Three Cameras on a Table, Monday, articles

Photos: Daniel C.

Photo: Random Lorraine

Hi all, Happy Monday. Today started at a snail's pace like most Mondays, but I've spend many inspiring hours trapped in my own head. Make sure to go back and read my two previous posts, which were uploaded last night and this afternoon. One called Scottish Rubbish, and one called Weekend Review. Read them.

I got a message from one Chris Speed last night before I tucked myself in for the night. Chris, from Nashville, was in the Detroit airport last night en-route to Scotland, and had just heard his Glasgow CouchSurfing host had bailed on him, choosing to head out of town instead of hosting. Chris had contacted me weeks ago asking for a couch, but I had to say no at the time as I had people booked in.

Long story short, the American girls switched their dates, so the couch was free for tonight. Anyone who counts Jack Kerouac and Michel Foucault among their favourite writers, philosophy and photography as their interests, and American Beauty among their favourite films, is always welcome on my couch. Just so you know. No preachers or psycho killers please.

To quote Bill Carter, Chris had this life philosophy to share on his CS profile: "It's rare a tourist ever remembers anything about where they have been, except for the oddest of details. How much a beer was, how lovely the maid was, or what a strange language those people spoke....But a traveler just goes, with no plan and with as little baggage as possible, and at some point the journey becomes the destination..." Chris and I went for a few beers, talked about this and that and our adventures in travel and life, and simply walked the neighbourhood for a little while.

Funny, my CouchSurfers love to sit with random Glasweigans at the pubs while I'm not looking. Tonight, I had ran to the toilet and then to the bar to grab a few pints before meeting Chris on the terrace, who I had left with both of our cameras. A lady called him over, noticing the two expensive-looking Canon DSLRs strung around his shoulders - random Lorraine I'll call her - and so a night of ridiculous photography and blether ensued; Three artists, and three cameras on a table.

I'll tell you the story later if you remind me. Poor Chris, the man hadn't slept for 48 hours, had just flown trans-Atlantic, and was already caught in the middle of another Glasgow night. Photographs above.

I am going to bed. Happy Monday.

- Daniel C.

All the best from today, with love from me to you:

A - Memories of a moon landing: 1969.

B - The hometown of my current CS'r. Memories of Nashville.

C - Palm Springs. I will actually make it to Coachella next year. Anyways, things to do in the desert.

D - Canadian Visa requirements. Migration law. The good and bad. It's too late to start this debate tonight. See also. Bhutanese migrants.

E - The world's worst travel spots. Agreed, Pisa should never be visited. I was at Blarney two years ago in August, and there was almost nobody there. The charms of the surrounding grounds are also decent, and the castle is good to see once. Not the best, but decent. Kiss the stone. I've never been to Vegas either, but like all-inclusive beach resorts, it's not something I'm really inters ted in seeing.

F - Instead, Lonely Planet's top 10. Basque Country is in my top 5 for sure. Tapas and white wine! Daniel's top five Off.The.Beaten.Path destinations for you to check out. Actually, feel free to send me your top five as well, as I've hardly seen anything in this world. Someday soon I plan to become a train ridin', hitch-hikin', guitar pluckin' troubadour; the ramblin' Kerouacian writer I've always threatened to be. I can't believe I'm going to share with you my deepest of secrets: The ultimate travel destinations to get lost in the world.

Actually, I don't mind sharing, as once I've been somewhere, I long to tell it's tale and share with you its wonders. I'll continue to search out those quiet streets, unassuming hotels, sunset views, cavern-pubs, local markets, running routes and wee hidden gems. You'll never find me when I'm there, but I'll show you the pictures and tell you the name of the top java-joint and place for a pint once I've returned to the grind. Here goes:

5 - Corozal, Belize. Hemingway hotels, open bay, dusty movie-set look-alike streets, and yes, an ultimate, but not out of place China Town. Go. Bring your own wine. No tourists for miles.

4 - Haliburton, Ontario: Cottage country. Actually, many of you have been there already, and I bet you'll never forget. Deep woods, endless lakes, family barbecues, fishing, reading, peace. I imagine there are a thousand similar places in B.C., although I've never been. I'm an Ontarinite, so...

3 - Aran Islands, Ireland. Wild ponies, fishing villages, crashing waves, endless green fields, cobbled walls, gravel streets, Aran sweaters, Guinness, ancient ruins, bicycle rides, a stone's throw from Galway, postcard rocky cliffs...Hang on, I'm checking cheap flights to Ireland...

2 - Mustafapaşa, Turkey. Fancy a walk amongst the troglodyte caves with ancient frescoes? Want to see what Turkish hospitality is really like? Share a meal with the locals, shop the weekend farmer's market, regroup in your cave room (seriously), or on the stone rooftop after a long day in the desert heat. No tourists ever come here. Ever. Cups of tea, a journal, a sunset. Lost in Turkey.

1 - Essaouira, Morocco. Pick your sea-side perch, get that camera on tripod, get a gin and tonic in hand(with orange slice), meet the locals, share a meal, watch the fishing boats come in and chase them to the pier for the day's catch, surf the waves, ride a camel, eat dinner with your hands while sitting on the floor, walk the beach; get lost on dusty market streets. The most inspiring and creative place I think I've been. I wouldn't dare go back without my wing man Little Dan, nor will I share with you all the details and mischievous adventures we shared as beer-drinking, 19-year-old hippy backpackers.

Honorable mention: One of my favourite places in the world is the south-east, 'far side', of Cozumel. Endless beaches, warm water, azure sea, white sand....I wish I could claim the beaches as my own discovery, but those would be the discovery of travel guru and fellow wander-soul Uncle John. Thanks for the Island tours. And the beers. And dinner. And the hotel. Haha, Christmas?

G - Don't screw with David Beckham. I agree with the fans a bit, as Beckham did sign a big-money contract to play out his career in Los Angeles. If he wants to play in Milan, or England for that matter, I say he should do that as well, as he's still a decent player. Although perhaps only if he is sold for certain from L.A., not missing half of their season on loan to Milan. Anyways...

 H - Japan, mobile phones, and 'Galápagos syndrome.' We spoke about this before if you recall an earlier post. I'm obsessed with technology advances, although they only make me want to run away to a lake-side forest life with no electronics or running water. Someday. Anyways, those crazy Japanese.

I - I did a story today on advanced driving awareness. I've asked you not to talk and text; I've asked you not to talk and drive. Please don't.

J - Shopping for $1,000 shoes? Oh, there's an iApp for that. Actually, I only know one girl who consitently buys $1,000 shoes and pumps - a school teacher. I hung out with her yesterday, funny story. Shoes, girl! Shoes!?!