Gratitude

So things aren't going as smoothly as they started. That's OK, just gotta think a bit, do some extra planning and have some hope.


I wanted to write about what I was thankful for while I'm out here without all my stuff a few days ago, and now would be a good time to do it, no?

I'm thankful that I told my mom I wanted to go to Europe a few months ago so she could freak out then and not freak out when I told her that I was leaving for Europe... three days before I actually did. I'm also thankful that she's handling things especially well.

I'm thankful for Andy and Andy's brother Anthony and how they let me know about Global Freeloaders. While I didn't use that system myself (it honestly looked kind of ghetto) I managed to find something else just about as good called CouchSurfing. It's led me to awesome hosts so far in Dublin and now Edinburgh, all of whom have made me feel so much at home and welcomed into strange new lands.

I'm thankful for these awesome hosts who have done absolutely everything and more to make my experience here in Europe amazing. I could not ask for more from them; they have been fantastic. Suz and Matt in Dublin were fantastic, and Rob, Nick, Karin, Jason and Holly are so hospitable it's almost a crime.

I'm thankful for the music that Tim has given me. It's truly been awesome to walk around in new places listening to new music. One of the best things that's happened is hearing the new iPod Nano commercial song come up in my headphones as I'm walking on the streets of Dublin. Such a pleasant surprise. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you can watch the video here.

I'm thankful for e-mail, without which I wouldn't be able to send messages to my mom to keep her from worrying about me too much. Also to respond to some other important emails.

I'm thankful for the shoes I bought. They're made by Keen and they look weird since they give you a lot of space for your toes, making me feel like a clown. Let me tell you, these are the most comfortable shoes I've had for long distance walking. I can go for miles with no blisters, no aches or pains. They just keep on going and going. Speaking of which, also thankful for Smart Wool socks. My feet are normally sweaty, but these socks pull the sweat away and make my feet unbelievably dry.

I'm thankful for free internet (when I can get it) since it's expensive here. Here's a testament to how fast it is over here: I'm in Edinburgh, Scotland, and their internet is up to 16 megabits per second. Normally 8 megabits. WTF!

I'm thankful that my mom, who could almost be considered Amish when it comes to computers, can respond to my emails and tell me what's going on at home, even though in her words "mom sound like a broken record." Still getting the hang of it I suppose.

I'm thankful that these countries are not developing nations so I can drink the tap water and save 2 pounds/euro per bottle.

I'm thankful that I'm still young and healthy enough to drag around a laptop, a giant camera, and all my crap with me on my back without collapsing or complaining (too much). I'm also thankful that I haven't been robbed yet. Or died (thanks Oyoung).

I'm thankful for all the memories that I've had with my friends. They make me laugh even though I haven't seen anybody in a few weeks. I'm going to stop talking about this now so I avoid being homesick. I don't want to talk myself into coming back so early...

I'm thankful for being such a cheapass I don't have to worry too much when I decide to splurge on food. Because seriously, traveling means eating strange and wonderful things, and I wouldn't want to limit myself there.

I'm thankful for Europe for being there and for trying its best to preserve what history they could by restoring certain historic sites and opening them to the public. And for most places that let me go nuts with the camera.

I'm thankful for cold weather since it means I don't have to sweat so much.

I'm thankful for being able to bring my camera and my laptop so I could work on things as I go.

I'm thankful for you, my friends and family, for sticking around and (hopefully) reading this stuff as I go. And also for letting me know who may be out here in this continent too =)



Off to Glasgow now. See you later...


Oh yeah, news: I'm headed to China in a few weeks...