December | 2011 | James Findlay

Once again, it’s been AGES since I have updated the blog. Mainly cause I’ve been in London looking for a job and a place to live and it really hasn’t been that interesting… Well, that’s not entirely true. In the video, I talk about the crazy housemates I nearly had (i.e.: a nudist and a recently separated desperado).

However before I came to London I was in Amsterdam! Now, people always talk about how Amsterdam smells of weed and has prostitutes in windows selling their vaginas (ok, it’s more than just that), and you think “yeah, ok – sure” – but you really have to experience it to believe it. However – it’s not really TRUE Amsterdam, cause the “coffee shops” are just full of tourists, and the red light district is lined with horny teenagers and older men after a perve. The locals have their own dealer (or grow their own – but that’s too much effort), and get sex like the rest of us. Oh – and the Dutch are VERY tall and built. (damn, now I want to go back there…)

When I was in the Netherlands though, I was staying with my friend Kimberley, who lived half an hour out of A’dam in a “city” called Almere. Now – this city is the future, I tell you. It is only 30ish years old, and was built cause there were too many people to live in Amsterdam. Not only that, but it is 4 metres under sea level and was only able to be built cause they built a big dyke and drained the sea in the area. There are roads especially for bikes, and they take priority of cars – CARS HAVE TO STOP FOR BIKES! Oh – and busses have their own roads as well, so they NEVER get stuck in any traffic and run on time! It’s amazing.

We also celebrated Sinterklaas – which is the Netherlands Christmas celebration. Now put simply (and Kimberley can – will – probably correct me here), Sinterklaas arrived at the end of November from Spain (what the what?!) with his “helpers” (who are not paid, from my knowledge – make your own assumptions) and I’m pretty sure he brings gifts. He is NOT Santa – however, it is believed Sinterklaas is one of the origins of Mr Claus.

During this time (and the time I was in The Netherlands) Sinterklaas and his helpers were all over the TV. I think he had a missing toy that everyone had to look for… Oh – and yes – the helpers were in blackface. Lucky Harry Connick Jr wasn’t in town.

Sinterklaas and his

Anyway – I’m in London now. I’ve had an amazing time here so far, which has been great. I’m feeling really positive about being here, and I really think I can make something of this city. I’m pretty exited. I’m going to Edinburgh for New Years which will be awesome cause a lot of the friends I made along my travels are going to be there as well. It’s gonna be brill!

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas.

A chocolate stand in A'dam. Look closely.

I love swans. Even in the Red Light District

Says it all, right?

Merry Christmas from London!

Oxford Street on Boxing Day

Here’s another item to put next to “James is a mega gay stereotype” – I LOVE PARIS! I know everyone talks about how amazing Paris is, and yeah – it pretty much is one of the best places on earth (so far, that I’ve seen). Which is why it’s taken me so long to do another blog! There is so much to do here, and every moment I’ve been here I’ve wanted to be out in the thick of it.

To top it off, I made a friend with an AWESOME woman/girl, Katie, and we spent the week together doing Paris shit. The hostel we’re in is pretty commercial, and full of incredibly annoying people, so we got along just fine paying it out and avoiding crazies. We dominated karaoke night (however, I think I better stick to singing love songs to lovers (re: Warsaw)… :S We walked into a room later in the week, and someone greeted us with “Oh, you’re the karaoke guys!”), ate snails (delish!), and checked out some of the fantastically hilarious porn titles (e.g.: “My hole is ready” - how original) in the “adult Disneyland” around the Moulin Rouge.

One of my friends from home, Claire, has brought to my attention on many occasions that I have this amazing ability to turn people around me into mega bitches (in the nicest possible way) after spending a few hours with me. I’m proud of that. It’s a dog-eat-dog world, and only the strongest survive! Plus, it goes well with my stereotype list. Reason why I’m bringing this up, is it kinda happened to Katie, and another one of my new friends, Mab. As I told them, “life is too short to be hanging around annoying people”. Take that home.

People in the annoying list:
- Tennessee: a mid-30s divorcee who was camper than Christmas (and not gay). Thought his job in a call centre was important enough to tell us all about his “senior position”, and what gifts he bought every one of his staff.
- Maple Leaf: a 20 year old guy from the States, who has lived in York, UK for 3 years and has a strong Irish accent (wtf). Likes doing party tricks. Also has many ridiculous tattoos. One is a maple leaf
- Texas: a 19 year old who told too many stories of her weird fucked up family (rapist uncle was one, I think), and cut her 3 week trip short to meet some guy in Texas she met on the internet. Also wanted to sell her virginity on the internet. Also missed the Maccas at home.

… but I digress…

The Eiffel Tower is just breathtaking. I saw it at dusk yesterday, and decided to do the video blog from there. I blab a little bit in the blog, but whatever.

The food here is incredible! Katie and I had the most AMAZING meal in Hôtel-de-Ville called Café Hugo. Then last night, a few of us had a super cheap meal in the Latin Quarter. Three course meal for 10 euros! HOWEVER! On my last night in Lyon, Mab and I had this ridiculously shitty meal at this place that seemed ALWAYS BUSY!!! So – we thought it MUST have been good. We were wrong. Check out exhibit A below. Also, the woman prepping the desserts had scabs all on her hands. We skipped dessert. Oh – we also didn’t pay for the shitty salad, and bolted out of the restaurant. Yeah – living life dangerously!