Arriving in England

Paddington Station, London.

Views from the train,, sheep!


I have safely arrived in Falmouth, England. The travel was smooth as can be: car, plane, Boeing 777 jet window seat with no one next to me, then train, train again, finally car again. A total of around 20 hours.
Arriving in the late afternoon, we went out to the pubs to meet old friends. It was great. And so far I've just been kicking it back, adjusting. Amazingly enough, I'm not experiencing any jet lag symptoms. Not a bad way to start off the journey!
At first, while lugging my bag around (which has got to be nearing about half my body weight), I was so overheated and mad that I had to carry this thing. I was the one on the plane who holds up the isle for a while, trying to figure out how to mash my bag in the overhead, people trying to help by telling me "don't force it dear, it won't fit", and me growling through my teeth, "oh yes it will!". I almost wanted to pick through and throw some stuff in a trash can right then.
However, now I'm thrilled that I did bring the few warm clothes that I have, because it is chilly here, to the bone. And extremely humid, like some one is boiling water and steam is everywhere you go. It's very different than the hot, dry desert atmosphere.
All in All, I'm having a fantastic time so far. It feels really good to be back here, like home. I'm very comfortable. I reckon that my mindset will shift into journey/backpacking/travel mode once I leave Falmouth into the great beyond of Europe.
I'm trying to live right now, in the moment, to never forget any of this. On the plane I was thinking, just a few hours ago I was driving down the warm, pot hole filled streets of Bisbee, my body aching from waitressing all day. And in a few hours I will be in the cold fog of England drinking tea (or pints to be more accurate :) in the company of friends. How strangely amazing, how life changes so quickly. I'm so glad for everything I see and go through. It makes me me.

"Your past goes with you into every day of your future. We're all of us haunted and haunting."

And so my journey begins.

Love,
Camille

Edinburgh on Ice

It is snowing here and it is wonderful. I took loads of photos so I'll have to post a few. The view is amazing. Like something out of a Charles Dicken's novel. I just got done warming up from a snow ball fight that was had outside the flat by me, Ellen and her flatmate Doug. It hasn't snowed too much here so far this year, maybe once or twice lightly, so lots of people were out enjoying in the park outside. We had just finished up sitting at the local pub having some drinks and were sad to find that the rugby crowd had really diminished. Scotland lost, as was expected, so the mood is somber. I caught the last part of the game and surprisingly I really enjoy watching rugby. It's just like American football without yardline scores which complicate things and make it hard for me to understand. And since they wear less gear you can actually see their face so that makes it all more interesting.

Ellen, was waitressing today at the stadium in the President's suite so she got to see all of the players, all dressed up in suits for the after dinner and even saw Queen Anne who is the royals rugby ambassador of some sort. Wish I could have gone to see it. That would have been so great, but there is no way I would have been able to get tickets. Instead I wandered around to see all the action in the pubs during the game, then sat for a bit talking to some nice Scottish people, who were cursing at the drunken, loud, anthem singing welsh men. Then I joined Doug for a bit and we made fajitas at the flat. It was delicious and had such great company. Doug is English and is in Edinburgh planning to get his second degree in Veterinary Science. He's a very nice, talkative 'bloke' and has convinced me that I need to eat haggis tommorow. Apparently it's actually good. Hard to belive, but too culturally significant to pass up.

There are also too couch surfers staying at the flat now. They are Slavakian economics students, a couple, and are very sweet. They invited me to go to Arthur's seat with them today but we didn't get a chance to meet up as they went to the ocean first and it took them 2 hours when they only thought it would take them a half an hour. Then by the time they got there they realized it was completly not worth it as the waterfront at that point was industrial and ugly. So instead I went to the National Galleries, filled with famous and semi-famous art, and wandered around the shops. And I also got a phone that allows me to call the U.S at 5p a minute so for all those who are expecting a call, it will be coming soon.
Love to all.

-Kim

History Lessons in Edinburgh

Just arrived in Scotland on the 4th and so far I am in LOVE with it. Edinburgh, where I am staying with my friend Ellen, is an unbelievable city. So seemingly big, but so actually small. You can walk across it in 45 minutes really, yet this is what it looks like:



I didn't take these photos because I haven't yet gone up to Arthur's Seat for the spectacular view I've heard so much about, where these were probably taken, but non-the-less this is the city I am viewing every day and they demonstrate my point better than I could. Edinburgh is a major European city with something happening everywhere, hoards of people in the street at all times and the most modern of any goods and services imaginable though placed in historic buildings, yet it has a sort of small town energy as well because it is so compact, and small communities build quick meaning you will continue to run into the same people often.

It's like being in a giant castle because every single building is so ornate. And much of the action of the city is still happening in old town, the part just outside Edinburgh castle, parts of which were built as early as 1100, so you really are right in the middle of an ancient village while there. Most of the surrounding buildings however were built in the 17th century but the oldest remaining is John Knox's house, built in 1450. It's most remarkable because I don't believe I've ever seen anything older than 300 years old. Maybe less. To attempt to comprehend that these buildings are 900 years old, stretches the limits of my understanding. It's unreal. With all the replicas and photos in books I've seen of these things that it is truly hard to phathom that these are the originals built by people that are so long dead they may be turning into oil. If we are lucky.

But the people I'm here with don't quite get that. Ellen lived in Isreal for a year, quite more unfathomable in terms of shelf life, and everyone else I've met is some sort of British or European, most of which have all travelled loads internationally. I feel like such an infant of a traveler. But I'm learning. And loving every minute of it. For all who haven't been here and may possibly have the chance to come, do. It's worth every penny. And it can be done on the cheap. I'm actually meeting my meager budget limits.

I've come to realize something that makes this journey even more important. As Americans what we call our land as citizens is not ours, it is stolen land from people who are now one of the smallest minorities in the country. One of the things I love most about America is that it is so diverse in so many ways, however the side affect of this is that our shared culture is small and scattered, mostly woven out of consumerism, some traditions and the superficial threads of mass media. Americans do not actually have a homeland. We are all immigrants, many of whom don't know much about their family past the last 2 generations. We don't really have a people to speak of. For many of the people here in Scotland, where they are from is where their family has always been from. This is their land, or at least it has been for over a Millennium. Most of the people here are their people and share their history. For them their country is not just a country but a homeland. For most people in the world this is true. It has never been true for me.

Scotland is the closest thing I have to that. It is my most specific ancestral link and most of the rest of my background is some sort of British. For me this Island is the closest thing I have to a homeland. The place where they are all pale like me. And for the first time, I don't feel guilty, on a larger scale, about being on a piece of land, and soiling it with my footprints. In a way it's as though, even though I am a foreigner, I am less foreign here than I am in my own hometown. It's a weird feeling. A sort of nice feeling like getting to go home to a home you never knew. But I'm sure the novelty of it will wear off soon and I will infected with homesickness. I will feel like a stranger again, because my ancestors didn't stay and there's far more to home than history.

Anyways, I flew in Wednesday the 4th and have mostly been doing mild touring since. Still getting over the jet lag that won't let me sleep at night and makes it hateful to wake in the morning, and getting things together. The cold doesn't help at all. It's been mostly in the 30's, day and night making it difficult to want to leave the house, and especially the bed, but once outside it hasn't been so bad. We walk so much it makes it bearable. And I have nice silk long underwear that helps loads. Seattle people be thankful. This is like nothing you get there. Like I was warned, it is a cold like none other, but well worth it.

So far I have seen the Museum of Scotland (a museum that tells you roughly everything about Scotland from the Prehistoric age to the Modern Fashion designers), St Giles Cathedral (The grand beyond belief Church of the Royals at the base of the castle), The Writer's Museum (telling the story of Scotland's most famous writers Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns and Robert Louis Stevenson), The Royal Mile (street where the old parliment is and most of the older buildings/tourist attractions are), GrassMarket (a hip, older area of town), researched U.K sim card plans and have walked almost every inch. Thursday night I helped Ellen's friend prepare for a Shabbot dinner by making Challuh bread (braided egg bread),than Friday I went to the dinner. Apparently in Jewish custom, Shabbot dinner is like a celebration for their Saturday Sabboth in which they bring people together from the community to eat a big meal, pray and talk. I met lots of exchange students from the University of Edinburgh, most from the U.S. and had a great time learning a little bit about a different culture and eating great food.

Tommorow I plan to climb Arthur's Seat early, buy a sim card and watch the Scotland vs. Wales rugby match for the 6 Nations tournament that is happening in Edinburgh. I couldn't get a seat, though Ellen tried as she is working as a waittress at the stadium for the day, so I will be watching it at a pub with her flat mate along with the other drunken fans coming in from all over the world. It's already crazy on the streets so I'm looking forward to an interesting day. You'll here more about it the next time I get a chance to use the computer and hopefully pictures will come but that may be awhile. We'll see. Take care!

- Kim

Leaving on a Jet Plane

5 days to go...

I, "the other half", Camille Davis is experiencing the excitement and anxiety right before one of the most epic journeys of my life. My nerves are kicking in and churning in my stomach. Material wise I am totally prepared. Everything there is to be planned has been: friends to meet, family to stay with, money saved up, item list checked off. It WAS all a plan until now. It's really happening! Only I don't know what to expect, or even imagine. The future is a white fog. Nonetheless, I've never been so ready to do something, to be far, far away from everything I've ever known, to be challenged and tested, to learn and to witness, to grow. Who knows what I'll return as, or if I do return at all (just kidding Mom!), or what opportunities will arise. My mind is wide open.

Best to all of you,
Camille

The Other Half

The "& Camille" part of this blog will soon be posting words of her own on this journal as soon as she gets her newly Arizonen self up and ready to do so. Look forward to a second perspective on traveling, worrying about traveling and what it is to live a turtle-esque existence on the road soon to come.

So-Cal Paradise

I am now in Riverside CA, which according to Will is the 61st largest city in the country, one of the oldest in CA, the first to commercially farm oranges and a darn good place to be.

I'm starting to agree with that last statement. It's been nothing but beautiful here with mid day temperatures lingering in the 70s. It gets kind of cold at night but cold here is Spring or early fall in Seattle so I'm not complaining. So far I've run into only incredibly friendly, kind people. Strangers are quick to smile and strike up conversation. There is an amazing coffeehouse here called "Back to the Grind" that seems to be in the building of an old saloon, with lots of old-fashioned charm, combined with a very hip, modern vibe that I've fallen in LOVE with. And for those who know me well enough you know that if there is a good place to drink coffee, I am happy. So the last few days I've been perfectly content drinking coffee, hanging with Will (who also loves coffee as much as I) and enjoying the beautiful sunshine and the historic downtown.



Will works during the day so the first few days we only got to hang out at night. These nights mostly include making and eating lots of veggie packed vegan food and then heading out to the bar next to the coffeehouse that has a bit of a regular crowd and great music. There are screens showing music videos in the back and I've become totally mesmerized by the modern art of music video making. It's like heroin for your eyes! Wednesday was 80's night, showcasing the era of psychodelic, pop, surrealist videos, so that was doubly entertaining. Met, talked and danced with some very nice locals, and had a great time.

Friday I headed out on my own downtown and toured the historic Mission Inn, Riverside's largest attraction. Built in the 1890's and voted the top historic inn in the country by some big shot hotel association, it is a sight to be seen. Both Richard Nixon and Reagan were married there and it has been visited by around 15 presidents, starting with William McKinley. The building is enormous, covering a whole city block and looks like a castle, inside and out. I felt like I was in Europe already touring around it! Check out some photos to see the Spanish Mission revival style architecture yourself :


















That night Will, I and a friend of his walked around the local man-made lake until being chased off by geese. Literally! They wouldn't stop following, quaking and hissing at us until we left the park borders. It was disturbing. See Will below confronting the feathered bully tag team, then quickly backing down after seeing one rear it's head down (you can see in the 1st photo) and emit a terrible, evil warning noise. I've always heard geese were mean but this was beyond what I ever imagined. This pair had an agenda.




Saturday we headed out to LA to see the sights.
Sadly no celebrity sightings this time, though at one point I thought I saw Joan Rivers. Then I quickly realized it was just a woman with a similar amount of plastic surgery.
There we headed to Gallery Row a section of the art district. I quickly learned that LA has a bizarre amount of districts in it's downtown as I passed through the old bank district, the fashion district and the toy district in a matter of a few blocks. The city seems to have attempted to organize, compartmentlizing all its things but has since lost control and now the building layout is equivalent to a bunch of underwear being in the sock drawer and the underwear drawer now being devoted to office products. But still most of the socks are in the original drawer because you haven't got new socks in years.

Below are from an art exhibit entitled 1000 teddy bears, and sure enough hung on the walls were all of 1000 paintings of teddy bears. The affect was beautiful, hilarious and mildly creepy. It's like you entered a foreign world with the cutest native critters imaginable but their all staring at you behind various sized windows wondering "what is thing that's entered our world and what should we do with it?"


As we wandered we passed through a row of Mexican markets selling all sorts of cheap, made-in-china goods. Felt completely like we were in Mexico as no one was speaking English and the scenery was quite similar (so says Will). Wikitravel fact I found : Los Angeles has the third largest Mexican population in the world behind Mexico City and Guadalajara.









Art gallery in an old warehouse/factory that I thought was pretty cool. Notice the donkey painting. There were a lot of those.





We also ran into quite a few graphiti shops and some really impressive graphiti art, near which we found an artfully modern Vietnamese restaurant that looked like it was designed by Ikea. There we ate delicious, very california chic-food, then headed on over to the beach in Santa Monica where we waded along the shore, picked up rocks and watched the sunset. You can see it in all it's glorious stages below.








Will having deep, deep, serene beach thoughts.

Making our mark on the sand.

The Santa Monica Pier and all it's amusements.

Proof I was there with sunset all over my face.



Like something from a record album cover in the 70s.



Under the boardwalk...


On our way back we stopped by the LACMU (LA County Art Museum) and saw some amazing modern art. They had a huge pop art exhibit going on with tons of Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons and Roy Lichtenstein pieces, along with many famous others. So great! I'm a huge Jeff Koons fan now. If you don't know who he is look him up, or search for "Michael Jackson with Monkey Bubbles." It was just an amazing museum, but they closed an hour after we got there so we couldn't see half as much as we wanted to.


Lampost forest outside the LACMU.


Then we finished up the night with delicious Ethiopian food in the labeled Ethiopian district and I discovered the joys of honey wine. So good!

Sunday we mostly hung out, walked around a bookstore, shopped at the local Mexican grocery store that was blow-my-mind cheap and went to a Food not Bombs picinic. Food not Bombs is a unofficial organization of mostly young people that gets together to eat good, healthy, mostly vegan food in the park and feed whoever wants it. I guess there are little groups in a lot of cities that do this and their goal is to feed those who need it and create a sense of community without involving the government. It was great food and even better people.

After, we climbed up one of the local foothill mountains where there was a cross and watch tower at the top along with an amazing view of the city. Unfortunately I did not bring my camera, so there are no photos of that. As we walked back down we saw the sun go down over the city and it was amazing.

Apparently I came at the right time of the year. It rained before I got here so there is green everywhere and such a diversity of plants. Most times of the year I am told Riverside is a brown and desolate place. Not much to see in terms of scenery. But As of now with the weather and the new growth landscape, I can't imagine anything better. I feel very lucky to be here.

Now I just have to prep for the cold dreary weather of Scotland, where I will be tommorow!
There are snow warnings so I'm a little worried about flight delays.
Just keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best.
Or the second best which would be a long layover in Dublin.
That might not be so bad :)

But now I half to go soak up some sun before it's all gone.
More later!

- Kim

The Claremont Colleges

The outside of Scott's dorm building.


The completly irrelevant bell tower right outside Scott's dorm that helped me find my way back several times. Okay so maybe it's not completely irrelevent...

The beautiful mountain foothills just outside of Claremont, backdropping the field behind Scott's dorm where there is a wall free for students to paint on. The best quote I found was "Suck It. Life." The rest were advertisements for events.

More belltower. There is a little fountain below in the shadow that you can just make out if you try.

Pomona plaza and entrance into cafeteria building.

Pretty building at Scipps, the girls college.

A dorm room at Scripps. Lucky, lucky girls.


Those are all orange trees on the side of the building. Next 5 pictures all from Scripps.











Pictures above and below are from a building at Scripps that girls have been painting on since the 30s. I just liked the quote above. It was from one of the classes in the 40s. So pagan.



These Birds of Paradise were everywhere at Scripps. I like how in this photo you can really see the bird reference. It's like a crazy muppet bird.






For the graphic design dorks out there, check out this type. I love it. It was on all the buildings at Scripps and looked hand painted.

The admin building of Scripps looking more like a Grecian bath house.

Funny knobby trees that I saw all over campus. Just thought they were weird enough to be documented.



This is a classroom building. I love how they used old surrounding houses to add on to the college so they didn't have to tear down a perfectly good building and spend the money on building anew. And how cool to have class in a house! This was a math building I believe.


A building on the Pomona campus that I thought was nice. And oh so commandingly grand.