water bottle toss

I am affraid these past few days have been a little rough. Not in any dramatic sense though. Rather, more just my state of mind and maybe slightly my physical well being. Mpre that, all my clothes are dirty, I ran out of shampoo in the shower this morning, and you have to pay to use the stove. -50 Euro per 20 minutes and of course I bought slow cooking brown rice. And physically...I woke this morning with a terrible headache. I think smoke was the culprit. You can smoke pretty much everywhere in my current hostel, excpet in the rooms. This sucks. I woke with a bloody nose, puffy eyes, plugged head, and a voice which sounded much like a carrtoon characters. I didn´t really know what to do with myself. So, I started to walk. My original goal was to go on a hike todaz, but, concidering mz sate when I woke I thought ´´NO.´´I guess the past few days have been more weary than rough. The first few hostels post Courtney were great. Plenty of people to talk to and wxplore with and cook with. But, when I moved in with a two year old and his father (who I am pretty sure is my age) and the mother-grandmother things started to head slightly down hill. The grandmother was a smoker, this was an understatement. Every breathe she took sounded like a jam on a sewing machine, a really bad jam. I didn´t really sleep and I didn´t want to use ear plugs because I needed to hear my alarm in the morning for my train. Luckily that was only two nights. And this hostel or current crowd, they are all smokers. That is the only way to have friends. They sit around all day and night and smoke and go online on their lap top computers. I don´t think they have even seen the mountains. I am in Innsbruck, Austira.
I have always thought of mýself as a pretty independent and slelf entertaining person. So, the prospect of becoming lonely seemed slim. I suppose when I came to and realised that my new best friend was two years old and we would spend the next few hours throwing a 1 L water bottle-I wont lie, I became a little lonely. So, this morning as I walked around in self pitty I found a rocky spot on the river to sit and watch the clouds lift until they were high above the mountains. I will spend the next two nights in Innsbruck SMOKE Ausria, I think most of thiat time will be spent on this river bank. Then, jump on a train to Salzburg, then Wein, before I cetch a flight to Helsinki.
Skirts abd scarfs-my clothes are all dirty. A new flavor of gum. Plums. Mountains, rocks, water, bijkes. Still bread, cheese, and chocolate.
Love,
Claire

what i have learned (a running list)

so, this is a list of things i have learned, been told, and what not.
1. wear a long sleved shirt running-that is just what they do
2. Not all porn ,kloving Aussie´s have heard of Rebecca Wild. Sorry Mom. Google Her.
3. Never go hiking with Germans
4. I cannot give the bird
So, I have never flicked someone off or as Bret and Jerome would say, given the bird. I guess the point of this story is rather lame. And that my hand does in fact look like bird, one with only one wing. A few nightsd ago in Siena I got a little bored or something. So, I decided to flick myself, my imaginary roomate, the wall, the door, the sink, something off. This is a novel gesture for my hand and too be very honest they sucked at it. My hangs are physically not capable of giving the finger. This is good to know incase of a real life situation in which this gestiuure would be appropriate. I now know to save myself from looking like a complete idiot. You see. I have alwaxys had challenged hands. Besdies from being verz smallö, most of my fingers are bent to one side, and my thumbs do not go anywhere close to hitch hiking. But, my middle fingers. You see, they struggle too. When I trz and make the gesture a)it is very painful and b)my index finger only goes half way down. I would like to think my failure in this motion is just saying something about my personality...right?
5. Aussie´s wear sun glasses always, even when it is raining-they are too hung over to see other wise
6. Americans. SHUT UP. Please.
7. Americans think other Americans are idiots. I had a college senior explaning to me what face book was. Yeah, I have this fancy website that I upload pictures on and add comments and captions....FACEBOOK YOU IDIOT.
8. Italian men are creepy. and maybe a Greek one too.
9. They don´t hate us, just Bush.

soon the rocks were not smooth from their feet

We woke early. Well, around 9. Ate breakfast on the balcony of our hostel. Grapes, yogurt, carrots, bread-an off asortment. But, lovely under the Italian morning sun. The two German guys whom I was rooming with had invited me to join them on their 2.45 hour hike. Keyword- I was invited-I did not invite. Unlike a situation in Florence in which my someone wandered around with Courtney as I walked behind...another story for a different day. The Cinque Terre is composed of five small towns. It is common for travelers to make day hikes between the different towns. We were embarking on the toughest of them all-although it seemed reasonable.
I was hiking with one guy who is 6'6'' and the other 6' 1'' or 2.'' They had a good foot on me- and I would say most of that came in their legs. So, I was taking 3 steps to every one of theirs. I suppose I had a slight advantage going up hill, with a faster turn over and all. But really, the rest of the time I was running to keep up. The hike started with a beautiful view over the Mediterranean Sea with some fine Italian mountains to our backs and cheesey recorded -supposed to be-romantic music for the tourists who like to make out on the edge of the salty sea. We continued to climb, drink wasser, snap a few photos, rest, eat a second breakfast. Apparently the whole men not asking directions only plagues Americans-Germans poke fun at those who look loast but refure to ask. Or atleast that is my current thought. So, as we walked-by the way we were going in the opposite direction of the rest of the world. We continually asked other where we were going, what the terrain is like---only 12k to go! Maybe. We climbed. and circled mountains. Went on excursions. Saw the Sea. Ate enegy cookies. Listened to Simpson's quotes. Talked about language and life. Watched the sun peak out from the occasional cloud. We walked, followed the ''red-white-red'' pattern painted on various rocks and trees. We grew weary at times-but still we walked. It was odd to think I had only known these people one day. It generally takes me so long to get to know people. I guess traveling has pulled me away from my dislike-awkward appraod-stance I generally have when meeting new people- Someone always asks where you're from. If the tone of their voice in their response did not drive you up a wall then generally the conversation continues. Somone always asks: are you traveling alone? where are you in school? where next? what subject are you studying? still don't know. and so the conversation continues. Sometimes you sit around until very late. go hiking the next day-which is where I was at. Towards the music at the beginning of the hike we passed a sign which pointed towards Levanto and stated tthat it was 12 hours to that destination. We were not hking to Levanto. an hour later the exact same sign appears. Still reading the exact same number of hours. That should have been an indication...we laughed. But still we hiked. A sharper wind began to hurl for a few moments. I put on a jacket and we walked. At points the trail was flat, other times a little steep, ocassionally down hill- Directions were still being asked. It seemed we were going in the correct direction. At one point we walked through a town and filled water bottles. In the middle of the woods we walked past a bar. Then atop many hills various excerice-play structures appeared. The oddest being two curved ladders joiing at the top. Perhaps our hike was so long because we got distracted and took various ilmarked trails. Althougj, I think not. Our pace was fast-atleast for my short legs. Finally, we came to a major fork in the road. This is where we went wrong. Instead od walking stragiht down to the town- we walked on what appeared to be the main road. We walked almost the entire border of the town. The red-white-red markings vanished for a solid 1.5 hour. The trail snaked on itself. We knew at some point we would come to the road-a paved road-one with cars and people. We passed a trap. Not a tourist trap, well it could be. No. Just wild boar trap. The markings reappeared at a gate with read...keep gate shut to keep wild bpars out. Hm, wild boar country. Does this mirror cougar country? Sp we walked. I learned about my American accent and the Koln accent. We came to a road and we walked. A thumb was put out and we got a ride for a short distance. We walked. We arrived. Ate a pizza for 5 with 3. Tooks a train back to our little home, showered, played 66, and met our new roommates.
Two girls from New York- I tired to stop the conversation when their voices continues to banter about their boyfriends and vodka. But, they kept at it. Do you go home on the weekend to visit your boyfriend, ''no. i go to shool 36.4 hours from home.'' every time they left the room i would restate how annoying americans are. '' I spent 5£ on this bottle of wine. eeeecccckkk- eeeeeeeeeeccccckkkk.'' Shut up. Then there were the 3 Texans named Patric and other things too. They had big bellies, grey hair, and a good Texan humor. We generally sat in the corner and played 66 and laughed at their ''i am a texan statements.''' texas' population...3.6 billion. Land mass-eh, about the size or Europe, maybe larger. ''We hire people to drive out other two cars.'' It went on. They took our picture-with their camera-at the train station this morning. The GPS system was named Robert.
I guess that brings me to today. Well, yesterday.
European hitch hiking. Wild boars. olives and grapes. Wine making. Train rides. Cards and SPF 75 sun block.
Love,
Claire

i am sorry if you are in class today. 24 and 25 september 2008

when i got off the phone with my parents last night my dad said, ''you know it is okay to just sit?'' I replied with a standard-well duh, ''i know.'' Really, just sit? That was a novel idea. Just sit in bed? On a bench? On the beach? That is what I did. I am currently situated in a little place called Levanto- the Lonely Planet doesn't evem mension it. It is not exactly in the Cinwue Terre. However, it is only a five mintues train ride to the first of the five towns. None the less, it is a beautiful 28 degrees today. I put my feet in the Mediterranean Sea. And today I sat. I stopped at a few markets on the way to the shore. Picked up various viamin rich-gelato free fruits. Then, I sat and watched and waited for the city to arrive. Slowly familes tricked onto the course sand beach. So, I left and found a bench-then back to the beach when my back was in need of more UV warmth. Then back to a bench. I was craving to be semi production since I had spent most of the day spitting grade seeds onto the sand. There are between teo and three seeds in the grades here. So yes, i pulled put my Moleskine and organised the reamainder of my European adventure-I cannot wait to be chilled in the Lapland. As I sat, the grey haired-gold-and-silver teeth man joined me on my bench. He invited me to have a drink later that night. I pulled the ''i can't i am having a drink with my boy friend card.'' He awkwardly sat there-then rode off. You meet interesting people traveling. Last night as the bell struck 11.45 the lights went out. And yes the bell does ring every 15 minutes. It was silent for a few minutes until someone cracked their knukles. Someone else came in with another crack, once the cracking was out someone started snapping, then a clap, pound on the bed board, floor, a shuffle of the sheets. Then. the ultimate, a hand-mouth generated fart. then one which tested ones lung capacitym lasting 20 seconds probably. It wasn't real. I then decalred how happy i was to be rooming with three 12 year old boys. Then the Aussie said, ''wow, we're mature''-he was 24.
English is a great language to speak and understand. Last night prior to the musical body episode...I sat around and shared stories-political statements-reavel tips and what not. Our room made for nine was only occupied by two german guys and the giant farting Aussie. On one of my highlites of the day, my search for a peach. This time of year and in this region fruit is abundant- little fruit stands intermingle with the show store, designer hand bag shop, and the restaurants. Generally, it is not too hard to find a peach. I pocked my head into various stands. But, none of the peches were up to my sunny farms par. As I walked I decided I wanted some bread too. I walked into one shop-spotted a prune or a peach and attempted to uscita. It was too late, the old lasy who shuffled her feet and wore a mustacche was conversing in italian. After many attempts at the question-gesture she discovered i spoke english. She motioned for me to wait as she crossed the street without lifting a foot. 5 whole mintes passed, could have gathered the store and ran. it was the type of place in which they pull and item forward and dust the surface after ever item purchased. It was stocked with toilet paper and water with gas. EVentually she returned with a twin who aalso had many grey hairs growing from above her upper lip. They walked around the store pointing to items which they also knew the enligh translation for: bread, cheese, roll, egg. Others entered the store in the same manner as me. They were imediately asked if they knew both English and Italian. No one did. The lady who could list her feet kept repeating ''don't understand.'' I asked if they spoke french, they counted to 3. Then for the next 15 minutes they dug out dictionaries. It was missing the entire alphabet after C. The word bladder was not going to help me out much. If I actually had a problem. Then, they started combining items. Roll and cheese. I thought I might be cetching on. They were trying to figure out what I wanted. I wanted a peach and bread. They had a prune peach and toilet paper. I didn't want theit pesca. So, I put a small chocolate bar on the counter, handed them ,45£ and walked out the door as they tored to sell me brick-hard-bread. I am not sure how I walked in the door-but, aparentyòy it provoked two old ladies to believe i had a problem. I wanted a cheese sandwhich or something.

Maybe iìll have another musical night. I found a peach and pear and grades. I don't have a boy friend, that was just a cover.
Love,
Claire Riggs

INTERNET IS 4,80£ per hour so i am not proff reading anything. i hope you can understand! Sorry about that.

homeless for a few hours

Siena, Italy. Hm. Where to begin, Courntey is on a plane. Atleast I hope she is. I am in an internet cafe in Siena, Italy. Rome was nice. However, I am much more comfortable in this small city. I arrived via the train yesterday and just started walking around this morning. The train was a little difficult. I think I will begin with the fact that I didn't sleep much my last night in Roma. I was staying in a hostel that advertised itself with three words, drink, drink, and drink. So, obviously you can tell why I stayed there. Really, it was the cheapest place in Rome, atleast according to hostelworld.com. 12,50£ a night, not too bad. There were lots of Americans there, as usual-which was a little disapointing. However, I was the only one from the northwest, so i just pretended everyone else was from another country-because they are. I met two girls from WI who later invited me to go get icecream at mc donalds, I pointed them towards a gelato stand. see, they really are from another country. i recieved more proff that you should never talk about people behind their back and that indeed this is a small world when i found out that the girl sitting next to me (she is from york, penn) is best friends with the girl who sat one row in front and one seat to the left of me in psychology last spring. I guess even in a city as large as rome there are moments when this world feels really very small.
Siena is small. Not too small, really the perfect size. Yesterday I was so tired when I arrived. All the drinking of others the night before had kept me awake until late hours of the night...and i got up at 6. When I finally arrived I just wanted to curl up in my hostel bed and sleep. To my good fortune the hostel was not opening until 3.30pm. It was 1. So, I wandered around looking for a grassy spot to sleep on. There were none. My hostel is kind of removed from the city center, well, really removed from the city center so there are no parks. Finally I found some grass beind a bank. A little sketchy? yes. But, it was sufficent. Until I realised that there were ants and dog poop everywhere! At that moment I realised I was truely homeless no bed, no food...nothing. dramatic, i know. some how i managed to pass the time, and it wasn't too bad. i checked into my hostel right at 3.30, found my nice bed, have a nice american roommate, we both went to bed at 9 and woke at 8.30am. so, i am feeling much better today.
I have been roaming the city. i see a sign pointing to something interesting so, i walk towards it. works well. i am trying to make it to the big cathedral, well see if i make it there today. i walk about one block, stop for some food, journal time, a nap, a cite. just something. i guess since i am alone, people assume i am not a tourist. really, i am not. i am a traveler. again someone last night asked me if i knew how to get to the pam supermarket. i didn't so i flagged down an acutal italian and he helped us out. most people think i am a student here, and ask what school i am atending. really, you know...i am a temp college drop out. which, by the way is really nice. also, when i get home on october 29 you probably will not recognise me. this will not be because i changed my style dramaticaly or something along those times...really, i am just going to be obese. i actually looked into buying running shoes today, they were way to expensive, so i went and ate a third breakfast instead. yes, i am become obese. it is really sad. i told myself no gelato today, hmmm. that lasted until about 1pm. no pizza, nope. no chocolate, hahah NO. i have been doing ab work outs, but, i think i am too fat for those to do any good. Since courtney is not with me i have no reason to move my mouth, but, it still needs to move, so i eat instead. makes sense? plus, everything lookds so good. not all of it is, i still haven't had bread as good as portland bread..pearl bakery...great harvest...grand centeral...they need to teach this country a lesson in bread making. but, everything else is amazing, such as the pizza. maybe when i get to austria i will stop eating gelato, but for now i cannot. that would just be wrong.
warm weather. lots of churches. joe biden was at wooster and i wasn't.
love,
claire

just use this one

Starting tomorrow, September 20, 2008 I will just be using this blog.
But, Courtney will be posting pictures to the other one as soon as she gets home on the 22 of September 2008.