It has been a while since my last blog, and will probably be longer still till the next.
Since last time, life has slowly been getting back to normal.
Subjects have finally be sorted (which was a massive kerfuffle in its self)
I am doing: Maths and Statistics, Operations and Project Management, and Men and Masculinities....don't ask me why I'm doing the last subject (which is a sociology subject) but i am....it confuses me too....
I feel like I have barley anything to do here. with only 13 contact hours a week, my days consist of uni/baking/gym/movies. So, because I feel that my time in Scotland should be taken advantage of, last night I joined the choir. Call me a geek, but I really loved it. Considering last year I practically gave up singing, I hadn't realised how much I had missed it. It was strange how something like that can somehow feel like it fills you up inside. The people there were lovely too, and I'm glad to say that I'm trying to immerse myself in the culture. And so, on that note....after choir we went to the pub (as you do in Scotland after EVERYTHING!!) I really didn't realise how multicultural Scotland is. So many people from Strathclyde are from overseas.
I met a man from Sweden who told me that it was free for someone of the EU to come to Scotland to study. I was shocked. (I wish we had that back home!)
Yesterday mum told me that they were planning on coming up during the Easter holidays. I'm really excited, although it's possibly made me miss home more. During the last week the feelings of homesickness have most definitely set in, and being told that I could see the people I miss, but have to wait ages to do so is rather taunting.
I didn't think life would be like this, being away from home. It's strange, I have all the opportunities to go out, drink, stay out till early morning, but have no want for it.
Maybe I am an 80year old woman trapped in a 19year old's body, I'm not quite sure yet. But until I decided, I shall continue my journey down Scotland's merry lane.
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Thursday, 19 January 2012
Flights from hell....
In the time which I haven't written a post, my life has been a massive roller coaster.
I consider myself to be a very organised, well planned type of person; until my flights leaving Japan to come over to Scotland.
My last few days in Tokyo were lovely. If it wasn't for the knowledge that I'd be leaving to go to England, I don't think i would have wanted to leave!
It was truly a pleasure travelling with Maree, and I'm very proud to announce that not once did we get lost, even with weird, cryptic directions on how to get to hostels which are 30mins walking distance away. It was strange and hard to say goodbye at the train station. Knowing that I wont see this girl who i have spent every moment of everyday with for the last 2 weeks, for 7months.
After getting to the airport, I decided having some breakfast was a good idea...so I thought, what better way to leave Japan then having rice! :) In my hurry to run to the gate after my food, I placed my purse in an open plastic bag which I was taking on as carry on luggage. When I got onto the plane to take my seat i put my bags in the overhead lockers, to have all the contents of the plastic bag fall out at me. As there were people waiting to pass me, i quickly shoved everything back in the plastic bag and took my seat.
From Japan, i had a stop over in Zurich, and then transferred to my plane which arrived at Heathrow airport.
On my second flight I couldn't remember seeing my purse in the plastic bag when i got off the plane in Zurich, so i lept up out of my seat and began frantically searching for it. I looked through each bag (I had 3 carry on bags) over 4 times each, and couldn't find it.
Then came the moment when my world started to close in on me: in my purse was a bank draft (like a travellers cheque) for over GBP 6000, (so when i arrive in Scotland i could just deposit the money without having an international transfer fee.) This meant that I lost all my money i had worked so hard to get.
Tears continued to fall as I walked from desk to desk over 4 levels of Heathrow airport trying to file a lost and found report.
When i finally walked through the gates I saw Nat standing waiting for me, and even though I was so happy to see him, all i could think about was what i had lost.
When i arrived at his house I called mum and dad. In all honesty I don't know what I would do without them. Mum, as she always does, took it in her stride and went about fixing up all the loose ends from the Australian side (like cancelling every card that was in my purse, and cancelling the cheque!!!) I don't even want to imagine what it would have been like without that support and love associated with her actions!
Although nothing has been found at any airport, things are looking up. Everything has been cancelled, and re-issued. and i'll even be able to get the money from the bank draft back!!
All that's left to do now is buy another wallet.....and not leave it on a plane!
After this crazy time, I spent most of the day walking around Guildford, Surrey, where Nat lives now. It's such an adorable little country town. It takes about 50mins to walk from one end to the other. Tonight we went out house hinting for Nat. We went to this lovely house (which I LOVED straight away, and wanted it for myself!) really close to town. They said that its first in first served, so Nat would have to send a txt early tonight to confirm if he wanted it, but he still had 3 other houses to look at....within 15mins Nat decided he wanted it, after texting and getting no reply he called the girl from the house, only to find out that not 5mins ago had the other person called to say they wanted the room! It was so frustrating too because apparently the message didn't go though, and if it had, Nat would have got the house. It's very strange, because even i was really disappointed that he didn't get the house! It was truly lovely!!
From that, i decided it was time for me to go home and leave Nat to running around Guildford trying to find a home. I hope he finds one soon!!
It's only 8:30pm here and i'm absolutely pooped! looks like an early night tonight!!
I consider myself to be a very organised, well planned type of person; until my flights leaving Japan to come over to Scotland.
My last few days in Tokyo were lovely. If it wasn't for the knowledge that I'd be leaving to go to England, I don't think i would have wanted to leave!
It was truly a pleasure travelling with Maree, and I'm very proud to announce that not once did we get lost, even with weird, cryptic directions on how to get to hostels which are 30mins walking distance away. It was strange and hard to say goodbye at the train station. Knowing that I wont see this girl who i have spent every moment of everyday with for the last 2 weeks, for 7months.
After getting to the airport, I decided having some breakfast was a good idea...so I thought, what better way to leave Japan then having rice! :) In my hurry to run to the gate after my food, I placed my purse in an open plastic bag which I was taking on as carry on luggage. When I got onto the plane to take my seat i put my bags in the overhead lockers, to have all the contents of the plastic bag fall out at me. As there were people waiting to pass me, i quickly shoved everything back in the plastic bag and took my seat.
From Japan, i had a stop over in Zurich, and then transferred to my plane which arrived at Heathrow airport.
On my second flight I couldn't remember seeing my purse in the plastic bag when i got off the plane in Zurich, so i lept up out of my seat and began frantically searching for it. I looked through each bag (I had 3 carry on bags) over 4 times each, and couldn't find it.
Then came the moment when my world started to close in on me: in my purse was a bank draft (like a travellers cheque) for over GBP 6000, (so when i arrive in Scotland i could just deposit the money without having an international transfer fee.) This meant that I lost all my money i had worked so hard to get.
Tears continued to fall as I walked from desk to desk over 4 levels of Heathrow airport trying to file a lost and found report.
When i finally walked through the gates I saw Nat standing waiting for me, and even though I was so happy to see him, all i could think about was what i had lost.
When i arrived at his house I called mum and dad. In all honesty I don't know what I would do without them. Mum, as she always does, took it in her stride and went about fixing up all the loose ends from the Australian side (like cancelling every card that was in my purse, and cancelling the cheque!!!) I don't even want to imagine what it would have been like without that support and love associated with her actions!
Although nothing has been found at any airport, things are looking up. Everything has been cancelled, and re-issued. and i'll even be able to get the money from the bank draft back!!
All that's left to do now is buy another wallet.....and not leave it on a plane!
After this crazy time, I spent most of the day walking around Guildford, Surrey, where Nat lives now. It's such an adorable little country town. It takes about 50mins to walk from one end to the other. Tonight we went out house hinting for Nat. We went to this lovely house (which I LOVED straight away, and wanted it for myself!) really close to town. They said that its first in first served, so Nat would have to send a txt early tonight to confirm if he wanted it, but he still had 3 other houses to look at....within 15mins Nat decided he wanted it, after texting and getting no reply he called the girl from the house, only to find out that not 5mins ago had the other person called to say they wanted the room! It was so frustrating too because apparently the message didn't go though, and if it had, Nat would have got the house. It's very strange, because even i was really disappointed that he didn't get the house! It was truly lovely!!
From that, i decided it was time for me to go home and leave Nat to running around Guildford trying to find a home. I hope he finds one soon!!
It's only 8:30pm here and i'm absolutely pooped! looks like an early night tonight!!
Friday, 13 January 2012
The worst and best of days (Tokyo)
To all those who are reading this, please understand that I am working off very little sleep. Maree and I have most definitely been put through the washer in the last few days, and we have come to learn that even though swearing and complaining gets you nowhere, it certainly does make you feel better!
After our 3hr Shinkansen trip to Tokyo, we went on our way finding our last hostel. (we were to stay here till we leave, so for 6 nights) we had made it this way because we finished out JR passes on the day we left for Tokyo, and so we decided to stay here (as it is close to Narita airport) for the last leg of our trip.
We searched for out Hostel and couldn't find it anywhere, finally a man pointed it out to us....the main reason why we couldn't find it was because it was built behind a garage....and this starts our horrid story.
My bag didn't fit through the doorway, it took 3 people to try and squeeze it into the hostel (if you could call it that). It was SOOO small. It was run by a very lovely old lady who lived next door...but this was the only lovely thing about this place! we were shown to out room, which was so small that maree and i had to hug to pass each other. The toilets smelt like piss and the door knob didn't work. The walls were made from plywood, were paper thin and had a 1/2 meter gap between the end of the wall and the roof, so you could hear EVERYTHING around you. Just from this i was feeling awful about the place. i didn't want to stay here, but i thought maybe i was just being pretentious. So we decided to man up and stay there for a night and see how it was....
....during the night the heater turned off and even with 3 layers on and a foam mattress acting as a blanket, i was freezing cold. I think, all up, i had a pitiful 2hrs sleep. In the morning i wanted to get up and have a warm shower, but on my excursion to the shower, i realised we couldn't close the door of the bathroom, because other people needed to use the sink to wash their face/brush teeth. I went in to the shower cubical, and the 'shower head' (tap) was located at belly button height. The shower had hair all over it and was unbelievably dirty!
Whilst in the shower i noticed i had the beginnings of a rash on my body and bed bug bites on my arms and legs. This was the last straw.
Thin walls, confined rooms, no sleep, freezing cold, gross shower/bathroom and bed bugs? We asked our self this question many many times 'WHY DID THIS PLACE GET A 84% RATING ON HOSTEL WORLD?!?!?!'
I walked into the room and burst into tears. Maree turned to me and said to pack our bags because we are leaving. This was the SMARTEST thing we have done all year!! I couldn't believe that such a place could exist!
we were really disappointed that we ended up wasting 2 days being at this hostel, trying to get there and trying to get away from there!
We found a hostel which is 'sister' to the hostel we stayed at in Hiroshima. AND WE COULD HAVE CRIED WHEN WE GO IN THE ROOM!! It is soooo lovely!! Our experience has truly made us appreciate everything that we have here!!
Life has been looking up since our little experience. We went to a market and temples and had a most lovely time out. Our hostel organises many tours and trips, and so tonight we are going on a sushi and sabo (i think thats right) making course. it should be great fun, and delicious!! I cannot wait!!
All i can do now is thank everyone who we talked to in our time of need. You truly made all the difference!!
After our 3hr Shinkansen trip to Tokyo, we went on our way finding our last hostel. (we were to stay here till we leave, so for 6 nights) we had made it this way because we finished out JR passes on the day we left for Tokyo, and so we decided to stay here (as it is close to Narita airport) for the last leg of our trip.
We searched for out Hostel and couldn't find it anywhere, finally a man pointed it out to us....the main reason why we couldn't find it was because it was built behind a garage....and this starts our horrid story.
My bag didn't fit through the doorway, it took 3 people to try and squeeze it into the hostel (if you could call it that). It was SOOO small. It was run by a very lovely old lady who lived next door...but this was the only lovely thing about this place! we were shown to out room, which was so small that maree and i had to hug to pass each other. The toilets smelt like piss and the door knob didn't work. The walls were made from plywood, were paper thin and had a 1/2 meter gap between the end of the wall and the roof, so you could hear EVERYTHING around you. Just from this i was feeling awful about the place. i didn't want to stay here, but i thought maybe i was just being pretentious. So we decided to man up and stay there for a night and see how it was....
....during the night the heater turned off and even with 3 layers on and a foam mattress acting as a blanket, i was freezing cold. I think, all up, i had a pitiful 2hrs sleep. In the morning i wanted to get up and have a warm shower, but on my excursion to the shower, i realised we couldn't close the door of the bathroom, because other people needed to use the sink to wash their face/brush teeth. I went in to the shower cubical, and the 'shower head' (tap) was located at belly button height. The shower had hair all over it and was unbelievably dirty!
Whilst in the shower i noticed i had the beginnings of a rash on my body and bed bug bites on my arms and legs. This was the last straw.
Thin walls, confined rooms, no sleep, freezing cold, gross shower/bathroom and bed bugs? We asked our self this question many many times 'WHY DID THIS PLACE GET A 84% RATING ON HOSTEL WORLD?!?!?!'
I walked into the room and burst into tears. Maree turned to me and said to pack our bags because we are leaving. This was the SMARTEST thing we have done all year!! I couldn't believe that such a place could exist!
we were really disappointed that we ended up wasting 2 days being at this hostel, trying to get there and trying to get away from there!
We found a hostel which is 'sister' to the hostel we stayed at in Hiroshima. AND WE COULD HAVE CRIED WHEN WE GO IN THE ROOM!! It is soooo lovely!! Our experience has truly made us appreciate everything that we have here!!
Life has been looking up since our little experience. We went to a market and temples and had a most lovely time out. Our hostel organises many tours and trips, and so tonight we are going on a sushi and sabo (i think thats right) making course. it should be great fun, and delicious!! I cannot wait!!
All i can do now is thank everyone who we talked to in our time of need. You truly made all the difference!!
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Osaka/ Kyoto
When travelling to Osaka, it seemed to bring up a lot of sadness, both Maree and I started our journey of homesickness, and although sleeping arrangements were interesting, they did not offer much sleep; and so travelling off little sleep and much homesick feelings, Osaka seems to be the downfall to our trip so far.
For anyone considering coming to Osaka, i suggest you only stay for one night as there is only enough to occupy 1 nights worth of entertainment...that is unless you enjoy over priced aquariums with whale sharks.
The hotel we stayed at was a capsule Hotel with communal baths. Although I was willing to try out the bathing situation, I think my former expression of views on communal bathing scared Maree from showering for the 2days. The capsules themselves were really interesting, but very uncomfortable (much like all the beds in Japan, although these had an extra hardness to them)
We travelled to Kyoto yesterday, and after walking a good 40mins to our hostel with our 25kg bags, we were told that check in wasn't for another 4hrs, so we decided to travel to Nara. Nara is a small town about 1hr train ride from Kyoto station. It has many many temples, mainly known for the Giant Buddha, and yes, it is GIANT!! Although I had seen it all before, it was really lovely, even though we walked EVERYWHERE!!
When we arrived back at Kyoto station, both Maree and i spelt this AMAZING smell, it was JAPANESE CURRY!!! it is now our new love, today we even travelled back to Kyoto station (we are two stops from Kyoto station, at Nijo) just to have lunch there!! it is only 450 yen for a plate so big that we have to share!!! (450 yen is about $5.50)
Today we rented bikes and travelled to the golden pavilion. If it wasn't so cold and rainy it would have been one of my favourite days so far. Even though we were bike riding, the wind today cut though all warm feelings, and even sitting here writing this in bed, i am still cold. Once the sun goes down here (which is at about 4pm) so too does all the warmth!!!
For a few days now we have been trying to change our hostel bookings so we go straight to Tokyo from Kyoto (where we are currently) instead of stopping over at Yokohama. Although it would be lovely to go there, Maree and myself are both UNBELIEVABLY exhausted!!! so much so that we are taking turns on the train trips to sleep, making sure that one of us stays awake to ensure we don't miss our stop.
I emailed our hostel in Yokohama multiple times, worrying about cancellation fees, but receiving no response. With each email i became more and more assertive, worrying that if they didn't understand then they would charge us for the nights we had booked. After many phone calls we finally got a hold of them and with a translator, found out that the man from the hostel didn't speak English, nor could respond to our emails in English, so although he received each email he had no way of responding.
All was a massive misunderstanding, and am VERY VERY happy to have it all sorted out!!
Tomorrow we travel to Tokyo and will be there till the end of our trip!
We will be visiting Mt fuji and many many castles and temples!
Hopefully Tokyo will make up for the lack of Japanese crepes here.
Japan is truly an unbelievably place.
Sunday, 8 January 2012
Japan - Hiroshima/Osaka
I`ve never really been fond of the idea of a blog. As my uncle said to me before I left, the irony of blogs are that the more bored you are, the more posts you will be writing; as you have the time to do so. And that, I most definitely agree!My blogs probably wont be very detailed, nor very frequent, but what there is of them, I hope i do not disappoint, and that my apparent boredom at the time of writing doesn`t show through.
The flight into Japan was a rocky start. After being waved off by our families, Maree and I jumped on to our flight for Sydney, unfortunately this stop over lasted longer then expected due to the lightning storms, But luckily this didn`t hassle our connecting flights!
Maree is not very use to flying, and had a hard time at the start of the flight. But after an hour or so sleep she soon came around. I on the other hand slept really well and found the plane flight to be really fast! Less is said for the 3 bullet trains we then had to take to get from Tokyo to Hiroshima....which took 6hrs!! (nearly as long as it took to get from Sydney to Tokyo!)
Hiroshima was AMAZING!! we visited the Atomic bomb dome, The Peace memorial Museum and Miyajima Island. Miyajima was SOOOO beautiful!! We were so lucky to have arrived at the time of day that we did. The water was out, and so we got to go up to the gates and touch them!!
All over the island are little traditional street shops; food, ornaments and accessories. It was crazy, the smells, the sights, it was a place which i would definitely visit again!As it`s located water side, there was so much delicious looking seafood. and many many oysters being cooked and shelled in front of us!For lunch Maree and I had Steamed Pork Buns from a little side shop. They were soooo YUMMY!!
The next day we went and had breakfast at a little cafe. We intended to leave quite early as we need to head to Osaka by Shinkansen at lunch time; but as we sat down a lovely old Japanese woman came up to us and started speaking English to us. She invited us over and ended up paying for our breakfast. She was so lovely!! Both Maree and I can`t get over how kind hearted all the people here are! She showed us around the shopping area and got us some bargains on a few items we wanted to buy. We all agreed to stay in touch, and shared contacts before we headed off!! :)
The shinkansen to Osaka wasn`t that bad! only an hour and a half.
When we arrived in Osaka we had to find our way to our Capsule hotel. Let me tell you, if you have the opportunity to stay in one of these, DEFINITELY DO!! I didn`t even mind the communal bathing like I thought I would!
We ran into 2 Australians from Sydney (Hugh and Alex) and ended up spending our night walking around and eating dinner with them. It was actually lovely having new faces and people to be around. Although, we didn`t get an opportunity to transfer contacts, so it seems so strange to have spent a very enjoyable evening with people I`ll most likely never see again....
Today we really haven`t done all that much, as there really isn`t much to do or see in Osaka except shop. Saying that, we have walked a good mile and a half today.
Tomorrow we are off to Kyoto, and i`m really looking forward in immersing myself in all the culture. It will be great to go back and visit some of the sights i saw last time i was here!
I shall leave this post here.
Until next time.
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)