Sire Elrick

Politics. Rants. Rhetoric. Watch for mudslinging.

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Travel Blog - July 2nd - Inverness

Apparently I'm too aloof of news for my own good - first there was a bombing scare in London with two car bombs that didn't go off when I got to Dubline, then while in Glasgow, there was some big to-do at the airport. I arrived by rail, so I wasn't at any real risk, but I did notice a nice handful of police and yellow jacketss around. This morning I made it out by 8:30, thanked the lovely girl at the front desk and made my way to central station, on the time mentioned on the schedule, and found I was in the wrong station. I made it to two Boots after all. (yeah hairdryers!) On the way I saw my first street violinist, playing Scottish traditional. Getting coffee and then spilling some on my coat all the way there, made it to Queen's station, not that far from central, even within view of George's square. I was tempted to buy a paper, but I found I was going to just make the 10:10 to Inverness. I was able to stay awake most of the ride, tit was a stupendous ride. Had a nice how-de-do with a lady and her kid. Everytime they told each other to look out the window, I snapped a picture. I made it until the last hour to half hour, then I was nodding until we pulled in to the station. I had the most lovely prawns and mayo sandwich, rather similar to good egg salad. Coupled with apple danish and orange-mango-cinnamon tea at the "Pumpkin Bar." I was trying to figure out who was singing on the radio, but got a good 30 pages read on Hobbit. I couldn't help myself at the Victoria Shop across from the station - I bought some celtic music and tapestry of funny gaelic/english translations, as well as ordered a family coat of arms. I decided I'd try my luck finding the hostel and enjoyed the view of the walk - big blue sky, amazing clouds, and far off mountains. At the hostel I had a nice chat with the guys at the front desk, and the first one had been at Glasgow airport and detained. He talked about the delays and officials handing out ponchos in the downpour for those stuck in the rain, and the good attitude of all those there of at least being ok. An accent snuck it's way into our conversation as the second guy came and I asked where I could get money. I deposted my items in the room, no one was there yet. I wanted to make the bike tour, but it was already 5:10 so I walked down the river side and explored the outside of the shops. I was hungry by the end of one branch, so walking back I looked for a fish & chips place, found an Indian one that served pizza. Got a prawn pizza with chips in korma sauce, a mild yellow sauce akin to honey mustard. Had a nice conversation with the guy there. I think I confused him with my accent, I just said I was from North America. He was very pleasent, but I think the boy who came in while I was there annoyed him. I carried the pizza and chips all the way back to East Gate, and I sat down and ate a couple of pieces near the shopping center down one of the side streets. Other people started doing the same with all the benches around. They played old Green day over loud speakers, and I watchd a girl sweeping garbage outside of a Costa. A seagull eyed my food, expecting dinner. I carried what I didn't eat with me into the Morrison's, (much like a Kroeger's, or Sainsbury Center) and found Jaffa cookies - I had gotten money outside, but I needed change, so I got the cookies and water for just under a £. I came back and ate the rest of my food ouside, watching a father play hide and seek with his little girl. I'm still trying to distinguish accents of the four places to no luck. Maybe a little. I watched the last half hour of "the last 100 days of Tony Blair" and crickled my empty water bottle when Bush spoke. The guy next to me looked over occasionally, but did not return my gaze. A guy behind me, kind of cute, looked up when I left. It's past 9pm and it's still incredibly light out. Part of me wants to walk, or drink, but not really wanting to enquire to other suite mates. Various ages, all alone, and I think one is possibly French. I end up closing the front down with internet use at 11pm, and go to bed last of all 6 suit mates.

Travel Blog - July 1st - Glasgow

Good 9 hours sleep. Took my time getting up, until about 10 am. Went over and asked the desk directions to the nearest internet cafe, went to the one on the way to Glasgow Uni. Saw a Methodist church on the way, debated whether or not I wanted to take on the service, I was about on time. Took the long way around, saw outside of Botanical garden. At the Univeristy, talked to a lovely guard at the gate, asked for info. Went to visitor center and got post cards as well as post graduate prospectus. Ate lunch in front of Hunters's Museum, part of the University. Looked at University garden's marked class rooms and Adam Smith building. Took very round about way to Park Circus, tried to find the Geneology center, no luck. Went through the back way first, very lovely and overgrown. Rained off and on, got cool then hot. Found some stairs next to a street leading down, followed those, decided against Mckintosh exhibit and foudn the "Historionics" exhibit, I think it was the contemporary exhbit the girl at the front desk was talking about. Took plenty of pictures of George's Square in the rain. Found a £ store and could only decide on diet Irn Bru, water, and green sunglasses. Tired and wet, I wanted to give up and go back to the hostel, but I heard some music and headed towards it, thinking of the Jazz fest. The music was coming from a bar, but it was a dry place, a seat to sit, and Jameson to boot. I sipped a shot and read to ease my nerves and rest my feet. Football played on the plasma tv and I thought of the museum's exhibit I had just seen on sectarian violence over teams and backgrounds, Irish v. Scottish. (I had debated at the time over leaving a note on the board in the exhibit about Cubs v. White Sox, or Suburbs v. Chicago.) I was a little disturbed by the random weapons people (mainly kids in school rooms) used to taunt and injure the "others." I finished my one shot at the bar and decided I'd try to find stores on the way back to the hostel, but came across the darkened Scottish Music Center, a place full of desks, sheet music, posters and... I thought I saw cd racks, but can't remember. I went across the street and found a coffee shop called "Tinderbox" and relented on my cheap food idea I wanted to get from the market clear across town, and possibly closed. I got a coffee with espresso shot and lemon pinenut torte. Creamy yet subtle comfort food, excellent. I sat and read, and then decided to get their carrot and corriander soup. Good choice. I had asked the girla at the front about the music scene there, or Scotland in general, and she said she might be able to help me if I gave her some time, as she slowly jotted down some names. While I was eating my soup, she gave me more. Then she stopped by (all this was over a long period of time) and talk to me about Tolkien, since I was reading "Trees and leaf" Didn't want to leave the place, but still wanted to find a place that sold shaving cream. Sainsbury local does not. Boots and Sainsbury Central were closed, so I want west towards that now familiar corner that wraps back around to Garnet, and I can find my way back to Buccleuch. Moss grows everywhere in the oddest forms, like little sponges, fur-like, outcroppings I can't describe. Also in the water closet, the shower reminds me of my Dad's ion our basement at home, complete with the PCP piping. I see men in the streets that could be my grandfather's brothers. I see mainly Indian and Italian immigrants here, relatively assimilated.

Travel blog - June 30th - Glasgow

Thankfully the headache is minimal, but I don't know if my alarm actually woke me or I dreamed myself awake. Showered and out of it, I got out of Avalon around 7am. I make it to the station by 7:25. The ride is beautiful, I get a table area (four chairs facing each other around an oblong oval) Still doozing yet reading I take pictures while reading "The Hobbit" I didn't have time to repack things until Belfast. Drizzly and misty there, but I'm determined to walk to the ferry. I stop at St. George's open market and have the most amazing sweet potato salad and salmon cake. The lady was pleased I liked it. The walkway to the ferry was mildly confusing, but I had several people, at the station, the inland ferry, two officials and a nice cabbie say I should get a ride. The cabbie finally won me over after about 2/3 the way there, he offered a free ride. (Talking to the police man, I found I let a little odd accent show, don't know what kind. His smile made me think of Michael Caine. He was awfully nice.) I asked the lady in front of me if the line she was standing in was for tickets. She made a remark about the timeliness of the service, but let me go in front of her when I admitted I was trying to leave on the 12:20. Thankfully the receptionist could get me on still. The Ferry left around 12:30ish. Fascinating to see how many women looked like Mom, my sister in law and little mes I saw everywhere. Napped in the "Quiet room" most of the way. Asked a gent when I got off how to get to the train, couldn't understand a word he said, delightfully thick accent. The bus he pointed me to was the only bus left in the lot after a while. People on board buzzed complaints and speculation. Finally after several odd comments from the guys with the yellow jackets, they gave us directions to switch buses, possibly the engine in the first one overheated. (It was an odd silence) The new bus took us all the way to Ayr, mainly along the coast. I am in love with Straenear - it reminds me of a place I've often dreamed of. In the rain there's a glow on the horizon, there's hills, then there's the rocky shore. I felt at home. Even the greenery reminded me of Duncan Ave. The hills made me think of the best combo of NY, MA and PA. We switched at Ayr and I almost forgot my big bag, I had been doozing on the bus as well. Picked up Prawn flavored chips, "butter bar" (tastes like brown sugar consistency mixed with fudge - love the condensed milk...) and water, ate later with rest of mushroom cap I had from lunch. (Which also included a great sweet potato salad and mediteranian veg in balsalmic vinegar.) The train ride was interesting, first the amount of different accents, then the lady - was mad over a wedding, I think was the explanation later by the ticket taker. She balled him out and prowled the isles like a pampleteer meets wild cat. I was one of her victims for the sake of my bags on the chair. The couple she singled out as not getting a seat because of me took one seat together - her on his lap, both smilingly. Again, nodding all the way to the station. I got out my map, see it's no good, and then give up and take a taxi. Turns out Margaret MacDonald house is only a handful of blocks away. So far the place makes me think of Chicago. Joe at the desk is chipper and cheery, and the music... could stay just for that. (good alternative, Scottish) I wouldn't mind living here - just need to learn how to pronounce things like "Buccleuch." I just heard Green Day playing on someone's stereo outside my window. I checked out a couple of streets before calling it quits for the night. I found music stores, clothes, and plenty of restaurants plus a local Sainsbury and "24 New Room" Get water, but no sign of internet cafes. Don't know what to do about the phone card thing. The sky was wonderfully magical, mysterious in its colors, the hilss could rival SanFransciso, and I had at least one guy offer to buy me a drink from behind. I smiled at the dark waiter hanging outside the Pizzeria who was bouncing energetically. He smiled. Perfectly Clear sparkling water is excellent - "Summer Fruits" raspberry, blackberry, black currant. Red a little more of the Hobbit before bed.

Travel Blog - June 29th - Dublin

I was smart before I setout for the morning - I wrote down directions to the one main area I wanted to see most. I woke when Frankie and John were leaving, about 7:30ish. Ian was kind of stirring, but not really. I took a shower and waited until 10 to 9 to wake him for breakfast. It was crowded and I burned myself on the hot water ( I over pushed the button) for tea. I sat with a German family who would awkwardly pass the jam with me. I finished the two pieces of bread and jam and finished planning in the room. Made it to Dublin castle, but didn't find an entrance, so I want to a tourist shop near it instead. Made it James Joyce Center. Like the man a lot more now. Had lunch at "Candy Cafe" since "Chapter One" next to the Dublin Writer's Museum was too pricy. Good tuna panini, sauce was similar to a bic mac. One of many places run by someone from outside of Europe. Took plenty of time at Dublin Writer's museum, lots of inspiration, actually sat down on a bench and wrote. Debated about price of books, thankfully there is Amazon. Heading back took too far a ways down Dame st and ended up getting dinner at the little coffee shop near the castle I spotted earlier - a sandwich to go (take away) coffee, and he was nice enough to give me a cookie for free. It was dinner time and I found him eating - he had a nice smile. Very good coffee. Checking out where Connelly was, I asked a gent from the parking there, and he led me straight to it, said he had stayed late for a retirement party. Also said he knew people in Aurora. When I got back, planning to have a boring evening, and check email to get to bed early for train in morning, Ian came by to ask if I was still interested in teh Literary pub tour. Bye bye frugality, heloooo Jameson. The crawl was fun, met Helen from Australia, does something similar to what's been explained of the Stevenson center at ISU. Helen's waiting to hear about certificate for PhD. Traveling with Iliona from Finland, we talked of surfing. Ian mentions he went to Costa Rica to surf and work, and it rained too much to be any good. He says best surfing is in Malibu, but too many people. Helen offered Perth in Australia. Cathy and friend (Tyran?) from Cape Town suggested go to South Africa. During that time I met a man and his wife from St. Charles, IL there on holiday, he now lives in Boston. The actors of the actual tour were great, learned a lot from the man/woman pair, and won a t-shirt thanks to a talk during the tour with Ian about Oscar Wilde's sports interest (boxing.) Afterwards Ian, Cathy, Tyran and I talked of horrid adolesent poetry, how the Catholic church scares kids, and politics (along with a very sweet mix of Galiana? Vanila liquer and black currant) first at the Dukes, then O'Neils, where at one of the twnety minute breaks Ian and I talked about his writing on pregnency, then environmentalism and the internet - how to make hippie stuff cool again in free market strategy. The second time round at O'Neils we talked of Tolstoy v. Dostiefsky while finding out how lovely Ireland's whisky is. Also gave whole plot of my story to Ian, probably best shortened version yet. (The female head figure for a boat hanging above the door to the porch was wearing a hoody.) We went dancing with Cathy, Tyran and two new friends, guy from Wales (?) and his girlfriend from Scotland. The place was dark and steamy with a cover charge to make you feel you pay to be a slave in the pit. The Scottish girl from O'Neils lovely, sweet thing, and let me have a puff of her cig, telling me I'd have fun in Glasgow. Rain was still there to greet us outside and showed us the way home. Ian and I were debate directions, but finally just picking a way, we stop to get a fried something at Lucianos (?) just up from Avalon. I was parched, so I got a water there. Place reminded me of La Bamba's, small, bright, foreign staff. When I had left Avalon there was only one other suite mate, from Belgium (Nicolaus?) and now the room was packed, it was about 3:30am when I finally got to bed.

Travel log - June 28th, Dublin

Landed late, got a Dublin pass good for tomrrow, things to do in the city discount. Tired and hungry on a drizzly gray day. My stomach still doing sommersalts after plane has long since landed. Got bus to city centre - don't know where Aungier St. is, walk a ways until I finally come across it. Stephen, guy at desk, very nice, good info. I got my "cage". I nap a little and have two cereal bars to eat. I've already finished Dorian Gray on the flight, working on "Through the looking Glass" by end of day, start Tokien essay. (What a long, tiring, eye-crossing flight.) Take a walk to find water and locate streets. Got water, found way back to hostel. Play internet tag for a while, finish Alice. Talk to some of other residents. Go back to room, thinking I'll eat and make pub crawl. Meet Ian and talk with him before John and Frankie (who I met briefly downstairs) All of us have various great discussions - from Feminism and literature, Bush and the Neo-cons to places to try and get to while in the city. We all then decide to go to O'Neils near by, John leads the way. We try outside, but still drizzly. By second drink I'm with all three on balcony with great local singers! We're all lovely and buzzed, wonderful craic. We get home after the second bar, and I find Ian has a great philosophy on Asian cooking - whatever you have, goes into the recipe. The machine downstairs is out of water, so I get a diet coke. I still like the large windows and the old architecture in the dark and rain, each corner of the cages, the pool table, the phones, and then the next room with the benches, the internet cafe and the tables for breakfast fill the huge space.