| Laura |
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2017! That went by fast.
In January I was still living in Glasgow. I'd moved to town at the end of November and gotten a Christmas temp job with Waterstones (the UK Indigo). They liked me enough to keep me on after the holidays, but they didn't have room for me at the store where I started so I got to work in several different stores. I really liked the variety, even if it meant I never knew where to find anything.
At the end of January I took a train to Manchester where I met my friend Leti, saw Moana, and came down with a fever. Hostels; not a great place to stay healthy.
In February I saw a posting for a full time position at the Waterstones in a town called Oban . My managers put in a good word for me, I got an interview, and then the job!
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Harry Potter Event at Waterstones
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If I never have to move by train again, it will be too soon.
The people at Waterstones were very helpful though. They shipped some of my stuff for me and they let me keep most of my stuff in the store until I found somewhere to live.
Not that that was my first priority. There was a week between my last shift in Glasgow and my first shift in Oban, so I went to London.
In my defence, some Canadian friends were gonna be in town and it was my only chance to see them.
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I spent my spring and summer exploring West Scotland. I went to the Isles of Kerrera, Lismore, and Mull. I went on a road trip with a couple friends and we visited Glencoe, Skye, and Loch Ness; and we climbed Ben Nevis.
In April I visited my friend Leti in Tuscany.
In May, while cycling home from work, I went over the handle bars of my bike and did a face-plant into the road - doing a fair amount of damage to my face and hands. I'm okay (the NHS is amazing) but I've got some scars.
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Seal Tour - Laura and Mom |
A little Rain on the way to Kerrera |
In July I made another trip to London to see some family (turns out I am an excellent tour guide).
And in August my parents made a trip to see me.
Shortly after they left, I spent a few days in Edinburgh to catch some of the Fringe. It was awesome! I've never been to a Canadian Fringe so I can't compare, but Edinburgh is where it all started and there's a CASTLE. I also (for possibly the first time ever) climbed a big hill on a sunny day. The view was lovely.
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My last day at Waterstones was Sept 1. I had decided to spend a couple months travelling Europe before heading home for Christmas. So I worked my last shift and then hopped on a train for Glasgow where I started my trip with a ceilidh!
I made a brief detour to Edinburgh and then took the night bus to London where I got to spend one last day saying goodbye to some of my favourite people and places before taking another night bus to Paris.
There I immediately got on a train to Toulouse, which is where my Europe trip officially began.
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More rain - Laura and Dad |
Oban
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From there I went to Malaga, Spain; Barcelona, Spain; Zurich, Switzerland; Munich, Germany; Salzburg, Austria; Vienna, Austria; Budapest, Hungary; Krakow, Poland; Prague , Czech Republic (where I got sick); Berlin, Germany (where I stayed sick); London , England (an unexpected detour for antibiotics - ALWAYS TRAVEL WITH HEALTH INSURANCE), and Paris , France.
It was an incredible trip. I got to stay with friends, travel with friends, and meet new friends. I had all kinds of new experiences. I saw so much cool stuff! And I learned so much; about history, and art, and people, and food, and how trains work!
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And I vlogged it all (yup, still doing that). So if you'd like to know more about anything I've mentioned I'd suggest clicking on a blue word - they're links.
I flew home from Paris on October 25. I had been gone for 1 year, 11 months, and 4 days.
The customs card was all "Have you been gone for 1 day? 2-3 days? Up to 7 days? Or more than 7 days?" I giggled.
I got over my jet lag just in time to go to my cousin's wedding, after which, I moved to Rosebud.
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Cycling on Kerrera |
Path to Dunollie Castle
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I knew that if I got a job at the Merc (I currently work in the kitchen and as a server), that job would end by Christmas Eve and I'd be able to spend the holidays with my family.
So that's the plan.
I've enjoyed being home so far. I missed people. And I missed the horizon. And the stars.
But that hasn't stopped me from planning next year's adventures.
If you'd like to hear about those as they happen, instead of in next year's Christmas letter, feel free to subscribe to my YouTube channel (YouTube channel )
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Merry Christmas!
Laura
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Malaga |
PS: If you like the videos and are interested in extra music and scenes and bloopers, check out my Patreon Page and consider sponsoring me for as little as one dollar per month...... Laura's Patreon Page !
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| Fun with Friends |
Cycling on Kerrea
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Malaga
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Laura and Leti in Paris
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Laura and Olena
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Together Again - Laura and Spencer
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Sound of Music steps in Salzburg
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Florence with Leti
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Andrea and Laura in Munich
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Andrea in Budapest
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Butterfly Museum in Krakow
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Climbing Ben Nevis
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