Hola my friends.
I met a sweet crazy guy. He's 29, he's been in south america for a while. 13 years i think. Grew up in new york city.
He lives in the jungle with the natives. It's a community of about fifty people. He's collecting information on the spiritual qualities of plants. While being a weak discription overall of his work, I think that statement (spiritual qualities of plants) sums up the intensity and intelegence of his studies, while leaving sufficient room for him to be a "crazy".
Anyway, i'm going to chill out in his jungle for a week or so. Apparently we'll kill animals with sling shots and eat them.
Peace and Love
simon
I realized a lack of motivation to leave. I realized that i'm very happy here. I realized that my plans to leave were involved in my ties to motion, to a lack of connections. Keep moving in order to find out where to be.
But if you're where you aughta be, how do you know? The tendancy was to move, right?
Anyway. I dont know what that line of questioning is for... I'm happy as hell right now. I bought some new shit here. A necklace with a dolphin carved out of a nut, and a marajuana smoking tool.
I would like to explain this tool. It might be interesting.
I saw one like it in the hostel i'm in. This cool dude from trinidad, who has just started playing the bongos owns it. It's a coconut with a hole cut in it. The hole has a leather sort of cork made to fit it, and a tube through the leather. The leather cork/tube are attached to the nut with a string.
A joint is placed in the inside of the tube, and lit. You should be able to draw smoke from the outside of the tube. The cork is put in the nut, and any smoke which comes off the end of the joint remains in the coconut, to be hauled out through the joint on the next toke. It's real neat looking.
The one the guy in the posada owns has a pot leaf carved in the side of it. The one i bought has a swastica carved in it. I wonder how many people see more things in a swastica than nazism. I do, anyway. I hope the ol' nazi logo doesn't bug anyone that wants to smoke with me. Cause it's a pretty neat little contraption.
I wrote a poem about staying here a while. http://meanpoetry.blogspot.com I find it interesting that it arrived only a short time after a poem about not having a home. Developing an opinion about something drew me to the other side.
Peaeaeace.
simon.
Tis the season.
I'm laying pretty low here in Ciudad Bolivar. I bought myself a new journal, filled my last one about a week ago. This one has mickey mouse on the cover. He's looking very intense, holding up two fingers with his right hand, dribbling (and protecting) a basketball with his left. He's seriously looking intense. I didn't know mickey could ball.
I think i'm going to kill a few more days in this hostel, do a bunch of writing. Maybe i can find a book with english words in it, and then make it my own. There's not alot here, and i like reading. One Flew Over the Coocoo's Nest was frigging great. Like, real special.
My reason for staying here is uncertainty of where i'd rather be. There's a good chance when i leave i'll go north to Santa Fe, a place i had planned on going to a few weeks ago. It's beaches. Aughta be nice.
When i'm ready, sometime in the next 10 days or so, i'm going to head back to chad's place. He's got a week off work from the 2nd to 8th, and the weekends surrounding that week. I'd rest cheap at his place until he's done working. The two of us will then go somewhere which is as yet undetermined. And on the 10th, i will fly home. It's hard to believe this trip is almost over.
It's also hard to believe that i still haven't spent my way through the five hundred american dollars i brought down here. I've got about 250,000Bs or 70 american dollars left (with the lovely black market exchange rate). Once i run out of my starting cash, i can use bank machines, and withdraw money at about 2100Bs for a buck.
Math!
Apparently in the next two years argentina is looking to get a new presedent, and will make changes for a stronger currancy. This means that i'd like to go there soon. Mexico may have to wait.
But just for fun, i'm going to throw out a timeline. It's sweet to pretend i have control over my future.
Early august (immediately after planting): on an island off the northwest coast of the usa. Part of the states, just south of vancouver island.
Mid/Late august: drive home to pei. Make necessary stops.
Early as possible september: One way ticket to argentina.
Two weeks of spanish lessons in Buenos Aeres.
Bus to peru. Cool shit there.
Bus to equador. Cool shit there.
Bus to columbia. Cool shit there.
Bus to venezuela. See the people i gotsta see.
Fly caracas to miami. Work in florida (not necessarily possible)
Make some coin, spend some time on the beach.
From here, 2 possibilities. Home for christmas; or maybe some dave fleming kid will show up driving my car on his way to mexico and guatemala. I'd hop aboard.
None of this imagining would have a purpose if it wasn't so damn fun to dream. It's not any closer to reality now that it's written. I love potential. If this shit doesn't go down, i'll make sure it's cause i'm doing something better.
Waka Waka?
simon
upon review... i've been in venezuela for 7 weeks, and i seem to be budgeting 2 weeks per country in argentina, peru, equador, and columbia. That might not be reasonable. I probably shouldn't hurry so much.
And really, REALLY, what about bolivia?
Waka waka?
simon
That jerk from the hostel ended up charging me for all the beers he was offering me, as well as 10,000Bs for a crumby breakfast he offered. He didn't tell me he was charging me for the things until i was leaving. My jerk radar was operational!
And holy shit, this smallish little town, Santa Elena, has treated me so well its frightful.
I got in town in the morning, after an overnight bus. I found a hostel. And while i was waiting to see if there were rooms opening up, i found some people talking about a trek to mount roraima. Tall story short, i went with. There were nine of us. One greek dude who lucked into the trip like myself. Two english kids, a couple from north western us (on an island south of vancouver island, which they invited me to post planting), a great couple from europe, dreadlocked hippies who meditate all the time, and a journalist chick from france who's living in caracas. The french woman shared a tent with me, and she supplied me with weed and tobacco.
Six day hike. Three up the mountain, one day on the mountain to explore, and two days back down. It was truly amazing. The Lost World was based on some descriptions of the mountaintop. It's really another world. In fifteen minutes you can go from seeing the entire rocky landscape to seeing nothing, fog just rolls in and out.
Oh lordy, the tales. I've got a note in my pocket that i got from a cute french chick last night. It says:
Posada Michelle #13
Ahora (NOW)
I know what Ahora means, but i guess she wasn't taking chances. She handed me the note after i joined her and her friends for beers at some place next door to the posada. I had hung out with her a bit earlier yesterday. I think the sharp move was when i bummed a smoke off of her, and she gave me the pack of matches and i lit her ciggie with a match before i lit my own. Same match, real class.
She knows french and spanish, and i know english. It was neat, having no ability to really talk. When we were in the room she said something about a Trumpa, and i didn't know what that meant. She said she had a trumpa, or used a trumpa or something. I gave her the dictionary. Trumpa means trap. Then she kissed me.
I've got four options for august and beyond.
1. Drive south. Go through the states, visit aine wherever she may be, go through mexico, spend some time in central america.
2. Fly souther. One way ticket to Argentina, Buenos Aeres, most likely. Take some language courses maybe. Hit a couple of countries on my way north. Possibly Chile and Bolivia. Definately Peru, VERY definately Equador (i met some kids, 18, from england who ditched school for a year and have spent the last six months in equador, it sounds amazing) and then into columbia. At some point east to venezuela, to check out the peeps i've met this tour.
3. Fly east. Good friends tony and nicole are going traveling through europe after tree planting. My european contacts make this sound nice, but it's definately far more expensive. One month in europe would probably cost the same as four months in south america. We'll see.
4. Fly easter. Trever Carmody wants to land in vietnam, go north and east all the way to europe. It'd be a wild trek, and cheaper than going to europe. Trev would be a neat kid to hang with for a few months.
I also might like to live in florida for a bit, see if i can catch a paying gig with some family i've got there. I could do that at any time. Maybe right around christmas, after doing the argentina tour. Maybe after driving through to mexico and central america, i double back to grab some work. I dont think i can survive for a whole year off tree planting. I've got some family in vancouver who could set me up with work. I've got a government in pei that will pay me to live at home and write music, but that doesn't sound quite as exciting.
Who fucking knows. The world is a giant place, and i am a young canadian. There's not much i can't do.
Peace and Love,
simon
I left a little comment about feeling unwelcomed, but that feeling has kind of settled down. There's one dude here that i dont much like. And he's the guy who told me how much it costs to be here, and it's the most of any place yet. And i was on the computer typing up a comment when he asked me what i was doing today. Asked in the fashion where it was time to make up my mind, because he was leaving, and had to lock the door, either with me in, or me out.
None of this is all too important. What is important is that i like this place. It's costing me more than i'd like, but i'll get to that later. My room has two beds and my own toilet and shower. It's a shame i'm solo.
I'm going to stay here for two nights, tonight and tomorrow. Tomorrow day i'm hoping to have a successful trip around town, see some sights i'd like to see. Do what i tried to do today.
Essentially i took a wrong turn, ended up near where i started facing the wrong direction. Wondered how i got there, and doubted my ability to make it home.
I found my wrong turn though, which is rare in the case of total confusion. I took a bit of a time out and sat at a table in front of a coffee shop for about an hour, did a little bit of writing, and a lot of getting a load off. It's awful hot here.
I bought One Flew Over the Coocoo's Nest. It was at this great place in caracas under a bridge where there was tons of used books for sale. Even the odd english one, as it seemed. I also saw 1984 in spanish (which i regret not buying) the madman by kahlil gibran (spanish) and Richard Bach's Jonathan Livingston Seagull, which was called Jose Alvarez *seagull* or something. I bought it for Marialex. I think she dug.
I would like it if i could translate words as easily as i can put *stars* around them.
Having nothing else to say, i suppose it's a fine time to think about money. It bugs me how much i think about money. If this posada was 30,000Bs instead of 40,000Bs i would have had less hesetation about staying here. I might even be staying longer. And it is not a big deal. It's money.
And i went and splooged 8000Bs today on a litre and a half of carrot/orange juice cause i was already in the lineup and there were people behind me. Maybe i really wanted the juice, and i'm just finding fault in the purchise. Maybe i only bought it cause i didn't want to seem like a fool in front of all the nameless people who i'll never know.
Maybe i like talking about little anxieties and indecisive moments because i reckon we've all got them. And i reckon we all know how cool i am in spite of those moments. I'm definately aware of my chill factor.
So. I think i'm going to write a little bit. Journally stuff.
Much love.
Time for me to leave the cosy hospitality of Caracas. I spent a couple nights at Marialex's house, and then two nights ago, went back to Peverly's place, where all my things were.
I figured i'd continue to stay with marialex. I like her house more, i love her cooking, her mom seemed very hospitable (with morning coffee and such) and frankly, i like her more. Peverly can be a touch annoying.
So i packed up my things yesterday morning, and went to the university with peverly. She went to class, and i wandered around campus for a little bit, and eventually went to marialex's house. She had just finished up some awesome dish, which i was right on time for. It was like lasagna, but instead of a meat sauce or tomato sauce, the pasta was separated with a green sauce that i figured to be avocado based. It was as exceptional as expected.
Throughout the day, and evening, marialex received a few phone calls from Peverly. Peverly is upset, offended, and all that jazz, cause i left her place for marialex's place. I figured i had already made the move, and just had yet to move my things. The only thing that is really important is that i caused a conflict.
Also important, as inviting as marialex's mother seemed to be, she's fairly conservative, and doesn't like the idea of a boy staying here. So i'm not exactly welcome. And peverly is too mad at me for me to return there (which i dont think i wanted to do anyway).
So i'm gonna grab a bus east. See what happens there. Barcelona is the first stop. I'd like to spend two nights in a place there. When two nights are spent somewhere, i have a place to leave my bag for an entire day of wandering. If i only spend one night, then i arrive with my bag, and leave with it the next day. No bag free wander time.
After two nights in barcelona (i can't imagine finding a place cheap enough for it to be worthwhile to extend my stay) i will go a little farther east, to Santa Fe, which is a beach town, presumably good for backpacking folks. Cheap boat tours around some nice islands, maybe some snorkle action. Hopefully beach it up for a couple days, depends on the ease of my stay. Ideally i would spend 5 days or so here, but i think i'll be lucky to find a place cheap enough.
After santa fe things get a little foggier. It'd be fun if i kept going east, and made a gradual southward turn. But if things are looking weak than i'll just book it south.
Cheers.
I fumble through my wallet to produce my UPEI identification before reaching the door. "Una estudiante intercambio."
The regular door guy immediately repeats "ah, intercambio." This is very good news, in that my most important word has been understood. The white shirt official guy, however, grabs the ID and starts talking. What on earth is he saying?
"... otro identificacion..." jumps out at me rather pleasantly. I haul out my PEI driver's licence, probably saying something like, "oh... aqui?" It satisfies the man in white enough, and i'm through the doors.
I follow the hall a little ways and come to the door on the right. Inside the door there's a young man (like the original door guy) and he's got a scanner, like for groceries except it's for IDs. I recall mumbling something, but i can't imagine it being in a language he understood. I was passing him my ID at the same time, so that's what he focused on.
Once the ID was confirmed different than what he was used to, i said, "estudiente intercambio. Soy Canadiense." He tried to scan the card for a moment, then gave up and let me through.
I found a stack of steel trays on the right and went through the lineup. I received a slab of ham, some coleslaw style salad (no mayo), a pile of rice, a roll and a small carton of orange juice.
Apparently there's free food more than once a day. This was lunchtime. I went again for dinner but it was far easier cause i was with Peverly and Marie-Alex, plus we were slightly late so there was nobody at either door.
The salsa dancing didn't happen, other than some brief morning lessons with Peverly. It was late before we wanted to go, we were tired. Something like that. All i know is that i said was tired, but still interested in going. The girls wanted to go get ready, so i figured i was good for a little nap on the couch. I woke up hours later, and everything was dark. I had thought they left without me, but that didn't happen. Nothing happened.
Last night we went looking for fooseball, and found nothing. There was only one place we really went to check, a pool hall, and it was closed for renivations. I'm sure we'll try other spots.
Marie-Alex is a brilliant cook. I kind of want to marry her, as long as i dont need to financially provide for her. It'd be great for learning spanish. And she is a BRILLIANT cook. I had never been blown away by spaghetti before. It's like she stole my soul and put it in the sauce so i could slowly eat it up again.
Also, these girls seem to expect me around for a while. The only reason i'm kind of not okay with it is that it seems a little too safe. I should be out in the middle of some small town trying to find a place to stay as the hour approaches 10 and i'm running out of options, not buying two dollar copies of "Let It Be" and "Hail to the Theif", smoking reef, playing harp, and coming home to my own bedroom and a dvd (english words, spanish subtitles) of "What The Bleep Down the Rabbit Hole."
I guess the reefer and harmonica make sense. I'm just going to listen to the long and winding road again and try not to worry about it.
Peace and Love.
I met a sweet crazy guy. He's 29, he's been in south america for a while. 13 years i think. Grew up in new york city.
He lives in the jungle with the natives. It's a community of about fifty people. He's collecting information on the spiritual qualities of plants. While being a weak discription overall of his work, I think that statement (spiritual qualities of plants) sums up the intensity and intelegence of his studies, while leaving sufficient room for him to be a "crazy".
Anyway, i'm going to chill out in his jungle for a week or so. Apparently we'll kill animals with sling shots and eat them.
Peace and Love
simon
Oh friends and lovers, i have found a place.
I realized a lack of motivation to leave. I realized that i'm very happy here. I realized that my plans to leave were involved in my ties to motion, to a lack of connections. Keep moving in order to find out where to be.
But if you're where you aughta be, how do you know? The tendancy was to move, right?
Anyway. I dont know what that line of questioning is for... I'm happy as hell right now. I bought some new shit here. A necklace with a dolphin carved out of a nut, and a marajuana smoking tool.
I would like to explain this tool. It might be interesting.
I saw one like it in the hostel i'm in. This cool dude from trinidad, who has just started playing the bongos owns it. It's a coconut with a hole cut in it. The hole has a leather sort of cork made to fit it, and a tube through the leather. The leather cork/tube are attached to the nut with a string.
A joint is placed in the inside of the tube, and lit. You should be able to draw smoke from the outside of the tube. The cork is put in the nut, and any smoke which comes off the end of the joint remains in the coconut, to be hauled out through the joint on the next toke. It's real neat looking.
The one the guy in the posada owns has a pot leaf carved in the side of it. The one i bought has a swastica carved in it. I wonder how many people see more things in a swastica than nazism. I do, anyway. I hope the ol' nazi logo doesn't bug anyone that wants to smoke with me. Cause it's a pretty neat little contraption.
I wrote a poem about staying here a while. http://meanpoetry.blogspot.com I find it interesting that it arrived only a short time after a poem about not having a home. Developing an opinion about something drew me to the other side.
Peaeaeace.
simon.
Dick n' balls to make you jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis the season.
I'm laying pretty low here in Ciudad Bolivar. I bought myself a new journal, filled my last one about a week ago. This one has mickey mouse on the cover. He's looking very intense, holding up two fingers with his right hand, dribbling (and protecting) a basketball with his left. He's seriously looking intense. I didn't know mickey could ball.
I think i'm going to kill a few more days in this hostel, do a bunch of writing. Maybe i can find a book with english words in it, and then make it my own. There's not alot here, and i like reading. One Flew Over the Coocoo's Nest was frigging great. Like, real special.
My reason for staying here is uncertainty of where i'd rather be. There's a good chance when i leave i'll go north to Santa Fe, a place i had planned on going to a few weeks ago. It's beaches. Aughta be nice.
When i'm ready, sometime in the next 10 days or so, i'm going to head back to chad's place. He's got a week off work from the 2nd to 8th, and the weekends surrounding that week. I'd rest cheap at his place until he's done working. The two of us will then go somewhere which is as yet undetermined. And on the 10th, i will fly home. It's hard to believe this trip is almost over.
It's also hard to believe that i still haven't spent my way through the five hundred american dollars i brought down here. I've got about 250,000Bs or 70 american dollars left (with the lovely black market exchange rate). Once i run out of my starting cash, i can use bank machines, and withdraw money at about 2100Bs for a buck.
Math!
Apparently in the next two years argentina is looking to get a new presedent, and will make changes for a stronger currancy. This means that i'd like to go there soon. Mexico may have to wait.
But just for fun, i'm going to throw out a timeline. It's sweet to pretend i have control over my future.
Early august (immediately after planting): on an island off the northwest coast of the usa. Part of the states, just south of vancouver island.
Mid/Late august: drive home to pei. Make necessary stops.
Early as possible september: One way ticket to argentina.
Two weeks of spanish lessons in Buenos Aeres.
Bus to peru. Cool shit there.
Bus to equador. Cool shit there.
Bus to columbia. Cool shit there.
Bus to venezuela. See the people i gotsta see.
Fly caracas to miami. Work in florida (not necessarily possible)
Make some coin, spend some time on the beach.
From here, 2 possibilities. Home for christmas; or maybe some dave fleming kid will show up driving my car on his way to mexico and guatemala. I'd hop aboard.
None of this imagining would have a purpose if it wasn't so damn fun to dream. It's not any closer to reality now that it's written. I love potential. If this shit doesn't go down, i'll make sure it's cause i'm doing something better.
Waka Waka?
simon
upon review... i've been in venezuela for 7 weeks, and i seem to be budgeting 2 weeks per country in argentina, peru, equador, and columbia. That might not be reasonable. I probably shouldn't hurry so much.
And really, REALLY, what about bolivia?
Waka waka?
simon
Yo! Bitches and Gentlemen!
That jerk from the hostel ended up charging me for all the beers he was offering me, as well as 10,000Bs for a crumby breakfast he offered. He didn't tell me he was charging me for the things until i was leaving. My jerk radar was operational!
And holy shit, this smallish little town, Santa Elena, has treated me so well its frightful.
I got in town in the morning, after an overnight bus. I found a hostel. And while i was waiting to see if there were rooms opening up, i found some people talking about a trek to mount roraima. Tall story short, i went with. There were nine of us. One greek dude who lucked into the trip like myself. Two english kids, a couple from north western us (on an island south of vancouver island, which they invited me to post planting), a great couple from europe, dreadlocked hippies who meditate all the time, and a journalist chick from france who's living in caracas. The french woman shared a tent with me, and she supplied me with weed and tobacco.
Six day hike. Three up the mountain, one day on the mountain to explore, and two days back down. It was truly amazing. The Lost World was based on some descriptions of the mountaintop. It's really another world. In fifteen minutes you can go from seeing the entire rocky landscape to seeing nothing, fog just rolls in and out.
Oh lordy, the tales. I've got a note in my pocket that i got from a cute french chick last night. It says:
Posada Michelle #13
Ahora (NOW)
I know what Ahora means, but i guess she wasn't taking chances. She handed me the note after i joined her and her friends for beers at some place next door to the posada. I had hung out with her a bit earlier yesterday. I think the sharp move was when i bummed a smoke off of her, and she gave me the pack of matches and i lit her ciggie with a match before i lit my own. Same match, real class.
She knows french and spanish, and i know english. It was neat, having no ability to really talk. When we were in the room she said something about a Trumpa, and i didn't know what that meant. She said she had a trumpa, or used a trumpa or something. I gave her the dictionary. Trumpa means trap. Then she kissed me.
I've got four options for august and beyond.
1. Drive south. Go through the states, visit aine wherever she may be, go through mexico, spend some time in central america.
2. Fly souther. One way ticket to Argentina, Buenos Aeres, most likely. Take some language courses maybe. Hit a couple of countries on my way north. Possibly Chile and Bolivia. Definately Peru, VERY definately Equador (i met some kids, 18, from england who ditched school for a year and have spent the last six months in equador, it sounds amazing) and then into columbia. At some point east to venezuela, to check out the peeps i've met this tour.
3. Fly east. Good friends tony and nicole are going traveling through europe after tree planting. My european contacts make this sound nice, but it's definately far more expensive. One month in europe would probably cost the same as four months in south america. We'll see.
4. Fly easter. Trever Carmody wants to land in vietnam, go north and east all the way to europe. It'd be a wild trek, and cheaper than going to europe. Trev would be a neat kid to hang with for a few months.
I also might like to live in florida for a bit, see if i can catch a paying gig with some family i've got there. I could do that at any time. Maybe right around christmas, after doing the argentina tour. Maybe after driving through to mexico and central america, i double back to grab some work. I dont think i can survive for a whole year off tree planting. I've got some family in vancouver who could set me up with work. I've got a government in pei that will pay me to live at home and write music, but that doesn't sound quite as exciting.
Who fucking knows. The world is a giant place, and i am a young canadian. There's not much i can't do.
Peace and Love,
simon
Wellsir, i think that Puerto Ordaz aint so bad.
I left a little comment about feeling unwelcomed, but that feeling has kind of settled down. There's one dude here that i dont much like. And he's the guy who told me how much it costs to be here, and it's the most of any place yet. And i was on the computer typing up a comment when he asked me what i was doing today. Asked in the fashion where it was time to make up my mind, because he was leaving, and had to lock the door, either with me in, or me out.
None of this is all too important. What is important is that i like this place. It's costing me more than i'd like, but i'll get to that later. My room has two beds and my own toilet and shower. It's a shame i'm solo.
I'm going to stay here for two nights, tonight and tomorrow. Tomorrow day i'm hoping to have a successful trip around town, see some sights i'd like to see. Do what i tried to do today.
Essentially i took a wrong turn, ended up near where i started facing the wrong direction. Wondered how i got there, and doubted my ability to make it home.
I found my wrong turn though, which is rare in the case of total confusion. I took a bit of a time out and sat at a table in front of a coffee shop for about an hour, did a little bit of writing, and a lot of getting a load off. It's awful hot here.
I bought One Flew Over the Coocoo's Nest. It was at this great place in caracas under a bridge where there was tons of used books for sale. Even the odd english one, as it seemed. I also saw 1984 in spanish (which i regret not buying) the madman by kahlil gibran (spanish) and Richard Bach's Jonathan Livingston Seagull, which was called Jose Alvarez *seagull* or something. I bought it for Marialex. I think she dug.
I would like it if i could translate words as easily as i can put *stars* around them.
Having nothing else to say, i suppose it's a fine time to think about money. It bugs me how much i think about money. If this posada was 30,000Bs instead of 40,000Bs i would have had less hesetation about staying here. I might even be staying longer. And it is not a big deal. It's money.
And i went and splooged 8000Bs today on a litre and a half of carrot/orange juice cause i was already in the lineup and there were people behind me. Maybe i really wanted the juice, and i'm just finding fault in the purchise. Maybe i only bought it cause i didn't want to seem like a fool in front of all the nameless people who i'll never know.
Maybe i like talking about little anxieties and indecisive moments because i reckon we've all got them. And i reckon we all know how cool i am in spite of those moments. I'm definately aware of my chill factor.
So. I think i'm going to write a little bit. Journally stuff.
Much love.
Oh simon, you little heartbreaker.
Time for me to leave the cosy hospitality of Caracas. I spent a couple nights at Marialex's house, and then two nights ago, went back to Peverly's place, where all my things were.
I figured i'd continue to stay with marialex. I like her house more, i love her cooking, her mom seemed very hospitable (with morning coffee and such) and frankly, i like her more. Peverly can be a touch annoying.
So i packed up my things yesterday morning, and went to the university with peverly. She went to class, and i wandered around campus for a little bit, and eventually went to marialex's house. She had just finished up some awesome dish, which i was right on time for. It was like lasagna, but instead of a meat sauce or tomato sauce, the pasta was separated with a green sauce that i figured to be avocado based. It was as exceptional as expected.
Throughout the day, and evening, marialex received a few phone calls from Peverly. Peverly is upset, offended, and all that jazz, cause i left her place for marialex's place. I figured i had already made the move, and just had yet to move my things. The only thing that is really important is that i caused a conflict.
Also important, as inviting as marialex's mother seemed to be, she's fairly conservative, and doesn't like the idea of a boy staying here. So i'm not exactly welcome. And peverly is too mad at me for me to return there (which i dont think i wanted to do anyway).
So i'm gonna grab a bus east. See what happens there. Barcelona is the first stop. I'd like to spend two nights in a place there. When two nights are spent somewhere, i have a place to leave my bag for an entire day of wandering. If i only spend one night, then i arrive with my bag, and leave with it the next day. No bag free wander time.
After two nights in barcelona (i can't imagine finding a place cheap enough for it to be worthwhile to extend my stay) i will go a little farther east, to Santa Fe, which is a beach town, presumably good for backpacking folks. Cheap boat tours around some nice islands, maybe some snorkle action. Hopefully beach it up for a couple days, depends on the ease of my stay. Ideally i would spend 5 days or so here, but i think i'll be lucky to find a place cheap enough.
After santa fe things get a little foggier. It'd be fun if i kept going east, and made a gradual southward turn. But if things are looking weak than i'll just book it south.
Cheers.
After walking past the front door a couple times i decide to go for it. Just before i get there an older more official looking guy joins the doorman. A voice says "aaah, turn back" but its too late, i'm locked into my motions.
I fumble through my wallet to produce my UPEI identification before reaching the door. "Una estudiante intercambio."
The regular door guy immediately repeats "ah, intercambio." This is very good news, in that my most important word has been understood. The white shirt official guy, however, grabs the ID and starts talking. What on earth is he saying?
"... otro identificacion..." jumps out at me rather pleasantly. I haul out my PEI driver's licence, probably saying something like, "oh... aqui?" It satisfies the man in white enough, and i'm through the doors.
I follow the hall a little ways and come to the door on the right. Inside the door there's a young man (like the original door guy) and he's got a scanner, like for groceries except it's for IDs. I recall mumbling something, but i can't imagine it being in a language he understood. I was passing him my ID at the same time, so that's what he focused on.
Once the ID was confirmed different than what he was used to, i said, "estudiente intercambio. Soy Canadiense." He tried to scan the card for a moment, then gave up and let me through.
I found a stack of steel trays on the right and went through the lineup. I received a slab of ham, some coleslaw style salad (no mayo), a pile of rice, a roll and a small carton of orange juice.
Apparently there's free food more than once a day. This was lunchtime. I went again for dinner but it was far easier cause i was with Peverly and Marie-Alex, plus we were slightly late so there was nobody at either door.
The salsa dancing didn't happen, other than some brief morning lessons with Peverly. It was late before we wanted to go, we were tired. Something like that. All i know is that i said was tired, but still interested in going. The girls wanted to go get ready, so i figured i was good for a little nap on the couch. I woke up hours later, and everything was dark. I had thought they left without me, but that didn't happen. Nothing happened.
Last night we went looking for fooseball, and found nothing. There was only one place we really went to check, a pool hall, and it was closed for renivations. I'm sure we'll try other spots.
Marie-Alex is a brilliant cook. I kind of want to marry her, as long as i dont need to financially provide for her. It'd be great for learning spanish. And she is a BRILLIANT cook. I had never been blown away by spaghetti before. It's like she stole my soul and put it in the sauce so i could slowly eat it up again.
Also, these girls seem to expect me around for a while. The only reason i'm kind of not okay with it is that it seems a little too safe. I should be out in the middle of some small town trying to find a place to stay as the hour approaches 10 and i'm running out of options, not buying two dollar copies of "Let It Be" and "Hail to the Theif", smoking reef, playing harp, and coming home to my own bedroom and a dvd (english words, spanish subtitles) of "What The Bleep Down the Rabbit Hole."
I guess the reefer and harmonica make sense. I'm just going to listen to the long and winding road again and try not to worry about it.
Peace and Love.