The Equisite Welsh Land of Mystery

I was completely surprised by the beauty I discovered in Wales! The daily rolling fog lent an air of mystery to the country and the autumn season of colors never ceased to delight my soul. Such beauty cannot be described and pictures can only give a glimpse. So, if you want to experience a soul-thrilling splendor, let's go to Wales!!

looks like a postcard, right?

Wales - the unknown region of the U.K.

I had no idea Wales was so beautiful! I arrived by bus into Cardiff late afternoon and got a quick glimpse of the country. There is a castle in the city (as many European cities do), so we popped in for a quick looksee. Still had an almost 2 hour drive north to my friend's house, so we got on the road soon after arriving into Cardiff. By the time we got to the vicinity of their place, the sun had set and everything was dark. So I was pleasantly surprised when I woke the next morning and looked out their front door. Green rolling hills lined with hedges/fences, dotted with trees and sheep, covered with a misty fog. Beautiful! 

Spent a few days soaking up the beauty of the countryside, exploring old cathedrals, ancient ruins and talking to intriguing people. Quaint little towns and exquisite scenery with such history! 

I'm thankful for such remarkable hosts, who were always willing to drive me around, answer my endless questions and entertain me for several days. Lovely family so faithful to share the Gospel in a sadly religious, yet dark land. 

have I just entered Narnia!?

London for a Day

Well, after four days of trying to get out of Alaska, five flights and countless hours spent awake, I made it to London. At the last moment, I upgraded to BusinessFirst class, because I was tired, would be flying through the night and arriving in the morning. When traveling internationally, I prefer to arrive in the evening, because I know I will be tired and I like to go to bed soon after arriving, which helps me get on the right time zone quicker. There were seats available, so I jumped at the opportunity. And boy, was I not disappointed!! Amazing service, excellent food, comfy seats, additional accessories provided AND a seat that flatted into a real bed, of sorts. Well worth the upgrade fee. 

mid-flight snack in Business class

Arrived in London about 9am. And because of flying Business I was able to take advantage of the United Lounge just outside security, hot shower and breakfast provided. Yes, please! I took my time, as there was wifi there and I needed to plot my course to my accommodations that night. 

Later in the afternoon, I ventured downtown to walk and explore a bit. I had been to the city six years prior, so wasn't really doing much in the way of tourism, just walking. It got dark earlier than I expected. And since I was there during the end of the business day, everyone around me on the streets seemed so absorbed and focused. Guess I would be too, after a long day in the office and all I'd want is to get home and relax. It was strange however, to be strolling along the streets with everyone rushing by you and hardly anyone making eye contact. 

I didn't do much, besides grabbing a quite bite for dinner and walking probably 5 miles around the Thames River downtown. I headed home early to get that sleep I needed so desperately. The next day I would head out for the countryside, the real reason I had come back to the U.K. 

on the Thames

Tower of London

famous Tower Bridge

Unexpected Roadtrip

The end of October I was attempting to leave Alaska for a several week trip. The complicated factor was that I was flying standby, courtesy of my airport job. But flying standby can be frustrating, to say the least. I flew down to Anchorage with no issues, but that night I waited at the gate to see if I would make the flight to Denver to start my adventure..... but alas, I was the next person on the list and no more seats were available. sigh. Well, my adventure did begin, just not the one I was hoping for. I never leave home now without a blanket.... cause when you sleep in the airport terminal, it comes in handy. I don't understand why some airports keep it so chilly.... that and I don't understand why their announcements are played so loudly! there are no flights from 2-6am, but still the announcements jolt you from sleep every hour or so... therefore, a restless night. 

The next day I had hours to kill until the next flight left and I had no desire to stick around Anchorage. So for $20 I rented a car and set off. First stopped for a yummy breakfast and coffee and then drove south. I have never been to Kenai before, so figured that was a good time. It was a clear, sunny, winter day. Which meant the sun was shining and reflecting off the freshly snow capped mountains. Spectacular! It was a bit chilly outside, but in my warm car, I could enjoy the beauty from warmth and safety. 

All I did was drive to Kenai, ate lunch and drove on some side roads for a bit looking for a bluff I was told about. Never did find that bluff. Then drove back to Anchorage. Tho it was completely unplanned, it was a marvelous roadtrip. 

To finish my standby saga.... made it back to Anchorage, once again waited at the gate for the flight I wanted to get on. This time, even one of the paying customers didn't get a seat, let alone us standby passengers. One lady I talked to, it was her 3rd night trying to make it out. :/ We laughed about sleeping in airports. She had a son to stay with, but she had done her fair share of spending nights in airports. I think I've slept 5 nights in an airport in the past two months. 

Anyways, I slept at the airport, then caught an early flight back to Fairbanks. Came home and slept for real. Tried getting out of Fairbanks that night with no success.... but the next day, after three days of trying I made it on a flight!! I almost canceled my trip, but glad I stuck with it!!! Made it to the U.K. and met some pretty awesome people and even ran into some old friends I didn't know were there! More about that to come.... 

Day of Firsts

So have been traveling again. I know, I know, that's nothing new. But I did have a day of firsts recently. Was headed into an unknown town, going to visit an unknown church of all potential new friends who were still unmet at that point. I had anticipated an evening service, but was informed that there was an 3pm service instead. The bus I was to catch from the nearby town wouldn't arrive until 220pm. And public transportation would have taken me almost an hour to reach said church. So....

Figured I could take a taxi.... then I thought, what about Uber? It's no different than a taxi and though there are those skeptics out there who say it's unsafe, I decided to give it a try. At least with Uber, you can track your progress and see where you are at all times on your phone. With a taxi, you are also riding with a stranger, but with no way to tell where you are going. Believe me, I've been in some cabs and wondered where in the world I was being taken. (not knowing the city or having data on your phone can cause you to wonder) 

So I am here to tell you I survived, and I made it to my destination in once piece. And only 3 minutes late instead of 20. And I had a nice chat with my driver, who wasn't even actually from the country I was visiting. 

As for the other first- I've always wanted to try out staying in a hostel. Guess it was just that time. I had a bus out of town early the next morning, so I wanted a place nearby the bus station. Looked at several Airbnb places, then checked hostels. Found one less than a 5 minute walk from the station and it was only $18 for the night. 

Yes, I stayed in a hostel. And I did have a roommate. But she was a nice German University student. It was a little run down and the mattress was a bit lumpy, but the sheets were clean. Just a tad different than the last time I shared a room with a complete stranger (complete stranger means I had absolutely no connection whatsoever, no friend of a friend, etc.)- at least that time, I was in a 5* hotel! 

So again- I survived. And actually got good sleep. Not sure if I'll do it again any time soon, but who knows!?

view from a new friend's house

tiny sink at the hostel

view from the front door of hostel

My Italian Family

 About six months ago, I met this crazy Italian family- in Bulgaria no less. It didn't take long for me to love them all.... not sure how they feel about me, ha! But for better or worse, they're stuck with me now. :) Besides my family had already claimed them as family, long before I met them face to face. It was nice to finally get to know them all in person, as I had heard all their names countless times from my family; we had even emailed quite a bit and I talked to them on the phone once or twice. 

After only a few days, it was like we had always known each other... and the adventures began. We played trampoline soccer, worked crossword puzzles, built sand tunnels & castles, ate uh... interesting chocolate at church, and of course... climbed the Varna monument- that my friends, is a story all in itself. My time with them was vastly too short.

building castles and tunnels

by the Black Sea

on the Varna monument

first week with these crazy Italians

So.... after a conversation about our separate travels back to the States, we realized that we flew back in the same US city just a day apart! Not sure who first suggested we meet up again in the States, but that's what we did! And because we did, I got to meet another great family in NJ! Glad the Jersians were okay with a strange girl tagging along with the Italians and bombarding their house! 

While in NJ, I got to swim in a creek for only the 2nd time in my life! Hey, when you're from Alaska, its not a normal summer event. Our creeks are still FREEZING cold even in July! But I got to swim and swing off a rope into the water (a first for me! and I had huge bruises to prove it), kayak (another first) and overall have fun in the warm water. Those couple of days in NJ also included a trip to a National Cemetery on Memorial Day, a birthday party and latenight shenanigans. 

Well, time went on, I came home to Alaska and the Italians began their long journey around the US. Remember that baseball game I flew to Chicago for? Yep, that was the same family. Another awesome (crazy) adventure. 

And then.... last month, I flew down and met up with the Italians once again. This time on the Western side of the US. We drove/explored parts of Utah, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, having fun along the way. We played lots of Uno, Assassin (style of tag), basketball, football, crawled into an mini castle in an awesome Grandpa/Pastor's house and ran through sprinklers in the dark, all bringing volumes of laughter.

scouting out some caves

Snake River - too close to the edge? 

intense Uno game in the back of the Limo

I love families who I can be friends with both the parents and the children. Though sometimes its a bit nebulous as to where I belong exactly.... while in WA, we went to a family's house for dinner. The host announced dinner was ready and then said, "okay, the kids are outside on the patio, the adults in the livingroom and the teens are wherever they want." I got asked which group I belonged in... and frankly sometimes I don't know! :D