In Copenhagen there is brilliant sunshine and green grass this side of the water. I hate juggling currencies- just flying through Cph means juggling two currencies other than the euro. Still I shouldn't bitch about piddling currency fees - there's going to be a lot more spent on eating and drinking on this trip. (ed: this was just the start of my notes and these was no travelogue language as I was just sitting bored on a train)
Glasgow
Glasgow surprised me. I expected to see grit- perhaps I didn't because I was staying with my cousin Gouri in the wealthy west end. In any case I had a positive view of the Scots before I went there and that was only reinforced. On the streets whenever I stopped anyone to ask a question, I was always helped. Glaswegians are warm and hospitable. There wasn't much sun but even the sun peaked out one Sunday afternoon and turned Kelvingrove park brilliant. Glasgow is placid, often beautiful and has nice people. The only downside for me was the food- I tried Haggis thrice and I fear that my continuing unease with it will probably extend to the rest of Scottish cuisine. Still, after visiting Glasgow, I wonder why people live in England instead of moving north.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh I visited for a day and a half. It seemed very alive, filled with young people and plenty of beautiful sights. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I knew a local. The place was swarming with tourists and like so many tourist traps, feels artificial and hurried. It was cold that day and I was dressed for the summer so I had to buy an overcoat that I probably will not wear for the rest of the trip.
The youth hostel was one of my less pleasant stays on account of its distance from the town, the fact that all extras were to be paid for, and the whole place seemed too large to be comfy. Can't remember the name. Sounded like goglobal or something.
Cambridge
Cambridge was great- thanks to my good friend Chris Ross who displayed an industriousness I never noticed when working for him at the ubc law library. Chris picked me up from the train station and in spite of my protestations that I only wanted to drink, gave me an in-depth tour of Cambridge, describing the history of various colleges, and giving me tours of premises I wouldn't be permitted access. It was a short trip capped with smoking Shisha on the banks of a canal in Cambridge discussing, as always, politics and history. Other things that came up were the number of commuters from Eastern Europe who worked around Cambridge going home every two weeks and how Chris had travelled around Europe on 0 pound fares. The next day we went to the station to catch the train to London in a rush but missed it.
London
London was just like the old times. I was there for only two nights. The first afternoon as I went to meet Fatsy, I felt uncomfortable travelling around and everything felt too damn expensive. Slowly the feeling melted until, even though everything is genuinely too damn expensive in London, I got a measure of what I could pay for and went and read and bought a few books. Still, as I made my way back to the youth hostel the second evening I didn't feel the comfort of returning home that I always feel in Toronto. Of course it is not home but the youth hostel in Barca, and even the one in Lisbon felt warmer. I think I had places to see in those places and so returning was part if the plan of getting ready for tomorrow. After many years I finally reconnected with old family friends Yogandan auntie and uncle.
London is comfortable but I'm not sure I yearn to return unless it is to party with Moz. It is overpriced and faces competition from Barca and Nueva York.
Lisbon
My roommatefor my first night in Lisbon, a 21 year old Portuguese named Carlos, said Lisbon would not disappoint me. He was right. From him onwards I found the portuguese to be a humble friendly and hospitable people. I landed in Lisbon and took a cab to the youth hostel. The airport reminded me of (a less populated) India and the scenery to the hostel reminded me of Dubai. Lisbon grows on one and I will certainly be back if only to walk around and cap the sunshine with a cool beer. From that day on through Madrid and Barcelona, I have seen more beautiful women walking in the streets than anywhere else in the world.
Granada
Granada is quite impressive - strangely so . So strange to be so impressed. The patterns on the ceilings engraved into the stone must have taken a lot of talent on the part of many. It is said that if you haven't seen the Alhambra in Granada before you die then you haven't lived. I fully understand the saying.
Madrid
It has been six days. Every day has been filled with experiences on account of my great hosts Adolfo and Isabel - the unrelenting sun in Madrid, Toledo. The magic of Granada. Tapas of every sort in Madrid, Alcala, Granada, and Toledo. Beer, wine and Sangria. Visits to cathedrals, bullrings, large squares, castles, fortresses, windmills, gardens, and museums.
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