When the Cheshire emerges...

I can't believe I missed a large part of Wimbledon this year, particularly with 7Two's earlier coverage. I feel like a bit of a failure... I didn't see Andy Roddick or Rafael Nadal, and only first watched a full game at semi-final time (I watched all the mens and womens semis and the finals in the end though so I slightly redeemed myself).

In my defence, Australia had a terrible run. It was so great to see Lleyton Hewitt get to the second round after continuing to strengthen his game after his injuries, but when a weakened Hewitt can get further than Sam Stosur AND Bernard Tomic there is something seriously strange going on. As such, I wasn't as tempted to tune in every night.

But the mens final though... wow.

For me it was a 10.30pm (coverage) start time. So the game itself started later. Unfortunately I had not been given a late shift so work began at 8.30am today. You can imagine I'm a bit wrecked after having watched most of it (save a few instances of brief zonk-outs on the couch).

I was awake for the tail-end of that 20 minute game. That was phenomenal. Now, I've never raced to watch either of these guys because they've always seemed a bit boring to me, but in their older age I'm appreciating the Federers and Nadals of the tennis world. Roger was just a machine. It was honestly three-and-a-half hours or so of being able to forget Nadal and Djokovic were even in the picture. And Murray brought it to him, he played superb for the most part. I don't blame him for showing emotion during play, I'd be the same.

But it was his tears after that still managed to surprise me. He had what would've felt like the world's expectation on his shoulders... and I (wrongly) had him in my head as unemotional. Although for a change I was happy to see either win, the whole Murray losing thing broke my heart a little.

***
Although I've actually avoided late-night/early-morning bouts of sports watching since the final of Euro2012 I feel like I'm still recovering from not having a normal sleeping pattern. So my idea of sporting insomnia is really not holding out all that well (I blame the extreme cold). But wasn't Euro2012 a great tournament in hindsight?


Greece did extremely well to get to the quarter-finals, while the final was everything it should have been. Perhaps except for Germany being in there. Either way, Spain is totally claiming world domination, and rightly so.

Back on track and now that the tennis is over there's the Tour de France to set my sights on - I haven't watched any of that yet. And... wow. The Olympics. My mother knows a woman who takes the two weeks off every year so she can sit at home, watch it and do nothing else. If I don't actually go to Rio in 2016 I'd definitely consider doing that. Totally spewing I didn't think of it for this year. Or going to London like some people I know. But that's a plan further down my pipeline.

*I have two photos entered in the current Qatar Reflections competition. Please show your support for me by voting for either photo! Short backstory and links here.

A year ago today I was in Granada, Spain, still recovering from a horror day that included this fountain.

Getting into Granada the morning before, after an overnight train, I decided to try and buy a five-trip ticket on the bus. I knew I was saying it right and I knew the bus driver was saying 20 Euros which was the 10-trip one that I didn't want. Perhaps it was that I didn't understand but he was saying I couldn't buy it. He then took my money and kept 20 Euros worth and gave me the 10-trip. I tried saying no and asking for my money back but he just kept jibbering at me without trying to listen.

I was so frustrated I actually turned to the full bus and shouted 'Does anyone speak English'. In Spanish of course, doing my best with my phrasebook as I had since entering Spain. And do you think ANYONE even murmured an answer? No.

Then I realised it was about where I thought I was meant to get off and I felt so exasperated. A middle-aged woman and a senior woman were trying to ask me something, then realising I couldn't reply spoke to each other as if to figure out what was going on. I managed to get the words for "I'm here two days" and they both went "ohhhh". So even THEY knew I got ripped off and there's nothing I could do.

THEN after getting to my hostel, waiting around and explaining that I wanted to try and sell the ticket to someone to get that 20 Euros, the walking tour I wait for at the fountain never shows. No-one else, no tour guide, nothing. Later in the day I put that ticket to use to find out tickets for the Alhambra castle are usually sold weeks in advance. I had to go that night, missing the Champions League final (with Barca FC) I was so keen to go to a pub and watch, having been in Barcelona the day before.

Overall, I felt so emotionally frustrated I walked around in tears for most of the day. And when I wasn't I looked and felt like I was about to.

Day two was a bit better. The ticket wasn't used up but did come in handy somewhat. It was just so frustrating that I was trying so hard to speak the language and it was STILL impossible to evoke any sort of help for people, especially after the Barcelona episode.

***

The next two days, in Sevilla, were surprisingly better. It didn't come without its own example of language/emotive barriers though... I went to the renfe information room at the train station on arrival after the man didn't understand my ticket query at the general counters. I ask if they speak English (again in Spanish, it was always in fucking Spanish because I'm not ignorant enough to assume English is the world's only language and I TRIED) and the chick just looks at the guy, they turn their heads back and just snigger.

Actual SNIGGER.

I seriously was so frustrated at yet ANOTHER negative welcome/response from people in the transport industry I actually gave them a big 'Fuck you' and stormed out. It was there I seriously considered going straight to Madrid and changing my ticket to fly out a week early. Atrocious.

Having said that I came out of Sevilla with a new Aussie friend, and from both places with some great sightseeing under my belt. Take a look.

Las Ramblas

La Sagrada Familia - I actually cried on walking in...

Olympic Museum is a must

More Gaudi magic - Casa Batllo

The beginnings of a worldwide movement

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*I have two photos entered in the current Qatar Reflections competition. Please show your support for me by voting for either photo! Short backstory and links here.

Wow, I've been really slack with blogs hey? If you didn't read my Cannes series shame on you. To recap everything else around Europe and surrounds...

After Turkey, the Royal Wedding was amazing. Stood for 12 hours straight outside W. Abbey with a family I'd latched onto... saw Kate and Wills both go in. It was mental. Second camp-out in a week was okay. Not sleeping for 40 hours... not so much by the time I got on the plane to Cairo. Speaking of which, Egypt was loads of fun. Extremely hot even for early May, got to 52 degrees one day! Nuts. Sights were more and more impressive, two days on a felucca (boat) were incredibly relaxing besides the mozzie (and we think spider) bites I suffered. Only downside was the constant hassling from local men. I was glad to leave after the 9 days.

Salzburg's stunning (Sound of Music tour so fun), as is Munich... glad I saw Dusseldorf for Eurovision (which was INCREDIBLY AWESOME) but wouldn't go back. Just not much to do. Cologne was on a Sunday and raining but still looked impressive. Choc museum was the highlight.

So to the after-Cannes. Spain. Interesting two weeks... rollercoaster. Had my Cannes media stuff stolen on entering Barcelona, baffled as to how they lifted a breaking 10-15kg bag so swiftly when I had it in eyesight. Oh well... if you go to Spain it's for their cathedrals. Amazing with each place I went to. The south (Granada, Sevilla and Cordoba) all have their own Moorish-influenced monuments that are worth the visit. But communication issues meant I struggled and the majority of the time I faced a bit of attitude which I didn't appreciate. As I did in the French Riviera, I made some great friends in Madrid, all three of whom had things stolen while there. Shocking. But on learning they have 21% unemployment it shouldn't have been a surprise. As with Cannes, these girls made my experience all the richer for the capital.

The UK is where I am now - London and Birmingham were ANZAC/Topdeck catchups (in London, a trip to Platform 9 3/4 failed because they're doing renovations in the area and I don't think you can see it. Devs), then in Leeds with Meg and Emma (Unley represeeeent). I really enjoyed my day-trips from there to York and hippie town Hebden Bridge. For me they were what England should look like outside of London. Oh I did Bath too for a day.

So I'm in Edinburgh atm, and I love it. I could actually live here. Felt a real pull to it immediately. Perhaps because I discovered it had such a rich history, or the charm of the Old Town, I don't know. But two days here now and it's still holding up from the first impression. And their film festival's just started, so seeing a movie tonight! How could I not? Oh yeah, I climbed 250.5m up Arthur's Seat, the city's highest point. A bloody effort. But then I had some haggis for dinner... and it was actually good!

Doing the Highlands tomorrow on a day-trip - will I see Nessie in Loch Ness? Haha then Glasgow and over to Ireland. Can't believe I'm at the halfway mark, it's nuts. It's at the point now where things are blurring slightly, and not having kept up with the diary too well means a constant catch-up. But the memories are what count. As do photos. Think I'm up to about 15GB worth of photos/video. Snap happy, that's for sure.

Having a great time at the moment, looking forward to what's to come. Hope that wasn't too much of an overload for you!

Ok, so I obviously bought a shiteload of clothes while away. Two months is a long time. Excuse the shoddy photography.

Greece and London Part One: surprised I didn't like much clothes-wise on the islands. But London was the big one...



L-R: Santorini dress, 49P/New Look military jacket, 15P/You for New Look skirt, 5P/Maribou tie-dye dress/H&M black slip, 7.99P/Maribou handkerchief top
*Forgot to include a baggy 3/4 sleeve khaki mesh-type top from Zara I picked up for 7.95P*

Portobello Road proper/Camden hidden gems



L-R: tenki dress, 15P/vintage striped dress, 18P/vintage winter dress, 18P/floral dress, 10P/green pantaloons, 8P

During-tour buys and presents:



L-R: silk scarf from Venice, 25E/Fishbowl t-shirt for New Yorker (Krakow), possibly 54.90Zloty/Episode (Amsterdam) baggy tee, price unknown/Tally Weijl (Greece) dressy tank, price unknown/Murphy's (Santorini) promo T-shirt, priceless ;D

Novelty Tees:



L-R: Topdeck Spirit of Europe tee/Schnaps Museum (Vienna) promo tee, 10E/Topdeck Hoff Berlin tee/Amsterdam tee/Busabout La Tomatina 2010 tee

London Take Two: I just had to go back didn't I?



L-R: Topshop cropped tee, 14P. Camden Markets: vintage dress, 15P/tank top, 4P/skirt, 2P. Episode skirt, 13P

Spain... and er, tights for our Berlin pub crawl:



L-R: Shambala harem pants from Peniscola, 21E/shorts from Barcelona, 19,95E/H&M pink tights from Berlin, 5E

Now keep in mind this is only clothes. Bags, shoes and jewellry to come if anyone's interested.

I won't say too much on the final few places, only because I've been writing so much down for my personal records - and I'm starting to procrastinate from doing it, which isn't good.

Mallorca ended up being different to what I expected - perhaps that's because I was under the impression I'd be hitting the clubs, beaching it, sleeping and not much else. What I ended up doing was seeing all the important sights and areas thanks to our host Michel (good) and buying three pairs of shoes in as many days although my suitcase surely wouldn't allow for it (even better). When we did hit the clubs (on the Sunday night) it was exactly what I expected though - drunk Brits being bogan everywhere. Fantastic. Missed out on Deadmau5 by two nights at BCM (their main club where DJ Sammy performs every Friday - !) - I didn't get to go there which was a huge bummer but finding out I'd miss out on them killed me.

Barcelona was a great night, we really should've stayed there longer like we originally planned. Only as a transition between Mallorca and Athens we ended up having arguably the best accommodation all trip (with towels... and SOAP!), the best central location AND good luck with two clubs. Funny story time: dancing with Helen, then an Argentinean guy whose cousins had befriended us decides to get real close and ask me: 'Can I bite you? Pleeease?' I almost went into hysterics. Gold. We only had about four hours sleep before leaving to catch our flight, where I happen to bump into Beth from Tomatina. Small world.

Athens was great as a bookend to Nemea because I saw a totally different side of Greece, the one seriously affected by their current economic struggle. Student transport ticket for 90mins: 50 Euro cents. Cheeeeap. And they think things have skyrocketed. But spending time with my mum's side was great; went for coffee everyday - around a marina, Glyfada (which is a really nice area) - and returned to my love: the pite. Went to a restaurant which was constantly packed called Georgia's Pites where they seriously had the best yiros' I've ever had in my entire life. These didn't have chips in them like anywhere else but they tasted incredible.

Saw the Acropolis and surroundings: the Parthenon is colossal. I didn't want to leave it; so so beautiful. Think I cried a little. Saw Hadrian's Gate and the Temple of Zeus and then most of Ancient Agora where Helen had slight issues... climbing some steps, which of course are marble and therefore slippery, and an exasperated Helen says to me: 'MORE marble?!' I just turn and say: 'Dude, it's Ancient Greece. Of course there's marble.' That, with Barcelona two days before brought arguably the two best quotes of the trip. Genius.

Loved the Monestiraki and Plaka areas... felt drawn to Athens - and not just because everyone dresses impeccably. Caught myself imagining an older version of me there with a husband and kids walking around the streets. I must've looked local enough; a (hottt) TV presenter approaches me with mike and all. Couldn't help him out - need to brush up on my Greek properly I've decided. Didn't matter for the club we went to though... like Mykonos, looked like something out of a film. Every girl in heels (and me caught out wearing flats because I didn't know we were going) and really good mix of Greek and English music made for a great night out.

Before we knew it the five days were over and we were going home. No major dramas getting back to Oz, except for the freezing night-stay in Melbs. A horrible wake-up call. But I went to Sydney to shop and sightsee a bit more five days after coming back to Adelaide. After THAT I was shopped out AND aware I was really home. Which got me down for a bit. But I think I'm okay now. Looking at all my clothes makes me happy anyway.

Getting back to London was both sad and relieving. Sad because the tour was over and relieving because I was in London again, where I had more shopping to do. Only problem was, with the presents I’d kept locked up in my London hostel AND what I’d bought over the tour left next to little room in the suitcase. But as long as I got to Spain after these two days to send stuff home there, I’d be fine.

That was until I entered Topshop on Oxford St. Woah. So so overwhelming, on the ground floor alone I grabbed five different accessories and struggling to hold them all I had to contain myself. Tried on about 15 things on one floor and felt sorry for the fitting room controller, who like me normally had to deal with swapping clothes etc etc. That was before the Vintage floor. O.M.G. I just about passed out with excitement at the pieces they had in there – sadly left behind an 80s prom dress worth GBP99 and a pair of vintage shoes. Heartbreaking. Having to pick only one pair of shoes because of bloody weight restraints killed me. Killed me. I vow to return.

Being the day before the Aussie election and not having exempted ourselves, headed to Australia House to vote. Tbh, I didn’t know who I was voting for; I just remember feeling sick and being given water before I put my ballot through. But it was fun all the same, not something you do every day. Got to the Camden Markets (second time for me) soon after: more amazing this time because I scoured just about every corner of those stables. With the help of Anthony of course, my patient partner-in-crime! And I introduced him to the world of crepes – albeit the messiest crepe he’ll ever eat in his life; certainly was for me. Speaking of food, finally had Indian in London and it was really good. Really enjoy eating it now… now I’m hungry thinking about it!

Second day was all for Jana because it was her birthday! Went to the Tower of London, which was interesting – but it was so so cold! Borough Markets for a fantastic lunch at the request of Angela (best falafel wrap I’ve ever had, think my body went into shock because of its goodness). Then went to the British Museum with Helen to see relics of the Parthenon. Oh that made me angry. It’s not just one or two things, it’s a whole frickin’ gallery. Half the thing is in this museum and they refuse to give it back to Athens. It’s an absolute joke. Breathe… Okay, so went out to Leicester Square and had nice Italian for dinner at Jana’s request which was nice.

I began my solo journey well, arriving at the airport nice and early. Weighed my suitcase – 25.1kg. Oh no. 50P excess fee unless I can get it down by putting things in my hand luggage and fit THAT and my huge handbag into the metal box thing. Half an hour later I manage to do it and get my suitcase to 21.9kg. 10P fee, 40P SAVED. Boo-yah. Next thing I know I’m at the train station in Valencia about to make my way to the hostel – in the HEEEEEEAT (that's a good thing, I was SO excited). Only problem is my ticket wouldn’t let me past the gate. About to attempt jumping over when a local family came to my rescue. Bless them. But haven’t had so many steps in my entire trip than getting out of that bloody station. Knackered. Then it turns out I was put in the sister hostel ‘around the corner.’ The Spanish don’t give good directions. Over an hour later I found it and was about to collapse from dehydration and muscle failure. After all, I was lugging around at least 30kg.

Recovered, I saw plenty of Valencia, had a nice day trip to Peniscola (yes, make the jokes if you must, everyone else was at the time) and got lost on our bike ride. Beautiful places they both are, easy to get around. But at Bunol, Tomatina was the big one. Couldn’t tell you how many people there were, I heard 30,000 somewhere. Pretty much in the middle of the packed main street until we got pushed up with the crowd onto level ground higher up. Ended up seeing more of an overview than getting pummelled. Except one un-squashed tomato that hit me square in the right eye from the balcony of a local 20m above. And then a wet t-shirt flung into it 30 seconds later. And then another tomato landing on my wrist as I covered my battered eye. I clearly needed to move. But actually a bit disappointed I didn’t have a black eye from it all. Plenty of tears, lost shoes, ripped clothes… absolutely nuts. Just lucky we weren’t in direct sun. While slightly disappointed I wasn’t covered in red (by the time we reached the street itself the hour had finished), I still had a great time. Going to send 7.425kg of stuff at the Post Office later was a highlight when the man knew I’d been to Tomatina because he pointed out a seed in my hair. Awesome. Our last night was a pretty messy pub crawl where I’d finally washed my hair (quote of the night: ‘It’s cleeeeean!!!’), plenty of dancing was done and drinks downed like they were going out of fashion.

More steps again lugging my crap (still not feeling lighter) down the Metro – got on the plane with the (mostly hot) Mallorcan/Baleares Islands soccer team Atletico Baleares and got to the island safe and sound after a clear highlight of my overall trip and a week I could, and will never, possibly forget…

Dear Diary,

EXPLOOOOSIVE stuff last night, now THAT's what I'm talking about!!! The World Cup has continued to deliver in the finals series with near upsets, actual upsets and plenty of scandal and drama in between. Oh, and Paris Hilton being arrested and then let go over her friend's marijuana possession. Cover-up so Hilton didn't get more jail time - or (shock horror) a bad rep? TOO LATE, she dug her grave looooong ago.

Ok, the important stuff. Had to be out during the Germany vs Argentina game BUT utilised my Mobile TV package and ended up watching plenty of it on my phone. Yes, in a pub. They had no screens so I didn't have a choice. Unfortunately the sound option was cancelled out by the live music but with four of us crowding over a screen with about 80% clarity it still had a tense enough feel. One friend didn't want to know the score, so I obliged his wish... but when we start shouting OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH over Germany's third goal he's looking at us with a mix of envy and curiosity - I simply said 'Go... just go.' We didn't see him for a while.

Saw all the goals so feel proud I had a solid viewing of the game. And seeing Diego Maradona's face on the final whistle was priceless. Was debating staying up straight through until Paraguay vs Spain, but after a trip to Vili's for a Bacon and Cheese Sausage Roll left me with an upset stomach (but to be fair, it was triggered by the alcohol, the food was awesome as always) I needed a lie-down. An hour later, the last QF began.

So I discovered being on about 50 minutes sleep doesn't really work for me. Plus being in a warm, cosy room with my brother asleep kicking his legs around everywhere didn't help. The first half's a slight blur but what happened afterwards makes it irrelevant anyway except to say that it was a good contest in that both teams refused to concede. It was the same for most of the second half, except for the goal obviously. Which came more from luck anyway; any double crossbar hit will startle the defence. The goalie had no choice but to attempt a scramble back but had no chance. And this comes after yet another interesting series of events... that neither team could capitalise on penalties two minutes apart and that Paraguay should've had another crack at their's because the ref missed the Spanish encroachment in the box. Ended up sleeping in after going back to bed: with the 50 minutes before, hours of sleep: 5h50m.

Quite frankly, it was a scrape. After hearing so much about how Spain were meant to be the hot favourites, from what I've seen they haven't impressed. Even in this game against an impressive South American nation they just don't appear like a team deserving of the prize. As much as I hate to say it, I think Germany will take this out. They'll thump Spain (and while the Argentina pounding make the Socceroos look pretty good this'll look even better) and meet Uruguay in the final - haven't seen much of the Oranje crew but again, not overly impressed.

I'll miss it tonight. But the void's filled with the only game of Wimbledon I'll see in 2010 - the Men's Final. Eeeexcellent. I feel bad not having watched any tennis. But what's a girl to do?

Dear Diary,

Things have been rather hectic these past few days - organising a party will do that to you. And not to mention muddling your memory; can't remember what games I actually tried to watch four nights ago, that's deplorable.

So night 18: This is the hazy one... think I watched the beginning of Netherlands vs Slovakia and vaguely remember Dad waking me up saying 'You're missing the soccer, the soccer!!!' I remember brushing him off and somehow stumbling to bed, not knowing what time it was or even caring that I was missing out. Missed Brazil vs Chile completely and didn't know the score until a while later. Hours of sleep: something like 8, 8.5. That's the most I'd had in weeks. God knows I needed it.


Night 19: I was starting to prepare for my party here, so getting photos off an infected computer in a room whose TV doesn't get SBS made it hard for me to watch Paraguay vs Japan properly. Ended up being a tense game though (enough to make me sit down for the last bit of ET and the penalties), a shame Japan couldn't further Asia's aspirations. Was really keen on getting up for Spain vs Portugal so I did. Confident that Spain would win, and they did... don't remember too much of it again (wow, I'm really sounding like a broken record by now aren't I?). Hours of sleep: between games 2.5, after another 2 I think? So about 4.5.

Night 20: No matches! And I didn't even realise until later because there was so much I had to do anyway. Hours of sleep: 3.5. And THAT'S because photo collages don't magically create themselves.

Night 21: No matches here either I think (it's frying my brain so I'm giving up on trying to figure it out. Because I know I had to finish the collages and so still had a late night). Hours of sleep: 6.5.

Night 22: My party! And Brazil vs Netherlands was on! I was at the bar watching it on the screen above amidst the festivities and saw Brazil's goal early on. I had hoped the DJ would play 'Cup of Life' as I'd requested (hey, it's the World Cup and that's the best theme for it ever) but alas he did not. Total shame. Can't believe Brazil lost! That's so crazy! Maybe it was because they were wearing their blue and they're not used to wearing a duller colour. Maybe they passed to the Oranjes by mistake a bit because they got confused. Either way, the Cup's provided some really interesting upsets after an average start. Almost had another one with Ghana vs Uruguay too - Dad excitedly telling me in detail how the Ghanaian hit the crossbar with his penalty and then lost in the shootout. It's like with Japan but for Africa - but they should be so proud to have gotten so far, an awesome effort.


Hours of sleep: about 10.5. I KNOW, RIGHT? But when you're intoxicated you can't help it, and then find yourself getting to the duties of the day at 4 in the afternoon. Oops. Going to be out for Germany vs Argentina tonight, hopefully there's a screen where we're going. Or I'll tape it. OR I CAN WATCH IT ON MY PHONE! After all, I did pay for access, sweeeeet. Geez I'm smart sometimes. And Paraguay vs Spain should be good too, I can watch that at home.