Memories...

'The reason I created this was to share with everyone what I'm doing over here. I created it also as a record for me, to help me remember, and re-live every experience. We all know I'm not brilliant at updating this blog. I'm the queen of procrastination. Eventually I will catch up, but in the meantime, I jot down in dotpoints the majority of the things I do in brief documents on my computer and take a billion photos everywhere I go.

Well two weeks ago my computer crashed. So there goes all my stories and saved photos. BUT ITS OKAY, I was smart and stored it all on my external hard drive.

Oh and then my hard drive decided to crash... BUT ITS OKAY, because I keep the majority of my photos still on my camera which has an 8GB memory card.

Oh yesterday my camera got stolen by an invisible person/pigeon. So there goes this past month of photos. Which included the 6 different countries I've travelled to, a close friends farewell, my farewell party, thanksgiving and random other outings. That stung like a beeeeeeach.

So what am I left with?

I could be Emo and say 'Nothing', but I suppose I've got memories. Memories hat will stay with me until I get grey hair, wrinkles and probably dementia.

I leave London in 5 days. I'm leaving without my laptop, and without my camera. This trip took the two most important things from me. I kept them close to my heart all this time, treated them like they were my children and then lost them both in the last month. RIP.

So what is the point of this post?

To remind you to update your blog and save photos onto 10 harddrives all made from different companies.

To complain about how I've lost everything importantly materialistic to me... but Ill probably grow, somehow, from this experience.

To warn you of the sneakyness of pigeons, and to bring to your knowledge that invisibility cloaks DO exist.

Or just to remind myself and anyone reading, that something may be incredibly important to you, but you can live without it. Anyone that knows me, would know how much it hurt me to lose all this... But hey, Im still breathing, so that's a good sign, aint it:?

So until I save my pennies, and buy a new computer, don't expect anything from me. Ill be back in Australia for a long time before I write about that time I went to Berlin in the middle of 2011.

Signing out. Madison Heal.

(Written from my amazing housemates laptop :) )

Luck o' the Irish!

Spent 5 brilliant days in Belfast, Northern Ireland for a 3 day YSA convention.

We met James' family and had a delicious home cooked meal. Made me miss home!

We ate ice-cream by the open fireplace in the lounge room and snuggled with James' sausage dog, Kelso. 

This week marks the 100th anniversary of the Titanic's sinking, but unfortunately we didn't get a chance to go to the exhibition.

James and his father then went shopping for a suit, whilst Lucy and I walked around an open-roof mall.

We then all went to see the 'Peace Wall'. This was built due to the conflict in Northern Ireland between the Catholics and Protestants. The riots have lasted for decades and thousands of people have died because of it. The Peace Wall was erected to split the two communities and there are gates at all entrances so the police could shut them when there was conflict.

We went home for some dinner and then headed out to a hill with a great view just outside the city. We met up with some of James' mates at the top of the hill. With an army of longboards, they skated down a few hundred metres. I drove behind them and Lucy filmed. Lucky no one stacked it too badly, although it would have made for a good video!

Friday was took a day trip to Portrush.

We bought hot chocolate on the way from a country bumpkin cafe, topped with a gazillion tiny marshmallows!

We eventually made it to Portrush.

First we visited the rope bridge. Its 22m above the ocean connecting a small island to the mainland. The views were stunning!

On the way back we bumped into some Australians, they're seriously everywhere in the UK, it's ridiculous!

Then we went to the "Giants Causeway". It's an interesting arrange of rocks caused by an erupted Volcano. There are about 40,000 rocks all interlocking, each with 6 sides.

We hopped back in the car and headed through the country to home.

On the Saturday of convention we went Go Karting.

Our amazing team consisted of James, Gina (James' sister), Lucy and I.

James started in 3rd place and made it to 1st pretty quickly. Once Lucy had her go it was Gina's turn. Suddenly, we realised after looking at the screen that we lost a few positions. I'm pretty happy despite all the problems (2 broken karts and a broken axle) we managed to come 5th.

That night we went to a Roller Disco. Instead of wearing skates and dancing around the floor to songs recorded way before our time that none of us liked or even knew, we got in the middle of the floor and raved to LMFAO 'I'm sexy and I know it' when it came on. Highlight of the night I'd say, probably should have gone home after that.

But instead we went to the beach where it was dark and cold. So we entertained ourselves in the car.

We slept in Sunday as church wasnt til later, and the clocks were set back an hour. This Sunday was one of the most spiritual sundays I've ever had. The talks were amazing, the classes were intriguing, and the hymns were beautiful. It gave my testimony of the Church an extra boost in the right direction. After church we all gathered for a group photo, then headed home. James was leaving Sunday night so he needed to pack. We ate diner together and just relaxed about the house, watching TV and playing piano. James left for the airport whilst Lucy and I, had an early night sleep.

Monday we woke up to home made porridge. Slept some more, packed out bags and headed to the airport. Its good to be home!

Adios!

I write this as I sit on the shuttle bus staring out the window on my way to Barcelona airport. Looking at the advertising around the city of the most famous sights I think to myself "I've been there, I've seen that". I feel like a local, almost. Walking everywhere, you start to use the map less and less. You get a feel for the city, you learn the back streets and find shortcuts. Graffiti doors, a smokey scent, cultural alleyways and incredible architecture all become apart of the norm and every day routine. I would feel a great sadness right now if I knew this was my only chance to ever be in Barcellona, but I know that I will once again walk these streets. If everything goes according to my plan, I'll be back in less then a year. This trip has been but a taste of the main meal yet to come. Until then. Adios Barcelona. Te amo.

Dia perfecto!

Today was one of those days you can never forget. It was a day we will look back on and smile secretely to ourselves. A day where everything went according to plan, and more. Everything went right, everything was on our side. The trains listened to us and even the traffic lights. We made the most of our time and crammed 3 days of travelling into 24 hours. The sights we saw, the experiences we had, will forever have a space in our hearts. Its hard to describe it all, but I'll do my best.

We went on the Metro (underground train) from the Gothic Quarter where we were staying a few stops up to the foot hills in ancient Barcelona. The traditional Barcelona houses people think of when they think about this great city were visible the moment we walked into daylight from the stairs in the Metro. With no signs and no clue where to go, we looked aimlessly down the street we were. I suggested we asked a particular local man walking past but Lucy disagreed and said he looks like he only spoke Spanish. We walked over to a street map on a nearby electricity pole to figure out where we were. The same Spanish man came over to us, the first thing he said to us was "Park Guell?". We smiled, had a bit of a laugh to ourselves and nodded as he continued to give us the best directions he could in a way we would understand. 

  

We came to a beautiful street heading up the hill, possibly the steepest hill Ive ever attempted to walk. Luckily they know us tourists are generally lazy, and they had escalators the majority of the way. Every few streets were signs saying to "look back" as the view down the street was beautiful. 

  

Next to the Park Guell was a hill that we decided to climb. We made our way up, constantly stopping to take photos of the view which improved the higer we climbed. 

 

We could hear local music playing in the distance which drew louder. As we reached the top a local Spanish man was playing and singing on his guitar. Not the usual songs you would generally hear buskers sing, but something more meaningful, more spiritual. We gave him our spare change and he was more then happy to pose with us for a photo. 

 

We climbed up a rocky viewing point where there stood 3 crosses. We turned around and saw the breath taking views of Barcelona. We could see the mountains and the ocean, including the beautiful city inbetween. Photos honestly dont give it justice. 

With little time to spare we made our way back down the hill. On the way we found time to stop by Park Guell. A masterpiece by Gaudi. 

 

Many locals were out and about, spreading their matts on the stone floor and laying out jewellery, ornaments, gifts and souvenirs. Some of them entirely origonal, and other disappointingly the same. Lucy found an Aqua 'peace' necklace, but there was nothing that caught my eye. The design around Park Guell was something incredible. I seriously, like squillions of others, love Gaudi.

 

 

We explored more and eventually made our way down the hill. The climb down was much easier then the one up and we made it back to the metro station, with a chocolate croissant on the way.

With 3min to spare we made it to the meeting point of our bicycle tour. This tour was simply amazing, it visited 17 famous sites around Barcelona. 

  

We went past some political buildings and learnt the history of Spain an Catalonia. 

There were so many beautiful churches and cathedrals, most I had to take whilst still riding my bike. Some we had the opportunity to stop at and learn the history, others were less important.

A girl and a man got lost so we sat here for 30min. We got slightly bored so we sat on the floor and posed for photos!

  

We made our way to the beach! Being in London for the past 8months I haven't had the opportunity to go to the beach. The second I heard the waves crashing and smelt the salt water, I felt that I was home, I felt at peace.

Our group stopped at a local cafe for a while for a quick drink and an opportunity to take some photos.

       

We stopped by the botanical gardens. Got told some story about the statue on top. I can't for the life of me remember what it was though.

 

They also have an Arc de Triomf in Barcelona!

 

We went past two of the Gaudi houses... They were soo beautiful!

 v

It was great to see the city in a more personal way. Walking tours take a lot of time and bus tours are very impersonal because you cant get through to all the smaller areas. 

I loved the feeling of riding through the back streets of Barcelona, feeling the breeze, smelling the cuisine, seeing the locals in their day to day life. 

Lucy decided to do some graffiti on the way home.

Our tour guide was an english speaking Italian who lived in Barcelona and also spoke Spanish. Interesting character! She had plenty of knowledge though, I would love to do that. Maybe if I never fullfil my dreams of becoming an architect ill live in Europe and be a tour guide :)

Once the tour ended we had takeaway pizza for lunch and started our trek across Las Ramblas to the Picasso museum. The line was long but moved quickly. Im still not sure how I feel about artwork. I appreciate the artists that have changed and inspired many things, but i dont necessarily like it. The museum was interesting, it didnt quite flow like museums should, but I learnt a great deal about Picasso and his life. The first rooms we entered showed the start of his career as an artist. I never knew this but he started off simply doing portraits, then landscapes, and slowly moved on to the images we know him for today. I absolutely loved one painting, no idea why, it was similar to all the others in that room but something about it made me feel different. I honestly dont understand :)

(This ISNT the picture, but its similar!)

From the Picasso museum we made our way to the beach. We took photos and walked all the way along The Esplanade, eating hot chips on the way. It was a simple but beautiful moment.

 

We were invited to Aunty Suzie's for diner(Lucys family was also holidaying in Barcelona). We had an anti-pasto styled meal and later played with the kids. We went up to the rooftop of their rented apartment and had views of  the rooves of Barcelona. It doesnt sound like much, but the view was incredible. The sun was a bonus as it had rained the previous 2 days.


 

 

We left their house and had our final walk down Las Ramblas. I have only been here for a few days but I feel so comfortable now. My first feelings of excitement and caution have turned into feelings of acceptance and understanding. My last night in Barcelona had more of a magical feel. 


 


Las Ramblas had more street performers then I had seen and we stopped to watch a few. We saw a 40year old baby, had a basic conversation with some travellers in french and a Spanish man declred his love for us. 


 


It was the perfect end to a perfet day.