Well, I am back in the hostel internet room - it is a bit past 3:00 AM and I need to be on my way back to the airport by about 9:00 in the morning. You're thinking why isn't Timaaay in bed, right? I am not only thinking, but wishing that as well. As it has turned out - my last night in Europe has turned into my worst. After I finished my last post (London Calling, Part Deux) I was off to prepare for bed. My room at the hostel is quite simple and, simply filthy. As I brushed my teeth I noticed something crawling on my bed which I had made earlier with the fresh linens the hostel provides. That something was followed by many more "somethings" which I think were a sort of bed bug. I always envisioned that they were small and hard to see but these guys were the size of wood ticks. It's not just that I am in the cleaning business that this freaked me out - I was afraid for my health. I visited the front desk and inquired about changing to another room (not that this would give me any comfort) but learned that the place was full - no room at the inn. They were nice about it, apologetic, and offered to refund my 44 pounds ($90.00) and said I could spend some time in the TV room but suggested I leave my backpack with them for safe keeping. I checked out the TV room but it consisted of wooden benches with perhaps 50-75 large, extremely dirty throw pillows. I couldn't do it.
Next I decided to walk around the streets (in a light drizzle) to try to stay awake and observe the night life. This lasted only about 1/2 hour before I returned to the relative security of the hostel. I was scared to death to be on the streets. At this time of night, it seems, that the underbelly of London society comes out of their holes. One person was scarier than the next. I was carrying all of my important possessions (camera, passport, flight information) in my, ever present, messenger bag. I was approached by no less than 12-15 drunks asking me mostly things I could not understand. Some offered me rides in invisible taxi's. One black man hanging out with his gang spit at me from a distance of about 5-6 feet attempting to hit my shoe. I did nothing to instigate this action - just passing by. He looked at me, made eye contact and spit :( I scurried back to the hostel as fast as possible taking the other side of the street as I passed the "spitter". He missed my shoe "the loser".
In the end this will be a small bump in the road and another life lesson. For now, my back is beginning to hurt from the heavy pack, lack of sleep, and sitting up the whole night. I hope to get a shower in the morning but am not even sure this is a good idea - can you even believe this is happening? I will need to remind myself of my favorite philosophy for living. There are no bad experiences in life ~ only bad events.
I know this post is long but it is keeping me good company as I don't know what else to do to stay awake and wait for the sun to come up. It is going to be a VERY long flight home on Friday. It is really hard to think of a worse possible ending to such a wonderful adventure as I have been on. I know there are many things that would be worse so am pleased to be safe, healthy, and light years better off than everyone I encountered on the streets of Piccadilly Circus tonight.
You probably wonder how a guy like me ended up in this situation in the first place. I'm a neat freak, right? I didn't know much about hostelling prior to this trip. I wanted to save some money by not staying in hotels since I was traveling for a month and knew I would have many expenses along the way. I thought staying in hostels might be a way to meet fellow travelers (which did happen in Nice). I have learned that not all hostels are created equally. I will have to really think this through before doing it again (hostelling).
Okay, this is far too long so I will sign off and try to find some other activity to keep me awake - but this will be difficult. By the time most of you read this I will be somewhere over the Atlantic or maybe at home already. Thanks again for traveling along with me through this blog. Goodnight from my London nightmare.
Caio,
Timaaay
