Since my next big trip won't be until the fall I had to fill my sense of adventure somehow. One that wouldn't take me miles and miles away from home. My newest escapade doesn't even require a backpack; instead I will be equiping myself with a harness, rope, a few clips, special shoes etc.
Want a hint? It's two words begining with an "R" and ending with a "G". That's right. Rock climbing; indoor rock climbing to be exact. I've signed up for a ten-week program to learn how to rock climb.
Today was my first day. My fear almost had me back out of it. I drove through the parking lot three times before even parking my car. Let alone even walk through the door. I felt a little intimidated by all these little sporty cars equiped with bike racks and and mountain bikes. Thought perhaps I was out of my league. But when I walked in and found the class I realised besides the few that had a bit of experience rock climing I wasn't the only one that was scared. After going over a few basics I found myself in a harness begining to scale the wall.
My first attempt wasn't too successful. I made it half way up the wall until I found my hands so sweaty and I wasn't even able to think of how to put the chalk on my hands to get a grip. The second venture up a wall was a little bit easier with easier grips was a little more successful and I made it all the way up.
Now I'll have to see how the next class goes. At the moment with just one class under my belt, I can completely understand why it is considered an addictive sport.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The Voyage Back
This posting is a little delayed as my voyage back home was one that was a little hectic and once “real life” started again, I just didn’t find the time to post it.
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Day 20 – March 17
Where was I - Plovdiv (Bulgaria) – Alexandropoulos (Greece)
The journey from Bulgaria to Greece was made by bus during the day. It was a good change. I got to see some rolling hills and mountains. On the highway some locals still rode in horse and carriage and people were plowing their land with a horse.
It was a little bit of a different ride this time because no one spoke any English. But that didn’t stop communication. The bus attendant was wonderful, although we both didn’t know each other’s native tongue we mostly communicated through hand gestures. (Thank goodness I’m French; it comes like second nature).
When we got to the Border for Bulgaria/Greece I envisioned a repeat of what had happened when I came into Turkey/Bulgaria (when the bags were searched). The attendant made sure I was the first off. My passport was looked at and stamped then I crossed the border by foot. I went to the duty free to order coffee. I felt at home even though I ordered in Greek. The simple Greek phrases I knew felt comforting.
The bus ride continued to a routine stop to what I assume is a regular stop. The store owners/workers acted as translator between the bus attendant and I to whom all we had before was our hand gestures.
Finally we got to Alexandropoulos. I bid my farewell to my new friend and went to find the hotel I booked prior in Plovdiv. Although it was maybe a 2-star, I felt like I was staying in a 5-star. After dropping off my stuff, I explored the city to get my train ticket to Athens. My high speed train was scheduled to leave early in the morning so off to bed I went so I wouldn’t miss my train.
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Day 21 – March 18
Where was I – Alexandropoulos/ Thessaloniki /Athens
When you go to Europe dear future travelers; remember they like to strike. My airline was going on strike Mar 20 I was already in a race with time to try to get out of Greece and maybe make it home on time for work.
I got up at 4:00 a.m. gathered the clothing I had hand washed around the room and went to the front desk to order a taxi. SURPRISE! Taxi’s were on strike. I grabbed my bags and ran to the bus stop hoping that I could catch a bus. After about ten minutes of waiting, a bus came. But with the stops and passengers hopping on I was three minutes late for my train. Yes, I said 3-minutes…. And there were no more high speed trains that day, no trains till afternoon I was told. This meant I wouldn’t have made my timeline for the plane. I tried to get a refund so I could try to manage to hop on a bus, but apparently they don’t believe in refunds.
I felt destitute. So I sat in the train station. Perhaps out of pity, perhaps because I was ruining the feng-shui but after about an hour of waiting an English speaking person helped me get on a train with a lay-over in Thessaloniki to Athens. Although this was going to take a little longer, it was going to still get me to Athens that day. So I jumped at the opportunity.
The train ride to Thessaloniki was a great one. I made friends with the conductor; he told me which side to sit at and pointed out scenic points. It was great because it got me to forget about how badly I needed to get to Athens.
My exploration of Thessaloniki was a short and small one because I didn’t want to stray far from the train station in fear of missing my next departure. The next train to Athens was a high speed train, by this time it was dark outside so I slept most of the way as there wasn’t much to see and I was getting anxious to get to the airport. Once I got to Athens it was around 11p.m. and I took the metro to the airport and got there around midnight with yet another delay in my journey. The ticket booth for the airline I was with was closed.
The information desk told me that it was going to open at 4 a.m. so I decided there was no point in getting a hotel room since I knew I wasn’t going to get any sleep and I wanted to be one of the first in line for a flight out. So for the night I became an airport bum.
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Day 22 – March 19
Where was I –Athens (Greece) - London (England)
The airport had free internet access stations where I got into contact with an old family friend who was studying in England who told me I could stay at his place if I so happened to become stuck. I started to feel like perhaps I wasn’t destitute. Waiting till 4 a.m felt long, but when it came around I found out the booth didn’t actually open till 6 a.m…. so I waited some more.
Finally, 6 a.m. came around. The ticket booth attendant was able to get me on a flight to London. But wasn’t able to get me to Canada until the next day. I took the offer and off to London I went to visit with a friend.
Now, when I got to London I went to take the metro with directions in hand. Looking at the Metro map I was a little confused. SO I found an attendant. Trying to formulate my sentence to ask directions in Greek, I must have looked like an idiot until he finally asked me if he could help. My response “oh you speak English”.
I finally got to my friends place; luckily he had a class, so I had a nap. After which, we went to a bowling club where I got the chance to bowl. Something I haven’t done in ages!
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Day 23 – March 20
Where was I –London (England)/Vancouver & Calgary (Canada)
After a night out in London I got up to explore a bit of London with the time I had left. It was beautiful. Took pictures. Became a tourist. Ordered coffee in English. Then back to the Airport I headed to catch my flight to Vancouver where in my sleep deprived state I tried to sleep most of the way.
I got to Vancouver and rushed to meet my plane that was going to take me to Calgary (that much closer to home).
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Day 24 – March 21
Where was I –Calgary/Edmonton/home
I woke up in a fright in the hotel bed. The first time in my vacation wondering where I was and where I had to be. I felt like I was in a ferry cabin but couldn’t remember how I had gotten there. I finally got my bearings and realized I was almost home. I gathered my things, grabbed some breakfast and headed to the bus station so I could head to Edmonton.
In Edmonton a friend picked me up and we spoke of the trips we had both taken during the month I was away and finally I was home.
I wouldn't have changed a thing.
------
Day 20 – March 17
Where was I - Plovdiv (Bulgaria) – Alexandropoulos (Greece)
The journey from Bulgaria to Greece was made by bus during the day. It was a good change. I got to see some rolling hills and mountains. On the highway some locals still rode in horse and carriage and people were plowing their land with a horse.
It was a little bit of a different ride this time because no one spoke any English. But that didn’t stop communication. The bus attendant was wonderful, although we both didn’t know each other’s native tongue we mostly communicated through hand gestures. (Thank goodness I’m French; it comes like second nature).
When we got to the Border for Bulgaria/Greece I envisioned a repeat of what had happened when I came into Turkey/Bulgaria (when the bags were searched). The attendant made sure I was the first off. My passport was looked at and stamped then I crossed the border by foot. I went to the duty free to order coffee. I felt at home even though I ordered in Greek. The simple Greek phrases I knew felt comforting.
The bus ride continued to a routine stop to what I assume is a regular stop. The store owners/workers acted as translator between the bus attendant and I to whom all we had before was our hand gestures.
Finally we got to Alexandropoulos. I bid my farewell to my new friend and went to find the hotel I booked prior in Plovdiv. Although it was maybe a 2-star, I felt like I was staying in a 5-star. After dropping off my stuff, I explored the city to get my train ticket to Athens. My high speed train was scheduled to leave early in the morning so off to bed I went so I wouldn’t miss my train.
-----
Day 21 – March 18
Where was I – Alexandropoulos/ Thessaloniki /Athens
When you go to Europe dear future travelers; remember they like to strike. My airline was going on strike Mar 20 I was already in a race with time to try to get out of Greece and maybe make it home on time for work.
I got up at 4:00 a.m. gathered the clothing I had hand washed around the room and went to the front desk to order a taxi. SURPRISE! Taxi’s were on strike. I grabbed my bags and ran to the bus stop hoping that I could catch a bus. After about ten minutes of waiting, a bus came. But with the stops and passengers hopping on I was three minutes late for my train. Yes, I said 3-minutes…. And there were no more high speed trains that day, no trains till afternoon I was told. This meant I wouldn’t have made my timeline for the plane. I tried to get a refund so I could try to manage to hop on a bus, but apparently they don’t believe in refunds.
I felt destitute. So I sat in the train station. Perhaps out of pity, perhaps because I was ruining the feng-shui but after about an hour of waiting an English speaking person helped me get on a train with a lay-over in Thessaloniki to Athens. Although this was going to take a little longer, it was going to still get me to Athens that day. So I jumped at the opportunity.
The train ride to Thessaloniki was a great one. I made friends with the conductor; he told me which side to sit at and pointed out scenic points. It was great because it got me to forget about how badly I needed to get to Athens.
My exploration of Thessaloniki was a short and small one because I didn’t want to stray far from the train station in fear of missing my next departure. The next train to Athens was a high speed train, by this time it was dark outside so I slept most of the way as there wasn’t much to see and I was getting anxious to get to the airport. Once I got to Athens it was around 11p.m. and I took the metro to the airport and got there around midnight with yet another delay in my journey. The ticket booth for the airline I was with was closed.
The information desk told me that it was going to open at 4 a.m. so I decided there was no point in getting a hotel room since I knew I wasn’t going to get any sleep and I wanted to be one of the first in line for a flight out. So for the night I became an airport bum.
-----
Day 22 – March 19
Where was I –Athens (Greece) - London (England)
The airport had free internet access stations where I got into contact with an old family friend who was studying in England who told me I could stay at his place if I so happened to become stuck. I started to feel like perhaps I wasn’t destitute. Waiting till 4 a.m felt long, but when it came around I found out the booth didn’t actually open till 6 a.m…. so I waited some more.
Finally, 6 a.m. came around. The ticket booth attendant was able to get me on a flight to London. But wasn’t able to get me to Canada until the next day. I took the offer and off to London I went to visit with a friend.
Now, when I got to London I went to take the metro with directions in hand. Looking at the Metro map I was a little confused. SO I found an attendant. Trying to formulate my sentence to ask directions in Greek, I must have looked like an idiot until he finally asked me if he could help. My response “oh you speak English”.
I finally got to my friends place; luckily he had a class, so I had a nap. After which, we went to a bowling club where I got the chance to bowl. Something I haven’t done in ages!
-----
Day 23 – March 20
Where was I –London (England)/Vancouver & Calgary (Canada)
After a night out in London I got up to explore a bit of London with the time I had left. It was beautiful. Took pictures. Became a tourist. Ordered coffee in English. Then back to the Airport I headed to catch my flight to Vancouver where in my sleep deprived state I tried to sleep most of the way.
I got to Vancouver and rushed to meet my plane that was going to take me to Calgary (that much closer to home).
-----
Day 24 – March 21
Where was I –Calgary/Edmonton/home
I woke up in a fright in the hotel bed. The first time in my vacation wondering where I was and where I had to be. I felt like I was in a ferry cabin but couldn’t remember how I had gotten there. I finally got my bearings and realized I was almost home. I gathered my things, grabbed some breakfast and headed to the bus station so I could head to Edmonton.
In Edmonton a friend picked me up and we spoke of the trips we had both taken during the month I was away and finally I was home.
I wouldn't have changed a thing.
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