Europe 2009: in a nutshell

Hello Friends! (¡Hola Amigo's!)

You know what I hate about these kind of emails? Putting the reader through an endless rant of "and then we went to the ____ (insert landmark here) and thought it was _______ (insert emotional descriptor here) where we had the best ________ (insert food item here)".

Not this time folks!! Six weeks into "Tour-de-Global-Financial-Crisis 2009", I will endeavour to give you a nice, succinct account of travels thus far with easy-to-read headings to guide.

CURRENT LOCATION

Dara: Al's house, London

Chel: The Boat, Barcelona

NEXT DESTINATION

Dara: Northern Spain

Chel: Antibes, France

IN A NUTSHELL

We went to Palma in Spain (preferred escape destination of Christopher Skase) to get work as boat people. Chel's boat turned out to be in Barcelona (see heading "THE BOAT"), so we jumped on a plane, went our separate ways (Chel in 5-star luxury, me in hostel-haven) and after a week in Spain I decided to come back to London to get my safety certification to work on boats. Before I do though, I'm heading off on an 800km walk across Northern Spain (see "THE WALK"), to be back in London for the Take That concert in July (see "BOYBANDS")...

THE BOAT

This is what Chel is working on: http://www.hollandjachtbouw.nl/modules/content/content.php?page=313&main=80&id=80&second=Refit&cat=PHO&PHPSESSID=5ec8ef57f78c261e7f4250a658c8084a 

BEST REBRAND

Think little red shorts, little white polo and holding a business card that says "Strong Aussie Girl looking for Carpentry Work"...it's a shame we had to leave Palma so quickly.

BEST PURCHASE

A Nike T-shirt with the slogan "Quit Your Job" on it.

BEST MUSICAL MOMENT
Getting a last minute, very cheap "restricted view" ticket to see Oliver in the West End with Rowan Atkinson playing Fagin. I just had to lean left for the entire show...

WORST MUSICAL MOMENT
Getting a last minute, very cheap ticket to see Sister Act the musical and only realising after interval that this was a "Sister Act Inspired" musical and contained NO TRACE of ANY song from the movie. No folks, not even "My God". Considering writing a letter.

STRANGEST CHARACTER

Ray. Think Austin Powers crossed with Paul Hogan and a bit of Keith Richards. He owned the Crew House we stayed in (see the street in image attached). Taglines were usually "Yeah ok baby! You're obviously two mad Aussie birds up for it! Yeah! Everything is in cash yeah!"

WORST RECOVERY

The three day Hangover after "crew house initiation party" in Palma.

STRANGEST BIT OF GOSS

The random Kiwi and the equally random Chilean girl we were sharing the infamous "crew house" with have decided to get engaged after three weeks of knowing each other.

BEST TRANSFERABLE SKILL ON THE ROAD

Being a girl and being able to play pool. Although would advise against shaming the bar owner in a game in front of all his patrons.

HECTIC MOMENT #1

Being detained in Heathrow airport for 2.5hrs for being a "suspicious Aussie". Apparently my story of quitting my job and heading for London with zero plans didn't fly. I'm now officially "under caution" from the border authorities. Excellent. (See detainee slip image attached)

BEST "SPANGLISH" PRODUCT

Colon Washing powder (see image attached)

HECTIC MOMENT #2

Getting to Barcelona, finding the boat and realising that I would have to fend for myself in Barcelona with no guidebook, no Euro, fading light and no Chel!

DIVINE INTERVENTION

Being directed to the Colon Hostel in Barcelona after having a conversation about Colon washing powder...

HECTIC MOMENT #3

Being in Barcelona mid-week when they won some football match (see attached image)

NEW SKILLS ACQUIRED SO FAR

- Life Raft management (see attached image)

- Fire fighting skills (see attached image)

 

INTERESTING CULTURAL OBSERVATION

It is very difficult to buy a single-serve chocolate bar in Spain. They much prefer devouring entire blocks...When in Rome...

MOST DIFFICULT CULTURAL HURDLE

Trying to re-train your natural instincts of which side of the road the oncoming traffic is coming.

BEST ACCIDENTAL LOCATION

Ending up at the very gay, very naked end of the beach in Barcelona (no, i did not get my kit off)

BOYBANDS

Ok, so for those who know me well, you will know that I have a slight hall of shame when it comes to music. Think dancing boys and harmonising brothers. Take That have always been number one. Hanson, a close second. I might just know every single word and every single choreographed dance move performed so far by Take That, and so have scheduled my travels to coincide with their last concert of this Tour, to be held at Wembley stadium. I might just have a heart attack if I see Gary Barlow in the flesh. I may possibly burst into tears at the initial sounds of "Back For Good". Stay tuned.

THE WALK

The "Cammino di Santiago di Compostela" in an old-skool 800km pilgrimage across the top of Spain (see attached). Starting next week, I'll be submitting my broken feet to a daily 20-30km stroll through the Spanish countryside. You know...just for fun.

QUOTE OF THE TRIP SO FAR

Chel: "Look where we've gotten in a day, imagine where we'll be in a week".

Ok people, That's where it's at! Hopefully this has been a digestible email for you! We are both loving the adventure so far! Chel says hi (I'm the letter writer in the family)...I'll keep you all in the loop of what the enxt six weeks may bring!

Dara. xx