South India

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word India? It is the food? Tigers, monsoons, Mount Everest in the Himilayas? What? What is the first thing that comes to mind?

The Flag and the Shape of
Subcontinental India.

When I first heard I was going on a holiday to India, my first thought was 'We get to see Tigers at Christmas?' My brothers' reaction was 'We're going to miss Christmas!' That about summed it all up. My family and I were spending the Christmas school holidays in Southern India to see an Annular Eclipse.

Fun fact: most Indians believe its a cursed time, filled with evil spirits, so hardly anyone apart from the tour group my family was in turned up. The tour only lasted ten days, which is a relief as it takes you two days to fly to India, and two days to return to the UK. The jetlag is killer!

India is definitely a country you visit once and never again.

First Half: Annular Eclipse.

Around the start of the Eclipse.

What an experience! and I do mean that. I'd never seen an eclipse before.

The Peak of the Eclipse - lunar.
Sun is seen showing around the
outline of the moon.

A few years ago, when I was still at high school, there was a partial eclipse but I never got to see it, for two reasons. 1) there was a shortage of special sun filter glassess, and 2) an announcement went out to the entire school and so they crowded around the Sixth Form Centre because it was the best spot to see the event. Before that, I was too young and when there was an eclipse, the cloud overcast blocked the view.

So yeah, never seen one.

It starting to finish.

So this time, I was hyped for the chance to see one. Unfortunately, it wasn't until Boxing Day, so Christmas Day - spent in a two-three hour meeting, looking at a Powerpoint Presentation. I mean come on. An extradordinary event is happening tomorrow and you want to do into the technicalities of an annular eclipse using Powerpoint?!  I nearly laughed. Whilst the footage videos and the history around how the Indian people view lunar, annular and solar eclipses etc. was fascinating, it honestly made me feel like I was back in Sixth Form learning about Shakesperean English & Tudor culture in the Arts.

And while it's sort of harsh and I apologise for that, it doesn't change the fact it was how I felt at the time. But that's not what this blog or post is about - so we focus on the annular eclipse.

Kerala Map.

The eclipse itself only lasted around two hours, from 08:20 to 10:20. Its peak was around 09:00 in the morning their time. India is five and a half hours ahead of us here in the UK, and it did take some readjustment. We, meaning the tour, watched it from 08:45 to around 09:30, 10:00, as Subcontinental India gets very hot and humid, and seeing as we were on the south western coast outside the city of Kerala, we also had to avoid the tides coming in. The surf there isn't as gentle as the waters surrounding our Island so we were well warned to stay away from the sealine. As we stood there, I was surprised by the lack of natives joining us to watch until our tour guide and the Professor, who joined us on both Christmas and Boxing Day explained. Native Indians don't watch the eclipse as they believe eclipses release bad omens and spirits unto the people. Before you all shout in, that eclipses are nothing nefarious, I'm going to stay neutral. Yes, I agree with this view, but having been to South India and seeing how little turnout of native Indians watched, I can accept their beliefs.

Like I said, its the first eclipse I've seen in my 22/23 years so I'm allowed to rant.

Map of Nagarhole National Park -
Government Protected Park.

Second Half: Nagarhole Tiger Reserve.

Nagarhole Park Welcome Sign.

The excitement, the wonder at seeing these endangered cats, at seeing so many different species of the Animal Kingdom in one place. Nagarhole is filled with endless sounds. Its definitely an once in a lifetime opportunity. Located in Mysore, it is one of the largest of the governmental protected parks in the country. There are Indian Dogs (Dhole) - which are rarer than the Tigers, Elephants, Mongoose, Leopards and, of course, Tigers. Nagarhole is one of those places that no matter what, the experience stays with you. During the hours, there are two tours, one in the morning (6-9am) and one in the early evening (3-6pm), and you could go by land - truck, or by water - boat. Going on both tours are always a plus, seeing as there is always the chance of spotting the elusive big cats, but if only if you can stomach being woken up at 5:15 every morning through the duration of your stay, which you can recover in the six hours between tours.

Mongoose.

I say both morning and afternoon tours are worth going on, because its true. If you're determined enough, the long wait may or may not be rewarded. It depends. For me, I was lucky enough to be on one of the morning tours when a small tiger family were spotted walking through the undergrowth.

Elephant - seen on boat afternoon
trip.

When the experienced locals in charge of the tours received some confirmation of something relating to the tigers, they hyped up the excitement, the suspense of waiting, and previously it bothered me when it was proven to be in vain. But the morning of December 31st was a big thing. When they did walk out, I felt like I could breath again after holding for the last few days. I hadn't dared to hope before then, even though it was warned that there was a chance we wouldn't be able to spot them in the time we were staying at the Park resort hotel.

Tiger family - Mum and her two
cubs (on right, one hidden by bush),
spotted on morning of December
31st, 2019. 

Indian Dog (Dhole), seen on first trip,
December 27th, 2019, between 3-6pm.
Rarer than the tiger. 

So, what do you think? Do you think you'll give Southern India a chance, see Tigers in their natarul habitat, or stick with going to a zoo or safari park, where yiou can spend more time seeing them? Post your comments below!

Denmark

The home of the Little Mermaid and the Markets, Denmark has always been the place to go if you wish to celebrate Christmas in style. Seeing as Saint Nick's night was last Friday, I thought I'd treat you to a taste of what Denmark has to offer.

The Flag of Denmark!

 During my travels, I've visited Denmark a few times but the time I spent there as a holiday was a couple of weeks before my 8th birthday, to do just that.. Celebrate Christmas and Saint Nicks night in true Danish and Nordic style. Nowadays, it might sound like a case of hell to a 7-8 year old. A few days without their electronics. But 10-15 years ago, eight year-olds didn't have Nintendo Switches and the newest I-Phone to play games on. So, I did what I do best -

Explore this new place to my heart's content.

My parents were perfectly fine with letting me explore and be adventurous. I was never out of calling distance, it wasn't so crowded I couldn't find them again, and seeing as it was freezing cold I was wearing a dark blue jacket and a distinctive wooly hat, plus I have a very distinctive pitch of voice. Its pitch is lower than the average person. I don't know why, it just is. Besides, as I've recently heard: "a parent can always spot their child in a crowded street or area with hundreds and thousands."

However, like I explained in my Norway Blog, my right hand doesn't do so well in the freezing cold temperatures, so to keep it warm I kept it tucked up inside the jacket. At that age, I also struggled to comprehend the meaning of Cerebral Palsy, Right-Sided Hemiplegia. I thought it was an illness I'd grow out of, much like I did with my epilepsy three years after this wonderful visit. So, as you can imagine I was pretty embarrassed about it being seen, hence it stayed inside the jacket arm until I was inside a nice and warm building, whether it was the hotel I was staying at or a restuarant, where it could warm up.

Copenhaven's Chritmas Market - the
week of Saint Nicholas Day and
Night. 

But, it was the odd shaped object near to the hotel that I remember most from that visit. Hint *Its got the same name as Disney's Princess Ariel.

You guessed it yet?

The Little Mermaid Statue, which
is now the unoffocial mascot of
Denmarks Capital -
Copenhagen. It is one of the
countries biggest tourist sites. 

That's right, the Liitle Mermaid Statue is one of the most famous landmarks and tourist attractions around the world. The statue is simply a blue and green coloured woman, looking out at sea with a deep look of sadness, sat on a rock, yet it has a mesmorising quality to it that makes people want to view it all day. Its not very big or flashy with a sign saying: I'm here surrounded by neon lights. Its just a statue but it catches the eye all the same. Just before my visit, it had to be entirely remade since someone blew it up with explosives in 2003. Inspired by the stage play of the same name, it was commissioned in 1913 to be a beacon of the harbour and as a monument depicting the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, who originally came up with the story of The Little Mermaid and new Disney story Frozen. The statue since being built became the victim of vandalism and once recommissioned after being blown to pieces, the unofficial mascot of Denmarks Capital Copenhaven (Copenhagen).

Collage of Copenhagen/
Copenhaven's
biggest landmarks.

Yet the Little Mermaid is only one tourist attraction you have to look out for, for if you arrive the week and/or weekend of Saint Nicholas Night, you are welcomed with open arms by market stalls, traditional folk dances and other wondrous sights.

Map of Denmark, showing it as
the border between Europe and
Scandinavia.
Denmark's in orange. 

Denmark is a country set into the middle of Europe and Scandinavia, bordering the top of Germany and the south of Norway and Sweden, split into two landmasses with the capital city being located on the second and small landmass. It may be on the smaller side when surrounded by these three other countries, but the welcome you receive on arrival, the various places to visit that can entertain yourselves and your children alike are numerous and the cuisine over there is a must see.

During my trip, we were staying in a nearby town or city, Tivoli, which at my age wasn't very exciting. In truth, I thought it was very boring and very cold. I never inherited what my family term

The Gate to Tivoli Garden - where I
got bored looking at flowers.  

'the Dack Green Finger,' so being made to stay close and traipse around looking at flowers was not something I wanted to do. Not at 7/8, or even now as a nearly 23 year old.

So, take a chance on this fascinating country. See all it has to offer and you may find yourself greatly surprised.

Vatican

If you've ever seen that scene in Angels and Demons, you know where this is going.

Map of The Vatican City State.

That's right - this post is about the Vatican. The central hub of the Roman Catholic and Catholic religions, and the place of residence of Pope Francis, who is the head of Catholicism and head of the soveriegn state.

Be warned - this is going to be short, seeing as the Vatican City State is tiny.

Map of the Vatican City State
in Rome.

Usually seen on TV in news reports about the Pope, the Vatican holds a timeless prestige

Made up of St Peters Basilica, St Peter's Square, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museum and Gardens, the Vatican City is a tiny sovereign state located within the city of Roma (Rome), Italy, located nearby to the Castle of Saint Angelo. Like I said, its a tiny but globally important centre of religion and festival and history.

On a map, its difficult to see where it is and get excited about. I mean, come on, this is the Eternal City of Rome which has the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and Castle of Saint Angelo. Hell, the place boasts having the Circus Maximus! The place is so intrinsically intertwined with Britain's history that these attractions tend to be at the top of a tourist's bucket list. When you visit, you do not tend to think - I want to visit the Vatican City and the Vatican City only. Or do you? But travelling to this oft-times exclusive area, you are going to be surprised.

When I visited it back in 2013 on a City Break (or what I thought was a City Break), I was initially dubious about the place and not really interested. Being an Atheist and proudly admitting that fact, you can possibly understand why. Not even going to a Church Primary School for seven years, doing a reading four times a year, and receiving a bible as a Leavers present was enough to convince me otherwise. I admire people who have a religion, that is true, but religion holds a small influence over people's lives.

View of St Peters Square from the
top of the Basilica.

I'm going off topic! Sorry everyone.

As a right-sided hemiplegic and Ancient History lover, I was more fascinated by the Roman architecture and attractions in the city. But saying that, when my family and I did visit the Vatican, it took me by surprise. The Basilica can only be described in one word - massive. Its about the size of a small piazza (or plaza whichever you prefer), in the centre of which is the Egyptian/Roman Obelisk, moved to Rome from Alexandria by Emporer Caligula. Unlike most religious sites, the Vatican City is open to the public, tourists and religious followers all year around, which gives it an advantage over some of the more exclusive sites.

St Peters Basilica,
including the famous
obelisk, from the Square.

However, should you decide to visit, beware of the long and winding queues for the museum, and, I think, the Sistine Chapel. With these two areas of the complex being two of the sights to see, everyone and their dog wants to be able to say I was there, I looked inside. In fact, the long queues were the main and most important reason I myself did not get a chance to see the inside of these two buildings. The queues were out the gates and my parents weren't really up to dealing with two hyperacive kids. One was too young to be waiting for hours on his feet in the baking sun and the other too excited to see the rest Rome had to offer to want to deal with the issues that arose. Being disabled, sorry disadvantaged - I keep having to remind myself not to call it disability and it seems I forgot for the couple of seconds it took me to write the word, is not a reason for someone to ask uncomfortable questions. Yet, despite Continental Europe's stance on disadvantages, people still ask the uncomfortable questions about what your disadvantage is no matter where you go.

So our visit was a quick one.

Yet, seeing St Peter's Basilica and Square is more than enough to understand the importance of this religious site and small area of Rome.

Dublin

The home of Molly Malone, Temple Bar, Grafton Street and the biggest clock in Europe (its huge!), Dublin has been featured more times than anyone believed.

Flag of the Republic of Ireland.

Capital city of the Republic of Ireland, Dublin is a hive of activity all year around. From energising walks in St Stephen's Park and a social drink in Temple Bar to the events hosted in St Patrick's Cathedral. Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer - the excitement and passion of the city's ambience never fades.

I, myself, visited Dublin four years ago as a weekend break with my mum, Friday to Sunday. As is stereotypical of Britain and Ireland, the weather was freezing and overcast, which meant I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked. But when my mum revisited the city a year ago with my younger brother and my dad, she had a better experience. Sorry mum!

Me in front of St Patricks Cathedral
making the trip miserable for myself and
my mum. My Cerebral Palsy is hidden
by the right sleeve of the jacket
I'm wearing. As I also explained
in my Norway Post, it doesn't do well
in cold temperatures. 

My dad visited Dublin quite a few times when he was working over in Belfast when I was younger so he knew a lot more about the place than everyone else in the family. Lucky sod. I think I would've enjoyed it a lot more if I was able to see the city in Spring or even early Autumn. He always made it sound so fascinating and the stories he returned home with were what I looked forward to when he walked through the front door.

And though I would've liked to visit the Guinness factory and Temple Bar (I don't know why, but all I could think was the song Temple Bar by Nathan Carter), during my own visit, it just wasn't possible in the time we had. My mum and dad got to do that instead, but then they did organise the trip so they had longer to visit everything they wished to see.

Statue of Molly Malone - which
inspired the folk song everyone
in Ireland knows with no introduction.

Statute of Molly Malone? I can hear you thinking, it's just a story, she didn't exist. She might not have existed in real life, but the presence of that woman is everywhere. The Dubliner's wrote a song about her and over the years everyone has either heard the song or vaguely knows it. You can't miss her or her song. Yes, the title of the song's switches between 'Molly Malone' and 'Cockles and Mussels' but like I said you can't miss it. Remember it now.

It took me years to remember the person and the song. 11 to be exact. I first heard the song in Year 1 on a tape recorder under the title 'Cockles and Mussels' and then it came up with 'Dubliners - Molly Malone live' up on my Youtube recommended list. OK. It wasn't the most strangest video that had come up but it sure puts the story into perspective when listening to real life Irish folk bands singing it.

Temple Bar, just as intriguing, just as abstract. Between Nathan Carter's pop version and Billy Tracey's realistic and darker version, there is forever the burning question of which one portrays the real Temple Bar. Carter's is more well known to those who don't live in Ireland via the platform of Youtube, but the place could be a mix of the two versions. Nevertheless, when my parents visited the bar itself, they agreed on one thing - how expensive it was.

Temple Bar - apparantly three times
more expensive than the Bars on
Grafton Street. 

Guinness Factory, always a plus. The home of one of the nation's beverages and I stupidly thought it was forever filled by drunks looking for their next fix like a druggie going through withdrawal. I could not be more wrong. The Guinness Factory is not just about the drink but about its history and how said history links into the history of British Isles.

Free Guinness Pints given out at
the Guinness Factory. Mum enjoyed her
second trip to Dublin much more with Dad
and younger brother as she go to see
a lot more as they went in the October
Half Term rather than the last
weekend of November.

St Stephen's Gate looks like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris but attached to a Park, not in the middle of a busy street - all big and imposing, and looks like it should be Roman. Put them side by side and you would not be able to tell the difference in terms of size, structure and feel of imposing. I'm not dissing l'Arc de Triomphe (sorry - no matter how much time passes since I formally took them, my French lessons in correct pronunciation have stuck), but the two structures do look scarily alike.

St Stephen's Gate

But's its the massive clock in the centre of St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre that has the awe factor. I know I said its huge, but that's a massive understatement. How they got the clock to hang there is a mystery you can try to work out but it might make your head spin, so don't. It holds the title below and you can see why.

The Largest Clock in Europe, located in
St Stephen's Mall.

Millennium Bridge is so cool. When it gets dark, it lights up in an array of bright colours. I'm not kidding, its a spectacle you have to see for yourself. Plus, the ever present statues of the Irish Famine right next to it, can really bring a new outlook on how lucky Ireland and Great Britain have been in the intervening years. The statues and bridge really do make people think 'history is everywhere.'

Famine Statues located next to the
Millenium Bridge.

The Book of Kells and Trinity College Dublin - is there anything else more exciting to an ancient history buff? The exquisite detail and patterns are very much stereotypical of how we think of Celtic writing but the Book of Kells isn't just about the drawing. It's about the long lost, long gone times where people worked hand to mouth, working as a community to save their people and embedded in the Irish people's DNA. Most of us tend to think along the lines of Boudicca and the Iceni tribe revolting against the Romans, and of sprawling patterns and designs when the word Celtic crops up, but the Book of Kells proves that way of thinking wrong. Both the Book of Kells and Trinity College are must sees if you visit Dublin.

The Book of Kells Sign at Trinity College
Dublin. As a general rule, pictures could
not be taken inside the exhibition so this's
the only picture I have.  

Everything is right there for you to enjoy so go on. Visit and enjoy. You may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.

Orkneys

A strip of small islands at the top of Scotland is what most of us think when anyone talks about the Orkneys. Most of us don't even know where they are. Does that sound about right to you? I hope so, because this Blog is going to make you think twice about these islands.

When I visited the Orkneys in 2015, I have to confess it was not a holiday I was looking forward to. I prefered sunshine and tropical climates, filled with exquisitely made landmarks and art works. The Orkneys were cold and wet from the infamous British weather and filled with stone structures. How was I to know those same stone structures were as old as Stonehenge?!

Don't tell English Heritage but I would rather visit the Great White House in nearby Westbury. Now that is a monument that can take your breath away. Plus, you can stand on it for free!

I'd never seen the Orkney structures before, had zero idea what they were, or what they even looked like outside a picture featured in 1001 Places To Visit Before You Die, so how was I to excited about them. But did that stop my parents? No, course it didn't. My parents love this stuff. The Ring of Brodgar, the Skara Brae Village and Marshowe, one of the Nordic houses still standing - they're all there for you to enjoy, for you to visit. I was disappointed to not visit the Old Man of Hoy and Scapa Flow, as to me those two structures were more exciting to look at, but we were only there for a week.

Fun fact - they do not identify themselves as Scottish, but Danish! Scotland owns the islands but the population wave Denmark Flags not St Andrews Cross. It certainly makes them unique. The Shetlands are Scottish, the Outer Hebrides are Scottish, yet the Orkneys aren't, or rather don't think of themselves of Scottish!

Even four years later, I still can't work out why the Orkneys are owned by Scotland, but the native population identify themselves as Danish.

But don't let that stop you, the Orkneys are filled with sites that you should find time to visit. I have included a list below. It's not the full list, but the list of the most popular tourist attractions.

The tourist list of Orkney Landmarks:

• Scapa Flow,
• Churchills Barriers,
• Old Man of Hoy,
• Broch of Gurness,
• Skara Brae Village,
• Ring of Brodgar, 
• Ness of Brodgar,
• Marshowe,
• Standing Stones of Stenness,
• Loch of Stenness,
• St Magnus Cathedral,
• Italian Chapel,
• Papa Westray, and
• Yesnaby.

But these landmarks clearly give the Orkneys their own long history. Personal and communal heritage is very important to those who call these islands home. From the prominent flags and unearthed archaeology at Skara Brae and Morshowe, they hold their Scandinavian and Nordic roots close to the chest. But at the same time, they hold their nationality close as well. They are Scottish, no matter how differently they perceive themselves. 

Everyone in the British Isles are part Scandinavian - have been since the Viking Raids of around 790 AD, working their way from Viking Bay in the South West of Kent, the Orkneys and the Coast of Northumbria to bring in a new age of Brittania's vast history and her people a new identity and way of life. 

This is why the Orkneys play such a vital role in Great Britain's national heritage. From the Dark Age monuments, to the Vikings, the blanket of Scotland rule and to its strategic relevance to the First and Second World Wars. For more information on the Naval Power of the Orkneys, Abandoned Engineering once explained how Scapa Flow became so important to the War Effort between British and German Ships and the War at Sea.

If you ever wish to give history another look from a different perspective, the Orkneys are always welcome. 

Chicago

Chicago's a special place.

It was the place I turned my life around after escaping the conflict in Bucharest. It was where I found friends and a second family. It was where I healed. Bucharest held too many dark memories. I was a wreck after the bloodbath that was the fight for the City. Having lost so many loved ones in the span of around nine hours was heart breaking. We'd lost parents, siblings and children. I was at the heart of it when everything went south.

All five of us were. My best friends Nikolai, Joey, Jared and Katya all struggled with what had happened during those long four years. They affected us individually and as a group. Looking back, it was like we'd lost a part of ourselves, though we'd never admit it out loud. None of us could stay. None of us handled the aftermath well. Unable to take the guilt, I wrote a farewell letter to my parents and ran away under the cover of darkness.

I travelled through Europe on foot with only a few items: the clothes on my back, pepper spray, a pocket knife and my Dad's Army knife, some cash, my phone and passport. That was it! I didn't take anything else. Not even a photo of my parents and I. My meds were still with me. Even scared out of my mind, I refused to ignore Doctors orders.

It sounded stupid. It sounded like an unnecessary problem but that was me.

It wasn't like I could ignore them. Bianca had drilled those very instructions into my head until I could recite them backwards and from memory so many times whilst I recovered in the hospital. Bloody building beam had fallen on top of me as I escaped the burning upper floors. That was near enough 3 weeks ago.

Survivors guilt mixed with depression and self-destructive tendencies are never a good combination. No-one had that problem before. Kat drowned out the screams by finding a place that was louder than her head - usually a concert hall, blasting loud Rock music or the nearby falls. Jared became more reckless. He went zip-lining, skydiving and other extreme sports. Joe went quiet. He spent months sketching (a hobby he, Nik and I shared) out various scenes of those final weeks, and always in a dark room. Nik left. His parents took him on a two week long holiday up to Northern Norway. We couldn't blame Ivan and Erika for pulling him away. Sometimes all a person needed was a change of scenery and Nik was firmly in that category.

I should've known I was the exception.

My parents were better off without me. I left the letter. If I truly wanted to shut them out, I'd have just ran. I was in Spain when everything hit, and no despite my huge crush on Michael Fassbender in that outfit though saying that I loved him as Azazeal in Hex, I was not in the province of Andalusia or Madrid, nor was I heading to Englefield House in the UK county of Berkshire though it was one of the items on my bucket list. By the way Azazeal and Cassie are so my OTP! I love them and Malachi and I was so hoping Cassie realised that Malachi needed his mum.

I'd been walking around Park Guell when the flashback hit. I was no longer seeing the brightly-coloured mosaic masterpieces but a blood bathed wasteland. Seeing it again caused me to shiver. It was bad seeing the slaughter first hand but did I have to be reminded of the innocent lives I couldn't save because I got information that was Rebel hands too late? It was out of my control.

I was a failure!

A phone ringing was heard but I barely heard anything outside my own head. Someone physically shaking me snapped me out of the spell-binding state I was locked in. Lungs burned for air, eyes stung, mt mouth felt like cardboard and my throat was drug and rough as sandpaper. Not a good feeling. Standing, I nodded and thanked the kind people around me (I keep forgetting I know conversational Spanish), who were also shielding my vulnerability from curious onlookers, and ran to the nearest airport. I would have to make another, more relaxing holiday to Barcelona when my head wasn't as dark. It was a beautiful place.

I caught the next flight to Chicago.

Yeah, I know. It sounds like I'm running from my problems but I was hoping that with an entire ocean and a continent between me and Bucharest...Sofia, whatever, I'd feel safe. Start burying my bloodied past. Pretend that no of it ever happened. Wishful thinking I know but hope was a nasty and insistent little bugger. It wouldn't leave me alone.

No idea why I chose Chicago. I just felt like I needed t go there to leave my past where it belongs - in...the...past!

Over the next few months, I isolated myself from anyone and everyone. Having found a small place near Sears Tower, I was pretty anonymous. I had bought, well rented would be more accurate, the place under a false name but seeing as I wasn't planning on staying long I couldn't find it in me to care. Days passed in a routine: wake up, workout, lunch, write in a small notebook - hazard of being in therapy, pills and sleep. Repeat the next day. Days, weeks and months passed before she crashed her way into my life.

Lynn, a tomboy with a love of all things dangerous, became my best friend. She'd crashed through my door whilst playing a game called Stokie in the Dark. I was clueless. What the hell was Stokie in the Dark?! Anyway, attached to Lynn - though I didn't know it at the time, came the Gang.

I loved them to pieces but it wasn't until Lynn I felt like Chicago really was becoming my second chance at life. That's why its so special to me, because over time the crushing weight of depression and loneliness eased. The guilt remained with the tendencies but I would need a miracle to decrease their significance on my life. All this as long as Lynn stayed in my life.

I could be a normal teenager once more.

My name is Sasha Dashkov and this is my story.

   Blogger note: This piece was influenced by a quote from a former NFL player: Chicago's a special place. This piece is many about how one small change in someone's life or even someone unexpected, whether or not it be a life-long friendship. It was also inspired by a day trip I once took to Barcelona's famous Park Guell and it is the sort of place where a thousand and one ideas for a story can emerge. Thank you for reading.   

Tunisia

Hot, deserty and camels is probably what most comes to mind whenever you think of Tunisia, but I can - or hope I can - change your mind regarding this wondrous place.

Tunisia has always been seeped in history. From the rise and fall of Carthage in the Roman Empire, from the ruins and lost civilisation of Kairouan to the detailed pottery and mosaics found at El Jem. Unlike its sister country Egypt with its power struggles and numerous pharaohs - all of which brought Egypt to the heights of the ages in terms of technological advances, religious advances and even societal advances, Tunisia's history remained intertwined with the story of the Roman Empire and Tunisia's most famous Son - General Hannibal. The young War Leader who lead a quest from his home in Carthage to the Eternal City of Rome, who took it upon himself to wrestle back control of his homeland and bring Rome's domination of the Mediterranean Sea to a standstill.

As someone who has travelled the Mediterranean Sea - from Dubrovnik (or as the Game of Thrones fans out would shout Kings Landing!) in Croatia and Kusadasi in Turkey to Malaga in Spain and the Straits of Gibraltar, as someone who has visited and seen the exquisite detail of the Eternal City itself, and has researched all they can about the Roman Empire, there is no doubt that Carthage and her people were an opponent of substantial force.

Tunisia, to me, holds none of the wonder that Egypt, or Spain or even Italy boasts. But that does not mean it doesn't have its own awe-inspiring landmarks and culture. This is a country, where disability is treated as something taboo, where technology and history and tradition - much like Rome - mixes together to form its own unique signature. This is a country that takes pride in what it can boast, whilst standing out of its older sister countries of Egypt, Algeria and Morocco's shadow.

I have journeyed to this country twice in my life and both visits left me with different responses. My first visit left me scared. I was an eight-nine year old child accompanying my mother and nan to get away from the pain that my life was forcing upon me at that time. My dad had booked the holiday so my mum and me to some extent could find some peace of mind. The scariest aspect of this holiday had to be confronted with this massive camel. As it turned out, my family was booked onto a camel ride out in the Tunisian desert and to say I was scared of this huge creature was a massive understatement to what I felt then.

I WAS TERRIFIED! I was eight years old, losing people I'd known for years, people who didn't care that I was different or had a disadvantage, or that I struggled at simple things like maths and science and normally needed in-depth explanations to understand what the teacher was asking of me, at an age where I still believed that said disadvantage was an illness and I would miraculously be able-bodied (or as I called it "normal"), on holiday to get away from it all, and being forced to confront the idea that I was about to ride this huge, drooling, smell four-legged creature that I'd only seen previously in pictures.

Anyway, the second visit I took years later, with my parents and younger brother, when I understood that no matter what my disadvantage was staying and had learnt to accept the fact that I would now have to fight with everything I had to be seen just as capable at my chosen field as someone with fully functioning limbs, left me with the feeling of disbelief. How was it that a country as small as Tunisia not only boasted the city that was famous for its fights in the First and Second Punic Wars against the Roman Empire, but was allowing countries like Morocco and Egypt to take all the glory?

It didn't make sense!

Not because Tunisia didn't have those things - because it did. But because the country as a whole seemed to be shrouded in a mix of ancient and modern history, like it was a country not wholly secure in which century it was.

I'm not saying that the country isn't majestic in its own right as it is - but you need to actually visit the place to understand where this kind of disbelief comes from.  This is a country that has fallen to a bad reputation in recent times and yet has the kind of grit, the kind of strength that most of First World countries don't have. This is a country that understands pain and suffering but disallows it to fester in the hearts and minds of its people until its impossible to move on from.

Everglades and Swimming with Dolphins

Florida - the home to CSI: Miami, Disneyworld and the Everglades. Yes, those Everglades - the ones just outside Miami and quite the feature when you delve into the heart of crocodile and snake territory.

State Flag of Florida.

Most of the history is tied into that of its tribal peoples it hosted throughout the years since the Prehistoric period when a tribe of period into the area hunting for sabre-toothed tigers and giant sloths. Remind you of anyone in recent times? For those who can't quite remember - think Ice Age! The food sources at that time had to cope with a variation of the desert climate, which also lead to the wildlife in the area adapting to the temperatures - and later the risen water tables that brought reptiles like the Crocodiles to the Everglades. Recently, the Everglades became protected and formed its own National Park in South Florida.

One of the crocodiles, who made their
home in the waters of the Everglades -
got warned to never disturb them.

When I visited the Everglades as a nine-year-old child, who'd just experienced the magic of Disney, and who'd only seen the Everglades on TV. My mum and I were - and still are - massive Crime Drama fanatics and so CSI: Miami was a popular choice in our house - it was a surprise. All I saw was grass and swamps. Nothing else! Green grass and blue-brown water - it wasn't that exciting but then, what do you expect from a place that acts as a conservation centre for freshwater and american crocodiles. Also I didn't know this at the time but I do now - but the Florida Everglades is the only place in the WORLD to be home to both crocodiles AND alligators. Did you? Scary thought....

Anyway....

The most exciting part of the Everglades trip were actually two parts. The first was I got to travel in a hovercraft. Top tip, if you're thinking of going - take earplugs - preferably noise cancelling earplugs. They will supply them - or at least they're version - but take some just in case. THEY ARE SOO LOUD! It's actually ridiculous how loud they are. You can't hear anything except the engine and fan. Why they bother with tour guides for that part of the experience is beyond me.

Hovercraft which takes groups across the
waterways of the Everglades!

Second most exciting part...

Holding a giant snake!

I GOT TO HOLD A MASSIVE SNAKE! Not sure what species it was but it was HUGE! Bloody thing was yellow with white markings and rather docile. Thing is - before all this kicked off I'd inadvertently volunteered myself to handle baby rattle snakes. Yeah, yeah - I know. My daring *cough* reckless *cough* side won out before my more rational but what I like to call my 'hang on here, stop' side kicked in. So there I was - stood next to the tour leader, who was holding the bag and panicking at handling baby rattle snakes. But I go and grin widely as I have a huge snake draped over my shoulder.

How insane am I?

Moving off topic.

Map of Key Largo, Key West and the
Everglades National Park.

The Everglades are located in the South of the State of Florida, right outside the metropolitan city of Miami. I wish I'd gotten to experience the city more and in the sunshine. When we went it was pouring it down.

Of course before all this kicked off - I travelled to Key Largo, which is located in the Florida Keys, just off the southern tip of the state. You know what I'm about to say - I can see the excitement and the impatient looks on all your faces.

A dolphin at the Key Largo
Marine Sanctuary.

I SWAM WITH DOLPHINS!!!!!!!!!

Every kids dream come true - to swim with these beautifully intelligent mammals. The dolphins I swam with were named Samantha and Sarah - nicknamed Princess Sarah. I loved it! Though at the time I needed help - and would gladly go again if given the chance - I couldn't believe that I - a 9 year old hemiplegic was being given the chance of a lifetime.

The Dolphin Trainer and Me with
the two dolphins Samantha and Sarah.
(Samantha in photo). 

I loved every second!

Much like the week before, when I was in Disneyworld - I could forget that I had a physical disadvantage when compared to my friends and everyone around me. I could forget that my future prospects were bleaker than my friends.

I could be a normal kid on holiday to Disneyworld Orlando and the Marine Sanctuary in the Keys having fun!

As such - I implore those parents or guardians or even those who have simply stumbled on to the blog to seriously consider this. Thank you and adios amigos.

Alaska

Alaska - the Last Frontier and home to a variety of wildlife, including the five types of salmon, grizzly bears and Alaskan black bears, and some of the most dramatic landscapes such as Denali National Park. I was nine years old when I visited.

On of the Cruise ships of the Holland America
Line - it was on one of these ships I travelled to
Alaska on.

Originally a part of Russia, Alaska became a state of America in 1946 after World War II, but their official statehood was delayed until early January 1959. With the history surrounding the peninsula, mainly of the salmon farming and tourism trade, Alaska has become the tourist destination for its uniqueness and diverse culture. However, it is Alaska's North American roots which stand out.

Flag of Alaska

Alaska is on the north-western side of the Yukon Territory and located on the opposite side of the Bering Straight to its former home. Juneau - the Capital City is located within the Alaskan Panhandle, whilst its largest city, Anchorage, is located on the northern edge of the Kenai Peninsula.

Detailed Map of Alaska State -
Homer and Seward are also
on the Kenai Peninsula.

Like certain countries, Alaska also has a large history with the mythological aspect of history. However, unlike those other countries such as Greece, Italy and Ireland, Alaska's history can be seen predominantly in the large totem poles that are dotted around the state.

One of the totem poles
Alaska is famous for.

When I visited in the summer of 2006, I too went to see the vastness of this state where mountains and the ocean alike plays a key role in its peoples health and well-being, its society and culture. As a nine-year old hemiplegic, I was more fascinated by the huge grizzlies, and the wild Alaskan otters that swam in the shallows of Ketchikan and Juneau - two of the most populous cities in Alaska. In Juneau, there were markets filled with the produce of the Pacific Northwest, which the Alaskan people receive most of their food while in Ketchikan, the otters roamed in the shallows. Here, I also learnt the five types of salmon - Pink, Silver, King, Sockeye and Chum, which I hadn't known existed before visiting this widely surprising landscape. Not only was Alaska a place to visit and relax, seeing as the landscape is so remote, but also educational as you are bound to learn things you will never learn anywhere else.

However, it was Seward on the eastern side of Kodiak that stood out more than the two previous cities. Hell, it stands out in my memory more than Homer, which was an interesting trip on its own. Most of the residents live near the sea or just off the beach and the reason Seward stands out more is due to one creature - King Crabs. Whilst there, I and my parents visited a restaurant and overheard a fellow diner order crabs legs. Now, we were expecting small crabs legs, but what arrived was not it. In their place were KING Crab legs.

The town of Seward from the air!

They were huge! Falling off the plate and table huge!

Now as a 22-year-old, it sounds like something inconsequential - an everyday thing in a town like Seward, but as a 9-year-old who'd never seen crabs legs, let alone a King Crab's legs - it was something to marvel at.

Sea Otter spotted on the
coast of Ketchikan!

Another surprise Alaska throws at you has to be the brown grizzly bears and the black bears living in their natural habitats and thriving on their natural food source, living standards and always remaining protected by the park which made it all possible.

Alaskan Black Bears!

Yet, the seafood is only just a fraction of why YOU must visit this diverse and always astounding place. Alaska will always surprise you.

Chichen Itza: Two Perspectives

Blind Man:

Its not easy being blind. People say your other senses lower slightly with the loss of vision.

Boy are they wrong?! 

They actually increase to make up for the lack of sight. Your hearing and touch first as they are the two main senses involving movement. Smell and taste follow soon after but the senses of hearing and touch become exceptionally sharp. 

Standing in the crowd, I can hear my fellows sharp intakes of breaths, their whispers and astonishment at the momentous piece of history remaining for an entire civilisation that lived here in the south of Mexico hundreds of years ago. When my mother - an Ancient History researcher - was alive, she always told me about the Mayan people. Unlike my father, who was forever stuck in his guidelines and tools that came with his beloved job as a nautical engineer. 

Another lad on the trip - Danny I believe his name was - volunteers to help the tour guide guide me to said landmark. From some of what I'd overheard, he was a nice lad if only a little distant with the other members of the trip. We were the odd ones out, if it were. I was a blind man and he was a university or college graduate - one of the two - who was unsure if he was meant to be there.

I vowed in my head, I would make him feel welcome during this trip. I promised myself and the stars that never left me.

Slowly, I place my hand in his. It is smooth yet rough in places with small scars. Soon, I can feel him gently transfer my palm from his to the hard, weather worn stone blocks all carved to fit in with its neighbour almost seamlessly. 

Yet it doesn't!

I can feel the small and large different air gaps between the blocks.

It is an odd feeling to someone with zero experience, but I know - oh do I know! - as a retired stone mason, the air gaps are extremely necessary as they serve their purpose of ripping the burning heat of the winter climates prominent here in the Yucatan Peninsula out of the stones.

Chichen Itza Pyramid -
the large complex remaining of the Mayan
People in the Yucatan Peninsula
of Mexico.

University Graduate:

Being here is not my idea of a holiday. Everywhere around me was sharp angles and flat plains. Mexico's Chichen Itza, whilst one of my favourite holidays during my childhood, was a chore and a half to get to. 

It was slap bang in the middle of the Yucatan Peninsula for fucks sake! Who the fuck thought that was a good idea!

A seven kilometre walk from the coach park to the base of the Mayan pyramid. Thank hell, I had packed walking boots and decided on taking the holiday in late winter/early spring. Coming in the summer like I originally thought, would've been hell. 

The sky above was an unforgiving sheet of steel as the cloud coverage tugged the heat from the ground under my feet, making the light humidity even worse. Looking up at the monstrous landmark shaped like a cut out on a paper snowflake, I first noticed the smaller building resting on the top, which honestly looked like that long low cabin of Poseidon - you know the one in Percy Jackson. Don't make me describe it please! It was exactly how I remembered it from my first trip out here with my Grandparents when I was 8. 

That trip was to get me away from the judgemental stares and whispers, from the students and staff at my school, by parents and workers, by everyone in the neighbourhood and city. It wasn't like I could help that my heroine and cocaine addicted parents were in jail!

Even now, I could hear the confused and uncertain cries of my younger self, witnessing their arrest. 

Shaking my head, I could taste the electricity in the air around me. All I needed on this trip - a summer storm.

This trip just got better!

Blogger Note: This piece was inspired by a small writing task given to me by my lecturer, which asked for a different viewpoint and perspective of a famous landmark. It was also inspired by a day trip to the actual complex when I was on holiday in Mexico.