Rain, Rain, Go Away…
Days of rain from Girona kept this gloom around me and followed me to a few frustrating events. After being indecisive about whether to stay or go in Girona, I finally decide to leave and make my usual planning for accommodations at my next destination. So, when does being a frugal backpacker goes wrong? When you make a choice on a place based on decent(“average”) reviews and an inexpensive price. Using Booking.com, I found a place away from the city and tourist areas. As it turns out, it was a poor choice for a backpacker as it was a 20Euro ride(from the only taxi in town) to the establishment from “town”. Way too pricey! This is after wandering the entire town(where you could stand on one end of town and see the other end in the distance). After checking in and relaxing in my room while a storm pours outside, I immediately changed plans and decided to try my luck into the tourist town of L’Estartit the next day… plus, I heard that it had good SCUBA diving!
Cloud Still Hangs Over Me
This time I decided I would find a place to stay by popping my head(and backpack) into establishments and checking out if it would suit me. I had a rough idea from a bit of research I had done about where to stay but didn’t want to commit until I was happy. Santa Anna is what I settled on after finding my SCUBA shop. I drop off my things in my room and run to my 1st dive time. La-Sierna Dive Shop looked promising on its website… but looks can be deceiving. As I have only about 8 dives under my belt, I was hoping for more guidance. No preliminary debriefing. No one told me what to do with my equipment(load it on the truck?), who to follow, what to expect, or even a hello. So I asked a couple from Australia for some prompting, who as it turned out, knew no more than I!
I finally meet my email contact who tells me who I am paired with. And then the worse is yet to come! The weather was bad and water was rough. I get in the water and am immediately thrown around like broken buoy in a storm. I felt out of control and scared! My dive master told me to put my regulator on the surface and promised me that it would not be as bad underwater. But it was too late! I had already lost focus and panicky. The visibility was horrible. The 1st 5 meters were rough and we had to go down using the rope of the anchor. When we got close to the bottom, I managed to forget almost everything! Sank to the sea floor and killing whatever my fins could touch! Some how during this mad destruction of sanity… I loose my weights on my belt. This all lead to my dive master to have to hold my hand(literally) through the rest of the dive. It seemed to comfort me and allow me to get comfortable again while trying to enjoy what I was seeing. He was quiet nice to me as we returned to solid ground. Said he would not see me for my 2nd dive. Another dive? F*&#@ No! Instead of spending more money on another miserable experience… I decided to have a nice bath and relax in my private room!
Berlin in L’Estartit
Thankfully, I had a private room with good internet access, a nice TV, clean bathroom, and small balcony I would enjoy my simple meals. The manager/owner was so kind and seemed to be able to exude some kindness and read my need for hospitality. After a nice talk with her, she introduced me to her son who was interested in traveling the way I did. It was great to be in a place where I have a local companion. He and his golden retriever, Berlin, toured me around the quiet spots of L’Estartit. Hiking to a beautiful outlook onto L’Estartit, swimming with Berlin, and having nice conversation over nice meals. So nice, I was convinced to stay 2 days longer!
February 22nd,2010
Spain |
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Going North…but My Mind Goes South…
As little time I have left in my RTW trip and the huge expense of Europe, I find my time at each destination to be shorter and hence leaving me less time to get to know the region and meet people. As I come to terms with my impending return home, I can’t help but be burdened with the prospects of not having this freedom and worldly education. I slowly come to this strange depression that builds up as I go North. So I find myself trying to find an answer and meditate seeking natural environments. But on the way I stop in Girona by train.
Small Town Girona
At the tip of Catalonia, the small town of Girona offers a diverse history of Roman and Jewish inhabitants that is now home to students and passer-by tourists. As I get off the train that night, I am confronted again by a repeating theme of starting out in a new place in the dark. Brave or stupid, I decide to try to find my own way to my hostel. As I gather information at the station and get my bearings I am confronted by a man from Barcelona asking me about knowing of any accommodations. Talk to him? I trust it… Soon I have a companion to walk in the dark streets of an unfamiliar town to my hostel in the city center. We are welcomed by a festival in the city center that I am too tired to really discover. I check-in and make friends with the English-Immigrant-Conspiracy-Theorist. The great thing is that he provided me with a room for 6 with no roommates my entire stay. This gave me the privacy I wanted in my current state.
In my days in Girona I walk the streets exploring the gothic facades of churches and quaint shops. I discover this deadly chocolate “drink” as thick as pudding! Good but very rich! I finally meet this nice Canadian kid that accompanies me to visit the Salvador Dali Museum with an afternoon of tapas in an outdoor cafe. Something I would not have done on my own! Finally… tapas! I feel fulfilled and after several days of indecisiveness, I decide continue my move North to the beach town of L’Estartit.
February 10th,2010
Spain |
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A City with Everything!
The most impressionable visits to a new city for me are when I come to it without any expectations! Embarrassed to say that I don’t have much knowledge about life and culture in Spain. Hence, the interest in visiting! How surprised was I to find how much art and “individuality” influences this city. Barcelona is the largest city in the Catalan region. Catalan is another surprising culture within Spain that I did not know about! So how lucky am I to have a cultural history lesson using all of my senses??? Art, Culture, Food, Sport, Open-air Museums, Beaches, and Nightlife! ALL in Barcelona!
Art
Crazy or Genius? I used to think Picasso and Dali were the former… but now I think they are genius! For me to come to this conclusion involved me going to their museums that exhibit their works the way they would like it and preferably with a guide.
Culture
Derived from the art history and strong Catalan pride, you wouldn’t really know what that all means until you visit. It sounds like a cop-out but isn’t that how you experience “culture?” Walking through thousand-year-old streets, looking at buildings that go from Gothic to modern and finding yourself in prime fashion shopping districts makes you forget how you even got there!
Food
Tapas! And my new favorite… Catalan food! Another unfortunate thing as a lone traveler is that eating alone is a reality. However, the wonderful thing is meeting new people to eat with! I really didn’t get a true taste of as much as I wanted because my last day in Barcelona was when I really tasted traditional Catalan cuisine in the best way possible… with friends outdoors. Something to try… Pa amb tomàquet
Sport
How can we forget that there was the 1992 Olympic stadium erected here. Like many modern Olympic stadiums of the past… it becomes transformed into a ghostly “museum.” More interesting is the sports complex in the center of town. I happened on a free World Woman’s Beach Volleyball competitions. Under the hot sun, I watched the Spanish women play their Japanese competitors.
Open-air Museums
Not to be missed is the open-air opportunities! Famously, Gaudi’s civic park design Park Guell is a must. Art you can touch and be fully encompassed. Your sense of hearing gets a fill from all the street musicians that obtain permits to play through out the park finding places where their music can be best expressed. In an amphitheater or outdoor concert park, you can bask in the beauty of Barcelona!
Beaches
Swim the Mediterranean! Again lucky to meet people to enjoy the warm waters not alone! The 1st dip into the Mediterranean off of the shores of Spain were with 2 German guys I met at the hostel! We jumped waves and swam in the most beautiful water that I had EVER seen! Yes! Why? It sparkled! As if some fairy magically filled the water with shimmery fairy dust! We were further East along the shore away from the party seen. The waters much cleaner and less infected with people! Although several days later I did spend a couple hours in on the busy West end of the beaches. And as expected… crowded and dirty.
Nightlife
Bars, Clubs, Cafes, Outdoor markets, & Street Shows! A European town open late with lots to do and see! Foreigners don’t feel lonely here as one can find parties with locals, transplants, and tourist from all parts of the world.
January 31st,2010
Spain |
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FINALLY !!! Some rest time for ourselves !! Hey guys, I’ve updated the Gallery page for Switzerland – This was the last country I’ve visit with Jen’s Travels – Switzerland became one of my favorite countries because of the People, Food, and the Scenery – It was a great trip! I hope everyone enjoys the pics – any feedback will be great – we’re trying our best !! Thanks for supporting Jenny all !! – David
–Updated 01/23/2010
January 23rd,2010
Japan |
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How can a country be so naturally beautiful and be equip with all the modern technology people yearn for? From green mountains with fresh flowing alpine water to the sleek designs of their watches on the wrist of the drivers of the most expensive cars in the city… Switzerland seems like it is the perfect place to live! Is it the standard of living? Attitude on life? Neutrality?…
Whatever it may be… it makes for a wonderful holiday/vacation in every spot the train may leave you! And who needs to get off the train to see everything… even the trains have cars that have windows that extend to the roof! Who needs a sunroof!? The only regret David and I had was not having enough time to spend here so that we can don our snowboarding boots!
Days Spent in the Country: 10
Number of cities visited: 5
English spoken: Yes. Most of the time you can find someone who speaks a little English as the country officially speaks 4 different languages. German, French, Italian, and Romansh.
Most common phrase heard: Danka (thank you)
Food: Almost everything you want to eat you can find here. However, they are famous for their cheese(guyere, emmental, “Swiss”), Chocolate, and fondue.
Drink: Rivella… a strange soft-drink of sorts that is derived of lactose or milk. Some wines are produced here and were not expensive. Not too bad!
Funniest/Strangest thing: Missing our stop in Zurich. Meeting a college girl on the train that offered to have us stay in her apartment in Fribourg(a city we were planning to stay in several days). We stayed and had a wonderful dinner on her balcony! CouchSurfing old-school style!
As beautiful as this country is and as much as I would love to live here, there is this funny mish-mash of culture. Landlocked and having 3 very dominating countries on its boarders, Switzerland has an interesting culture with a touch of German, French, and Italian. And their people recognize the non-committal qualities of this countries past and present. Nevertheless, you cannot deny that it is a country with the means and opportunity to conduct themselves the feel best with a quiet smile on their faces! After our time in Switzerland, I felt we went through some sort of detox just breathing the air, drinking the water, and engaging with the the friendly locals!
Where Dreams are Made Reality
Did I ever tell you I have dreamed of hiking the Swiss Alps. Cliché? Sure. But I Did It! With my favorite person to bat! I can have it all here in Switzerland! 
After days of no plans and whimsically letting the train take us through amazing parts of the country… we arrive to a (relatively) planned destination! Easy was it to arrive to one of the most tourist-ed spots in the Switzerland… Interlaken! After some window shopping and gaga-ing over Swiss time-pieces… we quickly move to higher elevations to better appreciate what Switzerland is mainly known for of people of all ages. The Trails! Finally, a major hike in Western Europe! Trekking poles, hiking boots, backpacks, trail mix… David and I are at home here!
Trails for Everyone!
The trails are maintained so well and well marked that it makes it easy for children just starting to walk and older folks refusing to stop walking to trek the Alps! I cannot explain how much beauty surrounded us! Even during short threats of rain… it only made for a wet walk for dinner. We were so lucky to have beautiful rides on the gondolas and trains to help us cover more ground within these valleys of trails!
After starting the day right with a decent breakfast at our guesthouse, we are packed for a day of trekking. Meeting fellow international dreamers… we stop at lakes,
by cows,
to smell the wild flowers,
and to just enjoy all the sights and sounds(or lack there of) of paradise. But some how, David and I cannot avoid my overzealous nature to keep trying to get to the top of each trail. But as grey storm clouds start to loom over us… we try to out run it to stay dry. Failing miserably, we were fortunate enough to reach a shelter to wait out the worse part of the rain.
Onward!
After the rain passes the skies open up more blue showing more brilliant colors throughout the land! Jealous are we of the locals and transplants as we admire their traditional wood homes decorated with native flowers and cow bells. Its easy to talk about liquidating our life in the USA and move here!
We don’t stop dreaming for a while…
January 6th,2010
Switzerland |
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Gruyere
Many things come to mind when we think of Switzerland. Swiss banks, watches, chocolate, cheese, alpine mountains, Aliens, or political neutrality? Whatever it may be, we will cover all of those in our trip. In Gruyere, we find a historic town infused with traditional food and modern art!
Castles and Fondue
Gruyere is our introduction to the major players that make this town famous. The grass and the cows!
Castle View into the Valley
Well, also things like flowers and a perfect environment where the cows can produce the most wonderful milk and cheeses in Europe! Enclosed within city walls, Gruyere is undoubtedly a tourist attraction that is worth being a tourist for. David and I learn about the town in this interactive presentation in the castle. The castle provides visitors with history, architecture, beautiful gardens and alpine views, and modern art. Making up our plans as we go, we take our time to really soak in what a small walled town can offer. Beautiful views, yummy cheese fondue, and cool art.
Aliens
After a day of nature and history… we spend the early evening at the H.R. Giger Mueseum Bar for drinks before our fondue dinner. A stark contrast from the week of culture. Industrial and dark, this man is ahead of his time. Who knew Aliens came from a guy who grew up in a place like this…
Bar
The contrasting experiences made for an interesting day!
December 31st,2009
Switzerland |
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Don’t Be Afraid to Ask!
We fly to Zurich to save time so that we can enjoy the trains throughout Switzerland! Our expectations were to enjoy some amazing alpine hiking and enjoying the famous dairy based cuisine that is imprinted in our minds when we think of Switzerland! After purchasing a 1/2 fare card we start to make some impromptu plans! No… we have no booked places to stay and a bare-bones plan for what activities or even which cities to hit! Sometimes no plan is a good plan. And it seems to serve us well this time!
After booking a hotel in Zurich for a night, we hop on the train from the airport to check-in. Now mind you, the “eurorails” are different in each country so I need to adjust to language and systems. So we settle in the train and chat about our plans. In our excitement, we realize that the train is not stopping and is going on twice as long as expected. Fearing we missed our stop, David asked some passengers about our next destination. The girls kinda giggled and said we just missed it and will be on our way West for another 1 1/2 hours!! Laughing as we discuss our at our situation, one of the young girls offered to host us at her college apartment! Couchsurfing the old fashion way! David is all for it! Ironically she lives in a town we planned to be in 2 days from now!
Fribourg
Fribourg
In return of her kindness, we go to buy groceries so that she would cook us a traditional meal! Treated with a short tour of Fribourg, we had a quick authentic tour of this old town!
Mari guiding us on our personal tour of Fribourg
The evening ended with a wonderful dinner on her balcony over good wine, clean air, and good conversation! We ended up staying another night and exploring the town leisurely on our own. That evening we met one of her roommates. So not to overstay our welcome, we booked a nice apartment/guestroom for the next few days so we can visit some other nearby attractions.
We learn that Fribourg is is an old town that has turned into a quaint college town. We learn that in Switzerland there most people speak French and/or German. Many can speak English or even Italian. Located on the Swiss plateau extending on both sides of the Saane/Sarine River, Fribourg is less touristed and maintains some charm of a small town. Perfect for David and I to leisurely explore and enjoy more cafe time!
No plan is a good plan indeed!
December 19th,2009
Switzerland |
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France is one of those countries I have dreamed of visiting despite all the bad press about it in the USA. Even though I am not as good with my French after 4 years of education in high school, I was still able to understand and communicate better than in other lands where English was not the dominant language. At least, David was impressed with me… France can be seen as a great world power with loads of sophistication and style in much of what they do. Whether it food, clothing, or lifestyle, France does it well and enjoyably so. Me, being some sort of purist and lover of the entire art of food and drink, France is very appealing to me!
Time Spent in Country: 7 days
# of cities visited: 3
Most used phrase(s) heard/used: Bonjour(Good morning/Hello). …S’il vous plait…(please)
English Speaking Locals?: Yes, many do know enough to get through basic communication issues. But it is best to start by using some basic French phrases and then asking if the person speaks English. Using the word “please” is always helpful.
Shopping: Yes, fashion is great here! No doubt that things here in Europe is still rather pricey.
Food: Where do I begin? If you are not the least bit adventurous beyond french fries and hamburgers… I can’t help you. But, again, baked goods(esp. breads) are wonderful. Therefore, you can get good sandwiches in the least! Sauces are wonderful! And yes, Escargots are good!
Drink: Wine, coffee, and sparkling water was my major staple fluid. And Wine is can be found reasonably priced. Of course you can find the pricier types. And remember, if you want to fly out with your bottles… pack them well and DO NOT CARRY-ON! We made a pricey mistake with that!
Funniest/Most Interesting thing: Honestly, nothing really happened that was really funny. I guess the most interesting thing was that we stumbled upon was that the French were rarely rude and snobby.
David and I really took our time going through France and had no burning desire to see ALL the famous sites. We wanted to get the feel of living there. As we gently went through France, we saw all good things there. Good people, good food, good places to hang out, and just a good life. Now all this comes with a price as things are up there in price. Again, I am in Western Europe so I expect it. Though, it does not mean that we could not find a reasonable stay and meals. The funny thing is that I am to enter France again on my way to the UK at the last leg of my trip. So I have time to plan whatever last minute visits and pieces of France I want to take in before I end my European tour! 
Être Parisian
Most people have a pride and sense of Nationalism for their country. Even to the point where they think they are better than another or that where they live is the “best place to live.” As an American, I can say that in recent years, France is increasingly getting a bad rap for their love of their own country. And Parisians have a special pride for living in Paris! Having said that there is good reason for all of this. Paris is a vibrant city with a distinct culture unique to Paris. For David and I to have spent only a few days in Paris we know that we want to come back. The love for food and drink is world renown here. How can you go wrong at a bakery or boulangerie? Or a cafe where you can have wine or coffee while enjoying the company of people you have with you as you watch life moving around you?
Cafe Breakfast
Then there are the numerous amounts of museums and cultural venues around the city… so many to choose from with artists works that would give you chills when you see pieces of work right there in front of you! And if meandering through mazes of marble flooring is not your style, there are parks where you can bring lunch or a snack and casually sit and relax with your favorite book or person! Here you can see all ethnicities mingling together as friends or family. It is amazing to see so many interracial couples in a city outside of the United States! And at night… oh, the lights give another life to the city that you cannot see in the day!
Eric's night tour of Paris
So doesn’t this sound kinda like another city that I love and hold dear to my heart…? New York City! So there is my bias. If one of these two cities top your list of places to hang out, then you must visit the other!
What Made Paris Better?
Parisian Friends! I have the luxury of having a friend to meet up with for a home cooked meal and good conversation! Myriam was the French Exchange TA at my college where we became friends who still keep in touch with! In addition to the hospitality and the meal, her and her boyfriend, Eric treated us to a tour around the city by car at night and to have drinks at a bar/club on a boat docked on the Seine River. To see how she lives and her views of life is another treat for me to have an authentic view and about life as a Parisian. What’s more is that I was able to ask her opinion concerning Parisian pride.
The Truth: French Snobby?
She told both David and I that she thought it only fair that when a visitor comes to one’s home country that there should be an effort to communicate with the locals using the local language. She felt that learning simple and necessary phrases such as various greetings and the word “please.” As in most cities, a high frequency of tourist bombard the streets and locals must encounter scores of tourist, who may have less manners in trying to quickly get their bearings in a lively city. I found Paris not much less snobby than some other big cities I have been to in and out of the USA. So my advice would be to take 10 minutes to write down and learn how to say key phrases, be patient, and smile whenever you are a visitor in any place! And if you get a “snobby” response… fugetaboutit!
December 2nd,2009
France |
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