"To feel high, one must go down first"- Varied consequences when relying on people's good will

After such an experienceful, surprising 30-days-of-fear challenge 2014, I took a short vacation, a venture abroad between February and March. Actually, one of my challenges was to organize this trip.

 I went to visit friends in Ireland, Wales and England. It was only 8 days, but more it's about quality than quantity of those days! Meeting dear people I haven't seen for a while refreshes so much. Hitch-hiking, for instance, gives such a good mood (when it works). People show they have empathy inside them towards foreigners. It kind of makes me believe on good things more and gives power to keep on doing my thing, when souls around me show support. For example this old fellow in the photo. He had so good heart! With sunshine beside him, I saw great hope in the world :).

this guy gave a lift and got me another one by asking a random driver

Finally in Cork, visiting dear old UCC, in which I was an exchange student 2013

the face when meeting old friends and after successful hitching

Irish sun dawn. Unique..

 But what happens when hitching DOESN'T work and you have a schedule for the day? It goes tricky..

Hitching did work in Ireland, but in Wales I had a strange day of contrast. My day (6.3.) started nicely in Cardiff, where I had been visiting a friend for few days.

Cycling <3<3!!! In Cardiff..

Writing a manifest to mud

Which says: "Stay" + sun

Isabel "incredible soul" and Tuomas

My aim was to continue to Bristol (distance 44,6mi = 70km), from where I had already reserved a bus to London. I had checked for a spot to start from Hitchwiki, I had my sign ready. I walked to the spot. I had around 6h time before my bus leaves from Bristol, which should be enough. It drizzled but it was okay, as I had decent wear on me. 

For one hour I stood at the spot, I wrote additional destination "Newport" which was on the way. No success. I walked forward, to a roundabout, from where there is a junction to the highway. There I stood, around 1½ hours, without success. Drizzling continued, my sign started to get wet and tear apart, cars drove & drove & drove. Some of them waved hands to me. I still felt rather positive, I wasn't hungry, I had time. But then! A car stopped. This is THE ONE with compassion and good heart, willing to help me. I ran towards it. A hand got out from the car, with a camera. It started filming me.. What the fuck!! Then, suddenly, it drove away. Instead of feeling angry, I felt depressed. People don't show any good will towards me. Hitching hasn't ever been so traumatic.. In Wales! Rather well-being country, no sympathy for hitch-hikers, standing along the way in drizzle. I was SO disappointed! I missed Poland.. It was so easy to hitch over there. Maybe there is something between economic welfare, individualism and willingness to help and trust foreigners. Or maybe I was so scary and threatening!

I gave up this shit and started walking back to city centre. I had no other choice but to take a bus to Bristol. Bus had gone 15min ago, but the next one should still make it before my London bus. The bus came late, there was a rush hour on all the roads, even on highway. No chances to make it. This all sounded so unbelievable! I called to a friend to reserve a next bus from Bristol. I was supposed to meet her in London, but now I didn't have time to see her :(; My flight left next morning. I didn't have cash and didn't want to use ATM unless necessary. The bus I got, left 4 am in the night. However, I will note that without money I wouldn't have overcome these challenges. That needs to be kept in mind.

I was already exhausted when I arrived to Bristol. I didn't have an easy-going mood, it was night, I didn't know anybody and had only few pounds. But I knew one place where to head. I had heard amazing things about this area: independent little shops, no chain companies, societally active people, loads of graffitis made with thought and devotion, a place I would probably find something, if brave enough and not enclosed in my fears. The area was a long street called STOKES CROFT.

Would you consider a normal street to have such a manifest on the wall? Stokes Croft dares!
People demonstrated aggressively when Tesco store was about to be established on the street.
Result: No Tesco along the street 

I wandered along the street, watching graffitis, feeling like an alien. There was an Open Mic-session in one bar! Perhaps I could go there, I don't know, I'm not in the mood. I went sitting to some wall along the street for a while. I was so aware of my fears, which tried constantly control me. What if I FAIL, what if I can't play anything appropriate, I don't have any songs in English what if what if.. BLAAH!!! Somehow, I could put those fears aside, think about a sentence I found: "what would I do, if I couldn't fail", take a deep breath and go to that Open Mic.

The session was at a base floor, in a cellar. There was lots of people sitting, candles, glasses of wine and local brews. People performing at the stage. I found the atmosphere quite relaxing and open. Poets, mimics, singer-songwriters. I put my name on the list. The organizer had to put some effort to understand my name correctly. I had some little chat with the people but felt myself icy. They were so free and jovial. I tried not to judge myself. I had to go out for a while, to buy an envelope etc. because I found my Cardiff friend's bicycle key from my pocket. I had to sent it back. I got back to the place and soon it was my turn. As soon as I got the attention of the whole room and guitar on me, I felt relaxed and smooth. I performed a song in Finnish, about dumpster-diving. It must have been a new experience for them. I got in to the flow! The audience was so accepting. I got huge applause! Yes!

After I started talking with people and felt myself very relaxed. Then I met Andi, elder gentleman, who sympathized me as I told about my unlucky hitching effort (he had experienced similar things in his life). He invited me into his group of all those poets and performers from the Open Mic. I was positively surprised how all the different aged generations get together to socialize. How this is a type of community which preserves the uniqueness of Stokes Croft, keeping it humming and vivid.

We went to a nice bar, Andi offered good special brews for me. Chatting with all those inspiring artists, sharing experiences. With amazing music to keep me levitating.

Then, to buy few beers and to have an after party in Andi's cozy lair. Listening more music and good coffee to keep me going for the bus. Then, suddenly it was late and had to go for the bus. Andi escorted me that I wouldn't get lost in Bristol. And then, I was on my bus to London.

CONTRAST is the word of this day. First of getting smacked down by complete lack of empathy, throwing away all the hope but then, by overcoming myself once more I ended up to the greatest possible company, people showing their empathic side and taking a stranger into their community like I was part of them. Many phrases can be conveyed from this experience, my humble one is:
IN THE DARKEST POSSIBLE MOMENT, THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE.

Tuomas enjoying his time with good company