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.

water closet

Flushing a toilet while abroad has been one of the most boggling activities. Of course your standard "point and shoot" works fairly well. But flushing is not as standard. When you have to flush a toilet in europe your best practice is to pull, push, turn, crank, step on, flip, or pray until you see water disappearing. Most urinals don't have running water and surprisingly, don't smell. More restaurants than you'd imagine don't have public restrooms, but most "tourist attractions" have free restrooms. Airports and train stations think nothing of charging you a few coins for 15 minutes of restroom use. The ones you pay for are very clean though.

baby horse and saying goodbye!

My time in southern england is coming to an end. It seems I have done the impossible while here, gotten an tan and eaten good food. I have met lots of friends here and hope I run into them again, on this global travelers highway. (I've have an open invitation to stay in a Buddhist temple in Korea!!!!!) Although leaving makes me all kinds of sad, im pumped about my next series of adventures. 3 days in Edinburgh ( yes please) then a night in Inverness (home to the loch ness monster!!!) Then some time in the highlands!!!! And with that comes my next story ..... Last night our mare had a male foal! I was pretty excited about it. As sick as it is, I wanted to be there when it happened just to see if I could make it through it. In the past I've been kinda queasy and I am happy to report I was there for the whole birth. From the first hoof coming out to his first steps about an hour later. The foal looks just like its mom, solid brown not a single white mark on him. We were eating dinner and saw the mare pawing the ground, then the contractions started (We have a CCTV of the mare's stable in the kitchen). We ran up to the stable and Tina was already there, on the ground, behind the horse with a catchers mit! Haha. I'd like to say that birth is an overall messy process, and I wouldn't wish that pain upon anyone...

backpackers intl hostel in Newquay

We took the bus out to Newquay, Cornwall, UK armed with a list of four hostels. Once in town we were disappointed to see at 1800 a lot of shops were closed. WTH, its a friday night things should be open. Satisfying our desire for fried, fatty, greasy foods we found a fried chicken restaurant. After setting back a month of organic eating, we set out to find a hostel. After scouting out three others we landed at "international backpackers". A hostel "for surfers and int'l travelers". 32£ got us our own room and a sink!!! We made our reservations and were told "shower and toilet down the hall and the doors here don't have locks". I was in love with this place. We set off for town, very amazing town of Newquay (pronounced newkey). It reminded me a lot of folly beach, SC. A very small, central surfing town. Friday night brought out a lot of "stag parties". Lots of people, lots of bars. Lots of food with the word "Cornish" in front of it. Cornish pasties (think like a very tasty hand made hot pocket). Cornish ice cream, (ice cream served in a cone...) Cornish pizza (honestly...?). We found a nice walk down to and around the bay. Very nice bay with lots of tidal pools and lots of rocks and cliffs to monkey around on. The water rises about 10 feet between tides. The bay has an rock all of 100 feet tall that has a house on it, reachable only by a 1/4 mile long suspension bridge. Very cool. When the tide comes in the rock becomes an island, not for public though. We went to a pub called "the red lion" listened to a bar band play B-52 covers. And headed back to our hostel. All in all a smashing day. The next day we woke up early, disappointed to find that the last bus to launceston left town, 10 mind before the olympic torch passed through. Gotta be kidding!!! But the bus here is always cool because it passes through the english country side and most of them are double decker. All part of living the dream!

life in a day of me

Today I woke up, showered, and got breakfast at 0830. Breakfast we all (other suckers working for free) meet in the kitchen of the b and b. Normally ill grab a hot tea, some toast, and a bowl of "bran flakes". We hung around the kitchen till 0930, when we head to the horse stables. Just a simple task of feeding the pigs behind the stable. Pigs will jump you when it comes to food. So I walk along side the fence with the feed bucket, jump it, and throw the food in the trough and jump out. One stable to clean out for the expecting-any-day-now mare, daisy. Scooping horse shit is a lot like raking a zen garden. After the stable we walk across property to the bigger of a dozen gardens. This one held beets (that we ate with dinner last night) but today were turning over. Just digging up the old soil, and prepping it for planting. Did that till lunch at 1300. Lunch was more hot tea with milk, salad (grown on site) with vinegar dressing and kidney beans with (grown on site)with jacket potatoes. After lunch it was good old fashioned, sheep herding. We had to sort some out for sale. Moved the sheep about a mile from the back paddock to the front. A lady came and bought six ewes with five lambs afoot. Then it was just feeding the bungalow paddock with 20 ewes, and checked on our two sick ewes and called it a day. Just a quick five minute walk through the ram paddock and im home for the night. A few hours hanging out here and it'll be dinner time. Tomorrow well start my days off and ill have a lot more interesting stories to tell.

craving the familar

Well its been a little over a month since we've left the US of A. The experiences I have had so far with definitely be that of late night bar talk to strangers, who will later describe me as being worldy. I have urinated in public troughs manned by female attendants. I have eaten food that I randomly picked off a menu. Seeing Kelly sing n'syncs"bye bye bye" with a korean girl. I have (something I always wanted to do) slept in a crowded bus station!!! But despite me "living the dream" I am missing the familiar. I miss pizza. I miss hearing slang like "cool" and "your face". Food that's so bad for me it makes my heart, liver, and kidneys hurt. Don't interpert this that I want to leave any of this. I just wanted to get this first world pain off my chest

jason huffman: international traveler, life saver

There I was just minding my own business when BADA-BING I saved a foal's life. Just like that. End of story. From here on my resume will read Jason Huffman : friend to animals, everywhere. But, while that is what happened, here's the long story. This foal and her mom are in a stable that in one corner has a triangular feeding bin. Well somehow, the foal "jumped" into this small bin. Landing on her back where she couldn't move. I go into the barn look into "ladychef's" stable and see the foals legs sticking up. I ran, got Tony, and we lifted up the foal and got her on her feet again. Just a few scratches on her legs, nothing major. Just living the dream

dont touch my bags if you please mr customs man

Something I was curious about, and found no info online, was customs and immigrations. I have heard the UK is one of the hardest countries to cross into. Since I went through on a ship I have reason to believe it was easier than flying. First I want to say that I , jason wray Huffman, took the high road and told the truth. If I would have lied (not that I approve of that) and told customs what they wanted to hear I would have had no problem. The first question customs asked (and for me the only important one) was "how long do you plan to stay in the UK?" The answer they are not looking for is "until I run out of money" anything longer than a week raises a red flag. I have (had) a plane ticket out of their country and into Czech two months later. Customs wanted to know, where I planned on staying (wrong answer: train station floor) who was funding my trip (wrong answer: myself) what I did for and proof of employment in the USA. (Unemployed) and how much money I have in the bank. The bank account and my ticket out of the UK were my only saving grace. Now with all this being said, things could have been worse. Despite being honest, I was not searched. Despite no visa my bags weren't searched. Things could have gone a lot worse. I can see where lots of people would be uncomfortable having to log into your bank account with some random immigrations official. I personally know what battles to pick and which to admit defeat on.

sheep and my first UK experiences

Blog Three days after we've arrived in the UK, and im freezing, have rain pouring off me and am trying to herd 50 ewes, with lambs afoot. All with a huge smile on my face! When I thought of my first trip to Europe, I had visions of red headed, irish bar maidens going on about how much they loved american accents. However, this seems a great substitute! Our first day here was a light introduction to the farm, tilling and weeding. After 8 hours of bending, tilling, shoveling, and sifting; all of my muscles hurt. I wont lie, 14 days of cruise ship life made me soft. After an amazing dinner we went to our caravan. Which is really nice. Its a two bedroom simple caravan amongst 10 rams. We have two other caravans nearby for other wwoofers for when they come. The next morning I woke up and my legs ached. Honestly ached, like a 75 year old man ACHED. Despite this my naiveness showed through when I was excited to herd sheep. I had this image of sheep all in a single file line, like school children walking to the computer lab. Im a smart kid, believe it or not, but I can't "out wile" a lamb. Most sheep just want to follow a flock. You know wave your hands, make loud sounds and away they go. Sheep are pretty crazy animals and I now admire anyone having to raise them. I think after a month of this farm, illbe have the knowledge to be smart enough to never own a sheep farm.

Perks of sleeping in an airport

After a less than perfect start, we have made it to Miami. Arriving at one am we opted for sleeping on the floor of MIA. Which was surprisingly, what'd you expect an airport floor to sleep like. Loud intercoms blaring every 15 minutes. Relieved to not be the only couple finding comfort in the few scattered benches, we staked one out and fell into a rocky first night out. Now its 0800a and I am borrowing some wifi from everyones favorite fast food clown. We can start boarding the boat boat soon, but I wanted to drop an quick line. Go on the record for saying you can sleep, undisturbed, in Miami fade airport. And that a short busride and (hopefully) a shorter walk is all that now separates us from stateroom 1140!!!!!

Why do you travel?

When I leave to go travel I always feel obligated to explain why I go. And every time I finish stumbling through it, I am reminded by how silly it sounds. "yes I am okay not having a job", "no, I dont have enough money for this", "my plan when I come back...? errr". But job security and financial wealth shouldn't be why you travel. Travel, by nature, takes you out of your comfort zone, and thats the joy. Being in a unforseen place, meeting new people, guessing at menu's, is what you should aim for when travel. I love that pins-and-needles feeling of what now. I imagine this is the feeling NFL players get before the season starts. A whole new season ahead of you, ideally full of promise, but undoubtedly full of mistakes. Now as I look to leave on a six month European journey, I have to explain the scents, and accents, and feeling of foreign bills in your hand. The joys of staying at cheap hostels and, washing laundry in sinks. Being excited about trying bread from different countries. So, what I want to know, is why you travel? What is it that keeps you going back?