Manchester -> Rancid, Roydon/London and take off!

      From Manchester I took a short train to Dewsbury.  The train conductor was really nice! I just about missed the train by one second because all the doors were closed. I asked the conductor where the train was headed and he let me pop in the front to the cabin where all the controls are. I was excited thinking that I was going to get to ride in the front the whole way!

     He then opened the door behind me and let me into the normal passenger car.  It was absolutely packed!!  I ended up sitting on my backpack on the floor in the hallway of the train.  Since I was in such a rush I didn't have time to contemplate whether I was going to buy a ticket or not.  When he came by and asked me for my train ticket I showed him my week pass for the buses in Manchester. He smiled, even though it wasn't valid for that train, and said thank you.  This was the second time I had encountered such a sweet conductor in my rides through Europe.   I just love proving that people are loving and giving!

    Before I knew it I had arrived in Dewsbury, just outside of Leeds where I would meet my new host.  He was a Scottish lad from Edinburgh who loved suba diving, telling haunting stories and spicy food more than anything.

    That night I made him chicken with mushrooms, fresh ginger, sweet potatoes and spicy peppers to munch on.

Those orange peppers are called scottish bonnets.
Don't let their name fool you! They are *SO* spicy! He just about turned purple.

      I do believe he loved it! ... and washed it down with a few pints of cider.  He told me those haunting stories about his trips around Scotland.
      Apparently one of his friends bought this haunted house.  The dog would always go crazy, the lights would flicker... you know? the normal haunted house type story.  Basically, they had an issue with the electrical or something and went to do some construction which entailed fixing the chimney.  When they opened up the chimney which had been sealed with bricks they found the corpse of a little girl. ....the little girl who they had seen as a ghost.   :/

     On that note..... 

Cheers! 

       The next day was the night of the Rancid concert in Leeds.  We took a short train into town, got there early enough to buy a ticket and got a mulled wine from the Christmas market.  (The whole restaurant structure behind us was temporary just for the event that would last a few weeks.)

        After that I was off on my own to see Rancid.  I was sad I wasn't home to see it with my good friend Torrey but I decided I was going to have a good time anyway.  At first I was standing in the corner feeling alone and awkward.
        I started moving into the crowd just a little bit. Before I knew it there was an older gentleman who was short and totally built with a shaved head and a younger friend behind telling me to join them in the mosh pit.  It turned out to be perfect! They were there for a good time, just like me and could keep me off the ground if I fell.  Safety first right?!  :P

        Here are a couple clips from the concert:

 

  This song used to be my alarm clock when I was 18.  :p

If I fall back down, you're gonna be my friend!

       After the show I bought a little souvenir, walked outside and looked for my host.   At the time he was no where to be found.  I was worried for a minute.  

      What seemed like seconds later; I had wifi and a text saying the last train was about to leave.  We met back up with him, scurried back to the station and luckily jumped back on the last train home!

     The next morning was quite beautiful.  Blue skies, a bit of sun and maybe even some frost on the ground.  I looked up my route and found that I wasn't too far from the freeway home.  Hitchhiking was definitely the plan!

       As you can see above I was very bundled up!   With my still overpacked 50 lb/ 23 kg backpack I was off.  Of course I really had no idea where I was going.  It would be just down the street, take a left and keep walking.  No sweat!  Right?

       Well, what google maps doesn't automatically mention is the landscape.  It would be two miles on a steep incline.  I figured I'd just start hitchhiking from right then and there.  With my thumb out and a can do attitude I climbed and climbed for at least 40 minutes with all the extra weight.  My legs were burning and I was definitely getting hot.  I only had another mile or so left unless I got picked up.

       I kept persisting; eventually a car pulled over!!   I was in complete disbelief.   I tried running up to the car but my legs just couldn't run.  When I made it to the car I just asked for a lift to the freeway and told him I was London bound.  He said it was no problem but didn't really say where he was headed.  After about an hour and knowing we were heading in the right direction I asked where he was going to.  He mentioned some place that was already 40 minutes behind us.  He then explained that he didn't want to "see me in the newspaper", that his work paid for his gas and that he had tomorrow off so he might just stay in London.  This meant THREE hours out of his way EACH WAY!  Was he nuts?!?!  I guess he was just genuinely really concerned about my wellbeing.

 

        We stopped Leicester for a restroom break and some coffee.  I told him time and time again that it was fine, he didn't have to go out of his way -especially not six hours worth.  He kindly insisted he would drive me all the way to London or all the way to my friend so I would be safe!  What a sweet man!

         Before I knew it we were at the Tesco, a grocery store, just down the road from my friend Will's house.  I had called Will from his phone to try and figure out exactly where we should meet.  I guess I sounded confused earlier because I was watching the traffic signs and trying to figure out where I was in relation to where we needed to be going.

        When Will arrived he popped out of his dad's Range Rover like he was about to tackle a rabbit. (I really wish I had some kind of documentation to share that but I don't.) Will had thought something was wrong because of the confused tone in my voice on the phone.

         All was good.  The man was very kind and I was now "home" safely.  It was yet another wonderful hitchhiking experience, thanks to that man!

"Home" - Their proper kettle, AGA (stove)

and part of the tea/coffee cup collection

         I now had four days until my flight back home.  I still hadn't really seen London.  

         Will and I went out for couple nights on the town. 

                                 

              The London tube!

Big Ben exists! ... and he's not so big.

The Tower Bridge!
(I've yet to see the London Bridge in Lake Havasu, CA, USA...one day)

         Before I knew it my visit in England and Europe was over.  I began packing, while trying to savor the last few hours in such an incredible country.  As always, packing was nothing short of bittersweet.  I knew that the flight home was going to mean the end of my journey hitchhiking, couchsurfing, meeting new people and experiencing new things.

          I was happy to be going home for Christmas and my birthday.

          I was sad to pause my adventures and leave such a wonderful continent.

                 
                 

Bye, bye

   lovely, 

frozen, 

England. 

No(r) way! You've got to be kidding me!

Whew!  What a relief! I ended up staying in the hostel in Oslo one more night to I could relax, shower again, calm down a little and hang out with some travelers. 

The funny thing about Oslo is there are so many people trying to immigrate.  It must be very hard trying to move to a country that is SO EXPENSIVE! The US dollar is alright compared to NOK but everything is expensive even in NOK.  I personally picked up the vibe about being very conscience about what you spend your money on there.  Maybe it was just me though. 

Anyhow, there were a couple cool people living at the hostel while looking for jobs and housing. None of them seemed to know exactly how they ended up there but were determined to make things work out. I tip my hat to them!

Beside that there isn't much else to say. Here are some photos from my last couple days in Oslo.

A normal sandwich in Oslo and house roasted coffee.  My absolute favorite place in town, "Gründerløkka".

Come here kitty, kitty! - I was later told that this is the square you used to go to get drugs.  Good one!

I *had* to visit the Opera house! So what if it was 4 am!

Sunrise on the Opera House roof with a cool German and this Seagull we called "Paul".

After watching the sun come up I went to sleep and shower.  Then, off to Gründerløkka one more time for a $26 sandwich and coffee from another planet! ... and the train to Tønsberg! Woohooo! 

I was very excited to visit Tønsberg. Looking at the map it seemed to be a little fishing type town right along the coast which happens to also be the oldest town in Norway. A sweet change from Oslo. Hehe! 

These are from Tønsberg:

Hehe! "Farts" Hehe!

My new, cool, cozy residence! :)

Adventure I: 

The second day/night we went skating and biking with Clara, the "nanny dog".

It's that-a-way!  ^, >  I had never actually seen one of these.

Adventure II:

Chanel art exhibition about northern women at Verdens Ende

It's a bird! It's a plane! ... It's a flying banana.

Drinking viking juice,  (Mjød, made from honey) at sunset at Verdens ende (the world's end).

Golden Holga @ Verdens ende! - Thinking of my brother Timmy!

How did I not know this was a BLUE moon at the time?!

Pretty freaking spectacular considering!!!

No one else was even shooting this. I feel blessed and astonished!

Adventure III:

Tonsberg Festning (fortress)!  It was built in 871 and resisted attacks from the Danish and 1,000 Norwegian soldiers. Neat-o!

It was quite windy. Good experience!

Opening the door to the Fortress' church!

Grass roofs! Nice! - It's still a restaurant in the summer time. I missed it! :/

I decided to paint some one else's sketch.  This is the first layer. We'll see what it looks like when it's done.

Yum yum, cheesecake! - From Jordbærpikene cafe (the strawberry girl)

So I guess you guys can see I've been relaxing and enjoying the nature here in Tønsberg. I quite enjoy it here. I guess I will be staying another seven days to spread some love and laughter.  :)

Then I should be off to Bergen, Norway.....




 For now I'm off to the marina via bicycle!


__________________________________________________________________________
Oh yeah!! I almost forgot to give a shout out to all the hits on my site from Russia via some twisted "adult social network". I'm not sure how a link ended up there. I'm slightly disgusted and not available. Hah!

Heck yes! Two thumbs up!!!

Ma-ma, Pa-pa, Christian and Anna with the mandatory funny party hats!

The last few days in Gothenburg were nothing short of spectacular! "Ma-ma" decided we *must* have a crayfish party, kräftskiva, before I leave since it is that time of year! So an unheard of Wednesday night would do the trick! I think the photos speak for themselves, so that I'll let them do.

There was another plate and other goodies too! Heineken is a must too!

Puss puss! (Kiss kiss)

Crayfish is one of his favorite foods.

Ha! I love candid photos! Ma-ma is so cute!

Thursday "Ma-ma" brought in her home made glogg a Swedish drink they have around Christmas time with peeled almonds and raisins.  Afterall we needed to be prepared to see Veronica Maggio at the Liseberg!  This was a wind "cold" day and glogg was perfect! We missed Veronica, but who cared! It was my last night in town anyway and my "sister" had school in the morning.   (I didn't get a photo of the glogg, sorry.

Here's a photo of jacket shopping instead. I must prepare for colder weather!
Notice there are bathing suits in the background? I guess I'm a California girl after all.
Everyone else still thinks it's pretty warm while I'm buying winter coats.

WELL!!.... Friday was incredible!

The goal today was to find my way out of Gothenburg and somehow end up in Oslo.  I spent the whole night packing and cleaning my cottage.  Just when I thought I was going to be able to fall asleep I realized that my "momma" would be waking up soon for work and I hadn't said "bye".  I popped out of bed and made my last pot of delish "Fagerlund" coffee.  We had a small good-bye fika and nailed out the plans of taking a buss to North-Western Sweden.  From there hitch hiking should have been much easier since it's out of Gothenburg central and a lot of Norwegians go there to buy food and liquor since it's much cheaper in Sweden.

We finished our fika, I showered and through on my old acquaintance the backpack....  Hmmm, Wally. Yes, Wally.  My travel companion should have a name right?

So off we went!  I had planned on taking the buss right around the corner.  Instead, I got a ride from "pa-pa" to the central station.  We had one last cup of (terrible) coffee and I jumped on my buss.  A-las!, Sleepy time! I found the last row of seats in the back of the buss since this one had *three* and Wally and I cuddled the whole way to  Strömstad.

I made sure to wear the fake wedding ring for hitch hiking.

I woke up a bit groggy and confused.  I wasn't sure which way was north or where the freeway was, or where the "toilet" was. I was ready to conquer this day and my fears! I picked up 50lb Wally and headed.... that way.  I figured if I found wifi I could use my phone for a map and figure out where I needed to go. I walked a few hilly blocks and made a left. Yes! A Pressbyan another two blocks down! They always have free wifi! With the help of that and road signs I know new where I was going.  Now, to find a toilet. Sheesh! With Wally it was going to be hard/akward. Just as I was thinking that I looked over my shoulder and there were two ladies heading toward the restroom. I was going to wait for them to come out so it would be free but they couldn't figure out how to get in.  Fem (5) Kronor it was. Naturally I let the older ladies go first. Then I got inside and there was no place to hang Wally.  I guess this means he's not coming off my back.  That was interesting! I'm glad I have mega viking muscles in my legs!

So, off to the freeway *I guess*.  It was so beautiful in Strömstad! There was no rain (thank goodness) only cloudy blue skies, birds, sun and an amazing little fishing town.  I really wish I could have found a babysitter for Wally.  23 kilo is a lot to carry around. Plus, I needed to find a ride before the sun went down.  Off I go!

On the walk to the freeway

I walked a bit then decided to make my sign, attach it to the back of my bag and keep walking.  It was quite hot considering.  So I went to a gas station to buy a map of Norway in case some freak accident happened.  There I sat for a bit with my sign since there was quite a lot of traffic. It seemed like a bad spot after all. Okay, freeway on ramp I go. There an older lady stops me to tell me there is a ferry that will take me to Tonsberg.  The second best destination for only 100 kronor.   Nope! I'm determined!

My first hitch hiking sign!

I continue walking uphill and parallel to the freeway in the direction I want to go.  After walking half a mile or so I find this cute Norwegian girl on a bicycle. I asked her if I was going in the right direction.  She seemed a bit confused but answered, yes, go straight in Norwegian. (I could tell by her body language.)  Then she saw the sign on my backpack and tried once again, a bit harder to give directions. I asked about how far.  She said "not too far about 20 minutes. 20 mins with a big bulky backpack, uphill on a super sunny and quite warm - beautiful day! By this point I was already starting to feel slightly fatigued and I wasn't sure what would happen once I picked up the first ride. I was determined! So, off I go again.  I continued maybe 100 yards before a motorcycle stops.  He looks at me wondering what I'm doing so I stick out my thumb.  He then pulls closer.  He seemed genuinely worried that I needed a ride.  The thing is: I have Wally!! I ask him if he thinks he can fit in on the bike. It seemed impossible.  He seemed to think it was possible.  Then he asked how much it weighed.  50 lbs, about 23 kilo.  Well, that might be too much he replied let down that he couldn't help.  Just another 20 ft there was a van with a guy eating pizza stopped in this little driveway.  The guy approaches that guy next thing I know I have a ride!  The guy on the bike is happy, i'm happy and the guy eating pizza is going to Oslo right now and has to be there by 5pm for school.  How perfect!

My ride was amazing! We talked about Sweden, Norway, the US, food, nature, geography hockey and economics. Since we made good time he was going to drop me off at my destination.... where ever that was! We get into the middle of town where he thinks i'm going.  He asks directions with no luck on where I'm actually supposed to be.  Not even with the help of another girl's iphone. So, he needs to get to school and I don't want to keep him.

Anna requested I grab a photo of him for her curiosity.

I jump out of the van, rearrange my junk and turn the corner. There: is a guy who looks EXACTLY like the person who's place I'm supposed to stay in.  I think to myself, "self: this is too good to be true!" I let my shyness take over and I decide to find wifi so I can call him. A block away I find wifi.  Yes, OF COURSE that was him! I go back and join him and his two friends for a beer and that is how my ride from Gothenburg to Oslo ended. How incredible, RIGHT?! Stay tuned! More to come from Norway soon!

This is where they were walking to when I saw them.  I liked this sign a lot! "They've got... thirsty hitchhikers!"