Ferry

Hey all,

Writing this on what feels like a largely deserted ferry – was full (and late) when it arrived at port, but less people seem to be heading to Corsica now that the holidays are finishing up over here. Thought I would take the opportunity to bash this out before I start to feel queasy as I inevitably will and have to lie down – don't know when I'll get to post it though. Don't like big boats – they are so massive and metallic but they quiver under power in a way that nothing this big and apparently solid should. Took the time this morning to leave a good review of the hostel I just left – don't bother usually because they seem for the most part to be places to endure, not enjoy – but this one was good, and cheap too for a room that I only had to share with one other person – a Chinese woman (I think I mentioned her before) – she wants to do a PhD here in the treatment of disabled people – because she wants to take some of the ideas back to China, where disabled are apparently shoved quickly out of sight. Grabbed a train after spending about half an hour agonising over whether or not to spend about 100 AU on a new backpack – the one I have is a bit heavy, and although good in airports might be a bit of a pain given that I plan to do a total of 19000 metres of up and down over the next couple of weeks. It is all airport smooth and does not have enough pockets to get stuff out of. In the end I decided not to but a new one.

Spent the entire train journey talking to some Italian bloke about the state of his country – he is from down south, where all the mob stuff goes on, or at least where it goes on at the surface – and said that he frankly would not advise travelling there unless you had someone to show you around. Interesting character – had done a couple of years of medicine but then had to stop due to lack of funds so went into computers instead. At one point we saw a couple of Arab passenger planes land at some military airfield, swarming with soldiers - “Gadafi,” my companion sneered. Got to the coastal town (Livorno) and he sorted out which bus I had to get on, which was helpful – I then promptly got off at the wrong spot but found a cafe run by some Italian/American and his girlfriend (both dream of moving to Aus) who pointed me in the right direction. Back to good cheap food: fish, some wet salad made with onions, tomatoes, bread – coffee, bottle of water, a basket of bread on the side, all for less that 10$AU. Found the port, wandered around it for ages looking for somewhere to buy a ticket – found this weird and almost deserted “New American Market” which was basically a bunch of stalls selling army disposals and hiking stuff – so did get a new pack, for about 60$AU, which is a lot cheaper than the one I bought with me – decided in the end because the belt strap is broken on the expensive one I bought from home – and you do need them when you are walking to take the weight on your hips a bit. Still got it with me – will cut the buckles off it tonight for some spares for the new one. Pack is still too heavy, but at least I can console myself that a fair chunk of that is food, so will only get lighter. Don't now if it was a great idea to lug the food around for a couple of days first, but at least it gives me some idea of what it will be like. Got a ticket for a 6:30 sail – according to the internet there were not any past 1:00 so here's for just winging it and hoping for the best.

Ferry was running late, which means I won't get off it until some time past midnight – then have to try to find somewhere to stay the night, which could be a bit iffy, given that I was reading the guidebook while waiting for the ferry – lots of dire warnings about booking ahead. Oh well. Plan to spend a couple of nights in the town (Bastia) I am heading to, so I can spend tomorrow getting the internet sorted and maybe post a couple of things home – also need to figure out how to get to the place where the walk starts. Anyway, might add to this later – hopefully from a hotel room, not under a bridge somewhere...

Photos. 1. Mildly lost. 2. Still mildly lost, but have found the ocean. 3. Success – that yellow sign you can see on the building way off in the distance is for the ferry. 4. Four hours of my life spent here, waiting for the boat. 5. And we're away – almost certainly in the right direction. Watched this and listened to Corelli until it started to get dark and cold.

Going back outside to have a cigar and look at the ocean and coastal lights at night. Don't want the cigar at all – just doing it to cut down on weight.

Cheers, B.

Later – in a hotel, easily the most expensive place I have been at – came here first, left in horror at the prices – tried four or five others, all full, so came back, tail between my legs, and let the creature behind the desk gloat as she signed me in, saying things in French, probably "Hah, this is what you get for speaking English, vile pig!"