Travels with old friends

Two weekends and two chances to catch up with those we met on the roads of South America.

First weekend and after some cutting it fine antics from Nick we jumped on Megabus bound for Poole in the south west of England. My first time to the coast of England and a chance to catch up with Alex and Emile, whom we met in Barlioche, Argentina – we also climbed a volcano, swam in natural hot springs and ate out in Santiago Chile together. Amazing to hear of their travels on the road, they managed 18 months on the road non-stop. They really impressed me with the way they approached travel, albeit a little less of the Nick and Lucas “lets see how close to death/being arrested” style of travel but no less full of adventure and a willingness to suffer discomfort in pursuit of adventure. They came through those 18 months travelling South America, New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh and India such well seasoned travellers, a great couple and will be getting married next year at the same beach Nick and I threw caution to comfort and jumped into the English channel on a blustery Saturday afternoon. Not quite the “Channel Kings” but we did get wet….

I give top marks to the English country side being beautiful and hence nothing like London… Expanses of green rolling hills and little village after little village. Thanks guys for letting us experience an escape from the endless grey city, which is London.

Slap a week of work in the middle, sprinkle an interesting intro lesson to Arabic, a grumpy dinner with Farah and her American friend (oh yes Grumpy Lucas does come around still from time to time, sorry babe ;-), some gym sessions and we were off again… This time to my home land and a chance to meet another travel friend and also celebrate the one year anniversary of the fight of the century, or alternatively Nick’s 26th birthday!

We brought Pat an old college friend of Nick’s along and were picked up at the airport by Edwin, our man of Rio and Santiago fame a.k.a Tall Blonde blue eyed Dutchman or the lady killer of Chile! We dragged Edwin away from his uni books and managed to experience both the Dutch countryside of his upbringing and then the night life of Edwin’s more mature years in Amsterdam the night later. Result: I realise that Dutch people are cool, relaxed and really know how to have a good time… well adjusted and at ease with themselves. This in contrast to some of the desperate tourists (particularly English, Australian or American) trying so hard to take enough drugs and see enough stripteases in a vain attempt to “get it”. I could have told them before they wasted their money; There is nothing to “get”. The Dutch don’t live like this, 95% of people that go to the coffee shops and strip bars in Amsterdam are tourists. You legalise something and people get it and get over it…. Maybe that is what the tourists could take away from it…. Censurship does not work…

Anyways the Dutch leave me with this impression: Smart! They managed to turn a flooded low land into a world class country, society and economy…. Not bad for a place with no natural resources (blonde well proportioned women on bicycles not withstanding ;-) Holland strikes me clearly as the most sustainable country of the west I have seen thus far. From a bicycle orientated culture (due to sensible high taxes on cars and petrol) to a less is more attitude to urban development (the Dutch appear to value smaller “homes” instead of larger status orientated “McMansions” which dominate many other western urban landscapes). I vote one for the Dutch way of life. Liberal attitudes to sex and drugs (thank God there are some Governments whom have faith in their citizens to make sensible choices), sound sustainable and efficient town planning methods, smaller standard drinks in pubs (250ml vs 568ml pints), and generally happier people… Oh and did I mention that they were smart enough to all learn English yet not lose their culture or language in the process, didn’t you ever look next door France???? Only problem about Holland is they have pretty similar weather to England i.e. crap…. See if only you educated all Australians enough we could create a perfect world i.e. perfect society AND Geography… Hmmmm….. Well beyond any radical social engineering I will continue to search for my perfect place. Off to Canada soon and then Norway… I wonder how they stack up to the Dutch?

Thanks for an awesome weekend Edwin! I have to say you have a great country… South America was cool but I wouldn’t give up on your homeland just yet… But then again I think it is the adventure of travel you’re addicted to, not really the place on the planet travel takes you. It is the change we love my friend… The driver of everything in the universe.. Evolution (change/growth)… We avoid inertia as only when we move do we experience stimulation to our minds as our lives expand and experience more… Can we ever find this stimulation in the cardboard cut out 9 – 5 life that society continually attempts to force upon us? This is a question I have yet to be able to answer, maybe you have some ideas on this?

Best of luck with your studies mate and I am sure we will see each other on the road once more….

Please check new photos: http://lucas.intercate.net/gallery/Holland