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Published: August 22nd 2006
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Kevin - what every young Argentian man is currently splashing on his face
...but 'just a touch'. Other amusing signs spotted on my travels include a shop called 'Wanko' in Hong Kong. I struggled to leave New York for a number of reasons. I was having such a good time and wanted to prolong the fun as much as possible. There was also a problem with my first flight, the captain telling us as we sat on the runway that all the bolts had sheared off one of the engines. Not what you want to hear while awaiting takeoff. With a indefinite delay, I decided to head back into town to meet up with Olly. We headed to a sweaty party full of inebriated people dancing around, and quickly became inebriated ourselves, ending the night sprawled on the sidework in Brooklyn Heights with other remnants.
More eggs the next day, and an extremely nauseous taxi journey to the airport again ('I won't be sick. Think nice thoughts. I'll never be bad again. Cool, wet grass. Oh lord help me!'), and finally off the Blighty. My final flight of the trip, bringing the total to 59.
It was a strange feeling driving across Central London to my brother's pad. We passed three office buildings I had previously worked in, and countless shops, bars and restaurants that I had frequented. I had a memory on every street corner, and it was a good feeling. It's nice to be home.
Suffering from jetlag but with time on my hands I decided to get a checkup at the doctor, imagining that I had contracted all manner of tropical diseases and parasites. She told me not to be such a hypocondriac and to return if I see anything moving in the toilet bowl. I hope that I never see anything moving in a toilet bowl.
And so began lots of rounds of 'welcome back' drinks (which will continue for some time). I am readjusting surprisingly quickly to the English attitude to drinking.
After the euphoria of the initial arrival, the need to find work was pressing - not necessarily financially, but more out of a profound sense of boredom. Conditioned as I am to action packed adventures in far off places, the days in London seemed to drag somewhat. I was dismayed to learn from one friend that '6am is the new 7am' in the London world of work, but was nevertheless keen to get back into the serious business of making money. I did visit the British Museum around the corner from my flat to see how it measured up to the many museums visited abroad, and was pleased to find it as spectacular as ever. There's something distasteful about the way in which we have purloined fabulous things from across the globe, but it is still one of the finest ways to spend a free afternoon in London.
As luck would have it, a job discussion carried out previously in the airport lounge in Miami came to fruition, meaning a fairly painless (spawny) transition back to the world of work.
A few people have asked me what I have learnt from my trip. Well the honest answer is 'not much'. It's kind of confirmed my rather insightful opinion that some people are arseholes and some aren't. It's the same everywhere. Travelling itself is not hard (as a few people have commented), it's enormously easy and hugely fun. I do feel a bit more ambitious in my attitude to problems. The aversion therapy of constantly having to sort out accommodation, food and travel arrangements in strange places with a minimal grasp of the local lingo has left me rather more confident in addressing life's other minor trials and tribulations.
So farewell, my little bloggees. I hope you have enjoyed my ravings from around the world. We must all do this again soon. Indeed, I am currently investigating a brief jaunt to Tanzania and Rwanda at the end of the year. Ta ta.
Travel stats
Countries visited: Nepal, China, India, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Belize, El Salvador (at least the airport), USA.
Cities visited: Kathmandu, New Delhi, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Sydney, Brisbane, Christchurch, Bogota, Lima, La Paz, Santiago, Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Sucre, Rio, Brasilia, San Jose, Belize City, Miami, Las Vegas, San Francisco, LA, Seattle, New York, Boston.
US states: Florida, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, California, Washington, New York, New Jersey, Conecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusets.
Duration of holiday: 195 days
Total amount of time spent underwater: 24hr35mins
Total number of days ill: 6
Total money spent: £21,633.33 - and not a penny more! (daily rate: £110.94)
Highest altitude: 4,700m (Bolivia)
Lowest altitude: -45m (Blue Hole, Belize)
Inches lost around waist prior to arrival in the US: 4
Inches gained around the waist in the US: 2
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james
non-member comment
thank you
Ian, that was a great read. I really envy you, in a good way... no. Actually I just envy you. j