Aberdeen | DavTravels

10 Apr 201128 Jan 2018 / Dav / 1 Comment

Scotland 4: Day 14

4.10.11 | Aberdeen Hostel | 08:39

I feel sorry for the 2 guys in my room with me last night. At about midnight, I developed a bit of a cough. If I wasn’t coughing, I was trying to clear my throat. Actually, I know Adam (the one from Ireland) was asleep because I could hear him snoring. I’m not sure if the other boy (the one who I think is from the US) could hear me or not. He’s a very quiet sleeper.

15:34

I walked into town in pursuit of a good breakfast. I ended up at Starbucks again. Not very original, I know. I was attracted, once again to their internet connection. I already pay for it, so I may as well use it. After my health, vitamin-packed nutritious meal, I decide to walk out to the ship docks. Tomorrow evening, I’ll be taking a ferry to my next destination, and I just wanted to know where to go exactly. It wasn’t difficult to find- but it’s going to be another mile and a half (or so) with my heavy pack. I should just break down and get a cab.

I started back through Aberdeen, following the River Dee… or is it called the Dee River? I’m not sure what the locals referred to as. I followed it for a bit, then headed north back into downtown. I found a Tesco and got some lunch to go. A chicken salad sandwich, some peach flavored sparkling water, and a Mars bar. I made my way back to the hostel and enjoyed lunch.

21:30

I took another nap today. It was only for about an hour, but it was great! Naps should be taken every day, I think. After that, I went down to the living room and read a book for awhile. It was so nice outside that when it came time for dinner, I strolled back into the city to find food. I went out to Indian food (again). I love the stuff. I think one of the reasons is because I can’t explain what it tastes like to me. As far as American food or Mexican food goes, you can pretty much take a look and guess what it’s going to taste like. But not Indian food. I can’t even describe the taste, but it’s good.

Adam told me tonight that he was very excited because he has a job offer. He’s been living in Aberdeen for the last five months trying to get work, but the economy sucks all over the world right now. He said the problem with Scotland is that everybody only wants to hire their own family here. I really can’t blame them, if the family member is at least as qualified as the nonfamily member.

Due to Adam’s got excitement, he ran to a local market and bought three cases of beer. He drinks like he’s from Ireland or something- it’s crazy. So he’s been a little tipsy most of the evening and pretty much making a fool of himself. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets himself kicked out of the hostel soon. Oh well, I’m off tomorrow so I probably won’t get to witness that.

Tomorrow I go north. The schedule says I’ll be on the North Sea for 12 hours or so. I have no idea if I’ll get seasick or not. I’m guessing that I’ll be fine since I am on planes and in vehicles all the time. Don’t seasick people usually get all kinds of motion sickness? I’ll let you know how it goes.

Back to Scotland 4: Day 3 | Forward to Scotland 4: Day 15

9 Apr 201128 Jan 2018 / Dav / 1 Comment

Scotland 4: Day 13

4.9.11 | Dundee > Aberdeen | 11:05

I’ve had a good morning, thus far. I woke up at about 08:00 and got my things together. I loaded up the backpack and checked out of the hostel. I think what I’ll miss the most about Dundee is the people who live in the hostel. There are about five people that I know of, who live there full-time. Some are students, some working and some looking for jobs. Most of them are from Australia but I know that at least one of them is from Canada. They are a fun group and act like brothers and sisters, complete with wrestling and pillow fights.

I checked out, left the hostel and went to the mall and grabbed some hot chocolate and an almond crescent (am I even spelling crescent right?). The Wi-Fi there allowed me to check my email and update this blog. I love it… this is something that the hostel in Dundee could never provide. They’ve been having issues, apparently.

At the moment I’m on the train. I can tell the ride to Aberdeen is going to be beautiful. I think we’ll be on the coast for most of the ride. I just wish my seat was on the other side of the train. I’m on the land side, but I’m sure there will still be some great views. Even if it’s not the beautiful on this side- it was a cheap seat, so it’s all good.

We just crossed next to a golf course. It’s too bad that I’m not into the game of golf. Someone told me that the game was invented in Saint Andrews, Scotland and so some of the oldest golf courses in the world are here. Maybe such facts should excite me, but all I have to say is MEH. The only thing more boring than playing golf is watching golf. I do, however, enjoy trying to run over others whilst driving the golf cart… so maybe there is something there for me after all.

Aberdeen Hostel |13:30

Aberdeen seems to be another nice little city. For some reason, the sandstone buildings here are grayer and less brown like in Edinburgh, or it could just be my imagination and the way the light happens to be hitting them.

My hostel is located out of the city and it was quite a hike. I’m guessing I just walked about 2 miles from the train station. That’s no big deal unless you happen to be carrying a big ole backpack. I’m pretty sure I burned a few calories on my way out here. When I arrived, there were two guys from Ireland who greeted me. Very nice of them, as they don’t even work here.

Aberdeen Hostel

This time, I got an all-male dorm room. Usually, a mixed gender situation is cheaper, and so that’s what I’ve been doing up to this point (except in Glasgow where I’d booked my own private room). The disadvantage to this male-only room setup is the fact that the hallway outside my room smells a little bit like a men’s locker room. The lady at the front desk told me that there would be one other person in my room with me tonight, so here’s crossing my fingers that he isn’t a snorer.

My roommate is out now but I think he’s an American like me. This is because I see he wears Wrangler jeans (they’re hanging up- although they do sell Wranglers here in the UK, I’ve yet to see someone from the UK actually wearing them.) and also I can see a cell phone bill envelope with a return address of somewhere in California. Think I’ll get a wee nap.

18:47

I walked into the city to find something to eat, and I saw another La Tasca restaurant. This is the same restaurant that gave me the crappy service in Edinburgh. I thought I’d give it another chance. The exact same thing happened: I got my food and the server took off forever and even though I needed some more water, they wouldn’t even come to check on me- it’s so horrible. I do believe that I’m done eating at La Tasca for good. Two different cities- and the exact same customer service. What sucks is the fact that the food there is really good- at least what I ordered both times was very delicious. Never again… or until I get a craving that I can’t deny … whichever comes first.