Small town girl leaves home - Folkestone
Folkestone was our next destination on our whirl wind trip around the country. It lies perched on the edge of cliffs overlooking the English Channel - on clear days the far off shores of France are visible from various viewpoints along the seafront. There are two distinct parts to Folkestone – the rich area and the poor area. The former shows perfectly manicured lawns and colourful flower gardens which are watched over by gleaming white hotels proudly displaying fancy French names. The latter… looks nothing like that!
After a tiring bus ride we arrived in the dark town centre just before the small digital clock at the front ticked over to midnight. The buzzing neon lights of the closed stores reflected on the wet ground in crazy patterns around us. Suddenly, two strong arms grabbed me around the waist and lifted me off the ground as a pair of lips smacked a big kiss on my cheek. It took a few seconds before I recognised the face of my cousin, whom I had not seen in quite a while. After exchanging the usual greetings we followed him down a dark alleyway and out onto a small road, lined with houses which looked like those we had just left in Brighton. A few steps down some stairs which seemed to disappear into the ground and we were in our new home. This was definitely in the poor part of town!
The occupants of the house changed weekly, save for four regulars who were all around 19 years old and of the male persuasion. One was particularly chivalrous for a few nights, giving up his double bed for us to share, until he suddenly developed ‘back problems’ from sleeping on the couch and we were booted out. It took a little longer than expected for us to find jobs so we did not have money to buy any bedding or a bed (not that we would have had anywhere to put a bed!). Being girls we also craved a little privacy in a male dominated environment and managed to find a cupboard sized space which was actually the doorway to the backyard. We pushed our bags up against the wall of the tiny entrance hall and lay all of our clothes on the floor for cushioning and blankets. Thank goodness it was mid summer and we did not freeze to death! Bed-cum-wardrobe – it was a road we had not travelled yet!
After a couple of weeks spent unsuccessfully looking for jobs and weeding the back yard, my travel buddy got a call from a friend of hers who had just landed in Cyprus. Would she like to come out there and visit to see if she liked it and maybe move over there? She jumped at the chance and asked if I could come too. The invitation was extended, but I was a little worried about my money situation, so declined. Later that afternoon we were huddled in the doorway of a telephone booth whilst my friend booked her flight. She would have just enough money to cover the cost of the flight and leave twenty quid in her bank account back here. I had pretty much the same amount and was wondering how many tins of spaghetti that would buy until I could find a job.
‘The lady has put me on hold to check the availability, you have one last chance – are you sure you don’t want to come?’
‘You know I’d love to, but I don’t have any money. What would we do when we get there? We don’t even have money for food!’ I was trying to be responsible for the first time in three months and I hated every second of it.
‘Oh we will make a plan when we get there!’ she grinned cheekily while she cupped her hand over the mouthpiece, waiting for the travel agent to come back. I thought of the uncomfortable bed of my creased clothes. I thought of the dirty ring left every night in the bath by one of the boys. I thought… what the hell!
‘Book two seats I’m coming!’ I couldn’t stop the words coming out of my mouth, but they were said, the tickets were booked and two nights later we were flying over Europe and on our way to Cyprus!
After a tiring bus ride we arrived in the dark town centre just before the small digital clock at the front ticked over to midnight. The buzzing neon lights of the closed stores reflected on the wet ground in crazy patterns around us. Suddenly, two strong arms grabbed me around the waist and lifted me off the ground as a pair of lips smacked a big kiss on my cheek. It took a few seconds before I recognised the face of my cousin, whom I had not seen in quite a while. After exchanging the usual greetings we followed him down a dark alleyway and out onto a small road, lined with houses which looked like those we had just left in Brighton. A few steps down some stairs which seemed to disappear into the ground and we were in our new home. This was definitely in the poor part of town!
The occupants of the house changed weekly, save for four regulars who were all around 19 years old and of the male persuasion. One was particularly chivalrous for a few nights, giving up his double bed for us to share, until he suddenly developed ‘back problems’ from sleeping on the couch and we were booted out. It took a little longer than expected for us to find jobs so we did not have money to buy any bedding or a bed (not that we would have had anywhere to put a bed!). Being girls we also craved a little privacy in a male dominated environment and managed to find a cupboard sized space which was actually the doorway to the backyard. We pushed our bags up against the wall of the tiny entrance hall and lay all of our clothes on the floor for cushioning and blankets. Thank goodness it was mid summer and we did not freeze to death! Bed-cum-wardrobe – it was a road we had not travelled yet!
After a couple of weeks spent unsuccessfully looking for jobs and weeding the back yard, my travel buddy got a call from a friend of hers who had just landed in Cyprus. Would she like to come out there and visit to see if she liked it and maybe move over there? She jumped at the chance and asked if I could come too. The invitation was extended, but I was a little worried about my money situation, so declined. Later that afternoon we were huddled in the doorway of a telephone booth whilst my friend booked her flight. She would have just enough money to cover the cost of the flight and leave twenty quid in her bank account back here. I had pretty much the same amount and was wondering how many tins of spaghetti that would buy until I could find a job.
‘The lady has put me on hold to check the availability, you have one last chance – are you sure you don’t want to come?’
‘You know I’d love to, but I don’t have any money. What would we do when we get there? We don’t even have money for food!’ I was trying to be responsible for the first time in three months and I hated every second of it.
‘Oh we will make a plan when we get there!’ she grinned cheekily while she cupped her hand over the mouthpiece, waiting for the travel agent to come back. I thought of the uncomfortable bed of my creased clothes. I thought of the dirty ring left every night in the bath by one of the boys. I thought… what the hell!
‘Book two seats I’m coming!’ I couldn’t stop the words coming out of my mouth, but they were said, the tickets were booked and two nights later we were flying over Europe and on our way to Cyprus!
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
I can see myself doing the same thing in your position - I always choose to travel when I can.
Looking forward to more...
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
katyzzz
Kalikapsychosis
Love a girl who knows how to jump!
Celebrity Obsession
I love it! Sometimes you just have to go for it. Can't wait to read the rest of the story - and thank goodness I'm back on board and could catch up on the story!
Kylie
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Jumping at a chance, for joy, and for your life girlfriend magnifient!
Mis
Climate Red
randomthoughts
Phil's Wellness Tips
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
I was new to the travel thing and not having to check constantly if it would be ok which was generally met by a firm NO!
It was a nice break, but turned out completely differently to how we had planned it - gotta love that about last minute decisions hey!
Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
Ah well I`m here to tell the tale so it can`t have been too bad
Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
and jump I did! Kinda becomes addictive after that hey!
Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
having gone through all of these experiences again I reckon it`s high time I need to repeat it all - hopefully with just as much excitement, but hopefully with a bit of a clearer head than before
Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
~chuckle~ gutsy indeed! Posting as we speak.
Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
Sorry I never meant to miss you! Glad you are back - I hope you enjoyed your time away. It`s always good to catch up on your goss - I had a laugh every time I visit your place!
Ash
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
and I too loved the neon lights description, and you did do the right thing...leaving that small nightmare sleeping in the hall...you sound fun to travel with though hehe!!
cheers
fog
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
Good to see you. The rest of the story is now up and running - right to the end
Thanks - adventure never seems far when I hit the road. Thanks for coming along for the ride!
Ash
Rugby World Cup 2007
I agree with fog...travelling with you would be so much fun!
Love Speaks
Food Slate
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
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Esoteric Bookshop
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
hahaha erm fun? I have three people who have vowed never to travel with me again because I just attract disasters! After a while you just don`t care though so I reckon it would be fun!
An Orble trip would be fun! All of us meeting at some exotic location... sipping Pina`s and getting to know each face to face...
Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
I`m glad I decided too. Thank goodness the Agent took her time or else I would have wavered and not gone!
Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
yep, yep and yep it was the best decision I made in those months!
Ash