Avila Hotels
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Power plugs, what is in my bag and Avila
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There is a serious shortage of power outlets in hostels. In my 12 bed dorm room, there are only 2 outlets and EVERYONE needs them. Why? Because everyone has a digital camera, IPOD, shavers, electric toothbrush etc etc. Everyone skimps by bringing less shirts and underwear but all these power chargers add back all the weight. I was joking to a fellow traveller that the next progression in backpacking is not to only bring the adapter converters but to bring a 10 input power bar!
btw, for those of you interested to know what I actually brought along for this trip. I´m happy to tell you that this is probably the lightest I have ever packed for a trip. Here´s the list:
5 shirts
2 khakis
3 pairs of socks
5 undies
1 pair of shorts
1 pair of swim trunks (also used as pajama)
1 rain jacket
2 chiffon towels (light weight and absorbent)
Various toiletries
Vitamins
Shaver
Ipod
2 pairs of slippers
1 pair hiking boots
1 Lonely Planet guide book and train schedules
1 double bed sheet
1 pillow case
1 Swiss army knife
1 nail clipper
1 eye shade
1 pair ear plugs
1 plastic lunch box (multi purpose)
1 tiny pocket light
1 digi cam with 3 memory cards
Hat and sunglasses
2 books (The art of the deal - Trump + Ghandi) and various throw away magazines
Ok, onto the update:
Last night, I paid up for a proper Flamenco show here in Madrid and it was well worth the money. I thoroughly enjoyed the performence and the dancers gave ´a hundred and ten percent!´ The team consisted of 2 masterful guitar players whom could have easily filled in for Metallica, 2 male singers, 2 female dancers and 1 male dancer. The male dancer was dancing and tapping so hard that by the end, his shirt was completely drenched with sweat. I recorded some portions as video on my camera and I´ll try to post it up here. Stay tuned.
One thought I have is that as the world becomes more and more alike, drinking Starbucks, googling for information, shop at walmarts (or walmart like stores) and watch friends on TV, the unique cultural experiences become extinct. Besides seeing certain landmarks in a European city, everyday life is just like everywhere else. As travelling has become so easy and safe, it has also dilluted the experience. I often wonder how it must have been like for the first expolorers such as Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus or the first western visitors to Egypt.
Today, I spent the day in a charming city called Avila, located only 1.5 hours from Madrid. It is famous for its heavily fortified walls built by the Romans to protect this place against the Southern Muslims. I decided I wanted to take a panoramic shot of the walls so I walked out of the old town to as far as I can go. Bad mistake as I almost dropped under the heat.
Random thought: I am drinking a cheap 1.5L bottle of water I just bought called Bezoya and it tastes horrible. It must be tap water. I can´t read the label because it is all in Spanish, but I have a feeling somewhere in there it reads ´SUCKER´.
Latest Comments (2)
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Re: light packer (reply)
Jul 15, 2005 09:34 EST by jjwong
haha, I´m sure the Ken Lin moving company will do a great job. I´ve heard great things about them. I´ve seen quite a few female backpackers with GI-normous packs. But what is amazing is that they often carry them around with ease and even without the waist belt attached. On the other hand, I´ve seen guys twisting their backs under the weight. Is there some secret us men don´t know about??
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light packer (reply)
Jul 14, 2005 19:53 EST by mkcheung77
i'm truely impressed with your light packing. i have a feeling i will be at least double you and i'm only going for 2 1/2 weeks! but i also have my own personal luggage carrier, aka ken lin :)
after reading all your blogs, i now really want to visit spain. first it was greece with your pics of santorini and now spain. you're bad for the pocket book!
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