Cala Llevado from Tom Wolff on Vimeo.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
Barcelona
I'm back. If anyone happens to come across this blog, this is my visual portrayal of the first three weeks in my new temporary home.
Barcelona x Point & Shoot from Tom Wolff on Vimeo.
Barcelona x Point & Shoot from Tom Wolff on Vimeo.
Monday, February 6, 2012
¡Viva México!
All good things come to an end. Yep, the cliche is true. This is more than likely my last post for what has been, as I will eloquently put it, an insanely fucking good trip. (I really need to learn how to emphasize without swear words, but until that day comes I think this phrase will suffice.)
The last five or six, (or seven?) days since my last blog have been pretty similar - the days definitely seem to merge. More surfing, bodysurfing, eating, drinking, reading, music-appreciating, shit-talking and definitely sweating.
Some funny little anecdotes:
At breakfast a few days ago some weird old dude from Canada introduced himself, and then talked at us for what must have been 20 minutes (I shunned him off to Harry and stuck my head into my breakfast - my tolerance for people I don't want to talk to is minimal to say the least.) For those long minutes we were assaulted with hundreds of facts about nothing. Apparently the Andes will be taller than the Himalayas soon. Apparently we wouldn't have the mental capacity to know where or what the Amazon was. THE AMAZON. It's only the coolest place in the world. What 5 year old kid doesn't know piranhas are from the Amazon? Seriously?
That same day, in the afternoon, I noticed a guy getting caught in a rip on the main part of Playa Zicatela. Everyone else seemed a bit too nonchalant. Turns out he really was in trouble and a few minutes later I was halfway out to sea.
"Necesitas nadar a la izquierda. Swim left! Swim left!"
He didn't listen. Eventually Harry got there and we ended up having a little paddle-train back to the beach. Finally got to use my bronze medallion - yeah!
I'm sure there's plenty more but I'm so chilled here I literally can't be bothered to try and remember anymore. Ha.
We drive back to Oaxaca city tomorrow at 10am. Harry leaves the next day. I have a few more days in one of my new favourite cities. Looking forward to a few more Plato Mixtos, some mouthwatering street food and probably a lunch or two with my Mexican family.
I don't really have any idea how to finish this blog. It has been an educational, hilarious, tiring, captivating, delicious, eventful, chilled six weeks in Mexico. Of a few things I am sure:
- Mexican Pipe isn't the best beachbreak in the world; contrary to local opinion.
- Although I more or less understand when someone speaks in Spanish, surf slang is like another whole language altogether.
- Food is a massive part of travel - especially in places where I can afford it!
- Beards aren't that annoying - can't speak for my appearance though.
- Speak in Australian slang and Americans won't understand a thing.
- Mexican music isn't that good.
- I'm coming back to Mexico sooner rather than later...
The last five or six, (or seven?) days since my last blog have been pretty similar - the days definitely seem to merge. More surfing, bodysurfing, eating, drinking, reading, music-appreciating, shit-talking and definitely sweating.
Some funny little anecdotes:
At breakfast a few days ago some weird old dude from Canada introduced himself, and then talked at us for what must have been 20 minutes (I shunned him off to Harry and stuck my head into my breakfast - my tolerance for people I don't want to talk to is minimal to say the least.) For those long minutes we were assaulted with hundreds of facts about nothing. Apparently the Andes will be taller than the Himalayas soon. Apparently we wouldn't have the mental capacity to know where or what the Amazon was. THE AMAZON. It's only the coolest place in the world. What 5 year old kid doesn't know piranhas are from the Amazon? Seriously?
That same day, in the afternoon, I noticed a guy getting caught in a rip on the main part of Playa Zicatela. Everyone else seemed a bit too nonchalant. Turns out he really was in trouble and a few minutes later I was halfway out to sea.
"Necesitas nadar a la izquierda. Swim left! Swim left!"
He didn't listen. Eventually Harry got there and we ended up having a little paddle-train back to the beach. Finally got to use my bronze medallion - yeah!
I'm sure there's plenty more but I'm so chilled here I literally can't be bothered to try and remember anymore. Ha.
We drive back to Oaxaca city tomorrow at 10am. Harry leaves the next day. I have a few more days in one of my new favourite cities. Looking forward to a few more Plato Mixtos, some mouthwatering street food and probably a lunch or two with my Mexican family.
I don't really have any idea how to finish this blog. It has been an educational, hilarious, tiring, captivating, delicious, eventful, chilled six weeks in Mexico. Of a few things I am sure:
- Mexican Pipe isn't the best beachbreak in the world; contrary to local opinion.
- Although I more or less understand when someone speaks in Spanish, surf slang is like another whole language altogether.
- Food is a massive part of travel - especially in places where I can afford it!
- Beards aren't that annoying - can't speak for my appearance though.
- Speak in Australian slang and Americans won't understand a thing.
- Mexican music isn't that good.
- I'm coming back to Mexico sooner rather than later...
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Sal!
It's amazing what a little salt can do to make things better...add it to peanuts, lick it before tequila or add it to water. I am referring to the latter. Two days ago was my first time in the ocean for more or less six weeks. It was also my first surf in eight since I messed up my ankle in an unfortunate incident with concrete and a piece of wood with four wheels attached. For me, now, I am certain that nothing "heals" (for want of a better word) than a good old swim (or surf) in the ocean.
After a humorous trip through the mountains - we left Oaxaca with 4 people and arrived in Puerto Escondido with 17 or 18 - Haz and I indulged in the wonders of the sea. We've spent the last 3 days going back and forth between the beach, the hostel, the market and the main street. Finally, after 5 weeks in Mexico I've discovered what Hugo was talking about - "dude, nothing beats fish tacos."
I can (now) safely say I tentatively agree (maybe Plato Mixto from Alvaro's in Ciudad de Oaxaca trumps though).
Only 2 hours ago, just before my first encounter with fish tacos I watched in awe as two women prepared my fresh mango and orange juice. Two bucks for a litre of fresh juice. Something is wrong with Australia. Shortly after, I ate a giant the aforementioned fillet of fish with avocado, tomato and lime in tacos for $3.50. Again, something is wrong with Australia
¿Cuantos?
Veinticinco pesos
¿Como?
Veinticinco
.
For the first time in my travels of the last few years, I haven't felt the need to move. Harry and I have been contented with reading, swimming (at least) 4 times a day, eating delicious food and, of course, talking shit.
For those who are wondering about Puerto - Harry and I decided it was Mexican Byron Bay. Which was ironic because not three seconds after I said that I spotted a guy walking down the main street of PE with the stereotypical Byron-Bay-Kombi-T-shirt. So basically, to sum up, Puerto is a cheaper, better, cooler, hotter Byron?
After a humorous trip through the mountains - we left Oaxaca with 4 people and arrived in Puerto Escondido with 17 or 18 - Haz and I indulged in the wonders of the sea. We've spent the last 3 days going back and forth between the beach, the hostel, the market and the main street. Finally, after 5 weeks in Mexico I've discovered what Hugo was talking about - "dude, nothing beats fish tacos."
I can (now) safely say I tentatively agree (maybe Plato Mixto from Alvaro's in Ciudad de Oaxaca trumps though).
Only 2 hours ago, just before my first encounter with fish tacos I watched in awe as two women prepared my fresh mango and orange juice. Two bucks for a litre of fresh juice. Something is wrong with Australia. Shortly after, I ate a giant the aforementioned fillet of fish with avocado, tomato and lime in tacos for $3.50. Again, something is wrong with Australia
¿Cuantos?
Veinticinco pesos
¿Como?
Veinticinco
.
For the first time in my travels of the last few years, I haven't felt the need to move. Harry and I have been contented with reading, swimming (at least) 4 times a day, eating delicious food and, of course, talking shit.
For those who are wondering about Puerto - Harry and I decided it was Mexican Byron Bay. Which was ironic because not three seconds after I said that I spotted a guy walking down the main street of PE with the stereotypical Byron-Bay-Kombi-T-shirt. So basically, to sum up, Puerto is a cheaper, better, cooler, hotter Byron?
Sunday, January 29, 2012
El último dia en Oaxaca
Last day huh? Well technically I'm returning for a few days before I head home but I consider this to be the sentimental-last-day. I think the weather agrees - for the first time in 29 days it is cloudy.
What a month it has been. My spanish between the 1st January and 29th has immeasurably improved . From the first night phrase: "I'm so tired, I need to sleep" to where I am now - makes me think I've learnt more in a month than I did all year at uni.
Said adios to the family this morning - although I'll probably drop in and say hi in the few days I have here on the return journey. Nancy - one of the mums - told me Jorgito and Andrea (7 and 5) spent last night crying because Matteo and I were leaving. Matteo suggested kidnapping Andrea because she's just so god damn cute.
Harry and I are off to Puerto Escondido tomorrow for 10 days on the coast. I'm craving some ocean time and hoping my ankle is up to some surfing as well - we will see.
And on a semi-unrelated sidenote, I decided I'm going to try and convince UNSW to get an exchange partner here. At the moment, they only have exchanges in Monterrey (which apparently is really big, quite industrial based and also varies a lot in climate) and Mexico City (too big for my liking.) This trip has really made me reconsider whether I'd rather Spain or Mexico (why not both?) Anyway, don't how well I'll go being only one of UNSW's 40,000 students. I'll try and get Harry onside also - shouldn't be too hard.
Things I'll miss about Oaxaca:
FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD
Tlayudas, Plato Mixtos, Empanadas and Memelitas from-that-street-stand-one-block-from-my-house, Breakfast Tortas, Breakfast fruit, Torta stands, Bananas at school
BARD crew
My Mexican family
Joel - our maestro. What a guy!
Octavio - the crazy Tlayuda cook
Roberto - the Salsa teacher (and yes, it is true that at one stage I was "demasiado suave")
Hernesto at Alvaro's
Conversation Hour
Cheap beer - and the knowledge that Corona is, more or less, the worst beer in Mexico
Cheap everything else
The language
The Oaxacan people - such a strong sense of culture in this city
Salsa nights (believe it or not...)
The following phrases "¡Mira!", "¡Esperame!", "¿Quieres jugar?", "¡Más suave!"
Halo with the boys (and the word rookie)
Mezcal
Fireworks
Baresito
Siestas, and of course;
FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD
What a month it has been. My spanish between the 1st January and 29th has immeasurably improved . From the first night phrase: "I'm so tired, I need to sleep" to where I am now - makes me think I've learnt more in a month than I did all year at uni.
Said adios to the family this morning - although I'll probably drop in and say hi in the few days I have here on the return journey. Nancy - one of the mums - told me Jorgito and Andrea (7 and 5) spent last night crying because Matteo and I were leaving. Matteo suggested kidnapping Andrea because she's just so god damn cute.
Harry and I are off to Puerto Escondido tomorrow for 10 days on the coast. I'm craving some ocean time and hoping my ankle is up to some surfing as well - we will see.
And on a semi-unrelated sidenote, I decided I'm going to try and convince UNSW to get an exchange partner here. At the moment, they only have exchanges in Monterrey (which apparently is really big, quite industrial based and also varies a lot in climate) and Mexico City (too big for my liking.) This trip has really made me reconsider whether I'd rather Spain or Mexico (why not both?) Anyway, don't how well I'll go being only one of UNSW's 40,000 students. I'll try and get Harry onside also - shouldn't be too hard.
Things I'll miss about Oaxaca:
FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD
Tlayudas, Plato Mixtos, Empanadas and Memelitas from-that-street-stand-one-block-from-my-house, Breakfast Tortas, Breakfast fruit, Torta stands, Bananas at school
BARD crew
My Mexican family
Joel - our maestro. What a guy!
Octavio - the crazy Tlayuda cook
Roberto - the Salsa teacher (and yes, it is true that at one stage I was "demasiado suave")
Hernesto at Alvaro's
Conversation Hour
Cheap beer - and the knowledge that Corona is, more or less, the worst beer in Mexico
Cheap everything else
The language
The Oaxacan people - such a strong sense of culture in this city
Salsa nights (believe it or not...)
The following phrases "¡Mira!", "¡Esperame!", "¿Quieres jugar?", "¡Más suave!"
Halo with the boys (and the word rookie)
Mezcal
Fireworks
Baresito
Siestas, and of course;
FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD
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