5hwHhUB_TINDO3NHa7nKUNXmrwWRPK6UD_y7FjMHpJeuCsnjKtNEnJNp9RDIS6P1Kqb1A23j/s1600-h/IMG_4110.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lb4rpA7FziOFa3WmCqwSS-rQqrnslxGu-v3vYYfXzEGm6_fiF1Xb6sM27krzW9UHG4vt5hwHhUB_TINDO3NHa7nKUNXmrwWRPK6UD_y7FjMHpJeuCsnjKtNEnJNp9RDIS6P1Kqb1A23j/s200/IMG_4110.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276083497377646946" border="0" /></a><br />spiderweb early in the morning<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRea3sih59pF0neCOKn-cgqVwjHKomP1P-vzll5ik3Ob9cszfM2_xZv-Dv7LSmSCmrLGTGG_7USw-fb1MiOGv4HMb9Zk89pyrfXosmrxoX9jRDPC_cqPeEli-AaA9A-HVT2S6ZCnWXV8X/s1600-h/IMG_4121.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRea3sih59pF0neCOKn-cgqVwjHKomP1P-vzll5ik3Ob9cszfM2_xZv-Dv7LSmSCmrLGTGG_7USw-fb1MiOGv4HMb9Zk89pyrfXosmrxoX9jRDPC_cqPeEli-AaA9A-HVT2S6ZCnWXV8X/s200/IMG_4121.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276082425320907762" border="0" /></a><br />mama and son<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATFE3opxRBA8Rc4uckkXpvQx7AlINJAR3K-PV_ArQa7o-y8QzWTOWA8ngpjEw44vNoXMV1TzMr_LLRWq92HvczOVaDJPVFxcMN9wUqKp_dU9kGMQGG3XTdL-OQYbgvOPoysmyi9Uwll6p/s1600-h/IMG_4124.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATFE3opxRBA8Rc4uckkXpvQx7AlINJAR3K-PV_ArQa7o-y8QzWTOWA8ngpjEw44vNoXMV1TzMr_LLRWq92HvczOVaDJPVFxcMN9wUqKp_dU9kGMQGG3XTdL-OQYbgvOPoysmyi9Uwll6p/s200/IMG_4124.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276082437653806914" border="0" /></a><br />plants, sun and palace<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkrmjYnooFP8MOG0zWYWeHVuPdTyZwXQQyso3ALiu68d-9GgiSaFlLwLpoQCXzph-1Zg17Big3hkNKM5xM_cSiEZIzAEyshhT5xLRimvCiVz89u7I-EFhgoOCj2NiuPaV3KbWvsC_Ygrt/s1600-h/IMG_4129.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkrmjYnooFP8MOG0zWYWeHVuPdTyZwXQQyso3ALiu68d-9GgiSaFlLwLpoQCXzph-1Zg17Big3hkNKM5xM_cSiEZIzAEyshhT5xLRimvCiVz89u7I-EFhgoOCj2NiuPaV3KbWvsC_Ygrt/s200/IMG_4129.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276082440108304466" border="0" /></a><br />these are flowers<br /><br /><br />Brussels<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEnune05e9aRn2eW8Qcw4MiDUE9J2a2DyBiwzTlLoSKLQE9xGgzixIf7pu2LHX-vfQfjE6PzBr3GZR45i5ATMZjYfV7e8-hKHyq6iVSj5u64TGDn_0MrMBHefaQUWEvGhgtSeIYG-nrFW/s1600-h/IMG_4139.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEnune05e9aRn2eW8Qcw4MiDUE9J2a2DyBiwzTlLoSKLQE9xGgzixIf7pu2LHX-vfQfjE6PzBr3GZR45i5ATMZjYfV7e8-hKHyq6iVSj5u64TGDn_0MrMBHefaQUWEvGhgtSeIYG-nrFW/s200/IMG_4139.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276082449501426146" border="0" /></a><br />Belgian flags<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYZqc4pM6ixAJ9dHChED3wJ2b2ybmm77YojKOftxHKk-CftJl4JbjTA4KkHZ_cnopuWdOq_YoW8VZVmMGypPQVpRUKrcACtWtWtbc7su5e2kxn3bUflq4ZqWJ_p_OcvQa-af555oqhZ-L/s1600-h/IMG_4171.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYZqc4pM6ixAJ9dHChED3wJ2b2ybmm77YojKOftxHKk-CftJl4JbjTA4KkHZ_cnopuWdOq_YoW8VZVmMGypPQVpRUKrcACtWtWtbc7su5e2kxn3bUflq4ZqWJ_p_OcvQa-af555oqhZ-L/s200/IMG_4171.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276082458902751538" border="0" /></a><br />best Scout shirt I've ever seen<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBJ2ZusnlxsLbhbdcmQEvwlSOGVDdFd_10DoQGDFj_xQ-mSmxhQl9xnInW21R-wcWG7WfXN1Ok_Rwi2B4MksGpnlA202ZilZB87VjaWu0FMandrmEykwRbfK-d8Fyr3qR4dGBmE_qfWjN/s1600-h/IMG_4173.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBJ2ZusnlxsLbhbdcmQEvwlSOGVDdFd_10DoQGDFj_xQ-mSmxhQl9xnInW21R-wcWG7WfXN1Ok_Rwi2B4MksGpnlA202ZilZB87VjaWu0FMandrmEykwRbfK-d8Fyr3qR4dGBmE_qfWjN/s200/IMG_4173.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276079349053162898" border="0" /></a><br />occupying forces<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzp28dZqoHzeK4Wgu394E1RW5ihcAzE-QohhWpVkOghTQmziZMRd01QXfKBlGlEcINCPLoNfxetdu1YJmOFQ08dsutd2Wv8wLmQwnZ1FaaHekl_m0bvCyLvLvz4cytI3N28LnWuMUUjPcQ/s1600-h/IMG_4177.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 77px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzp28dZqoHzeK4Wgu394E1RW5ihcAzE-QohhWpVkOghTQmziZMRd01QXfKBlGlEcINCPLoNfxetdu1YJmOFQ08dsutd2Wv8wLmQwnZ1FaaHekl_m0bvCyLvLvz4cytI3N28LnWuMUUjPcQ/s200/IMG_4177.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276079346803234658" border="0" /></a><br />best street name ever<br /><br /><br />Brugges<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAdYjFFmAL_yR271xnjfvGvnp-l6WanNQhUUTql9HXSK0RSON6CsVJdMY3Sb8o9FvNSFAZn2VDlLtkllWV5YQNRNjlX4fztGEq-Dh77fLbAWgB3mMKW8D8FQ_2gNC6hei__JGqLneBozq/s1600-h/IMG_4180.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAdYjFFmAL_yR271xnjfvGvnp-l6WanNQhUUTql9HXSK0RSON6CsVJdMY3Sb8o9FvNSFAZn2VDlLtkllWV5YQNRNjlX4fztGEq-Dh77fLbAWgB3mMKW8D8FQ_2gNC6hei__JGqLneBozq/s200/IMG_4180.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276079351605619138" border="0" /></a><br />can you imagine what Critical Mass would be like if you lived in Belgium or the Netherlands?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJFk1diNqb63Tc5H2MV1o8ixPXPLUe_CyJQAfF_yrbD8t4nJ4m9WeaIfuGMJsPicMHY7M3HX_VHKWJx8-3uI8ACf-jn2DeV8Qd84JSG-WwjdYj-qCFNr0ExXZPda1nfa4Us4y1wYF_4nh/s1600-h/IMG_4187.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJFk1diNqb63Tc5H2MV1o8ixPXPLUe_CyJQAfF_yrbD8t4nJ4m9WeaIfuGMJsPicMHY7M3HX_VHKWJx8-3uI8ACf-jn2DeV8Qd84JSG-WwjdYj-qCFNr0ExXZPda1nfa4Us4y1wYF_4nh/s200/IMG_4187.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276079357746757682" border="0" /></a><br />oh, bikes DO grow on trees<br /><br /><br />That was fun, wasn't it.<br />- Kasza<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyB2Iv1dtiXBn25N1pyafwi5wewRanKnkBn4XWloD3D75l8OPn8D0yxvwmj1tQg7rsTDNzjyy11y9k2x-bZ3GSAlhyphenhyphenciNF27ovo2nFab0vnZ0-AkiINMTBQP9aUQqbk_Q6K4WoQyZcAtk0/s1600-h/IMG_4191.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyB2Iv1dtiXBn25N1pyafwi5wewRanKnkBn4XWloD3D75l8OPn8D0yxvwmj1tQg7rsTDNzjyy11y9k2x-bZ3GSAlhyphenhyphenciNF27ovo2nFab0vnZ0-AkiINMTBQP9aUQqbk_Q6K4WoQyZcAtk0/s200/IMG_4191.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276079362212856242" border="0" /></a>Kaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-64131419970321932092008-11-27T08:34:00.002-05:002008-11-27T09:28:23.079-05:00Week 34: And the Suprise is...If you didn't already know, I'm back in Canada. A few weeks back I decided that I had enough city hopping and wasn't really interested in doing any other WWOOFing at the time. Those two reasons and the even bigger one that my bank account was hemorrhaging quite quickly brought me to the decision to return to Canadia on Nov. 24, four months earlier than planned. <br /><br />My last week in Europe was a blast, though. I returned to the UK on Tuesday and visited the awesome people that I had met during the summer. My first stop was Earthworm. Always something going on there, the Earthworm folk were busily preparing for a permaculture course that weekend, the first they've ever hosted and of many yet to come, I'm sure. My contribution for the couple days I was there was to insulate and put drywall up in the events room. It felt good to be doing productive work again compared to my past two months.<br /><br />I set from Earthworm on Thursday to visit friends at <a href="http://www.diggersanddreamers.org.uk/index.php?fld=initial&val=B&one=dat&two=det&sel=brambles">Brambles Housing Coop</a> in Sheffield. Amy-Jane showed me around Sheffield Friday afternoon but this was just an excuse so she could steal materials from the learning stations at the <a href="http://www.museums-sheffield.org.uk/coresite/html/millennium.asp#millennium5">Metalwork Gallery</a> in the Millennium Museum and steal the silver card stock from the demonstration station. We also spent time preparing our costumes for the <a href="http://www.diggersanddreamers.org.uk/index.php?fld=initial&val=C&one=dat&two=det&sel=cornerst">Cornerstone</a> circus-themed party on Saturday. I dressed up as a bearded lady which went over great thanks in part to my gigantic beard and the awesome pink flowered hat the Amy-Jane lent me. She went as a human cannonball and I hope there are pictures of her costume because it was hilariously skimpy. <br /><br />I had an a great time at the party, dancing my ass off, staying up all night and getting severely pissed (and then continuing on to the pub Sun afternoon). It was definitely a high note to end my trip on. I will miss all of the excellent people that I met while I was over there, though.<br /><br />Well, I will be reducing the (intended) weekly posts to biweekly or monthly because, now that I'm back in Ontario, my life likely won't be as interesting. If it is interesting, I'll be sure to let you know.<br /><br />- KaszaKaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-65260636887899548852008-11-14T15:27:00.003-05:002008-11-17T13:23:52.700-05:00Week 33: France, Belgium, The NetherlandsParis<br />I finally visited the <a href="http://www.louvre.fr/llv/commun/home.jsp?bmLocale=en">Louvre</a>! Pretty frigging big. It's got art and stuff, ya know. The only noteworthy part of the visit was how hilarious it was to see people crowd around the <a href="http://www.harley.com/art/abstract-art/images/(davinci)-mona-lisa.jpg">Mona Lisa</a> trying to a catch a glimpse like they were going to have some revelation once they saw it.<br /><br />After the museum, I went to <a href="http://www.happycow.net/reviews.php?id=866">Le Grand Appetit</a>, a vegan, macrobiotic restaurant and had the Grand Assiette (large assortment). Slightly expensive (because everything in Paris is more expensive) but very tasty. Despite all the random shit I've dealt with in the last little while at least I'm happily eating at veg*n restaurants frequently.<br /><br /><br />Brussels<br />I swear Europe is trying to kill me. It was incredibly windy when I arrived in Brussels, so my attention was divided between trying to orientate myself towards the hostel and not getting blown over. This took my attention away from noticing that the middle area of the road was raised, so there was a slight curb. My attention might have missed this but my foot found it and then my face found the ground as I couldn't maintain balance with the temporary 40lb growth on my back. The backpack did break my fall slightly though which was a mixed blessing; instead of being crushed by the bag into the ground, I only received two scrapes. The downside is that two bottles of wine were sacrificed (not the important ones thankfully). More frustrating is that I only found out an hour later as I was removing my wine drenched clothes from my bag.<br /><br />The next day I visited the <a href="http://www.brusselsbdtour.com/">Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée</a> (comics museum). It's pretty hilarious that I spent nearly as long here staring at pages of Tintin and Les Schtroumpfs (Smurfs) as I did in the Louvre. I love comics quite a bit. The only disappointing bit is that the museum doesn't seem to have been updated to recently. The latest pieces seemed to be from the early 90's. But the Smurfs turned 50 this year, so there was a temporary exhibit explaining every possible aspect of the Smurfs which was pretty cool. I was very tempted to waste a lot of money books and figurines but I was held back by a lack of funds and the realization that I'll have to carry everything around on my back until the trip is done.<br /><br /><br />Brugge<br />Went to <a href="http://www.happycow.net/reviews.php?id=598">De Bron</a> vegetarisch restaurant for lunch; holy shit it was busy. All the tables were full, so I just joined a four seat table that only had two people at it. It felt a little awkward for me but it seemed to be a perfectly normal for them.<br /><br />Belgium has strong beers; I couldn't find one that was less than 6%. So, when I went out drinking with a couple of Brits, I felt the pain for the majority of the next day.<br /><br /><br />Amsterdam<br />I went to two raw food cafes while I was in Amsterdam which I was really happy about because I haven't seen any raw food places in any of the other major European cities I've been to apart from London. The first place I went to is called <a href="http://www.rawfoodcafe.nl/">Rawfood Cafe</a> and is housed the same building as a dance studio. I sort of got dinner and show because the cafe and studio are separated by sliding glass doors. I had the falafal plate and chocolate mousse. I enjoyed the salad that accompanied the falafals but it is amazing that you can make "falafals" that aren't deep fried while maintaining texture and flavour. But the pièce de résistance was the chocolate mousse; basically, it was to die for. And raw cocoa is pretty energizing stuff because for about an hour afterwards I had a bit of a body buzz going on. <br /><br />The other restaurant is <a href="http://www.unlimitedhealth.nl/restaurant.php">Unlimited Health</a> which is a part of a Yoga studio (no show here though). The plate of the day, four separate salads, was premade (probably that morning), so it slightly lacked the fresh, crispness of a dish made per order but I still enjoyed it. It always fun to have a variety of items on a plate and the size was considerably better compared to the amount of food I have received at other restaurants for €10.<br /><br />The hostel I stayed at is large and fairly impersonal, so I didn't make any friends. But I was determined to try legal <a href="http://www.artuproar.com/uploads/skins/previews_m/trippy_by_ripfangdragon.jpg">'shrooms</a> whilst in Amsterdam, with or without accompaniment. I went to a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_shop">smart shop</a> and purchased a 35g packet of <a href="http://www.smartific.com/psilocybe-aurumescens-p-198.html?language=en&osCsid=8f7bc409974f22bcb81ce8b1b400020a">Golden Teacher</a>. I planned on only eating half that night and then the other half the next day but after an hour I felt I wasn't getting an enough out of them, so I decided to eat the rest. Woowee, what a night. It was probably the best trip on mushrooms I've ever had. Of particular enjoyment was the exterior of the <a href="http://www.robots.ox.ac.uk/~derek/Images/Amsterdam/rijksmuseum.jpg">Rijksmuseum</a>, the <a href="http://www.thelensflare.com/large/pose_13958.jpg">clouds/moon/sky</a> as they moved about and the <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2166/2189451158_edec48a3ef.jpg?v=0">trees</a> in Vondelpark (which is just out front of the hostel).<br /><br />The only other thing that I have to say about the Netherlands and Belgium is how amazing it see so many people riding bikes and how much a part of their culture it is. Seeing the sea of bikes at the <a href="http://www.airninja.com/pictures/amsterdam/amsterdam_bikes.jpg">bike racks</a> in the city centres or at the train station is incredible (and blinding on a sunny day).<br /><br /><br />Stay tuned for next Sunday's blog; it'll have a surprise.<br />- KaszaKaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-32729567230640953082008-11-06T06:43:00.004-05:002008-11-14T15:40:42.270-05:00Week 32: Spain, Portugal, FranceOriginaly, I was going to write portions of this post the night of or day after the events occured to give a more immediate and honest description of my experiences but my days got pretty boring and I stopped doing it. So, the first couple days were written in that style and the rest was written over the last couple days through the cloudiness of recollection.<br /><br /><br />19/10<br />Just after I had posted the blog last week, while we were in line for lunch Brian told me that I'd have to leave <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Can_Masdeu">Can Masdeu</a> the next day because they already a bunch of friends and family expected to visit over the next little while and they take precedent. To be fair, he told me this was a possibility when I arrived. It's probably for the best because the vast number of people who live there and visit the social centre (attached to the house) was too much for my agorophobic sensibilities.<br /><br /><br />20/10<br />I wandered around some parks in Barcelona today after checking in to the hostel; nothing special. But I was thinking a lot about the last couple weeks and considering giving up drinking (for safety and spirituality).<br /><br /><br />21/10<br />Seven and a half hour bus ride to Madrid! It went by alright though; I slept a lot.<br /><br />I walked around Madrid centre a bit and checked out <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parque_del_Buen_Retiro">Parque del Buen Retiro</a> which had an awesome art exhibit starting (I might go back just to check it out again). The park also has a large paved area where rollerbladers go; it was sort of amusing to watch a bunch of people practicing how to stop on their little brakes.<br /><br />It had been a few days since I had been out socialising and I felt I was up for it. I'm unable to socialise without liquid courage but I'm definitely gun-shy right now, so I limited myself to beer the whole night. Woo hoo, nothing bad happened to me! Nothing eventful happened either; just a lot walking from bar to bar collecting "free shots" flyers from people on the streets. My group would down the shots and then move onto the next bar for more free shots.<br /><br /><br />22/10<br />I have been avoiding museums/art galleries lately because I'm cheap (wish they were free like in Scotland) but I figured I might as well see some in Madrid, so I bought the <a href="http://www.madridcard.com/en/PaseoArte.aspx">Art Walk pass </a>which allows entry to three of their biggest art galleries (predominately paintings): the Prado (pre-modern), Reina Sofía Art Centre (modern and contemporary), and the Thyssen-Bornemisza (medieval to contemporary). Although the Prado collection is impressively large, the constant catholic subject matter gets quite tiring. And I don't "get" contemporary art, so my favourite gallery was Thyssen which is not a huge collection but a great sampling of important artists and periods in Western art for the past millenia.<br /><br />At night, some of us went to a jazz bar just across the street from the hostel which had great music but ridiculously overpriced drinks (330mL lager for €4.50).<br /><br /><br />Remainder of Madrid<br />The next day was beautiful out, so I went exploring the local parks. Although the locals congregate in Retiro as I experienced earlier in the week, there are some great parks to the west that were virtually empty. It was quite peaceful considering a hundred meters away there was the chaos of Madrid traffic.<br /><br /><br />Granada<br />Wow, after the pace and populus of Barcelona and Madrid, Granada was like heaven.<br /><br />It took some effort to find my hostel because I only wrote down half the directions but eventually I found it. And what a view! The hostel looks out at the <a href="http://www.alhambradegranada.org/galeriasDeFotos/sala2_en.asp">Alhambra</a>. As long as you've got the necessity of some food covered, it'd be tempting to stay up at the hostel for days on end.<br /><br />But alas I only booked one night and I had plans to start WWOOFing the next day in a small village in southern Spain.<br /><br /><br />Sierra de Yuega<br />Despite expecting a girl (Chris is a girl's name in Spain), my hosts were very hospitable. They were overly generous, constantly offering me different foods (despite my reluctance to eat a meal before bed as is the Spanish custom) and teaching me to speak Spanish. I think they expected I would know more Spanish than I did because they knew very little English. Our attempts at conversation were quite humourous.<br /><br />It got tiring to be working with the old man though, who has little understanding of a person's capacity to learn and retain new words in a short period of time. It also didn't help that he needed to assert himself as the boss and master repeatedly. He means well, I know, but his personality was too much for my little sissy ego and after two days, I had had enough. It's unfortunate because everybody else was so awesome and I think I would have been able to communicate effectively in a week or so. Oh well, on to Portugal.<br /><br /><br />Lisbon<br />It pissed down the majority of the time. Other than that, all I can say is Lisbon is frigging hilly. It was like I had to walk double the distance just because I had to go up and down as well as across.<br /><br />The best thing about Lisbon is that they have a vegan buffet restaurant, <a href="http://www.happycow.net/reviews.php?id=1060">Oriente Chiado</a>. That's right, I said buffet. All-you-can-eat buffet!!! I gorged myself. I'm still not used to European restaurant hours though (because I don't eat out often), so I hoped to beat the supper rush and headed over at 17:00. Silly me, they're closed from 15:00 to 19:00. The wait was worth it, though. I ordered a bottle of wine and tried at least one of everything that was available; so good. If you're ever in Lisbon and feel like having something other than meat or fish, go to Oriente.<br /><br /><br />Guarda<br />I decided to spend the weekend in Guarda, a town in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serra_da_Estrela_Natural_Park">Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela</a>. According to Lonely Planet, Portugal is not a country for hiking; the people just don't do it. But there are some trails in the Estrelas that are supposed to be good and Guarda is the largest town in the area, so I headed there. I never did find any trails but enjoyed the walk along the side of the road because the weather was alright (not raining).<br /><br />My other significant experience of Guarda was that nothing was open Sat afternoons (I arrived at 15:00) or Sundays. Luckily, there's a supermarket on the outskirts of the town though which was open, so I didn't starve.<br /><br />Oh ya, and for Saturday evening entertainment I went to see <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tropic_thunder/">Tropic Thunder</a> (god bless the Portugese for subtitling and not dubbing). I think half the jokes were lost on the locals but I enjoyed it.<br /><br /><br />Salamanca<br />More cold weather and rain; I guess that's what November means anywhere in the northern hemisphere.<br /><br />Again, I'm not prepared for the culture: I head over to the vegetarian restaurant, <a href="http://www.happycow.net/reviews.php?id=4073">Alcacil</a>, for noon thinking/hoping they'll be open (they don't advertise hours, just that they're open for lunch); the waitress tells me they open at two. Waiting isn't that bad if you have something to do, somewhere to go. It's shitty out, so lounging in a park us out of the question and since this is Spain, everything else closed at 13:00 for siesta and won't reopen until 16:00. Still, the restaurant was the high point of Salamanca for me (the city also has beautiful architecture besides a great veggie restaurant). The menu changes daily (a great sign of quality), so out of a choice of three plates, I went for the pasta with mushrooms which was proceeded by bread, salad, and soup and followed by a plate of clementines (vegetarian restaurant, so the dessert wasn't vegan friendly). I was content and ready to go wait for several hours for my bus (nothing else to do, everyone/thing was on siesta).<br /><br /><br />Bordeaux<br />Walked around <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Émilion">St. Emilion</a> in the rain for the first day trying to find chateaux that didn't require appointments for visits. I probably would have been successful if the map acurately displayed the location of chateaux. Everytime I walked to an area where I expected to find a specific chateau, it would either be a field or a completely different chateau.<br /><br />I left the task of finding chateaux up to a tour guide the next day when I visited Medoc. We visited and tasted at <a href="http://www.chateau-kirwan.com/Kirwan.htm">Kirwan</a> and <a href="http://www.chateau-arsac.com/default_en.asp">Chateau d'Arsac</a>.<br /><br />Of course, I had to buy some bottles while I was in Bordeaux, so I bought two in St. Emilion (one for that evening and one to come back to Canada) and one from Arsac.<br /><br />I really liked Bordeaux; the city was beautiful and they've got a shitload of wine. If I'm ever in the area again, I would definitely visit again.<br /><br /><br />Nimes<br />Eagerly up at five to six to catch the 7:11 train to Avignon where I hoped to catch a bus to Chateauneuf du Pape. The scattered clouds and misty fog rising from the vineyards created an extremely picturesque train ride. An auspicious begining to the day.<br /><br />As the sun pushed up through the haze it transformed slowly from a bright orange semi-circle into the fiery white-yellow of suns that mean warm days. But as I arrived at the station in Avignon, the fog caught up with the sun. Objects a hundred meters away were practically invisible. If I was driving maybe it would have bothered me but I was thankful it was warm and dry again (compared to the days earlier in the week).<br /><br />Well, getting to Chateauneuf du Pape is easy... if you have a car. But the lady at the tourist office suggested I go to <a href="http://www.palais-des-papes.com/anglais/bouteillerie.html">La Bouteillerie du Palais des Papes</a> which is a wine shop in the Papal Palace. Three tastings later, forty euro lighter and three bottles heavier, I headed back to Nimes with the hopes of doing some more tastings in the afternoon.<br /><br />I tasted two reds from the town of St. Gilles which has a cooperative wine shop in the town for all of the wineries. The price-quality ratio was the best I've seen anywhere; quite a few award winners and no bottles over €10. So I bought two bottles (good thing, one of them was corked).<br /><br />I was disappointed that I didn't get to visit any wineries but five bottles in one day is a pretty good haul (hauling them around in my backpack should be fun too).<br /><br />The next day I was greeted by quite a surprise when I tried to collect my ticket at the train station; my credit card wasn't in my wallet... or anywhere else on me. The girl at the ticket desk tells me she can't print the ticket without the card, so I think "Fuck it, I've paid for a ticket and I've got a reference number; I'll just get on anyway.". Well, the guy checking tickets didn't see it my way and gave me a fine which I was supposed to pay at the Paris train station. Again, fuck that. I already paid for a ticket. I'm not going to pay a fine because I lost my credit card (so, I'll write a letter to their offices explaining the situation). Looking on the bright side of things, at least it was a direct service and I wasn't kicked off at some random stop in the middle of France.<br /><br /><br />That brings us to last weekend. I'll post this weeks exploits in a few days.<br /><br />- KaszaKaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-8000772065563112182008-10-19T08:20:00.000-04:002008-10-19T08:22:09.282-04:00Week 29: UghIt's weeks like this that redefine homesickness.<p>13/10<br>So I planned on getting my new glasses in Genova on Monday but <br>apparently most places are closed on Mondays there. I had to go to <br>Fiumara, a mall quite a distance from the city centre to find an open <br>glasses shop but luckily I was able to order a pair and they were <br>ready for me on Wednesday. Obviously losing my glasses in the first <br>place bummed me out but then having to stay in Genova for more days <br>than I had planned and having to shell out a fair chunk of change for <br>a new pair of glasses didn't help.<p>After I had ordered them I decided to walk back a different way than I <br>had taken to get there. That's a really stupid idea when you're not <br>familiar with the city and your map doesn't cover the area you're in. <br>I finally came across a metro stop which had a map in it. So I after <br>I misread the map I decided to head up a street which was definitely <br>not the street I wanted but I followed it to the end anyway. At the <br>end there was a trail leading past gardens going up the hill. It's <br>common for there to be steps leading up the hills for walkers instead <br>of following the significantly less steep road. But these steps <br>quickly turned into a trail. The prospect of a small nature hike <br>lifted my spirits and I held onto the belief (and still do) that if I <br>continued up I'd eventually come to another road. However, when I <br>heard cautionary grunting up the hill I got a little scared. But it <br>wasn't on the path, so I continued some more steps. Then there was <br>some movement in the bushes and grunts up ahead of me. At that point <br>images of being impaled by boar's tusk on a trail in Genova filled my <br>head, so I turned tail and scrambled back down the path the way I <br>came. I eventually returned to the metro, gave in and bought a ticket <br>back.<p>14/10<br>Despite the fun the evening before losing my glasses, forgetting my <br>Nalgene bottle on the train, the cost of new glasses and getting no <br>reply from Brian at Can Masdeu (place I plan on visiting in <br>Barcelona), I was definitely feeling depressed. I wandered around the <br>city center some more and visited their very old light house which <br>allowed for some nice photos.<p>15/10<br>The best old buildings are the ones without tourists. I wasn't <br>picking up my glasses until later in the evening, so I went hiking in <br>the hills behind the hostel which have several abandoned castles.<p>I was at the highest peak at noon which was pretty cool because the <br>noon bells from the surrounding churches floated up together (there's <br>a lot of churches).<p>I'm might be gutsy, stupid or both but it seemed like a good idea to <br>walk into an area where there was a hunting party. I figured the <br>worst that would happen was that they'd tell me to go back but they <br>didn't seem to care and I passed other hikers in the area. Although I <br>could have been mistaken for a Sasquatch I felt confident that I <br>wouldn't be shot.<p>The next fun experience happened when I returned to the hostal. I was <br>approaching the doors from one direction and two cops were approaching <br>from the other. I guess because I look like a shifty terrorist they <br>stopped me and tried to question me. This is tough to do when I don't <br>speak Italian and they don't speak English. Eventually one of them <br>continued into the hostal and one waited with me. The whole time I <br>was cool because I knew I hadn't done anything but when he asked for <br>my "documento" I got a little uneasy. That's all I needed, some cop <br>stealing my passport. But I gave it to him and he returned it after <br>looking it over. A few minutes later the other cop returned with a <br>cook who I assume called them. She took one look at me and then <br>seemed to tell them I was not the one they wanted. I think she said <br>something about three people loitering about playing instruments. So, <br>I continued into the hostal, dropped off my camera and set out for <br>Fiumara to get my glasses.<p>Happily, they were ready when i arrived. They're definitely not as <br>good as my last pair but I was in a jam and to buy something. But I <br>can see!<p>It was back up to the hostal to grab my bags and then down to the port <br>to board the ferry for Barcelona.<p>I ran into Eric, an American I had met in Torino, so it was nice to <br>have somebody to talk with on the 18 hour trip.<p>16/10<br>Got to Barcelona at 14:30 and headed for my hostal. Eric was going to <br>stay with his cousin who was renting an apartment for a few weeks with <br>another friend.<p>I didn't figure I'd seem them again but ran into them a couple hours <br>later at the market when I was some dinner, so I hung around with them <br>for the evening. We went to a couple bars and got fairly pissed.<p>17/10<br>I wandered around Barcelona and saw some pretty parks and La Sagrada <br>Familia which is pretty impressive. Then I went to Juicy Jones, the <br>only vegan restaurant in Barcelona. It's very similar to Fresh in <br>Toronto and it was nice to have full vegan meal compared to my recent <br>diet of bread, apples, and celery.<p>The guys met me at the hostal and we joined the Flamenco and tapas <br>tour hosted by the hostal. The flamenco band was awesome; I could <br>have watched that all evening but it was only a half hour. The "tour" <br>continued and turned into a crawl and I got more and more pissed. We <br>were given a stamp to get us into a disco later that night but when I <br>wandered off on my own trying to get there I got lost.<p>The rest of my night was spent trying to orientate myself to get back <br>to the hostal while fending off prostitutes.<p>But the event of the night was when I was I robbed. I don't even <br>remember how it started but some guy was walking with me acting all <br>friendly. He was chatting to me about something and I was still <br>trying to walk back to the hostal but obviously he was sizing me up <br>because, all of a sudden, his hand is in my pocket going for my <br>wallet. He pushed me to the ground and I got some scrapes but I <br>lunged for him and he threw my wallet on the ground after getting the <br>money out of it. It could have been a lot worse. All I lost was the <br>cash; still have my cards.<p>I suppose it sobered me up a bit because I continued on without <br>anymore hassle and got to the hostal.<p>18/10<br>I'm really getting sick of hangovers and definitely need to curtail my <br>drinking habit.<p>But I headed over to Can Masdeu; Brian emailed me the day before, so <br>I'm psyched for that.<p>It's a bit intimidating because there are so many residents (25 <br>adults) and Spanish is the language of choice (which I don't speak).<p>On a completely different note, the best movie title I have ever seen <br>is Sexykiller, a movie in theatres here, and judging by that title, it <br>may be the best movie ever.<p>Still alive,<br>Kasza<p><br>Sent from my iPodKaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-64278799525325956762008-10-13T04:18:00.001-04:002008-10-13T04:18:55.321-04:00Week 28: Six Months Already?!?Ya, so I'm horrible at updating this blog consistently these days <br>(then again my friends' blogs are more stagnant than mine). It's <br>mostly because it doesn't feel like anything noteworthy or interesting <br>is happening. Anyway, I shall cover what has happened in the last two <br>weeks since I left Earthworm/England.<p>I attempted to travel directly to Geneva in one day but due to <br>multiple train delays I was stuck in Paris for the night. I figured <br>I'd go to the same hostel as last time but being as I got there <br>slightly late (9pm), they were full. I rented a locker for the night <br>and dumped my bag, planning on strolling the city until I had to <br>return to the train station at 6am. I only made it to about 2am until <br>I was too tired/bored and headed back to the hostel hoping to hang out <br>in the dining room for a few hours. They did me one better and let me <br>crash out on the bench in the lobby, so I got a few hours sleep.<p>I arrived in Geneva later that day with no more hassles and headed <br>over to Clos Voltaire which is a student house that accepts coach <br>surfers. I was lucky enough to hook up with them through a friend of <br>Cath's. Unfortunately, I missed a killer party that night as the lack <br>of sleep caught up with me. I knew it was through a combination of <br>hearing the Russians talking outside my door at 4am and seeing people <br>still milling about at 9am when I got up.<p>I decided to check out the UN while I was in town but two buildings <br>devoted to international burocracy is hardly intestring. In <br>retrospect I don't really know what I was expecting.<p> From Geneva I headed to Rabten Choeling which is Buddhist monastery/ <br>Tibetan learning centre situated on Mont Pelerin overlooking Lake <br>Geneva. It was absolutely beautiful there. Basically all I did for <br>that week was read books on Buddhism and hike around. A very chill <br>and enjoyable week. The leaves started turning while I was there and <br>it snowed in the mountains across the lake which just added to the <br>beauty.<p>I've just finished two days in Bern which is almost eerily clean and <br>pristine (all of the buildings look like they were just painted the <br>day before I arrived and there's not a speck of dirt on them. I guess <br>that cleanliness, not to mention technology (museum doors are sensored <br>to open as you approach) comes at a price; namely admission to all <br>galleries and museums was always over ten francs (too steep for me).<p>I'd say the highlight of Bern was going to see The Dark Knight <br>(despite the"reduced" admission of 12 francs); soooo good. I was <br>ready to run around and beat up Bern's criminals when I got out of the <br>theater but I couldn't find any, so I just went back to the hostel.<p>I crossed over into Italy mid-week and now after spending two days <br>each in Torino and Roma, I'm heading back north up to Genova. Torino <br>is a suprisingly large city (especially after being in Bern), so <br>there was a lot of walking. But I got to go to their museum of <br>cinema which was pretty wicked (regular museums get tedious pretty <br>quickly, so it was nice to be at one which was different). If you <br>ever end up in Torino/Italy, I highly recommend going there, at the <br>least just to see the exquisite building.<p>Halfway along the train ride down the coast from Torino to Rome I <br>peered past the sand and watched the sea for a bit. As I was doing so, <br>I noticed two objects bobbing in the water. I quickly realized these <br>objects were human heads and a couple hundred meters later I saw other <br>people in bathing suits, in and out of water, and I realized the <br>significance of this: it's hot enough to swim! Ah, southern Europe, <br>I'm happy to make your acquaintance.<p>I have had two beautiful days in Roma, enjoyed good company and went <br>out each night. In that lies the problem; I got unnecessarily trashed <br>on the Friday night and while dancing like an idiot at the bar, my <br>glasses flew off my face not once but twice. The second time we were <br>unable to find them, so I have to buy a new pair of glasses now. I <br>have pair of contacts (dailies) which I'll wear until I'm able to a <br>glasses store in Genova (most stores are closed on Sundays in Europe, <br>especially Roma).<p>It seems like the tourists outnumber the natives which gets a bit <br>taxing but the sights are quite beautiful, so I grinned and beared it <br>(now, if I lived there, I'd probably shoot somebody: me or them).<p>I'm wrote this on a train and emailing it from front of a cafe. I <br>don't think I'll have a chance to upload photos for a week or two, so <br>they'll have to wait.<p>Peace,<br>Kasza<p><p>Sent from my iPodKaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-78252635117296846932008-09-22T11:39:00.010-04:002008-09-23T04:35:07.308-04:00Week 25: The Best Not-Wedding EverFinally, something eventful to fill the blog with.<br /><br />I'm not able to call the event that happened this past weekend the "Best Wedding of the Century" because it has been billed as <a href="http://hidinginthebushes.org.uk/">a not-wedding the whole time</a>.<br /><br />The week leading up to the event was set aside as Earthworm's September Work Week and some work unrelated to the not-wedding was completed but for the most part we were busily preparing for the weekend. With an expected 300+ attendees (based on RSVP), there was loads to do: clearing more camping space, erecting compost loos and straw bale womyn's urinals, raising marquees; not to mention the logistics considerations of Friday's ceremony.<br /><br />I say Friday's ceremony specifically because it had some special considerations to Saturday's ceremony. On Friday morning, a huge portion of the not-wedding guests piled in vehicles and hopped onto bicycles heading over to Ludlow, a nearby town, 8-10 miles away depending on the chosen route. I decided to be part of the bike posse which meant a ten mile ride along single lane back roads up and down hills, surrounded by the rural landscape of the West Midlands (much recommended).<br /><br />After a short break at Ludlow's organic shop, Myriad, we turned on the stereo in the bike trailer and created a mini <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Mass">critical mass</a> as we made our way through the town to the local Shell station, which is where we were holding Friday's ceremony. Unfortunately, the stereo is on it's last legs, so the music was intermittent and when it was attempted to be utilized for Hymn 666 during the ceremony, it obstinately refused. That was fine though because the protest/not-wedding guests, with hymn sheets in hand, sung beautifully without assistance.<br /><br />A leaflet was handed out that explains the need for the action. It is available <a href="http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/09/409052.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Back to the ceremony: we all piled around the pumps (making sure not to trap any cars in) and made it impossible for any petrol business to transpire while we were there. One "gentleman" did try to undo our efforts, driving up dangerously close to people holding banners and muscled his way through to grab a hose. It was no matter though because he soon found out, despite his aggressive efforts, the pumps had been shut off and locked off when we first arrived.<br /><br />It was a very chill action; <a href="http://www.veggies.org.uk/">Veggies</a> set up a a catering table of samosas, pasties, tea and coffee, people held up banners and a few other people handed out leaflets to vehicles and townsfolk passing by.<br /><br />We all had settled into place and the ceremony proceeded with readings from friends and singalongs of two hymns: <a href="http://brendancalling.com/2007/12/19/dancing-on-the-ruins/">Dancing on the Ruins of Multinational Corporations</a> and <a href="http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/The-World-Turned-Upside-Down-lyrics-Billy-Bragg/3FDCA57DEAD8ECDD482570210029842E">The World Turned Upside Down</a>. The ceremony was concluded with a tearful d-lock joining through pump handles. Once that was completed, it was time for us all to disperse in opposite directions. Getting a block away, a group of us realized that heading directly back to Earthworm wasn't ideal; we had to go to a pub first. So we turned around and headed in the opposite direction. We went to the same pub that I had went to with Joe and Same on my birthday back in June which overlooks the River Teme. Just like the day back in June, Friday was also sunny; leisurely, we sipped our pints and chatted away. Others had the same idea as us because the not-bride and groom and some of their close family members had beat us there and after us four more from the bike posse arrived.<br /><br />Finishing our pints, it was agreed that we should take the scenic route back and stop by another pub in a closer village, a few miles from Earthworm. Alas, being a Friday afternoon, the pubs were closed during lunch and supper. The only option we were left with was to wander down to the local shop, buy a bottle of local cider and perry and enjoy them in the local millennium park. The rest in the park really did me in causing me to bike the final leg much slower than I had earlier and I required a nap when we got back.<br /><br />Somewhat rejuvenated, I returned to the liquid courage and mingled. My evening was split between sitting around the fire, watching the open mic show in the marquee and trips to the storeroom to stock my fists with beer. During a lucid moment later that night I remember trying to explain something to someone and the words flowed out in a drunken dyslexic jumble. I definitely paid the price the next morning. Even after sleeping in, a killer headache and a general blah feeling over didn't subside until sometime in the afternoon. <br /><br />But now we are onto Saturday, which means last minute preparations for the second ceremony. It went over beautifully with an explanation about why it was a not-wedding ("The celebration is about the bonds we have with each other and our network of families and friends; it is about our place in the world around us and we hope that what we are planning reflects our aspirations as well. This is an open invitation to everyone to take part."), more readings from friends and then ten promises brought forth by friends and family for Cath and Donal and for all the friends and family in attendance. Having agreed all but one of the promises (not to work past midnight), Cath and Donal passed through the arches of bolt croppers, spoon, spanner and outstretched arms (which is quite a feat when you consider that directly beside their faces are some of the hairiest, undeodorized anarchist armpits in the country). The couple then slipped away to have a private cry and cuddle before continuing on with the events.<br /><br />Next up, after we gorged ourselves on an amazing feast prepared by the Anarchist Teapot, was the speeches. Unfortunately, I missed the majority of the speeches, only catching the last couple which were quite moving and funny (I'm assured the other speeches were as well).<br /><br />Much credit has to be given to the children (and probably adults) because all through the day the tables in the cake tent had been filling up with tantalizing treats which were to e left untouched until after the speeches. I was a bit slow heading over, still full from the feast served a couple hours before, so I missed out on the "best" cakes but the chocolaty treats that I did try were amazing.<br /><br />Then, the entertainment for the evening began: two <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceilidh">ceilidh</a> bands and then DJing into the early hours of Sunday. Although I didn't participate in the ceilidh, which seemed to be quite a lot of fun for those who did, I feel I made up for it by dancing my ass off the rest of the night (my strained back muscles will attest to it) right up until people cut the power sometime after 4am. Somewhere around 2 or 3 I decided to indulge in a few magic mushrooms with the intent of enjoying the sunrise from the hot tub in sensory bliss. but I was getting very tired and after chatting with mates a bit, seeing dawn start to peak at 6:30, I decided to call it a night... morning?<br /><br />I'm not sure what everyone else did Sunday (I heard the drinking started quite early or maybe it just continued) but I slept most of it away. The majority of people left through the day but there were still some keeping the party alive (waking up to Sex Pistols at 4am was fun). And Monday was devoted to taking marquees down, returning rented tables/chairs, etc.<br /><br />It was an amazing weekend and much love needs to go out to Cath and Donal for initiating it, as well as to everyone who made it happen.<br /><br />Peace,<br />Kasza<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixY4415o0b1Cv-ktk5XO4-UWpRY5XmoFM_k9VSt852Z5QkvCzW9xGrv1dhJMq-esGSQVEmA3aGW253ABfDQfKXkNPyroK_3ML_5cRbgCIX1-sUB6s-_FM479BcQgk3jNN-OTY3ObfbtAFY/s1600-h/party_dress.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixY4415o0b1Cv-ktk5XO4-UWpRY5XmoFM_k9VSt852Z5QkvCzW9xGrv1dhJMq-esGSQVEmA3aGW253ABfDQfKXkNPyroK_3ML_5cRbgCIX1-sUB6s-_FM479BcQgk3jNN-OTY3ObfbtAFY/s200/party_dress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248977796712867234" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Photos<br /><br />Friday<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaPxJROaPvjZvwHVFZLc5Jf2C_lVNoc1bNI3VxnUDseTBVub4dGafbou9ajOrloVy_YwnMAbq0rn4gIZgT3Kx3LoNLoyHuF0MHzA-re82jBmaFX4TBSvTgehMd464E9QvYfz-V1HxoGng/s1600-h/IMG_3652.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaPxJROaPvjZvwHVFZLc5Jf2C_lVNoc1bNI3VxnUDseTBVub4dGafbou9ajOrloVy_YwnMAbq0rn4gIZgT3Kx3LoNLoyHuF0MHzA-re82jBmaFX4TBSvTgehMd464E9QvYfz-V1HxoGng/s200/IMG_3652.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248964524847652674" border="0" /></a><br />Banner<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWw4AD06BJBeSN3gX10ijLANs1qOvouuGTWeOGvDqF_GXXT83Q4TR9UT8Bsc4N65kuZwDHSab_p12XIu-G0JgWH9MiUEktG3zV2idOTN8vJbtV-nvx7FzrRqi45sUyAV2BhMZNSEYr5sOj/s1600-h/IMG_3705.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWw4AD06BJBeSN3gX10ijLANs1qOvouuGTWeOGvDqF_GXXT83Q4TR9UT8Bsc4N65kuZwDHSab_p12XIu-G0JgWH9MiUEktG3zV2idOTN8vJbtV-nvx7FzrRqi45sUyAV2BhMZNSEYr5sOj/s200/IMG_3705.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248964529737524818" border="0" /></a><br />More banner<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJp4IrcjxtVjEoozrphMmZIaqtXOdkNCPQBV_LU75dylgcSW14zzakoLoYOXXnHZY4mbc1pFPnhh5HRv3n0-Wnn35jPx6kWImQ08HbfHWnUCrN1QIF4KK_IDXaancLe3oZsdcAMhhK4-9/s1600-h/IMG_3656.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJp4IrcjxtVjEoozrphMmZIaqtXOdkNCPQBV_LU75dylgcSW14zzakoLoYOXXnHZY4mbc1pFPnhh5HRv3n0-Wnn35jPx6kWImQ08HbfHWnUCrN1QIF4KK_IDXaancLe3oZsdcAMhhK4-9/s200/IMG_3656.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248964537110932146" border="0" /></a><br />Rocky, very much at ease at the pulpit, educating the onlookers to Shell's transgressions in <a href="http://www.indymedia.ie/index.php">Rossport</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjPK-eb3dCwFv34ajC12jZH0-CvovPZpQ0niJUNI0V0J7CM4CF-plS6xxcGU7t0QsYr9sxhZjsjfiPsKpFsl2WkTAWmG_fgIu_oWVNQUvWuTglPUumqebXSDHFZEh9eh0s55PrQ9Tey6R/s1600-h/IMG_3667.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjPK-eb3dCwFv34ajC12jZH0-CvovPZpQ0niJUNI0V0J7CM4CF-plS6xxcGU7t0QsYr9sxhZjsjfiPsKpFsl2WkTAWmG_fgIu_oWVNQUvWuTglPUumqebXSDHFZEh9eh0s55PrQ9Tey6R/s200/IMG_3667.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248964542364581890" border="0" /></a><br />Friends and family sing along to hymn 666<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbM1U4f7xuHjyRmTUwCyOO-uWjK4r9mVaWs-hgdu9lvG0DAZAbvtBG-W7cizbif5mmEf1Gk5GsbLbPhgmmclTDI_aP3S2GrNF8P5JM5mOix-5OpJqJJ50xsinzZWDb1zwzglNs5TSeG8sh/s1600-h/IMG_3691.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbM1U4f7xuHjyRmTUwCyOO-uWjK4r9mVaWs-hgdu9lvG0DAZAbvtBG-W7cizbif5mmEf1Gk5GsbLbPhgmmclTDI_aP3S2GrNF8P5JM5mOix-5OpJqJJ50xsinzZWDb1zwzglNs5TSeG8sh/s200/IMG_3691.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248964546452886450" border="0" /></a><br />The ceremonious d-locking of pumps<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80R04O9EitwDrYGuvnDKZQO6Xx7dsiKMwV4LCHkeS1yncP-WbHnaDpQtPtPftFcOMg9NJzc50Ufn9gefw99zh3-GrnI0XEsfwRfujBT06Zo6yBMoISt_qLIFTVrpIUQuL7EKWdH4k-fJP/s1600-h/IMG_3696.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80R04O9EitwDrYGuvnDKZQO6Xx7dsiKMwV4LCHkeS1yncP-WbHnaDpQtPtPftFcOMg9NJzc50Ufn9gefw99zh3-GrnI0XEsfwRfujBT06Zo6yBMoISt_qLIFTVrpIUQuL7EKWdH4k-fJP/s200/IMG_3696.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248968919344951874" border="0" /></a><br />You may now kiss the not-bride<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wcbuaDSXrH_j9ljnBUeLHJZzihd_2kxvGnLKIXu4b6Of_SLM8-iETsFDRR2xUzTPvxJjNh8LKAUNUgCP_9zD6mksm-dNzTyw56xyUsDIggf_YvkC4y8Pjum4fIMTP1tUYKScq-zY9oMP/s1600-h/IMG_3703.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wcbuaDSXrH_j9ljnBUeLHJZzihd_2kxvGnLKIXu4b6Of_SLM8-iETsFDRR2xUzTPvxJjNh8LKAUNUgCP_9zD6mksm-dNzTyw56xyUsDIggf_YvkC4y8Pjum4fIMTP1tUYKScq-zY9oMP/s200/IMG_3703.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248968940731561794" border="0" /></a><br />Local constabulary<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcg_y0cO8DIGAt8QKw1yci-fGpqmqpGoZOBHgH1_KN6-nBBqzJ3wjjZpkcxe6TtwkMMxlLmR4yRVG1sAgfrAXOYw5erN-6ZAcfhxdSWrP-1nAdyFzw9jUP2IF_I7J7ZBpyeAcO0fA0gDtq/s1600-h/IMG_3698.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcg_y0cO8DIGAt8QKw1yci-fGpqmqpGoZOBHgH1_KN6-nBBqzJ3wjjZpkcxe6TtwkMMxlLmR4yRVG1sAgfrAXOYw5erN-6ZAcfhxdSWrP-1nAdyFzw9jUP2IF_I7J7ZBpyeAcO0fA0gDtq/s200/IMG_3698.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248968930329176834" border="0" /></a><br />More local constabulary<br /><br /><br />Saturday<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziY6-ShrUzBQ1NHjpsONqQ7FaNieQrHm0c2pjCiVNmHSHUspSPJUdNa9HABAqbf-o81tOCw7pOBtYmy7E4zJaxZvtOIWseHmSyojjrLfRWKF80m9BEyf2jmqHta2Cv5db851y4CQzHTJz/s1600-h/IMG_3712.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziY6-ShrUzBQ1NHjpsONqQ7FaNieQrHm0c2pjCiVNmHSHUspSPJUdNa9HABAqbf-o81tOCw7pOBtYmy7E4zJaxZvtOIWseHmSyojjrLfRWKF80m9BEyf2jmqHta2Cv5db851y4CQzHTJz/s200/IMG_3712.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248968941482159442" border="0" /></a><br />Cakes<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20jlwXZhnQbMp-ZCkodIfTc87nzeGwmo3_ul4uCvfwtyaevoD1ezHilxZfyW17zAXE51nVZwfUjDALwChpchw4ltep7NMWnO0PHheO1bmoFbZUIbF7U4SJN5CCXzFA9_c9ugJ_RhYPWCq/s1600-h/IMG_3890.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20jlwXZhnQbMp-ZCkodIfTc87nzeGwmo3_ul4uCvfwtyaevoD1ezHilxZfyW17zAXE51nVZwfUjDALwChpchw4ltep7NMWnO0PHheO1bmoFbZUIbF7U4SJN5CCXzFA9_c9ugJ_RhYPWCq/s200/IMG_3890.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248972775362559778" border="0" /></a><br />More cakes<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviUwdC2GO-EGDVuUMh1dFS38D1yxjoMNSoT0mIOtucitziixFvEwlzmQpLT3wWjjD09qdxUxWI-1B1SRhyhleku9_ckFiVmfG_pXM-OguWuTbGL60lQK66Gf5zaYtUUitAJKu5AdJqxSP/s1600-h/IMG_3759.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviUwdC2GO-EGDVuUMh1dFS38D1yxjoMNSoT0mIOtucitziixFvEwlzmQpLT3wWjjD09qdxUxWI-1B1SRhyhleku9_ckFiVmfG_pXM-OguWuTbGL60lQK66Gf5zaYtUUitAJKu5AdJqxSP/s200/IMG_3759.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248968952227739282" border="0" /></a><br />You don't want to mess with this doorman<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5kPtJV_HWk9LHLs0pe7476UMxT94b3wg3I2S_jRlFAj2Vf0mrWbcguUh7gzQeqFgEdaPqUyECSt2KjYA-RjWtk-zZsILD6yHWpyVUhMZ7VIkOpe9gpG8tjZbWASl_G7vxOAXm0mnzvjP/s1600-h/IMG_3888.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5kPtJV_HWk9LHLs0pe7476UMxT94b3wg3I2S_jRlFAj2Vf0mrWbcguUh7gzQeqFgEdaPqUyECSt2KjYA-RjWtk-zZsILD6yHWpyVUhMZ7VIkOpe9gpG8tjZbWASl_G7vxOAXm0mnzvjP/s200/IMG_3888.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248972780332350354" border="0" /></a><br />Or this one<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELbv7RGU05L8PIEOJv6a4_FYzRMkKnO8wcAGr-299L-CJKmnqQ7HPS1YWbj-IrmCS-QB28hyphenhyphenh5pHHlxCYVzRtOiCkGiZHo9yirumuN7RSpcMduHnG7s8rRJB2BlusYTE2ippUgYZK0JUB/s1600-h/wedding_guests.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELbv7RGU05L8PIEOJv6a4_FYzRMkKnO8wcAGr-299L-CJKmnqQ7HPS1YWbj-IrmCS-QB28hyphenhyphenh5pHHlxCYVzRtOiCkGiZHo9yirumuN7RSpcMduHnG7s8rRJB2BlusYTE2ippUgYZK0JUB/s200/wedding_guests.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248981955703614674" border="0" /></a><br />We gather<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEXWbvtVlIIewL1Vz2GQtArDX5Syv9qEcWK9fgc36nZGbO0AWPpQqrFNBwgT1KFnh2Itkngx1BmAjeQ9KVa7L3DoC284x18nfa8CvjmekHeJ3t1MKfQIJivf4lJOcqObM2WzGy0Y2X-iO/s1600-h/IMG_3780.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEXWbvtVlIIewL1Vz2GQtArDX5Syv9qEcWK9fgc36nZGbO0AWPpQqrFNBwgT1KFnh2Itkngx1BmAjeQ9KVa7L3DoC284x18nfa8CvjmekHeJ3t1MKfQIJivf4lJOcqObM2WzGy0Y2X-iO/s200/IMG_3780.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248972785290820194" border="0" /></a><br />And the ceremony begins<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW06bINgmjJnOOyy7JHBDJUqr1qap8Q-U_hB98OnZwYw7YZZB8d4V_TqBPKJUfkB7CLr1U2V90O1q8Y6eh4-nUreNDnySxt2D5hyphenhyphenxYiPiqn1Ct23mYQjog0ICW_LMefgecUyshSNvUDyD2/s1600-h/IMG_3804.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW06bINgmjJnOOyy7JHBDJUqr1qap8Q-U_hB98OnZwYw7YZZB8d4V_TqBPKJUfkB7CLr1U2V90O1q8Y6eh4-nUreNDnySxt2D5hyphenhyphenxYiPiqn1Ct23mYQjog0ICW_LMefgecUyshSNvUDyD2/s200/IMG_3804.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248972789457027042" border="0" /></a><br />Mothers welcome children to respective families<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16Mrr4rXT5hj1jQYz89bsXnLmXO_2eLyK3NyGinJEmnpCaV0Ce2Ksj6hnG48sUWr6RpcHkw5oDQTDqOtQ6WRIZByGKJ8Waag6MiCF1F_dPyTWBJdOXZ4ss6f3l73cJsWClKCQyIAX1Y87/s1600-h/IMG_3818.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16Mrr4rXT5hj1jQYz89bsXnLmXO_2eLyK3NyGinJEmnpCaV0Ce2Ksj6hnG48sUWr6RpcHkw5oDQTDqOtQ6WRIZByGKJ8Waag6MiCF1F_dPyTWBJdOXZ4ss6f3l73cJsWClKCQyIAX1Y87/s200/IMG_3818.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248972796776902466" border="0" /></a><br />The promises begin; a rope will be wrapped around their clasped hands for each promise agreed<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQwkCqVQiNHEJd2nMjYZUSyymcw2cK8cNKCeR206jqdN3Add7sptsh7ytlQbfjBU7cSlErHqrBrQlUnZpHyCVrK3tyIt60LbJR8wpD7Fv86ZLKnZ0PUq8_RZXCWvcTnow1V2dMV_dkRfm/s1600-h/IMG_3833.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQwkCqVQiNHEJd2nMjYZUSyymcw2cK8cNKCeR206jqdN3Add7sptsh7ytlQbfjBU7cSlErHqrBrQlUnZpHyCVrK3tyIt60LbJR8wpD7Fv86ZLKnZ0PUq8_RZXCWvcTnow1V2dMV_dkRfm/s200/IMG_3833.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248975397964618482" border="0" /></a><br />The rope is wound some more as they agree to another promise<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEMXoo_N-8YqaM12UTao1CCywQ8wRm-aCdRxqaiapzCYSsgLc6H3qfgaeOI-H9lIgJ1M654UVeoCOAJLUGCCIQYp6kpP1uhfZyaXNjDrFpfp7TfN9dGB1OusAC33B06V8JTi_AekgW_81/s1600-h/IMG_3860.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEMXoo_N-8YqaM12UTao1CCywQ8wRm-aCdRxqaiapzCYSsgLc6H3qfgaeOI-H9lIgJ1M654UVeoCOAJLUGCCIQYp6kpP1uhfZyaXNjDrFpfp7TfN9dGB1OusAC33B06V8JTi_AekgW_81/s200/IMG_3860.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248975403582883186" border="0" /></a><br />Promises complete, hands bound, you may kiss the not-bride... again<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKciPR7KaBSUrZtko50C-_zRxZaYfYIYIwWHKXBoBx4S6DPgfgixHJ8o0fDaCGdNCafWM8pWcO0XhM_70Uw1EU6SDcOcDjSVsOSgIeKGbSMwl3JEKXRujEFgKmspNnIBZq3IqwiWuorCa0/s1600-h/IMG_3864.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKciPR7KaBSUrZtko50C-_zRxZaYfYIYIwWHKXBoBx4S6DPgfgixHJ8o0fDaCGdNCafWM8pWcO0XhM_70Uw1EU6SDcOcDjSVsOSgIeKGbSMwl3JEKXRujEFgKmspNnIBZq3IqwiWuorCa0/s200/IMG_3864.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248975408015624994" border="0" /></a><br />And we all cheer<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JDrS3k5EtEHqmFMsz5frHWH-NKDY_wTk08_Kc6xaKbSCpdRW8a5qfGCwyFX5R3bEKoXeN9BQh8hG-TDbknsJz1n5Yjyb-hjCPbd9-SjKUKn_l-9-S-zHmLoQWi-e-go90JHu4zwg0ZkP/s1600-h/IMG_3883.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JDrS3k5EtEHqmFMsz5frHWH-NKDY_wTk08_Kc6xaKbSCpdRW8a5qfGCwyFX5R3bEKoXeN9BQh8hG-TDbknsJz1n5Yjyb-hjCPbd9-SjKUKn_l-9-S-zHmLoQWi-e-go90JHu4zwg0ZkP/s200/IMG_3883.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248975413403446466" border="0" /></a><br />Passing through the arches onto a bright future<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQ4sZvNbZW5BtCOR2uV3_tYPq52ztSNdD89FGRdxoampZJKQXC-sW0ce3qOf_Ygg2J_86AMLOPeEZpYw_Y0pimbVfMw_taUZMah-meAJthA3Jt6eH7LLZ6YHq4L7Sca95JGT4H683y_zL/s1600-h/IMG_3900.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQ4sZvNbZW5BtCOR2uV3_tYPq52ztSNdD89FGRdxoampZJKQXC-sW0ce3qOf_Ygg2J_86AMLOPeEZpYw_Y0pimbVfMw_taUZMah-meAJthA3Jt6eH7LLZ6YHq4L7Sca95JGT4H683y_zL/s200/IMG_3900.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248977780350230642" border="0" /></a><br />The first dance<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5c_FrBKUjyGOPoVQAbIofGuqcVH2ZtNN60qlRkJ3q7bNPs0ZIwq81Q-ctE9ed6cD2G11OCciaIt2in9wSesE5U6WV8vyr_GKpZjrU9zYLKEvbEvsFaFQvXLNRTXAYZeVqV485VhNhN9uW/s1600-h/IMG_3906.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5c_FrBKUjyGOPoVQAbIofGuqcVH2ZtNN60qlRkJ3q7bNPs0ZIwq81Q-ctE9ed6cD2G11OCciaIt2in9wSesE5U6WV8vyr_GKpZjrU9zYLKEvbEvsFaFQvXLNRTXAYZeVqV485VhNhN9uW/s200/IMG_3906.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248977788944933394" border="0" /></a><br />Alcohol makes Ollie recede back to a childKaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-19076311628574504802008-09-07T07:31:00.007-04:002008-09-07T09:02:04.957-04:00Week 23: Who Doesn't Love British Weather?Oops, I guess this post is a bit late. I must have been having too much fun being rained on constantly. Honestly, I'm pretty sure that this much rain is not necessary. Can somebody please turn off the tap or whatever.<br /><br />OB, Steve and I had to return a lorry to Hereford, yesterday, that Dave and Sarah had rented for their move to Earthworm. Because it was a 7 tonne truck, we figured that we could ignore the "Road Closed" signs. We were right but it was still funny to be driving on a road that looks like a river. I guess the upside to it is that there's no traffic.<br /><br />The EF Gathering was a lot of fun. Thankfully there was no overt police presence (can't rule out if they were just hiding in the bushes) and I was able to attend a lot of really cool workshops. I didn't take many photos that week because there was a no camera policy at the event (for security reasons). The most interesting/scary thing that I learned while I was there was how insecure cell phones are.<br /><br />Apparently, recently a gangster in the States was sent to prison based on things that was picked up and recorded via his cell phone. The fucked up part is that he had removed the battery and SIM card. So, a phone that should be off and have no power source was remotely activated and used to listen in on this guy. Fair enough, that's really unlikely to happen to any of us law abiding citizens but it's still creepy to know that it's possible and how easy it is for our governments to track our calls.<br /><br />- Kasza<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-sVEKoSsl9u9g2joxdsrkncjyX8T2F3YGnHjpITxbVC0tvu_3i-D2nO-U4DC5Bfkz6WXmHx3GRHA64I2BdDJ2EKiHtuL3-ekHjyZGp8yrSLpaFnVtvX6rSN-WZ3Edg-cpPP9jYiy9P5j/s1600-h/IMG_3085.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-sVEKoSsl9u9g2joxdsrkncjyX8T2F3YGnHjpITxbVC0tvu_3i-D2nO-U4DC5Bfkz6WXmHx3GRHA64I2BdDJ2EKiHtuL3-ekHjyZGp8yrSLpaFnVtvX6rSN-WZ3Edg-cpPP9jYiy9P5j/s200/IMG_3085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243259901123286258" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Photos<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NTetv8H8aMU6Trd4D-vRzqKm7w0I1ejVSSPRRKSkeQcflksSq7foM00BjD7ruHaAxm2LbSUoWP4Hyhi4-aK6UvOQ4JSmwGnGJj2JD19s7tzHsgBtPzHPbJfh3lHVjbfYzKY5bEZyoBKY/s1600-h/riverroad.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NTetv8H8aMU6Trd4D-vRzqKm7w0I1ejVSSPRRKSkeQcflksSq7foM00BjD7ruHaAxm2LbSUoWP4Hyhi4-aK6UvOQ4JSmwGnGJj2JD19s7tzHsgBtPzHPbJfh3lHVjbfYzKY5bEZyoBKY/s200/riverroad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243261271651219954" border="0" /></a><br />We call that river the road<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNatwULC7PTwF7sYmJuivbLt-IuUJQqNwI7QioEVTTpNq-kTkeUwoZIaPR93t4LZJ204zH0TrOps9EHxmczYwHrBitq7LU0r2mk78eFHOa3UHtsezxOn6ZEIbp17-o4PkeifVVaMY_R7ro/s1600-h/IMG_3092.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNatwULC7PTwF7sYmJuivbLt-IuUJQqNwI7QioEVTTpNq-kTkeUwoZIaPR93t4LZJ204zH0TrOps9EHxmczYwHrBitq7LU0r2mk78eFHOa3UHtsezxOn6ZEIbp17-o4PkeifVVaMY_R7ro/s200/IMG_3092.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243261924862674258" border="0" /></a><br />Trucks kick out awesome wakes<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPOaTeZUbQX1xKhy4wVv0C6N7nCOgMTKx_fz0EQAagd6EHHcWkVBIT0i956VDq7NAN9xWZsQQ8z7903eneR7r93XK_FXDQIhs_hNoi5xXYWzTNNZk394gOppnIJPx1QBIn6Hp8CZiH_Bh/s1600-h/IMG_3107.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPOaTeZUbQX1xKhy4wVv0C6N7nCOgMTKx_fz0EQAagd6EHHcWkVBIT0i956VDq7NAN9xWZsQQ8z7903eneR7r93XK_FXDQIhs_hNoi5xXYWzTNNZk394gOppnIJPx1QBIn6Hp8CZiH_Bh/s200/IMG_3107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243259905078185826" border="0" /></a><br />I guess the Land Rover can be considered an amphibious vehicle<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxx410jmsr6aRRoGY9-sXVLuf-A_chiACN9-jB9sHBKXCxxRLNA4ZmDv4UWTIQdOz42EV0DSOtadO6QTq2u9d97mfKOkffkHK3OQPpktDypGHPlXgALwzdUnq2geVNbT4glc17sIeRBmIn/s1600-h/mariascunt.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxx410jmsr6aRRoGY9-sXVLuf-A_chiACN9-jB9sHBKXCxxRLNA4ZmDv4UWTIQdOz42EV0DSOtadO6QTq2u9d97mfKOkffkHK3OQPpktDypGHPlXgALwzdUnq2geVNbT4glc17sIeRBmIn/s200/mariascunt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243259896152632322" border="0" /></a><br />A post modern art piece created with the assistance of magic mushrooms and lack of sleep<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IcYUYMrnqkvFflGaS_pSBpEWSoBo5x0LFxl1nKbEVcO7clj1chz7B_heSF64GTJaXTuFxvaTc1Tw2DC7huRhyNNaH96dzwIYKvi3ahIgvB0whjbcmYgoz0ztxG1enO-QpgpsRjpr8v-q/s1600-h/IMG_3075.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IcYUYMrnqkvFflGaS_pSBpEWSoBo5x0LFxl1nKbEVcO7clj1chz7B_heSF64GTJaXTuFxvaTc1Tw2DC7huRhyNNaH96dzwIYKvi3ahIgvB0whjbcmYgoz0ztxG1enO-QpgpsRjpr8v-q/s200/IMG_3075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243259894472343986" border="0" /></a><br />This is what it looks like when you don't have an overt police presence<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjQoy-O0onX6x3nAIJ8hHt7fgOc7iTfE1iwp7aRBTD3LRPCNRbWrcUMT61FmFAacjrEu7CQgQJksSYZ4kudHdxW3L41fytfF0oiyC2oX46SoYTO8umdelz1agVo-38OQXa02A4Okhhovk/s1600-h/IMG_3214.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjQoy-O0onX6x3nAIJ8hHt7fgOc7iTfE1iwp7aRBTD3LRPCNRbWrcUMT61FmFAacjrEu7CQgQJksSYZ4kudHdxW3L41fytfF0oiyC2oX46SoYTO8umdelz1agVo-38OQXa02A4Okhhovk/s200/IMG_3214.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243261274542263218" border="0" /></a><br />And this is what it likes when you do<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsg9oofhEUVG8w4z0MnGb1tF1_89IlRPOBLOcbDZh0TQ-OuAzpWADlHVVkdTzpBQuIS2jnHTPjRU1EUtLIk-nLWw2KjYpOD4FIj-f2otqhLeLtdHr7GJAbTxRnBk94wDfE2W-Bvn32aeI/s1600-h/IMG_3175.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsg9oofhEUVG8w4z0MnGb1tF1_89IlRPOBLOcbDZh0TQ-OuAzpWADlHVVkdTzpBQuIS2jnHTPjRU1EUtLIk-nLWw2KjYpOD4FIj-f2otqhLeLtdHr7GJAbTxRnBk94wDfE2W-Bvn32aeI/s200/IMG_3175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243261284786813858" border="0" /></a><br />Peacefully trying to walk down a road meeting an obstacle<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksSMewurAmaiGp1xak3Oh-ibHonToFq0Nlq8f3d1rVdGQV8_oCjS6bU_QIRok8Tb5ZSE1ARM0wp_edkjLZBl4fNTJoGRWSxRl-nVeaWpzSJZxWFRIypkuL-Gh3dqsa-kmSQgCFjjgKuSN/s1600-h/mike.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksSMewurAmaiGp1xak3Oh-ibHonToFq0Nlq8f3d1rVdGQV8_oCjS6bU_QIRok8Tb5ZSE1ARM0wp_edkjLZBl4fNTJoGRWSxRl-nVeaWpzSJZxWFRIypkuL-Gh3dqsa-kmSQgCFjjgKuSN/s200/mike.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243259889995977618" border="0" /></a><br />My new buddy "Mike"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6CGoMJrj2AiejeaWdeWJAwIpZz3cY44O-EIi5srC9-N4yR41pPw2LbW1Uyyitu2otWeCerpQjOBWcWSFPOLNtIG-piLjkTFKfwTw6ElmSMr0n8ASPv-ThqJvujgWxkmxWkm8O4CH07kQ/s1600-h/IMG_3206.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6CGoMJrj2AiejeaWdeWJAwIpZz3cY44O-EIi5srC9-N4yR41pPw2LbW1Uyyitu2otWeCerpQjOBWcWSFPOLNtIG-piLjkTFKfwTw6ElmSMr0n8ASPv-ThqJvujgWxkmxWkm8O4CH07kQ/s200/IMG_3206.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243261279115801282" border="0" /></a><br />Speaks for itselfKaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-28637310655548060002008-08-17T10:50:00.005-04:002008-08-17T13:46:43.744-04:00Week 20: Climate Camp<a href="http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/home">Climate Camp</a> was quite an experience. The camp was completely self-sustainable and independent. All amenities, plumbing, electrics, shelter, etc. were available and all of the campers helped out in some way or another to make the camp function.<br /><br />Although Google says it should take 5 hours to get from Earthworm to Climate Camp, the <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=sy7+0lh,+uk&daddr=A438%2FWhitecross+Rd+%4052.060060,+-2.735330+to:oxford+to:A41%2FFriarage+Rd+%4051.815480,+-0.816130+to:M25+%4051.691460,+-0.109480+to:Christmas+Ln+%4051.445175,+0.575604+to:51.438066,0.549831&hl=en&geocode=6000878833627840191,52.060060,-2.735330%3B13452127914244348362,51.815480,-0.816130%3B11731392598124574116,51.691460,-0.109480%3B14269776988562360935,51.445175,0.575604%3B370425666888172262,51.438070,0.550990&mra=dme&mrcr=1&mrsp=6&sz=13&via=1,3,4,5&sll=51.430468,0.548973&sspn=0.048482,0.11055&ie=UTF8&ll=51.869708,-1.268921&spn=3.072936,7.075195&t=k&z=7">journey</a> took us about 24 hours. We left on Thursday about midday and we arrived at the camp on Friday about midday because the clutch cable on our minibus snapped. Now I can add "fix LDV minibus clutch cable" to the skills section of my resume. The breakdown happened in Oxford, so we settled there for the night and resumed the journey Friday morning.<br /><br />Because we arrived on Friday before the official opening day which was Sunday, we were available to help with a lot of the setup which was challenging because on Thursday, the police had raided the site and confiscated plumbing, wood, and other materials we needed for basic necessities.<br /><br />It was on these days that I first got involved with the security of the site. People were needed to watch the gates of the site to make sure that the police didn't come on mass like they had on Thursday. I figured that was an easy enough job to do and since I don't mind early mornings I volunteered for a 4-8am shift on Saturday. Amy-Jane got me involved with the security working group later that day and from then on, my mind was focused on security, trying to predict and prepare for police raids.<br /><br />The most significant raid occurred Monday morning and again I was doing a 4-8 shift. I was lucky enough to be fully awake for the 5am raid where most everybody else was awaken to screams of "police on site!" Sadly, several of my friends were injured by police that day. Two of them had to visit the hospital. Amy-Jane had a great bruise on her jawline where she was punched by a cop. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of it.<br /><br />Because of my involvement with security and infrequent sleeping, I was only able to attend one workshop, How to Organise Shit Hot Direct Action which was hosted by <a href="http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/whatisef">Earth First</a>. Even though it was only an hour long, it was really informative and I'm looking forward now for the <a href="http://earthfirstgathering.org.uk/">Earth First Gathering</a> in two weeks where there will be similar, more indepth workshops.<br /><br />Because I feared the hassle I might receive if I was arrested being a foreigner, I stayed onsite on Saturday when most of the camp headed over to Kingsnorth Power Station to shut it down. There's loads of coverage on the Internet of the day of action and nothing I can add to it, so I recommend checking out <a href="http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/08/406830.html">Indymedia</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=ADE3BF70E8053FA2">Youtube</a>, or <a href="http://www.visionontv.net/">VisiononTV</a>. I thought that this <a href="http://www.kenttv.com/programmes.php?PID=1635&Title=Climate+Camp+08&gclid=CPmpt8qvlZUCFRpUEAod0T9Xfg">local newsclip</a> was pretty good.<br /><br />I started writing this blog with the intent of ranting about police oppression, harrassment, and brutality but realized how boring it was going to be, so I'll just say this: Fuck the Police!<br /><br />- Kasza<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57Nlhz2as4As5muxy57PUjoKOgzAp62yBiluTmrWQMTpXkd0JgNl_rQSBq_NDr3V597peAWDuPIsfhEieBHWeL_j40sLM35YD1TKABW6Lh0jYiiBqy8CIJ8KETnIdHr5HwYmSe2s1riPQ/s1600-h/IMG_2953.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57Nlhz2as4As5muxy57PUjoKOgzAp62yBiluTmrWQMTpXkd0JgNl_rQSBq_NDr3V597peAWDuPIsfhEieBHWeL_j40sLM35YD1TKABW6Lh0jYiiBqy8CIJ8KETnIdHr5HwYmSe2s1riPQ/s200/IMG_2953.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235542042751699618" border="0" /></a><br />Everything out of the van, all bags must be searched<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwtgZdb8DEzlaYodH1vyzNrv9_xHANAM259yqQJcmiGAK5ZVOMD5Z46cWPLModVAR470fMuczsIwKu3b2iUcqIU_Tf2loEdUIC_T-COMz3dfKTMRIIY5f2ad4k6aGUFpuIHFeuRDRD3uu/s1600-h/IMG_2971.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwtgZdb8DEzlaYodH1vyzNrv9_xHANAM259yqQJcmiGAK5ZVOMD5Z46cWPLModVAR470fMuczsIwKu3b2iUcqIU_Tf2loEdUIC_T-COMz3dfKTMRIIY5f2ad4k6aGUFpuIHFeuRDRD3uu/s200/IMG_2971.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235542037920678146" border="0" /></a><br />This guy found a script in the minibus that he found quite interesting<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIK5pO04eaO4F2gDN-E_BOH4KH4d8Of12e_YBTD00OGCJ-UkNHmKFwZuVtb9tzpJ3Ou_yefyHWPdiX9fEfBnzBvMXPHqV65o4C4lNj1w6-QxqpZsA9hn2ga5BQv6EO56nLHTXunxSG-YJ/s1600-h/IMG_2941.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIK5pO04eaO4F2gDN-E_BOH4KH4d8Of12e_YBTD00OGCJ-UkNHmKFwZuVtb9tzpJ3Ou_yefyHWPdiX9fEfBnzBvMXPHqV65o4C4lNj1w6-QxqpZsA9hn2ga5BQv6EO56nLHTXunxSG-YJ/s200/IMG_2941.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235541196308429554" border="0" /></a><br />Dig deeper, non-violent activists always hide their bombs at the bottom of their pockets<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWZVHKCzu8Fi4HUkvEY8pgoPWmoq-KZyAAqcebOfBWQDR-JXP8BZsuQEIaE85A_2i3UGq99WPyT3_ewVXqrOayM471E8DOzB4G8IWetOFS1kKkegLEKJ8hJYujKoEjfcXpj0d8jvOclbJ/s1600-h/IMG_3027.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWZVHKCzu8Fi4HUkvEY8pgoPWmoq-KZyAAqcebOfBWQDR-JXP8BZsuQEIaE85A_2i3UGq99WPyT3_ewVXqrOayM471E8DOzB4G8IWetOFS1kKkegLEKJ8hJYujKoEjfcXpj0d8jvOclbJ/s200/IMG_3027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235541183568982178" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.seizetheday.org/">Seize the Day</a> playing on Thursday night<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NLDKLONpsfLvD6w09MYBBjTzhvopUS_lgT6H9bxReUDlEKlqKrVTX2Smt7ZNp5Vm85Z0jQtHEpZZ7Y82mLvLPtrmqSLb0cizSlMtkqXooTLPlwqfFCQaN_fpC0l-uRLCdFKe-vVeFwhL/s1600-h/IMG_3036.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NLDKLONpsfLvD6w09MYBBjTzhvopUS_lgT6H9bxReUDlEKlqKrVTX2Smt7ZNp5Vm85Z0jQtHEpZZ7Y82mLvLPtrmqSLb0cizSlMtkqXooTLPlwqfFCQaN_fpC0l-uRLCdFKe-vVeFwhL/s200/IMG_3036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235541186158576130" border="0" /></a><br />Camera shy pigs<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA97HvNWW984k4F5E5N8uQ-vXqavmp4ywCxBEEjEHLXx4779vkhomyarYbW6jlvOEt_3NolrAQEZ5SIuLDy3s4CGqm4MgvTkymj7aIz776Uqkf7EI5wWtfgNssQx8T7kwtv-SEE5mliALl/s1600-h/IMG_2973.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA97HvNWW984k4F5E5N8uQ-vXqavmp4ywCxBEEjEHLXx4779vkhomyarYbW6jlvOEt_3NolrAQEZ5SIuLDy3s4CGqm4MgvTkymj7aIz776Uqkf7EI5wWtfgNssQx8T7kwtv-SEE5mliALl/s200/IMG_2973.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235541193328544466" border="0" /></a><br />Heli-pig; seemed to only stop flying over us to refuel for a couple minutes<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYmPjyZ5ZtvDMIDG8D1AX9zkeuL7Zaw20iiltefDkYJVP_EMoasrsQOD85eYBrprmJUkB7vqVFTtste4YGtr2lMPzBEK86nBVH6reFjchKXSI75lduVZZHu-yx7uTDjWKH0QWrOB-BBo7/s1600-h/IMG_2994.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYmPjyZ5ZtvDMIDG8D1AX9zkeuL7Zaw20iiltefDkYJVP_EMoasrsQOD85eYBrprmJUkB7vqVFTtste4YGtr2lMPzBEK86nBVH6reFjchKXSI75lduVZZHu-yx7uTDjWKH0QWrOB-BBo7/s200/IMG_2994.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235541196073440786" border="0" /></a><br />Always smile because there's always somebody taking your pictureKaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-24187619698417349082008-07-31T03:51:00.002-04:002008-07-31T03:56:30.624-04:00Week 18: Climate Camp Starts EarlyThis is an early post because I will not be near a computer for a while. Activists took the <a href="http://www.climatecamp.org.uk">Climate Camp</a> location early and started setting up yesterday. So, instead of heading off tomorrow we're heading down today. Follow the <a href="http://www.climatecamp.org.uk">Climate Camp</a> news at their website, <a href="http://www.climatecamp.org.uk">http://www.climatecamp.org.uk</a>, on <a href="http://www.indymedia.org.uk/">Indymedia</a>, and likely in the corporate news sources as well.<br /><br />Off to Camp,<br />KaszaKaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-17503327815433593222008-07-28T03:56:00.008-04:002008-07-28T13:39:41.593-04:00Week 17: Earthworm Wins the Tournament!Yet another fun weekend at Earthworm and I'm proud to say that we are the champions of this year's Intercommunity Volleyball Tournament.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwOFEl35uMYs-xvYDzNRHqGy4P-Vtlglgou9S5xSk_7JIGKYz7_407pe9M9s1iV_U6xzckroYG9Eg1NIYQMmnwehqoM5CuUnBFEmRpoW27FSMCcHiMhOssKV5R8zKcsI0TDfFAdmpO4wX/s1600-h/IMG_2835.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwOFEl35uMYs-xvYDzNRHqGy4P-Vtlglgou9S5xSk_7JIGKYz7_407pe9M9s1iV_U6xzckroYG9Eg1NIYQMmnwehqoM5CuUnBFEmRpoW27FSMCcHiMhOssKV5R8zKcsI0TDfFAdmpO4wX/s200/IMG_2835.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228119149078888738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There were five communities competing in the tournament: <a href="http://www.diggersanddreamers.org.uk/index.php?fld=initial&val=E&one=dat&two=det&sel=earthw">Earthworm Housing Co-op</a>, <a href="http://www.diggersanddreamers.org.uk/index.php?fld=initial&val=B&one=dat&two=det&sel=brchwood">Birchwood Hall Community</a>, <a href="http://www.cat.org.uk/">Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT)</a>, <a href="http://www.diggersanddreamers.org.uk/index.php?fld=initial&val=T&one=dat&two=det&sel=townhead">Lifespan-Townhead</a>, and <a href="http://www.diggersanddreamers.org.uk/index.php?fld=initial&val=R&one=dat&two=det&sel=redfield">Redfield</a> with over fifty people attending for the weekend.<br /><br />Although tension and competiveness increased as the weekend progressed, everyone maintained a positive attitude and loads of fun. It has been remarked to me that my attempts at imbibing a pint of ale an hour hindered my skills later in the day and probably was a large factor in jamming my thumb on the ball a couple of times. Nevertheless, we went on to win the tourny and with a duct taped bandage to hold my thumb in place, I participated in each match we played (the pint an hour challenge was limited to Saturday).<br /><br />Since it's unlikely I'll be in England next year, I'm disappointed that I won't be able to participate in the next tounament which will be held at Redfield.<br /><br />We now have four days to sort of chill out and prepare for next week as we head out for <a href="http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/">Climate Camp</a> on Friday.<br /><br />- Kasza<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTMYxPIJry7HcLLQR3Ht89g8oPzTMNDYh-bGwdEN9amHAyvdIQ4FUrZWAAODuYjTyPebqSZo84_BtBXe794344PUJZBfRZwze5ikV2a17uEPKhjojJRD_JoAj9YuisIvSYtB3sAj7-tzZ/s1600-h/IMG_2801.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTMYxPIJry7HcLLQR3Ht89g8oPzTMNDYh-bGwdEN9amHAyvdIQ4FUrZWAAODuYjTyPebqSZo84_BtBXe794344PUJZBfRZwze5ikV2a17uEPKhjojJRD_JoAj9YuisIvSYtB3sAj7-tzZ/s200/IMG_2801.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228116566274976274" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Here are photos taken by me and AJ<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNDYEl9CRlATbKKR_Ma3knUVJ2Ds-9cMvpIY2sBjDhfQhUX6m4c1x6VCpic8Gc9vyPdA1rwnqGG5pwnphJmbuslYZTh7_1o8C4fBIO1QlkspLB5ijEReB6CoAR7uOMkROSpTqw4ihLSQb/s1600-h/IMG_2482.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNDYEl9CRlATbKKR_Ma3knUVJ2Ds-9cMvpIY2sBjDhfQhUX6m4c1x6VCpic8Gc9vyPdA1rwnqGG5pwnphJmbuslYZTh7_1o8C4fBIO1QlkspLB5ijEReB6CoAR7uOMkROSpTqw4ihLSQb/s200/IMG_2482.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228116551472955538" border="0" /></a><br />Seb (playing for CAT) with a textbook volley<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQ917cItpcfEPK72Ht1WHCvcfwekNfvB6gmGfZTHfmscKUo_ksAZqOs3cZGi676Ln5hjvE8WxfYsk_freyYHi0i5gYLXOpoE3jiEE-CDrADDP1cupWZarVZOMFb2olbX1c3SvO4KXv3xE/s1600-h/joe_danny_net.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQ917cItpcfEPK72Ht1WHCvcfwekNfvB6gmGfZTHfmscKUo_ksAZqOs3cZGi676Ln5hjvE8WxfYsk_freyYHi0i5gYLXOpoE3jiEE-CDrADDP1cupWZarVZOMFb2olbX1c3SvO4KXv3xE/s200/joe_danny_net.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228116550629062418" border="0" /></a><br />Joe (Earthworm) and Danny (Lifespan) battling it out at the net<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65J9zCfsRst0aoULbPNa7Ifa-6tlOIqfp5RgvdQSa25SALSGknGjbD6kltxOvNt0xp4bDezx7Ub7y2Mv32aP0nAJbTqvVqKJzO9YROZ2cPmDlaq8Y6FNKLf37VE8bTKJrZelfMaRuIuvp/s1600-h/IMG_2775.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65J9zCfsRst0aoULbPNa7Ifa-6tlOIqfp5RgvdQSa25SALSGknGjbD6kltxOvNt0xp4bDezx7Ub7y2Mv32aP0nAJbTqvVqKJzO9YROZ2cPmDlaq8Y6FNKLf37VE8bTKJrZelfMaRuIuvp/s200/IMG_2775.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228116557895355554" border="0" /></a><br />O.B., the Earthworm Head Cheerleader<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBHNZXJPeSILAROxWM1eSFIEMIhQkunsBCniubIowwOsp_M8LigWvKS9DWxAckapAWERpueQWIuGc-yfJkoGhBKZrclyDeQaqwLvDAcQ2BIM6101dVmPkFzZWix7buG9BYT9yASe4-J02/s1600-h/IMG_2779.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBHNZXJPeSILAROxWM1eSFIEMIhQkunsBCniubIowwOsp_M8LigWvKS9DWxAckapAWERpueQWIuGc-yfJkoGhBKZrclyDeQaqwLvDAcQ2BIM6101dVmPkFzZWix7buG9BYT9yASe4-J02/s200/IMG_2779.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228116566971097186" border="0" /></a><br />Rocky doing a little breakdance between serves<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9FunNCCDYN59c9bd7WRKVHCssC9LecKOxXQ7lid3HaX1eLxVgraJtixmKlrsOxTL5haTXmrg-SAKap_n83S_7_jEHDoDJWdQWThXdsxQma0pnhxxTS3gpVolWsEWbXCXPwjZAJQLRaDQ/s1600-h/IMG_2809.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9FunNCCDYN59c9bd7WRKVHCssC9LecKOxXQ7lid3HaX1eLxVgraJtixmKlrsOxTL5haTXmrg-SAKap_n83S_7_jEHDoDJWdQWThXdsxQma0pnhxxTS3gpVolWsEWbXCXPwjZAJQLRaDQ/s200/IMG_2809.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228119138610943618" border="0" /></a><br />This is what losing a point looks like<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjgqEZ3H5E2ORZNhY6YFMLhNS_3Q3G_EkYye6mijPMPd2WdZgt_gaNKwJaQc2Z3_pdpitQwhd7hxCmf0gy081Ed4PYmvMBLpXAYxcp0BTt90IZ3MJRPu-Mn1Ql5F4NsFXKYDTM3zdszHc/s1600-h/IMG_2829.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjgqEZ3H5E2ORZNhY6YFMLhNS_3Q3G_EkYye6mijPMPd2WdZgt_gaNKwJaQc2Z3_pdpitQwhd7hxCmf0gy081Ed4PYmvMBLpXAYxcp0BTt90IZ3MJRPu-Mn1Ql5F4NsFXKYDTM3zdszHc/s200/IMG_2829.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228119143220183810" border="0" /></a><br />Aeris all tuckered out after a full day of ratting<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-k3x6RUX7tdcYQ1XQ80wJYgXKgeX1frx0hqNe_mD-LpBL7Y22moYf8z9baKoB8u-L4wWFq1yYfrAd2xFqOnKBKotFSXpEjVyoDG-3kPMYZzacqQJe0k4NhRRlUn72roBitkH9u2r7IRR/s1600-h/IMG_2855.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-k3x6RUX7tdcYQ1XQ80wJYgXKgeX1frx0hqNe_mD-LpBL7Y22moYf8z9baKoB8u-L4wWFq1yYfrAd2xFqOnKBKotFSXpEjVyoDG-3kPMYZzacqQJe0k4NhRRlUn72roBitkH9u2r7IRR/s200/IMG_2855.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228119151642790770" border="0" /></a><br />Evidently, the crowd was thoroughly entertained during the final match<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxM9TCUjLcMuHcLKb0P0dtBOGwWrJ5HD9SPFofCuyL6xt-TWOZH1gcUDyjM5nK34T0OpcECApqo4kdfgx6vhYaGr_eh0KRx4pztGwJcGCNO1Injyxkp_prg6GJJpdE2u_k3sAW0x6m6tF/s1600-h/IMG_2872.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxM9TCUjLcMuHcLKb0P0dtBOGwWrJ5HD9SPFofCuyL6xt-TWOZH1gcUDyjM5nK34T0OpcECApqo4kdfgx6vhYaGr_eh0KRx4pztGwJcGCNO1Injyxkp_prg6GJJpdE2u_k3sAW0x6m6tF/s200/IMG_2872.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228119158738824082" border="0" /></a><br />Trophy for the best costume change goes to Lifespan<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJk_hVzwrF1ixD7n8ya5Lyu3nkqo4mmr3gl6_6bw7S1ijkiptOPocHCmlst3QtVW6B3l3LarY-JCsA38tOhVS02WKFnsBEBdPtJEesFri05rZ90P3ju-vQwcpM4E_0qPEc_6tx8muXsRDV/s1600-h/IMG_2880.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJk_hVzwrF1ixD7n8ya5Lyu3nkqo4mmr3gl6_6bw7S1ijkiptOPocHCmlst3QtVW6B3l3LarY-JCsA38tOhVS02WKFnsBEBdPtJEesFri05rZ90P3ju-vQwcpM4E_0qPEc_6tx8muXsRDV/s200/IMG_2880.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228120400345333986" border="0" /></a><br />Trophy for the best dives goes to Rocky<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIESxI_pNkn8I96nT1Y8Svx_hJRkNYfLcpbB8toVcUpIuTllFhT99lcWGrHkmlFV7v2SGlTW_tW5wsZY-Nc2MGobDkTD9BIZNxq_mlv3brbxvH3izFHG9QaJgfj7EMN029vNK9shafrTN/s1600-h/IMG_2892.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIESxI_pNkn8I96nT1Y8Svx_hJRkNYfLcpbB8toVcUpIuTllFhT99lcWGrHkmlFV7v2SGlTW_tW5wsZY-Nc2MGobDkTD9BIZNxq_mlv3brbxvH3izFHG9QaJgfj7EMN029vNK9shafrTN/s200/IMG_2892.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228120411755231634" border="0" /></a><br />Dressing up for the winner's ball<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBULywAyaeox81DcTggpt6m0muoBvrcWz27LKFP-0x2Mi7gTjJmgQKfLCNac0gzoEyMrqY-Sn4Ti_q3cFLTEkKhhkefRJKzcbtNqxuIzg9Z0Zccv1Kt95EqWxD7SPYGpvq0wqMCdORyHu/s1600-h/IMG_2895.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBULywAyaeox81DcTggpt6m0muoBvrcWz27LKFP-0x2Mi7gTjJmgQKfLCNac0gzoEyMrqY-Sn4Ti_q3cFLTEkKhhkefRJKzcbtNqxuIzg9Z0Zccv1Kt95EqWxD7SPYGpvq0wqMCdORyHu/s200/IMG_2895.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228120410802551618" border="0" /></a><br />AJ epitimizing cool in one of her many posesKaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-53765971444342052672008-07-21T03:36:00.005-04:002008-07-21T05:39:45.363-04:00Week 16: Happy Birthday SamAn enjoyable weekend of drinking and eating has been successfully completed. Although Sam suspected that his wife, Alex, was planning something, he wasn't prepared for the elaborate party she had put together.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2xlRBdDudB58VrfS1l0VhHTlE-6QQcHU5mhjuUJw0wVCbzc5o2bWRq9UwPtQEu3vb1m7RexP7hp-38odIL9OXIFSBW8_IbkDLFc8MpG-nMzYXzt0pbs-kmDJr6ESxnJfcwqcMJ0u7hGl/s1600-h/IMG_2257.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2xlRBdDudB58VrfS1l0VhHTlE-6QQcHU5mhjuUJw0wVCbzc5o2bWRq9UwPtQEu3vb1m7RexP7hp-38odIL9OXIFSBW8_IbkDLFc8MpG-nMzYXzt0pbs-kmDJr6ESxnJfcwqcMJ0u7hGl/s200/IMG_2257.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225394578581423042" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A few of the party-goers arrived at the campsite Friday (including us) to help set up but the majority of people came the next day. Everybody arrived around noon on Saturday and crowded into the marquee ready to scream "Surprise" when Sam and Alex rolled in at one.<br /><br />Finally, with that out of the way, we could resume drinking (proudly started at 9am) and dive into lunch (a plentiful potluck feast). The afternoon progressed with a rotation of eating, drinking, napping, and volleying (gotta keep practicing so we're in form for next weekend's tourny).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_rlf8qTwIQeGPdDelvTDZpLW4aBKMWMIwRyyQE63YEcfz-xQUlh70c19bzkM-zeUPdn8efA_HGXDVsrZc1TiRWgCDVhHYaA8D7yVBdwQyyaAPuT9z0VDBR-5P2GB1G4iNvwmgdG01eV4/s1600-h/IMG_2249.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_rlf8qTwIQeGPdDelvTDZpLW4aBKMWMIwRyyQE63YEcfz-xQUlh70c19bzkM-zeUPdn8efA_HGXDVsrZc1TiRWgCDVhHYaA8D7yVBdwQyyaAPuT9z0VDBR-5P2GB1G4iNvwmgdG01eV4/s200/IMG_2249.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225394571345723106" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The party was also a trial run for the Earthwize energy trailer. Overall, it was successful run and we're getting better throwing it up and bringing it down.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_N6gst8ZR_B7ek6akLLvDHZ_42ea5GfZoQccnaiPcpUbvkp-nZiz21CDxXap20y6RgS2rHut5dBD1IbMt9wLXr7BzKEtWR7d56Z_sV9GoYXRfxmy1tYcSY3B0nNi9SJxn68oF3j6VvfT7/s1600-h/IMG_2234.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_N6gst8ZR_B7ek6akLLvDHZ_42ea5GfZoQccnaiPcpUbvkp-nZiz21CDxXap20y6RgS2rHut5dBD1IbMt9wLXr7BzKEtWR7d56Z_sV9GoYXRfxmy1tYcSY3B0nNi9SJxn68oF3j6VvfT7/s200/IMG_2234.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225394565612274178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Back at Earthworm, work week helpers arrived on Saturday and have been getting on quite well attacking a variety of jobs around the property. And now that I'm done typing this, I will go join in (I'm thinking gathering wood will be a good Monday morning job).<br /><br />- Kasza<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRLi2YEb5DhrNJZu396EK6KwpE-gwU7NPU5XMldplXIEsFOUu54NU4cq94tfw117aqkQRCp4wAGZrKNkejH0s9wx_UOwfLKiljBQqW1rE9hL_I5GaGP9bJv2GEYtTN61KrzfCkNTlLihF/s1600-h/sky_back.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRLi2YEb5DhrNJZu396EK6KwpE-gwU7NPU5XMldplXIEsFOUu54NU4cq94tfw117aqkQRCp4wAGZrKNkejH0s9wx_UOwfLKiljBQqW1rE9hL_I5GaGP9bJv2GEYtTN61KrzfCkNTlLihF/s200/sky_back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225384584211641874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Photos (incl. some long exposure experiments)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabWZDty3MOYXt1EgkJ8MSCw3M-5hHJ8PsHTCjxs3S0EBzt9pk4cTnn6bsAKrakIh9T5RW4u_bS4V_JDqnPEMAIqZRF7BLLWKNOH2Ff7_udu9vWu4eN2v_dE4iHcStnhh1djS8jcyzKn9Q/s1600-h/turbine_bw.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabWZDty3MOYXt1EgkJ8MSCw3M-5hHJ8PsHTCjxs3S0EBzt9pk4cTnn6bsAKrakIh9T5RW4u_bS4V_JDqnPEMAIqZRF7BLLWKNOH2Ff7_udu9vWu4eN2v_dE4iHcStnhh1djS8jcyzKn9Q/s200/turbine_bw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225384585148880034" border="0" /></a><br />this is a wind turbine<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZ5aYkWjUx7E6V0JeOme3XZTE_YWDsEG2r3hV4OwLL_Lu06yaUTBfpRScSrcczjky5g8c81ITkZm9Uv4q-lzEUeWHmpAfTUJQYbjHa5annTDC1eFu66ZummcuZaYxFbq9qaNd1qe_tqw7/s1600-h/IMG_2330.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZ5aYkWjUx7E6V0JeOme3XZTE_YWDsEG2r3hV4OwLL_Lu06yaUTBfpRScSrcczjky5g8c81ITkZm9Uv4q-lzEUeWHmpAfTUJQYbjHa5annTDC1eFu66ZummcuZaYxFbq9qaNd1qe_tqw7/s200/IMG_2330.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225396554194739554" border="0" /></a><br />this is a marquee<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU8Z7j-7bf6W395I16_arj0PqNg4NUPARcUZ7yzJQOYr5xGPyMS7D1OhWmrFcZiz4rDVJjc5h8JXD26TITNZuHfinBeKko5TGEtT9E5f_L364223ZhFssJpFhNg-M_BjAso9XAX8JsRt2/s1600-h/IMG_2329.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU8Z7j-7bf6W395I16_arj0PqNg4NUPARcUZ7yzJQOYr5xGPyMS7D1OhWmrFcZiz4rDVJjc5h8JXD26TITNZuHfinBeKko5TGEtT9E5f_L364223ZhFssJpFhNg-M_BjAso9XAX8JsRt2/s200/IMG_2329.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225394589009107538" border="0" /></a><br />this is a gazebo<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpumIDpZzk74Z_aCJ5O3cBc2oA0_RDpRuI6Os7toUMXCyBO8AyL83Ip9OczbpwZsSm54yyzSNwtn0AjadXbqr1ZxEdEmf8reFO3r7Rcwc_-yAhW6GGUzbo41-buNgpS9mrurVqYqgJKlM/s1600-h/abs_sky.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpumIDpZzk74Z_aCJ5O3cBc2oA0_RDpRuI6Os7toUMXCyBO8AyL83Ip9OczbpwZsSm54yyzSNwtn0AjadXbqr1ZxEdEmf8reFO3r7Rcwc_-yAhW6GGUzbo41-buNgpS9mrurVqYqgJKlM/s200/abs_sky.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225384581824461698" border="0" /></a><br />this is an evening sky<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX87VpfElGTlFNrVs1HL5ZWzhWNLm_D_KY6p7tganNk1hF_nfD_5rfj5enB-WmiyoKa21SGdmBQRf9f9lIVIntWROhZK3EpHNyWEhOptklLBhAoCT81joeJbzByTf4RlW7Os0FKrYFh61G/s1600-h/clean+sky.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX87VpfElGTlFNrVs1HL5ZWzhWNLm_D_KY6p7tganNk1hF_nfD_5rfj5enB-WmiyoKa21SGdmBQRf9f9lIVIntWROhZK3EpHNyWEhOptklLBhAoCT81joeJbzByTf4RlW7Os0FKrYFh61G/s200/clean+sky.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225384590996521746" border="0" /></a><br />this is a night sky<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYESgSAuXdqkYk7NVv_EHEaYSxC1zmKGoHspHg7UOSZxECtctjrNJrGvYzqtOzZCyjuP8R_OZUwrVS1OmIDywMqN1AGGAp7G57k8uxNnlcqaFnT16lRinhVi92F0wGaOho637iE9K2PncH/s1600-h/IMG_2317.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYESgSAuXdqkYk7NVv_EHEaYSxC1zmKGoHspHg7UOSZxECtctjrNJrGvYzqtOzZCyjuP8R_OZUwrVS1OmIDywMqN1AGGAp7G57k8uxNnlcqaFnT16lRinhVi92F0wGaOho637iE9K2PncH/s200/IMG_2317.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225394586467201890" border="0" /></a><br />this is a campfire<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWoZjJVS69YmY7oagir3GsMYrMeoBFsyJJiwYO02u2pxytFXfiWtyleMLr19Ryl_vB1_xFXHvmoxcgXJqwfNM-J8NN0Y4cqB_8Kh4q_ze-_9eb0_Oz2PDLZk3lvn7ICT9cfcpysdEg7KF/s1600-h/fire.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWoZjJVS69YmY7oagir3GsMYrMeoBFsyJJiwYO02u2pxytFXfiWtyleMLr19Ryl_vB1_xFXHvmoxcgXJqwfNM-J8NN0Y4cqB_8Kh4q_ze-_9eb0_Oz2PDLZk3lvn7ICT9cfcpysdEg7KF/s200/fire.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225384600444830754" border="0" /></a><br />this is also a campfire<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RztSfasVUr019FeoHab2pOn3WKvtoR3wty7v7kShNfcUFhBXI8Q18V-rg1UKCpyisNBg68HL7-coEp9B6pe8l1edLveyK-o_OD2LChLCQsvp6OVyOqzo5PqSLZ4zrsjoQwRVtngHGNDX/s1600-h/IMG_2332.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RztSfasVUr019FeoHab2pOn3WKvtoR3wty7v7kShNfcUFhBXI8Q18V-rg1UKCpyisNBg68HL7-coEp9B6pe8l1edLveyK-o_OD2LChLCQsvp6OVyOqzo5PqSLZ4zrsjoQwRVtngHGNDX/s200/IMG_2332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225396562054606738" border="0" /></a><br />and this was a partyKaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-66978866448234480402008-07-14T07:18:00.007-04:002008-07-14T08:32:16.277-04:00Week 15: Back in the UKAnother post missed. My excuse this time was that I was in Bristol last week and didn't have access to a computer. Maybe I should get a <a href="http://www.rentaghostwriter.com/">ghostwriter</a> to handle my blog obligations.<br /><br />Since my last post I have altered my plans and returned to Earthworm for the summer (I had been toying with the idea for a while). I will stay here until my UK visa runs at the end of September. I expect at that point I'll head to France, Switzerland, and/or Spain; who knows, maybe even Morocco. But I don't have to worry about that until September and I have enough going on here to keep me occupied/entertained.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_yLL6HzkULPZz-ivcHtwC-KKZP-nr2TrTkYZAlHJUZpUZA4nz-HLPEQZP0E18Mbw6yHFwHT0UAMMfY2-NIwpatgA8o8FL1O9AxP8aFtCbQykd9ctKK4FBRWaebZg5bP47Z6s643e-QeJ/s1600-h/IMG_2197.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_yLL6HzkULPZz-ivcHtwC-KKZP-nr2TrTkYZAlHJUZpUZA4nz-HLPEQZP0E18Mbw6yHFwHT0UAMMfY2-NIwpatgA8o8FL1O9AxP8aFtCbQykd9ctKK4FBRWaebZg5bP47Z6s643e-QeJ/s200/IMG_2197.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222846158533372290" border="0" /></a>I have been to a few cities in the last two weeks. Here's an overview of what I've done in July:<br /><br />July 1<br />- left La Besnardiere in France early because the woman was quite irritating (my patience for WWOOF hosts has thinned considerably now)<br />- travel by foot, bus and train to arrive at <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Caen">Caen</a>, where I stayed for three days<br /><br />July 2 & 3<br />- visit <a href="http://www.junobeach.org/Centre/index.html">Juno Beach Centre</a> (overcast day ruined photo ops), <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_I_of_England">William the Conqueror</a>'s castle, and some very beautiful local parks (favourite being <a href="http://www.ville-caen.fr/Environnement/Espacesverts/valleeJardins/index.htm">la Vallée des Jardins</a>)<br /><br />July 4<br />- <a href="http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/index.cfm?articleid=64">midnight ferry</a> to Portsmouth (sooo very expensive)<br />- met a Canadian who had traveled around Europe for the previous three weeks and spent about $30,000 CDN, he figures (I nearly puked when he told me)<br />- train from Portsmouth to Bristol<br />- back in the land of the Pound Sterling (shit ain't cheap); compare the Caen hostel of 11 euros to the £25 YHA hostel in Bristol<br /><br />July 5<br />- visit local sites<br />- move Saturday from the £25 YHA to the £17 <a href="http://www.fullmoonbristol.co.uk/">Full Moon</a> hostel, which is also environmentally friendly and much more sociable<br /><br />July 6<br />- more local site seeing, kill time in the library<br />- finally get in contact with (Earthworm resident) Joe's younger brother, Sam<br />- hang out at Sam's place along with Joe, their brother Matt, Sam's wife Alex, and Matt's son Djindi<br /><br />July 7<br />- Joe and I train back to Earthworm<br /><br />July 8-12<br />- normal going-ons at Earthworm: gardening, maintenance, meetings and eating<br /><br />July 13 (a very good day)<br />- the first sunny day all week<br />- future volleyball courts finally able to be mowed<br />- Lily's 8th birthday<br />- a portable, green energy solution of wind and solar nearly complete<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1a5aa1h4LqqGU3hxeH9Ltq-QnSGx7kkuI3oUYyTxHen1mfxc01PT0tUGSIpb5ylCaG-iX1U_uAh4EWZd1elsxexSy4suLZcRz8nlsHhReCtOUP2jy69C49AmwNiWXG12jZtoAjYGfdfxw/s1600-h/IMG_2216.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1a5aa1h4LqqGU3hxeH9Ltq-QnSGx7kkuI3oUYyTxHen1mfxc01PT0tUGSIpb5ylCaG-iX1U_uAh4EWZd1elsxexSy4suLZcRz8nlsHhReCtOUP2jy69C49AmwNiWXG12jZtoAjYGfdfxw/s200/IMG_2216.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222836528938277634" border="0" /></a><br />- cob oven built<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghqKrE_La0ANU3eGYk36UseZEMA6IV5Vu4rvlWYS9YC09TRKFcKPlcdR9EsmktFOs1bAd6uD9N5dafWIz93Daxi-QmrKNnmd6uIMU9JdJi9mVgyKX21H_Hzkz4kQQAgZ2SYrX7-zll9ye/s1600-h/IMG_2218.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghqKrE_La0ANU3eGYk36UseZEMA6IV5Vu4rvlWYS9YC09TRKFcKPlcdR9EsmktFOs1bAd6uD9N5dafWIz93Daxi-QmrKNnmd6uIMU9JdJi9mVgyKX21H_Hzkz4kQQAgZ2SYrX7-zll9ye/s200/IMG_2218.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222836535292240066" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Upcoming for Me<br />Jul 18-20 - Sam's surprise 30th birthday, camping near Bristol<br />Jul 19-25 - Earthworm July Work Week<br />Jul 26-27 - Inter-Community Volleyball Tournament hosted at Earthworm<br />Aug 2 - Steve's sister's wedding (on route to...)<br />Aug 3-11 - <a href="http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/">Climate Camp</a><br />Aug 15-17 - <a href="http://www.radicalroutes.org.uk/">Radical Routes</a> gathering at Earthworm<br />Aug 27-Sep 1 - <a href="http://www.earthfirstgathering.org.uk/">Earth First! Summer Gathering</a><br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7T3oncsyiA1u6nIJqSf9JEKZn3AxbskaKMIN1kB2rmblLMPWzhcIn7aHTRy0zf8aTGaqtQFNwk3zhdpOS2TfyzkNhcxz1Y27CM_SLLQtTN4H22gxqq31l7mNd5vCARknlYncJOcAziVS3/s1600-h/080712portrait.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7T3oncsyiA1u6nIJqSf9JEKZn3AxbskaKMIN1kB2rmblLMPWzhcIn7aHTRy0zf8aTGaqtQFNwk3zhdpOS2TfyzkNhcxz1Y27CM_SLLQtTN4H22gxqq31l7mNd5vCARknlYncJOcAziVS3/s200/080712portrait.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222836523002986162" border="0" /></a><br />Kasza<br /><br /><br /><br />Photos<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibu7Uvc7yn1igviVm8U7fEZgDDBjc3yl17lWhTP1DRkC-MxQeNZ-XpEGBaNgB_ad8d3FWm0m8uZ4TusIIm4RzWi4VH-3_vKtpZGZhUrDABx_u_6Ix2FL3r4ZAXUydUafSRjngPN9yHn_L6/s1600-h/IMG_2057.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibu7Uvc7yn1igviVm8U7fEZgDDBjc3yl17lWhTP1DRkC-MxQeNZ-XpEGBaNgB_ad8d3FWm0m8uZ4TusIIm4RzWi4VH-3_vKtpZGZhUrDABx_u_6Ix2FL3r4ZAXUydUafSRjngPN9yHn_L6/s200/IMG_2057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222830910797334770" border="0" /></a><br />Smile for the camera<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6z7p4ukj3M1FpbnuYh7S0mqXY6MBooWrHGaY0eKzryN2ZrCL3qDs1Ggy9abKR7vNXSM6l7k2FzstvT4ynbsXwVdBndR2_8_sRNCPRNgjP5YHjS8ngmlaFFePODN7iA5BMK08dcH-YQSrX/s1600-h/IMG_2189.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6z7p4ukj3M1FpbnuYh7S0mqXY6MBooWrHGaY0eKzryN2ZrCL3qDs1Ggy9abKR7vNXSM6l7k2FzstvT4ynbsXwVdBndR2_8_sRNCPRNgjP5YHjS8ngmlaFFePODN7iA5BMK08dcH-YQSrX/s200/IMG_2189.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222835472103225634" border="0" /></a><br />Comforting<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQka8Ghq_bnLeI_WVLDCNj71MfMyhexVkoatkRWK5vtYl3epZBjOO2KEa6ANalm8fLw9wfOibGgpzZWwd1v5YWlnI9LbumzjncpLyrhT8Ax5gWxS12lZ_kCnmINEFuccztoJoY-IPHaR8T/s1600-h/IMG_2183.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQka8Ghq_bnLeI_WVLDCNj71MfMyhexVkoatkRWK5vtYl3epZBjOO2KEa6ANalm8fLw9wfOibGgpzZWwd1v5YWlnI9LbumzjncpLyrhT8Ax5gWxS12lZ_kCnmINEFuccztoJoY-IPHaR8T/s200/IMG_2183.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222835463470411154" border="0" /></a><br />Green pine cone?!?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD_5CifKTa4EQLdeCCA77FSm8bqimRvO7eY9vNjZ9aohJC6iF1mukQirWt2dl5wEZ8FepUPpRG14PJbi3ssshaoJ5aDgnMCvCEf8mzQ_V-hTIBALaF3JBgWEZEI9ub7tlJo6gF2L60amX/s1600-h/IMG_2207.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD_5CifKTa4EQLdeCCA77FSm8bqimRvO7eY9vNjZ9aohJC6iF1mukQirWt2dl5wEZ8FepUPpRG14PJbi3ssshaoJ5aDgnMCvCEf8mzQ_V-hTIBALaF3JBgWEZEI9ub7tlJo6gF2L60amX/s200/IMG_2207.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222835480234467762" border="0" /></a><br />Bristol Blitz victim<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPy5nSG2lR7sEs3DR9XhRb8TzMSFVRkXOgFkde-Dmlmhq6rGN-qMXg89RVGA0b22132bXvVmuuHA4oSPTl8YB-y1eyBiOwZFi9mNhCnqKiVLNcg8o-b8rVt_km1bqGyUAlKfKBCjpCITEP/s1600-h/IMG_2212.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPy5nSG2lR7sEs3DR9XhRb8TzMSFVRkXOgFkde-Dmlmhq6rGN-qMXg89RVGA0b22132bXvVmuuHA4oSPTl8YB-y1eyBiOwZFi9mNhCnqKiVLNcg8o-b8rVt_km1bqGyUAlKfKBCjpCITEP/s200/IMG_2212.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222835480389982450" border="0" /></a><br />Overcast dawn (yet again)<br /><br />Because I haven't taken many photos recently, here are a few more of the punk band at Fete de Music in Bauge. Maybe with some practice I could be as good <a href="http://cantrelate.com/">Andrew</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77Z-sppuZ1fpf0lpAVMXROdnrgUgfTe7gG8faW8u2mE5_q19JLN4Nx7S4oliLwtEeBR7MR1yUUr4Ny-VQwiSmOhufouvjXUYTXmZJmvlY1qZnnmScENdC-KHonDOQi2X7pdPbuceCAEy0/s1600-h/IMG_2068.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77Z-sppuZ1fpf0lpAVMXROdnrgUgfTe7gG8faW8u2mE5_q19JLN4Nx7S4oliLwtEeBR7MR1yUUr4Ny-VQwiSmOhufouvjXUYTXmZJmvlY1qZnnmScENdC-KHonDOQi2X7pdPbuceCAEy0/s200/IMG_2068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222830915049297506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69llnLra_NFoErfQosMwIf7ZraU-kN0bUntyLI1t3XjojoOYr9CHQqf9jmXazPn8Z47UJ0_VUQYlRioJpCJIjENQGk7mMlCEGxpOs1ZXWrcwieLZKiYt0uCGeHJCshRDYnkoTjEcIUvTx/s1600-h/IMG_2079.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69llnLra_NFoErfQosMwIf7ZraU-kN0bUntyLI1t3XjojoOYr9CHQqf9jmXazPn8Z47UJ0_VUQYlRioJpCJIjENQGk7mMlCEGxpOs1ZXWrcwieLZKiYt0uCGeHJCshRDYnkoTjEcIUvTx/s200/IMG_2079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222830918849674178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsByFoOjUiMB1jvaMxH4GsMKVrGstsTaq9_QqpPiQhVlFOmNpk7XGesG4Z66VFJkcT2JeA_E7AAeMTefAGktCMhMFy8CNPQRrJ7_0FrDNgRNsqxiza95WaVNQbH-Xxc8d4DuWqVZpwo6ZY/s1600-h/IMG_2113.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsByFoOjUiMB1jvaMxH4GsMKVrGstsTaq9_QqpPiQhVlFOmNpk7XGesG4Z66VFJkcT2JeA_E7AAeMTefAGktCMhMFy8CNPQRrJ7_0FrDNgRNsqxiza95WaVNQbH-Xxc8d4DuWqVZpwo6ZY/s200/IMG_2113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222830926703061266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YPeXRU3cFhNJ51Wxv-oCWc5wAhd0AZu3h8arnPvgf_Kcczoj7X7A3NPqtbNU1MinLbvtQUXetuGvDrqIl2nYadFgSX-RfTkVdmizLmpU-6dA3rtFuHhLRjVXWPt-dngCrk1HmmAFa841/s1600-h/IMG_2154.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YPeXRU3cFhNJ51Wxv-oCWc5wAhd0AZu3h8arnPvgf_Kcczoj7X7A3NPqtbNU1MinLbvtQUXetuGvDrqIl2nYadFgSX-RfTkVdmizLmpU-6dA3rtFuHhLRjVXWPt-dngCrk1HmmAFa841/s200/IMG_2154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222835460196012034" border="0" /></a>Kaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-3377370526652259052008-06-30T04:41:00.008-04:002008-06-30T05:51:50.584-04:00Week 13: ParisWhat happened to last week’s post? Well, it is not often that one has the chance to visit Paris and when you have such a chance, wasting time in an Internet café would be quite silly. That is a plausible explanation but more to the truth is that I couldn’t find an Internet café close to the hostel. So instead, I socialized with other travellers (surprisingly, the majority of which were Canadian) and spent a good deal of the time drunk.<br /><br />I arrived in Paris Sunday evening which meant there was no time for sightseeing; only enough time for getting right down to business. The hostel room I was staying in was shared with a San Jose resident, Adam (and others but I never met them), who is funding his summer travels via the returns on his legal grow-op.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEGzJW1SqMHvW4mZHf9N-js5QlecCVr5LxoZi6O_HdqPLN11DjZOwNSphETzceXW6Yfkm1N_3FSfqicAtF-HwZWTkr8zxaVvWNtgB7-x0Mt5kPnDIypM4y_KX7c2ye6e1G_87duWVlsKl/s1600-h/IMG_1993.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEGzJW1SqMHvW4mZHf9N-js5QlecCVr5LxoZi6O_HdqPLN11DjZOwNSphETzceXW6Yfkm1N_3FSfqicAtF-HwZWTkr8zxaVvWNtgB7-x0Mt5kPnDIypM4y_KX7c2ye6e1G_87duWVlsKl/s200/IMG_1993.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217606235966716402" border="0" /></a><br />A view of Paris from the hostel balcony<br /><br />We went out for dinner to a couscous place (called Couscous, I think) a few blocks away and shared a bottle of Bordeaux. On the way back to the hostel, we picked up two more bottles of red. With a mix of impatience and amazement at liberal drinking laws (you can drink in public), Adam started in on his while we walked back. As we entered the hostel lobby, we were greeted by the noise of likeminded hostellers. I quickly made for our room to uncork my bottle and returned to the group. I must blame the lateness of the night (surely it couldn’t be the alcohol that was imbibed) but I remember the names of only a few people met that night. And the only reason I remember their names is that I spent the next day with them. There was Gabriel and Tom from Montreal whose European trip was drawing to a close in a few days, Naomi from Berkley Nor-Cal who is spending her summer at a children’s camp in Brittany, and a German, Henni. The majority of the night was spent trading travelling stories and playing poker. We were shushed by the staff at two, quiet hour, and finally headed off to bed around three.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdRDs9gt446zb_CNwsX8FhvokUcXuaogbsneHtzTuOZc2WoGOlOTB9WPQkp7j-2XySwuUgDryhZUh_OmhJ1FZdPi-FScUeCSlZG5R6_kK6EtFaDGiBJEhnJo9CE6Efv0Ty-_TGfJG06Jg/s1600-h/IMG_1990.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdRDs9gt446zb_CNwsX8FhvokUcXuaogbsneHtzTuOZc2WoGOlOTB9WPQkp7j-2XySwuUgDryhZUh_OmhJ1FZdPi-FScUeCSlZG5R6_kK6EtFaDGiBJEhnJo9CE6Efv0Ty-_TGfJG06Jg/s200/IMG_1990.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217604453643952370" border="0" /></a><br />Adam hydrating for the next day<br /><br />The next morning, the people mentioned before and two others from Quebec City, Valerie and Genevieve, took a walk around Left Bank, Paris. Gabriel had been to Paris before, so appointed himself tour guide. He claimed that all museums are closed on Mondays, so we would visit parks mainly that day and could go to the museums the next day.<br /><br />The first stop was the gigantic University Hospital which had an art show in its chapel. From the hospital, we headed over to the closest parks, Jardins des Plantes and Place Jussieu. By the time we were leaving there, it was after 12 and seemed an ideal time to pick up supplies at the closest convenience store. I had woken late that day and had yet to eat anything, so embarrassingly, I only purchased fruit, expecting to stop again in another hour or two. The others (or maybe only Tom and Gabriel) had other plans and stocked up on lunch supplies (including two bottles of wine and some beer). We parked our asses overlooking the Seine, watched tour boats ferry people around, and enjoyed our “lunch”.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyWc2DkALLFQMguF5qDDvduoLPr3TaxWANr023PRnjm1d21QXL6YajK6e0JNAKXq8lIEvGz-ccYjDbI45L9N4uuURy-6o3g-sUD9t0tJPLFDQK5C-YqDP27puEhh6HAeWvkGBM5FFyKFZ/s1600-h/IMG_2034.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyWc2DkALLFQMguF5qDDvduoLPr3TaxWANr023PRnjm1d21QXL6YajK6e0JNAKXq8lIEvGz-ccYjDbI45L9N4uuURy-6o3g-sUD9t0tJPLFDQK5C-YqDP27puEhh6HAeWvkGBM5FFyKFZ/s200/IMG_2034.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217606242822997298" border="0" /></a><br />Art show in the chapel<br /><br />The next area we wanted to loiter in was Jardin du Luxembourg which has the magnificent looking Palais du Luxembourg complete with bored looking guards to protect it from the menacing tourists. We had finished one of the bottles of wine by now and on our way to the next spot I felt I should contribute to the cause, so I purchased another bottle of Bordeaux.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8uYJnBh0uS-4EE9QImlzqMis_KeMXBefLm9P2hggKxw8wseH9l3ZSad_go3J6IhPXnQaTpzjBXyQoaKaowz-U7MWlop96vuWmkaAIHYl0toBPjObOhrxV_EYzeJEJ9852q1wCl_IUvOd/s1600-h/IMG_2038.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8uYJnBh0uS-4EE9QImlzqMis_KeMXBefLm9P2hggKxw8wseH9l3ZSad_go3J6IhPXnQaTpzjBXyQoaKaowz-U7MWlop96vuWmkaAIHYl0toBPjObOhrxV_EYzeJEJ9852q1wCl_IUvOd/s200/IMG_2038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217606249250196658" border="0" /></a><br />Palais du Luxembourg<br /><br />The walk to Hotel des Invalides was the longest walk of the day but surely was worth it to see the guards shoo Adam and Gabriel off the lawn when they tried to take a seat (the Parisians are adamant about keeping to the path). A bottle of wine was killed here and then we off to our last spot, Champ de Mars and, touring above, the Eiffel Tower.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqD0LKZQT6agFUll7ZhyphenhyphenK9rLOyi3MkdLgEyK7EtGM7ZBWDPk4X5ur8wN82EyXlEBXB3MFbDpfTAdGG0VXShRyRQ2RqtBVp9mWr9EZQbrKaxRlMMZId9I4J3440GDUhLeRIbR8IK8VAcM6y/s1600-h/IMG_2042.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqD0LKZQT6agFUll7ZhyphenhyphenK9rLOyi3MkdLgEyK7EtGM7ZBWDPk4X5ur8wN82EyXlEBXB3MFbDpfTAdGG0VXShRyRQ2RqtBVp9mWr9EZQbrKaxRlMMZId9I4J3440GDUhLeRIbR8IK8VAcM6y/s200/IMG_2042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217606255290064258" border="0" /></a><br />The crew (Naomi, Henni, Tom, Gabriel, Adam, Genevieve and Valerie is taking a photo beside me) outside L'hotel des Invalides<br /><br />Lounging at Champ de Mars, gazing at the tower, we downed the last bottle and then the group broke apart. Adam, Henni, and Naomi wanted to go up the tower. I couldn’t be bothered to wait in line or pay the eight euros, so I returned to the hostel with the Quebeckers.<br /><br />It has to be said that this was my fifth day straight of getting drunk* and I’m not as strong as I once was. When we got back, I went straight to the room and had a “nap”. Around midnight, Adam and Gabriel tried to convince me to join the party but I had no energy in me for it. It’s a shame because from the stories regaled the next day, it was better than the previous night.<br /><br />It was such a good party that I didn’t see anybody the next morning, so I headed off for Notre Dame and Louvre on my own. I figured I would stop at anything that seemed interesting en route. This turned out to be a very good plan because I ventured upon a free museum dedicated to the history of Paris. I would find out later that this was to be the only museum I would enter that day as the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays (lesson learned: don’t trust Gabriel’s tour guide skills). I didn’t intend on waiting in line or paying to see inside Notre Dame, so I contented myself to walk the perimeters of there and Louvre, appreciating the beauty from the outside.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-9aRmO4k9Y5bQQ6FoLG68ErPe9Z2bknctfckG8GbWE23Eesaj8CQbJdv9EcezBvrLTdnOdri7x-hZbXV_QvwBYiuMXcKjY6V69H9ev00T9efiV7_-1j_pjhkMlg42gcxhbv-Q06p_uYy/s1600-h/IMG_2047.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-9aRmO4k9Y5bQQ6FoLG68ErPe9Z2bknctfckG8GbWE23Eesaj8CQbJdv9EcezBvrLTdnOdri7x-hZbXV_QvwBYiuMXcKjY6V69H9ev00T9efiV7_-1j_pjhkMlg42gcxhbv-Q06p_uYy/s200/IMG_2047.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217606257469536434" border="0" /></a><br />A view of Notre Dame<br /><br />In the evening, I enjoyed a solitary dinner at an organic, vegetarian restaurant and got a small lesson in the French dining culture. I finished my meal and was offered dessert and coffee by the waiter. I declined both and waited for the bill to arrive. Over the next ten minutes or more, he passed me by multiple times to receive new diners, take orders, and deliver food. We even made eye contact a couple times. Unfortunately, I don’t know the word for bill, so, hoping that there is an open wifi signal nearby, I pull out my iPod. Luckily, there was. I ended up at a page that informs me the word for bill is “l’addition” and that, in France, the bill only comes once the diner has requested it. Ohh!<br /><br />That night a fraction of the group from the first night ventured out to a bar, picking up a couple students on our way. Disappointingly, it was a much more subdued night compared to the two previous. I suppose that is good though because I was able to get a decent sleep and was refreshed for my journey to La Besnardiere, my next WWOOF stop.<br /><br />Happy Impending Canada Day,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMd4aE2l-g4yVYfDnpHL7b1mF7qd9YbYeqodOUql53qRl1YgwvSSuwXLWyQsD7pRZJGxg88M2Uj8zpJXK5IEcQ9nBymDq9hRImiDHie1LO2YxQNdWDcJGi1X3xanxGredqRCDKq3_dnVj/s1600-h/IMG_1936.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMd4aE2l-g4yVYfDnpHL7b1mF7qd9YbYeqodOUql53qRl1YgwvSSuwXLWyQsD7pRZJGxg88M2Uj8zpJXK5IEcQ9nBymDq9hRImiDHie1LO2YxQNdWDcJGi1X3xanxGredqRCDKq3_dnVj/s200/IMG_1936.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217604428881437906" border="0" /></a><br />Kasza<br /><br />*Thu: prepared for the weekend’s Solstice party by getting drunk and raiding grocery skips<br />Fri: Solstice night 1<br />Sat: Solstice night 2; up until 5am<br />Sun: Paris hostel night<br />Mon: Paris by day<br /><br /><br /><br />Extra Photos<br />Solistice Party<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJn7NY3pw35Vv4zI3Evkvm_C2yToyvz4LjWhpX3P22N2k-pYtW7CJlC6BUcwGWY9PxKnhI41btku_-NVRHAFFEGOhQZyvzNzJ6XwLO7WKUogp5q-XnF_aGuFdgUZXmnOpDfHexWQpX18Nt/s1600-h/IMG_1882.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJn7NY3pw35Vv4zI3Evkvm_C2yToyvz4LjWhpX3P22N2k-pYtW7CJlC6BUcwGWY9PxKnhI41btku_-NVRHAFFEGOhQZyvzNzJ6XwLO7WKUogp5q-XnF_aGuFdgUZXmnOpDfHexWQpX18Nt/s200/IMG_1882.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217601951320988258" border="0" /></a><br />Lily getting in the spirit<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuC5s8r64v_iBlbaJ-09YNxkEFlUZvXnUm4b1ANXNdZxtzp7xQvIKLB3dMziNRuw1oP1lSLBHDdA6EaTy4syachVj_GjzkNxzcVrYEaKdttaSpj_1MhmXyjz5yYoqpRKy9nMObVLCNHuvc/s1600-h/IMG_1981.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuC5s8r64v_iBlbaJ-09YNxkEFlUZvXnUm4b1ANXNdZxtzp7xQvIKLB3dMziNRuw1oP1lSLBHDdA6EaTy4syachVj_GjzkNxzcVrYEaKdttaSpj_1MhmXyjz5yYoqpRKy9nMObVLCNHuvc/s200/IMG_1981.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217604447336592642" border="0" /></a><br />Amy-Jane enjoying a joke behind the bar<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGLMIM2WxwYIkbetO7dyOb9E7ysHLcI9akmboSDPz8P97uoPQCyOEiRmQPQw4AZrI28dvNquL2ATpoUfymCf9j8P05j47kxPULt4CQiTbIo2KHt5_35o_xizyUECegBNVjqjCN8Tw4DmW/s1600-h/IMG_1898.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGLMIM2WxwYIkbetO7dyOb9E7ysHLcI9akmboSDPz8P97uoPQCyOEiRmQPQw4AZrI28dvNquL2ATpoUfymCf9j8P05j47kxPULt4CQiTbIo2KHt5_35o_xizyUECegBNVjqjCN8Tw4DmW/s200/IMG_1898.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217601958420332882" border="0" /></a><br />Dress up and dance!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kS_1G3e3ePR8aJrAtD4cM83C1jHIC8iG9awd9oi67l4Xtjy3O5E6Qy5ZdSGOmA5m-IRI9elQuzy1LYB39N1KS0MHZTfqpBRzhYv87T3tHzSrhcsscAjavsjtfDxIBVVKBkEZ8v1Z9Kqt/s1600-h/IMG_1892.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kS_1G3e3ePR8aJrAtD4cM83C1jHIC8iG9awd9oi67l4Xtjy3O5E6Qy5ZdSGOmA5m-IRI9elQuzy1LYB39N1KS0MHZTfqpBRzhYv87T3tHzSrhcsscAjavsjtfDxIBVVKBkEZ8v1Z9Kqt/s200/IMG_1892.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217601956874526018" border="0" /></a><br />Feeling the drain after a day of festivities<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgawlWE2kWNpobiEpQ_eGdzxNPxGczo3OZjpFR3NnV2ZW1Lk1j2PImytKnG1YROAd_4UcoxkEr2QCcXiZGvX7q-DSqiQ2TE7KmW93sHUg1gmWofifkYNBi4TjfS0PXR8hjegPfTInm-K0/s1600-h/IMG_1960.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgawlWE2kWNpobiEpQ_eGdzxNPxGczo3OZjpFR3NnV2ZW1Lk1j2PImytKnG1YROAd_4UcoxkEr2QCcXiZGvX7q-DSqiQ2TE7KmW93sHUg1gmWofifkYNBi4TjfS0PXR8hjegPfTInm-K0/s200/IMG_1960.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217604437387458370" border="0" /></a><br />Remnents of Solstice dinner<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUDpvAX9CR_S0NBwnflFQ1ACrW-J5xICG1-kta5C0UV6US8n2Rn6Mjpm3FEzU4CIQFfZcOyqvjR4LKgOyRt7bz4pGOrXFBueVWvTRdqB6VMqJKxtgofEw6CGYUHZhLvyKbRI4i0b9jmL_/s1600-h/IMG_1989.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUDpvAX9CR_S0NBwnflFQ1ACrW-J5xICG1-kta5C0UV6US8n2Rn6Mjpm3FEzU4CIQFfZcOyqvjR4LKgOyRt7bz4pGOrXFBueVWvTRdqB6VMqJKxtgofEw6CGYUHZhLvyKbRI4i0b9jmL_/s200/IMG_1989.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217604452231918866" border="0" /></a><br />Henry ready for action the next day<br /><br />Le Fete de Music in Bauge last Saturday<br />Don't know this name of the band but they were pretty good. Click on the pics to enlarge<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkZ-HNh7pZmkAHXKP9aARxyTMEVxGgEaAEnh5v4eRgHnXKAvFuD_n84tUzVTMqv6qE2m1Bo4Yjh5Tr8TfJg_Xd8gC-6BIwpsDTs0yc4lRaAqVnmQJMRY8g3bEm0zwaAy66jMyaOu87Q5G/s1600-h/IMG_2087.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkZ-HNh7pZmkAHXKP9aARxyTMEVxGgEaAEnh5v4eRgHnXKAvFuD_n84tUzVTMqv6qE2m1Bo4Yjh5Tr8TfJg_Xd8gC-6BIwpsDTs0yc4lRaAqVnmQJMRY8g3bEm0zwaAy66jMyaOu87Q5G/s200/IMG_2087.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217609262099948066" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yHRCPvOEwD2a3huUfYbWm9977xNlCJ8Ca8ELkiA61CpTu2MI2-GkSP589gCIOWc0Oo7o5s-dPiO27b1AbWdw6y7rFZn_2BQqQPS1f7kNc9NUT7wCQ7zi4fZCVtaRYL59ZXfSYYZ7Bzqt/s1600-h/IMG_2095.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yHRCPvOEwD2a3huUfYbWm9977xNlCJ8Ca8ELkiA61CpTu2MI2-GkSP589gCIOWc0Oo7o5s-dPiO27b1AbWdw6y7rFZn_2BQqQPS1f7kNc9NUT7wCQ7zi4fZCVtaRYL59ZXfSYYZ7Bzqt/s200/IMG_2095.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217609265886161314" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpaNDBN88IOfOW7EJmm3gARY8AciSCL-uCeegtX6RPDRm8_bdqnfnClPoDmzjBsBDgSsHv9l3gV7_DvEMGr1zrQGod0TnAYxXFOCHPCSC4Nyf52urTN6uBpk0_Zg19MoARcscrvgGLDyX/s1600-h/IMG_2149.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpaNDBN88IOfOW7EJmm3gARY8AciSCL-uCeegtX6RPDRm8_bdqnfnClPoDmzjBsBDgSsHv9l3gV7_DvEMGr1zrQGod0TnAYxXFOCHPCSC4Nyf52urTN6uBpk0_Zg19MoARcscrvgGLDyX/s200/IMG_2149.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217609268733816834" border="0" /></a>Kaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-51957700475913071092008-06-16T09:44:00.008-04:002008-06-16T10:51:31.149-04:00Week Eleven: Lounging and GardeningWell, my excuse for being late this week is that I was wooed by Johnny Depp. Instead of posting the blog last night, I watched Sweeney Todd. Considering it was a musical, it was pretty good. You really can't go wrong with JD, though.<br /><br />As the title of this post suggests, the week has been quite enjoyable; a mixture of gardening, weeding, etc. and lounging with beers.<br /><br />On Wednesday, I went along with Steve and Joe to a local auction where they pick up odds and ends for the co-op sometimes. It seems that UK auctions aren't that different than Canadian auctions, right down to the people you encounter while there. It is unfortunate that I didn't have the foresight to bring my camera because I suspect that they are very photogenic.<br /><br />On Friday evening, Maurice, Lisa and I went to see Eve's final art project which was on show at her school, Hereford College of Arts. As is common at art shows, there was cheap wine available, which was an acceptable appetizer before the main course of pints a nearby pub. Maurice held back his consumption though because he had to drive. Lisa and I were eager to continue though, so we stopped at Tesco on the way back to Earthworm. Unfortunately for us Tesco does not sell alcohol to people who are already inebriated, so when we arrived at the counter with wine, they refused us. Just as well, I suppose; we don't need to be supporting them.<br /><br /><br />A few pictures from around the co-op<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzriD9yzF-UT9tzssOugDvvu2rRyoV4Hy6pn5nX0kNg2_z-b52tDt2x-gcrydbQVXCQ0QdfyeZI4P7yOIaSlb4nv3P-c3v6nb6NP1KsLjQ-5hwZJ28Dge6aAr5tQBw9aE9eJEKPEq_eGO/s1600-h/img_1853.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzriD9yzF-UT9tzssOugDvvu2rRyoV4Hy6pn5nX0kNg2_z-b52tDt2x-gcrydbQVXCQ0QdfyeZI4P7yOIaSlb4nv3P-c3v6nb6NP1KsLjQ-5hwZJ28Dge6aAr5tQBw9aE9eJEKPEq_eGO/s200/img_1853.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212490377869527090" border="0" /></a><br />Some tasty nasturtiums<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06vMRMYEsQFssy0LN1F-hjBT9xjV8fhApdil2ZSWZlY3ycAC6CaZcYaivABo8kTJBJuZxaYuZh7Rdbj5z4ANztD6_NW7gUX4Go8fxNTckWTjT-kSF-mGgf-IE3RGe6KHKoYKx_jLY4jES/s1600-h/img_1856.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06vMRMYEsQFssy0LN1F-hjBT9xjV8fhApdil2ZSWZlY3ycAC6CaZcYaivABo8kTJBJuZxaYuZh7Rdbj5z4ANztD6_NW7gUX4Go8fxNTckWTjT-kSF-mGgf-IE3RGe6KHKoYKx_jLY4jES/s200/img_1856.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212490391976817970" border="0" /></a><br />Maurice watering the gardens<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrjmWFgb2-FL88FKWXu2FqLgKdFGteLJ2m-FqX8EC7KvJsFGRZy0YPvvi4CV6hBpg4FVirPq-q9N6_zm2LJ8q-BIdkuWdZJmZeu__LMqaND0zYftwIDElqct0VkiSlcx-ZnXUarqPTpWW/s1600-h/img_1860.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrjmWFgb2-FL88FKWXu2FqLgKdFGteLJ2m-FqX8EC7KvJsFGRZy0YPvvi4CV6hBpg4FVirPq-q9N6_zm2LJ8q-BIdkuWdZJmZeu__LMqaND0zYftwIDElqct0VkiSlcx-ZnXUarqPTpWW/s200/img_1860.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212490404013587058" border="0" /></a><br />The innocent sugar snap growing peacefully in the polytunnel...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs867kQ8qKn-AkVEHVjlfizBuhf5Va4yq5WcZ34nX-Jf4fA6gqnxCxKSHRApPHtNpc3KrAwOKlXGT8TU_gdHqO4PbT_9v_T7jv35MNEpT3IGH4FVCTi2TTjVW1UWFODanSqQXWuMZRplcQ/s1600-h/img_1861.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs867kQ8qKn-AkVEHVjlfizBuhf5Va4yq5WcZ34nX-Jf4fA6gqnxCxKSHRApPHtNpc3KrAwOKlXGT8TU_gdHqO4PbT_9v_T7jv35MNEpT3IGH4FVCTi2TTjVW1UWFODanSqQXWuMZRplcQ/s200/img_1861.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212490407846424786" border="0" /></a><br />is pounced on by its predator<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1ZOQAridq2dzma5-Vz6EUNLbZOJKsmG8MfyiRVFmf8umzJTvBkeBF_Amc9WUw0IpHn3WAQ5kTcvciUrzKJyWPPajV7NbQSJ0_x8_mkhy0V0QvdoKVp7FKs3EnTuEMNcThkT-xIZ4zC3o/s1600-h/img_1862.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1ZOQAridq2dzma5-Vz6EUNLbZOJKsmG8MfyiRVFmf8umzJTvBkeBF_Amc9WUw0IpHn3WAQ5kTcvciUrzKJyWPPajV7NbQSJ0_x8_mkhy0V0QvdoKVp7FKs3EnTuEMNcThkT-xIZ4zC3o/s200/img_1862.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212490417612182866" border="0" /></a><br />Courgettes (or zucchinis depending on where you're from)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hsdn9T0UPAM8pgIPG6VlTGty0camxlJEJbcv5Eh__YREaEiJsHdBczRCfFbeq9iRNnT-BJPAGd_Bg3zmy3ocmIXjG-Bhw7AP1i6mYQ5Uxg0IWpDsQQA3lR_yc5YdXKe3_w4z9lCt04vL/s1600-h/img_1865.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hsdn9T0UPAM8pgIPG6VlTGty0camxlJEJbcv5Eh__YREaEiJsHdBczRCfFbeq9iRNnT-BJPAGd_Bg3zmy3ocmIXjG-Bhw7AP1i6mYQ5Uxg0IWpDsQQA3lR_yc5YdXKe3_w4z9lCt04vL/s200/img_1865.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212487542847591154" border="0" /></a><br />The nature lovers bathroom<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihn7jFqFWJT1dn4wpwfRMDA60BLZnmxxQFRKQZyRO5xXrzeUtDFW2I0eLZAaPqR7VhJbTRC4lnmCE980eUNv4mCh2lT95mVD1oqi1Mip0gF9KSlutvolwvDcM9ANAcQHIje-s5BShe1oyF/s1600-h/img_1867.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihn7jFqFWJT1dn4wpwfRMDA60BLZnmxxQFRKQZyRO5xXrzeUtDFW2I0eLZAaPqR7VhJbTRC4lnmCE980eUNv4mCh2lT95mVD1oqi1Mip0gF9KSlutvolwvDcM9ANAcQHIje-s5BShe1oyF/s200/img_1867.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212487552672455362" border="0" /></a><br />My arch nemesis, nettles<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AmyehiZjtO4JuMZKfZCESYKqFoK2AA2zJj15RZ5iKej0auZDWh4mvyoyah-WobjyrkpoLuZx1Gk3CkuZuxaYHai-4OgL1ys6yNwYs_607vbXvS-WoyWgqkoCBoxYLGWOojeISFoU7MaM/s1600-h/img_1870.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AmyehiZjtO4JuMZKfZCESYKqFoK2AA2zJj15RZ5iKej0auZDWh4mvyoyah-WobjyrkpoLuZx1Gk3CkuZuxaYHai-4OgL1ys6yNwYs_607vbXvS-WoyWgqkoCBoxYLGWOojeISFoU7MaM/s200/img_1870.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212487567309723906" border="0" /></a><br />Tracy and I shaded by grape vines in the green house<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dRjq8pTR1zR_J_C5lAPbWqhvVCKkerJQQ-8Syn44eRN91Th4gzWEVAp5H_052cQeth69HbVS3E_hyphenhyphenPXGgRfiHpmOA9k3ohO4CTfm2Cb6_mKS5feriEKxBHmwvJGoblKDuBIyzpic-NFT/s1600-h/img_1877.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dRjq8pTR1zR_J_C5lAPbWqhvVCKkerJQQ-8Syn44eRN91Th4gzWEVAp5H_052cQeth69HbVS3E_hyphenhyphenPXGgRfiHpmOA9k3ohO4CTfm2Cb6_mKS5feriEKxBHmwvJGoblKDuBIyzpic-NFT/s200/img_1877.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212487581884803282" border="0" /></a><br />Wish I was staying just a couple weeks longer so I could enjoy these beauties<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4sduBab4wz7cQfCYVfT4HpOlqkNlpjaduKfwO48_aBT8-rkQDayHMDZC2O3uiQZ1C7BusSuGNtrDzZIDFXhK9_DQnan7A1g63BrVPjM88LAdtwhzRYDj_5NTbvUKiPG9DlLkB0D0SQnf/s1600-h/img_1880.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4sduBab4wz7cQfCYVfT4HpOlqkNlpjaduKfwO48_aBT8-rkQDayHMDZC2O3uiQZ1C7BusSuGNtrDzZIDFXhK9_DQnan7A1g63BrVPjM88LAdtwhzRYDj_5NTbvUKiPG9DlLkB0D0SQnf/s200/img_1880.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212487605184091970" border="0" /></a><br />The play room<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAFc0cKGJ5FAE9O_pfG9zhhzL0qDRylEHpks9OYH09IPJepHI1zAsVB1-8_WkJqtNN8RTJd61swxNcs6W56wFYn_brKCuU9V1_adHjOY3kbicy8mUJEobimKCPpiPAb7nCkIX7SbuFJhL/s1600-h/img_1881.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAFc0cKGJ5FAE9O_pfG9zhhzL0qDRylEHpks9OYH09IPJepHI1zAsVB1-8_WkJqtNN8RTJd61swxNcs6W56wFYn_brKCuU9V1_adHjOY3kbicy8mUJEobimKCPpiPAb7nCkIX7SbuFJhL/s200/img_1881.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212485369577506194" border="0" /></a><br />Movie room complete with gymnastic rings<br /><br />- Kasza<br /><br />PS. Next weeks blog will likely be late again because I will be traveling to Paris (pronounced pah-ree for you anglophones) on SundayKaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-7679715158708194372008-06-09T02:43:00.005-04:002008-06-09T05:12:18.618-04:00Week Ten: Joyeux Anniversaire a MoiAlthough this blog is slightly late going up and my birthday was yesterday, I still wanted to use that title. The blog is late because I was late getting in last night after a bike ride with one of the co-op residents, Joe, to get groceries from the nearby town, Ludlow. The trip back should have taken about an hour but was met with some unforeseen issues that caused us to arrive back about three hours later. These issues included a bike chain breaking half way which meant pushing the bike up hills and freewheeling down hills, missing the turn back to Leintwardine, and requisite pub stops.<br /><br />It was definitely an enjoyable day of touring because before the grocery trip, in the morning, I had taken a three hour walk along nearby footpaths.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kwxv-8YusLac9owUySZXrtvgKuxlKBWtqN4nwCYLtX2f5VbVXMNeD1oPZzm-CdvGpJoYhyphenhyphendXyjWjktfaLRJP3tJE-edWnjmWHbk_Kbzwd45smFeIzOrr9O-vFp6Lgtoid5iKxgENCQKl/s1600-h/img_1847.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kwxv-8YusLac9owUySZXrtvgKuxlKBWtqN4nwCYLtX2f5VbVXMNeD1oPZzm-CdvGpJoYhyphenhyphendXyjWjktfaLRJP3tJE-edWnjmWHbk_Kbzwd45smFeIzOrr9O-vFp6Lgtoid5iKxgENCQKl/s200/img_1847.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209800975055146242" border="0" /></a><br />The footpath cuts through a wheat field<br /><br />Unfortunately, a lot people from the co-op were away this weekend, so there wasn't any party at night but Joe and his brother Sam, who was visiting for the weekend, took me out for a birthday pint when we were in Ludlow (Sam didn't participate in the return trip adventures because he headed home to Bristol on a train from Ludlow). They also got me a couple ales the night before to ring in the birthday at midnight.<br /><br />It has a been a great week here. I haven't ventured away from the co-op very much, aside from yesterday, because there is so much here to keep me entertained. It's amazing how much fun can be fit into seven acres. And with so many people around, there's always somebody to socialize with. It's really fun when a bunch of people get together in the evening and play a friendly game of volleyball.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPbFD_bWhw7HiJMnw738j95r8y5Yos6L1-t0Ed71k0ih08sLq2k2ShqdPQ96LxmxMl02FF-z7Fu-GKc2wBX2FghAd1QqAZZlCbcDqe2wARFxracfUbK2EJkyOdnn5cht7xMM0wJDHDtNj/s1600-h/img_1840.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPbFD_bWhw7HiJMnw738j95r8y5Yos6L1-t0Ed71k0ih08sLq2k2ShqdPQ96LxmxMl02FF-z7Fu-GKc2wBX2FghAd1QqAZZlCbcDqe2wARFxracfUbK2EJkyOdnn5cht7xMM0wJDHDtNj/s200/img_1840.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209800983023099938" border="0" /></a><br />Trampolines, volleyball net, fire pit, oh my<br /><br />I guess it is obvious, since I am still here, that they agreed to let me stay until June 22 which is great because I'll be here for the Solstice party happening on the 21st. I just have to be careful to be up in time, so I don't miss my flight to Paris. I feel guilty about deciding to fly to Paris (since I've been in Europe, I've been educated about the severe pollution created by <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6955009.stm">aviation emissions</a>). It was a purely selfish decision, so that I could fit in everything I wanted to do (Solstice party and three days in Paris). It really is crazy the difference in price between air and rail fares. For example, my flight cost about £60 but to take the train from here to Paris would be £160. I'm sure a reasonable explanation is buried somewhere beneath taxes, subsidies, and loads of bureaucracy.<br /><br />I am posting some photos of Earthworm but it really isn't going to do it justice. A less detailed but better representation of the site can be viewed on <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=sy7+0lh&ie=UTF8&ll=52.367392,-2.876294&spn=0.000663,0.00166&t=h&z=19">Google Maps</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcSfezIUx3nPHnvQLj02NG0mYVom4IHLUEBRUi3RQYJ3DkWIAsPmcXYZeUAmh3YjZxa5ZS7TdJtCsHa-b9grOhdkqRboOeC81hc-txNiaRSoNceII54Sm2wHxdMSn860ZFplX_9laeo0R/s1600-h/img_1838.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcSfezIUx3nPHnvQLj02NG0mYVom4IHLUEBRUi3RQYJ3DkWIAsPmcXYZeUAmh3YjZxa5ZS7TdJtCsHa-b9grOhdkqRboOeC81hc-txNiaRSoNceII54Sm2wHxdMSn860ZFplX_9laeo0R/s200/img_1838.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209800992632101746" border="0" /></a><br />One angle of the main house<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgaoQqivwibZpIBQDu_5fzMXdhV68Qu5IWBT3Ngs2ic13jdj5lKbViWitsxhCrbBp_GgAqzuvJ996jZVbqTDJ6S60bKeuOqL41rfl9lK8EVRist6oVNiUJiyRca6hvv-XHX06iyTAkQwQ/s1600-h/img_1843.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgaoQqivwibZpIBQDu_5fzMXdhV68Qu5IWBT3Ngs2ic13jdj5lKbViWitsxhCrbBp_GgAqzuvJ996jZVbqTDJ6S60bKeuOqL41rfl9lK8EVRist6oVNiUJiyRca6hvv-XHX06iyTAkQwQ/s200/img_1843.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209801000894668258" border="0" /></a><br />The stable block (where I sleep) as seen from the garden<br /><br />I haven't gotten around to taking photos of the people at Earthworm yet but here is a list of the people who I have met here in the past week.<br /><br />Permanent Members<br />Steve, Ronie and their kids (Rhiannon, Lily, Morwenna, and Ned)<br />Joe and Amy Jane<br />Tracy and her son Jay<br />Lisa and her daughter Eve (haven't met Lisa yet because she's been away)<br />Rocky<br />Matt, Emma and their kids (Corryn and Djindra)<br /><br />Visitors<br />Maurice (long term WWOOFer)<br />Sam (Joe's brother)<br />Emily (previous member)<br /><br /><br />And some more photos. These are two critters I have come across in the past week:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccL2QxzU0g2X_7fL_a6wAXo4l7ltvsDopP-FqtLBzMjMJ-mpbRRfovUuFiSHlg1LsS1k2-Aaly-DW69wcSXk8XjOrCfX80VO-FxeYVboc-VAlXJr7JUPKEq4sBzC947_oYcm5a005stK2/s1600-h/img_1829.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccL2QxzU0g2X_7fL_a6wAXo4l7ltvsDopP-FqtLBzMjMJ-mpbRRfovUuFiSHlg1LsS1k2-Aaly-DW69wcSXk8XjOrCfX80VO-FxeYVboc-VAlXJr7JUPKEq4sBzC947_oYcm5a005stK2/s200/img_1829.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209803583918202114" border="0" /></a><br />This bat was found in front of my door. It must have been sick or injured because it died shortly after.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7rR_89x-gcjaIvdb4YfcayPrdHavkXqwK_6wArSoaAIhtyYWOP1_QapCPZr9Ys9sQ33QZphQqfAw3tkmFJST7XE2Z-es_vnVibPwIXwwCa7YK0asX5-BbWIOZKfUkSNzp23UHhVMbBH8/s1600-h/img_1850.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7rR_89x-gcjaIvdb4YfcayPrdHavkXqwK_6wArSoaAIhtyYWOP1_QapCPZr9Ys9sQ33QZphQqfAw3tkmFJST7XE2Z-es_vnVibPwIXwwCa7YK0asX5-BbWIOZKfUkSNzp23UHhVMbBH8/s200/img_1850.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209803597614236786" border="0" /></a><br />I saw these remnants of a rabbit hanging from a fence while out walking yesterday. You'll have to draw your own conclusions of how a rabbit gets hooked on barbwire because I'm not really sure.<br /><br />That's a good note to end on.<br /><br />- KaszaKaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-11266227004236340892008-06-01T17:06:00.008-04:002008-06-01T18:37:27.245-04:00Week 9: Fourteen Hours Later, Earthworm Housing Co-opI started my journey from Portree at 7:45am, yesterday (Saturday) and instead of arriving at my last stop, Ludlow, at 8pm, I arrived at midnight. Why is it that traveling is so tiring? It's not like I did anything but sit on a bus and several trains for the whole day (switching between napping and reading). I would think that I'd have loads of energy after a day like that. But when I finally had the chance to conk out at 1am, I was dead to the world for seven hours.<br /><br />The people at Earthworm have been great so far and I know that my stay here will be thoroughly enjoyed. There is no certainty that I will be able to stay for three weeks, though. I have three trial days before they have a co-op meeting Tuesday evening and it will be decided if I can stay until the 22nd or not.<br /><br />My one day that I have experienced here has included learning about comfrey mulching, eating a communal dinner with 15 people, playing a friendly game of after-dinner volleyball and several decent chats.<br /><br />I have access to decent computer with broadband, so no excuses for no pictures now. Here are the ones I wasn't able to post for the last while.<br /><br /><br />Photo Essay of Being Kasza in Scotland<br /><br />Rose Cottage<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRzOrHBnOLdj4TBpd3mjj8YigEThu16qPoQIYPf5vmUDP8D07uGsEnEwiHySCpNO9jYk7QB8Y27rhBt_Iy0SiiUDDmb5WzT5r05lF07GmeahjmRy7kVoNvUThtQCI8r2l__2v-U3J10kQ/s1600-h/andrew.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRzOrHBnOLdj4TBpd3mjj8YigEThu16qPoQIYPf5vmUDP8D07uGsEnEwiHySCpNO9jYk7QB8Y27rhBt_Iy0SiiUDDmb5WzT5r05lF07GmeahjmRy7kVoNvUThtQCI8r2l__2v-U3J10kQ/s200/andrew.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207036912373601458" border="0" /></a><br />Host Andrew (Host Lisa absent due to photo shyness)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcavd-LcZDXUVFM8zMFP9iuSxGD858bAreMxiIROZ7x-FJT0IArfWyXSyupCNzdVpG0qQfDjqN_OSjMxaCT-RtwEVGB0PjxFFgQrQBFNbiOU6hIxHBtrJ4vu7JS-n1TRIF5VLcO9sUtq2/s1600-h/carol.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcavd-LcZDXUVFM8zMFP9iuSxGD858bAreMxiIROZ7x-FJT0IArfWyXSyupCNzdVpG0qQfDjqN_OSjMxaCT-RtwEVGB0PjxFFgQrQBFNbiOU6hIxHBtrJ4vu7JS-n1TRIF5VLcO9sUtq2/s200/carol.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207036912373601442" border="0" /></a><br />German WWOOFer Carol<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoV6WH6Ql2fwvGw3VUQZi5m3eBeyLtR4W9mBm34XheWwaHCM0N-NQqrh6gQ6O-ewCEkzhaA4POAfpHBzbXPnurxuPyAkRbTL4F8TpWW6LzHj6avU7V57oR3B0wxQMAp4ZwTGtHpQq9L0u/s1600-h/lesley.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoV6WH6Ql2fwvGw3VUQZi5m3eBeyLtR4W9mBm34XheWwaHCM0N-NQqrh6gQ6O-ewCEkzhaA4POAfpHBzbXPnurxuPyAkRbTL4F8TpWW6LzHj6avU7V57oR3B0wxQMAp4ZwTGtHpQq9L0u/s200/lesley.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207036903783666834" border="0" /></a><br />American Leslie<br /><br /><br />Glasgow Botanic Garden<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBNbElQiN4pdfMU9NcwGzgcCG30MUgfRVp1ktrpynF4vQ_2rDzIYZBMFaX9LIqGk6qeCaKjVXHszxgeg6en4ilqFP7BrBZIe1950fXac9oxQOyX30HHXMBTCq2sfHHiFGq0m7Kr33R5o7/s1600-h/reflect.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBNbElQiN4pdfMU9NcwGzgcCG30MUgfRVp1ktrpynF4vQ_2rDzIYZBMFaX9LIqGk6qeCaKjVXHszxgeg6en4ilqFP7BrBZIe1950fXac9oxQOyX30HHXMBTCq2sfHHiFGq0m7Kr33R5o7/s200/reflect.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207036920963536082" border="0" /></a><br />Fish Swimming in Skylight<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzBDgMUq_EdOROivg4P2Xpe33cpo8JkGYfHrpECFsK0HQuYeRWpWa6ja2Exi0ZCs_QHufqJwuSYbLZfymr-5csD_iY1sOOcOlnEj10zk3z5J3veXs7KLD4wdoDwkpNk5nAwk9UeRRYsXo/s1600-h/killerorchid.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzBDgMUq_EdOROivg4P2Xpe33cpo8JkGYfHrpECFsK0HQuYeRWpWa6ja2Exi0ZCs_QHufqJwuSYbLZfymr-5csD_iY1sOOcOlnEj10zk3z5J3veXs7KLD4wdoDwkpNk5nAwk9UeRRYsXo/s200/killerorchid.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207036916668568770" border="0" /></a><br />Vicious Orchids<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgRuERS6TJWIXvj3cnK_aZyXWJXwtvE4iK2-LRZ8f2UL0FLiFJ91viCRUq6RmWHm7b5pfCu4DC9mSXYT8S7D47IGNVB-GqY2CEyNnxZzzbNSxCWBO9cVvb4Xe21f_M7Bkgo-eBvOhgH9I/s1600-h/think.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgRuERS6TJWIXvj3cnK_aZyXWJXwtvE4iK2-LRZ8f2UL0FLiFJ91viCRUq6RmWHm7b5pfCu4DC9mSXYT8S7D47IGNVB-GqY2CEyNnxZzzbNSxCWBO9cVvb4Xe21f_M7Bkgo-eBvOhgH9I/s200/think.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207037779956995298" border="0" /></a><br />Some Guy Chillin'<br /><br /><br />Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92mN6dHxhgv2uSLqyYaissw4UY8uVO64nP3LBVdAV3Wf9bEgvgnY-5rVTkbvu7JhdKXTFB2m2girDdzdzS4cXyTfGI2vbRVwDe0B9GJQEjHe9hw2b7pjiIQGNB_jFE1ZQFgbAMp0_Bq_X/s1600-h/locke.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92mN6dHxhgv2uSLqyYaissw4UY8uVO64nP3LBVdAV3Wf9bEgvgnY-5rVTkbvu7JhdKXTFB2m2girDdzdzS4cXyTfGI2vbRVwDe0B9GJQEjHe9hw2b7pjiIQGNB_jFE1ZQFgbAMp0_Bq_X/s200/locke.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207037779956995314" border="0" /></a><br />John Locke (I guess this was done before he got popular on Lost)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_B8O3z8D1fUytZeTeN6YAbCK02GABH0xdaBxRWokjEEu4Q9jhzka67x_UAY2z45R9ixkyCdUPe-rG8Pz14H8BkQ0SCGlIoOS_58dxjx2rnSzdbes7ICfC77tvXJB65FoDNEwQUK67NpA/s1600-h/elvis.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_B8O3z8D1fUytZeTeN6YAbCK02GABH0xdaBxRWokjEEu4Q9jhzka67x_UAY2z45R9ixkyCdUPe-rG8Pz14H8BkQ0SCGlIoOS_58dxjx2rnSzdbes7ICfC77tvXJB65FoDNEwQUK67NpA/s200/elvis.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207037784251962626" border="0" /></a><br />The King<br /><br /><br />Scottish Landscape<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuc-hMovHWyC5QAdmCvPlOth-kj3-YY77_g-MbVPtXLon9A5HYpC1lTrQgUIRgcBQy-Uwj-LnwzTn2pY5fEzwHktk-q6HTy1j2gJCjrKWr5DTc1U3Y4tZ24XWYfZuYV8az41Tti8w9ztUN/s1600-h/scotlandhills.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuc-hMovHWyC5QAdmCvPlOth-kj3-YY77_g-MbVPtXLon9A5HYpC1lTrQgUIRgcBQy-Uwj-LnwzTn2pY5fEzwHktk-q6HTy1j2gJCjrKWr5DTc1U3Y4tZ24XWYfZuYV8az41Tti8w9ztUN/s200/scotlandhills.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207037797136864546" border="0" /></a><br />View from the bus on Route to Skye<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOH9cVDwXFXAZtxIX7ccI9DJto0yZG_ChIbGKj7V_7ZEujcTPqlxEwYro_LuD7zTchhWcjkie-9iyrW5P39G457v_M2Ftr4e1qVBwRzqwtPDvYDk_RQIB-lpihMIiAVJtCPhWl5XAdLXOj/s1600-h/motionview.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOH9cVDwXFXAZtxIX7ccI9DJto0yZG_ChIbGKj7V_7ZEujcTPqlxEwYro_LuD7zTchhWcjkie-9iyrW5P39G457v_M2Ftr4e1qVBwRzqwtPDvYDk_RQIB-lpihMIiAVJtCPhWl5XAdLXOj/s200/motionview.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207038471446730034" border="0" /></a><br />More of the Same<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eUzd3_u6ZqIMuxHq96CdQNeqoLmw0oBgJuK4va1FxHx9HT4d1PS8uRKUpKs0-5iZSAA084gcs9VX3Ukl3zUEbdMubsmGTMHj20wlegJvUhQg2TnaUdWNaArTFGED8PGCAfTmY0bmo9mI/s1600-h/dunveganhead.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eUzd3_u6ZqIMuxHq96CdQNeqoLmw0oBgJuK4va1FxHx9HT4d1PS8uRKUpKs0-5iZSAA084gcs9VX3Ukl3zUEbdMubsmGTMHj20wlegJvUhQg2TnaUdWNaArTFGED8PGCAfTmY0bmo9mI/s200/dunveganhead.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207038475741697362" border="0" /></a><br />Looking Northwest from Living Ark<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohyphenhyphencUqYGSpTUoAqvhlpV_HRu6HNoGxlpuXFu7T6LrBFj5ItBg1nu8n_-hTJMryWJO0QUbugxApwChiBd2-Zg1jIgA3hMwy0p3BMFUZspdmrTz7Wtcg0cF8mZf41YWyLrq3slk52b8k2Vi/s1600-h/penview.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohyphenhyphencUqYGSpTUoAqvhlpV_HRu6HNoGxlpuXFu7T6LrBFj5ItBg1nu8n_-hTJMryWJO0QUbugxApwChiBd2-Zg1jIgA3hMwy0p3BMFUZspdmrTz7Wtcg0cF8mZf41YWyLrq3slk52b8k2Vi/s200/penview.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207038484331631986" border="0" /></a><br />Near Niest Point<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRwj6TZre36fP2SA4soVcyWuxXGJsrY4bTjFPjubvP1PMDsGktLQXmNqLWnpyv0_VdvwvLH8W10PdPHA2walWr0fU2sxgpWFNJgjIfvfMlYgxD4euQWOFhwKHh-uYW8lwqN58XRFwuj3q/s1600-h/boattalisker.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRwj6TZre36fP2SA4soVcyWuxXGJsrY4bTjFPjubvP1PMDsGktLQXmNqLWnpyv0_VdvwvLH8W10PdPHA2walWr0fU2sxgpWFNJgjIfvfMlYgxD4euQWOFhwKHh-uYW8lwqN58XRFwuj3q/s200/boattalisker.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207039966095349250" border="0" /></a><br />Across from Talisker Distillery<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1m8ElVXfeHDimjcTNrycDiPhfbjt7ZOidrfinw2TXa_pQ2K6VbXfHiKGVR8iS3z9oiY5gXawRZChWhc2YFcZAdUHe9jHezgdrgEARisXSxwWEXesQZqbhlbsXoEKRPVcqWKvyL4O_svnc/s1600-h/blackonblue.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1m8ElVXfeHDimjcTNrycDiPhfbjt7ZOidrfinw2TXa_pQ2K6VbXfHiKGVR8iS3z9oiY5gXawRZChWhc2YFcZAdUHe9jHezgdrgEARisXSxwWEXesQZqbhlbsXoEKRPVcqWKvyL4O_svnc/s200/blackonblue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207039575253325202" border="0" /></a><br />Black Dot on Blue with a 50mm Lens<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlFcTp403aSJuMRDQH8BT3r_LxgtRNJn_XvVGtl_V3LiqaT3ucjHbi8DIKcs_RwScEQ4MWpAHrcE2sZFGRwk0ueCzor80WQcyNBOOGjgUqQU6LgnX-TC63R_WXzJ6SP6pfLa8lFvftnla/s1600-h/sunniest.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlFcTp403aSJuMRDQH8BT3r_LxgtRNJn_XvVGtl_V3LiqaT3ucjHbi8DIKcs_RwScEQ4MWpAHrcE2sZFGRwk0ueCzor80WQcyNBOOGjgUqQU6LgnX-TC63R_WXzJ6SP6pfLa8lFvftnla/s200/sunniest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207039579548292514" border="0" /></a><br />Sunset at Niest Point<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAirOXuOxG3oPg3Wmq1jKVhg4U8wfUGUsFF3CzTgvQxC4olz0xf6afmTY1B4wowAcaZBE-ybTf8I2hBtqiXq2DbALYObb1Q0lMa3_WEi37QpdWjzL7dGlKHo2C50EsPA9yqh-IpWqaQPVf/s1600-h/sunset.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAirOXuOxG3oPg3Wmq1jKVhg4U8wfUGUsFF3CzTgvQxC4olz0xf6afmTY1B4wowAcaZBE-ybTf8I2hBtqiXq2DbALYObb1Q0lMa3_WEi37QpdWjzL7dGlKHo2C50EsPA9yqh-IpWqaQPVf/s200/sunset.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207039579548292530" border="0" /></a><br />Sunset at Living Ark<br /><br /><br />Living Ark<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindNqDWoAmJSAnTFnuJ4kugNcC0CNWxkFU8Crabq0tJOcSaqUIdVT1Ve1v2InXme5SLMR2ZWo4l75kOtGYLqlo5jqc-W1sRgtwI3phGRP0iCt1ibjCR-pDnM7yKYGtdp5pT5xQS20vZ96B/s1600-h/livingark.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindNqDWoAmJSAnTFnuJ4kugNcC0CNWxkFU8Crabq0tJOcSaqUIdVT1Ve1v2InXme5SLMR2ZWo4l75kOtGYLqlo5jqc-W1sRgtwI3phGRP0iCt1ibjCR-pDnM7yKYGtdp5pT5xQS20vZ96B/s200/livingark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207038475741697346" border="0" /></a><br />The Croft<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_aVKBfSY5T8LH1LOP9HnNmKU4hcaml1sRdRroHOZ_vDJ_PUlK3g1RBtVvbEDaHgGpPBiBDT6Z6h4xdlybHRnrJocWvA-eYsESLAE3VDpnoUIM_vhaX2G01Iy-4fYwLff0UhXlL388Zsk/s1600-h/cloud.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_aVKBfSY5T8LH1LOP9HnNmKU4hcaml1sRdRroHOZ_vDJ_PUlK3g1RBtVvbEDaHgGpPBiBDT6Z6h4xdlybHRnrJocWvA-eYsESLAE3VDpnoUIM_vhaX2G01Iy-4fYwLff0UhXlL388Zsk/s200/cloud.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207039953210447314" border="0" /></a><br />Cloud and Mother<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl74zILpYm-wjgcDwi4ajzr438ysN5690gq2J-5ieAQ86jlpgzJh2MrCkC5rJS7DA83-lyNVTjFZ8qiddOasg1Qs7M_JJE1efJ1eIujnD79tIr4nI2IijH_FI8tFbK3PU9M8arwrLLKP_e/s1600-h/doommodel.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl74zILpYm-wjgcDwi4ajzr438ysN5690gq2J-5ieAQ86jlpgzJh2MrCkC5rJS7DA83-lyNVTjFZ8qiddOasg1Qs7M_JJE1efJ1eIujnD79tIr4nI2IijH_FI8tFbK3PU9M8arwrLLKP_e/s200/doommodel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207039957505414626" border="0" /></a><br />Lambu (certain he was the model for the demon in Doom)<br /><br /><br />Random Remaining Photos<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYx_6K19gaq8B8OgClFJoovREnqiY8FxUeg08-YAxorNzVpJ9MU6hJsdPc2mtCTJ4ULgWEboIVibzk_O4AhaqmhiRW8mswCVRW3qZNBc9zKxRP9yYa9rjk4Xjk6ZKK2phhhLl_K5ymhs_w/s1600-h/parkour.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYx_6K19gaq8B8OgClFJoovREnqiY8FxUeg08-YAxorNzVpJ9MU6hJsdPc2mtCTJ4ULgWEboIVibzk_O4AhaqmhiRW8mswCVRW3qZNBc9zKxRP9yYa9rjk4Xjk6ZKK2phhhLl_K5ymhs_w/s200/parkour.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207037792841897234" border="0" /></a><br />Little Stair Set where I did <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkour">Parkour</a> Flips in Glasgow<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gV_dDMrKWix3hBN44NaDOp2cmshTtpATtSjxWaoWpxrbYFiyCVO1vxgaAyKa-dWuaIb2bg_kQIvSRxNGCQPgCYLEKzwIAtt-RTVCPzjASusBhOaHz0FLgaRR33YisegmHZuYi673w-66/s1600-h/sunexpose.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gV_dDMrKWix3hBN44NaDOp2cmshTtpATtSjxWaoWpxrbYFiyCVO1vxgaAyKa-dWuaIb2bg_kQIvSRxNGCQPgCYLEKzwIAtt-RTVCPzjASusBhOaHz0FLgaRR33YisegmHZuYi673w-66/s200/sunexpose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207039583843259842" border="0" /></a><br />One of these sees constant sunlight; the other rarely sees sunlight<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMG_QnOSNOHYdy-iRQRsxLDdYANBDzFXhpU0JUFUwDBd73xl4ag7pEm2AU8NQWJBY2_24C4Vp5MiTkhWpobq3psGnh-KSPTopasLvlStrFC9ns6tMhPNm7lHzPu44XeCHMtUvzGvwcCT0/s1600-h/lasleep.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMG_QnOSNOHYdy-iRQRsxLDdYANBDzFXhpU0JUFUwDBd73xl4ag7pEm2AU8NQWJBY2_24C4Vp5MiTkhWpobq3psGnh-KSPTopasLvlStrFC9ns6tMhPNm7lHzPu44XeCHMtUvzGvwcCT0/s200/lasleep.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207038480036664674" border="0" /></a><br />Bit of Fixer Upper<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKGeqXjC1vb4PD78TNqJSxC0ppeg4YwZEHTK-CDV5u3MozU_UjTiQo6OXS2iKEwqFgu86QiAWSxStIZgcrHscqHoTuZJ1Cphsh29_Vn_Mbu0JeL5fu880g9cBboslTVt5jmm2qNum8x7V/s1600-h/punksheep.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKGeqXjC1vb4PD78TNqJSxC0ppeg4YwZEHTK-CDV5u3MozU_UjTiQo6OXS2iKEwqFgu86QiAWSxStIZgcrHscqHoTuZJ1Cphsh29_Vn_Mbu0JeL5fu880g9cBboslTVt5jmm2qNum8x7V/s200/punksheep.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207039570958357890" border="0" /></a><br />Sheep on Skye are into Punk<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRIY5kUUfGMw6yiFexnRv7zeuyfwoyfIL1Dz-aahBYK5s_hvejCztMvMZxaL3rpahw8FqLaSrKqBJfiaZTGi1GpTngSJI95h-mu2HoMYqhw36WgsYFCpTKxTwSIonhhjw2bvgNgZlonF4/s1600-h/talisker.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRIY5kUUfGMw6yiFexnRv7zeuyfwoyfIL1Dz-aahBYK5s_hvejCztMvMZxaL3rpahw8FqLaSrKqBJfiaZTGi1GpTngSJI95h-mu2HoMYqhw36WgsYFCpTKxTwSIonhhjw2bvgNgZlonF4/s200/talisker.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207039961800381938" border="0" /></a><br />Most Interesting Item I Saw at Talisker<br /><br /><br />For the Tantrum Kids<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiCvZ6mOtOxmGSgLMzO_dRj1yQnvLpW39WxGQAtfObu9hyqKZ0ulebjV5VuJdzwdlMJZdFM7s9EiEbKl5i13aIII1DiT-X8gDhX6BpYfXStmS2fdxlbJA5cd7WStL02xVfh5E-sphceWv/s1600-h/gaymer.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiCvZ6mOtOxmGSgLMzO_dRj1yQnvLpW39WxGQAtfObu9hyqKZ0ulebjV5VuJdzwdlMJZdFM7s9EiEbKl5i13aIII1DiT-X8gDhX6BpYfXStmS2fdxlbJA5cd7WStL02xVfh5E-sphceWv/s200/gaymer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207035245926290562" border="0" /></a><br />When you're done gaming, have a gaymer.Kaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-46267468258591301822008-05-25T16:07:00.004-04:002008-05-25T16:25:50.065-04:00Week 8: I Pissed in the Minch SeaOn Monday evening I decided to make the best of the nice weather (aside from two cloudy days, it's always been sunny; wind is the only problem) and venture out to <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=neist+point,+isle+of+skye&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=32.939885,59.765625&ie=UTF8&ll=57.424321,-6.788349&spn=0.010929,0.029182&z=15&iwloc=addr">Neist Point</a>, the most westerly tip of Skye. Neist Point is home to a <a href="http://www.skyeselect.com/neistpoint.htm">lighthouse</a> which supposedly doubles as a B&B but other than two guys fishing off some rocks nearby and several campers back at the road, I didn't see any life at the light house.<br /><br />It took me about two hours to get out to the point from Living Ark and by that time my beverage from dinner had caught up with me. Oddly, the Isle of Skye maintainers didn't anticipate my arrival and have a public toilet waiting for me. So, despite there being nobody else at the point (other than two guys fishing the other side of the light house), I sought out the privacy of some cliff rocks and relieved myself into the Minch Sea. Once I had gotten that out of the way, I was able to continue my visit of Neist Point.<br /><br />Being so close to the Atlantic Ocean (only the Western Isles stood between me and the Atlantic), I felt I should venture as far as I could. A certain degree of thought for my safety may have kept me from going all the way to the edge but as I strolled along the rocks I heard the unmistakeable sound of a sea mammal exhaling. My stroll turned to a clamour as I made my way towards the edge, hoping to get a good look and some photos. I peered out into the bobbing blue sea trying desperately to put an image to the sound I had just heard. Soon enough, a few hundred meters out I saw the body of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whale">whale</a> as it slipped back into the water. Luckily for me I had only brought my <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EF_50mm_lens">50mm lens</a>, which would ensure that any pictures I attempted of the whale left it appearing as a black dot in an otherwise blue photo. <br /><br />I stuck around for over half an hour hoping the whale would come closer, so at least one shot might add a bit of detail to my pictures of a black dot on blue. It seems that whales must be psychic because once I had given up and decided I should head back, I heard another exhale. Spinning around, I saw the dorsal fin slip into the water only fifty meters out, much closer than before. Hopefully, I’ll head back this week with my telephoto lens to get some better shots. <br /><br /><br />In the last blog post, I mentioned that there was another guy, Pete, staying at Living Ark who had hooked up with them through <a href="http://www.couchsurfer.com/">couchsurfer.com</a>. He was supposed to look after the animals until he left on Wednesday. After that, feeding responsibilities would be mine. But while he was here he would show me the ropes. On the ride to Living Ark with Den last Sunday when I arrived, Den told me how Pete was really gung-ho about staying long-term at Living Ark. Den wanted him to think it through a bit longer, though, because, come on, who wants to live in a caravan long-term with no future plans or aspirations? It seems that Pete really did. That is until Den mentioned the contract that long-term volunteers have to sign. Den left at five that day and shortly after Pete did the same (without so much as a toodle-loo). I guess he wasn’t too chuffed about contracts. <br /><br />It took me the better part of Monday to realize that Pete was gone and wasn’t returning. It was also obvious that the animals weren’t going to feed themselves. Luckily, Den had left some reminder notes out for volunteers and I was able to serve dinner for the critters.<br /><br />Aside from feeding and a few odd jobs, my responsibilities have been slim, so I have spent the majority of the week doing some planning for future stops on the trip. That and reading (<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/White-Fang-Penguin-Popular-Classics/dp/0140621148">Call of the Wild</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Never-Cry-Wolf-Farley-Mowat/dp/0553273965">Never Cry Wolf</a>) have occupied my time.<br /><br />I arrive at my next location, <a href="http://directory.ic.org/4032/Earthworm_Housing_Co-op">Earthworm Housing Co-op</a>, Saturday evening. And then June 22, I cross the border into France.<br /><br />Missing my Macbook and broadband Internet connection,<br />KaszaKaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-13333384442797347522008-05-19T05:47:00.010-04:002008-05-25T16:25:45.706-04:00Week 7: From Coylton to Lower MilovaigI have tried to prepare myself for the challenges that I would face during this trip but obviously I can only prepare for so much. The challenge that I am faced with now is posting this blog entry using a dial-up connection from a Pentium III running Windows 98 (it's amazing how much some people can endure). This challenge has caused the delay of this post (written last night) because I have been trying for a full day to find a program to get the photos from my camera to the 'puter. No luck yet.<br /><br />So, I have made it to <a href="http://www.livingark.com/">The Living Ark Animal Sanctuary</a> in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=13+lower+milovaig,+isle+of+skye,+uk&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=32.939885,59.765625&ie=UTF8&ll=57.453516,-6.752987&spn=0.010921,0.029182&z=15&iwloc=addr">Lower Milovaig</a> on the western tip of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Skye">Isle of Skye</a>. It was an amazing trip through the highlands today. I started out the day with a clear, sapphire blue sky overhead in Glasgow and took a 7am bus en route to Portree. Gradually clouds started to dot the sky as the morning progressed but they only added to the spectacular views of the Scotland countryside which frequently included a mountain steeply dropping into a still loch. The other upside of the trip north was that there were less than ten people on the bus, so I had a comfortable amount of space to stretch out. I was met by the Living Ark host, Den, in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=kyle+of+lochalsh+bus+stop&sll=57.281641,-5.748596&sspn=0.087774,0.233459&ie=UTF8&ll=57.280713,-5.713749&spn=0.021944,0.058365&t=h&z=14">Kyle of Lochalsh</a> and he drove me the rest of the way to Lower Milovaig.<br /><br />They have several pigs, a few sheep, many hens (no roosters, thank jeebus), and one cat. Den works as a GP in Inverness, so frequently he is away and Rima is in London right now, working on research project. While they are away usually, a neighbour friend, Colin, will feed the animals but right now they have a coach surfer that is handling the feeding. He will be leaving on Wednesday, so then it'll be my responsibility to feed the animals (I see this as a perfect opportunity to test my hypothesis that chickens would prefer to eat straw like the other animals).<br /><br />I've only been on the island for a few hours, so there's not much else to say about it yet. I'll finish the finish this post by relating my less than twenty-four hour experience in Glasgow (because aside from watching Forgetting Sarah Marshall on Wednesday, the past week in Coylton has only included weeding. Lots of weeding.)<br /><br />So, anybody that has had an opinion on where I should visit while in Scotland, has recommended that I don't waste my time with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow">Glasgow</a> and that I should instead head over to Edinburgh. One of the drunks in Newcastle summed it up best for me: "You know the only thing that Glasgow is known for don't you? Heroine. Haven't you seen <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117951/">Trainspotting</a>?" And he finished with obligatory "you should go to Edinburgh instead". I couldn't believe that the only thing that Glasgow had going on was heroine, though, and it was conveniently situated in my way of heading up to Skye, so I checked it out for a day. Who knew that everybody would be right.<br /><br />The second that you get off your bus, train, or plane in Glasgow, a lovely welcoming party appointed by the Secretary of Tourism for Glasgow will ensure that you are stocked up with everything you need: <a href="http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/r/ro/rotorhead/489544_preparing_heroine.jpg">a baggy of powder, a belt, spoon, lighter and needle</a>. If you should lose or damage any of your welcoming package, you can obtain replacements from one of many outlets well placed throughout the city. Conveniently for me, there was one situated in the <a href="http://www.syha.org.uk/SYHA/Web/Site/Hostels/Glasgow.asp">hostel that I was staying at</a>, so I didn't have to venture far to restock.<br /><br />I did pry myself away for a short period of time from that lovely local pastime to have a look around Glasgow's <a href="http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/Parks_Outdoors/Parks_gardens/botanicgardens.htm">Botanic Gardens</a> and the <a href="http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/venue/index.cfm?venueid=4">Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum</a>. One of the great thing about Glasgow's museums and galleries is that they all have free admission. I had a look at the night life listings in a local paper and <a href="http://www.abcglasgow.com/">ABC</a> sounded like it could be a good time but it didn't seem too smart to me to stay out late clubbing when I had a 7am bus to catch the next day. So, I just loitered in the hostel lounge area browsing the internet on the iPod Touch.<br /><br />- Kasza<br /><br />PS. I will post pics once I have succeed in getting them off the camera.Kaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-20170205136280165172008-05-11T17:04:00.006-04:002008-05-11T19:18:59.610-04:00Oooh, Robert Downey Jr., You're Such a DreamboatWoo hoo, I saw <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0371746/">Iron Man</a> on Wednesday with Andrew and Carol (Lisa isn't into Hollywood films). I realize this is not the day that it opened on, so I'm slipping in my geeky ways but I did get in for free (Andrew, the host, paid for me). There was a sufficient amount of explosions, gadgets and testosterone to keep me going until <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800080/">The Incredible Hulk</a> opens next month (then I'll be saying "Oooh, Ed Norton, you're such a dreamboat").<br /><br />Yesterday, I took a break from working in the gardens and went touring around downtown <a href="http://http//maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=ayr,+South+Ayrshire,+UK&ie=UTF8&ll=55.462701,-4.632111&spn=0.060145,0.17046&t=h&z=13">Ayr </a>which is only a 15 minute bus ride from <a href="http://http//maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=27+Joppa,+Coylton,+South+Ayrshire,+KA6+6,+UK&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=42.85226,87.275391&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=16&iwloc=addr">where I'm staying</a>. Unfortunately, it rained in the morning but I was able to take cover in <a href="http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/libraries/branches/carnegie.htm">Carnegie Library</a> and read <a href="http://http//www.amazon.com/Superman-Batman-Worlds-Dave-Gibbons/dp/1563890682">World's Finest</a>. After the rain subsided, I ventured south to the <a href="http://http//www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/galleries/maclaurin.htm">Maclaurin Galleries</a> at <a href="http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/galleries/rozellemapav.htm">Rozelle House</a>. There were quite a few watercolours that I liked and an interesting temporary exhibit by <a href="http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/galleries/JackiParry.htm">Jacki Parry</a> which focused on paper .<br /><br />Other than Wednesday evening and yesterday, my days have been pretty routine: I get up around six (approximately 3-4 hours before anybody else), feed and walk the dogs (Poppy and Mr. Patches), shower, break fast and check my email. By that time, it's after 8 and I head out to weed. There's surprisingly quite a bit of land for this small house and the lower third of it is overgrown in weeds. We're clearing out the weeds, so wild flowers can be planted. The goal being to attract wildlife to the area (a pond will be added to the middle third of the yard to promote wildlife as well). I have been lucky enough to have access to a portable digital radio which I can listen to <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/">BBC 6 Music</a> on while I uproot plants.<br /><br />Another comfort I have here is unlimited access to Wi-Fi, either via the iPod or one of the hosts' laptops. So, in the evenings, I've wasted quite a bit of time comparing train and bus rates and planning my future destinations (or just veging out watching <a href="http://www.funnyordie.com/">Funny or Die</a>).<br /><br />I have also had the pleasure of watching a couple episodes of a Scottish skit comedy show, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/tv/chewinthefat/">Chewin' the Fat</a>; I do not recommend it.<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VlBXy-aHSmI&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VlBXy-aHSmI&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />Here are the lovely pups that I get to walk each morning:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGQkYaatP-B2QnMWQVC8L7CEITDQ5NNPQ3caWUWjit39GUsbyDGa1H8FQ_Op6pw50HmtTnEjG0ikBVL2cPQZX6mU88CYrrwsSr4gpBXrakKS2uF6xuSyuay6vNU9Agi69zxLNs-vLavzt/s1600-h/mrpatches.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199261109167299138" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGQkYaatP-B2QnMWQVC8L7CEITDQ5NNPQ3caWUWjit39GUsbyDGa1H8FQ_Op6pw50HmtTnEjG0ikBVL2cPQZX6mU88CYrrwsSr4gpBXrakKS2uF6xuSyuay6vNU9Agi69zxLNs-vLavzt/s320/mrpatches.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Mr. Patches (Arthritic Dog)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYw0ycX05IBMTTgjjEJTK1tc7_Dzojl8nvv7-DPnF_ePpS8TGv9BtWoO7a6Te-cs4SziNsxTIDJAkRo3-UovjOw4Osh0adEtsy1DcGbRHqYLKrtVb6UZTydo4koD9IBOPozkl3h81MQk-/s1600-h/IMG_1407.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199259696123058722" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYw0ycX05IBMTTgjjEJTK1tc7_Dzojl8nvv7-DPnF_ePpS8TGv9BtWoO7a6Te-cs4SziNsxTIDJAkRo3-UovjOw4Osh0adEtsy1DcGbRHqYLKrtVb6UZTydo4koD9IBOPozkl3h81MQk-/s320/IMG_1407.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Poppy (Three Legged Dog)<br /><br />Happy Mother's Day,<br />Kasza<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBzSjkyDfpCJ7aKSBhtlfcp60-AIVa74onijwVxm8fUXGtMRp6pfREkkUFB8Thd_3oHv5OE9NathlwMYaMnJyXp-bEwmhLhrhTQvoCOaXxe5b4poTz8nwti86_WKhWTad43zcLBOeLFRb/s1600-h/IMG_1377.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199259683238156786" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBzSjkyDfpCJ7aKSBhtlfcp60-AIVa74onijwVxm8fUXGtMRp6pfREkkUFB8Thd_3oHv5OE9NathlwMYaMnJyXp-bEwmhLhrhTQvoCOaXxe5b4poTz8nwti86_WKhWTad43zcLBOeLFRb/s320/IMG_1377.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The Rose Cottage<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFg0FwzeJQoiHfOTOU7lg7rIilr0t5_2wnYuosvbxTgKAI8zzQSQtULi2-UPyVrnxf1WgrRczlHeA5HAZykvVqF6iLAj2uPcOwOp64KqohgE4J5qsC7hqqkp8_W5PXBcoa4w2uFEGdyS-/s1600-h/IMG_1401.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199259691828091410" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFg0FwzeJQoiHfOTOU7lg7rIilr0t5_2wnYuosvbxTgKAI8zzQSQtULi2-UPyVrnxf1WgrRczlHeA5HAZykvVqF6iLAj2uPcOwOp64KqohgE4J5qsC7hqqkp8_W5PXBcoa4w2uFEGdyS-/s320/IMG_1401.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />An Ent<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHM0m7i4Y1vU_a2le9id81uUSIgxX0NISNEvlwx8d_aWaPr4bWThbQ2fMYGZM2z873nr_mk0nR1E5OBI7bQQgt7rwzHRb74FXR_4guV5LInre7mDDdnanPDCs18uX2-leR6WF4ZmazL6K/s1600-h/anchored.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199261104872331826" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHM0m7i4Y1vU_a2le9id81uUSIgxX0NISNEvlwx8d_aWaPr4bWThbQ2fMYGZM2z873nr_mk0nR1E5OBI7bQQgt7rwzHRb74FXR_4guV5LInre7mDDdnanPDCs18uX2-leR6WF4ZmazL6K/s320/anchored.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />AnchoredKaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-38395239651269540832008-05-04T17:53:00.005-04:002008-05-04T20:01:59.088-04:00Ayrshire By Way of Newcastle<div>Well, I have been in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=27+Joppa,+Coylton,+South+Ayrshire,+KA6+6,+UK&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=42.85226,87.539063&ie=UTF8&ll=55.444169,-4.51551&spn=0.007522,0.021372&t=h&z=16&iwloc=addr">Coylston, Ayrshire </a>for a full day now.<br /><br />My trip here from Scarborough had a six hour stopover in Newcastle which was something. I decided to take a 10pm train from Scarborough on Friday because it was considerly cheaper than the other trips. The downside I found out was the stopover. I had figured I could nap in the train station but it turns out that they don't allow people in the train station after hours, so at midnight I ventured into Newcastle. I quickly realized that the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geordie">Geordies </a>enjoy their night life. I might have considered going into one of the clubs or pubs and joining in the revelry but I was weighed down by my backpack. So, I wandered a bit, waited in a cafe for a couple hours, wandered a bit more and finally was able to go back to the train station and catch my train to Scotland.<br /><br />Apparently, my bearded face accompanied by my backpack gave the appearance to one of the locals that I was homeless person, or homely, and I was offered £2. Pride took over and I told him I had money but in retrospect I should have taken the money, considering it's more than $4.<br />I've started taking more photos this past week. One of the reasons that I wasn't taking too many photos was that I was limited to only two lenses, neither of which were telephoto. On Denzil's recommendation, I ventured into Scarborough to a used camera store and purchased a lens for £90 (I almost bought a cheaper one for £70 that I liked quite a bit more but the damn thing didn't work on my camera). </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEzpdKlAYL8LgKKfUBc69daO0jNccDtu1K9S384t7F2DiiCJFXidke01QOpVIGYyJBpcVM3k5buHmARWIQCpxlEKT0DCx23sAgFuvSNSYsVcxpXQSDNIy-1oHzJeU145j3jviH_k_liQi/s1600-h/scarborough1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196676095061255602" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEzpdKlAYL8LgKKfUBc69daO0jNccDtu1K9S384t7F2DiiCJFXidke01QOpVIGYyJBpcVM3k5buHmARWIQCpxlEKT0DCx23sAgFuvSNSYsVcxpXQSDNIy-1oHzJeU145j3jviH_k_liQi/s320/scarborough1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br />I worked with another WWOOFer for the first time this past week (Simon). Up until now, I had always been the only WWOOFer at the places I was staying at. From talking with Simon, he seemed to have the same feeling about the SWP as I did, a general question of "what does this have to do with woodland conservation?"<br /><br />Well, I actually got a day of work, as close to working with the woodland as I was ever going to on Wednesday. Denzil was back and he had suggested to Louisa that she get the WWOOFers, Simon and I, to work on the woodland area where he had a planted a few fruit trees and copiced some willows. Before any work could be done though, the area would have to be cleaned up. These photos are the finished product (the garbage used to be dispersed about the cleared area).</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mSXsff9BccuMJR3LTzruQ8VGBxWBJ2enBT6LnZRNbHHitoNAmHd3ibAy0q9Ms7u0lRtU6fDerhe114z1BPfSQNGtYrojPx_HKx4b0GMVopeAbKSsLB2yFoNzVWocliOYnxFUyAkcxlyZ/s1600-h/rubbish.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196676095061255586" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mSXsff9BccuMJR3LTzruQ8VGBxWBJ2enBT6LnZRNbHHitoNAmHd3ibAy0q9Ms7u0lRtU6fDerhe114z1BPfSQNGtYrojPx_HKx4b0GMVopeAbKSsLB2yFoNzVWocliOYnxFUyAkcxlyZ/s320/rubbish.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb-RtFuCCan7cOQQpcCfkb3gCz5rByknhKXO95TOR_mqqtikLsD6ntbT3OfNfF4RvFkHD_Pr8hAyaR_MRnZMufpJNXmvy2ahQZdZI6yDknOKrhOrdEEmG5qnWOf2CFK8WCDKi8Ym68e9j/s1600-h/tidy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196676099356222914" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb-RtFuCCan7cOQQpcCfkb3gCz5rByknhKXO95TOR_mqqtikLsD6ntbT3OfNfF4RvFkHD_Pr8hAyaR_MRnZMufpJNXmvy2ahQZdZI6yDknOKrhOrdEEmG5qnWOf2CFK8WCDKi8Ym68e9j/s320/tidy.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Another job Simon and I spent a good portion of the week working on was leveling and staining cold frames. Considering how muddy the area is, it was good fun leveling them. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHsWpQRuj1__TkWwRxX1vj5aa-x_440yF_-hL-zbF7zViF0xghMzyntbS-7fQv4RElVD2OB21-V_LeU-NRee-0uEf5S3NMjyLWZu3VZaQHu0slkHd1KV3Qg8udHeGv820pk-fsfzoKP3y/s1600-h/hardatwork.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196676086471320978" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHsWpQRuj1__TkWwRxX1vj5aa-x_440yF_-hL-zbF7zViF0xghMzyntbS-7fQv4RElVD2OB21-V_LeU-NRee-0uEf5S3NMjyLWZu3VZaQHu0slkHd1KV3Qg8udHeGv820pk-fsfzoKP3y/s320/hardatwork.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>But the highlight of the week would have to be burning the two 40 foot caravans that were dismantled by request of the planning inspector.<br /></div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrseFPAZXdMqEf_Gvwgpn4AdYMM4Ddtrd9hVFFiU5UXpK8nXc7QJTcCZ5gWLBzuMYdE3U0vMOctrWCiOQ2SdpfXriUkaf2NnqYt7wjaYqDh7VGDSlCWpZE7s7gG7E_l91iTA5EVU7zled/s1600-h/burncaravan.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196676064996484482" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrseFPAZXdMqEf_Gvwgpn4AdYMM4Ddtrd9hVFFiU5UXpK8nXc7QJTcCZ5gWLBzuMYdE3U0vMOctrWCiOQ2SdpfXriUkaf2NnqYt7wjaYqDh7VGDSlCWpZE7s7gG7E_l91iTA5EVU7zled/s320/burncaravan.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0M9RGj6GRU16I99oeAgcB2KecI4TFauWFowx7DZPUXDuDvRaqjfAnfc_wXBlYXfOiM3jr3EHgmSfkW62xOKTi1SOKEEYZkWTIJlfk9kijHdo_qccBilu0wnwl81Gv8UgjZm0qEfFaWyo/s1600-h/burncaravan.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5JEtskzXcj0YHP-MR7dinVZ0atPJvf0KPJSkVyyeY3izxV4S42p77bbv6Nn_UoeFkDEAWOZQc7HLLdDBBgm2oDVsBk4MmRFtUOPmb-UjTdzEqk4F9PeKHPXm7tDtxXFCn4BO7Lq0d0lo/s1600-h/burncaravan.JPG"></a><br /><br />Well, I've stayed up until 1am, getting this post ready, so it might be a bit rough (and unedited) and I'm quite tired.<br /><br />- Kasza<br /><br />PS. for the Alberta boys </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>PPS. randomish pics from last week available at <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/78683190@N00/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/78683190@N00/</a></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Kaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-50718469413427650452008-04-27T16:57:00.002-04:002008-04-27T18:03:01.868-04:00A Full Week in Scarborough, UKI have now completed a full week at the <a href="http://www.woodlandproject.org.uk/">Scarborough Woodland Project</a>. Some things about the experience have frustrated me but I'm taking a positive outlook and living by the saying "if it doesn't kill ya, it only makes you stronger". And since I'm not dead, I must be stronger.<br /><br /><br />Some highlights of the past week include:<br />- using a mixing bowl to bathe myself (didn't feel that much cleaner)<br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2063/2447207110_31e99b56b0.jpg" /><br /><br />- listening to 13 year old Cathy mouth off to her mother, Louisa<br /><br />- receiving my iPod Touch on Tuesday (thanks to Justin, the previous owner, and Andrew, the sender)<br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2393/2447207100_e5c3ff60ba.jpg" /><br /><br />- finally finishing the chicken pen with Denzil<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/2447207094_dc3d24c3ae.jpg" /><br /><br />- finding a new hobby - wandering around densely populated areas trying to steal wi-fi signals with the iPod<br /><br /><br />Probably the biggest highlight of the week was having two proper showers this past weekend. I took the weekend off from WWOOFing and visited York. I had hoped to stay at the hostel but didn't book ahead because I don't have a telephone to them and you can't book online for York's YHA. So, I figured I'd wing it. Stupid! When I found out it had no vacancies, I walked around York for two hours with a list of guesthouses/B&B's, trying to find a cheap one with vacancies. Finally finding one, I paid promptly and headed for the shower. A week plus without a proper shower had left me quite filthy. I probably spend thirty minutes trying to get clean.<br /><br />Trying to avoid spending money I mostly just walked around the city. The York Art Gallery was free so I stopped in there. I did feel it was necessary to spend a little money, so I took a tour of the York Brewery and sampled some of the ales. And I had lunch today at a vegan eatery; unfortunately the food wasn't up to Fressen/Urban Herbivore standards.<br /><br />So, I can't believe it has been a month already. I figure I'll post a pic monthly to show that I am indeed still alive and healthy. Here's the first (taken today; would have been better/grosser if I had of taken it Friday):<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2447223402_6a281b5c59.jpg" /><br /><br />Temporarily Clean,<br /><br /> Kasza<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2249/2447223406_c8b1f0c15d_o.jpg" /><br />Southernly view from woodland<br /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2366/2447207088_874d328f8f.jpg" /><br />My accomodations at the woodland<br /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/2447207104_f22bc5ff1d.jpg" /><br />A disclaimer accompanying art in the Shambles in York<br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3032/2447207098_60fd336de2.jpg" /><br />Public footpath gate (based on the foot and half width restriction, I'd say only skinny people are permitted on the footpath)Kaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-33939649517330843252008-04-20T15:02:00.002-04:002008-04-20T15:51:12.087-04:00The Scarborough Woodland ProjectI have been at the Woodland for three days now and I'm smelling quite ripe. The shower in my caravan is broken, so I haven't showered since Thursday morning when I left Nottingham. There are no other showers presently but an outdoor shower was received on Friday which will be installed soon. <br /><br />Unfortunately for Louisa, the proprietor of the Woodland, things are fairly chaotic here. Zoning officials have demanded that the two 40' caravans that her and her two children (17 year old boy, Bill, and 13 year old girl, Cathy) were living in be demolished. They have been told that there should not be permanent buildings on the woodland lot. They have moved into a small shed-like home comparable to early North American pioneer homes. <br /><br />While I've been here I've spent all of my time building a makeshift chicken pen to keep the roosters (or cockerels as the locals refer to them) from raping the hens. <br /><br />I've learned to hate chickens while I've been here; they're basically filthy and noisy. I've come to this point of view after being woken up at 4:30 by cockerel and seeing the young chickens that Louisa is keeping in her home (they generate lots of poo).<br /><br />I have to apologise for the lack of photos; I haven't had a chance to take any while I've been here. I'll be sure to make next weeks post more interesting.<br /><br />Peace,<br />KaszaKaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-91200182947474020062008-04-13T08:27:00.006-04:002008-04-13T12:36:45.868-04:00Last Post from NottinghamshireThis post is on time!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Next Stops<br /><br /></span>My evenings for the past week have mostly been spent on Trinity Farm office computer planning the next steps of my travels. After calling a couple places and being told that they were all booked up for a few months, I realized that I should get my UK and France placements confirmed as soon as possible. The next stop proved to be the most difficult but I finally secured lodgings at the Scarborough Woodlands Project. Here's the breakdown for the next little while:<br /><br />17 Apr - 3 May <a href="http://www.woodlandproject.org.uk/">Scarborough Woodlands Project</a><br />3 May - 17 May Rose Cottage, Ayr, Scotland<br />17 May - 7 Jun <a href="http://www.livingark.com/">Living Ark Animal Sanctuary</a><br />7 Jun - 21 Jun <a href="http://www.shetlandwildlifesanctuary.com/Welcome%20page.htm">Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary</a> (awaiting confirmation)<br />22 Jun - 25 Jun <a href="http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostel020131.en.htm">Jules Ferry Youth Hostel</a><br /><br />After getting a taste for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodynamic_agriculture">biodynamics</a> at Trinty Farm, I'm hoping to stay at farms that have a focus in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permaculture">permaculture</a> methods or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veganic">veganic farming</a>. Permaculture seems to be a necessary practice to ensure sustainable agriculture in harmony with our surrounding environments (and obviously I'd be interested veganic practices because I believe in animal rights).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nottingham Squat</span><br /><br />Yesterday, I decided to get active in local politics, so I participated in a squat in downtown Nottingham. There are several articles about the action on <a href="http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/">Notts Indymedia</a> but these two contain photos: <a href="http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/04/396162.html">[1]</a> <a href="http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2008/04/396232.html">[2]</a>. I was informed about the action by George, a guy who volunteers at Trinity Farm on Fridays; he was helping organize the squat.<br /><br />The planning seemed to be crumbling a bit while I was there yesterday due to external and internal complications but eventually dinner was served, beer flowed and films rolled. I spent a good hour sipping beer and contemplating the conventional, top-down, vertical management model to the horizontal, decentralized model seen frequently in grassroots campaigns with George.<br /><br />It was nice to get and socialize compared to what I usually do in my evenings here. And the vegan food was very much enjoyed!<br /><br />Talking and reading about squats recently got me thinking about it's relevance to the "homeless situation" in Toronto. A solution proposed by Tash, one of the Notts squat organizers, is to have homeless people learn trades while repairing and building residences on government (city, province, or federal) owned property that is not being utilized. It is a solution that has two benefits: giving homeless people hands-on training in a trade and giving them housing.<br /><br />I think that type of community project could have more reaching benefits as well including community centres for continued learning and training, community gardens and host of other services to promote sustainability.<br /><br />The action also got me wondering about previous squats in Canada. The one that immediately comes to mind is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tent_city#Toronto.2C_Ontario.2C_Canada">Tent City squat</a>. Unfortunately the residents of Tent City were evicted in September 2002 and that area of land has been left unused for over five years now.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Follow-up on the Ugg Boot Observations</span><br /><br />While walking around Nottingham and nearby Ilkeston (catching a bus to Nottingham) yesterday, I realized that the <a href="http://www.uggaustralia.com/gb/ProductDetails.aspx?gID=w&categoryID=283&productID=5825&model=Classic+Short">Ugg boot</a> phenomenon witnessed in London is not limited to London. Apparently, this <a href="http://www.laist.com/attachments/la_malingering/pink%20uggs%20with%20miniskirt.JPG">disease</a> is afflicting all of the young women of England. I will continue to observe how far north the problem is occurring as I travel to the Shetlands.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pictures of Trinity Farm and Surrounding Area<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/78683190@N00/2407772468/">future residence for when I move permanently to Nottinghamshire</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/78683190@N00/2406939005/">a decent portrayal of the local weather (one minute sunny, next minute hail)</a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/78683190@N00/2407772954/">area of farm where I clean up garbage every morning</a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/78683190@N00/2410705410/">some field and polytunnels at the farm</a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/78683190@N00/2410705896/">the greenhouse</a><br />my caravan: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/78683190@N00/2410706574/">exterior</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/78683190@N00/2410707558/">interior</a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/78683190@N00/2409877709/">front of the Trinity Farm shop</a><br /><br />- <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2220/2407772294_b0eab58217_o.jpg">Kasza</a>Kaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702566635174470095.post-5023078914973535282008-04-09T15:47:00.002-04:002008-04-09T15:53:34.477-04:00Oh Ya...Thanks to everyone for the positive responses to my previous posts. As I hit more locations, meet more people and take/post photos, this blog should get more interesting.<br /><br />And to the people who claim to miss me: I will be back in ~8200 hours; no time at all. <br /><br />See ya then,<br />KaszaKaszahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16726519325589882005noreply@blogger.com2