Travel quotes IV

“Pure and simple, any person who is enjoying life is a success.” – William Feather

“If you are going to worry, don’t do it. If you do it, don’t worry.”

“Masquerading as a normal person day after day is exhausting.” – Anonymous

“Don’t look at your feet to see if you are doing it right. Just dance.” -- Kobi Yamada

“The trouble with resisting temptation is you may not get another chance.” – Laurence Peter

“No, you never get any fun out of things you haven’t done.” – Oscar Wilde

“Life is outs to be spent, not saved.” – D.H. Lawrence

“'Why not’ is a slogan for an interesting life.” – Mason Cooley

woo hoo, fun with annies

well, contrary to popular belief, I think I have found a few cool french people. besides the kind man who was masterbating for me in the phonebooth next to me when i was on the phone with my parents (and knocking on the window and pointing to his erection), I have met some fantastic people here - no, not those other bizarre minions that try to pick me up in the park everyday.

Damien's friends are wonderful ~~ absolutely fantastic and I have enjoyed going out with them.

Also, I have been spending time at the Caveau Des Obliettes ~ this underground cavern that was a prision at one point and now has these amazing jam sessions of blues, jazz, and funk. it is amazing. republic era chains on the wall and 50 (all that can fit there) of people my age. been having some wonderful converstations, and improving my terrible french. my french is horrendous, but these weeks have been improving it.

Also, have a great tan from laying on the banks of the Seine and in every park in Paris reading. God, the weather is great here. Too bad I have a gut now from all of the fabulous cheese Ive been eatting. ooohhhh, have you ever had a blue cheese fondue? and damien is a chef at one of the best resturants in Paris - he brings home leftovers - oh god!!!! I had been eating tuna fish sandwhiches and soup for the past few weeks, to come to this! amazing.

But... as it has been fun ~ I am growing broke from spending a month+ in 2 of the worlds 6 most expensive cities, so I must head to find work (not that i havent been trying to get things set up, but, so is life sometimes). My package arrived, the doctors have given me the ok.

I am off to Venice tomorrow via train (yeah, thats cheap ~~ bollocks) to see if I really have this PR job. If not... dont really know if I want to head back to London... maybe Portugal, Spain, or Slovenia (ok, I think we all know it will probably end up being slovenia if I really need another alternative because I love it so much). Missing hillwalking and climbing because of the weather... was debating heading back to Delphi ~~ but then I got my head out of my ass. :)

Girls? I was missing the Crag! I know! Not Carl, but the beautiful days hiking up to the crag and belaying. Then I remembered raft building and low ropes and night guard...
Anyway, no longer stressed about the future. Got some wonderful advice and settling words from Hoppe and Kirsten (thank you!!). Gonna just head on and keep moving.

I have now decided to stay away from Asia because of SARS - Ill save Mongolia for my honeymoon. :) They have cancelled school and national holidays in China. Yumi, is your brother ok? Gerry, are you alright?

ok, this was way too long.

off to get some lunch - oh yeah, guess it isnt, it is 4. ok kiddos...

big kiss.

annie

OH YEAH! Did i tell you I know own the greatest pair of stilletos!!!

Emma and Kelly, tell me all about the new places - Kelly, I am so happy for you! Oh yeah, Emma - "Its better to have loved and lost than to lived with a psycho for the rest of your life."

paris is swell

Ok, Paris is so absolutely beautiful right now. It is amazing. The songs all were correct; the flowers, the cool breezes, the sun, the parks.
Unfortunately, good camera is broken and I have pink eye, but I am still able to tell you it is beautiful!
and apparently the French think I’m hot or something. asked out on 4dates my first day wandering around: ok, 3 dates and one guy who just wanted to tell me I’m beautiful. holy shit! I could do nothing but back away giggling and run and blush like a champ :) but it definitely is nice for the ego.
Heard some more on the Venice job, but is seeming increasingly sketch ball. But may go. Waiting to hear from the London job. Would have to work 2 jobs to afford London, but still could be worth it. no longer in a rush to decide.
learned some things about myself in the past 2 weeks that i would have never learned if I hadn’t spent all this time by myself traveling. Probably should not share them over mass e-mail.
in total, I’ve been traveling since Aug 15! we are coming up on 7 months since I’ve been living out of a backpack and almost 4 months since I’ve been home. Tax numbers in 3 countries. Learned many wonderful and terrible things about our fine nation. I’ve been very lucky.
well, I have a hangover from the allergy pills I took last night and I’m waiting for the museum to open; so I think I’m going to go lay in the park for a while. Damien is being the best host I girl could EVER hope for. It is so wonderful to spend time with him.
hope all is well and to those graduating - congrats!
Love,
Annie

random announcement of the day

Random sighting of the day:
Henry Rollins. was in a cd store in Covent Gardens. Looked up over cd rack. oh look, there's Henry Rollins. he turns around. oh yes, that's the bar code on his neck. I didn’t know what to do. I really wanted to go chat him up, but then... ok, so I really didn't want to get my ass kicked (not that Mr. Rollins would, but he is a very big man and I am but a wee Annie)

Also... random fucking huge hailstorm at 11 this morning. that's what caused me to run into the cd store after a vintage ballgown shop (ok, I restrained myself, I can't fit a ballgown in my backpack - but dude, I have developed a huge thing for pink tulle). I was walking around in a sundress a few days ago. now it is throwing down golf balls and really cold.

I'm loving staying with my cousin, Matt. He has been so wonderful to let me crash and I love getting to know him better. I really adore him.

Also, saw the piece of art that directed me into art history. arnolfini portrait. it took my breath away. all of these years anticipating it, kinda was waiting for a let down. I was so geeked! I audibly gasped. Ok, so I probably looked like a wierdo because I had my face almost pressed against the glass, looking at everything and "ooh"ing and "ahh"ing. maybe that's why everyone was backed away from the painting :)

ok - off to Paris in the morning! woo hoo! Damien is picking me up at the station. I even get a bed! not the floor! how lucky am I?

Annabelle