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August 04, 2007
Return From Wales, and a Loss
I have returned from my grand adventure in Wales, but sadly I lost my beloved camera along the way. It had become legendary on this trip for its indestructability, and I suppose some lucky ebay purchaser or pawn shop peruser is currently enjoying my pictures of castles, and the last grains of sand that I couldn't get out of the battery case.
So although I don't currently have a single picture to share (and you have no idea the wonderful Friday Creatures I was so proud of collecting...baby swans, baby sea gulls, all in wonderful poses, even snails and slugs...) I DO have a list of "Things I Learned In Wales"
1. Reading Lloyd Alexander'sThe Prydain Chronicals throughout one's formative years does NOT prepare you to speak or read Welsh.
2. You know you are in a bad part of town when the ladies room does not have a tampon depository, but DOES have a box for used needles.
3. The scenery in Wales is so breathtakingly beautiful it WILL distract you to the point you leave your beloved camera on a train, but is also so breathtakingly beautiful as will destract you from the sorrow and self-loathing resulting from this loss.
4. There are many slugs in Wales.
5. The people in Wales are the nicest you'll ever meet. When we missed our bus, the cleaning lady at the hostel we stayed at could not be stopped from getting car and driving us into town.
6. In Wales, it does not rain. It's more along the lines of the wind just being really wet.
7. You will know when God does not want you to go on a hike in Wales. He will send you many obvious signs, such as incorrect bus scheduals, wet wind, and many locals hearing of your plans and responding "Ach, bad day for that!" And then, when you try anyways, he will make the trail so steep that your weak American thighs suggest you turn back, and go to another castle instead.
8. In Wales, the Irish landlord of the pub and hostel you are staying at will warmly embrace you when you explain that you are also of Irish heritage. He may not believe you at first, because you don't have an accent, but he will be very impressed when you offer your Irish last name and remind him there is a castle that still goes by it.
9. Always check to see WHERE your youth hostel is BEFORE booking, otherwise you may try walking the eight miles to your hostel and part way realize that you were headed to the OTHER Eagles in the OTHER village.
10. Feelings of concern that your highway adventure will end up like either Rocky Horror Picture Show (There's a light....) or American Werewolf In London (ah, the lonesome Welsh highway) are not necessarily alleviated by stopping by a bed and breakfast entirely decorated with teddy bears.
11. Always put extra pita bread in your backback. You will eat more than you thought.
| By Spike | 05:09 PM
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