Published June 26th, 2007
in Pre-Trip Planning.
This time next week I’ll be exploring the principal stop along the Trail of Ants, no doubt shaking from a combination of excess alcohol and dearth of nutrition. Moscow, here I come. My backpack will be bulging with useless items that I will of convinced myself I’ll need and I’ll of fallen hopelessly in love with far too many of those women things. So as I’m embarking on the journey next Saturday, it meant the weekend that preceded this post was my fond farewell to England, the country I love and loathe… and what a weekend it was.
This particular weekend had 5 days, 177,500 people, 100’s of bands, 1000 acres of mud, 3 crates of lager, 3 boxes of wine and lashings more statistic-inducing extravagance. If you haven’t guessed, this could only be one place, the world famous Glastonbury Festival in Somerset.
As farewell parties go, having the Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs, The Who and Shirley Bassey playing mind-blowing sets was pretty majestic.
We squeezed in over 30 bands’ sets, cheered with The Blues Brothers on the big screen, partied till 5am in the Silent Disco, lost my mind in Lost Vagueness, ate junk till I felt queezy and found mud in places it just shouldn’t appear. All this, in the company of some of the coolest people on the planet today, you know who you are (Jeff, you’re not one!). Continue reading ‘The farewell party, of all farewell parties!’
Published June 19th, 2007
in Insurance and Pre-Trip Planning.
Travelling may afford one the opportunity to run around scantily clad without a care in the world, but hidden away in all of our tatty old backpacks should be a piece of paper worth it’s weight in kobe beef. The Insurance Policy, we simply love to hate them. I say there “should be” one hidden away, as I know there are people who choose to shun the phenomenon with hippyesque (new world alert) regard. My advice; do so at your peril.
I can’t say I enjoyed the whole experience, at times I wanted to eat the computer mouse and rub my head neurotically against the monitor. In fact I’m doing it right now… mmmm, monitor. The fact of the matter is, insurance was a necessary evil and I wasn’t going to let it get me down. You may have noticed the shameless plug adorning the sidebar, which kind of gives away my choice of insurers, so you can lay down your drums as the roll is now ruined. Continue reading ‘I’m literally, a World Nomad.’
Published June 14th, 2007
in Pre-Trip Planning.
Just a couple of quick quickies, really quickly this morning. First off (drum roll please) I am getting incredibly close to announcing my plans for insurance (cue solo guitar) while on The Trail, including cover for my Canon EOS 400D (premium brand name dropping and a big brass finish). Hopefully in the next day or two I’ll blow your mind with the originality of my choice, and the reasons behind it. Control yourself young fan, good things come to those who wait.
Second on the list of quickies I’m compelled to share with you, is the most bizarre experience of the month so far. Close your eyes and pretend that you were in bed with me at 08:43 (family members, just pretend you’re standing at the door) this morning. We were silently snuggled up and at 08:44 we heard a piercing “RAT-A-TAT-TAT, RAT-A-TAT-TAT” at the window. Alarmed, we offered a bleary gaze at a magpie perched upon the windowsill repeatedly smacking his beak into the windowpane, “RAT-A-TAT-TAT, RAT-A-TAT-TAT” he continued, having clearly seen us gawking at this most insolent of acts. Continue reading ‘Hey Magpie, fancy a Kingfisher?’
Published June 10th, 2007
in Pre-Trip Planning.
“Are you excited, Ant?” is a question I’m repeatedly asked, as I quash the three-weeks-to-go anniversary. The simple, and honest answer is “no”. All through my life I have never been excited prior to holidays, or even extended peregrinations. (Take a moment to absorb the word “peregrination” as if you’re like me, you’ll find it somewhat alluring).
I’m unsure what it is within my make-up that makes me this way, but I do find it a little obscure in comparison with the more mainstream symptoms of sleepless nights and endless day dreams. I once booked a spontaneous flight to New York, and flew the next day while my heart remained the same constant rhythm. I embarked on a solo tour of Europe for a few months, and my gaze remained suspiciously nonchalant. I spent a weekend in Edinburgh, but the thought of it raised not-a-murmur of anticipation. Continue reading ‘An unforgettable climax?’
Published May 28th, 2007
in Pre-Trip Planning.
Looking toward the overtly metaphoric horizon, laden with goals and ambitions, the blazing reality of this trip is slowly setting, casting a gaudy edge to my imagination.
Suddenly the mundane ripples I have sent through my life thus far are bounding back towards me in the shape of intensely colourful tsunamis.
The same pint, in the same pub, in the same city with the same people isn’t quite as bad as I maybe professed. In contrast, the random gloop, in a random tavern, in a random city with some random people seems somewhat more neutral. Continue reading ‘On second thoughts…’
Published May 24th, 2007
in Pre-Trip Planning.
Somewhere in the depths of this site I’ve stated that “the only cost to really consider, is time”. Well, even though I lost my job in mid-April and I don’t start The Trail till June 30th (ignore the sidebar), I’m starting to realise just how precious time really is. It’s like my whole life is being compressed on a daily basis, tick-tock, tick-tock. The departure date is now embedded in me, and it appears as a dividing wall in my psyche. My current life on one side. My new life on the other.
In reality I don’t have to plan much more, all I have to do is sling some rags in a bag and buy some insurance. Add that to a couple of tickets, a passport and some visas and I’m hot to trot. The thing I’m not looking forward to, is The Goodbye. I’ve never been good at them, and never will be. A swift hug, pat on the back, kiss on the cheek and I’m outta here, with just a wink and a smile to leave by the wall. Continue reading ‘Can’t wait to say goodbye…’
Published May 10th, 2007
in Visas and Pre-Trip Planning.
I woke up this morning with the scantily clad Vicky, of STA Travel fame softly reading to me from the Lonely Planet guide to Mongolia. Tales of riding horse back through the Gobi desert before walking hand in hand into a warm ger (Mongolian felt lined tent), all to ourselves. She descried how she would pour me a glass of warm goats milk, before slowly stripping off her… KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!!
I awoke with a start, (for real this time) and looked at the time on my phone, 09:03… KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK! “Alright, alright I’m coming” I yelled at the front door with croaky morning-voice. Realising my naked display I grabbed a towel en route and yanked the door open to be greeted by a spotty faced postman “Did I wake ya, mate? Special delivery mate. Sign here mate”, I took a breath and secured the towel while making up a new signature for my mate. Continue reading ‘It’s, Энтони Стоун to you’
