You have to have a before and after picture...Especially with the opposite ends of the spectrum that I was so honored to experience. May 5th, excited as a kid in a candy store to travel to the unknown for a month enjoying a last drink state side, and June 2nd, after and amazing journey two days of the worst travel a person can go through....the pictures speak for themselves I have yet to post pictures of Florence, Italy and the few pictures I took of the Tuscany countryside....An incredible city to visit and a must on any agenda. Carina I took your advice that evening and had a wonderful time! All in all the unplanned adventure through Europe was outstanding. I learned many a thing and suggest we all take a trip to another country. It opens your eyes to the things we take fore granted and should be thankful for as well as seeing the things they have/do that maybe we should adopt. As silly as it may sound what I am most thankful for in the USofA are the abundance of public restrooms and drinking fountains..and public restrooms you don't have to pay for! You may laugh now but just you wait..haha.
Tuscany Chewed me up and spit me out….today was a day never to be repeated again…I hope that is…I am only trying to laugh at myself now that the dust has settled. My therapist once said to not be afraid to make myself vulnerable so here goes the story of my stupidity. So today was my last day in the incredible city of Florence. Having a day in Bordeaux (France’s famous wine country) and Priorat (Spain’s premier wine country) I thought it be fitting to visit Tuscany (as you all should know Italy’s wine country). I joined a tour to see some incredible countryside sprawled with rolling hills of vineyards. I was scheduled to fly out at 20:15 from Pisa, 70 min from Florence, so the tour being back at 17:00, guaranteed, was a great option to fill my last day in Florence. I was quite excited to see some world renowned vineyards and countryside. The tour guide was a lovely energetic petite Italian girl with a personality you couldn’t help but be drawn to. Our first stop was a medieval village an hour’s drive from Florence named San Girmagnano. What a fantastic place. The village is so small and quaint that tours are only allowed a max of 1.5hrs of visitation. The village set upon a hill overlooking many vineyards as far as the eye could see in all directions. Being distracted by the architecture and the breathtaking views of the countryside I failed to keep track of time. Yes anal Heath forgot to keep an eye on the watch. Consumed by my camera, tourists, and shops I realized it was 5 min to departure. Crap!! I picked up the pace and found myself at the exit of the rather confusing village walking streets…Nothing looked familiar…I came to a parking lot, but the wrong one obviously, since there was no bus parking. Finding a lady police officer I asked her where the bus parking was…to my dismay she pointed and said something in Italian…basically said I was on the wrong side of the village. My blood jumped 10 degrees realizing I was about to be ‘That Guy’! I couldn’t believe it. It was hard not to curse at myself. I began running. It was raining so I had my rain jacket on which created an instant rain forest. Sweating profusely I yelled at myself the entire time hoping, just hoping someone else was late, but no!...I saw the ass end of the bus. Going to the first winery of the day where the photo opps were supposed to be breath taking…what I had been waiting for the entire stay in Florence. Idiot was all I could say (maybe a few other things lol). Oh well that’s life right? Haha…not even the worst of the day. So I go to the bus stop to catch a ride back to Florence and wait for the tour bus to come back to the hostel since my backpack was underneath and I was flying out that evening. Nothing is in English and nothing says Florence!! Was I surprised? Hell no nothing in Europe is marked…How the heck do I get back? I wait there for awhile watching several buses go by but none mentioning where I might want to go. No one spoke English either out of the hundred folks that came and went as I waited. I finally started asking every driver…nope…nada…sorry. Finally a phat blue buss comes…YES, jackpot! He says yes come aboard. But I have to have a ticket?? What the heck? Where do I get a ticket? He points back to the entrance of the village. Sheesh…So I say a few more words under my breath and trudge off to find the ticket person, desk or whatever I was supposed to find. I follow the ‘I’ signs leading me to the information booth. CLOSED..huh? I couldn’t believe it..well I am in Italy and they are a bit lazy but come on...what more could go wrong. I walk in to a shop and ask about bus tickets and he says Tabachi shop or something like that..so I find one and say I need a ticket to Florence…no not this, down road…so I walk down road muttering under my breath..Finally! Buy one. Go back out…what bus still? The ticket lady couldn’t tell me since we spoke different languages neither knowing what the other was saying.I make it back to the bus stop and wait again…one goes by. Parking lot bus. Another…some random town. Upon it pulling away a beautiful, tall, thin, Italian girl strolls up…Exactly like you would picture in your mind…wow…for a second I forget about the days troubles as she locks her eyes on me…I was brought back to reality as I choke on the diesel fumes of the bus pulling away. She glances at me I at her she at me I at her etc. Finally I ask if she speaks English...after a sexy yes I proceed to ask her if she knows what bus I should get on and show my ticket…she points at the bus that just pulled away. Of course right? She says the city it goes to and says ‘you change bus’…ahh if you could have heard it lol. So she tells me again where I need to go. A bus pulls up and she tugs my arm and does the Italian no no with her finger (if you saw you would know). So I wait…try to talk but she doesn’t know what I am saying. That blue bus pulls up again and she says no and gets on. Smiling at me as it pulls away..hmmm I think to myself. More people come to bus stop yet again. Wait…I hear English…American English…YESSS…next bus comes and it says the city she told me, I think. I ask the English couple (from the bay area) where they are going and Florence rang through the air like music..like one of those harps playing in the museum as you gaze at The David..or like angles coming down and showing me the way. He has a schedule so I follow them on and make new friends. We go to this town and get dropped at the station just like clock work…guess who is there?? Yes…My tall, dark, brunette, sexy, Italian information specialist who doesn’t speak much English…I then realized maybe the jokes on me?? She smiles and says Ciao and waives ever so sweetly…hmm…so I get on the next bus to Florence and arrive at the station just a 10 min walk from the Hostel at 16:35..I speed walk there like those older ladies do at the track and run to front desk..yeah…they know about me missing the bus. Embarrassed yes. He says to meet the bus at the pickup point and they will have my bag no big deal happy you are safe. I make up a story and left. I get there at 17:00 when they promised to arrive..no bus..wait…wait…wait..17:20 I’m worrying…17:25 I am sure they dropped off elsewhere…I run back to hostel sweating like a fat kid that just ate cake and trying to get a blue star in PE class. I get there..uh she called and said they are running behind go back. Mind you it is now 17:30and I have a bus leaving at 17:45 for the 70min trek to the Pisa airport. If I don’t make this plan I miss the next plan etc etc…A mess and expensive. I walk/jog back towards the bus stop where they are supposed to be coming late…Almost there and pissed as can be I spot my backpack on a gentleman’s back…embarrassed they spot me…yeah..the whole bus knew it was me. The tall dude dressed in black. They said they ran circles calling Fisher in the parking lot hoping to find me. I grab the pack with many thanks and b-line for the bus station down the road. Speed walking again I dodge slow window shoppers and random cigarette smokers scattered across the sidewalk. The bus/train station is quite large…where is this airport bus supposed to be? No clue. I scurry up there watching the watch. 14:44 then 14:45 I’m screwed they always leave on time…I notice in the distance a white bus closing the storage doors. Can’t be mine…I near it and what do you know there she is in all her glory! I run up waiving my pass. After checking it Mr. No Personality opens the compartment again so I can throw in the backpack. I had this dude before when I arrived in Florence. I say Grazie 5 times but with no response…of course. Geez get a new job. I get on dripping with sweat.I am self conscious like nothing else and sit erect in the seat so I can dry from all sides. I am afraid I am going to reek like that dude on the airport bus in Paris. The whole ride I breathed through my mouth but could still taste the B.O. You know like passing those dairy farms where you can taste the smell of the cows? Just like that. I dry off nicely during the long ride. Everything goes like magic and I am on the plane back to Barcelona. Whew. What a day. My Euro supply is running slim so I make note and plan on finding one of the many ATMs on Las Ramblas in Barcelona when I get to the Hostel. I am in the comforts of the Barcelona I became to love. Nothing like walking down the street at 12am every other dude offering you drugs and beer and the abundance of hookers clucking at you annoyingly. Make it to the hostel and they take every last bit of my Euros. I take a half hour to chisel all the days nervous sweat off before I venture out on the noisy street to find some cash. If I don’t get cash I can t get to the airport in the AM to catch a flight. First ATM nothing, second ATM nothing, third fourth etc. You’ve got to be kidding me haven’t I gone through enough? 20 no kidding 20 later I find BBVA (thanks Compass Bank) and the wonderful thing call Euros come flying out….ahhh….I’m in my bunk now writing this not wanting to lose the thoughts of the day. Tomorrow is another day filled with tight deadlines…let’s hope the storm has calmed. Sorry for the long entry and read but had to share. Night-h
Its 2am and a finish to a good night/stay in Dublin...stayed at Temple Bar and yet again met some incredible people. Tell more tomorrow..maybe...traveling to Florence, Italy so might not have time. Another leg to an incredible journey. If you haven't done anything of the sort then get off your butt and do it! Once in a life time experience to say the least and you will create stories and experiences that will last a lifetime! h
My 'no plans' trip just allowed me to purchase a last minute ticket to Ireland tomorrow morning! Another country under my belt. Tomorrow is the European Cup Finals in Rugby...invited to Lorcan's house party for the game! Sorry Caleb don't be Jealous. After 2.5 weeks of exploring countries where I do not speak the native language frustration has set in. I will never complain about the visa machines in the States asking me to chose English or Spanish again! Those of you who do complain need to spend an extended period of time in another country and you too will be ever so grateful when the visa machine has an English option, subway ticket dispenser has one (in France they don't have an English option...not fun), and menus have English written by the selections. h
A hurried drive from Bordeaux to Toulouse exposed some more culture that was enjoyable as well as stomach turning. I am now at the home of my new friends Franck and Sandra. They have welcomed us in with open arms and the stay has been as if we were part of the family (my preferred way of exploring other cultures). After trekking around the city of Toulouse 3 times and driving and extra 100km I finally found their home. Navigating around European countries has proven to be quite difficult as their maps and road signs are very different, and in my opinion terrible. The tolls that have been paid so far for the privilege to drive on the highways of Europe have summed up to approximately 50 Euro! I must say my tiny Peugeot is very economical on Diesel, but why wouldn't a car of 500lbs wet. So upon arrival a bottle of fine Champagne from the region of Champagne in France was opened welcoming Americans into their home. After the children were put down for the evening we went to the most authentic restaurant in Toulouse to enjoy some fine French cuisine. I have been craving some real food after the intestines, blood pudding, pig snout and brain that I have had set before me. Appetizers were ordered while we waited to be seated so I indulged in some.....well...who knows. By the shape I thought it was pig ears...after much teasing and laughter by Franck, Sandra and some French bystanders I found out I just just eaten Duck Heart!! Ugh..what is it with these Europeans and what they eat?? I struggled through another piece and quickly covered it up with some bread. We then had the most amazing dinner so far in my trek around Europe! Duck and 2 different lamb dishes...outstanding! This was followed by some incredible dessert and washed down with Armagnac from '79 then later '78. Wow!! incredible meal considering it started with duck heart lol. Today we divulged in another wonderful lunch prepared by Franck and shared with the entire family. I have been entertaining the children by trying to converse with them. None of us have any idea with each other is saying...I have decided I must learn French and Spanish! This evening the agenda is to join in a traditional birthday celebration for a cousin.
Wednesday evening my unplanned drive brought me to San Sebatien, I beautiful beach town in Northwest Spain. The architecture was incredible as was the Atlantic Ocean. The drive brought me from the warm beaches of Barcelona through the snow covered peaks of the Pyrenees in France back down to the beaches of Spain but on the Atlantic side. The drive through France and Spain brought some interesting experiences as did trying to fill up with diesel at a station where only French was spoken. How embarrassing and frustrating that was lol. Yesterday morning Bordeaux France (the region of some of the worlds most fine wines) came into the horizon. I found myself at a quaint B&B in the heart of wine country Thursday night. Today will consist of some tastings and tours with a local gentleman before continuing on to Toulouse France in the evening. The vineyards are more then words can describe..with that being said I am out...gotta get on the tour-h
After a rough day on the beach and another late night on the town we have decided to take a car today for a week tour through the south of France. Tim, Kate and I are going to share a car meant for two but they say can fit four and a lifetime experience as we cruise through the villages that make up the wine country in the South. Tonight's stop is Toulouse where the french couple we met has offered their rooms for us to stay in. After that who knows...stop in random villages where tourists never go and English is never uttered? Incredible experiences are soon to be had that I have always dreamed of. Internet access may be spotty so will update whenever I can. I know my posts are brief, but sitting on the computer typing is not on the top of my list while culture is on the other side of the door. So until the next Adios-h
A traditional style of Spanish food is Tapas...amazing! Last couple nights have been spent with locals the first night and a French couple the following evening eating some incredible Tapas then spending hours at local hangouts until 6am....this habit since I have arrived is taking its toll on my sleeping requirements! lol. The French couple I met last night from the south of France have offered their home for my travels which is quite amazing. The culture over here is so warm and welcoming, which I have not been accustomed to. This evening I must lay low and catch up on some rest. An adventure through the south of France is fast approaching where I will need my rest to try and drive from village to village stopping wherever I decide to stop. I am kind of excited for my arrival back in Barcelona. A new Spanish friend has offered to take me golfing.
Side note...why is the plumbing and sometimes the electrical running on the outside of the walls rather then within? weird
So the first evening in Spain has proven to be a bit eventful to say the least. Wednesday evening at the hostel was dinner and a Football game between Barcelona and Chelsea (a riot broke out later that I found myself in the middle of) After the game we had to burn up a few hours until the taxi came to take us all to the club at 1:45am, they start late. I proceeded to learn some English drinking games with some English ladies I met earlier..interesting. We then cruised down to the club, that wasnt all that great, so we walked back (not the best choice). Rounded a corner to find ourselves confronted by the riot police! An experience I wont forget soon, cops running at me with clubs out shoving me with their shields and yelling in Spanish lol. Wow! We had to retreat, or run should I say, so they would back off. I could smell the remains of tear gas as we caught the tail end of the riot being shut down! Potted plants broke in the streets, tables and chairs over turned, trash everywhere, was crazy. Football in Europe for you I guess. I caught some footage of it all. Here are a couple pix of the hostel.
Three movies, a couple shows, amazing airline food, and a few hours of sleep I finally touch down on Barcelona turf. A couple more hours wondering around a city where I can’t understand the street signs and limited English is spoken and fighting off a couple thieves I finally arrived to my first Hostel experience! My plans changed, well I really didn’t have plans, but I packed only a backpack for the month here. I downsized to nearly half so I can carry my life on my back instead of roll it around like a tourist. The architecture already has me amazed. This city is Incredible! After a full belly a nap was a must since it was technically 2am for me so no pictures have been taken as of yet. Tomorrow I will have plenty to share as I start my trek around the city. The Hostels are quite nice I must say. Even though my feet hang off the end of the bed and fall asleep it is still a clean comfortable hang-out spot with a bar, pool table, tunes, etc. I have decided being short would actually be good for some things in life-airplanes and hostels…Oh and there is 2 for 1 happy hour and free dinner. Where can you stay and get this? Only in Europe. Enough computer time for now. Lots to be seen…I will check back in later with some pictures and hopefully stories. -h
The dismissal of 'reality' is fast approaching, but with so much 'reality' to finalize before hand. First destination is a quint winery in Spain where I will be spending a portion of my time and venturing out from there to....well...no agenda really. Maybe France? Probably Italy too? Possibly Greece. And who knows where else. Morocco sounds inviting. My dear friend Kate has welcomed me as a guest to La Perla del Priorat where I am excited to explore the ancient property as well as observe the fine art of wine making they have mastered. So many options that I can barely wait! Come back for more updates after then adventure begins. I hope to be posting updates often.-h
For those of you who followed last time thanks, and for those new don't expect much:)...This time I'm off to Australia for a few weeks. Posting becomes tedious especially when fun is to be had so be patient. I will do my best
don't have to pay for! You may laugh now but just you wait..haha. 
A hurried drive from Bordeaux to Toulouse exposed some more culture that was enjoyable as well as stomach turning. I am now at the home of my new friends Franck and Sandra. They have welcomed us in with open arms and the stay has been as if we were part of the family (my preferred way of exploring other cultures). After trekking around the city of Toulouse 3 times and driving and extra 100km I finally found their home. Navigating around European countries has proven to be quite difficult as their maps and road signs are very different, and in my opinion terrible. The tolls that have been paid so far for the privilege to drive on the highways of Europe have summed up to approximately 50 Euro! I must say my tiny Peugeot is very economical on Diesel, but why wouldn't a car of 500lbs wet. So upon arrival a bottle of fine Champagne from the region of Champagne in France was opened welcoming Americans into their home. After the children were put down for the evening we went to the most authentic restaurant in Toulouse to enjoy some fine French cuisine. I have been craving some real food after the intestines, blood pudding, pig snout and brain that I have had set before me. Appetizers were ordered while we waited to be seated so I indulged in some.....well...who knows. By the shape I thought it was pig ears...after much teasing and laughter by Franck, Sandra and some French bystanders I found out I just just eaten Duck Heart!! Ugh..what is it with these Europeans and what they eat?? I struggled through another piece and quickly covered it up with some bread. We then had the most amazing dinner so far in my trek around Europe! Duck and 2 different lamb dishes...outstanding! This was followed by some incredible dessert and washed down with Armagnac from '79 then later '78. Wow!! incredible meal considering it started with duck heart lol. Today we divulged in another wonderful lunch prepared by Franck and shared with the entire family. I have been entertaining the children by trying to converse with them. None of us have any idea with each other is saying...I have decided I must learn French and Spanish! This evening the agenda is to join in a traditional birthday celebration for a cousin.
After a rough day on the beach and another late night on the town we have decided to take a car today for a week tour through the south of France. Tim, Kate and I are going to share a car meant for two but they say can fit four and a lifetime experience as we cruise through the villages that make up the wine country in the South. Tonight's stop is Toulouse where the french couple we met has offered their rooms for us to stay in. After that who knows...stop in random villages where tourists never go and English is never uttered? Incredible experiences are soon to be had that I have always dreamed of. Internet access may be spotty so will update whenever I can. I know my posts are brief, but sitting on the computer typing is not on the top of my list while culture is on the other side of the door. So until the next Adios-h
