AfricanVideos 2 - final round

Well, I got the Africa videos and pictures all uploaded and put where they should be. So yay for that. It only took hours, as I watched Hero, and Apocolypto... I had no real plans for today anyway, so it let me kick back. Cambodia tomorrow. Gonna hit up a net cafe to print out that ticket, and then visit my noodle lady for some good eats. Here's another browser crashing batch of youtube vids for you:


DAY 14

flight 1


flight 2


flight 3


truck


animal


DAY 15

boat


boat


macorro





DAY 16

giraffe


wildebeast


sunset


mocoro ride

DAY 17

lion eating cow 1


lion eating cow 2

DAY 18

13 elephants


























DAY 19
buffalo


elephants


new years fire



SOWETO



Once I upload the VicFalls special, and the bangkok videos I'll be all caught up. Success!

African Updates: Videos Batch 1

I've begun to add images and videos to my Africa entries - however, since many people will not want to flip back, I'll also post the videos here - in one giant "web browser crashing" monstrosity. Cross your fingers and hope for the best.

DAY 1
windy cape


penguines







DAY 2
landscape


day 2 chat

DAY 3
driving


day two chat


Nambian Sunset

DAY 4
humdingers robby


mia


mia long


hamish


zebra

DAY 5
driving


landscape


chat


DAY 6
chat

DAY 7
chat

DAY 8
chat at seals


seals


pups


seals


desert elephant


fire songs 1


fire songs 2

DAY 9
zebra


elephants


lion


night 1


night 2

DAY 10
field


field 2


chat


giraffe

DAY 11
lion


lizard


warthog


truck

DAY 12
on the truck song

DAY 13
XHIQUE 1


Xhique 2


chat


night dance 1


night dance 2

Onward to Estonia

Well, today I'm off to Estonia – of course, by doing that it means I miss Finland's bigged comic book convention, being held ever so close to where I'm staying. When will I even get the chance to go to Finland's biggest comic book convention again? Mind you – when would I have ever got the chance to see Estonia again? So the choice really was a no-brainer – especially considering I had already purchased my ticket to Tallinna. I'm sure this was the best choice. Comics are all fine and well – but, travel...

Is it wrong that part of me wanted to see Estonia because that's where the little hobbit tells his parents that guy from The Mummy was from, after Pauly Shoare thawed him out of ice? What can I say, I take perverse delight from Pauly Shore movies, and the next time I watch Encino Man, and the Fat Hobbitses say “Uhh... Estonia, he's from Estonia,” I can say “I was there.”

Now, of course, this was all dependent on me waking up on time. And waking up on time was a sickeningly early 6:00am.

Upward and Onward
I fell asleep at 10:00 the night before, and as such found it quite disconcerting when I heard my new roommate (EuroHostel has two people rooms, rather than large dorms) scream, “boo!” at five in the morning. Hearing that word is more terrifying than anything you could imagine from watching early morning cartoons – and looking around, I saw nothing. He was not peering over me, ready to plunge a knife into my body, with accompanying slogans slurred in his British/Taiwanese accent. He still seemed to be in his bed, sleeping. So back to bed with me. Further shouts in his sleep assured me that this was simply a normal thing for him. And that, in and of itself, is not slightly bothersome at all.

I rushed out of the hostel, in order to make it to the ferry docks on time, noticing as I made my way towards the central station, that none of the traffic lights were on, nor were any of the walk signals. I can only assume that late at night Helsinki becomes a free-for-all on the roads, with whomever has the most powerful vehicle being named the winner.

The cathedral, whose step were always filled with tourists and locals alike was completely abandoned, and quite remarkable looking in the early morning light. Street sweepers were driving their tiny vehicles up and down the sidewalk, no doubt cleaning up after a late night. Only a handful of people occupied the streets – none of which seemed to be in any hurry to get anywhere.

I reached the station just after my bus, 15A, pulled into the station. Hopping on board I paid my 2.50 and took a seat, carefully following our progress on my map, lest I miss my stop. Of course this was all for naught, as the bus was a direct route, and had only one stop at which everyone poured out, heading to the ferry docks.

I'm on a Boat
Inside I wandered towards the Eckero Line check in booth, and waited twenty minutes for it to open. Once I reached the front of the line, I was told I already had a boarding pass and did not need to check in. Of course I didn't – why would I? That wouldn't make any sense at all. So onto the ship I crawled, which of course, left me with another question. What was I to do once on board? This wasn't a ferry – it wasn't designed to simply take people from one side of the waters to another. This was a full out cruise ship. The other passengers seemed just as confused as I did.

Having fully explored the inside and outside, I noticed that there were no plug sockets anywhere – yet there were television sets. Surely they must have been receiving power somehow? Of course – the sockets were mounted high on the wall. Now armed with this knowledge I started my search once more, and discovered one (one!) socket available for use. Quickly clamoring to that bench, I plugged in, and opened up my laptop. I have three games on it, and I'm sure I'll hate the – oh what the hell is this? A group of Spanish tourists just sat down on the bench opposite, and started to blare their cellphone's mp3 capabilities. Yes, please, at 8:00 in the morning, there's nothing I'd rather hear that your music. I'm sure everyone in this room really wants to hear what you think the latest hits of your country are. They're called ear buds. Honestly, is Canada just a country where we believe in not bothering other people – are we the aberrations? - anyway I'm sure I'll hate all the games by the time my three hour cruise to Estonia is complete. And just for added fun, I had an hour to kill before the ship even started moving.

It's not even worth considering the three and a half hour journey back yet, nor the fact that I don't have any Estonian money. All that will be dealt with in time, I'm sure.



To Old Town and Beyond (a little bit)
And all that was delt with. It turns out there was a lady more than happy to change my money on board the ship – and even if I had managed to miss her, I ran into an even happier lady, offering better rates. Such is life in the money changing business. Sure, I only missed out of 3EEK (about thirty cents) but that could have been a coin to add to my jangle jar. It's best to just leave that one alone for now.

So off I headed into Estonia with 75EEK to my name. I didn't think I'd really need more than five euros worth of money, as I'd only be there a few hours. Stepping off the ship I followed the crowd to Old Town, stopping for a moment at a souvenir shop to see if they had any stickers I could add to my laptop. I am trying to get one from each country, after all.

Unfortunately all the stickers were half the size of my computer, and as I was only in Estonia for a handful of hours, I didn't feel that it deserved that much real estate. That, and it would cost half the money in my pocket to buy it. Notes with 25 as a value, I like that. Who needs multiples of ten these day? What a mathematical wonderland international currency can be.

Stepping through the city gates I was immediately overcome with the feeling that, yes, this is what an Eastern European city should feel like. This was a foreign country without any doubt. And then I started to look around. Everyone had a camera around their neck. Everyone was looking around, craning their neck back as far as it could go. Everyone – so it seemed – was also speaking English.

Old Town Tallinn (whether there is an 'a' at the end of this word or not is a matter of much debate) may seem to hold everything you would expect from an Eastern European city, but it is more of a dream, than a reality; old town is a city closing its eyes and thinking back to a distant time when uneven cobblestoned roads were the height of technology, and city walls provided safety and comfort for every day citizens.

The only people here were those dressed in period costumes, leading tourists around by the numbered group, or selling roasted nuts from stands, talking on cellphones all the while.

The true city is, of course, outside the walls of Old Town, as much a metropolitan as any other nation's capital. But for the afternoon, I was willing to suspend my disbelief, half shut my eyes, and imagine myself in a different world. Where every other store was a souvenir shop now, I could only imagine what they once might have held. Every nook, every cranny, every tiny crawlspace I could picture children playing in, hiding in, and escaping from an unwanted eye within.

And the high grounds in the city? If you feel like climbing a number of stairs up up and up, you'll be rewarded with fabulous views over the Old Town, and the rest of the city. A map labeling all the lookout spots can be found in your free copy of Tallina Today, available from the information booth, and port. Or – you could just follow the large crowds of people.

Looking over the old city, allowing your eyes to play off the various spires, and red roofs below, streets crowding and emptying as walking tours pass by, you can certainly drink in the flavour of this wonderful place.

McDonald's... Refuge for the Disconnected
But then, as so many things do, it came crashing to a halt. I found myself outside of the McDonalds, situated right in front of the main gate. The Disney World shell fell away, and I was back in reality. Actually, I was inside McDonald's buying a Chicken, Bacon, Onion combo. I had apparently chosen the wrong line, because six people were served on either side before the manager realized the person serving the woman in front of me had just gone on break, without finishing the order. Teenaged girls – they're the same at every McDee's around the world, it seems.

And let me tell you, they are as easily frustrated. In placing my order, I asked for the combo, which I received. It came to 75EEk. I tried to hand over my money. She would have none of it. Did I want ketchup or mayonnaise she asked? Still I tried to just pay. The total was what I had – there was the money, thrust towards her seventeen year old hands, unsure of what to do as I'd not yet answered the question. Did I want mayonnaise or ketchup? O.K. - fine. I wanted mayonnaise. New total 81EEK. I didn't have 81 EEK! Couldn't she see I was trying to give her my only 75? Didn't she understand that this transaction should have ended moment ago? Now I had to tell her – stop – though I wanted mayonnaise, I've never been in a place that charges for it, or ketchup. In fact what is McDonald's international doing charging for something here that they give away in mass quantities elsewhere?

Her face moved from shock, to horror, to pure unadulterated anger – finally coming to a rest on disgust when I told her that I would like to cancel the mayonnaise. Was I sure? Did I understand that doing this was not the simple press of a button, but rather a series of buttons so beyond her blonde haired understanding that it would require the advice, mentorship, and shoulder to cry on of a manager? Was I aware that I had ruined her day, all for the price of 6EEK. Did I know what wrath I had just brought down upon myself?

Looking at her fuming in the corner, while the manager scanned cards, and entered secret codes, I certainly became aware. Still – if 75 is all you have, 75 is all you can pay. Certainly she could have fronted me the extra six. I would have paid her back next time I was in town. I'm good for it. Honest.

But no. There was no luck, and of course, no ketchup. McDonald's fries are nothing more than a vessel for that sweet sweet condiment, yet here I was eating them salted and unloved. (brief tangent: for those who find double salted liquorish disgusting, let me tell you – I found a pepper flavoured variety here in Finland.)

With my meal fully in my possession, and most likely glistening with international teenaged saliva, I made my way to a table, causing much concern to the three six year olds who were attempting to save it, by running one direction then the other, rather than just sitting down at it. Taking bite after bite of my international varient, I noticed everyone typing away on their laptops.

Well what fun that looked like, so out mine came, and – crash. I had caused mass damage to my Office Suite and would need to repair it. Except I didn't know how. Thirty minutes of research later, all was corrected by three reboots. Why three? I don't know. But crisis averted. I'd also managed to wait out the rain that began falling whilst I drank my super sized (read: medium in North America) soda.

And Back We Go
Back on the street, I took a final look around, and then made my way to the boat.

Had I seen Estonia? Had I even seen Tallinn? I'm not really sure. I've seen part of it, and that's something. Certainly I had an experience or two here – it was more than a airline stop over. So yes – I've seen part of the city, and a few meters outside the fantasized walls.

Now, it's back to Finland for a final sleep, before boarding a plane for Oslo Norway. I was in Finland this morning, Estonia this afternoon, and I'll be in Norway tomorrow. My life is... different now... though it's still mostly the same.

Travelling the Golden Circle

Alright – I'm willing to admit that today might have been a bit too cold for shorts and a t-shirt but did that deter me? It did not. Was it because I only have shorts and t-shirts? Strangely enough that is not the case either. I just – well, look – I'm Canadian, and if there's no snow on the ground, then I'm not wearing long anything. And even when there is snow, I might keep the sleeves short. National pride and all that. Have to distinguish ourselves from the Aussies somehow, eh?

On that note, I tried to teach an Aussie how to properly use the word “eh” but it failed miserably. Apparently it's trickier than I thought it would be to use. But moving on – we're here today to talk about The Golden Circle (9800ISK), and the bus tour that took me around it. Ahh bus tours – my greatest (though not only) love sprung from my greatest hate.

The Tour Begins
At Eight O'Clock the bus pulled up outside the hostel, and on I jumped, ready to experience – well I didn't know what I was about to experience. I was just told that this was the tour to take, and who was I to argue with such potential knowledge? So on I went and was delighted to find our first stop overlooking a geothermal power plant.



Geothermal power apparently heats every home in Reykjavik. That's the power of hot water! Not only for allowing tourists to bathe together in the Blue Lagoon, apparently.

After taking a quick wander through the plant, looking through wall-sized windows at the inner workings, it was soon back to the bus. This didn't really bother me, as I was not nearly as interested as some of the older men, quickly snapping away with their cameras. I didn't have the heart to tell them that while the pictures may look great on their tiny viewscreens, their 1/13 shutter speed photos simply will not hold up enlarged.

And then it was off once more. At this point the driver took a moment to remind us all about Iceland's seatbelt law: “In Iceland it is the law to wear your seatbelt. It's not obligatory. Ok, well... It's the law – but there is no fine or punishment if you don't put it on – so...” Things work differently here. Think of all the cash grabs this country is missing out on!

Our next stop was a UNESCO site, þingvellir (I know you're impressed with my ability to produce a thorn with my American Standard keyboard.) This is the site of the worlds oldest, still working, parliament. It also has the distinct pleasure of being located, geologically, in two continents. The North American tectonic plate, as well as the European plate are underneath it. Fissures are highly visible, and quite visually appealing, here. But – for me – the most interesting aspect was the clear water.

It's said that the water here is so clear that when people are on top of fissures looking at the water, only two inches below where they are standing, they get vertigo, or experience a fear of heights. It's said that the water is so clear that some people can not accept that it is not a straight drop down to the ground.

I took a moment to look in the river – people had thrown coins in. I thought that was unfortunate as the littered the beautiful stream. I then saw a “do not throw coins in the water” sign – illustrated with a person tossing a coin in. After seeing it I couldn't get the idea out of my mind. The mental image of the coin snapping from my finger, flipping over and over in the air, only to then continue its circular motion after splashing into the cool clear water below, all the way to the viable rocks below because so enticing that I could think of nothing greater, save for the reality – which, I must admit, occurred only a few moments later.

Had I not seen the sign -

Back on the bus I could distinctly hear “Anyone Else” by the Moldy Peaches playing over the vehicles radio – odd, I thought, and then promptly fell asleep. I was awoken by a woman as we made out next stop. Shocked, and flabbergasted as to what had transpired, I disembarked, walked to a waterfall, looked around and realized I had no idea what time I was to be back at the bus, and then became alarmed when I could no longer see anyone from the tour.

This could have been a problem – and for thirty minutes it was. I still have no idea where everyone else went, but I eventually found them, calming down instantly, and tried to enjoy the rest of our hour and a half stop.

I'm not going to lie – it was a big waterfall, and I'm sure it's mighty impressive – but I grew up near Niagara falls. And I've driven the TCH through Alberta and British Columbia; I've seen my share of waterfalls.

The one big attraction of this fall – you could walk right up to the edge. You could step into it, if you were that foolish. All that prevented you from crossing into the water (and even then only in a few places) was a rope about toe high. A suggestion that perhaps it would be wise to stay away, but in Iceland nothing is ordered – merely suggested.

The tour was about to enter its greatest moment. We were headed to Geyser, the site from which all geysers take their name. Though Geyser itself no longer erupts, many of the others in the area do. I was entranced for no less than twenty minutes watching as the pool bubbled, exploded from the ground, and settled once more. The final eruption I found was truly spectacular, as it went off three times in a row without so much as a moments pause.

All that was left was a quick moment at Skalholti, which worked as a Bishop's seat for hundreds of years. Like the power plant it didn't really do much for me. All that was left was a rest stop.

Here I discovered something quite distressing – the Blue Lagoon sells all the products that I used there. The conditioner that i used without thought on my hair sells for 2500ISK. The body scrub I thought nothing of sells for 3900ISK. The mud mask – the mud mask that I used multiple times over in terribly large amounts – sells for 5900ISK. 5900ISK! And all these bottles? 200ml! All of a sudden the 5000ISK bus and entrance fee seems like quite the bargain if you're into that sort of thing. Amazing.

And that was that.

Pictures of me as a viking were taken.

By everyone.

Seriously – at least ten cameras were snapping away.

That is all.

Videos: The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is a thermal bath, and definitely worth the trip.

Icelandic Protest Concert Videos

While at the Icelandic protest I took a number of videos. Unfortunately in the interst in saving memory on my card there are no full songs - but you will get a delightful sample of the music. If anyone can translate, please feel free. Enjoy.