The time is "now to now".

    Thank the dear Milky Way for each moment, emotions and existence each day. Thank it for allowing change and giving us the option to construct ourselves into temple of strength, health, healing and wisdom.  

     Thank it for the lesson that the time is "now to now", to let go of the everything except the moment. Yesterday and tomorrow are an illusion.

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. 

England - "Almost the Home Stretch"

            The next morning was kind of a blur.  I had spent the entire evening repacking my belongings,  tidying up and making my final plans for Manchester.  I slept the entire car ride to catch up on sleep a bit.  The nice neighbors dropped me next to a train station and I was off to Piccadilly (the town center).

It was much colder than Northamptonshire.
To say it was freezing wasn't exaggerating.

I killed some time and stayed warm at a local coffee shop while I waited for my new host to get off work.

      He was really kind and full of great ideas.  That night we went to curry mile for some indian food and the University of Manchester for a beer and cider tasting. Have you ever had scrumpy?  ... Cider without the carbonation?  I hadn't. The bit I got tasted like sour sunscreen.  I'm sure it was just that brand....?   :/

      That night was a lot of fun!  Although, I feel like I climbed back into my shell that day.  The outgoing me all the sudden became the shy/quiet me.  I'm really not sure why.  Maybe I was complacent about going home.  Thinking about the week and a half to come and my flight back home.  The flight that as soon as I booked; I felt slightly trapped.  Trapped because I felt like I would get stuck back home.  I felt that one responsibility would turn into five and five would turn into twenty-five until the black hole sucked me in.

      I had to tell myself to stop being foolish and just be happy for the wonderful experiences that so gratefully came my way.

      I was happy.  I was slightly shy.  I was cold but optimistic about it.

In the morning I woke up to "pancakes". (He is German.)  Some sweet, some salty.
They were wonderful!

This is the view from the couch I was sleeping on.

       The sun finally came out.  I was overjoyed! ... even though everything was frozen outside.  The weather seemed so ironic and serene to me.  There was a quietness that came with the brisk air.  For most of the world this is probably normal experience.  
        
       Remember, I'm spoiled from sunny Los Angeles, California.  We're lucky if we get gloom on Christmas day!  I enjoyed bundling up in my scarf and hat from Norway..

...and my new WARM genuine leather and fur gloves that I scored for 8 quid, roughly 12 USD.
(Yes, those are the actual keys to the apartment!)

      The week was one awesome event after the other! We went to a CS barhop meet that included dancing and a lot of really friendly people.  I even made a friend who I later had coffee with in town.             

       Each day was a new adventure!  It was nice to get out. Especially after waiting inside for the rain and flooding to pass for a week in Northamptonshire.

       It was nice not to feel too much like a burden for a change.  I had a weekly bus pass and I felt pretty self sufficient.  

It had been a while since I had seen trash religiously on public transport.
I guess it made me feel at home... in a bad way.

        Finally, it was the day I was waiting for.  It was the reason or excuse I needed to end up in Manchester!  Yeasayer was playing at the university and tickets were unbelievably inexpensive!  I invited some CSers to join in the online forum but no one took up the offer.  

         I was going alone and I was determined to have a great time.  I got there early so I decided to have an irish coffee. At the coffee shop I met someone who was up for buying a ticket and going to the show with me. 

     The show was nothing short of amazing. They were playing a pretty small stage.  On top of that there were only about five people in the room when I showed up.  Was this real?  How could I be so fortunate?  I went into a little bit of shock.  Then, I just smiled and said to myself, "Yeah, this is my life right now and it's awesome."  The whole show I had a giant smile like a little kid who was about to meet big bird.

      The venue eventually got kind of crowded but I already had my spot saved.

      Here's a clip:  (Excuse the shaking etc.  I was paying attention to the band not the camera.  After all, I didn't go to the show for the camera.  :p)





       As I was leaving the venue I couldn't help but re-notice the vinyl albums they had for sale.  They were more than I wanted to spend and.... would it if in my backpack without getting crushed?  Would I have to ship it home?  Well, those are the thoughts I had before the show.

       The only thought I had when exiting the show was more like, "I'm going to get an album signed by the band... right now.  It's going to happen." (Those of you who know me in person know I'm usually very laid back, "go-with-the-flow"ish and low maintenance.) This was about conquering fear and proving to myself I can do anything.  Plus, the night was already going so well it was bound to happen.  

       I went next door to the ATM paid a fee for pulling out cash and bought the album.  I marched back up the stairs where the band should have been just to be stopped in my tracks by security.  I wasn't going to be pushy and I wasn't.  I wasn't going to give up either.  I went back down to the merch table and talked to the guy who sold me the album.  He told me that Yeasayer was definitely up there and they would probably be pretty likely to sign my album. I went back up to security just to be told that they had left the building. I don't want to call them liars.......buuuuut............ they were still in the building.

       I accepted and respected what they said even though it wasn't true; and moved on to the next solution. If they *had* left the building they would be in the tour bus right? But which tour bus was theirs?  I felt like a hopeless Britney Spears fan.  Oh well, this wasn't Britney Spears and it wasn't really about being a fanatic either.

       After poking around trying to figure out if there was anyone in the buses I finally found a driver who told me which bus was Yeasayer's.   It was the black one.  I waited patiently while it started to sprinkle.  I didn't have anything to protect the album. Was this going to work?   I tested my patience just a little.  About 20 minutes later the same guy from the merch table came to the bus.  He said it would be a while until they came down.

         I'll stop boring you.... but just after that the guy finished packing his table into the bus, grabbed a permanent marker and took the album up to the band to be signed.

Victory was mine!
I guess I decided it looked better upside down when I got home.
I'll stick to my gut.  :p

    I was happy.  I was in a great mood.  I had an incredible night.

< --  Post concert goofy face.

 

     The following night was a Tuesday.  Which only meant one thing. We were going to a céilidh also at the university!  I know what you're thinking.  What in the world is a "céilidh"?!!   

   This is the scene I thought of:









    It was more like this:



     Really confusing and really a blast!  


     Although, wiki has this to say about it: 

     "Céilidhs facilitated courting and prospects of marriage for young people and, although discos and nightclubs have displaced céilidhs to a considerable extent, they are still an important and popular social outlet in rural parts of Ireland and Scotland, especially in the Gaelic-speaking regions. Céilidhs are sometimes held on a smaller scale in private or public houses, for example in remote rural hinterlands and during busy festivals. It is common for some clubs and institutions such as sports clubs, schools and universities and even employers to arrange céilidhs on a regular or at least annual basis. The formality of these can vary. Some mix modern pop music with a Scottish country dancing band and dress codes range from compulsory highland dress to informal. Knowledge and use of the basic dance steps is not always strictly necessary, and dances often alternate with songs, poetry recitals, story telling and other types of "party pieces"."


      The next day would be a day of packing and traveling.  I was sad to leave Manchester.  I also figured I had already done every awesome thing there is to do in town.  There can't be that much more to keep my expectations up as high!   

      I'll tell you about the home stretch of the trip soon.  It's another five rad days!  Stay tuned!

Tuffi the Jumping Elephant

     From Essen I was off to Wuppertal, Germany.

The legend of Wuppertal is that Tuffi the elephant escaped of the zoo and hopped into the Schwebebahn because it's convenient and, perhaps the fastest way home. Tuffi gets scared and jumps into the river below. (What really happened was the circus made an ad with Tuffi jumping out. It never happened.) ... BOOOOORRRRRRIIING! 

     When the train arrived I was greeted with big hugs from my new roomie who I had met through my friend in Essen and her brother.  It was Monday which meant pizza was on special in town.  Off we went!

For some reason they split our toppings into sections instead of putting it all an the whole pizza.  It was delish!

     Somehow when we got home I had already conned her brother into signing up for facebook which he had been resisting forever.  I guess this is the face you make when you're about to discover the world of facebook and ultimately spotify.

The mannequin is wearing ALL handmade garments from Poland.  (This is his sis' place.)

  
    The next day  we went to Cologne/Köln.  I had asked many people prior what there was to do there.  The only thing they could really come up with was the cathedral/dom. It was pretty spectacular.

The main entrance.

Yep. Every one was a bit off guard. That's why there was giggling. (Movie!)

Just when we thought we were at the top.  Nope! More stairs to come!

These were just the stairs from the bell tower to the top. Don't bother turning off your music. (Movie!)
Look at how worn and narrow they are. I had to keep my eye on the gum so I wouldn't get vertigo.

We finally made it to the top!

     We worked up quite an appetite! So, we decided to go to the official Früh Kölsch house just a few steps from the Cathedral.  There we had a Schweinekotelett dinner (pork chops with an herb butter sauce) and the official drink of Köln.

You bet that was amazing! - We split it to be cost effective.

After that we walked around, enjoyed the Rhine River at night then headed to this bridge.

Lovers have attached locks on the fence of this bridge for decades. Do you see the cathedral in the background?

 I realized as we were looking at all the locks that, I too, had a lock! It was in my little travel purse! Awesome!!!

Mine is the little black travel lock with a combo.  Of course I would have a spare TRAVEL lock! haha!

    It had been a fun adventurous day but it was time to head home.... AND QUICK! We ran across the bridge past the cathedral, to the train station and waited one minute for our train.

    (I think that is my favorite part about being in Europe in general.  Making it to trains and buses.  Anna in Sweden was famous for this.  She lived half a block from the bus stop but it seemed like no matter how much warning there was we were always running two minutes before the bus came.  Some times with no shoes on! ... but we always made it!!!  ... and we got some extra exercise. Hehe! As you may be able to imagine that is very different from my lifestyle in Los Angeles.)

    Most of the rest of my time in Wuppertal was filled with hanging out with my two new friends,  jogging, listening to music and hanging out like if I was in middle school (before I could drive).  

Seeing the sights in Wuppertal! Good thing my eyes were open.

Fall was magical there! We went on a walk to a near by forest.  That day was a bit colder than the last so we sat there, in the middle of the forest and just watched the leaves fall like rain drops.  The sun was shining through the tree tops creating a natural mosaic stained glass looking window and leaves, leaves falling so delicately almost like little butterflies. 
 There are no proper words to describe sitting there soaking up nature being so magical.

    One night we went to Dusseldorf to hang out with my roomie's friend who had just come back from Scotland that day. She had made this incredible spread of food to munch on. It included fresh tomato, basil, mozzarella tray, an exotic cheese tray, fresh bread and a fresh meat tray. She was beyond hospitable. (If you're reading... thank you so much!!!) We spent that evening at her place talking and playing poker.  I had never played before and I had no idea what beat what so she printed me out a paper.

This was all I needed.... .... to WIN!!!!      .. proper.....      the next day.....

My roomie wasn't very good a playing along for the photo. They were all supposed to act like they were asleep. 
I guess it was sooooo funny! She was laughing in all of them.  Haha! :p

The next day I cleaned them out at home! I won all and triumphed with my Swedish horse! (That's how we do it in Sweden.) If you notice, my hand is NOTHING! but I won all! Nicely done, Nicole! Nicely done!

This might be what a home made meal in Germany looks like.

     One of the most important thing about my stay in Wuppertal was that I had two huge epiphanies while I was there. Two HUGE self awakenings. One I was partially aware of but it was completely confirmed. The other I wouldn't have realized until I fully excepted and understood the first.  It's strange how being alone traveling allows this to happen.  I guess there is always time to think and always a new hurdle to cross with yourself.  In any case I enjoy it.

    Yes. So after a couple weeks of nonsense (and other) in Wuppertal it was time to head on.

     It was Halloween and a pretty cool band from the states, M83 or as we decided in German "M Drei Achtzig", was playing in Cologne for 32 Euro, about $50. I was to go with some other CouchSurfers.  It's always a sad day leaving each place but I always cheer myself up knowing I'm going to another amazing place. 

      Here is a photo and video from the concert:
 

We all had mustaches.

   It was really fun coat checking Wally!  You should have seen the look on that girl's face! Mwahaha!

(Movie!)

       As you can see the concert was amazing! 

       After the concert we found my CS host's place which was only a few blocks from the venue.  We chatted a bit then went to bed.  He was a pilot and had to leave for work at 7 am even though it was a national holiday. Ultimately I only had 3 hours of sleep.

     I went back to the train station to sort my hair and face out.  I took a small nap at the HBF or main station in some lounge they had.  My friend from Wuppertal was supposed to meet me around noon.  That didn't happen. By the time she got in touch with me I would have been able to hang out for one hour and hit the road. 

     I decided to walk around and see a little more of Cologne with Wally despite the rain.  I walked and walked looking for some Schnitzel to fulfill a friend's request.  Everything was closed or would be awkward with Wally.  Eventually I found a cute and extremely expensive cafe right across the street from the cathedral.  I was willing to pay a bit extra to enjoy my coffee while I took in the greatness of the cathedral's size.  This monstrosity started being constructed in 1248 and wasn't finished until 1880. Yep! That's 632 years!  It's towers are 515ft tall.  That number doesn't even do it justice. Maybe this does it justice! 

The view from almost the highest pedestrian point of the cathedral.

Cologne's skyline of almost the highest pedestrian point.

 

     You know, I don't think these even do it justice.  There was still more physical tower above us.  When I was up here almost felt like I was in the Dusseldorf TV tower which was constructed in 1981 over 700 years after the Cathedral was started.  The TV tower is 572ft tall which is only 70 ft taller than the Cathedral. How did they do that?!  Anyway, I guess you get my point. 

    So here's my posh coffee:

I was sitting there feeling like a toddler with a 7 ft adult peering over me: small. Well, not peering over me; watching over.

     I decided I wanted to go back into the cathedral and relax there.  I wish there was a sermon going on.  After all, it was All Saint's Day.  Unfortunately none of that happened. 

    I would have been overjoyed!  I walked around a bit, took some photos and videos and then sat down and listened.  Listened and took it all in.

Prayer candles

    I had a lot on my mind.  A lot to think about. Some how here I found serenity.

    It's what they designed this masterpiece for right?

The main entrance was behind me and the alter where I was hoping for a service in front.

Wally and me hanging out.

     After a while of sitting I felt a sudden chill.  I thought that was strange in such a large open place.

     Maybe it was just in my imagination?

Dang it! I brought my eye balls this time but forgot my teeth!  'Twas quite cold!

     Nope! When I finally got up and walked outside it was raining pretty hard.  So much for hitchhiking! I opted to jump on the next train and try to see where I could get without a ticket. Long story short I saved 10 euro out of 40 euro.

     Where was I off to?  Stay tuned!  The next place is pretty magical.