lauraworthy

Sick!

2007-10-10T06:09:00.000-07:00

So.

I forgot to post some important photos from Rome so this is an excuse to make another blog entry. Unfortunatly yestarday I awoke with the beginning of a cold and today I think it has become a throat infection. I am aching and slightly feverish. Hence I will not be going to Venice but will enjoy my last days in Italy reading and resting.

My sickness was no excuse for me not to visit the Firenze leather market. This morning I picked up some small gifts. But truely I have spent more money on myself this trip than anyone!

oops!

So enjoy the photos.

Caela & I returning from the market:

Rome. Don't be decieved the bright plastic looking columns are not real they are to simulate what once was there. The ruins are very remarkable!

Italia!

2007-10-07T10:39:00.000-07:00

I have not even posted photos from Austria but that will have to wait seeing I am so enamored with Italy and have so far taken close to 300 photos here. I have just collected all my photographs and the total count is 813 since August. 20th!
Caela, Matt and I went to Rome for the weekend. I am still dizzy.

The photos posted below are from an afternoon in Pisa, two days hiking the breathtaking Cinque Terre region in the North west of Italy right along the coast of the Med., and this past weekend in Rome. I am going to stay here for several more nights as I have many galleries to visit and paintings to oggle at! Then it is off to Venice for the Biennale and a couple boat rides. Then london. Then Home!

The best Gelati with our wonderful new friends from Belgium! (photo by Audrey)

Fun in Firenze, Italy!

2007-10-04T15:22:00.000-07:00

Enjoying a beer on a 15th C. Palazzo in Florence Italy. I endured a beautiful but challenging hike through Cinque Terre and tomorrow head to Rome with my friends Matt & Caela for the weekend!

Click on the image to open in a new window- it is animated!

Finally! A LOT of Pictures!

2007-09-22T14:58:00.000-07:00

(Don't worry, there are A LOT of photos so it may take a while to upload)

But first... I just arrived in Krakow, Poland, late at night, so I have not seen anything. But, I show up to the hostel which is nicely right across from the train station and believe me as much as this bike is awesome it can be a real pain going up and down stairs and crossing busy streets. So, the first thing the people ask is, "are you hungry we have dinner ready," and "would you like tea or coffee." This place is fantastic, free everything! including laundry and considering I have only done 2 loads of wash in 30 odd days I was pretty excited!

Now I sit here with some tea and a full belly of food uploading pictures for those who care to see. As I look through the past cities I have been to happy times are remembered and confidence in myself is instilled again. I admit, this has not been an easy trip, but a great one.

BERLIN (a bit more):

DRESDEN:

MUNICH & DACHAU(concentration camp):

PRAHA (a most beautiful city):

Praha 2!

2007-09-17T11:27:00.000-07:00

Again! no pictures... I don't think I will get to until Krakow because the computers here don't let my camera plug in.

I am in Praha! (prague to us) I arrived yestarday after a glorious trainride out of the Blackforest thru Nurnburg and across the Czech border. I arrived safe with my new bike to find that Praha is all hills up and down in all directions. My bike is parked in storage until Poland... I arrived at a repulsive hostel and stayed hardly 12 hours before I checked in to The Czech INN hostel. It is posh, and above all-Clean! I always feel more comfortable to be sleeping in fresh sheets and not someones day olds. I have seen a lot already, amongst the tourists tracks. The city is truely remarkable. It is beautiful! (I wish I could post pictures.)

A snickers frozen treat 20KC (crowns)
Dinner was 90KC
A HUGE beer is around 30KC

Wich all adds up to about 7 canadian dollars. Very cheap! I imagine I will ditch this killer muscle body I have newly discovered for a beer gut.

I have several castles to visit, Charles Bridge, Franz Kafka Museum, a few out of town day trips and a free Lo-Li-Fnk concert on Friday. It is going to be a nice 5 nights here!

XO

goofy!

2007-09-15T07:04:00.000-07:00

Hi!

So, David called me an INVETERATE GOOFBALL the other day! At first I didn't believe him but after today I totally agree. As I have shown already in pictures I am a sucker for Europes amazing flohmarkts and farmers markets. Well, today i went several miles on the tram out of town, walked 25 minutes along the country side and found a giant flohmarkt that was on a horse track! This isn't even the good part! This morning I put 50E in my pocket and had a feeling it would be gone by the end of the day. I had this feeling to bring it with me. I walked through the whole market and bought several cheap things, like some gloves, a bag, more sunglasses ect... And then, I see this bike! Orange, old european, foldable, with a bell, a light on the front and back, and two gears! I try speaking with the man selling it but he is Bavarian and speaks NO english. We work out a bit of sign language and I finally buy it for 40E and he throws in a bike lock and says in broken English, 'you, very happy happy?'
And I was! and still am!
I rode back along the country road beaming with pride and singing loud!

I am planning to take this bike along my next stops, Prague, Krakow, Vienna, Salsburg, Venice and then to Florence! I will sell it once I get there.

Sorry I cant post pictures right now these computers at the hostel won't let me plug in. I am in Munich, leaving for Prague tomorrow. Yestarday I went to Dachau concentration camp and last night I swam in Munich's Olympic pool from 1972! I am homesick and happy and happy!

XOXO

BERLIN!

2007-09-09T08:33:00.000-07:00

I thought this would be my favourite place, but it isn't. I am having fun regardless! I love the history here and the food, though it makes me a bit sick (Turkish Pizza!!!).

Here is a summary so far on this trip:

favourite drink: Bionade
favourite city: Amsterdam
favourite memory: breakfast with Sven & Julia in Hamburg every morning!
& renting a bike for 24 hrs. in Amsterdam!!!
favourite coffee: Berlin (surprised!)
favourite food: Mr. Kebab in Hamburg (I could marry that place!!)
favourite song to listen to while walking: feist, I feel it all
favourite musician to listen to on the train: Wim Mertens
favourite artwork: films by Salvidor Dali in London
favourite painting: Meredith Frampton, Marguerite Kelsey 1928

I head to Dresden on Tuesday, then Munich for 3 nights then to Prague!

Church of Good Will!

2007-09-06T10:24:00.000-07:00

A great story of an artist who built a 'church' on the other side of the port in a neglected area of Hamburg. It is not a sanctified church but an artwork that was intended to bring attention to this area of town. To encourage people to inhabit it and build a creative community with new ideas. He finds srap wood all over the city and builds his art of of this.
It was a hike to get across the water, actually a long ride under the water in a tunnel. I am tired!

Sunshine!!! finally.

2007-09-05T16:22:00.000-07:00

A beautiful day in the sunshine of Hamburg Germany with Julia. The city reminds me of Vancouver it many ways, in many ways not though but more so than anywhere I have visited.
I am practicing my German as I have to staying with friends that do not speak regular English.

What a blast to have a couple beers, wine and 8 varieties cheese and go at the German language for a good couple hours!

All I learnt is this,

Tschüss
it means bye!!! pronounced choose.

ps.
I think my English is failing as I carefully pick my words to use with locals.

Ich spreche kein Deutsch!

2007-09-04T02:56:00.000-07:00

I am now able to upload pictures as I have a good computer to use now. I arrived yestarday in Hamburg, Germany greeted by a beautiful friend of mine that was on exchange in Canada 2 years ago. I have not seen much so far but have rested because as much as traveling is exciting it is a lot of work also. I cannot get over the physical shape I am in at the moment, it is most remarkable. I feel the most fit I have been in 5 years! My legs are as hard as rock and I now have no trouble tossing my bag on my back, a small one of the front and going out to conquer a large flight of stairs in the train stations!
There is a lot of visual information below-an update of memorable photos from the past 3 places I have been. I hope they are enjoyable! When I return home I will try to host a "night with artist" where I can go through the photos and tell stories.
If I do not have your mailing address please send it via e-mail and I will send a postcard! lmmacdonald@hotmail.com

My last day in London. I went to a magnificent flower market that made me smell like bird of paradise and roses the whole day! I was in love there.

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Ah Paris, I was sick, homesick, sad and lonely- but I am so happy I was there!

Brussels in Belgium! I went to a bar that had 2013 different types of beer! Ian, I thought of you, you would have loved it!

I loved Amsterdam! I spent several days there and during my stay I enjoyed the best 24 hours of my life! I rented a bike and swiftly rode up and down the tiny streets dodging people, cars, dogs and cafes. I didn't take many pictures while I had my bike, some things you just cannot capture but my memories are strong!

Dank u wel Amsterdam!

2007-08-31T23:51:00.000-07:00

(No pictures for now, sorry! The computers are too slow)

Last night was most enjoyable.

Dinner from the supermarket= 7E.50
A Baguette (unfinished to save for lunch tomrrow)
Russian Egg Salad (only cost 78cents)
Tin of Olives
Borsin Cheese (so cheap here)
Paprika Chips
2 Amster Pilsners

I sat in Vondel Park and ate, watching the rollerbladers and hundreds of bikers pass. Listening to the best of Wim Mertens and kind of disapearing into the whole park. I proceeded dinner with a trip to the FILMMUSEUM (quite well know) and watched the most remarkable Mathew Barney's Creamaster 1&2, a 6E.50 well worth the watch!

Amsterdam is lovely and you don't have to just be here to smoke pot and watch the women try to tempt you from the street window.

next stop: Hamburg!

Bruxelles!!!! ah a ah

2007-08-28T12:37:00.000-07:00

Techno-Gay Men, Chocolates + Waffles + Beer.

I was sitting in a hipster bar having dinner and drinks and reading my book, I am reading "My Uncle Oswald" by Roald Dhal and I read this pharagraph.

"I love when my father got himself worked up like this. Listening to him during those years, I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusisast in life. He taught me that if you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good. Hot is no good either. White hot and passionate is the only thing to be."

The author was refering to wine in France, regardless at this point I feel strongly about those words.

I miss home but this place is nice.
I have 5 nights in Amsterdam coming up for 166.00 E, Ouch!

love and hugs

neon food fashion & fun!

2007-08-25T14:10:00.000-07:00

Today was a rough one. The English may be rude, but they know how to drink!
We got home at about 4 and of course as I miss home I rang David to talk and babble on and on, trying my hardest to act sober.

I couldn't ruin my day today just because I drank so hard last night; so, the fool I might be ventured out into one of the busiest markets in the UK-Camden Town market. I wish I took more photos but everytime I moved a little too quickly I thought I was going to be sick. There were at least a million people in this area that seems to never end. Thrift stores jammed, food, food, food and more food. I am a bit cheap on this trip so I didn't blow the bank, only a pair of sun glasses. Finally the sun came out today after a week of rain!

Tomorrow I head to Paris!

Tourister Touristy!

2007-08-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

I arrived in London Tuesday the 21st around 1pm. My flight was scheduled to leave Vancouver at 6pm but was delayed several hours which made for an even longer journey. As I sat on the plane waiting for my seat mate I eyed everyone down hoping some of them would not sit beside me. A young guy from Summerland (living in London) sat down. The first hour was great, he gave me a lot of insight on London and was full of opinions of the people, prices, and destinations. After 2 hours I was ready to pull the emergency exit and push this guy out. He would not stop talking just for talking sake. Each move he made he would describe why or just make senseless commentary, and laugh and make immature ridiculous hand gestures and facial expressions... He ended up getting a bit drunk and popping some Vallium and he was out like a light!

I couldn't sleep on the flight and had not slept since the night of the 19th so I was a bit of a zombie in London. Pat and Lili were there to greet me and after a 3 hour nap we were already headed to the bar! Pat lives in a pretty hip area of London and man are the young folks out of control with their fashion!

Yesterday I went to the Tate Modern. Dali had a exhibition including 6 of his films which were most impressive. My favorite work was that of Meredith Frampton a 20th C British painter. (I was surprised that one stuck with me) Oh, also Francis Bacon had several paintings that were overwhelmingly captivating.

The English women are quite rude. They have no sense of personal space and feel comfortable stepping in front of me while I am viewing art from just a foot away. They have no patience for explaining anything and seem as if they think you should just 'know it'!

Today I did the full tourist meal deal. London Bride, Waterloo Bridge, Thames River, Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster, Trafalgar... one street after another full of history I am only just beginning to truly appreciate. History makes more sense to me as I am standing right in front of its remains and not leafing through a book. I realize I took for granted my art history lessons and would (possibly) love to have a chance to take them over, it is only one thing to regurgitate a date, place, artist, medium but it is even greater to understand the why and the how. (I obviously didn't)

I plan to be here until the weekend. Traveling this weekend is a bit prices as it is Bank holiday. Paris is next and then I have a euro rail pass to three countries (Germany, Holland, Czech R.) and then down to Italy.

I don't really miss home but I think about it often.

goodbye and love,

LAURA

Leaving for EUROPE!!!!!

2007-08-19T22:32:00.000-07:00

and I HAD to get fish n' chips before I leave! Now the night before my 10 hour flight I am laying on the floor with a grease overload!

I will be keeping this blog as up-to-date as possible while I am away. Posting pictures and stories. Please write e-mails still as I love recieving them!

XOXO

530 Okanagan Blvd.

2007-07-23T12:59:00.000-07:00

This is what I have been up to in between relaxing- gardening!
I am really going to miss this place when I leave.

Never-Matter-Land

2007-07-02T12:53:00.000-07:00

Last week was so far the best weekend of my summer.

If I was rich, I would live there all summer and live in my big city penthouse the other part of the year.

Happy Bithday Kevin!

2007-06-16T12:02:00.000-07:00

Shauna, Keep on putting people in their place!

xoxo

Blue Moon Ride

2007-06-01T16:16:00.000-07:00

Top Score: 52 people came out for the full moon cruiser bike ride! The regular cruiser ride is on Monday! Last night was insane and fun, however, I do miss the good ol' days with the smaller group!

This Monday is also the mustache party at Sturgeon Hall! David and I will be there playing musicplease come because I even grew a stache!

My last summer in Kelowna

2007-05-29T15:35:00.000-07:00

And I really need,
a new lightbulb for my bike, a light tan and a couple afternoons with a thighmaster!