Europe | Backpackingmatt.com

backpackingmatt October 24, 2008

city of l i g h t s

Europe 1 Reply

Paris. The City of Love. The City of Lights. Two million people in Paris proper with ten million in the entire metropolitan area. 72 million tourists come to Paris each year, and right now, Matthew Kyhnn is one of them.

I will say, as an American who speaks only English, its not exactly an easy place to be. After spending ten months in English speaking Scotland, you quickly forget how stressful, frustrating, and bewildering it is to try and navigate and survive in a city the size of Paris where literally no one speaks English.

Brian and I arrived in Paris with zero plans as far as accommodation. Always a good decision. After a couple hours of wandering the city’s streets and subways, we finally found a hostel we had looked up online. Unfortunately, we also found they were full and had no bed available. The French bloke working the front desk offered no help in finding an alternative place to stay. He simply pointed two ways out of the hostel, and told us, “If you walk towards the canal, you may find a hostel, but I don’t know if they’ll have rooms.” Fun. As it turns out, we ended up checking into a dodgy one star hotel. We had no toilet – no toilet as in, no toilet in the entire ‘hotel.’ Also, we had to pay E3 extra each for a shower. Either way, it was a place to sleep. First impressions of Paris weren’t too good.

We spent yesterday exploring the city on our own and with a walking tour. We ended up back at the hostel where said unhelpful French bloke worked the next morning. As it turns out, the hostel was again full, but they held our bags for the day. While we were there, we met an ex-pat American lady who worked for the hostel and led tours. She was lovely and took us on a very informative and laid back tour of the city.

We ended up checking into a new hostel last night. It was the first time since I’ve again left traveling where I’ve had to opportunity to sit down with other fellow travelers and just, hang out. Over a couple bottles of wine we exchanged stories, discussed our travels, and really just had the craic. It was brilliant. Very refreshing.

Yesterday ended with Brian and I sitting at the base of the Eiffel Tower and drinking a bottle of wine. An epic way to spend an evening. When I think of Europe, the first thing that comes to my mind is the Eiffel Tower. It was a stunning sight – illuminated in blue sparkling every hour on the hour (to the tune of E2,000 a day).

I realized again last night how lucky I am to be where I’m at in my life. I’ve met so many wonderful people along the way, seen so many sights, and learned so much about myself. I’m not ready for this portion of my life to finish, but sooner or later I’m afraid it will. It will have most definitely been a journey I’ll never forget.

cheers, mk

backpackingmatt October 19, 2008

Safe in Amsterdam

Europe 2 Replies

I’ve made it safely to Amsterdam.

First impressions can be summed up with, ‘wow.’ What a bizarre city. Amsterdam is best known for the presence of decriminalized drugs and legalized prostitution. True, this was more than evident in the quick hour long stroll I had throughout the city before checking into a hostel. But, lesser known, perhaps, is the beauty of the city. Touted as being one of Europe’s ‘most beautiful cities,’ you can see the draw many people have to Amsterdam. The city centre is filled with winding, 17th century cobblestone streets and a maze of canals – thus Amsterdam is also known as the, ‘Venice of the North.’

The ferry ride was less than ideal. I spent most of my time curled up in my tiny, two berth, cabin fighting off seasickness. I never got sick, but I sure got close.

Regardless, I’m here. Its an exciting feeling to again begin traveling. mk

backpackingmatt October 18, 2008

goodbyes

Scotland, Travel Advice Comments Off

Oh my, a new post on Matt’s blog! Shocking, I know.

As I sit down to write, I’m on a train leaving Scotland and heading to Newcastle. From Newcastle, I’m catching an overnight ferry to Amsterdam to meet up with my mate Lyndon from Ireland. We’ll spend a couple nights in Amsterdam before Brian and I leave for a month long trip around mainland Europe. We have InterRail passes and will be traveling via train throughout the continent.

To say I have mixed emotions right now would be a complete and total understatement. I’m excited for what the next month or more may bring. It should be unbelievable. Yet I’ve just had to say goodbye to Nicole, my girlfriend of seven months -a goodbye that we both knew was going to come sooner or later. A difficult goodbye, to say the least. I’m so lucky to have met her and spent the time with her I did. Who knows what the future will bring? Being seperated will undoubtedly be difficult, but this I suppose is the story and definition of life. I spent nine months and 18 days living in Scotland. I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone by. I’ll miss Scotland. A brilliant country with so much history, pride, and beauty.

My summer flew by. I use the term summer quite liberally as there wasn’t much for a ‘summer’ in Edinburgh. You could probably count on one hand the number of sunny days we saw. Towards the end of June I went away on holiday with Nicole to Prague. I quickly fell in love with Prague – a beautiful city with much to offer by way of arts, culture, and architecture (and really good lager!). Prague feels very much like an Eastern European city that isn’t yet ready for the massive influx of tourists its seen in the past couple years. When I arrived back to Edinburgh, I found work in a small, city centre, real ale pub. It was a welcome change to the high street, brewery owned pub where I spent my first six months working. One of the smallest pubs in Edinburgh, we served quality cask ales and had a solid group of regulars.

I chuckled as I was reading my last post as I ended with the talk of not knowning what I’m doing with my life. I still don’t, I suppose. I do know that without soon finding a source of income, my days of traveling Europe will soon come to an end. And, without any work visas lined up, finding a source of income may prove to be difficult. But, for now, I have what I imagine will be an unbelivable month ahead of me. cheers, mk

backpackingmatt June 12, 2008

scotland with mom and dad

Scotland, Travel Photos 2 Replies

Somehow, it’s always a connection to Iowa that drives me to sit down and post to my blog. I send my apologies to those of you who continue to check back regularly – only to find I still haven’t updated you with a new post. Much has happened since I last sat down to write. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure where to start.

First, my connection to Iowa. I was at one of the local pubs after finishing at Deacons last night. As I was waiting to order at the bar, I heard a group of people with American accents order – “Captain and Cokes.” Their accents were enough to at least let me know they were form the US, but so was the way in which they ordered their drinks. Most Scottish folk would order a ‘Morgans and Coke.” A small difference, but considering many of my waking hours are spent working in a pub, this was enough to clue me in to their nationality. Curious as to where they were from, I asked them.

One of the guys in the group said, “We’re from Iowa. Do you even know where that is?” I chuckled and pulled up the leg of my jeans to show my Tigerhawk tattoo. “I’m actually from Iowa myself,” I told them. They were quite shocked and said, “What? But you have an accent!” I don’t think I’ve quite picked up a Scottish accent – but, I think it depends who you ask.

Since sitting down last, I’ve said hello and goodbye to my folks. They were here just about one month ago for two weeks. We had a terrific time and spent some of our time here in Edinburgh and some of our time traveling the Highlands of Scotland. It was fascinating to get out of the city and see other parts of this country which has been my home for the past five or so months. The Highlands provide breathtaking scenery at every turn – lochs (lakes), glens (valleys), and bens (mountains) are everywhere. We hired a car and were out of Edinburgh for just over one week. It was great to again see and spend time with my parents – it was hard to believe it was six months since I had last seen them last in Ireland.

I was glad they were able to spend some time in the city with me and see where I’d spent my time for the last five months. My home, if you will. They were able to stay in the flat with Brian and I – we branded it the M & B B & B (Matt and Brian Bed and Breakfast!). They spent some time with me in Deacons and were able to see me work one evening. I took them to many of my favorite pubs. And, they got to meet Nicole – a girl who I’ve been seeing for the past two months or so.

If you follow the below link, you will be able to see some photos from the week.

I’m still not certain what I’m doing with my life. I’m taking it day by day. I’ll have to leave Deacons at the end of this month as my visa expires. I’ll most likely head to mainland Europe for a week or so before coming back into Scotland on a temporary visa. Ideally, I’ll find some sort of employment and work through the end of August so I can stay in the city for the Edinburgh International Festival. But then again, who knows?

backpackingmatt April 28, 2008

quick post

Ireland, Travel Advice, Travel Photos 3 Replies

I’m not entirely certain how it has already been two weeks since my last post. Where has the month of April gone? Thanks to those of you who keep checking back … my apologies for the lack of reading material lately.

Spring is beginning to take hold here in Edinburgh. There have been more nice days than rainy days in the past week. Something I’m not entirely used to.

So. Whats the latest? Well. You’ll maybe be excited to know that I’ve decided what to do with my life come the end of June. Actually, thats me being sarcastic. I haven’t the faintest idea. What I do know is this. As of Saturday morning, I no longer live in my wee Thistle Street flat. Brian and I moved across town to a flat where we knew some guys who were moving out. Other working holiday lads … two Americans and a Canadian. Still a one bedroom, but significantly bigger than my old flat – plus, we have bunk beds. And a microwave.

Speaking of bunk beds. This is where my parents will be staying when they come to visit. I cannot wait to see them. We don’t really have much for plans, but I’m sure it’ll be a terrific two weeks. I imagine we’ll do some things in and around Edinburgh for the first week or so (this way, I can still work evenings), and then either head to the Highlands of Scotland … or catch a cheap flight to mainland Europe. Who knows.

Also, I have a quick story that again shows how amazingly small this world is. I was working at the pub the other night when this group of Americans came in. Ten or so of them … I think they were in Edinburgh on some sort of business. One of the gents came to the bar and said to me sarcastically, “That’s quite the Scottish accent you have. Where are you from?”

After finding out where I was from, he informed me there was a lady at his table who he believed was from Iowa as well. Indeed she was. She came up to talk with me and I told her I grew up in Southwest Iowa. It ends up she lived in Adair (twenty miles away). “What is your last name,” she inquired.

“Kyhnn,” I told her.

“No kidding. Is your dad by chance Mark Kyhnn? He did my taxes for twenty years.”

What are the chances?!

I have some pictures for you all below.

me, posting to my blog in the Newcastle Airport, drinking a Newcastle Brown Ale

view of the irish countryside as I was arriving to cork … in three months i managed to forget how unbelievably green the irish landscape is

kinsale, ireland

irish pub of the year, 2004

note to self

when I was leaving ireland, i had a 12 hour layover at the dublin airport. i didn’t really want to spend the day in the busy city of dublin, so a caught a bus to this small, seaside, suburb north of the city. terrific place to spend the day.

Now. Onto pictures of my new town. Edinburgh.

a rather unimpressive view of the edinburgh castle

view of the city from atop calton hill

arthur’s seat

bottom of the royal mile … the high street in edinburgh. it stretches approximately one (go figure) mile. at the top, you have the edinburgh castle. at the bottom, you have hollyrood palace – which is where the queen stays when in scotland.

a loch in the area surrounding arthurs seat