What a nice weekend. Fitting for my second last one here. The jazz festival started on Friday so there were all sorts of events happening around the city. Saturday afternoon we watched a Mardi Gras parade from the window, and Sunday afternoon we went to the bandstand at Princes St gardens and enjoyed an afternoon of free jazz concerts in the sun. Jen and I have burned noses to prove it. It's a good time to be in the city, however not the best time to live in a flat above a busy bar and street. I was woken up in the middle of the night by a drunk girl crying hysterically.

Speaking of our flat, we have our very own, ugly naked guy. No jokes! He is at the top of the building across the street from us. He stands in his window and washes himself at the sink (naked of course). Luckily for us, there are a bunch of bottles lining the window ledge that are placed quite nicely. Sarah even saw him doing ugly-naked medicine ball exercises yesterday. We are sorry for her loss.

Going to hit up a few comedy shows this week as the fringe festival has all it's previews. So far I've had good experience with British comedy.

And I JUST told my boss I was leaving in 11 days. He was very nice about it (I also baked him cookies) and I feel loads better. I was having nervous stomach on the weekend. Now I think I'm just excited. This city has treated me well, I love it and will miss it, but I am excited beyond belief to be going home.

I have an invisible hangover hat on my head this morning. Unfortunately I thought that going out for drinks instead of eating supper last night was a good idea. Oops. Sarah forced her patented concoction of pills (I'm not allowed to tell you the recipe)down on me because otherwise today would have been much worse. Too bad I don't have Mac here to switch hats with me (yes I realize no one will get that but that is why you should ALL go out and download Series 1 of Green Wing - not series 2 because you might accidentally tell me what happens).

Nothing travel related to report at the moment, since I am just on the brink of coming home. Going to Newcastle next weekend to get a last little trip in before Canada. 14 days. It's surreal thinking of going home.

I was thinking the other day about all I've seen and done over the last year. I'll admit that I'm actually a little bit proud of myself for what I've accomplished. I know it's not as if I did anything that important, but that doesn't change the fact that I was able to live out a trip that I had been dreaming about for years. While I change my mind constantly about other aspects of my life, I knew I had to travel. And I did it. And will probably do more. No chance for regrets for me. I think that's pretty damn cool.

Enough ranting about how much I rock. Ha ha. That was sarcasm don't worry. The woman bedside me at work is talking about how her 4 year old has been stealing tester lipsticks from department stores. Ha ha. It's apparently happened more than once.

Hangover hat getting too heavy. Must go comatose for a while.

So I excitedly went to Boots yesterday to pick up 4 rolls of film that I had sent in to get developed. And turns out that they ruined 2 of them. RUINED!! He was like, I'm sorry about that, then handed me a couple free rolls of film, gift card, and didn't charge me for the 2 they didn't manage to destroy. I was so fucking (sorry but that's appropriate here) upset that I couldn't even complain at the desk because I was that close to bursting out into tears. It may sound stupid but 2 rolls of film is potentially 3 cities. I believe they were Santorini, Paros, and Berlin. How freaking upsetting is that? What do those stupid people at Boots believe, that I have a spare copy of these memories at home? That I can just go back and meet up with the same people, and see the same places? Man I was/am upset. After this rant I am going to find some phone number or email address where I can complain.

Not sure what's up with this computer but the photos may or may not work. Here are a couple from Greece with Hilary and I, one of Sarah and I on Calton hill, and one with a few folks I met in Salzburg.

I realized I had left out quite a few cities along the way so I thought I'd write some blurbs about those. By the way, I am currently back in Scotland, so if anyone wants to call I have a mobile again! 07896274501 (UK number).

Last place was... Avignon, France.
- well it was a really pretty city. The entire old town area was still surrounded by a town wall so that gave it a neat feel. However, I was staying in a ghetto hostel out of the city, and got bit to death by mosquitos, and I was at the peak of my sickness, and it was 500 degrees out. Ha ha. Despite that it was really nice. Spent most of my time wandering around or sleeping in the park at the top of the hill. I got to see the famous bridge (remember the song?) but you actually had to pay to go out on it. What's that all about? It's broken too!

Then came Paris, France.
- Finally eh? I think it was a little overhyped in my head (geez I've turned into a snobby jaded traveller) but I still really enjoyed it. Pretty much did all the touristy things; Arc de Triomphe, Champs d'Elysees (yes I know my spelling is horrible), Cathedral de Notre Dame, Moulin Rougue, Montmartre, Eiffel tower, Musee d'Orsay, Louvre. The museums especially were wonderful,and of course the Eiffel tower at night (when I climbed up the stairs). I think the only reasons I didn't love it was the fact that it was just so big. Oh the Mona Lisa is much smalle rthan you think it is going to be. I ran into 3 different groups of people I knew which was a good sign I had been travelling too long :).

As I am out of time I shall update more later...

I cannot tell you how giddy and excited I am to be back here. I almost peed my pants in frustration when I was on the train in Glasgow on the way to Edinburgh and it broke down. So close! Ha ha. But of course I made it. And I am now a happy camper. I have a few days off before I (hopefully) go back to some sort of mindless job.

I shall go through my journal and update all the cities that I missed. Left it at home today though (sorry). I'm glad my travelling is mostly over though, 2.5 months will wear you out. In an amazing way though.

Oh my goodness I am Amsterdam-ed out! I am currently watching the football (soccer - whatever the hell you want to call it) and I am ready to pass out. This city has been wonderful and beautiful and the weather has been great but I have been tired right out. Plus the I've been experiencing a little of good ole Amsterdam culture and my poor old body can't handle it. Ha ha. It's been great. However, I am counting down the days now until I'm hanging out with the lovely ladies of George 4 Flat. Can't wait! Drop in and say hi!

I need a moment of to complain. I am sick and although it's only been a few days, it is a lot of time in the backpacking world. I just want to sleep all day but since I'm in Paris I cannot. Boo!

Anyways on to happier things.

I have had the luck of meeting two really great groups of people at my last hostels. It's funny how the people you meet can form your opinion of the place regardless if it is actually nice or not. After Gimmelwald (where I stayed an extra day since it was so beautiful) I headed down to Nice. Nice isn't that nice (ha.. ha..) but I had a great time there anyways. Spent some time on the beach and did a couple small road trips and drank too much (which probably explains the cold). I then went to Avignon (which was nice) but I was too sick to enjoy it. Plus it's freaking hot. I'm looking forward to hitting up Edinburgh at the end of next week. Hard to believe it is time to go back to work already. Well hopefully back to work.

Anyways I'm ranting because I'm on decongestants and the only ones I had were drowsy so now I'm sightseeing while being half asleep. Tonight, however, is the Eiffel Tower!