So a lot has happened since I last blogged. I will work my way backwards, like in Memento.
Today:
Currently I'm sitting beside a lake in the Czech Republic. I took my new bike out for a spin with Romana. In some ways it is better than my old one. The gears change more smoothly and the brakes are better. It can't compete in the sentimentality stakes though. The lake is quite beautiful and it was a lovely ride here.
Yesterday:
I actually did stuff today. Have applied for a international driving permit, gained access to my mygov account, uk bank account and looked into health insurance for the visa (well, Romana did). Romana also rang the visa office in Zlin and they didn't know much, except they probably won't give me a partner visa. I also went to buy a new bike. It was $200 Australian but it looks to be in good condition. Hopefully it will open up some possibilities for me and alleviate some boredom.
Last weekend:
On Saturday we went to George's leaving party. He is heading to Alaska for the summer to work. At the party he told us he probably isn't going now. He told us the story of how he was thrown in jail in Finland for trying to cross the border into Russia illegally. I will recount it as briefly as possible...
He had a forged visa and was on his bicycle. The visa was a print out from the internet that he found. He didn't have the relevant stamp which makes it valid so he got one from his local beekeeper. He went to the checkpoint but it was for cars only so he traveled down the road parallel to the border and found a path through the forest. He thought it was made by the locals who use it as shortcut around the checkpoint. He followed it deep into the forest. It turns out it is the path used by the border patrol, who caught him. They took him a few 100km back into Finland and threw him in jail. He ended up getting away with just a fine, and they'd actually taken him closer to the Czech Republic. I never found out why the beekeeper has a stamp.
The rest of the party wasn't particularly enjoyable for me. I don't speak Czech so I sat there scanning the conversations for words I knew. I heard rano (morning) twice and videt (see) once. Not a great strike rate.
On Sunday a bunch of us went to paintball. It was much better than the party for me. People would speak to me in English. When we were discussing our tactics they'd figure out what they were going to do then look at me and I'd tell them what I was going to do. Sometimes it fit in, sometimes not. It was really fun despite mostly losing.
Last friday:
We went to see the immigration police to get information about a visa. Her and Romana jabbered away in Czech and I just sat there. This was really frustrating for me as I couldn't ask any questions and it felt like my future was none of my concern. The lady knew basically nothing, except that it might be possible to get a partners visa.
Last week:
Ive done nothing. I have no job and no motivation.
The day after I got back to Czech:
Romana and her mum had to go to Olomouc for a work course, so I tagged along and had a look around the town. It is very pretty, with a few nice, big parks. I spent most of my time wandering the parks. I was going to go to a museum but it was an art museum. Not interested.
The day I left London:
I woke to find a message from anz saying my account had been compromised. $800 had been stolen. $80 had been spent on KFC online. I didn't even know this was possible. I got the train in to Victoria Station, where the bus to Stansted leaves from. While waiting for the bus a guy from a rival company told us the bus doesn't go from there. I figured he was trying to sell me a ticket on his bus. Classic travelers scam. I rushed to the coach station but was told I was too late. I bought a ticket on the next bus with the last of my cash and went around to the gate only to find no buses had gone yet, including mine, because there were no buses. The lady at the ticket counter didn't have a clue what was happening around her. Her computer said everything was fine and dandy.
About an hour after my original bus was supposed to go, it finally left. We spent the next hour fighting through traffic to get to Waterloo station. It took another half an hour to get out of London.
I used this time to harass anz on facebook, who called me. I explained that I was on my way to the airport and I would miss my flight and have no money to do anything because my card had been canceled. They made it so I can withdraw money. The anz social media team are top notch.
When we arrived at the airport I had 8 minutes before the gate closes. I ran to the desk to get my visa stamp and the lady gave me fast track. It worked as advertised. In my rush to get through security though, I forgot to take my watch off. So I had to go through the body scanner, which meant taking my shoes off.
I got through, looked at my watch and thought there might just be time. The gate was supposed to close 5 minutes earlier but they never do. I had no time to put my shoes on so I started to run in my socks all the way to gate 56, right at the end.
I dodged around people, darted up and down escalators, lost clothes out of my bag, got about half way and was knackered. It was way too late so I decided to walk. Then I saw a screen and it said it was final call - the red writing - so I took off again. I made it to the gate and ran past the man in fluro right as he was walking down to shut the gate. Somehow I made it, and they even let me put my shoes back on.
The night of the terrorist attack:
I caught up with my old flatmates. Charles and Ernesta were back from Amsterdam after their wedding, Prash was free for what might be the last time for a while after his news and Matt shook off baby duty. How times have changed. It was a good night. Matt, Prash and Ernesta left so it was just Charles and I when I got a bunch of messages. One about staying safe, one about avoiding white vans and another about staying away from the savages. It was obvious there had been some sort of incident. I turns out a van had plowed into people before coming to a stop outside the barrow boy and banker pub. Three dumbasses got out and went down the stairs next to the bridge into borough market, stabbing people in all the fancy restaurants before being shot out the front of the wheatsheaf pub. We weren't particularly worried. The tube didn't even shut. Bloody weird coincidence though.
The night before the terrorist attack:
I went to visit Div, Bjorn and Noah. Noah must be one of the best looking toddlers you'd ever see. He's definitely the tallest. We went to the pub for dinner then I set off home. At London Bridge Station I had to go to the toilet. I couldn't find one in the station so went out to find a pub. The barrow boy and banker wouldn't let me in, I assume because I looked too much like a barrow boy and not enough like a banker. I went down the stairs next to the bridge and went past some fancy restaurants on the edge of the market. Some were closing and some looked like they wouldn't let me in. I knew there was a normal pub around so I went through the alleys and found the wheatsheaf. It was chockers so I snuck in for a wee then went home.
Second week in London:
Romana has left and I am bored. I've decided I won't bother with working in London and go back to the Czech Republic to be with Romana. I know I had a plan to work in Asia, but this is why I don't like plans. I'd regret never knowing. Asia isn't going anywhere. Except maybe for the area around North Korea
The day Romana left:
It was a pretty horrible day today. Romana left. I usually hate goodbyes but this one was particularly awful. Romana asked me to make a decision on whether we should be together or not. I really couldn't make the decision so I decided I just wouldn't. I thought that would work but I guess it didn't. From her messages she took that as a no.
First week in London:
Romana and I have been doing touristy stuff. I've been getting ready to start work. I'm really really not keen. It's reminding me why I left London in the first place. Jorge has a place for me to live so that's good. He's charging us a hugely reduced rent which is even better.
I went to the wedding of Charles and Ernesta. It was unreal. It's actually my first catholic wedding. I had no idea that the priest does a coldplay impression for part of it. The reception was in little Venice. Because Ernesta is Lithuanian the reception was multilingual. Charles' mate Shaun got up for one of the speeches, fairly drunk and rattled on for a good 5 minutes. Then he remembered the interpreter and handed her the mic. She had an "oh shit" look on her face, but credit to her, she realised he'd said basically nothing so her interpretation took about 10 seconds. I didn't see too much of the bride and groom so we've organised a reunion of sorts.
Cesky Krumlov:
Romana and I went to Cesky Krumlov. It is a lovely world heritage town with the second biggest castle complex in the world (I think). The first is in Prague. We went on a walking tour and proceeded to stand in the hail being pummeled. It was a really nice weekend. On the way home we also visited Hluboka castle.
Tatras mountains:
Romana and I went to visit the Tatras mountains in Slovakia. It was very scenic. It did feel like we spent a lot of time on the train getting to the different villages though. We walked around strbske pleso (a lake) and went up one of the mountains. Unfortunately it was cloudy so the view wasn't great.
Czech Republic:
So I have a confession. I'm not just in Czech for the goulash. A romance was a brewin' in Malaysia with Romana. I've mostly come to visit her. I've been keeping it on the downlow because I don't want you to know my business.
I think that's about it. I can't upload many photos.
Today:
Currently I'm sitting beside a lake in the Czech Republic. I took my new bike out for a spin with Romana. In some ways it is better than my old one. The gears change more smoothly and the brakes are better. It can't compete in the sentimentality stakes though. The lake is quite beautiful and it was a lovely ride here.
Yesterday:
I actually did stuff today. Have applied for a international driving permit, gained access to my mygov account, uk bank account and looked into health insurance for the visa (well, Romana did). Romana also rang the visa office in Zlin and they didn't know much, except they probably won't give me a partner visa. I also went to buy a new bike. It was $200 Australian but it looks to be in good condition. Hopefully it will open up some possibilities for me and alleviate some boredom.
Last weekend:
On Saturday we went to George's leaving party. He is heading to Alaska for the summer to work. At the party he told us he probably isn't going now. He told us the story of how he was thrown in jail in Finland for trying to cross the border into Russia illegally. I will recount it as briefly as possible...
He had a forged visa and was on his bicycle. The visa was a print out from the internet that he found. He didn't have the relevant stamp which makes it valid so he got one from his local beekeeper. He went to the checkpoint but it was for cars only so he traveled down the road parallel to the border and found a path through the forest. He thought it was made by the locals who use it as shortcut around the checkpoint. He followed it deep into the forest. It turns out it is the path used by the border patrol, who caught him. They took him a few 100km back into Finland and threw him in jail. He ended up getting away with just a fine, and they'd actually taken him closer to the Czech Republic. I never found out why the beekeeper has a stamp.
The rest of the party wasn't particularly enjoyable for me. I don't speak Czech so I sat there scanning the conversations for words I knew. I heard rano (morning) twice and videt (see) once. Not a great strike rate.
On Sunday a bunch of us went to paintball. It was much better than the party for me. People would speak to me in English. When we were discussing our tactics they'd figure out what they were going to do then look at me and I'd tell them what I was going to do. Sometimes it fit in, sometimes not. It was really fun despite mostly losing.
Last friday:
We went to see the immigration police to get information about a visa. Her and Romana jabbered away in Czech and I just sat there. This was really frustrating for me as I couldn't ask any questions and it felt like my future was none of my concern. The lady knew basically nothing, except that it might be possible to get a partners visa.
Last week:
Ive done nothing. I have no job and no motivation.
The day after I got back to Czech:
Romana and her mum had to go to Olomouc for a work course, so I tagged along and had a look around the town. It is very pretty, with a few nice, big parks. I spent most of my time wandering the parks. I was going to go to a museum but it was an art museum. Not interested.
The day I left London:
I woke to find a message from anz saying my account had been compromised. $800 had been stolen. $80 had been spent on KFC online. I didn't even know this was possible. I got the train in to Victoria Station, where the bus to Stansted leaves from. While waiting for the bus a guy from a rival company told us the bus doesn't go from there. I figured he was trying to sell me a ticket on his bus. Classic travelers scam. I rushed to the coach station but was told I was too late. I bought a ticket on the next bus with the last of my cash and went around to the gate only to find no buses had gone yet, including mine, because there were no buses. The lady at the ticket counter didn't have a clue what was happening around her. Her computer said everything was fine and dandy.
About an hour after my original bus was supposed to go, it finally left. We spent the next hour fighting through traffic to get to Waterloo station. It took another half an hour to get out of London.
I used this time to harass anz on facebook, who called me. I explained that I was on my way to the airport and I would miss my flight and have no money to do anything because my card had been canceled. They made it so I can withdraw money. The anz social media team are top notch.
When we arrived at the airport I had 8 minutes before the gate closes. I ran to the desk to get my visa stamp and the lady gave me fast track. It worked as advertised. In my rush to get through security though, I forgot to take my watch off. So I had to go through the body scanner, which meant taking my shoes off.
I got through, looked at my watch and thought there might just be time. The gate was supposed to close 5 minutes earlier but they never do. I had no time to put my shoes on so I started to run in my socks all the way to gate 56, right at the end.
I dodged around people, darted up and down escalators, lost clothes out of my bag, got about half way and was knackered. It was way too late so I decided to walk. Then I saw a screen and it said it was final call - the red writing - so I took off again. I made it to the gate and ran past the man in fluro right as he was walking down to shut the gate. Somehow I made it, and they even let me put my shoes back on.
The night of the terrorist attack:
I caught up with my old flatmates. Charles and Ernesta were back from Amsterdam after their wedding, Prash was free for what might be the last time for a while after his news and Matt shook off baby duty. How times have changed. It was a good night. Matt, Prash and Ernesta left so it was just Charles and I when I got a bunch of messages. One about staying safe, one about avoiding white vans and another about staying away from the savages. It was obvious there had been some sort of incident. I turns out a van had plowed into people before coming to a stop outside the barrow boy and banker pub. Three dumbasses got out and went down the stairs next to the bridge into borough market, stabbing people in all the fancy restaurants before being shot out the front of the wheatsheaf pub. We weren't particularly worried. The tube didn't even shut. Bloody weird coincidence though.
The night before the terrorist attack:
I went to visit Div, Bjorn and Noah. Noah must be one of the best looking toddlers you'd ever see. He's definitely the tallest. We went to the pub for dinner then I set off home. At London Bridge Station I had to go to the toilet. I couldn't find one in the station so went out to find a pub. The barrow boy and banker wouldn't let me in, I assume because I looked too much like a barrow boy and not enough like a banker. I went down the stairs next to the bridge and went past some fancy restaurants on the edge of the market. Some were closing and some looked like they wouldn't let me in. I knew there was a normal pub around so I went through the alleys and found the wheatsheaf. It was chockers so I snuck in for a wee then went home.
Second week in London:
Romana has left and I am bored. I've decided I won't bother with working in London and go back to the Czech Republic to be with Romana. I know I had a plan to work in Asia, but this is why I don't like plans. I'd regret never knowing. Asia isn't going anywhere. Except maybe for the area around North Korea
The day Romana left:
It was a pretty horrible day today. Romana left. I usually hate goodbyes but this one was particularly awful. Romana asked me to make a decision on whether we should be together or not. I really couldn't make the decision so I decided I just wouldn't. I thought that would work but I guess it didn't. From her messages she took that as a no.
First week in London:
Romana and I have been doing touristy stuff. I've been getting ready to start work. I'm really really not keen. It's reminding me why I left London in the first place. Jorge has a place for me to live so that's good. He's charging us a hugely reduced rent which is even better.
I went to the wedding of Charles and Ernesta. It was unreal. It's actually my first catholic wedding. I had no idea that the priest does a coldplay impression for part of it. The reception was in little Venice. Because Ernesta is Lithuanian the reception was multilingual. Charles' mate Shaun got up for one of the speeches, fairly drunk and rattled on for a good 5 minutes. Then he remembered the interpreter and handed her the mic. She had an "oh shit" look on her face, but credit to her, she realised he'd said basically nothing so her interpretation took about 10 seconds. I didn't see too much of the bride and groom so we've organised a reunion of sorts.
Cesky Krumlov:
Romana and I went to Cesky Krumlov. It is a lovely world heritage town with the second biggest castle complex in the world (I think). The first is in Prague. We went on a walking tour and proceeded to stand in the hail being pummeled. It was a really nice weekend. On the way home we also visited Hluboka castle.
Tatras mountains:
Romana and I went to visit the Tatras mountains in Slovakia. It was very scenic. It did feel like we spent a lot of time on the train getting to the different villages though. We walked around strbske pleso (a lake) and went up one of the mountains. Unfortunately it was cloudy so the view wasn't great.
Czech Republic:
So I have a confession. I'm not just in Czech for the goulash. A romance was a brewin' in Malaysia with Romana. I've mostly come to visit her. I've been keeping it on the downlow because I don't want you to know my business.
I think that's about it. I can't upload many photos.
Ha I like the reverse chronology... wow coincidental close call near London Bridge. Aga's work was inside the security cordon and one of the victims was staying at her hotel.
ReplyDeleteShit man bad luck about the card - did ANZ give you the money back?
Yeah I got a full refund. They don't really know how it was compromised but think it was from a hacked website. I've only used my card online a handful of times so I'm 90% sure it was from a Cambodian hostel that had a pretty amateurish website I remember thinking it felt risky.
DeleteI forgot Aga worked in London Bridge. Was she at work when it happened? I'd assume not as you were out with us that night but you might just be a bad parent (or have a babysitter).