Wednesday, May 31, 2006 

Yeah I know where the Palace is...


So we are still in Madrid, being very turistico and having a great time being so... We have visited the Art Galleries (what was Dali smoking!), walked all around the place eating tapas and drinking whatever Cerveza arrives in front of us. The art and architecture in this place is mad, these europeans can paint and can chisel a bit of granite into something awesome. Sim you would love the place (okay okay.... one year...)


I started my job yesterday as an offical guide for Madrid. After finding a map and museum opening times we bumped into another Aussie (Hi Hilary!) - Hilary was looking for the Palace Real; since we had been in the city for 10 more hours than her, we were the resident experts and promptly gave directions on how to reach said palace. So after walking about 50m we were approached by another two girls asking for directions to the Palace - which I kindly repeated only to be told that I was completely wrong. Once again.... sorry Hilary, but you must agree that scenic route was worth the effort! Needless to say, Joel doesn't let me hold the map any more...

We took a ride on the subway out to Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, home of Real Madrid and took the tour. An awesome stadium and more impressive trophy cabinet!

It was good to see Chris again, he hasn't changed that much - except now he has become my younger brother somehow - oh and he seem to woos out on the spanish speaking stuff. I'm sure he was glad to see family again after such a long time and it was a share we only had a few hours together, but i'll meet up with him up in London (for free board) and he can teach me about Cider.

Trust you all are well back there in Oz! Stay safe!

El Paulo!

Monday, May 29, 2006 

Madrid


After successfully travelling from Perth all the way to Madrid and not getting lost on any trains, metros, busses, planes or airports.... (possibly a minor rip-off from the spanish taxi driver, but i'm still trying to work out what "supplemento ow-stray-yen idioto" means - its not in my phrase book) we arrived in Madrid! Beautiful 30-35C weather, daylight hanging around until 10pm or so and plenty of cerveza, tapas and muchachas bonitas (complete with the obligatory Spanish Mullet!)

My español is a little rusty, but my charades ability is still rather impressive. We have just had a gentle stroll around Puerta del sol, plaza mayor, and the real palais or something like that - easier to explain in charade speak.

Okay a wierd message arrived on my screen which I am translating as "you have 0 minutes remaining".... so in summary... Mum i'm fine. Saw Chris, he is doing really well but not primed for work tomorrow.

Sunday, May 28, 2006 

Arrival in Frankfurt


After 5 and a half hours to Singapore, a 2 hour break there (for some well-deserved Macca's and a visit to the worlds most humid bar and cactus exhibit), then a lazy 12 hour flight we finally arrive in Frankfurt, Germany. Although on a Sunday morning between 6 and 9 am it could have been Perth - not a car in sight and barely a soul around. The place was just how I left it a year ago (well, a year and two days if you count the bit about missing my plane)... sex shops right outside the station, traditional pubs selling big-arse steins of beer and snaggers, and the delightful brown river!

There were a large number of obvious soccer fans on the plane - lots of ggarmy gear and Socceroos tops and hats so it looks like the Australian exodus has begun. Starting to get a little excited now - once the jetlag has worn off and a get a stein or two of beer into me (and possibly a knack, curry, brat, or any other type of wurst) I reckon i'll be raring to go!

So to all, I'm safe. Just need to find out how to get from Frankfurt to Köln to Madrid, then to the hostel we are staying at! Easy.. nacht ein problem!? :)

Thursday, May 25, 2006 

Ch.. Ch.. Ch.. Changes... or lack of!

Perth 1996

Perth 2006

In the top photo we have a picture of Perth city taken from Kings Park in about 1996 - below, a picture taken from about the same spot yesterday. No its not one of those "spot the difference" puzzles - but you'll struggle to find too many differences! You get zero points for finding the bell tower.

So I've been in Perth for about a week and a half - and even though I bag the place about being a sleepy hollow, I guess thats its charm. Easy to get around, generally cheap (although thats starting to change), beautiful beaches (which you can park at for free). Gonna be hard to decide where to live/work when/if I get back! :)

The renovations on Dad and Sim's house are fully underway. Underneath the clouds of dust you can see remnants of where walls were and where floors were. The builders are running around with sledgehammers and drills, speaking in Russian... possibly hitting the wiring as the lights have all just gone out!

In other news:
  • Dockers beat Kangaroos last weekend in what was a crappy and ugly game of footy to show me after I flew roughly 4000kms to watch.
  • I fly out to Frankfurt on Saturday. 48 hours to go!
  • Australia play Greece tonight (well this afternoon! This 2 hour time difference is weird!)

Friday, May 19, 2006 

Perth

So I have landed in Perth, first time back for over 2 years! Luckily nothing has changed so I still know my way around! It is a welcome change to get out of the hustle and bustle of the big city Sydney into the slow and quiet village that is Perth. Hardly any cars on the streets, plenty of space on the sidewalk to stroll down. The whole WA = Wait-A-While thing is so true.

The family are all good. Dad and Sim are excited about the renovations. Sim picked me up from the airport and drove me home. Chris - your cats are still psychologically derranged. One is FAT the other is still scared of humans... and both are scared of possums!

All I have done for the few days i've been here is shop and prepare for the trip. I think i'm ready to go now... just need to find things to fill in the these last 8 days.. I've already gone to see the bell-tower so what else is there to see in Perth!?

Wednesday, May 10, 2006 

...and so it begins!

Quit my job, got rid of my apartment and I'm ready to roll! No real plans, no WC tickets... but a liver ready to take on all the beers Germany can throw at me!

First stop Perth.