I'm as good as gone!

We have to get up at 4.30 tomorrow morning – argh!
Anyway, we'll be staying neither at Rolly's nor Jan's place but with Sibylle's boyfriend's cousin… A woman who doesn't know us but who's ready to take us in with only 24 hours notice! I already like her! *g*

We'll put our luggage into storage for the day tomorrow and go do some exploring. In the evening we'll probably go to the movies with Julia (our hostess) – and after that we'll just see…

But 4.30 – that's just inhuman! lol

Take care – I'll tell you what happened when I'm back!

Complicated

Why can my London trip not simply go the way I want it to? Finally managed to reach Rolly (via email) and found out that he's now expecting people on Thursday. Which of course makes things a lot more complicated for us – now we have to try get a hold of Jan, a German guy living in London.
It's less than 36 hours until we're in London and we still don't know where we'll sleep… And we had to confirm our tickets today – they're booked and paid for. So we *have* to go – and we will, and it will be great! I command it! lol
Seriously, I'm optimistic (one of my flaws I guess *g*) that everything will turn out okay in the end. I'll keep you posted!

London update

Sibylle's and my planned trip to London might finally work out! Unfortunately Rolly (guy I met in Namibia) is expecting visitors on Monday, June 17, so that we have to leave already next Wednesday instead of Friday. That makes finding a reasonably priced flight difficult – it's too late for EasyJet, so we have to hope to get a youth discount. But if we don't go now it won't be possible until fall, after my America trip – and we've both been wanting to go for months now!

Therefore, if Rolly is okay with us coming directly before his other visitors next weekend will find us in London – partying and shopping and just generally having a good time! I'd love to meet Martin (from Namibia) again, Sibylle has a friend there, too, and Antoinette (friend of a friend) lives in London as well – so we certainly won't get bored! *g*

Slight change in plans

Seems as if I won't be on my own for the whole six weeks, instead for only half the time. I thought that was a back up plan if Sibylle doesn't find anyone else, but yesterday it sounded like a plan to me.
Okay, actually looking forward to it – although it means that I have to go everywhere she has already been in only three weeks. I think I'll have to cut back on my visiting plans.
But shit, we're going to have fun! Specially in New York and then in Florida – we'll go clubbing like crazy! *g*
I'd absolutely *love* to visit Deb in Florida – that'd be awesome! I don't know exactly where she lives, but hopefully somewhere close to a beach… Now I only have to ask her if she's okay with that – she's going to have a baby and if it's too much for her we'll just stop by one day.

Gosh, can't wait for September! Specially since Rolly still hasn't answered my mail because of my planned trip to London, so that might not work out…

Update to my itinerary

Okay, this is not really majorly important – but I feel like babbling and no one is online so that I have to babble here… *g*

Anyway, added Cape Cod to my inner itinerary – gotta have some nature between all those cities! And it's supposed to be really beautiful – only problem is that a lot of places seem to close in September. There's this city, Princetown (or something like that) – I don't *really* want to stay there, but I will if necessary. Might have a good time there – although most bars are supposed to be gay, so no men for me… lol
Perhaps I'll do a day trip to Martha's Vineyard, supposedly one of the most beautiful spots of New England – and I'll certainly hike along the coast at least a couple of hours, the way I did in Banff, just following my nose and seeing where it gets me.

Okay, now I'm off daydreaming about sitting in the dunes, reading a book and listening to the ocean… Have I told you already how much I love the sea? *dreamy smile*

Because I feel like it!

Nothing new has happened but I already began to write this last night when my laptop once more crashed on me – and I refuse to let this spoil my fun!
Because it *is* fun to imagine where I'll go, who I'll meet – so here's my itinerary, not necessarily set in stone and in almost random order:

– Boston: You already know that one from my earlier entry. Besides, I'd like to see something of the seaside North of the city – I'm all about the sea! (Switzerland doesn't have any – one of the few things I really miss here.)

– Montreal: Didn't go to Quebec last time in Canada and I've heard good things about that city. Also my mom will probably be ecstatic that I'll have opportunity to practice my French. Do you think they speak English as well up there? *g*

– Toronto: Maybe. Because I didn't see a lot of the city last time and because Jules lives there and could show me around.
If I have too much time on my hands (as if!) I might go deeper into Ontario and visit Martha and Andy because staying with them was wonderful!

– New York: Duh, as if I could visit the East Coast without going to the Big Apple! Christine lives somewhere around there – perhaps she could show me something of the nightlife. (Note: Biggest drawback of travelling alone as a woman is not being able to go out at night – except of course if one is feeling suicidal… *g*)

– Washington DC: Another tourist must-see. In my case specially the Smithsonian! Plus, it'd be cool to see Nik, who works there – *if* he has the time…

– Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: To see Rhonda and Missy – isn't that reason enough? 😉

– Wherever Mike will live then: If he hasn't gone back to Africa by then I'd love to make good on the promise I made in Namibia and go see him!

– Las Vegas: Yes, I'm aware that it's not exactly on the East Coast – but it's just two days by bus and I had a lot of fun there last time! I could go see Jack and perhaps explore a bit more of the desert. And this time I'd even be old enough to go everywhere! *g*

– Gainesville, FL: Check out the university there and give them my application for an exchange semester. Doing that in person might help my chances.

– a beach somewhere in Florida: It'd be really cool to just chill for some days, enjoy the sea and the sun…

– Everglades: I've always wanted to see them – and seeing that this trip will be heavy on the cities it'll be good to get out for a while.

– Miami: Well, my plane leaves from there, so I'll probably stay a couple of days. Perhaps I'll meet up with Sibylle and whoever she'll be travelling with – we leave almost at the same time for Switzerland, so that'd be really cool! (Nightlife, nightlife… *g*)

That's what's in my head so far – and I haven't even begun to search my guide book for other cool places yet! Oh my, six weeks are just not long enough…
But it's so wonderful to imagine everything – draws out the pleasure of travelling for months!

A step closer

Went online and made reservations at the Bosten youth hostel. Only four nights, because the thing is insanely expensive (sorry, but 30$ for a HOSTEL?!) – but after what happened in Vancouver last time I really don't feel like experimenting with the first accomodation of the trip! It takes some time to get used to being on the road on my own – and I don't want to spend that time in a hole in the wall, thank you very much.

Also checked out what my guide (Let's Go USA/Canada 99) said about Gainesville (where it's entirely possible that I'll spend a semester in fall 03) – and I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it would be such a hick town like most towns my uni has exchange agreements with – but it sounds like a really nice college town, just what I'm looking for. So perhaps it won't be so bad if after Cambridge (the one in the UK, incredibly expensive!) Boston also wouldn't work out…

Also I'll probably meet a couple of online friends in Pittsburgh – yay! Rhonda and Missy – watch out, girls! *g*

Welcome to my travel log!

Here you'll find accounts of my travels – I thought it'd be an easy and comfortable way to let my family and friends know what's happening when I'm away from home. It'll be in English so everyone can read it, for example the friends I've made on my travels so far…

There probably won't be a lot of updates here for the next months, since I'll be mostly at home until September 4. Then I'll leave for a six weeks trip along the East Coast of the US. I didn't visit that part of the country at all in 99 and there are a lot of places there that I want to see.

At the moment it stands like this: I booked my flight to Boston and the return flight from Miami (on October 13) and ordered a Greyhound bus pass. It's one for the whole of the US, since it would have been more expensive to buy one for the North and one for the South of the East. That of course means that I'm completely free as to where I go between arrival and departure – I love the thought that I could see the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas or California again, if I was only ready to spend a couple of days on a bus…

At the moment all I know is that I'll start in Boston, spend a couple of days there, check out some colleges if they'd take me as an exchange student (a dream of mine!), then head up to Montreal, perhaps see a bit of the country in between. But that's all I know – of course New York and DC are on my list, too, but I'm really free as a bird… Just the way I love it!

Namibia, Fall 2001

Here's the email I sent out after returning home from three absolutely amazing weeks in Namibia:

Hi guys!

I've been back from my annual big trip (this year to Namibia, in case someone didn't know…) for a week now, so it's probably time for answering all your lovely emails or just let you know how the trip was!

I've never before sent a group email, but since I'd like to share some of the pics my friend Sandra and me took I hope you don't mind – just this once… ;o) I have to send the pictures in two mails, they seem to be too big for hotmail – if you get them twice I'm sorry!

I hope everyone is okay, wherever he or she is at the moment! Let me know how you're doing!

Oh, in case I haven't told you yet – there were problems with my luggage (to be exact: with the absence of it), so I spent two of the three weeks without it – but I'll spare you the gory details of “the tragic epic of the lost luggage and the incapable airline staff”… ;o)
I'll just go through the pics quickly to show you how much fun and how many special experiences I had:
The first leg of the journey (to the north) our group was small, only four of us (Sandra, me and a couple from Germany, Martin and Alexandra) and the guide Bossie.



The very first night on tour we spent at a cheetah farm where we could watch them feed and even touch one of them – it was absolutely amazing! The guy beside me on the picture is Marco, the owner of the farm.


That was for me one of the absolute high points – we visited a Himba kral! The visit itself was a bit awkward (like going to a zoo..) but the Himba obviously liked us (specially the children), because they came to our campsite in the evening and despite our inability to communicate we had lots of fun! They even danced for us – and almost died laughing when Martin joined them!

After one week we returned to Windhoek, the capital, where we got a new guide and five more travelling companions. We set out to explore the south.


Supposedly the second biggest canyon in the world (after the Grand Canyon) – very impressive!


We spent two nights at the feet of the Klein Aus mountains. Most of us went for a small hike and were rewarded with an awesome view over the desert – but I think you guys are more interested in pics with people in them… ;o)
The people are: Bernd (Germany), my friend Sandra, Mike (USA), Tal (Israel), Helene and Christoph (Germany) and our guide Eckhard (Namibia, but German speaking). Not on the hike were Alexandra and Martin (Germany). So you see, except for Tal and Mike we all spoke German, which was a bit annoying for them – wasn't it, Tal? ;o)





The famous dunes of Sossusvlei were of course another high point. I loved it there – even if climbing the high sand dunes was damn hard work, but watching the sunset from dune 45 was defintely worth it! Also loads of fun was running down the side of the dune in a chain, almost falling because it got so fast… Btw, the two blond heads in the back of the group pic belong to Martin and Alexandra.

In Swakopmund our group changed once more – Bernd, Helene and Christoph left us and Rose (South Africa) and Martin (England) joined us for the trip to the North, specially the national park Etosha.


We had a morning in Swakop and used that for shopping. I was very happy, because I had finally gotten my backpack back! Btw, it's a miracle I have pictures of Tal smiling – she normally hid her face whenever someone tried to take one of her. (Yes, Martin?) ;o)






In Etosha we were really lucky and saw tons of animals – zebra, oryx, kudu, giraf, rhinos, lions (from afar) etc. But the best part for me were the elephants! The wonderful sunset pic was taken on the first evening there and I thought it couldn't get any better – but the next day we saw about four or five herds of those impressive animals! One even crossed the road right in front of our car – I was deliriously happy!



The last day in Etosha it was raining – probably so Sandra and I wouldn't miss Namibia so much when we came back home… ;o) Didn't work of course!
Sandra and I wanted to finish our films, so we started taking lots of people pics. Btw, Mike is hugging the Kleenex because he was sitting right under a leak… ;o)


The safari was supposedly “on participation basis”, which only meant that we put our tents up and broke them down and helped with the dishes… Here's the proof! :o)


On the very last day of the tour most of us went and hiked up Waterberg plateau. Luckily the weather cleared and it was really nice. (Mike, Tal, Eckhard, me, Rose, Martin)


no comment… You were one lucky guy, weren't you – hubby?! ;o)


Our farewell dinner back in Windhoek. I apologize for ruining the pic! ;o) I was tempted to keep it for myself, but since everyone except for me is smiling so nicely… We all ate Namibian game – I had Kudu, which has a very… interesting flavour… (me -urgh!-, Sandra, Mike, Tal, Martin)

Okay, I hope you enjoyed my rambling about my trip and are nice and jealous now… ;o) Of course except those of you still travelling – I WANT, TOO!!!! ;o)

Bye for now – hope to hear from you soon!

Love / Liebe GrĂŒsse,
Eva/Evi

PS. Tal – where are you now? How was the beach? Have you met lots of people? (But you still miss me, don't you? ;o) ) I'll write some things in German now – no offense, they're really not important! :o)

Sandra – klar bin i au im Oktober drbi! I bi jetzt dihei bis d'Uni afoht und usser ere Wiisheitszahnbehandlig (aua, will nit!) stoht nĂŒt Grössers uf em Programm! I bi an dr Judith ihrem Empfang gsi – sie het usgseh wie e PrinzĂ€ssin, sooo schön!

Martin – so you travelled Namibia on your own… Want, too!!!! Btw, the weather here is beautiful! *Sings “nananananaaa” in a very childish voice…* ;o)

Kathrin – gefĂ€llt Dir das Studium? Dich hat's also ganz in den Norden verschlagen… Hoffe, bald mal wieder von Dir zu hören!

Roman – wie isch d'Priefig gloffe, hesch s'Resultat scho? Du gohsch also ins WĂ€lschland – i bi beidruckt! Hoffetlig sehn mir uns vorhĂ€r mol no!

Debbie – thanks for your wonderful email! You're right, we all should tell people how much they mean to us!

Karin – hesch Di no bitz meh iglĂ€bt? Was fĂŒr e Erfahrig, mol nit als Tourist in e fremds Land go, sondern zum dött lĂ€be!

Mike – where are you now? In Paris? It's a wonderful city, isn't it? Hope to hear from you soon! And remember – Basel is only 4 hours by train from Paris… “Mach's gut!”

Daniel – ha ghört, Du bisch jetzt in Paris. WOW, so cool – möcht au!!! Bisch au schön am Franzi rede? ;o)

David – was machst Du im Moment so? Arbeiten? Lass mich wissen, was bei Dir so lĂ€uft! Hab gestern Dein Geburtstagsgeschenk abgeschickt – hoffe, es gefĂ€llt Dir! Falls Du mal Lust auf eine Reise in die Schweiz hast… ;o)

Everyone else – even if I have nothing much to say, I think of you, wherever you are!

America, August – December 1999

My four months in Canada and the US were just about the best time of my life so far – being on the road on my own really helped grow and become more comfortable with myself. Even after almost three years it's all still very vivid in my mind – which is why I still talk about it a lot… *g*

I won't go into too many details here – that would take hours… Just let me say that I started out in Vancouver and crossed Canada over to Niagara Falls. Then I went over Chicago and crossed the Midwest (Kansas City, MO, to be exact), stopped in Flagstaff to see the Grand Canyon and in Las Vegas, then went to California and traveled up from San Diego until Yosemite.

I spent a lot of the time staying with relatives of my mother that I didn't know and with friends that I also didn't know very well and had a lot of good experiences – also when I was completely on my own. I'm still in touch with a couple of people I met in hostels – mostly with Denise from New Zealand. She and her boyfriend let me ride with them from Santa Cruz to San Francisco and then up to Yosemite – and I definitely hope to visit them and their little daughter one day!

But since they say 'A picture says more than a thousand words' – here's a small selection of the 15 or more rolls of film I took in those four months:


Banff – the Rockies felt a bit like Switzerland, truth be told… So it was just perfect for me, since I was still getting used to traveling.


Invermere, on Lake Windermere – stayed with relatives there. This is one of my fave pics of myself – I spent a lot of time like that, just relaxing somewhere beautiful…


Well, this is obviously Niagara Falls – I really enjoyed the ride on the 'Maid of the Mist' and the falls just took my breath away! I think I took about two rolls of film there…


“Love and marriage…” *g* Well, I definitely enjoyed Chicago – stayed with a friend who'd done an exchange year in Switzerland for two weeks. Her family was really nice, took me in and treated me incredibly well!


That was one of the highlights – Jane had arranged a 'date' for me to go to the Homecoming Dance… Jason was doing me a favor, but he still did it right, opened car doors, paid dinner and insisted on dancing with me a couple of times (instead of with his friends) – a real gentleman!
I was all the more impressed because the day I'd spent at the high school had left me prejudiced about American school boys (think 'American Pie' and you have a picture about my day there)… *g*
The dress I bought in Canada, btw – and spent only 60 Canadian dollars, as opposed to the 200 American bucks or so the other girls all seemed to have spent… LOL


Jane and her the boyfriend Eric with me at the Brookville zoo – one of the few times I actually spent time with Jane, who was incredibly busy with school and all…


Around Halloween (obviously… *g*) I spent a couple of weeks in Liberty, MO, with a college professor and his wife – they really went through a lot of trouble to make me feel at home and keep me entertained! The excursion to the pumpkin patch was just one of many, many things we did when Ken and/or Phyllis had time…


The visit at a local open air museum (where they had rebuilt historic buildings into a village) was another thing we did. I really really loved my stay with Ken and Phyllis – despite the fact that there was not a lot for me to do on my own in Liberty I had an absolutely wonderful time there! For example I sat in on a couple of Ken's English Lit classes and discussed 'Utopia' (after reading it as a kind of voluntary homework – how did that happen? LOL).


Flagstaff was not just great because I got to see the Grand Canyon – it was also definitely the 'funnest' hostel, because through group activities (trips to the Grand Canyon and Sedona) I grew close to several great people. With the guy on the right (Simon, an Austrian) I then even traveled on to a place I hadn't really planned on going to…


Las Vegas. Aka 'Disney World for grown-ups'. Definitely another highlight! Simon got sick, but I had luckily met David, a Canadian, and we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly – without spending a buck for gambling! Well, I was still very, very underage then – but we had a lot of fun in the children's section of the Excalibur! I still have the dog David won for me – and I won one as well and gave it to poor poor Simon… LOL


The hostel was Vegas-style as well – it even had a jacuzzi as you can see! The guy on the left is David, the one in the back Simon – the others were from Sweden and I've forgotten their names. LOL


In San Diego I visited my former class mate Claudia (the one in the back with the blonde curls) and we had a great time together, enjoying California – and spending a Saturday night in Tijuana, Mexico… (Claudia, ??, Jessie, ??, Merlin, Jessie's mom, me and Sarah)


The obligatory L.A. pic… Took a tour from the hostel – was not overly impressed by the city, although the posh parts were sure fun… It's just too big for my taste.


I could hardly believe myself – it was Thanksgiving and I was sitting at the sea and watched the crazy folk at Venice Beach…


Pigeon Point. If I'd still been travelling by bus I'd never seen this beautiful place (and the hostel was right beside it – with a jacuzzi on the cliff…) – but thanks to Denise and Ross from New Zealand I had the chance to stay a night there…


In Frisco I stayed with relatives in San Mateo. This is the city I liked best – it has a really great atmosphere and I enjoyed it a lot!


To soak up the incredible nature America has to offer I spent a couple of days in Yosemite – Denise and Ross took me. It was quite cold at night and in the morning – but also breathtakingly beautiful and walked around for hours…

After that I spent some more time in San Fransisco – then it was over and I spent Christmas at home again… It felt strange but also good to be home – but it's definitely made me addicted to that kind of travel… The trip down the East Coast in September (2002) is definitely something I need! *g*