Chilli Dog on the Pier {March 2012}

Ever since mentioned my favourite street food, I have been obsessing over it, I need to find some of those American crisps, Freetos I believe, I think there’s nowhere to buy them in Scotland, I may need to try out some alternatives. Pregnancy, rather than give me specific cravings, has made me obsess over foods I see other people eating or photos of food, adverts etc. I need to avoid images of food I cannot easily obtain!

So back to Santa Monica…

Los Angeles is somewhere that I tried to avoid visiting in 2009, it was flight 5 of 8 in a two week round the world trip and I was considering adding 2 more flights to that list before I came to my sense and decided to give LA the benefit of the doubt, it was two nights between Australia and Toronto, if it was as bad as I had heard I could just sleep it out in the hotel and I wouldn’t have lost all that much, my aim was to relax and recuperate.

I loved LA, for a long time it was top of my list of favourite places in the world and definitely in the USA. I stayed in Venice and loved it there, I ate great food and the people were helpful, I travelled by local bus to various other parts of the city too and found Santa Monica which was my favourite.

Last year when I returned to LA, I stayed in Santa Monica, I did a bike tour and ate chilli dogs on the pier; it was refreshing and interesting and I felt ready for the next leg of my tour. I just wish I would get those chilli dogs in Scotland, although they may not taste quite as good as in LA.

A Celebration of Travel {Around the World}

Recently I’ve been writing a little and thinking rather a lot about travel. Travel has been a big part of most of my life, we were lucky enough to have had family holidays abroad as children, the opportunity to work abroad as a student, then as an employed grown up the opportunity to travel with work. We have also priorities travel and holidays over the past 5 years while we have had the money and time to do so.

So in this transition stage rather than think about what it will be like to travel a lot less often I am celebrating the great opportunities I have had and the great places I’ve been. I used Wordle to create the image above of everywhere I can think of outside of Scotland that I’ve visited, the bigger the word the more visits. It’s not bad going for just under 30 years. Just for fun, here are a few favourites along the way:

Best street food: Santa Monica, LA – Chilli dog with all the toppings, cheese, pickles and chips

Best conversation in another language: Cahors Market, France - chatting to a nougat seller about how expensive Paris is in French

Most thought provoking trip: Johannesburg – Seeing the huge houses with pools minutes from township

Best purchase: Texas – Real cowboy boots from Cavendars

Best adventure: Florence, Italy – Getting the overnight bus to Florence from Potenza, staying in a tent in the city and meeting random people {I love Lonely Planet}

Most going local trip: Uganda – Staying with a local and hitting the Entebbe night clubs and eating roast chicken cooked on a fire in the street

Farthest from the sea: Denver, Colorado, USA

Most peaceful location: Zion National Park, Utah, USA

Place I’d buy a house: Lott region, France, weather, wine and cheese

{Posts to come soon on these favourites – links will be added}

The Weight of Berlin {Germany, Summer 2002}

I was 19 when I visited Berlin, it’s scary to think that was more than 10 years ago, but the feel of the city and the memory have stayed with me ever since. I was working in a nearby town and enjoying trying to speak a little German and getting to know the local area. It was a lovely summer weather wise and a perfect chance to explore.

I couldn’t have survived without the Lonely Planet for Berlin, it went everywhere with me in my handbag. I did most of the walking tours out of it too, spending my weekends wandering around the main sights and the lesser known interesting districts. I felt like I had a great feel for the city.

Previously I never had much historical knowledge about Germany apart from the very basic facts, so it was interesting to learn more and as I got to know the city more I felt like there was such a weight on it; that everyone there bore a certain responsibility and that they would never forget the past.

The information available, museums, information boards and memorials throughout the city impressed me and taught me a lot about the events of the past and the German people. Everyone I met was friendly, open and helpful to me and I quickly felt at home here.

In some ways it’s a good thing that I could hardly wrap my brain around the reality of the Second World War. I’m lucky to live in a time and place in the world where these stories are so alien to be I find it hard to believe they happened. But it is important to appreciate that the events were not all that far in the past and that they were also not very far from home.

Future Note to Self {Scotland September 2013}

I love to travel, I feel like I should add this disclaimer before I mention anything negative about travel. I appreciate that I’m very lucky to have the opportunities I have. Anyway that point to the side, onwards with the story.

Summer 2011 I travelled out to Texas – a common trip for me and a place I love to visit. The day before was one of those rare beautiful Scottish summer days. We went for a walk near our house to explore a new path we’d never been down.

I enjoyed this day in a bitter sweet way, for the next 10 days I would be away from home. As much as I enjoy when I am away, I realise more and more that I’ve found a partner that I want to explore new places with, even if it’s just 10 minutes walk from our front door.

This is interesting to me to look back on today (14/01/2013) – with disbelief that the weather was so nice, but mostly to think about how things will change as we welcome another family member into our lives this summer.

I’ll definitely remember how much I loved travelling at a minutes notice all over the world, but I hope I’ll also remember how much I missed being home with my wee family. It’s easy when things get tough or tiring to remember how nice it is to be in a hotel somewhere exotic with someone to change your sheets, do your laundry and cook your meals! But the people are what make me want to be home.

So to myself in September-ish when I would be in the USA, remember that you can never get this time back, but that you can travel to the US again in the future – perhaps with 2 companions.

I Facetime my Cats {October 2012}

This seems like some sort of confession - reading the title and thinking a bit more about the fact that it may actually be somewhat unconventional to video conference your cats. But let’s face it; there are stranger people in the world than those chatting to their cats on Skype or Facetime. There were other people to chat to too; I haven’t quite managed to train the cats to answer Facetime calls – not yet anyway.

Sometimes it scares me the attachment we have to animals, my sister and I had many pets growing up: goldfish, hamsters, guinea pigs and Siamese cats. For some reason the memory I have of the guinea pig is of it tipping out of its cardboard box and bouncing into the hole my Dad has dug for it which still makes me want to do a nervous shocked laugh like I did that day. For some reason I remember clearly standing out in the rain while my Dad dug the guinea pig grave. However, I still remember the pain of losing the two cats, a painful part of growing up.

It was this fear of losing that almost stopped me getting cats, but then if I followed that rule, I would live on my own in the woods and never made any friends or relationships. Often I wonder if I would be happier that way or slowly go crazy talking to myself!

Instead we got two cats, pitch black brothers that most people can’t tell apart and I’m fiercely attached to them, I worry about then and I miss them when I’m away. I don’t know how I’ll cope when we have kids; at least they’ll be able to answer Facetime on their own after a couple of years - that might just make it bearable!

13 Weeks–Germany, Austria, New Year and Scan

Week 13 was a busy one, we travelled over to Germany and spent a few relaxing days in Munich which we loved, before driving down to Austria for New Year and a wedding. It was a good way to celebrate the start of the second trimester too!

Germany was some wonder time to relax after a busy Christmas, the weather was cold and frosty but we managed to sit outside with a croissant and coffee. I’m managing to control the morning sickness by having a drink and savoury snack before getting up. I still don’t feel great at some points during the day but this really helps me get started in the morning.

Munich was lovely; we did a Lonely Planet walking tour and saw most of the main sites. I even managed a few alkoholfrei beers, so I didn’t miss out on the experience of the beer halls!

We drove down to Austria for New Year which was interesting, the roads were so snowy and icy but we had a reasonable car and snow tyres. We were in Austria for a wedding but it was a great excuse to visit the local area and enjoy lots of hot chocolate.

I did have to take it easy though, I’m still adjusting to getting tired more easily and learning to slow down. It was nice to have a few days at home before the shock of going back at work. I think next week will be a struggle

We had a scan the day after we got back to and everything is looking good so far, it’s amazing how much detail we could see and the amount of movement. The pictures were really good too and this time we got to share them with friends and family now almost everyone knows.

Yellow in Utah {November 2012}

Utah is in danger of becoming my favourite US State, a position held for the past two years by a tie between California and Colorado. There are of course still so many states to visit.

My visit to Zion National Park is something I will remember for a long time. There’s the beautiful mountains, the fact that I flew from Scotland all the way to Las Vegas, picked up a rental car and drove up there on my own in my midnight blue VW Jetta – I suppose it was a good time for reflection. The scale of the mountains and the timescales involved makes you feel tiny, yet climbing to the top of those rocks makes you feel strong.

The people were so friendly, the food was great, the temperature cool in the morning and warm in the middle of the day. November is beautiful too, the trees still clinging onto their yellow leaves where at home most are bare.

Then there’s the shopping which I enjoyed, the outlet malls, the cute antique store I found in St George, buying Scrubs in Wal-Mart for my sister and looking at fabrics. Then I won’t forget the Target car park where I found out I’m finally expecting a new arrival in July. I dared to hope after weeping in the shower that morning for no apparent reason; Target was the only place I knew with a pharmacy and a restroom! Then there will also be the huge phone bill as a reminder calling home minutes later.

In Utah I felt like I had nothing to complain about in life, that everything was how it should be – even before stopping at Target. It had a very calming effect on me, climbing a mountain on your own is something that should never be underestimated.

 

{Linking up to You Capture}

5 Weeks–Utah, A Positive Test and Vegas Baby!

I have been in Utah for 5 days and it was my last day in the beautiful mountains before heading back to the madness of Vegas.

I woke up early but had become accustomed to Mountain Time. I was surprised by how exhausted I was, I had some work to catch up on first thing and was a little tearful whilst in the shower, it’s unusual for me to be overwhelmed.

I pulled myself together and checked out, then headed to the Egg and I for breakfast. Sunday morning is quiet in St George and the shops open at 11am, so I took my time and finished up my work.

The weather was lovely and I took a walk around St George, I found a cute antique shop open early. Then I headed to Target, one of my favourite places to stock up on US trips. While wandering around the aisles I came upon the pregnancy tests. We had done one a week earlier at the end of the last ‘two week wait’ and it was a disappointing negative, but I though best to check again before having a few Vegas cocktails.

I wasn’t expecting much, the bathroom in Target wasn’t where I expected to take a test, but sometime that’s how things work out. I couldn’t wait there and find out, so I popped the sealed test in my bag, washed my hands and went out to my rental car.

I took it out of my bag and couldn’t believe the words I saw – pregnant, which was such wonderful and exciting news, but it was a shame I wasn’t with my boy. I eventually got through on the phone on my way back, stopped in a little town called Desert Springs in Arizona, he was so surprised and excited.

Loving London Mornings {October 2012}

I’m lucky enough to visit London often, when I do, I usually stay in the same area. I like it because I’m familiar with it. This always surprises me, I would tell you that I prefer to see new places and be adventurous, but with each year I notice myself taking pleasure more in the familiar.

I like to pretend that I live there; I appreciate that the way I live when I’m in London for a week is not really the way a girl would actually live in London (not without creating a lot of debt and putting on rather a few pounds), but that’s part of the fun in imagination.

Some mornings I go for a run, it’s the only way to cope with my morning breakfast each day! Usually this involved going past my favourite street in London, Exhibition Road, past the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Museum of Natural History. These grand buildings which have stood through time are true war memorials for me, the battle scars still clearly visible in the soft blonde sandstone.

Whether I’ve been energetic enough to run or not, every morning I head to Paul’s the French bakery where I order an almond croissant and coffee, except on Friday when I may start my day with a macaron –raspberry is my current favourite.

I then cross over to the tube station and head to whichever meeting I have planned, recently the Geological Society of London near Piccadilly, but in practice it could be anywhere. The beauty of London is the underground, a network of tunnels zooming passengers from one area to another, at various levels of depth, ignoring any main road directions and following their own underground paths.

This always puts me in a good mood for the day ahead.

Around the World in 31 Memories

View 31 Days in a larger map

 

It’s time to undertake a little more commitment to writing and blogging, I’m taking part in the 31 days challenge to write on one subject for the whole month of October and what better subject to choose than my favourite – travel and in particular the memories and feelings that each place has caused.

I hope you’ll join me as I travel from Scotland, eastwards through Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia then round the back through the US and Canada with a brief stopover in Ireland before landing back in Britain. The time will span at least the past 10 years drawing on the benefit of hindsight and perhaps some rose tinted glasses along the way!

Each post will contain one photo that evokes a memory for me and a short piece of writing about the experience or how it affected me. If you’ve been to the same place or had a similar experience elsewhere I’d love to chat about it in the comments, so please don’t be shy! Also let me know if you’re taking part in the 31 day challenge too and I’ll be sure to stop by over the next few weeks.

Travel is something I’m lucky enough to do as part of a career, which makes it a lot more financially viable than it would be otherwise, although this does result in short trips and an eclectic list of locations, I still love letting myself soak in another culture or language and getting a feel for that place.

I have a never ending list of places still to visit and I’m always looking for inspiration and new destinations. I love to hear how travel and places touch different people; a favourite city to some is a nightmare location to others, but being different is part of the fun!

 

What to pack in a suitcase – a travel process

I do enjoy travelling with only hand luggage, compartmentalising your life, rolling up your clothes, only enough toiletry products for a few days or a week, it makes life seem simple. It’s a glimpse into minimalist lifestyle; but without only having to live with 3 bras.

The layout of clothes above is anything but minimal, but it’s for a 17day trip and it allows me to work though my process. I’m either totally completely prepared and organised or entirely disorganised, I never find a happy medium.

When I do get my act together here is a glimpse into my obsessive travel process:

- List every day and night you will be away

- Note an idea of the activity for that day – office / beach / cycling / …

- Start to lay out outfits, ticking off days as you go

- Think about multi-day items, pairing trousers with various tops

- Accessorise – try to find things that fit a number of outfits – scarves, shoes, jewellery

- Add under ware appropriate for each outfit

- Next, PJ’s and running/swimming kit

- Grab and check travel toiletries kit (I keep one of these packed as I travel regularly – one suitable for hand luggage, one for checked)

- Electrical – iPhone, Kindle, camera, laptop, various chargers and adaptors

- Take a handbag that goes with everything – through in wallet with currency and passport and I’m done

I can be packed and ready to go quickly, once the outfits are planned and I find that a lot easier to do at home than once you already have limited options.

I’m always interested in other people’s processes – chuck in and go, plan or for frequent travellers even keeping a set of clothes only for travel. I suppose you’ve got to find whatever works for you.

Hill rolling {Summer 2002}

Without hesitation, I boarded a flight at Glasgow airport and started the trip to Newark. In 2002 Heathrow was reasonable to navigate but still new and exciting, I had my temporary work visa and I was ready for a summer away from university assignments and exams.

This was a summer before Facebook, before iPhones, before 3G. It was a summer requiring camping in the woods, phone cards, cooking on open fires, giant Maglite torches (that I managed to convince myself could knock out a bear) singing throughout the summer and swimming in the lake.

Some moments of clarity remain; helped by the photos I took on disposable cameras, developed each fortnight at Walmart and carefully packed to take home. There was a strong sense of tradition at camp, traditions that had to be respected and maintained. Traditions that were fun, entertaining and above all embarrassing. Creating automatic triggers in my brain for years to come, making it almost impossible not to sing when prompted with certain words or situations.

The 4^th of July 2002 was a glimpse into real American life, heading with the locals to watch the fireworks at the park, taking blankets and chatting with new friends, friend that you knew you would need to survive the summer. Eating Dairy Queen with more enthusiasm than I ever thought was possible. This summer sparked a lifelong fascination and love of a country I had visited a handful of times before, but living in the woods will give you more of an attachment that Orlando’s hotels.

Holding hands tightly and rolling down the hill spinning and spinning, it was a summer of disorientation where we did our best to cling on to those we knew would keep up going through that summer and for at least the ten years ahead.