Misc. Musings, Vol. 3

First, I need name ideas for this series of quick hitter observational style posts. Previous names have been called "boring" and "too self-deprecating". Sheesh.

It was a bad call draining the last of my Czech Koruna, before I drained my.....well before I went pee at the Prague train station. I'm not going to the ATM so I can go to the bathroom! Felt like pulling a Big Daddy and just going right there by the money taker person. One thing the Midwest definitely has going for it is free restrooms, free water, free refills.

"Now it is your problem."

I'm really appreciating the nice little moments presented on this trip. On a comfy, smooth train across the Polish countryside, an absolutely stunning sunset shone right in my face. Now, my iPod has a lot of crap on it, but at that moment, shuffle played several terrific songs that just seemed to fit the situation. Band of Horses, Solomon Burke, The Killers, Country Mice . Of course, then Petey Pablo came on, which only works for 2004 road trips through the Carolinas.

People take too many pictures. Lady, the bus will stop in 5 minutes with that same damn view, only reflectionless! Dude, you've taken a picture of every photograph in this museum! Other lady, sure let us all wait patiently as you take FIFTEEN pictures out the one open window of the Nazi guard tower!

Nothing delights me more than watching someone get cut off by a fellow cyclist and his only option to vent his frustration is not a horn, but a little "ding, ding" bell sound.

"You know what's funny about Europe? The little differences." Example(s): solar energy seems viable here; in many cities people will not cross crosswalks until the green man is showing, even with zero cars in sight; refrigeration exists as but an occasional meager attempt; non-UK folk are dreadful at "queueing up"; the meat to bread ratio is severely lopsided the wrong way on sandwiches. I had several better ones but lost them. Really just wanted to make another Pulp Fiction reference.

Scottish folk have the best accent in this and surrounding galaxies as far as I'm concerned.

To drift back towards the realm of my intended budget, I sacrificed and went for a hostel's 6-person dorm the other night in Edinburgh. Mistake. The French smell, they just do. At least these two awkward young guys in my room did. Reeked like a moldy bag of Cool Ranch Doritos. Then an old man, I'm talking old, came in to bunk #3 and just sawed wood all night. Head under the pillow inducing snorer. The 4th guy, also suspicious, played with his iPod wheel, click click click, for about two hours. And then the girl on the bunk below me....well I think the USGS registered seismic activity when she got into bed. Oh well, I type this from the nicest hotel I've stayed in on this trip. Have to follow the bad with the good!

My/our planning for this trip would send several lovely people I know straight to Belleview. I don't have a reservation for tomorrow night. We've never had one further than 3 days out on this trip. So far, so good. I just chuckle thinking of an old friend/co-worker, Mallory, who insisted on having LAMINATED plans for each of her vacays.

As an American, you always need to be ready to take some criticism on foreign journeys. It hasn't been too bad, but there have been a few moments. Drunk Danish guy and girl in Amsterdam, snidely thanking us for the Afghan War as we left. Yes, because I'm a policy maker. I sometimes dwell on our country's foreign policy injustices to a fault. But I don't need someone from a small, homogenous, wealthy country telling me about it. Just a pet peeve. I could do an entire post on this interesting dynamic....but I'll spare you....for now.

A major source of current patriotism for me though? American beer. Damn straight. Germany and Czech Republic had really good pilsners, but the rest have been mostly crap. This trip just makes me realize how much I crave some hops! Don't be afraid of the hops Europe. The craft beer movement in America is something we can be proud of, haha. Looking forward to an Ad Astra or a Mac and Jack's or a Daisy Cutter or something upon my return.

I'm currently in Fort William, Scotland. The UK part of my journey is alone, at least until London. I miss having a travel partner like Ben, but it can also be a nice change of pace to go it alone for short periods. Not a knock on Ben, happened with the Wildeens, happens with everyone. But the phrases "doesn't matter to me", "you decide", "I could go either way" are now extinct. The only person who can put rocks in my pockets is myself, so we'll see how that turns out! Attempting the Great Glen Way starting tomorrow, a 79 mile hike! Picturing idyllic strolls and being regaled at night by old Scottish bartenders over a glass of whiskey. Here's hoping the reality isn't rainy death marches and sleeping under a bridge! 

No rhyme or reason for these 4 pics, I'm tired. Though the last one is where I am now.

.