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Published: August 7th 2007
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Waiting for my ride to go climb
Here I am waiting outside to go climbing. This day, I was climbing with Dave and his dad. Both excellent climbers. I love England! I love Sheffield, and considered it my 'home town' for a period of about 3 weeks. I love the friends that I've made (my home-boys), and the fact that there is England's best climbing only 30 minutes away in the Peak District.
I have a slew of people to call on to go climbing during the day, and some of the best of Sheffield to call on at night for some great company and food.
I must make one thing clear: I have been in Italy for a week, and for some reason, I have started this blog back in Sheffield two weeks ago, but since I never published it, you will now get the best of both Sheffield and Italy in one blog.
Having said that, let us start with why I love Sheffield.
For one, see the climbing pictures below. The pictures are with Dave Jennions, a man who is just about to get his PhD, and went to Tonsai, Thailand for several months. He was not in Thailand for the ONE month that I was there. How funny... so were were meant to meet in this lifetime... just not in Asia. I will
3 Gorgeous men
Look at these great eye candy.
From left to right: Dan, Robin, Josh.
Great hosts, and great chefs. My eyes and stomach never went hungry. be climbing more with him, and possibly his father (who was the cameraman here) as well, so stay tuned, we might see more of this man.
On days that I have nothing to do (which is most days), I will take a bus down to Hathersage and hitchhike my way to Stanage. Stanage has so much to offer, that I could climb everyday for the rest of my life, and still, probably not climb all the routes.
It is here that I will talk about the heart of Sheffield, or what makes me love it so. I stayed at 28 Crookes Road for a while, and it was here that my stomach and heart were always full. There is so much love in this house, it is contagious. Respect, honor and love are abundant, and so you can imagine that I was very well taken care of.
This is not a typical college house. Dan, Robin and Josh all cook and eat together everyday. The house is clean and warm, and never a dull moment. Rob - the fourth musketeer is helping to balance out the earth by travelling in America. And so it was that I got
3 drunken boys
Imagine being woken up by three drunken men running into your bedroom screaming your name. Here's Robin and Josh. This was 'boys night out' since Josh just graduated and is moving out. his room to stay in for as long as I want. But, the joy can't last forever, as change can be bittersweet, and happens much more often when you are travelling. Josh... is leaving :-(
He just graduated and it is time for him to move on. So, in the ways of Crookes Road, the men did their good byes, and one of the ways was to go on an all-night pub crawl.
Making the Plan clicking on the movie link above, you can see the men are walking home completely pissed (American translation: pissed = drunk = smashed) making a plan to jump on me upon their return to give me a fright. But, of course, I knew very well that I was way too safe to ever need to be scared, so when three grown men ran into my room at 1am shouting my name, and all THREE of them jumping on top of my duvet (quilt) I couldn't help but laugh. Dan is missing from this picture because (do the math) he is the camera man! On another video that I will upload later, you will see that I am laughing and coherent enough to tease
Mister Dan Butler
Look at Dan's Big ugly feet! He is the best vegetarian cook... Mathew would be so pleased. Josh that part of his good bye gift was that I hired a prostitute to come at 1:30am, and since it was only 1am, they had all come home at a perfect time. We all went down to the kitchen to eat a midnight meal, and then, by about 2:30, I was ready to return to bed.
Now Josh is gone back home out of Sheffield, and Dan is off travelling in London and in Wales, and Robin keeping busy in medical school, and the sheer fact that it is raining, and not climbing weather, I am in Italy!!
I started in Milano, and made my way up to Trento. I have been staying in Trento with an Italian family. I am very happy here, and actually went on a date with an Italian man last night... in ITALY! How many people can say that??
The dolomites are an obviously great place to climb, and so it is in Via Ferrata that you just might find me next... They are found in a number of European countries, including Italy, Germany, France, Austria, Slovenia, Switzerland and Spain.
So far, my plans are to go climbing with Massimo this
weekend, and maybe to Verona where 'Romeo and Juliet' was created. I can head back to Sheffield. I can go to Greece. I can go to Spain. Really, anywhere in Europe. However, I was thinking of saving Greece for September/October and flying to Israel from Greece.
(((I didn't spend hours and years of my life learning Hebrew to forget Israel!))) And thus is where you guys come in.
Post a comment below, and tell me what you think... This is your chance to cast a vote as to where the next adventures come in. My friend Pete says, "Slovenia." Dave Jennions (the man below) says, "South coast of Barcelona in Spain... the orange house."
I am asking you guys what you think. (post a comment and cast your vote now!)
Below, is Giordano and his mom... I am staying with the family. When I first got here, Giordano spoke NO english whatsoever. But he has quickly learned, and is starting to speak a little english. Enough for us to communicate. Infact, he was even translating a little today at lunch with his parents. Truly incredible.
Today, he took notice of my eating habits (I love to eat!!!) and he
The Botanical Gardens in Sheffield
There is this big, beautiful stretch of land that is perfect for laying out and playing football, studying, reading, picnicing... called me, "EVER HUNGRY"
I laughed so hard. this coming from a man who spoke no english a few days ago, just completely summed me up in english!
Anyone who wonders why climbing is so amazing, I recommend this movie:
First Ascent directed by Peter Mortimer One of the many reasons I like climbing is that it teaches some great life lessons. For instance, you can be climbing something so difficult where there are no handholds, and if you are like me, you are praying at this very moment to the mountain. It sounds something like, "Oh, come on, baby! show me where your handholds are!" and then, suddenly, there is a brilliant handhold, and you thank the good lord for providing such a good handhold, and really, it is so glorious, and suddenly you are climbing like a pro... like you didn't just get pushed out of the womb, but you really climbed out of the womb, and you are just LOVING this handhold, and suddenly the beloved handhold is now at the level of your feet.
WHAT!?!? you now have to let go of this handhold, so as to keep climbing, even though you don't
fountain
This is such
fountain
This is such a lovely fountain! I sat by the base and ate the most delicious ice cream. a lovely fountain! I sat by the base and ate the most delicious ice cream.want to let go of it.
(here is where the life lesson comes in)
Sometimes you keep holding onto something because it seems too good to let go. But in reality: it is now holding you back. More life lesson to come :-)
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Tot: 0.221s; Tpl: 0.015s; cc: 18; qc: 62; dbt: 0.0917s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
kendra
non-member comment
i don't even know where to begin..
ok actually lets start with Giordano, GORGEOUS! moment of silence please. moving on, sorry to burst your bubble but it's gelato, not ice cream. gelato is something completely different and unique compared to ice cream, no? you are a climbing stud! (but we already knew that) I LOVED LOVED LOVED the life's lessons part. Basically, what it all comes down to is you have such great insights to share with the world and I love being able to be a part of the circle and learn from you. Thanks Joni. you are truly living the experience of being alive.