The money runs out
Aug. 15th, 2006 06:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
skyringWell, it had to happen. There's only so much globetrotting I can cram into a minimal income like mine.
Kerri's having a hard time dealing with her sister's cancer and was less than thrilled at me taking off for Birmingham when she needed some emotional support. Fair enough. From now on I stay with her, and that includes when I travel.
I've mentioned it before that when I travel with Kerri everything costs about four times as much, because she won't put up with hostel accommodation, or the "one flight per day" routine I go for.
Anyway, this has put a bit of a brake on things, and to be fair, it's not just Kerri - I've spent a bit more on accommodation than I really should have. Staying at convention hotels when there are hostels nearby is a wasteful indulgence - but so wonderfully convenient.
So despite my best efforts, the trip to Chicago in October is off. I'll have to wander happily through Chicago's art galleries and architecture at a later date.
To fund my travel habit, I've been looking at jobs. Finding a job that will allow me to take months or weeks off isn't as easy as you might think.
I'm a bit suspicious at the claim I heard this morning that full time I could earn $83 200 a year, but I'm pretty sure that I can earn enough to pay for several long trips with Kerri each year.
I want to look through the Museum of the Middle Ages in Paris with Kerri, stroll through the Intramuros of St Malo, maybe take a carriage ride along Charleston's streets. And about a million other things.
With this job, I've got to undergo a police character check, a government health check, a training course, and about a week of "jockeying". Plus I have to buy a uniform.
More details later.
In other news, we had a very pleasant BookCrossing gathering last night. As usual, I took away more books than I arrived with, but it is very hard to be restrained when there are so many excellent choices. Unbalanced always has a shopping bag or two full.
Three new BookCrossers turned up, probably in response to hearing CoffeeBron on the radio a few weeks back. I think Calissa and I tag-teamed one chap into doing NaNoWriMo this year.
How I love spending time with people who are happy! There's something inherently cheerful about BookCrossing. Maybe it's Christmas time - giving and receiving presents. And, as usual, we left the OBCZ shelf stocked full of good books.
Merry BChristmas, Canberra!
Kerri's having a hard time dealing with her sister's cancer and was less than thrilled at me taking off for Birmingham when she needed some emotional support. Fair enough. From now on I stay with her, and that includes when I travel.
I've mentioned it before that when I travel with Kerri everything costs about four times as much, because she won't put up with hostel accommodation, or the "one flight per day" routine I go for.
Anyway, this has put a bit of a brake on things, and to be fair, it's not just Kerri - I've spent a bit more on accommodation than I really should have. Staying at convention hotels when there are hostels nearby is a wasteful indulgence - but so wonderfully convenient.
So despite my best efforts, the trip to Chicago in October is off. I'll have to wander happily through Chicago's art galleries and architecture at a later date.
To fund my travel habit, I've been looking at jobs. Finding a job that will allow me to take months or weeks off isn't as easy as you might think.
I'm a bit suspicious at the claim I heard this morning that full time I could earn $83 200 a year, but I'm pretty sure that I can earn enough to pay for several long trips with Kerri each year.
I want to look through the Museum of the Middle Ages in Paris with Kerri, stroll through the Intramuros of St Malo, maybe take a carriage ride along Charleston's streets. And about a million other things.
With this job, I've got to undergo a police character check, a government health check, a training course, and about a week of "jockeying". Plus I have to buy a uniform.
More details later.
In other news, we had a very pleasant BookCrossing gathering last night. As usual, I took away more books than I arrived with, but it is very hard to be restrained when there are so many excellent choices. Unbalanced always has a shopping bag or two full.
Three new BookCrossers turned up, probably in response to hearing CoffeeBron on the radio a few weeks back. I think Calissa and I tag-teamed one chap into doing NaNoWriMo this year.
How I love spending time with people who are happy! There's something inherently cheerful about BookCrossing. Maybe it's Christmas time - giving and receiving presents. And, as usual, we left the OBCZ shelf stocked full of good books.
Merry BChristmas, Canberra!
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no subject
Date: 2006-08-16 02:17 am (UTC)BTW, I must get your recommendations on hostels in and around London for my trip in Jan. I will be travelling on the cheap from now on too.
I'm terribly curious about the job you are applying for. It has been fun to guess what it be. My fave imagined scenario so far is you as the mascot for a professional sports team. Although I doubt they make you buy the uniform for that.
no subject
Date: 2006-08-16 02:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-16 05:00 am (UTC)My hostel in London, and I've staid there three times now, is the YHA City of London near St Pauls.
It's literally a stone's throw from the great cathedral, and only a few minutes from the Thames. I love walking down the vista and across the millennium footbridge - Tower Bridge downstream and the grand Londn buildings upstream. Buses and trains within easy reach, some good local shops.
An excellent library in the old headmasters study. A bit of a rabbit warren of rooms and corridors, but that adds to the charm.
It has bunk beds which are built up around lockers which are big enough to take my extra-large LL Bean rolling duffle, and each bed has a little sliding compartment for books, glasses, keys etc, so you can read in bed, drop everything in the little compartment, slide the lid closed and sleep. Very clever.
Breakfast is included in the price.
No self-catering kitchen, unfortunately. Nearby shops and pubs. Quiet after dark, which you won't get at the two other YHA central london hotels, apart from the bells of St Pauls, which you soon get used to.
I love it. This one and the San Francisco Fort Mason hostel are my favorites.