Tuesday, May 26, 2015
All museums bright and beautiful
In yorkshire, i stayed in a place called Thirsk, which i just happened to find where the most affordable bed-and-breakfast was. Turns out James Herriot lived there and they turned the house he actually lived in into a museum and some of the real furniture was donated by the family, and i expected to be a small house, and it wasn't. it was a whole huge complex with multiple floors and a film and a stable and chickens and ii spent at least two hours in it and that was going through the house really quickly. I actually regret flashing through the house because i didn't get to absorb any of it except that it was a beautiful house.
The day after that, i went to swinton castle and traipsed around the grounds of the castle that may or may not have belonged to our family. according to wiki, apparently, the castle i visited was founded in the 1600s? But swinton castle belonged to my family in the 1050s? i saw a portrait of a viscountess swinton in the sitting room. The grounds were so huge i couldn't see all of them realistically. the castle itself was very fancy and each of the rooms were named after surrounding villages. there was a small bit with owls and i am sorry but i am so fucking sick of animals in tiny cages. it will never feel okay. ever.
the third day i went to scarborough on a whim (over leeds and liverpool) and on my way out of thirsk, i stopped when i saw there was a paring lot on the side of the road and a sign that said "view". And hey, that's really all i need to know. The day was rainy and hazy so i didn't bother with my SLR, but i had my trusty pocketshooter with me. Which, honestly, i should probably name. I might go with silver. as in, i am the lone ranger. and hi ho silver! My SLR's name is Vera. Yes. I am that infantile, thank you!
It would've been a view that made me cry, had it been clear enough to see.
I made it up to the castle, and took pictures of the coast, and sat in a graveyard that happened to have Ann(e?) Bronte tossed in. She's the bronte no one talks about. Despite her being on all the signs, half of her name had fallen off the headstone. I sat for a while and talked to a man who was drinking in the graveyard, and he was a very nice man. he admired me for travelling and seemed to admire me more after i told the story about how even though i despise beer, i have out-chugged a hipster just to shut them up. (it's the little victories in life. honestly.) and he was actually very respectful, aside from cussing (which doesn't bother me.) and even chided a girl who littered. He was very specific about keeping his own rubbish to himself.
He told me about Whitby Abbey which was apparently Brahm Stoker's inspiration for Dracula. SO i asked him if he really though it was worth it to see, and he said "i reckon so" and so i said "well all right, then. I'll go now, so i don't lose the light. It was really nice to meet you!" And i shook his hand and left and i have to say, it was wonderful. It was completely worth it. One girl near whitby abbey randomly came up to me and spend about 45 minutes walking around with me while i took pictures, just chatting at me.
now, through 3 nights i barely slept and my back was sore the entire time. i almost didn't go out the third day, i couldn't make myself try going up the turret at swinton, and the floor of the hostel-type place i stayed at somehow had cracked flooring that when you stepped on it, water oozed out.
the flight back to krakow was four hours earlier than i thought- it was a good thing that i randomly checked the papers hanging out in my bag. Otherwise i would've missed my flight.
i'm sorry it's been so long since i've blogged. there's two things at play. i'm genuinely busy, and i hate that my trip is coming to a close. this who time has flown by and i don't want to go. I hate facing the fact that i won't be here anymore. I don't know how it is that i can simultaneously love where i am and want so badly to go home and be with my family, and they're equal desires. All the fear and apprehension i felt before coming here and the uncertainty and nerves have now been transferred to going back home. It's been some goddamned shakespearean stolen season here and now i have to go home and face reality.
I'm leaving for athens in two days and in the second weekend in june, i will be going to romania.
i had vegemite today.
The day after that, i went to swinton castle and traipsed around the grounds of the castle that may or may not have belonged to our family. according to wiki, apparently, the castle i visited was founded in the 1600s? But swinton castle belonged to my family in the 1050s? i saw a portrait of a viscountess swinton in the sitting room. The grounds were so huge i couldn't see all of them realistically. the castle itself was very fancy and each of the rooms were named after surrounding villages. there was a small bit with owls and i am sorry but i am so fucking sick of animals in tiny cages. it will never feel okay. ever.
the third day i went to scarborough on a whim (over leeds and liverpool) and on my way out of thirsk, i stopped when i saw there was a paring lot on the side of the road and a sign that said "view". And hey, that's really all i need to know. The day was rainy and hazy so i didn't bother with my SLR, but i had my trusty pocketshooter with me. Which, honestly, i should probably name. I might go with silver. as in, i am the lone ranger. and hi ho silver! My SLR's name is Vera. Yes. I am that infantile, thank you!
It would've been a view that made me cry, had it been clear enough to see.
I made it up to the castle, and took pictures of the coast, and sat in a graveyard that happened to have Ann(e?) Bronte tossed in. She's the bronte no one talks about. Despite her being on all the signs, half of her name had fallen off the headstone. I sat for a while and talked to a man who was drinking in the graveyard, and he was a very nice man. he admired me for travelling and seemed to admire me more after i told the story about how even though i despise beer, i have out-chugged a hipster just to shut them up. (it's the little victories in life. honestly.) and he was actually very respectful, aside from cussing (which doesn't bother me.) and even chided a girl who littered. He was very specific about keeping his own rubbish to himself.
He told me about Whitby Abbey which was apparently Brahm Stoker's inspiration for Dracula. SO i asked him if he really though it was worth it to see, and he said "i reckon so" and so i said "well all right, then. I'll go now, so i don't lose the light. It was really nice to meet you!" And i shook his hand and left and i have to say, it was wonderful. It was completely worth it. One girl near whitby abbey randomly came up to me and spend about 45 minutes walking around with me while i took pictures, just chatting at me.
now, through 3 nights i barely slept and my back was sore the entire time. i almost didn't go out the third day, i couldn't make myself try going up the turret at swinton, and the floor of the hostel-type place i stayed at somehow had cracked flooring that when you stepped on it, water oozed out.
the flight back to krakow was four hours earlier than i thought- it was a good thing that i randomly checked the papers hanging out in my bag. Otherwise i would've missed my flight.
i'm sorry it's been so long since i've blogged. there's two things at play. i'm genuinely busy, and i hate that my trip is coming to a close. this who time has flown by and i don't want to go. I hate facing the fact that i won't be here anymore. I don't know how it is that i can simultaneously love where i am and want so badly to go home and be with my family, and they're equal desires. All the fear and apprehension i felt before coming here and the uncertainty and nerves have now been transferred to going back home. It's been some goddamned shakespearean stolen season here and now i have to go home and face reality.
I'm leaving for athens in two days and in the second weekend in june, i will be going to romania.
i had vegemite today.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Kirkcaldy
In Kirkcaldy, (as i got in on saturday night,) I rested the first day. I put in an appearance in the chruch, and was able to ask people who would know about the family i am looking for, and (i don't know how my mother found this person, but i also emailed someone my mom got in email contact with, who had actually confirmed she knew how to find records of that same family, so i also emailed her.) And she said she would meet me monday morning and show me around kirkcaldy and the churches and graveyard. which she did. And i was supposed to meet the email-lady in the afternoon, but she never showed up. or answered her phone. or the three emails i sent her.
They elder i met was a lovely lady names KAthryn, and she walked around, and drove me to a graveyard, the library (which was closed) and then took me to a castle. for no reason other than to hang out with me. She started talking a bit about politics, so i mentioned i know a separatist, and she says "oh i'm sure, which i absolutely am not."
then, on tuesday (my last day), i went to the correct place in Kirkcaldy to meet HER at her workplace, and she was over an hour late, and by that time, i had already taken pictures of all the gravestones i needed. Then she showed up because apparently her brakes (or something car-related) broke. nevertheless, she spent hours with me showing me marriage/death/announcements in a huuuuuuge bible, the grave catalogue, the library, the genealogist they use and the professional one...
not to mention the fact that there is a beautiful beach, pretty churches, and, weirdly enough, a square which i think was supposed to look like plaid, but i couldn't get high up enough to take a picture.
They elder i met was a lovely lady names KAthryn, and she walked around, and drove me to a graveyard, the library (which was closed) and then took me to a castle. for no reason other than to hang out with me. She started talking a bit about politics, so i mentioned i know a separatist, and she says "oh i'm sure, which i absolutely am not."
then, on tuesday (my last day), i went to the correct place in Kirkcaldy to meet HER at her workplace, and she was over an hour late, and by that time, i had already taken pictures of all the gravestones i needed. Then she showed up because apparently her brakes (or something car-related) broke. nevertheless, she spent hours with me showing me marriage/death/announcements in a huuuuuuge bible, the grave catalogue, the library, the genealogist they use and the professional one...
not to mention the fact that there is a beautiful beach, pretty churches, and, weirdly enough, a square which i think was supposed to look like plaid, but i couldn't get high up enough to take a picture.
Saturday, May 9, 2015
Edinburgh
Today the sun came out and let me take pictures all around the royal mile. And yes, it was all a hill. And yes, I walked all the way up it. But actually I didnt end up as out-of-breath as I thought I might. Idk if it was because I was going slow to take pictures, because it was cool, or because my legs are getting stronger (probably all), but it seriously was not as hard as I thought it would be and i am super grateful. Scotland, thus far, has given me two amazing days and renting a car has made every bit of a difference as I thought it would. I have some kind of diesel vauxhall, and I can get close to 50mpg with it, which is incredible.
I wish I could properly describe the scenery or could have pulled over to the side of the road today to taking some good shots, but the highway was much more crowded than yesterday, so it wouldn't've been safe.
Ireland was wild and violent, somehow, in its beauty. Scotland just leaves me with an impression that it is what it is and leaves you to yourself to love it or leave it. I most definitely fall into the former category. My heart fills with every inch of scenery or town or people I take in. I am so happy here that I almost wish I had tried harder to study here rather than in Poland, but then when I think what that might have meant in missing out on Krakòw, I feel pretty painfully torn.
The lady who runs the Bed and Breakfast here in Kirkcaldy gave me a room up top, with a water view and my own bathroom. I have groceries, thanks to Sainsbury, and wifi, with some beautiful songbirds singing outside my window. I have Hozier on (thanks, youtube,) and am reading Harry Potter while resting my feetsies. I have sent an email to a lady my mom found who will know more about where I need to go to track down what records I am looking for, and the town is small enough I think I can explore it and even if I do get lost I could probably just ask someone where Merchant House is, and they could tell me.
The people are so insanely friendly that it makes growing up in the south look like growing up in new york. I said "good evening" to some people across the street when I got some food out of my car, and all of them greeted me back, including a mom having her tiny child call out "hiii!" And one guy let me pet his dog. (This sounds weird but in Kraków whether it is the language barrier or the relectuance to make eye contact, you generally just don't do that.)
Somehow it feels like home. Not quite America, but the people, and the boisterous humor, and the open friendliness... all of it feels so good, I know I will be very sad to leave.
There is a trope (one that is universal, and valueable, because everyone feels this way sometimes,) about being surrounded by people and feeling lonely. I have been dealing with this for a while now. In being single. In being broke and stressed about money and school. In keeping my head down and working. It helped me, a lot, to move to Kraków and remind myself that I am my mother's daughter, and will never not love my surroundings and weather whatever I have to with unflappable flexibility. It helped me remember I am my father's daughter, and will observe everything in its minutae with smirking regard to ironies and inconsistencies the world presents me. And to smile and appreciate the differences that tie to common roots and understand that the world isn't black and white; only we are, in how we deal with shades of grey.
Scotland has made me feel the opposite. I am by myself here. I know no one. I am constantly on the move and I barely talk to anyone at all.
Somehow, I haven't felt alone for an instant.
I have not felt like I could ever live anywhere but America. Having a job offer waiting for me in Kraków has been a wonderful backup plan in case my life ever stagnates.
But here.
In two days.
I could live here.
I wish I could properly describe the scenery or could have pulled over to the side of the road today to taking some good shots, but the highway was much more crowded than yesterday, so it wouldn't've been safe.
Ireland was wild and violent, somehow, in its beauty. Scotland just leaves me with an impression that it is what it is and leaves you to yourself to love it or leave it. I most definitely fall into the former category. My heart fills with every inch of scenery or town or people I take in. I am so happy here that I almost wish I had tried harder to study here rather than in Poland, but then when I think what that might have meant in missing out on Krakòw, I feel pretty painfully torn.
The lady who runs the Bed and Breakfast here in Kirkcaldy gave me a room up top, with a water view and my own bathroom. I have groceries, thanks to Sainsbury, and wifi, with some beautiful songbirds singing outside my window. I have Hozier on (thanks, youtube,) and am reading Harry Potter while resting my feetsies. I have sent an email to a lady my mom found who will know more about where I need to go to track down what records I am looking for, and the town is small enough I think I can explore it and even if I do get lost I could probably just ask someone where Merchant House is, and they could tell me.
The people are so insanely friendly that it makes growing up in the south look like growing up in new york. I said "good evening" to some people across the street when I got some food out of my car, and all of them greeted me back, including a mom having her tiny child call out "hiii!" And one guy let me pet his dog. (This sounds weird but in Kraków whether it is the language barrier or the relectuance to make eye contact, you generally just don't do that.)
Somehow it feels like home. Not quite America, but the people, and the boisterous humor, and the open friendliness... all of it feels so good, I know I will be very sad to leave.
There is a trope (one that is universal, and valueable, because everyone feels this way sometimes,) about being surrounded by people and feeling lonely. I have been dealing with this for a while now. In being single. In being broke and stressed about money and school. In keeping my head down and working. It helped me, a lot, to move to Kraków and remind myself that I am my mother's daughter, and will never not love my surroundings and weather whatever I have to with unflappable flexibility. It helped me remember I am my father's daughter, and will observe everything in its minutae with smirking regard to ironies and inconsistencies the world presents me. And to smile and appreciate the differences that tie to common roots and understand that the world isn't black and white; only we are, in how we deal with shades of grey.
Scotland has made me feel the opposite. I am by myself here. I know no one. I am constantly on the move and I barely talk to anyone at all.
Somehow, I haven't felt alone for an instant.
I have not felt like I could ever live anywhere but America. Having a job offer waiting for me in Kraków has been a wonderful backup plan in case my life ever stagnates.
But here.
In two days.
I could live here.
Friday, May 8, 2015
Glasgow
Today was so amazing I could cry. A rental car and GPS was so incredibly worth it. I walked around in Glasgow for hours AND DIDNT GET LOST. I took hundred of photos. I finally figured out the white balance so I could file with my aperture, and exposure time. The weather was cool and cloudy and so I never got hot. I had an incredibly delicious, cheap sammich. My transformer for Poland also has a UK bit and I have a USB charger andextre cords so I didnt need to buy anything else. There is free tea and breakfast here and everyone is super friendly.
Even the drivers are friendly. I mean I pulled some bonehead moves just because I don't know anything but if I am stuck in the wrong lane, people are really nice about letting you in. And they flash their brights as a go-ahead as well as a speed-up, so they signal they are letting you in. Driving on the left side only makes me tense if I am turning right. The arcitechture is beautiful and the pavement is mostly even and flat. The countryside is beautiful.
I am so excited. I am so so fucking glad to be here. It's amazing. Seriously.
Even the drivers are friendly. I mean I pulled some bonehead moves just because I don't know anything but if I am stuck in the wrong lane, people are really nice about letting you in. And they flash their brights as a go-ahead as well as a speed-up, so they signal they are letting you in. Driving on the left side only makes me tense if I am turning right. The arcitechture is beautiful and the pavement is mostly even and flat. The countryside is beautiful.
I am so excited. I am so so fucking glad to be here. It's amazing. Seriously.
Monday, May 4, 2015
and i just can't hide it
I've been grinning all day.
I haven't blogged for about a week, because nothing important has been happening. May Day is a thing the Poles celebrate (i think it's like their labor day?), and the conly class that gives me consistent homework didn't, in honor of the long weekend. So i got to JUST RELAX. which i have to say, was pretty amazing.
It's been warm and humid, here, so i'm going to have to turn a pair of my pants into shorts. Which is sad, because good pants are hard to find, but oh well. Saturday, there was a food fair thing at the Kazimierz Galeria. we went, got lost, and then spent about 45 minutes waiting for a burger (which was okay, but NOT worth it.) and then sat for a while with some other friends. After that, (because they ditched us to eat inside didn't even tell us, lol.) we went to the Zapekanki place in Kazimierz (the SAME PLACE I PUT MY HAND IN THA POO), and we hung out for a couple of hours, just chatting. Then we got icecream and walked back to the square and took a tram.
After that, we went to a pub and hung out for a little bit then, too. It was wall-to-wall bodies AND THEY WERE SITTING UPSTAIRS.
Yeah, i left after a little bit. The upstairs was so cramped i couldn't even stand up all the way because the ceiling was so low. and it was SO HOT.
Honestly, though, hanging out with those guys is some of the nicest times I've had. I skipped out on the next day because i honestly just wanted to relax, and also realized i needed to book my trains and busses all over the place. like i did last time, and then had to go and cancel. Everything.
bus to airport. plane to scotland. bus to hostel. train to kirkcaldy. walk to hostel. somehow find family record on clan beveridge. train to yorkshire. somehow bus or train to swinton castle. train/bus back to thirsk. james herriot museum. train back to airport.
I'm explaining this to one of the lovely brits, and he mentioned that things in the north country are nearly impossible without a car.
AND LIGHTNING STRIKES.
I'M OVER 25.
I CAN RENT A CAR.
It'll cost me a few hundred dollars, but thanks to my refund, i can afford it, if i'm very careful. And i also invested in a GPS, so this means i'm on my own timetable and i don't have to worry about public transportation!
I cannot even begin to describe to you how important this is. I can't begin to tell you about how much easier, and less stressful this trip will be, now. I mean save for the fact that apparently my hostel doesn't have anyone who can let me in when i get in so i may have to spend the night IN my rental car, everything else seems amazing! I'M SO FUCKING STOKED.
I'll be able to drive wherever the hell i need to go to find the information about the Beveridge clan! I'll be able to DRIVE from Thirsk to Swinton Castle. I'll be able to DRIVE back to the airport DIRECTLY instead of having to worry about stops and times.
I'll be able to stop and look at the countryside whenever i want to.
I'll be able to EXPERIENCE things. and buy groceries and carry them around so that i don't have to eat out!
Although i may have to try haggis. my friend Emily would never forgive me if i didn't.
I'M SO EXCITED
I haven't blogged for about a week, because nothing important has been happening. May Day is a thing the Poles celebrate (i think it's like their labor day?), and the conly class that gives me consistent homework didn't, in honor of the long weekend. So i got to JUST RELAX. which i have to say, was pretty amazing.
It's been warm and humid, here, so i'm going to have to turn a pair of my pants into shorts. Which is sad, because good pants are hard to find, but oh well. Saturday, there was a food fair thing at the Kazimierz Galeria. we went, got lost, and then spent about 45 minutes waiting for a burger (which was okay, but NOT worth it.) and then sat for a while with some other friends. After that, (because they ditched us to eat inside didn't even tell us, lol.) we went to the Zapekanki place in Kazimierz (the SAME PLACE I PUT MY HAND IN THA POO), and we hung out for a couple of hours, just chatting. Then we got icecream and walked back to the square and took a tram.
After that, we went to a pub and hung out for a little bit then, too. It was wall-to-wall bodies AND THEY WERE SITTING UPSTAIRS.
Yeah, i left after a little bit. The upstairs was so cramped i couldn't even stand up all the way because the ceiling was so low. and it was SO HOT.
Honestly, though, hanging out with those guys is some of the nicest times I've had. I skipped out on the next day because i honestly just wanted to relax, and also realized i needed to book my trains and busses all over the place. like i did last time, and then had to go and cancel. Everything.
bus to airport. plane to scotland. bus to hostel. train to kirkcaldy. walk to hostel. somehow find family record on clan beveridge. train to yorkshire. somehow bus or train to swinton castle. train/bus back to thirsk. james herriot museum. train back to airport.
I'm explaining this to one of the lovely brits, and he mentioned that things in the north country are nearly impossible without a car.
AND LIGHTNING STRIKES.
I'M OVER 25.
I CAN RENT A CAR.
It'll cost me a few hundred dollars, but thanks to my refund, i can afford it, if i'm very careful. And i also invested in a GPS, so this means i'm on my own timetable and i don't have to worry about public transportation!
I cannot even begin to describe to you how important this is. I can't begin to tell you about how much easier, and less stressful this trip will be, now. I mean save for the fact that apparently my hostel doesn't have anyone who can let me in when i get in so i may have to spend the night IN my rental car, everything else seems amazing! I'M SO FUCKING STOKED.
I'll be able to drive wherever the hell i need to go to find the information about the Beveridge clan! I'll be able to DRIVE from Thirsk to Swinton Castle. I'll be able to DRIVE back to the airport DIRECTLY instead of having to worry about stops and times.
I'll be able to stop and look at the countryside whenever i want to.
I'll be able to EXPERIENCE things. and buy groceries and carry them around so that i don't have to eat out!
Although i may have to try haggis. my friend Emily would never forgive me if i didn't.
I'M SO EXCITED
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