The sun is shining and the people are singing. Literally. I’ve managed to stumble onto a day of festivity in the Lithuanian capital, as everywhere you turn people are performing on the streets. It seems as the whole city has come to life for a traditional “day of music”, when bands and artists of all …
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Vilnius and Trakai Castle
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Hitchhike to India leg 25: Šiauliai to Vilnius
I’m up at 5am. That’s FIVE AM PEOPLE. Actually I’ve been awake for most of the night. Going cold turkey on years of drinking isn’t really a good idea; you need to taper off. As a result I’m experiencing my usual bout of nightmares, anxiety, panic attacks and sleep paralysis. Added to this a genuine …
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Hitchhike to India leg 24: Riga to Siauliai and The Hill of Crosses
Now I’m not in any way a religious man. Each to their own, but I don’t have a believing bone in my body. Strange then, that I’m drawn to a rather interesting spiritual and cultural object located in Northern Lithuania. Just outside the town of Siauliai (I don’t know how to pronounce it either) is …
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Rock bottom in Riga
Well it had to happen. What did I expect coming to the party capital of the Baltics? The place runs amok with cheap English stag wankers, strippers and shady Russians. Of course I would choose such a place to epically fail in my attempt to get things back on track. For a week I’ve been spectacularly …
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Hitchhike to India legs 22/23: Tallin to Parnu to Riga
Alright so it’s gone a bit pear-shaped and I find myself in the Baltics, slightly off route, but nonetheless the show must go on and I’m getting to see more countries anyway. I managed to persuade a nice French chap (and incredible pool player) to give me a lift to Parnu, then after a week …
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Tartu student shinanagans
I’ve bought myself a pair of running shoes. This in itself is a new experience for me, as it has never happened before. A year or so ago I purchased a jump rope. This I left, unused, in a hostel in Croatia; as it was taking up too much room in my bag. But needs …
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A day for the boy
I feel the cold metal in my hands. The weight. The power. Everything else is shut out. I feel myself breathing slowly. The only thing I see is the man in front of me. I focus on his arrogant shoulders, his obnoxious head teasing me, his chest puffed out like a bull pigeon. It’s …
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Tallinn
In an attempt to deal with my flight to Estonia, I’ve stayed up all night in the hope that I will pass out on the plane. I’m walking around Gatwick like a zombie at stupid o’clock in the morning, having arrived far too early for the departure. There’s plenty of time for the seeds of …
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Getting back on the road
Well here we go then. My time in the UK has finally come to an end. What have I learned? Not much probably, save that this country is a total rip off and I hate London. But I knew that anyway. Matters of the heart will be given some more time to settle before judgement …
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Broken in Brighton
I don’t feel the driving rain as I cut a lonely figure negotiating through revellers in Brighton streets, unfazed by some pretty girl trying to dance with me. Singing the same song lyrics over to myself, using the downpour to camouflage glassy eyes. Sitting alone nursing an ale surrounded by empty seats. I ghost to …
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