Just landed in Prague. Despite my lack of Czech language, culture, or geography, I was able to navigate myself 150 miles from the backwoods Ryanair airport(think a schoolbus that flies...) to the bustling, amazing city of Prague. This is the closest a city will ever get to disneyworld. The way the sun sets, and the way the old architecture ooze wisdom, and the way the sidewalks are worn with 2000 years of use, could not be made. It seems otherwordly but you instantly feel at home. Its a great experience for someone looking to leave their comfort zone of english culture. Signs and maps are all (mostly) in Czech. Its amazing how fast you pick up on words like "mast" (bridge). We knew our hostel was near "charles bridge" but of course its not called that in Czech. So you look at a map, notice all the bridges end with the word "mast" and find the one that looks closest to "charles". One started with a "K" and we set off. Anyway going to bed but this city is amazing as your imagination can ... imagine. If your thinking and comparing this to a U.S. city... QUIT IT, YOUR WRONG.

contents of my life

For those wondering exactly what is in my pack this is a pretty accurate list. Its not the most well packed pack but this is my first rodeo. In backpack T shirts Pink floyd White Sonoma Pink polo The doors Long sleeves Orange flannel Hipster sweater Blue button down Tunic Pants Dickies black Nike golf pants Khaki carharts Shorts Plaid Board shorts Black sport shorts (Next time i'll just bring a board shorts) Underwear and socks 5 pairs each Scarf Bandanna Towel Super fast dry camp towel Toiletries kit Shampoo Conditioner Liquid soap Toothbrush and paste Hairbrush (Haha!) Q tips (im a freak about ear hygiene ) Belt & money belt & wallet Deck of cards (on the off chance I ever use it, it'll be worth the wait of carrying it) Camera and 16 made for digital camera batteries. (They are dumb expensive in Europe) 2 mess kits (don't need them) Guide book Electronics bag Zune Plugs and adapters SatNav Spare phone battery 3 8gb flash drives for pics Camera First aid kit (because ill totally take medicine if needed...) Poncho (used this my first day and don't think its worth it) Shoes Sandals Sambas Boots (Sandals for hostel showers boots for kicking ass in and sambas because GQ states they are the most universal mens shoe. Ever) Clothesline (for washing clothes in sinks and etc) Sleeping bag (no excuse I brought this, next time id bring a sheet) Journal and writing utensil Water bottle Since I've been going I've collected a bunch of brochures from tours I've done and maps and etc. Someone gave me a cook book that I don't have the heart to throw out. Yesterday my bag weighed 17.8 kilos. I considered this way to big. Budget airlines wont fly a bag larger than 15 kilos. But they have no rule about wearing every article of clothing in your pack, then taking it off once your in the air (jason 1 ryanair 0). When you pack a pack think about; having to maneuver you and it through subways, crowded museums, sleeping on a train then carrying it for 8 hours. While a 20 kilo pack is possible but id say a 10-12 kilo is a good size. When packing at home id leave a 1/3 empty. A: for stuff you buy and B: leaving a hostel five minutes before checkout you need extra room! We meet a couple who; the husband was an avid cricket player. The wife found out at the end of their trip he had been carrying his cricket whites and bat all over Europe! Your gonna pack useless stuff but a cricket bat?!?

things i learned in scourie

Things I learned in Scourie, I wrote this on the overnight train from Inverness to London. Little sleepy. Thia also marks the beginning of my love affair with Nutella 1. Small businesses thrive all throughout the world. If you don't think they do, your not in a small area. Of course you don't see "mom and pops" in time square! 2. There is no reason to be separated from your food. Growing your own food doesn't require a lot of knowledge, just a lot of work and a willingness to do it. 3. When searching for your ideal place to live, ask yourself; if I had to drive two hours to a grocery store / shopping center/ hospital would I still live here. It really shows you what's important to you. 4. One room schoolhouses do still exist. Education is great there. Social skills are great there. Surprisingly enough, kids learn and adapt 5. Getting old doesn't mean you can't go dancing, learn a new language, outwork a young blood, drive 100mph, or out drink me with scotch. 6. In my fortnight in the highlands of Scotland not once did I see anyone wear a kilt. This involves me going to formal community functions, meeting people who have never left the village they were born in, and seeing touristy attractions. Haggis however, is real... and tasty! 7. If you've never thrown a chicken before, and someone says "throw that chicken over there" ask for directions... 8. If you live far enough out things will come to you. i. e. Banks and movie theaters are both mobile. 9. Lots of places in the world have thousands of miles of ocean front and lake front property without a single building anywhere. (And don't say "well duh Alaska!" Im talking moderate temperature, livable to the average person property) 10. When living, step out of your comfort zone occasionally. Ask questions. Drag others out of their comfort zones occasionally. Making an ass out of yourself is underrated.

l-i-v-i-n the dream in Scotland

I haven't written anything in a while ... and im gonna place blame on Scotland. I can not stress enough how amazing this place is!!! Everywhere in the country (currently Scotland is not its own country, but they have there own parliament, own bank, and differing laws than the rest of the UK so...) has a charm that is reminiscent of times passed. Even in big cities you see very little adverts, very few chain stores of any kind. Asking someone for directions becomes a 30 minute conversation, with the directions thrown in as an after thought. This must be the world my parents grew up in! Over the weekend in the town hall they had a dance. I kinda thought we would stick out, not knowing any of the dances. However, the folk were quick to show us dance steps and make sure we had a good time. We realized quickly that not everyone knew all the moves but, you didn't notice from how big their smiles were! Kelly and i decided to come up here on a whim, just head to that mythical north, and we couldn't have lucked out more.

the road to scourie

The road to Scourie. We left Inverness about 0900. the bus driver told us to sit in the two front seats because that had the best view, and we were off. Mostly on the bus were german backpackers heading up to Durness (Scotland's most northern point) for the week. Chris, the bus driver, was ecstatic to hear we planned to live up here for 3 weeks. "Before you leave you'll be driving the post cart" was the exact quote. The bus lumbered up these back mountain roads for 4 hours, stopping every hour for 15 mins to get out and have Chris tell us why he loved stopping here. "Alright gang this is a unscheduled stop so technically it never happened but... this bridge was built in 1980 and before that it was a free ferry to cross. But the ferry captain only took you across if you bought him a dram". The bus goes through six or so little towns with names like Aviemore and Ullapool. All with 300 residents or less. Scourie is the last stop before Durness. We pull up to "the store", and all of the towns residents are out to see who is getting off the bus. Not because they're expecting the queen, but this is how the day is gauged here. "Well the bus will be by in an hour, wanna go look?" After making sure I am holding all my worldy possessions, I decided to look up, and see the most scenic view I've ever seen. The only thing I can compare it to would be the Bahamas. White sand beaches, rolling rocky hills, covered in grass and heather. Water, shades of blue and green I have never seen outside of windows backgrounds. Just breathtaking. Yes indeed, I. Am. Home.

first thoughts on Edinburgh

First thoughts on Edinburgh. Im sure ill say this a hundred times before I come back home but, Edinburgh is truly one of the worlds great cities!!! Although it should, its hard to see this as a tourist town. There are lots of green spaces with amazing views of the castle. And filled with Edinburgh's youth playing frisbee, cuddling, and just enjoying life in a beautiful space. The old town is exactly what you imagine it to be. Old dark town stone buildings, Europe's first skyscrapers in fact, with lots of people bustling around. For those Harry Potter fans this is where J.K. Rowling lived when she wrote the books and it shows. Old town looks like something out of Diagon Alley. The old boys school, built in 1634 resembles Hogwarts. The first bank of Scotland has underground vaults like Gringotts. And of course you can walk around and see the grave of Tom Riddel. Mcgonagal, and you favorite other characters. Most of the museums and sights are free, and those that are not, the Scotts memorial, are only a few pounds. The castle is a disappointing 16£ / person (25$ / person). Although you can get a little ways in before the ticket turnstile... I thought the bagpipers around town would come across as being kitschy but they fit in very nicely. The whiskey tours are a little "malt disney" but if you want to see a 10,000£ bottle of scotch its fun. I think Edinburgh is a well built city that encourages you to walk around like a local and enjoy what it has to offer.

advice from the road

Advice from the road Part one : What's a bird in the hand worth? I was booking a hostel for my first night in Edinburgh. 11£/night?, right up my alley. My second night, Saturday the 3rd, the price jumped up to 21£ /night. I have two whole days before Saturday night, clearly I can find a hostel with a better deal... except... when this weekend is "the queen's diamond jubilee ". For you yanks, this is a celebration of 60 years of the queen being... queen. So of course not only is every place more this night, the day before they are all sold out..... FML! Kelly and I find some places that are not sold out, b and b's way across town for 30£/ person per night. Im pissed but, it ain't no thang. While walking I see a hostel that I recognized from hostelworld.com. calderian backpackers. This place has been voted the top hostel in the UK three years in a row. On a whim I go in, ask about some beds and they have two beds left for 21£ a night!!!! I booked right then and from there on my trip took on a lighter happier note. Now while this worked out for me in some unexplainable circumstances, you should always do your best to A: know what is going during the time you go anywhere and B. If a price looks wrong don't say "that's dumb ill fix it the minute its due". Find out why it looks wrong. Learn from me folks. Your friendly neighborhood vagabond.