TravelStream™ news feed for member maplefanta on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/maplefanta en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Sun, 09 Dec 2007 07:20:50 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1180005120/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1180005120/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1180005120/tpod.html Sun, 09 Dec 2007 07:20:50 -0500 Departing back to the European Continent, with no plans and lots of hope

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Poole, United Kingdom

May 24The coming months I will be working in Poole on a ferry ship, I kept on the diary but in a not exhaustive way. I also decided to close that blog as it takes me too long to update it and load the photos... it would become a full time work actually. That is especially since I have continued with another blog my future trip where all my photos are already, you can follow my journey there:www.travbuddy.com/maplefantaThanks for those who looked here, I will maybe try at least to upload the pictures of the past dates and maybe work on my past journey whom I never completed but anything new will only be on travbuddy.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1179140280/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1179140280/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1179140280/tpod.html Fri, 27 Jul 2007 22:08:47 -0400 Departing back to the European Continent, with no plans and lots of hope

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Weymouth, United Kingdom

May 14The very first of the training days, so it was an early wake up. But luckely I had a lift with Davina's mother to Weymouth. So it saved me the expenses for the train, which are quite an hassle.Everything went fine in this early mild morning drive, and the landscape of Dorset are just simply amazingly beautiful. So it was no worries to be up so early, it looked a bit like an adventure anyway. So I took it with enjoyment.While approaching Weymouth I got a good view on the horse traced on the slope of the hill, its quite a nice middle age feature in the area, A white horse cut into the slope of the hill rock. I should try to get a picture of it later on if I come back in the area.We arrived well on time and the class went on during the day. Today it was about Tourism and customer services, so actually not the most useful thing. A bit too repetitive for me an my studies. But anyway, I'm paid.It was also a wonderful sunny day and me and some others simply went to eat by the harbour after having gotten some goodies at Tesco.On the way back though, we needed to take the bus. This was a long ride and I arrived home tired after an hour waiting in Weymouth and a long milk run bus ride in the country side. Well at least I enjoyed the view on Dorchester, Tollpuddle and all that area while talking with Davina and Aleks.So then nothing in evening besides getting some sleep.-----------May 15Back to Weymouth in the early morning with Davina's mother, I must say that Davina is quite a strange girl with a weird 'shyish but must have all the attention' behaviour. It looks a bit unstable to me, so conversation are not always nice or well I cut them short as it doesn't seem that I can lead any.Anyhow, today we had a safety training day with First Aid and so. Everything went fine, but I felt annoyed with the talk about disease fracture and so... I just don't like blood nor stuff like that. So I was quite eager to get out at a certain point and think of something else.Back on the bus again, this time with a huge bag containing our whole uniform. Enjoying the landscape from a double deck Wilt & Dorset bus with a transfer in Puddleton.Another great sunny day too...I'm quite more happy now with having something to do, I do not bother waking up and its quite all motivating to have something to look forward. We will see how long that feeling will last. Especially that lots of changes will happen by the end of the month.Back home, I could show my uniform and try it. Of course with Eamon it was a high day, but there is also all those low days which sometimes is pretty annoying or when we have arguments. Personnally, I see that when things goes also more argueing with Floh it is because Eamonn is in between and carrie it around. I feel I had a great time with Floh and everything was going great, but with his german cultural stress over leaving the flat in good condition, it is sometimes rough to take and I don't understand where he can't see the logic of it. Mainly it's money that brings to some problems now between all three of us and since nobody will ever admit it but only talk about it to the other... it will not lead to some healthy relationship. So of course Eamonn comes to add that sort of pepper in the conversation. Anyway, what can I do now.----------------May 16Davina had told that they couldn't pick me up so I woke up even more early to catch the train at 6am but she wasn't in it and wasn't either in Weymouth. She arrived on time with her mother... so she had been confused about it and had finally showed at my place. Weird.So I arrived early enough to have time to kill and simply lie by the beach side and have a little nap on a bench. Today we trained about crowd control and we were back in Poole by the afternoon, on the ship itself for the fire fighting training.Then at least I was not far away from home and only had to catch the bus.Tomorrow morning we will be in Poole, so less early for me this time. So Aleks who lives in the countryside came to stay over for the night as it will be less of an hassle for him.So we ended up having some discussion about the company and other things and of course a drink (and fries) by the evening. Another occasion for Eamonn to drink late and for the whole bunch to cover the whole flat with smoke.It seems I was the only one to give support to the idea that it was unfair that the Poole crew had to pay all their own transport expenses while the Weymouth Crew had access to company minibus for their mobility. And also that there is no way they would do a 5 minutes detour to bring us... which I found it quite a shitty selfish behaviour from them.So since I was a bit pissed with that (I had to pay the train the previous day, which is 10 pounds!) and the smoke, and loud Eamonn, I went to sleep.---------------May 17We got picked by Davina's parents and went into Poole for a training in the ship itself while it was ashore. It was mainly simply some retailling practices.So the day went fast.----------------May 18Back in Weymouth by train quite bloody early, so basically I simply sleep on the train a bit while it goes and ends up in Weymouth anyway.We were doing the survival training today and by the afternoon all caught the minibuses to the Marine Base in Poole for some live training with the Safety boat. Which I quite loved, being back in a pool, swimming and diving into the water. I was like a fish.Some of the girl though freaked a bit (well Davina) with the training and the jumping thread from the high board with the equipment. But finally everyone managed to do it. And I did it fast so that I could enjoy the swimming pool a bit more. Water, my element!Then I was nearly home (in Hammersmith) but had no lift, so its one of the captain who drove me home. Quite great.It was a relaxing evening altogether then. I had a day off tomorrow.-----------------May 19Day off, full of relaxing thread and grocery shopping.----------------May 20Back on the ship in Poole, on a Sunday. There is no public transport and Davina never showed up to pick me nor answered my previous sms to tell if they were going to pick me up or not.So as I had no idea and didn't take chance I started walking and finally ended up hitch-hiking to the harbour which I did within 3 cars and just on time. The day went by with some more familiarisation in the ship itself and some more practical training.Coming back home wasn't a problem, but no way to count on her so I just took the bus.------------May 21Day off, relaxed and nothing to do------------May 22Back to Weymouth, less early this time luckely. So I could catch a later train but still lie on the beach for a while.Today was basic: Food Hygiene, which went fast and well we finished earlier than normally so I sat down on the beach with a couple of the training colleagues and we talked. I tried to 'enroll' some people into HC/CS philosophy, but it doesn't seems to work at all.It was another warm and sunny day, but there is no way I manage a tan anyway.So I finally came back home with the train that I take normally (felt asleep in it though and ended up in Bournemouth before coming back).--------------May 23The last day of training!A short class by the morning in Weymouth followed by the Type rating by the afternoon with the captain that was examining us.Everything went well and I was done by something like 2hpm, so I took some time to take some picture of Weymouth before going to the train station and get back home.Floh was gone to the Berlin camp and the fact that the day went fast was making me wonder if I should have hurried and I could have been there by the evening maybe. Then coming back by Saturday to be on the ship for my first full employment day on Sunday.The idea pass through my mind for a while during the evening while it was still time. But finally I let it go and simply took it relaxed as we were about to have a guest for the night from CS, French living in Southampton.He arrived later by bicycle and went to sleep early has he needed to catch a flight early by night. But Eamonn arrived later, drunk and obnoxious and was loud and wanted to watch TV and be careless, so then some it was better to not sleep and have some conversation. He only went back to sleep later finally.That sort of behaviour pissed me off royally from Eamonn, especially that he always say that I'm not respectful with guests because I don't go out in town with them or drink with them! I don't need to babysit them!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1179006180/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1179006180/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1179006180/tpod.html Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:02:25 -0400 Departing back to the European Continent, with no plans and lots of hope

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St Peter Port, Guernsey, United Kingdom

May 12Aaaahhhh, it was quite welcome to step off the ship, get some fresh air. Most of us were shook from the sailing condition or having been sick. My energy was roughly low. So I didnt venture far from the harbour and I just stayed with the group who went to a terrace at a restaurant in the harbour. I bought myself some pancakes, frenchly cooked and tried to enjoy it, more rough after having been sick earlier.So I mostly enjoyed the view, talked with the captain that was training us and other colleagues while relaxing by the sea-side. It was nice and greatly welcome to not have to do the complete sailing.We simply step back on the ship later on when it came back from St-Malo. But on the way back I was slightly deadbeat and dead for a while so I sat and did nothing. Luckely I got a second life later and could start doing something, touring the ship and cleaning up. The ship was quite empty and it was calm so there wasn't really any rush or stress which was good.We arrived around midnight back in Poole, so we just had time to catch the bus back from Poole Dolphin Centre to be in Branksome, back home... quite tired.The sea was nearly 3,5m waves and usually the ship doesn't sail if the waves reach 4m so nonetheless to say that it was a rough day! The 'thundering' 'shaking' and 'waving' of the ship was sometimes disturbing, it was less bad on the way back... or maybe I was more used to it.-------------May 13It's been an early waking up again, Have got a rythm?But no it was to go to Parkstone for a medical, it went fine and I talked with the doctor about Canada. I could also register there, so one another done of my UK life list of things to do.By midday it was done, so I just had to go back home and take it as a last lazy day and recovering day from the previous sailing. Tomorrow I would start all the training for the next 2 weeks before starting to work officially on the ship as a full employee with all the seaman certification. So I would also to get up horribly early to go to Weymouth.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1183959120/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1183959120/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1183959120/tpod.html Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:41:39 -0400 Departing back to the European Continent, with no plans and lots of hope

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Poole, United Kingdom

May 9A good relaxed moment together and calm alone in the house after our previous days adventure. It was quite romantic as well at a certain point.--------May 10We slept longer, still together and enjoying every second of it. It was a rainy day and actually the first bad weather in a long time. So it was not really motivating to go do sightseeing or make projects but we didn't really care actually.We simply stayed home and cuddled. In the quietness of our tower house in Branksome.Floh arrived later by the end of the day, and we could listen HIS HH story which was even more of a failure than ours... a 25h attempt to come home, sleeping in Calais terminal, caught by the rain. He missed a day at work which was not planned.Then even later, Eamonn arrived and we all had a good chat together, but only me and Nadine for more talk, cuddling and sex.----------May 11Early wake up for me, I needed to go to Poole for my National Insurance Number interview (at last after having talked about it dozens of time in the last months!).It went fine and I was back home by midday, spending time with Nadine and relaxing. I could join her in bed when I arrived which was great.We later walked to Tesco to get food for a huge evening meal that she would prepare, everyone came back and Nadine did the cooking.We enjoyed the meal in front of the TV. I worked a little on the computer and spent time with Nadine as much as I could for our last night together. Then we had to plan her departure and packing.Ohh one good thing was that during the day, I received a call that I would not need to be in Weymouth the next morning but Poole harbour instead and later during the day. So instead of leaving to Weymouth that afternoon, I could spend another evening with Nadine at home.So I called Stuart to let him know that I finally would not come to Weymouth at his place and we would try to meet at a later time instead.--------May 12We woke up hell early, Nadine prepared herself and I accompanied her to the hitching point near Herbert Road. In such a early morning, there was not that many traffic and the weather was sunny but changing quite fast. I finally left her, and we made our farewell until the next time we would meet, a strong kiss and hugs and she stood alone trying to catch a ride. I ended up waiting a bit further to see if she would be picked up, she finally did.I returned home, silent and calm flat by now. I finally did some cleaning and prepared my thing for midday to start my very first day on the ship!The bus downtown was so slow that I wondered if I would be late on my first day, I did arrive just on time after having run through Poole to arrive in the Port which wasn't too good as it made me so tired. Luckely I was on time, and I started to meet the people I would train with.And hop, with no time we were on the ship discussing sea and work related topics preparing for sailing as a trainee, watching the safety video, receiving sea-sick pills as the sea was to be rough and visiting the different areas of the ship. We sailed leaving Poole by the afternoon in direction of Guernsey and St-Malo, finally the sea turn out to be rough indeed! But I did fine!I took place at the Duty-Free shop to work a little and learn the things about the cash register and storage. And this went on for the few hours of sailing, of course many passenger got sick and needed assistance. Also coming back to our seats from time to time for announcement and training.After few hours at this rough sea, I started to feel bad as well. This has especially happened after that I went to the higher level of the ship, to the bridge, and then down again. It made me feel dizzy a little, I went outside and I finally became sick as well. :S About 30 minutes from Guernsey, we would finally step out ashore in St-Peter-Port Guernsey to relax and take back from that first experience. I wasn't the only one who got sick either.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1178661780/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1178661780/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1178661780/tpod.html Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:21:54 -0400 Departing back to the European Continent, with no plans and lots of hope

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Dover, United Kingdom

May 8So Nadine stepped off at a truck stop near Calais by the highway, we were still confident that she would be right behind us when we managed to reach the harbour, especially as we had quite a long time to wait before getting into our SeaFrance ferry.Time went by and no news from Nadine, at a certain point I got worried. We called and exchange some message, and it happened that she got stucked and it was not working at all. So she somehow gave up and goes to Calais to sleep, aaahh crap. I felt so bad to at least not be stuck with her, especially as we only have few days together so it is a bit silly to be split apart.I had to think about what I was doing, especially if I would cross back to France, continue further or do something else. Franki and me went onto the ferry and took the meal onboard. After that (I must say that the sea was quite shaken which was by the end not so pleasant) I decided to try contacting people, I gave a try on contacting Lee (HC: leecobourn) a member from the surrounding of Dover who is also Country volunteer. It would be an occasion to meet him as it didnt happen on the previous passage.After few messages he welcomed me and explained me the way to his place. So I would do that and have a night sleep instead of worrying, then I could see tomorrow.Franki, left me by the terminal in Dover and I walked to the train station to catch the train to Aylesham. Once at Lee, we discussed a little together and so on before finally going to sleep. It was nice to be fully welcome at a typical british home, even if I spent long in the UK, the brits are not so active so it is pretty rare. We would wake up quite early in the morning as he need to go to work and I would continue my journey until a Motorway Services to wait for Nadine to arrive.-------------May 9Aaahh quite a great morning though, I received message from Nadine later on and she would try again, the result has been that it worked by nearly midday and she would join me further north along the road. On my side, I was already on the road by 8am near Canterbury where Lee left me and I got a ride pretty fast and then another ride fast again until Clacket Lane Services. I messaged Nadine and told her to join me there. I waited for most of the day trying to kill time, and not be cold (the weather was quite chill).Finally, Nadine arrived by the afternoon! That was great, and after some good hugs we went directly to the gas station to hitch further. We got a ride further west along the M4 (Newbury), so instead of taking the highway that brings us south to Poole we would try further west to come down through the more local way.It took slightly longer to catch a ride direction south to Winchester, but we managed one with a woman! The first time I would be picked by a woman in England (the last maybe?).We were back along the M3, more in the south. We didn't really know where to hitch from so we stood by the on-ramp as it was rush hour anyway. It worked we caught a ride that would bring us all the way to Branksome by the Tesco!We did our grocery as there would be no food in the flat and went home, relaxed, took a bath together and went to bed not too late.At least we were back together, all ended up great :)
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1178573580/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1178573580/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1178573580/tpod.html Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:03:11 -0400 Departing back to the European Continent, with no plans and lots of hope

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Roeselare, Belgium

May 7We arrived at Roeselare by the end of the afternoon, a nice train ride in the 'piek uur' time and we waited for Steven to pick us up at the train station before doing a fast city tour by car and go to his place. We met with 2 couchsurfers that were staying at Steven's for the last days.Slightly later, our host also arrived. A friendly hippie alike belgian, we had quite a lot of fun altogether, discussing and enjoying the meal Steven had prepared.Nadine acted lovely today but also slightly distant which seemed strange at some point. We still had a decent time, at my opinion.Later we went to our host (Bob from Couchsurfing) who lives just outside Roeselare, we enjoyed a little wine and had more discussion. The funny thing was that the short, knowing each other discussion, extend to a quite pretty late hour. But it was a cheerful moment, quite strong experiences were shared that night and the discussions went deep.I felt like hugging Nadine strongly and act as a sort of protection but I must say I had the impression of being in front of a person that has somehow closed its shell. I was thoughtful a lot that night.--------------May 8mm a grey day over West-Vlaanderen, we took a lazy morning and Nadine went out to scouge for some food for the breakfast and the road. We finally left Bob's place (whom had left to work by the morning) by midday, walked until we could find the main to hitch-hike.It went perfect and a couple of cars later we where in Jabbeke (after the incident of being asked by the police what we were aiming at in Brugge... which I answer in perfect dutch ;)In Jabbeke Services though we didn't really know what to do, how to leave and cross to England from now on. We were in a good mood though, and the day was fine. Nadine finally found a trucker who could take us all the way to Calais, we took the ride but truck driver can only have one passenger to cross the Channel. So after further thought and discussion we decided that Nadine would get off near Calais and try to get a ride with another truck, while I would cross the channel with Franki.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1178275860/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1178275860/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1178275860/tpod.html Wed, 20 Jun 2007 22:32:22 -0400 Departing back to the European Continent, with no plans and lots of hope

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Brussels, Belgium

May 4Nadine left in early morning to be back at her home to do her tasks for the day. I simply went back to sleep finally. Later I joined her when it was her break, we cooked together and made a marbelous meal that we ate in the garden. Nice pasta meal and good salad. I loved that moment but afterall it was finally odd, she seemed bored and distant and kept on calling her boyfriend. I guess it annoyed me in a way which made me annoying :sI didn't what she thought of me and even less what she was expecting, but I was trying to find it out. So I asked her question and it seemed to bother her off even more.It was a mixture of anyway, 'stay around - be there' and 'don't come too near'. I don't know how is her actual relation and either if we actually have one.I left and went to Gregoire to meet the people who had arrived for the meeting (Peter, kiwiflave...) but later she came on skype and asked me to come home. I wasn't sure and the conversation was in the 'do you want to' 'if you want' etc... After a while (late), I did so but nothing really happened and we went to sleep. I didn't feel too welcome finally.---------May 5I woke up more slowly today, and immediately went to Ingrid quite early. I slept some more so it took me a little while before I headed to the General Assembly organised for BeWelcome (www.bewelcome.org / www.bevolunteer.org) which was an important nice feature discussion and voting for the organisation (for hospitality exchange).I arrived a bit late and took part of the discussion, which was all productive. We got the statutes of the organisation set and other things improved. It took the whole afternoon and then while everyone was heading for the party part. I took the bike and went back to meet Nadine in Merode to have dinner together.Finally we only came back to the party after 9hpm, which was quite late and a lot of the people were gone to the concert of Hooverphonic at the Grand'Place.Anyhow we drank a lot together, and I finally started talking with her by bringing some of the subject into a frank discussion... mainly about us. It quite helped, we got more warm together and ready to have a happy evening. Enjoying our time together while it last but not heading into anything serious. It's way more easy when you can communicate.I told her that I was indeed getting attached to her but well it's my problem, I'm happy to enjoy the time as it comes and the time I can have with her. For the rest, I'm happy with whatever she will be heading at. But at least, its the present moment that we are living that count.A bit later the people came back from the concert and the Monk (cafe by Place Ste-Catherine) got fully overpacked. We were about 200 I think, which is fairly great for such a gathering and all from different communities (Couch Surfing, Servas, Hospitality Club, Virtual Tourist).I met new people but especially spent time with people I knew from before and I had not seen for a long time, introducing Nadine to most of them.I was also so happy to meet with Patrick Michielsens again, my dutch teacher it was years I had not seen him again!Then we simply drank more Grimbergen and had a great evening together. We finally cycled back to Merode late at night and simply slept.----------------May 6I sneaked to another room by the morning and could sleep longer, as I was more or less officially invited this time. Nadine was gone with her group for most of the day and on my case I left the house by midday to go to Gregoire to join the crowd.I was a bit sad and annoyed how things turned out with her, but its like that. I didn't know what to think but it seemed to be a confusing day as I will remember later.Kristina (HC: achso) arrived later with flohfish, we finally talked altogether about this and I shared a good discussing moment with Kristina. It was like if I knew her for a long time and felt well at ease.We went to get some pizza at a tasty but expensive pizzeria in town and some wine and beer and did a chill party alike evening at Gregoire, watching some stupid animation through the computer and finally not really sleeping.Nadine needed time for herself which isn't so good and speak by itself. I also got annoyed by the fact that I noticed a email from Gil when I opened my mailbox, I had not heard from her for months and then suddenly... now!The one I will always keep loving, who keeps saying in this mail too that she loves me, but that has refused to be with me finally writes me. My actual attempt of relation leads nowhere and everyone around keeps drinking. I got tired and annoyed.I stayed at Greg for the night but it was mostly a whole night up finally.--------------May 7I woke up at Greg, only Florian (kiwiflave) was left so we went out for a coffee and breakfast. It was a bit more grey today in town fitting my mood.Finally, Nadine joined us in town and we walked around stopping at Lidl to get pizza and walking back to Greg (when we found the way). We planned our journey, where would we go, we had no idea and nobody contacted either.I didnt have a lot of energy left. Anyhow, I ended up contacting Steven (CS: Stoemp) online and he managed us to stay somewhere in Roeselare. We would already be in West-Vlaanderen and then either stay around or head to the UK.So we could also go for a meal tonight at Steven's place with our host and his guests.It was nice, we prepared in a hurry went to Nadine to get her bag and caught the train to arrive by the early evening.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1178154660/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1178154660/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1178154660/tpod.html Wed, 20 Jun 2007 21:47:42 -0400 Departing back to the European Continent, with no plans and lots of hope

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Rochefort, Belgium

May 2We arrived in Jemelle train station, obviously there was no bus again and we definitely didn't know anything of the area. We simply lift our thumb at the first car passing by while we were at the bus stop at the train station and the car stopped. We asked about Rochefort, and the guy gladly offered to bring us there. It was about 6km away.We tried to locate the camping of Rochefort, which look more partly like a construction site and partly like a mobile home parking. The driver went to ask to some people who were in their caravan and they told to simply take a free spot for the night, there was already also a dutch camping car stopped there. We said thanks and goodbye and started mounting the tent and moved in.We prepared ourselves to sleep and get comfortable... but gosh it was such a cold night!And I had only bermudas on. So we hug close and tried to keep ourselves warm.-----------May 3We woke up early, as basically we froze all night and only got some sleep when the sun started to warm the tent up and we could as well use our time together too in the tent. That was nicely nice ;)Though we got up just on time as we heard a car coming and talking to the neighbour asking who was this tent. We got our clothes on and started packing and introduced ourselves when we came out. They simply said that it was ok as we stayed only for the night.So we talked some more with the people from the caravan and they gave us a coffee (which I tried to drink most, to be polite as I don't like coffee).We also tried to wash ourselves with the water pump without being seen, only to find out later that there was some shower somewhere. But well!Then we walked all the way to Rochefort itself, first grabbing some croissant then some fries and eating them in town beneath the sun and discussing about us.We walked this tiny town and finally ended up relaxing by the river sunbathing a little and catching some sleep.Later, Nadine had a bit enough and the day was still early so we decided to move away and hitched further.Someone took us all the way to where he was going, to Beauraing.So we spent some time in this other tiny town by the french border relaxing in a field and doing some open air activity, having a snack again and decided to leave further. There was only a train per 2 hours so we did hitch-hike further then.Beauraing was especially known as a pilgrim centre (where Maria would have been witnessed), but actually we didn't pay any more attention to these things.I was getting a bit tired and also annoyed that I was basically wearing the same clothes since London, but the trip was still going wonderfully and I had a great positive time being on the road with Nadine!It took us 2 cars to hitch all the way from Beauraing to Dinant, but the landscape was amazing on the way and it was like a relaxed road trip. Which reminded me pretty much of what I like to do: taking the car and roaming the countryside.We only had 20 minutes before the train to Brussels once in Dinant but the city is so tiny we took fries and something to drink and had a fast glimpse at the main landmark of the city. Then we were back in the train direction Brussels.Ingrid wasn't there tonight, so Nadine came with me and stayed over for the night.We had a lovely day together, but then by the night Nadine started acting odd and distant. We slept together but it wasn't anymore such a warm feeling.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1177976460/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1177976460/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1177976460/tpod.html Wed, 20 Jun 2007 21:11:14 -0400 Departing back to the European Continent, with no plans and lots of hope

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Brussels, Belgium

April 30So I couldn't really contact anybody to let know that I was arrived in town. My first move was to go to Mathilde, as I had received not news whatsoever from Ingrid, I didn't know if she would host me.It was nice to see Mathilde, and also Martin who was quite in a depressed mood though :SWe talked a bit and I send some message from the Internet and called Nadine too to let her know. She told me I could stay over for the night, arriving later when all the people she is taking care of are asleep.I asked if I could leave my bag, so Mathilde did host my bag over for a couple of the following night and around 11hpm I went to Nadine, I didn't really dare to ring but I tried and she opened the door and this enthousiastic amazed eyes. I was happy we hugged and kissed fast before going inside.There was still one of her colleague awake, so we act like just normal friend and so. Took some things to eat and went upstairs to her bedroom. It was nice to discover a bit more of the world she is living in after the last talk through the net.We talked and slept together, although it was stressy as usually nobody of the house should be knowing I was there or especially sleeping over.So it was a short sleeping night.------------May 1I had to leave before 8am unnoticed. We woke up early and took a shower together but it was just all in time as one person was waking up. So I finally just left and wen to the park lying down and enjoy the sunrise.Then I had time to kill, I went to a café around 11ham to have a wonderful white Hoegaarden, my favourite, and cycled around (I had Nadine's bike).By the afternoon, I went back down to Mathilde's place waking her up (she was supposed to be up early to go into town, as there was some street activities organised though) and we talked. I managed to contact Achim and later I went to his place to give him back the things that were in my bag from him and get my orange simcard that had finally been found! (Hooray!)We talked for a while, which is always relaxed and motivating with Achim, before leaving to the park to meet Nadine with her flatmates she is responsible of (Nadine volunteers at L'Arche, an institution that take charge of the mentally disabled people whom stays in semi-autonomous building taken in charge by the community).Again I had some time to kill and went to have a lunch (kebab) and a ice cream in Merode area and slept a bit longer in the park during the sunset, taking pictures of the Arch and killing time around. Then we joined each other again and went to her room, discussing our planning about where we would travel together in the coming days.I also managed to contact Ingrid, she agreed to host me (which is nice). So I could stay at her place for tonight and not have the trouble of not being seen at Nadine's place. So by midnight, I left with the bicycle to Schaarbeek where Ingrid lives.------------May 2I woke up by the end of the morning and joined Nadine in the afternoon for a fast talk about what we will do for the night. Either catch a train to somewhere, or put the tent in the Foret de Soignes for the night. So we could be together.We didnt manage something but she would think of it, obviously though we wouldnt be able to contact any members so we will be on our own.But I can take my tent from Ingrid's place.I went to at least try to get my bag from Mathilde's place but nobody was there... damn!So I simply had the time to take my tent, a sweater and the few other things I had at Ingrid's place and go back to join Nadine... a bit late. We would leave somewhere (she had prepared a wonderful lunch though!)And to add to that, we even missed the train.We kept going, we would take the train to Jemelles and would after try to go to a camping in Rochefort for the night.Our Go Pass ready, we board the train by the evening so it would be dark when we would arrive.Destination Wallonie!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1177716360/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1177716360/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/maplefanta/europe2006/1177716360/tpod.html Wed, 20 Jun 2007 20:39:04 -0400 Departing back to the European Continent, with no plans and lots of hope

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London, United Kingdom

April 27We ended up eating at a local pizzeria (tasty yum yum) all 4 together and Peter offered, I really enjoyed their hospitality which was quite a wonderful, I must say I consider them as really good friend.And also walking around enjoying the fresh warm spring air of London, I felt that this whole part of the city was getting slightly calm and that the summer feeling was arriving.We relaxed pretty much the whole evening and then later on, we decided to play a board game which I don't remember the name but works about paranoia, traitors and so on. After an hour trying to understand the concept, which I would funnyly say sound inspired from the inside of Hospitality Club management.At a moment, it was slightly getting warm and we simply decided to open the window. What a surprise then, when instead of simply opening normally the whole window frame felt and broke down on the ground. Silly thing to not have a window anymore in the middle of London!Quite the oddity of the evening!-------------April 28Ahhh the lazy wake up, Maria went for her very last working day at a pub nearby Finnsbury Park, Peter's friend left later that same day to meet other people in East London. So Peter and me just woke up slowly (noticing that it was finally quite later than thought) and went for a walk in Hackney borough of London, it was sunny but finally also slightly chilly. But it was alright. We ended up visiting Maria who was pretty bored counting the hours before the end of her bar slavery and in the meantime we sat at the nearby park and discuss about everything, life but also about BeWelcome development of course.As it was late, it wasn't so useful to go downtown so we simply stayed in the surrounding.We still had a decent breakfast before getting out and I also talked a bit with their french roomate which was having his family visiting over for the week end. The first time in a long time that I spoke my native language actually... in a proper non-dialect form.Stupidly, my Oyster card got empty so I needed to buy a ticket in the bus for the way back... which is dumbly a waste of money.The evening was even more relaxed, we talked, cooked and later on, watched 'The Queen' on the computer. Nice movie but slightly disturbing to imagine all this fuss around a royal family, obviously something british. Hopefully I don't feel the need to become one.-----------------April 29Pic Nic meeting day!!!!slowly waking up to another sunny day. It's amazing that of all the time I have been here the rainy days have been quite a handful. The weather have rarely been bad, which is definitely an odd thing for England. But sometimes I'm wondering nearly everywhere I am travelling too the weather is being great, I have never had constant rain and shitty weather at all... as example. My first winter constantly on the road and the temperature stays above zero and warm so that I can still hitch-hike.Anyhow, we prepared a lunch for the pic-nic and stopped at a local store where we bought some kurdish bread, tatziki and humous to some un-smiling cashier girl before moving to Finnsbury park and await the people to come over.People showed up slightly late but there was new members (from HC - CS) which was nice, but I didn't introduce myself to many of them.We chilled in the park the whole afternoon, eating and playing frisbee and doing silly stuff (which is especially after Flohfish and Urg's arrival :).It was a great relaxing day, everyone just gradually left by the evening and I went to get my thing at Peter's place so that I would stay at Patrick's place for the night (HC:urg). As he lives in South London already, it would be more easy for me to get ready to leave London in my attempt to cross the channel once more heading to Belgium. And see my darling Nadine.It would be another adventure too, trying to hitch-hike out of London!We managed to catch the train and reach his place in Peckham, had a fast frozen meal and a search through the net and the map to notice some hitch-hiking departure spot.I ended up watching a movie though and sleeping later than expected (Pat had sky tv...).------------April 30The day!Hitch-hiking out of London, starting spot Peckham!Destination: Brussels and a Channel Crossing.It took me hell of a while before I got myself together and left Patrick's place, I did by the end of the morning, which was a bit late to ensure I had the whole day on the road.I first took the bus to try to get out of the centre as much as possible.First to Lewisham, then another bus through Hither Green - Eltham area. Then I started a long walk in direction of Sydcup to find a place that would allow me to be picked easily along the A20 out of London in direction of Dover.I walked long, about an hour, but did find a spot in Sydcup nearby Sydcup by-pass just next to a Shell Gas Station at a crossroad.I asked the few cars there and finally ended up simply hitching by the road, wonderful as 15 min later a car stopped. And with about half an hour, 40 minutes later I was out of London enjoying the landscape of Kent and reaching Maidstone Services.Then the next challenge was to get out of this Island.This wasn't the easiest thing as Maidstone services is for both way, direction North and South. So I especially needed to find a continental immatriculated car.It took me maybe 3h but I did find a lift with a french couple, who were at odd to take me at first (in a very french way, the non-refusal but stiff upper lip way). It was pretty great though, I was going to cross through the tunnel once again and at least be in Nord-Pas-de-Calais, which would be easier than England for sure.I tried to reassure them by being friendly, we arrived at the custom and finally nobody even bothered to watch our passport so I was going to leave England and enter France unnoticed.Once in the train though, I did one bright thing. I walked around the train car and looked for a Belgian car, witty me, I found one and they could take me all the way to Gent!So I switched car and introduced myself to this young couple from Antwerpen.The ride went well and I was about to reach Brussels fast, when at the petrol station in Gent I immediately switched to another car as well. Then I put my hand in my pocket... damn my mobile phone wasn't there!NnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnoooooooooooooooooI could imagine it lying on the backseat of the previous car. I got stress, sad, mad but tried to stay fair with the people who just picked me (a young couple of my age from Leuven). They helped me and leaned me their mobile phone, I tried to call my own phone several time but was panicking as I knew my battery was about to die.If I couldn't find a way I would lose my phone, my belgian simcard, my english simcard and all my contact!After few attempt it finally rang and few attempt more the lady picked it up. I immediately tried to set a plan, gave some contact they could manage to reach me or arrange to give my phone (Frank or Achim) and gave the Pin code so that anyhow they could access my contact if needed.My lift decided to finally drive me direct into Brussels, that was great of them and they were of great help. I only have their phone number to thanks them, but they allowed me to use their phone, understood my concern and tried to help and also took well care of me.That was all great and it finally quite ended up in fairly well situation.I'm so grateful of those people. And I was happy to be back in Belgium.I was also happy about my previous lift as they would be helpful too in trying to handle me back my phone!But I was in Brussels!!!!I did Hitch-hike all the way from London in about 6 hours (including the stop in Maidstone!)Pretty good isnt it ;)And met great helpful people! The world is still all nice, believe it or not!
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