Just remembered that Sergio (my Brazilian host in Andorra) told me he was already robbed 8 times in his life... why? Because he refused to give in and shape his life according the environment. In few/ various... cities in Brazil people are being faced with the choice to either protect themselves and hide, so nothing ever happens or expose themselves to the dangers of life and well... get robbed. I consider people facing those dangers as brave. What is life worth living for if you constantly hide and fear that this or that might happen to you, so you simply don´t do it. Well, I do not propose risking your life intentionally, but consciously considering your options and going for things that are worth doing. Thank you Sergio for this insight!
Btw I still need to think more about this, but it's a start :)
23.6.09
Day 10 - Falset
I´m not as dead as before yesterday, but at least half dead :)
Now sitting in an i-cafe and waiting another hour to call a random German dude I have met on the street 2 hours ago. I was asking him in Spanish whether there are any cheap rooms available down here... of course not. After asking we found out that we´re both German blablabla and he offered me a place to stay tonight. At least 90% sure as he´s a guest too and needs to ask first. He´ll be back around 12 in Falset, when he´s finished some kind of dinner. I´ll call him in half an hour. Let´s see what happens... if not I may have to sleep on a bank somewhere, stinky as I am. Would love to take a shower now.
During the last few days I have hiked through nature, which was generally pleasent, but I felt that I do not make much progress... all these windings streets and ups and downs... I WANT STRAIGHT ROADS TO PORTUGAL!!! Still it was worth the experience. Now I am thinking about walking a street to be quicker, but it seems that the street I have chosen is too fast, thus I may have to look for other paths again.
By the way... WHY THE HECK ARE ALL THE KIDS IN SPAIN THROWING CRACKERS AROUND??? In every single city (or village) I have been to 9 year olds are having their fun and that till late at night... don´t know what to think of that *lol*
So, now press thumbs for me... wanna have a bed tonight and a pool tomorrow morning!
Ciao
Now sitting in an i-cafe and waiting another hour to call a random German dude I have met on the street 2 hours ago. I was asking him in Spanish whether there are any cheap rooms available down here... of course not. After asking we found out that we´re both German blablabla and he offered me a place to stay tonight. At least 90% sure as he´s a guest too and needs to ask first. He´ll be back around 12 in Falset, when he´s finished some kind of dinner. I´ll call him in half an hour. Let´s see what happens... if not I may have to sleep on a bank somewhere, stinky as I am. Would love to take a shower now.
During the last few days I have hiked through nature, which was generally pleasent, but I felt that I do not make much progress... all these windings streets and ups and downs... I WANT STRAIGHT ROADS TO PORTUGAL!!! Still it was worth the experience. Now I am thinking about walking a street to be quicker, but it seems that the street I have chosen is too fast, thus I may have to look for other paths again.
By the way... WHY THE HECK ARE ALL THE KIDS IN SPAIN THROWING CRACKERS AROUND??? In every single city (or village) I have been to 9 year olds are having their fun and that till late at night... don´t know what to think of that *lol*
So, now press thumbs for me... wanna have a bed tonight and a pool tomorrow morning!
Ciao
22.6.09
Day 9 - Montblanc
Well... actually I intented to write about the past few days, but first of all YEAH I managed to get a 2nd Class Honour at Uni :) Sure could be better, but with only making a real effort in the final semester... puh. Next time from the beginning haha
So, what has happened during the last 8 days. I´d say quite a lot and it is impossible to write about it all, but I can give you a picture of the whole. Burkhard and me left Escaldes (AND) the first day and almost made it to the border of Andorra. As you may know Andorra is in the middle of the Pyrenees. Somehow we have managed to choose a location to start from that has the biggest climb we have had so far and probably will have for the whole trip. Hiking up, say 800m with a 12kg can be fun, but only to a certain point. The view on the top, however, compensated for much (see Picasa). After that we made our way in a few days to La Seu d´Urgell, Tuixen, Sant Llorenç de Morunys, Solsona and Pinós. That far we were partly camping wild in nature, taking a youth hostel once and twice camping on a camp site. It was fun to share mornings, evening and breaks in between hiking. Unfortunately shortly after Pinós Burkhard had to give up, because he was... let's say "in pain". Sunburn, knee, ankle, sour feet and solely having a distant aim made him give up. I totally understand his decision and consider this being the best for his mental and physical well being. Good luck for you and enjoy to relax :)
After leaving Burkhard behind at a petrol station close to Calaf, I felt a little overwhelmed and sad, because I knew that Í'll be on my own for more than a month facing 1300km. Although I am faster with walking time may feel longer. Let's see how it works out. So far I have to admit I do pretty fine. After hiking very fast for 10-15km I felt that I had gotten over it. On the same day (Day 7) I reached Igualada, making approximately 40km's. I intented to book into a cheap hostel, which unfortunately wasn't available, thus I had to hike out of town and put up my hammock closebye. Luckily I was able to get some food and drinks, as I ran out of it. I resupplied for the next day, slept more or less well and hiked from Igualada to Montblanc. So far this distance has been the longest, as I have covered around 53km's. As you can imagine I was more than happy to have arrived and find a place to sleep for 25€, where I could wash and relax. My feet did not feel all too well, but recovered pretty good for today. In order not to overdo it I'll leave it with 30 to 35 km. I suppose that I will have to camp in the wild tonight, as there is no town nearbye. Let's see what happens, you're often taken by surprise on these kind of trips. I'll finish here, even though I have solely writte about the what has happened and not much about my thoughts. I may do this on a later date, but for now I have to go. Getting new maps to locate the hiking paths and starting to hike again.
Ahoi!
Phil
So, what has happened during the last 8 days. I´d say quite a lot and it is impossible to write about it all, but I can give you a picture of the whole. Burkhard and me left Escaldes (AND) the first day and almost made it to the border of Andorra. As you may know Andorra is in the middle of the Pyrenees. Somehow we have managed to choose a location to start from that has the biggest climb we have had so far and probably will have for the whole trip. Hiking up, say 800m with a 12kg can be fun, but only to a certain point. The view on the top, however, compensated for much (see Picasa). After that we made our way in a few days to La Seu d´Urgell, Tuixen, Sant Llorenç de Morunys, Solsona and Pinós. That far we were partly camping wild in nature, taking a youth hostel once and twice camping on a camp site. It was fun to share mornings, evening and breaks in between hiking. Unfortunately shortly after Pinós Burkhard had to give up, because he was... let's say "in pain". Sunburn, knee, ankle, sour feet and solely having a distant aim made him give up. I totally understand his decision and consider this being the best for his mental and physical well being. Good luck for you and enjoy to relax :)
After leaving Burkhard behind at a petrol station close to Calaf, I felt a little overwhelmed and sad, because I knew that Í'll be on my own for more than a month facing 1300km. Although I am faster with walking time may feel longer. Let's see how it works out. So far I have to admit I do pretty fine. After hiking very fast for 10-15km I felt that I had gotten over it. On the same day (Day 7) I reached Igualada, making approximately 40km's. I intented to book into a cheap hostel, which unfortunately wasn't available, thus I had to hike out of town and put up my hammock closebye. Luckily I was able to get some food and drinks, as I ran out of it. I resupplied for the next day, slept more or less well and hiked from Igualada to Montblanc. So far this distance has been the longest, as I have covered around 53km's. As you can imagine I was more than happy to have arrived and find a place to sleep for 25€, where I could wash and relax. My feet did not feel all too well, but recovered pretty good for today. In order not to overdo it I'll leave it with 30 to 35 km. I suppose that I will have to camp in the wild tonight, as there is no town nearbye. Let's see what happens, you're often taken by surprise on these kind of trips. I'll finish here, even though I have solely writte about the what has happened and not much about my thoughts. I may do this on a later date, but for now I have to go. Getting new maps to locate the hiking paths and starting to hike again.
Ahoi!
Phil
15.6.09
Out of Andorra
Am in La Seu d´Urgelle and about to go further :)
It´s fun and we enjoy it a lot. We can´t progress as fast as we wish to, because of food and water supply and other stuff such as post office......
Ahoi
Phil
It´s fun and we enjoy it a lot. We can´t progress as fast as we wish to, because of food and water supply and other stuff such as post office......
Ahoi
Phil
13.6.09
Please read the following... I have encountered this now various times in the world and makes me very sad :(
I have met this guy, called Nipun twice and what he says is true, I vouch for him. I have deep respect to this human being, as whenever we meet he gets me thinking. I know that I cannot do much, but I will try to make some calls and contact some newspapers... let's see if I can get anything out of it.
I feel shit being a 1st class citizen!!!!!!!
Luckily I just met some people again who are as eager to change the world as much as they can. All of our conclusion is that you have to live the change you want to see in the world (old and often used phrase, but still very true). So try to make the best out of yourself and stop complaing about the Iraq war... just start being more kind to your neighbour, a beggar or a random person on the street.
In the following I have included the e-Mail I received from Nipun... please read and think, especially those who are from the RICH WORLD.
---------------------------------------------------
Although I've been addressed by many as "Gandhian" or
"Teresa-ish" in my life yet, but perhaps this time i
find it extremely difficult to react and feel so. Why?
Read on and if you share any of such feelings or
contradict them, do reply.
I am Nipun, one of you. Simple, loves travelling, love
people and exploring, dedicated CSer. Last year in
august after coming to Bangalore from Mumbai, good life
in this city motivated me to persue my dream trip - To
meet my father's childhood pen friend in a village in
Sweden. Our families have known eachother since 1967,
though no one has ever met anyone. So i started working
on the plan - how to travel the cheapest way, take
possible routes and apply for a CONSIDERABLY LONG
vacation in office. So i discussed with my boss and she
was more than happy to grant me a 15 day holiday
tentatibely in july 2009 (as sweetheart as she can
be).
I was kind of sure that i will get visa since -
1) I have travelled to europe before
2) have vlid 10 years visa to The US
3) Have invitation from euro country
4) enough money and resources top sustain for petty 18
days
5) I was never denied any visa before
6) Tonnes of european tourists arrive in India
everyday
+ more.
While i did meticulous planning, booked Lufthansa, i
also wanted to apply for visa in march/april. Another
couchsurfing friend of mine from Vienna also invited me
to Vienna and stay witrh him for few days. It sounds
great, so i booked return from VIENNA.
In the meantime i met another fantastic Brit here in
bangalore, fun loving and generous who invited me to
england for a challenging and exciting "3PEAK
CHALLENGE".
After preparing a complete application, i tried
applying it on my own but found it difficult to keep up
with mounting work in office so gave it to a travel
agent. I wanted to apply for "Visa to friend or
relative" category, since i had Appendix E and
convering letter and the tax papers from my aunt. My
agent suggested that i apply for Swedish-schengen viosa
from German consulate in Chennai, since they officially
provide Swedish-schenegn visa in absance of Swedish
consulate in south india.
THATS WHEN THE NIGHTMARE STARTED -
German consulate asked for papers like -
- land ownership papers from my contact in sweden
- 3 years tax papers of the referee
- 6 months salary statement
- copy of passport
- national identity card
- driving liscense + more
Do note that this list grew day by day and nothing was
conveyed at first. Not knowing that Germany is the
mopst beaurocratic country in Europe. I tried arranging
all these from my father's 60 year old friend . But it
seemed impossible. Not only that, the list of required
papers on the websize of VFS SWEDEN & EMBASSY OF SWEDEN
IN NEW DELHI was way simpler.
But this wasn't enough to dampen the spirit of a young
man like me (specially after meeting "moneyless"
european travellers in india - i knew it wont be that
difficult). I decided to apply for TOURIST VISA. So i
got the hotel booked, paying huge advancves in famous
hostels just to make sure that i GET the 20 day visa i
need. AND APPLIED FOR THE VISA FINALLY. Got an
interview appontment in chennai cosulate and went to
chennai from bangalore (400 kms away) in may for a 5
minute interview. When the lady accross the counter
noddeed at the end when i asked if everything was ok, i
understood that visa has been or will be granted. I was
SO HAPPY.... MAD MAD MAD... LIKE I ..... I WAS JUST SO
HAPPY...
Came back, bought a backpack and planned further ahead
and waited for the return of my passport. Told
everyone, while the world rejoiced for me for this
dream trip. It arrived after 12 long days. I opened to
a shock that it was rejected... A 20 day tourist visa
to EU is REJECTED? NEVER HEARD OF THAT BEFORE. NO
REASONS CITED. All my friends in eurpoe as well as
India were angry, while i felt helpless. In this time
of recession, who would reject a tourist visa,
specially hen europe needs every bit of foregn
exchange. Oh! PERHAPS THATS WHAT THEY GETTING BY
ENCOURAGING INDIANS TO APPLY FOR VISA AND THEN
REJECTING IT. LOL. GERMAN BEAUROCRATS!
After having the shock of the year, i moved ahead more
determined than before and decided to apply dirently
from EMBASSY OF SWEDEN IN NEW DELHI. In may end i
started working on papers again but this time wanting
to apply for "Visit to friend or relative" category.
I changed the agent and went to more experienced and
expensive agent. I NEEDED THIS VISA AFTER ALL. I HAD TO
MEET THE OLD LADY BEFORE ANYTHING UNFORTUNATE HAPPENS
TO HER. Kate wrote a longer covering letter stating why
i was coming and why she will not be able to travel to
India to meet my family. We also included a lot more
papers. My travel agent indicated that SWEDISH EMBASSY
IS DENYING ALL THE VISAS OTHER THAN BUSINESS VISAS. It
would be better to check with the visa officer first.
After literally being on hold for 35 long minutes, i
finally got through the visa officer in Delhi embassy
and he mentioned that if was a false information and i
should apply. What a relief i felt... :)
I paid for the visa fee + agents fee again and
re-applied from Sweden early thin month... only to know
TODAY that THEY HAVE REJECTED IT AGAIN... What is it?
Is it a business for european embassies to earn money
from indians as no reason is ever cited for refusal?
"THEY REJECTED A SIMPLE 20 DAY VISA EVEN THOUGH ALL THE
NECESSARY PAPERS WERE PROVIDED"? pHEW!!!
HA HA HA... THIS IS THE FUINNIEST TING I HAVE EVER
HEARD...
I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO REACT WHICH IS WHY I AM WRITING
HERE... I HAVE NOT KNOW ANYONE WHO HAS EVER BEEN
REFUSED A VISA...
NEGATIVE EFFECTS - I WILL PERHAPS NOT HOST, OR ATLEAST
RESPECT ANY BACKPACKER EUROPEAN AGAIN... I mean look at
my refernce list and how i have treated my CS guests
always and look what THEY did...
- LOST 40,000 RUPPEES of my hard earned money in the
process while having sleepless impatient nights.
- Left my old aging aunt Kate to sulk and regret her
own country
- Getting angry and feeling lost
- will become lsser friendly and inviting to any
European (most of which are selfish anyway)
POSTIVE EFFECTS - Learned that INDIA is way lesser
beaurocratic than "FIRST WORLD CONTINENT" ILOVE INDIA
NOW, MORE THAN EVER BEFORE. Yes this is my my land and
i am destined to see more beautiful and better sightas
in india than looking at "pure & platic" sights in
Euro.
I would rather spend my hartd earned money here than in
some rubbish european country.
Just so you know, I did not party, spend any money in
shopping or clubbing or even movies in theatre, cooked
my food every single night, no travelling (other than
chennai) for past 2 -3 months, just to save and save
and save for this dream... ONLY TO END IT THIS HORRIBLE
WAY.
WHAT A WASTE - TO HELL WITH THEM AND THEIR PEOPLE...
I apologise in advance if i am huerting some of you,
but i am really shaken and briekn apart. I desire to
take this further and address it to someone like a
newspaper or somewhere like some international consumer
court... can anyone help...?
I feel shit being a 1st class citizen!!!!!!!
Luckily I just met some people again who are as eager to change the world as much as they can. All of our conclusion is that you have to live the change you want to see in the world (old and often used phrase, but still very true). So try to make the best out of yourself and stop complaing about the Iraq war... just start being more kind to your neighbour, a beggar or a random person on the street.
In the following I have included the e-Mail I received from Nipun... please read and think, especially those who are from the RICH WORLD.
---------------------------------------------------
Although I've been addressed by many as "Gandhian" or
"Teresa-ish" in my life yet, but perhaps this time i
find it extremely difficult to react and feel so. Why?
Read on and if you share any of such feelings or
contradict them, do reply.
I am Nipun, one of you. Simple, loves travelling, love
people and exploring, dedicated CSer. Last year in
august after coming to Bangalore from Mumbai, good life
in this city motivated me to persue my dream trip - To
meet my father's childhood pen friend in a village in
Sweden. Our families have known eachother since 1967,
though no one has ever met anyone. So i started working
on the plan - how to travel the cheapest way, take
possible routes and apply for a CONSIDERABLY LONG
vacation in office. So i discussed with my boss and she
was more than happy to grant me a 15 day holiday
tentatibely in july 2009 (as sweetheart as she can
be).
I was kind of sure that i will get visa since -
1) I have travelled to europe before
2) have vlid 10 years visa to The US
3) Have invitation from euro country
4) enough money and resources top sustain for petty 18
days
5) I was never denied any visa before
6) Tonnes of european tourists arrive in India
everyday
+ more.
While i did meticulous planning, booked Lufthansa, i
also wanted to apply for visa in march/april. Another
couchsurfing friend of mine from Vienna also invited me
to Vienna and stay witrh him for few days. It sounds
great, so i booked return from VIENNA.
In the meantime i met another fantastic Brit here in
bangalore, fun loving and generous who invited me to
england for a challenging and exciting "3PEAK
CHALLENGE".
After preparing a complete application, i tried
applying it on my own but found it difficult to keep up
with mounting work in office so gave it to a travel
agent. I wanted to apply for "Visa to friend or
relative" category, since i had Appendix E and
convering letter and the tax papers from my aunt. My
agent suggested that i apply for Swedish-schengen viosa
from German consulate in Chennai, since they officially
provide Swedish-schenegn visa in absance of Swedish
consulate in south india.
THATS WHEN THE NIGHTMARE STARTED -
German consulate asked for papers like -
- land ownership papers from my contact in sweden
- 3 years tax papers of the referee
- 6 months salary statement
- copy of passport
- national identity card
- driving liscense + more
Do note that this list grew day by day and nothing was
conveyed at first. Not knowing that Germany is the
mopst beaurocratic country in Europe. I tried arranging
all these from my father's 60 year old friend . But it
seemed impossible. Not only that, the list of required
papers on the websize of VFS SWEDEN & EMBASSY OF SWEDEN
IN NEW DELHI was way simpler.
But this wasn't enough to dampen the spirit of a young
man like me (specially after meeting "moneyless"
european travellers in india - i knew it wont be that
difficult). I decided to apply for TOURIST VISA. So i
got the hotel booked, paying huge advancves in famous
hostels just to make sure that i GET the 20 day visa i
need. AND APPLIED FOR THE VISA FINALLY. Got an
interview appontment in chennai cosulate and went to
chennai from bangalore (400 kms away) in may for a 5
minute interview. When the lady accross the counter
noddeed at the end when i asked if everything was ok, i
understood that visa has been or will be granted. I was
SO HAPPY.... MAD MAD MAD... LIKE I ..... I WAS JUST SO
HAPPY...
Came back, bought a backpack and planned further ahead
and waited for the return of my passport. Told
everyone, while the world rejoiced for me for this
dream trip. It arrived after 12 long days. I opened to
a shock that it was rejected... A 20 day tourist visa
to EU is REJECTED? NEVER HEARD OF THAT BEFORE. NO
REASONS CITED. All my friends in eurpoe as well as
India were angry, while i felt helpless. In this time
of recession, who would reject a tourist visa,
specially hen europe needs every bit of foregn
exchange. Oh! PERHAPS THATS WHAT THEY GETTING BY
ENCOURAGING INDIANS TO APPLY FOR VISA AND THEN
REJECTING IT. LOL. GERMAN BEAUROCRATS!
After having the shock of the year, i moved ahead more
determined than before and decided to apply dirently
from EMBASSY OF SWEDEN IN NEW DELHI. In may end i
started working on papers again but this time wanting
to apply for "Visit to friend or relative" category.
I changed the agent and went to more experienced and
expensive agent. I NEEDED THIS VISA AFTER ALL. I HAD TO
MEET THE OLD LADY BEFORE ANYTHING UNFORTUNATE HAPPENS
TO HER. Kate wrote a longer covering letter stating why
i was coming and why she will not be able to travel to
India to meet my family. We also included a lot more
papers. My travel agent indicated that SWEDISH EMBASSY
IS DENYING ALL THE VISAS OTHER THAN BUSINESS VISAS. It
would be better to check with the visa officer first.
After literally being on hold for 35 long minutes, i
finally got through the visa officer in Delhi embassy
and he mentioned that if was a false information and i
should apply. What a relief i felt... :)
I paid for the visa fee + agents fee again and
re-applied from Sweden early thin month... only to know
TODAY that THEY HAVE REJECTED IT AGAIN... What is it?
Is it a business for european embassies to earn money
from indians as no reason is ever cited for refusal?
"THEY REJECTED A SIMPLE 20 DAY VISA EVEN THOUGH ALL THE
NECESSARY PAPERS WERE PROVIDED"? pHEW!!!
HA HA HA... THIS IS THE FUINNIEST TING I HAVE EVER
HEARD...
I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO REACT WHICH IS WHY I AM WRITING
HERE... I HAVE NOT KNOW ANYONE WHO HAS EVER BEEN
REFUSED A VISA...
NEGATIVE EFFECTS - I WILL PERHAPS NOT HOST, OR ATLEAST
RESPECT ANY BACKPACKER EUROPEAN AGAIN... I mean look at
my refernce list and how i have treated my CS guests
always and look what THEY did...
- LOST 40,000 RUPPEES of my hard earned money in the
process while having sleepless impatient nights.
- Left my old aging aunt Kate to sulk and regret her
own country
- Getting angry and feeling lost
- will become lsser friendly and inviting to any
European (most of which are selfish anyway)
POSTIVE EFFECTS - Learned that INDIA is way lesser
beaurocratic than "FIRST WORLD CONTINENT" ILOVE INDIA
NOW, MORE THAN EVER BEFORE. Yes this is my my land and
i am destined to see more beautiful and better sightas
in india than looking at "pure & platic" sights in
Euro.
I would rather spend my hartd earned money here than in
some rubbish european country.
Just so you know, I did not party, spend any money in
shopping or clubbing or even movies in theatre, cooked
my food every single night, no travelling (other than
chennai) for past 2 -3 months, just to save and save
and save for this dream... ONLY TO END IT THIS HORRIBLE
WAY.
WHAT A WASTE - TO HELL WITH THEM AND THEIR PEOPLE...
I apologise in advance if i am huerting some of you,
but i am really shaken and briekn apart. I desire to
take this further and address it to someone like a
newspaper or somewhere like some international consumer
court... can anyone help...?
Saludos de Andorra!!!
What to say... the past few days were quite amazing, mainly (or as usual) due to CS and hitchhiking.
Im now sitting in the apartment from Sergio and Jeronimo in Escaldes close to Andorra de Vella (capital of Andorra).
How did I get here? Hitchhiking, but I was cheating a little on the way here from Perpignon. But lets start from the beginning.
I left Milan on the 10th of June and hoped that I would get to Andorra by the 12th. Indeed it worked out very well. The start was problematic, since it is always difficult to get away from big cities like Milano. I took placed myself on the first petrol station on the A8 towards Genova, that could be reached by public transport and walking. The first car stopped after five hours but wanted to go the wrong way. After about 6 hours a "Specialista in Neuologia" stopped and saved the day. From 5pm to 10pm I made it from Milan all the way to Nizza. It's amazing how you experience yourself during the time of waiting... becoming impatient or staying calm and content, smiling to car drivers or being annoyed that nobody smiles back, sitting on my "Holy Stuhl" walking around, waiting at the exits or asking around... these and many more tell you more about yourself. I like doing it since the outcome is literally always better than expected. What you experience while hitchiking is impossible by using public transport. After I was taken the first by the doctor (whom I have to send the address of my blog... he regrets never having done much travel when he was young (functions as reinforcement for oneself)). The second was a lorry driver from Marrocco. He was doing his job for 20 years but seemed content. We spoke a mix of Spanish, Italian and French... wherever I found the appropriate words. Before dropping me off he wished me good luck and gave me a chocolate (kind heart). After waiting another hour and expecting that I would have to stay on the petrol station without an option to sleep anywhere (fence and mountains) another lorry driver picked me up. He was Hungarian and used to be a DJ, cool huh.
He drove me even further than Nizza to Frejus and dropped me at a station where he picked me up the next morning. I slept in the woods nearby
The morning consisted of being taken to Perpignan from where I wanted to hitchhike to Andorra while listening to techno. In Perpignan it went pretty bad and I gave it up around 5pm and took a bus to the city center where I booked into a youth hostel. There I was able to get and overview of how to reach Andorra, which turned out to be really difficult. Not many people drive there at all since the country has ONLY 80.000 inhabitants *lol* After taking a train half way I had to change to bus coz they were working on the tracks. Unfortunately there was a misunderstanding, so I left the bus too early and would have to wait 3-4 hours for the next one aaaaaaah... since I thought I would get another connection to Andorra by then I decided to use the time for hitchhiking, which worked out pretty well. After 30mins 3 young Frenchies took me all the way to Andorra, where they wanted to buy cigarettes and alcohol. Our conversations were funny, as they spoke no English and only little Spanish. So 3 Frenchies and 1 German tried to converse with one another with some basic Spanish. It worked out and was fun. After doing all purchases they drove me another 40 km to Escaldes, where I met Burgi and his hosts. It was even more fun from then onwards, since Sergio and Jeronimo were happy to welcome the guys I just met, thus we had a bigger gathering in their flat. During night we had some drinks and went dancing. I don't wanna describe that in all detail, because it's too much. But to sum it up... being open can give you so much in life... meeting so many random people and blablabla that it is mindboggling or perhaps harmful to be fearful and closeminded as it deprives you of soooo many incredible experiences you love thinking back to once you're older.
OK... what's up now? Sergio is cooking and I'm gonna make or go and buy a salad now... let's see.
Burgi and me are gonna start walking a day later, meaning tomorrow because I have to salt some stuff out and look how I can help a friend from India (see mail above... it's sickening and saddening).
Greets to you all!!!
Don Felipe :)
Im now sitting in the apartment from Sergio and Jeronimo in Escaldes close to Andorra de Vella (capital of Andorra).
How did I get here? Hitchhiking, but I was cheating a little on the way here from Perpignon. But lets start from the beginning.
I left Milan on the 10th of June and hoped that I would get to Andorra by the 12th. Indeed it worked out very well. The start was problematic, since it is always difficult to get away from big cities like Milano. I took placed myself on the first petrol station on the A8 towards Genova, that could be reached by public transport and walking. The first car stopped after five hours but wanted to go the wrong way. After about 6 hours a "Specialista in Neuologia" stopped and saved the day. From 5pm to 10pm I made it from Milan all the way to Nizza. It's amazing how you experience yourself during the time of waiting... becoming impatient or staying calm and content, smiling to car drivers or being annoyed that nobody smiles back, sitting on my "Holy Stuhl" walking around, waiting at the exits or asking around... these and many more tell you more about yourself. I like doing it since the outcome is literally always better than expected. What you experience while hitchiking is impossible by using public transport. After I was taken the first by the doctor (whom I have to send the address of my blog... he regrets never having done much travel when he was young (functions as reinforcement for oneself)). The second was a lorry driver from Marrocco. He was doing his job for 20 years but seemed content. We spoke a mix of Spanish, Italian and French... wherever I found the appropriate words. Before dropping me off he wished me good luck and gave me a chocolate (kind heart). After waiting another hour and expecting that I would have to stay on the petrol station without an option to sleep anywhere (fence and mountains) another lorry driver picked me up. He was Hungarian and used to be a DJ, cool huh.
He drove me even further than Nizza to Frejus and dropped me at a station where he picked me up the next morning. I slept in the woods nearby
The morning consisted of being taken to Perpignan from where I wanted to hitchhike to Andorra while listening to techno. In Perpignan it went pretty bad and I gave it up around 5pm and took a bus to the city center where I booked into a youth hostel. There I was able to get and overview of how to reach Andorra, which turned out to be really difficult. Not many people drive there at all since the country has ONLY 80.000 inhabitants *lol* After taking a train half way I had to change to bus coz they were working on the tracks. Unfortunately there was a misunderstanding, so I left the bus too early and would have to wait 3-4 hours for the next one aaaaaaah... since I thought I would get another connection to Andorra by then I decided to use the time for hitchhiking, which worked out pretty well. After 30mins 3 young Frenchies took me all the way to Andorra, where they wanted to buy cigarettes and alcohol. Our conversations were funny, as they spoke no English and only little Spanish. So 3 Frenchies and 1 German tried to converse with one another with some basic Spanish. It worked out and was fun. After doing all purchases they drove me another 40 km to Escaldes, where I met Burgi and his hosts. It was even more fun from then onwards, since Sergio and Jeronimo were happy to welcome the guys I just met, thus we had a bigger gathering in their flat. During night we had some drinks and went dancing. I don't wanna describe that in all detail, because it's too much. But to sum it up... being open can give you so much in life... meeting so many random people and blablabla that it is mindboggling or perhaps harmful to be fearful and closeminded as it deprives you of soooo many incredible experiences you love thinking back to once you're older.
OK... what's up now? Sergio is cooking and I'm gonna make or go and buy a salad now... let's see.
Burgi and me are gonna start walking a day later, meaning tomorrow because I have to salt some stuff out and look how I can help a friend from India (see mail above... it's sickening and saddening).
Greets to you all!!!
Don Felipe :)
9.6.09
AUF NACH ANDORRA!!!
I'm about to leave Milan and hitch my way from here over Genua, Nice towards Andorra. I suppose it's something close to 2000 km or so, not sure though.
The past few days have been a little relaxed, which I desperately needed. It was great to see Monsieur Felix again and his flatmate Emanuela. Besides that I met loads of Africans, Felix's sister and an American Couchsurfer. It's great to recognize that travels and continous encounter with different people gets you back into the whole wide world. I have to admit that I became a little judgemental and complained slightly more than usual just before finishing my degree. Work sucks life out of you haha. Have to learn to cope with it and turn it to my advantage. Before I start to write extensively, here are some pics and that's it.
Ahoi
Crap the image upload isn't working.
You can watch the pics here: http://picasaweb.google.com/philipperother/Summer2009#
The past few days have been a little relaxed, which I desperately needed. It was great to see Monsieur Felix again and his flatmate Emanuela. Besides that I met loads of Africans, Felix's sister and an American Couchsurfer. It's great to recognize that travels and continous encounter with different people gets you back into the whole wide world. I have to admit that I became a little judgemental and complained slightly more than usual just before finishing my degree. Work sucks life out of you haha. Have to learn to cope with it and turn it to my advantage. Before I start to write extensively, here are some pics and that's it.
Ahoi
Crap the image upload isn't working.
You can watch the pics here: http://picasaweb.google.com/philipperother/Summer2009#
6.6.09
Plauen - Munich - Milan
Had some fun days :)
Hitchhiked from my Plauen, where I have met a friend who has just been in Peru. Saw some lovely pictures, which made me think about my own future travels through South America. Crossing the America's on (motor)bike is a dream of mine. I'd have to save some cash and get to know some mechanic knowhow :) Thus it will take a few years, before I can realize that dream.
Back to my trip. Hitchhiking went quite well. It took me only 5 hours to Munich... about 300kms.
Was taken by
- a lorry driver who complained about his job :)
- a dude who studies officer at the german army for 13 years -> interesting opinion about the army and how it is transforming currently. He said that within the army (after a few recent scandals) they want to prioritize humans before order and hierarchy. He also mentioned that it's best to bring change from the inside... so good luck... I hope he does what he said!
- a rumanian guy... didn't talk much. he complained quite a bit, but I suppose he has many reasons to. He mentioned the before Communism collapsed Romania was bad off, but now it's all even worse... SAD!
The romanian guy dropped me at the airport of Munich and I took public transport back to Munich. Tickets are seriously expensive, so I don't pay most of the time. I only paid on the longest trip, where I was checked, not on the other two. During the evening I've met a friend from highschool (see below)
We had a good time walking through the Olympia Park and visited the Irish Pub in the evening. It was pretty cool :)
The day unfortunately couldn't be long, as I had to get up at 6am, coz I wanted to hitch all the way to Milan. Although it is only 550km away from Munich, it is a little difficult to get to and I wanted to see ma old buddy EL GRAN FELIX! I chose a spot from hitchwiki going from Munich towards Zurich and then down south, using the A96. Somehow I got seriously seriously seriously and again SERIOUSLY lucky :D After 15mins waiting time I got a ride STRAIGHT TO MILAN!!! How cool was that, huh? A manager who is responsible for a upper class shoe's firm in Central and Nothern Europe. I can tell you... it was an amazingly interesting trip! We talked the whole time for about 4 hours... never a dull moment. That's why I love hitchhiking. Meeting ramdom people with lots of experience in life and well, getting to know parts of their wisdom.
Now I am with Felix at his shared flat in Milan. We've been walking around with his sister, another CSer from the US and a new flatmate. His new flatmate is from Eritrea and extremely cool and interesting. Today we ate some stuff he bought for dinner, that is local food in Eastern Africa. It is called "injira". Here's a pic:
Ciao from bella Italia!
Hitchhiked from my Plauen, where I have met a friend who has just been in Peru. Saw some lovely pictures, which made me think about my own future travels through South America. Crossing the America's on (motor)bike is a dream of mine. I'd have to save some cash and get to know some mechanic knowhow :) Thus it will take a few years, before I can realize that dream.
Back to my trip. Hitchhiking went quite well. It took me only 5 hours to Munich... about 300kms.
Was taken by
- a lorry driver who complained about his job :)
- a dude who studies officer at the german army for 13 years -> interesting opinion about the army and how it is transforming currently. He said that within the army (after a few recent scandals) they want to prioritize humans before order and hierarchy. He also mentioned that it's best to bring change from the inside... so good luck... I hope he does what he said!
- a rumanian guy... didn't talk much. he complained quite a bit, but I suppose he has many reasons to. He mentioned the before Communism collapsed Romania was bad off, but now it's all even worse... SAD!
The romanian guy dropped me at the airport of Munich and I took public transport back to Munich. Tickets are seriously expensive, so I don't pay most of the time. I only paid on the longest trip, where I was checked, not on the other two. During the evening I've met a friend from highschool (see below)
We had a good time walking through the Olympia Park and visited the Irish Pub in the evening. It was pretty cool :)
The day unfortunately couldn't be long, as I had to get up at 6am, coz I wanted to hitch all the way to Milan. Although it is only 550km away from Munich, it is a little difficult to get to and I wanted to see ma old buddy EL GRAN FELIX! I chose a spot from hitchwiki going from Munich towards Zurich and then down south, using the A96. Somehow I got seriously seriously seriously and again SERIOUSLY lucky :D After 15mins waiting time I got a ride STRAIGHT TO MILAN!!! How cool was that, huh? A manager who is responsible for a upper class shoe's firm in Central and Nothern Europe. I can tell you... it was an amazingly interesting trip! We talked the whole time for about 4 hours... never a dull moment. That's why I love hitchhiking. Meeting ramdom people with lots of experience in life and well, getting to know parts of their wisdom.
Now I am with Felix at his shared flat in Milan. We've been walking around with his sister, another CSer from the US and a new flatmate. His new flatmate is from Eritrea and extremely cool and interesting. Today we ate some stuff he bought for dinner, that is local food in Eastern Africa. It is called "injira". Here's a pic:
Ciao from bella Italia!
4.6.09
I'm going for a walk
I have had this in mind since I have seen his website and done some little walking and camping myself. I love walking both long and short distances. It gives you time to think and liberates you in a way. Whenever I walk I start to cut off connections to the outside world... I feel like having a blank mind and just walk, walk and walk. The further you get into this state, the less you care about things, such as distance, pain, general worries in life and other thoughts that constantly chase you. You start standing still while moving.
To fulfil this desire to get myself free from everything for a while I decided to go on a hiking/ camping trip for a little less than two months in summer. We're (Burkhard & I) gonna walk from Andorra to Portugal and split up there. Burgi is taking some paths to Porto and I will hike down to Gibraltar. We'll have to cover around 30km a day to reach our targets on time. I suppose towards the end I need to walk up to 40km a day. Sure this sounds a little too much, but once we're into walking it may go faster than expected. We've bought loads of equipment that makes it more comfortable walking... hiking boots, socks are essential plus countless other stuff :) I love going into outdoor shops and leaving with an empty pocket. It's somehow better than possessing 2 million pairs of shoes, but whatever... whom am I to judge female addictions.
Here are some pics from our trial walk yesterday. We'd like to call it "DAY ZERO". We hiked around 32km with full gear and were pretty exhausted. I experienced the state of mind I told you about after 25km's and Burgi had problems with his feet (had not hinking boots) and knee.
Us having some lunch
That's the path that leads all the way to Portugal from Easter Germany... how cool.
Break. Burgi's is cutting his toenails... were too long and made him bleed.
Overall the trial was a success and we're looking forward to do this in Spain with degrees hitting the 40's (celcius) in the sun.
Ahoi Comrades!!!!!!!
To fulfil this desire to get myself free from everything for a while I decided to go on a hiking/ camping trip for a little less than two months in summer. We're (Burkhard & I) gonna walk from Andorra to Portugal and split up there. Burgi is taking some paths to Porto and I will hike down to Gibraltar. We'll have to cover around 30km a day to reach our targets on time. I suppose towards the end I need to walk up to 40km a day. Sure this sounds a little too much, but once we're into walking it may go faster than expected. We've bought loads of equipment that makes it more comfortable walking... hiking boots, socks are essential plus countless other stuff :) I love going into outdoor shops and leaving with an empty pocket. It's somehow better than possessing 2 million pairs of shoes, but whatever... whom am I to judge female addictions.
Here are some pics from our trial walk yesterday. We'd like to call it "DAY ZERO". We hiked around 32km with full gear and were pretty exhausted. I experienced the state of mind I told you about after 25km's and Burgi had problems with his feet (had not hinking boots) and knee.
Us having some lunch
That's the path that leads all the way to Portugal from Easter Germany... how cool.
Break. Burgi's is cutting his toenails... were too long and made him bleed.
Overall the trial was a success and we're looking forward to do this in Spain with degrees hitting the 40's (celcius) in the sun.
Ahoi Comrades!!!!!!!
Done with Leeds
Moving to Leeds has been the best decision I've ever made. Looking back I suppose it was my preference for intuitive decision making which made me go there. The multicultural attitude of the UK and the young student population of Leeds have opened my eyes in many regards and made me way more tolerant. No wonder, when one comes from a rather backward and isolated region in Eastern Germany :)
Thanks to Leeds I feel ready to face the world and position myself in it somewhere.
The three main themes of my learning process revolved around people skills, purpose and embracing diversity.
I have always been more of an individualist, but Leeds helped me in appreciating people. Couchsurfing was central to the experience. After a friend told me about it in September 2007 I signed up and well... waited a few months before using it. When starting in December 2007 I started being exposed to so many alternative viewpoints about life, which made me leapfrogging. Imagine you're being exposed to say extremists all the time, but all of them completely different. Isn't it likely that you yourself become one of them, only with your very own perspective about life and all that revolves around it. Well, I wouldn't say I'm already at that point, but I'm seeking it... cs def. helps :)
Oh and by the way without couchsurfing I would have never met my girlfriend... such an amazing girl. Working hard all the time, but still finding time for friends. She has amazing people skills and such a lovely smile Go and meet her it's fun :) Her work kind of reminds me of John, who's being funded to travel the world to do his job. She starts doing the same. Both can teach you so much about passion and purpose!
It might be a good point to thank all those people who've helped me during the past years and become good friends :) Special thanks to Burgi, Nina, Constantin, Inge, Sara, Pascalis and those on my travels like DJ, Mikka, Tuntek... and all the unknown faces!!! But no time to get sentimental hihi
OK, I forget about the past... I feel I crap at writing this reflection, for whatever reason :)
So lets turn to the future. Since I've just finished my Bachelor I was on the look for another place to study for a while. In May I secured a place at Uppsala University in Sweden for the course Sustainable Development It's a god Uni and god knows how I got into, maybe it's fait, sheer luck or my travels from last year.. no idea, but who cares! I'll start in August and hope to receive some of my friends as guests. Diana is coming, DJ probably as well and everyone else is welcome... I'm probably gonna have my own flat, hence I can host loads of Cs'ers. I'm pretty excited about the course itself, as I'm gonna meet lot's and lot's of people who are interested in exactly the same as I am. This is gonna give me a lot of room to discuss things with people like global politics, economics, development, poverty, environment and everything related. So far I have never had someone whom I could have a chat with every day about these issues. That more than 70% of the students come from outside Europe is gonna help a lot in widening my horizon and look at issues from different perspectives.
Bottom-line:
The UK has given me the kick-start in my life and I will always keep the experience in good memories, but now it's time to leave and face a new challenge in Sweden.
However before I start anything I will get my mind free and do something I have desired for a while (see next blog entry).
Thanks to Leeds I feel ready to face the world and position myself in it somewhere.
The three main themes of my learning process revolved around people skills, purpose and embracing diversity.
I have always been more of an individualist, but Leeds helped me in appreciating people. Couchsurfing was central to the experience. After a friend told me about it in September 2007 I signed up and well... waited a few months before using it. When starting in December 2007 I started being exposed to so many alternative viewpoints about life, which made me leapfrogging. Imagine you're being exposed to say extremists all the time, but all of them completely different. Isn't it likely that you yourself become one of them, only with your very own perspective about life and all that revolves around it. Well, I wouldn't say I'm already at that point, but I'm seeking it... cs def. helps :)
Oh and by the way without couchsurfing I would have never met my girlfriend... such an amazing girl. Working hard all the time, but still finding time for friends. She has amazing people skills and such a lovely smile Go and meet her it's fun :) Her work kind of reminds me of John, who's being funded to travel the world to do his job. She starts doing the same. Both can teach you so much about passion and purpose!
It might be a good point to thank all those people who've helped me during the past years and become good friends :) Special thanks to Burgi, Nina, Constantin, Inge, Sara, Pascalis and those on my travels like DJ, Mikka, Tuntek... and all the unknown faces!!! But no time to get sentimental hihi
OK, I forget about the past... I feel I crap at writing this reflection, for whatever reason :)
So lets turn to the future. Since I've just finished my Bachelor I was on the look for another place to study for a while. In May I secured a place at Uppsala University in Sweden for the course Sustainable Development It's a god Uni and god knows how I got into, maybe it's fait, sheer luck or my travels from last year.. no idea, but who cares! I'll start in August and hope to receive some of my friends as guests. Diana is coming, DJ probably as well and everyone else is welcome... I'm probably gonna have my own flat, hence I can host loads of Cs'ers. I'm pretty excited about the course itself, as I'm gonna meet lot's and lot's of people who are interested in exactly the same as I am. This is gonna give me a lot of room to discuss things with people like global politics, economics, development, poverty, environment and everything related. So far I have never had someone whom I could have a chat with every day about these issues. That more than 70% of the students come from outside Europe is gonna help a lot in widening my horizon and look at issues from different perspectives.
Bottom-line:
The UK has given me the kick-start in my life and I will always keep the experience in good memories, but now it's time to leave and face a new challenge in Sweden.
However before I start anything I will get my mind free and do something I have desired for a while (see next blog entry).
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