Test.
Happy?
Last night, while I was reading my "Let's Go: London", I thought that visiting the Royal Mews might be a fun outing for me while I am visiting London solo next Friday. But then, today, while I was reading the description to mom, I noticed that its only open M-Th!! Maybe I will go anyway and demand to be let in... I wanted to see the horsies, "each individually named by the Queen herself".
Susanna is apparantly safely back in Utah, and I have converted her room into a packing area.
EVERYONE DON'T FORGET: OPEN HOUSE TUES 6:30- 9:30
I am actually in London! I can't believe it. I am off to try to call my new friend on my brand new british "moblie phone", i just realized the " key is in a different spot... those wierd british...
i saw an "Alsatian" being walked today and i almost cried!! i miss my puppy!!!
it is soo beautiful here! weather hasnt been too hot, though, very literally. i have meet atleast 5 people from every uc, but i cant remember any of their names, and also people from minnesota, south carolina, and other various states, toronto, and i believe there is someone from mexico here.
our houses are so nice! everyone has there own room, and half of the rooms are unihabited! which means that its not very crowded at all, and it also means michelle and i have been going around stealing extra things from rooms, we figure- if no ones going to use them, why let it waste? it can just be put back in the rooms where it came from when the program is over! i am slightly paranoid, however, that someone arriving late will end up in a room with no pillow. since all the houses are half empty, i am going to see if i can move into michelle's house; it is alot closer to campus and there is a nice view of the south english county side, as oppose to a phone booth with slightly heavy traffic- so i have to remember to keep my curtains closed if i am changing!
we went into brighton proper last night and explored- it is such a fun town! later, after library and sports center orientation, a group of us are going to the grocery store for supplies. the food offerings here are adequate at best. i cant wait for tommorrow, because orientation will be over and i might actually get more than 6 hours of sleep!
right now i am enrolled in a shakespeare class, but since i took a shakespeare class last quarter and i am taking one next quarter, and they are all about pretty much the same topic, i figure i should take something else. my first choice on my change of classes list is one from 2-5 on mondays and tuesdays... no, really, thats all. it's a creative writing class, so i can write away while i am the train to exciting places... ON MY FIVE DAY WEEKENDS! i think everyone has my idea, though, so the class is probably full, but i would gladly settle for a tues/thurs class.
i dont have time to go into detailed account of my exciting adventures in london, but to tide everyone over until i do, here is a list of headlines (cut and pasted from an email to mom) to give an idea of what i have been up to!:
suitcases and the underground
talking to strangers
the ups and downs of hosteling (and my big scheduling mistake)
the day of "no"'s: buses that dont turn around, guide books that lie
Les Miz on saturday night!
more train adventures involving suitcases
total "Alsatian" (gretel) sightings: 2. i decided i am going to move to england where they let the puppies ride the train.
went into brighton today to get supplies but i couldnt find everything i needed. would you believe they dont have shaving cream at a safeway? amazing. what i really need is a target.
everyone, please notice the new and improved spelling (thanks mom) of the british word for "german shepard": still at 2 sightings, allthough i did see a very german shepardish looking doggie in the park today, but it turned out to be. planning a trip to london for wenesday to buy more things. i love how i can just say "i think i'll go into london later this week to do some shopping." and really mean it. im going to london later this week, to do some shopping.
planing on going into london tommorrow, early evening. then staying for most of friday! the (extremley) tenative plan is to go again next week on saturday to buy doc martens in the street market, then visit scotland the week after. michelle wasnt able to get into my class, so we might put off ireland until next session. well see. i am still hoping to run across extremely cheap airfare so i can go to nice- that is something i am dying to do!
i am still working on getting settled in. i blame my exhastion on recovering jet lag and the severe change in weather. hopefully i will get some work done tonight! i bought a hole puncher to go with my binder- can you beleive that, in addition to different plug, currency, and cell ("moblie")phone systems, they have a different hole punching system! not only that, i discovered when i bought my hairstyler (which convientantly has 2 different plug adaptors), the british electrical plugs are different from the rest of europe! i think they just like to be difficult.
apparantly brighton is not a hot spot for alsatians. although i have seen many cute doggies, none are that special breed, so the count is still at two.
relating to national holidays, i think it would be awesome to be in paris for bastille day, but i seriously doubt it will happen.
i am determined if (so far) unsucessful in my attempt to befriend the british. as much as i try, i seem to keep running into the non-befriendable type. but i remain confident i will eventually meet someone nice, friendly, and preferably residing in london or another place of visiting interest.
alsatian sightings: up to 3!! ill be really excited when i see one that looks like gretel. all the ones here have longer hair and darker orange with black instead of gretel's vanilla colour.
today has been very sucessful. i went to town in the morning and went to sta and the train info and i got lots of rates and fares and times and stuff. then, i went to class, which was fun as always, and im totally thrilled because my tutor really likes my writing! after that, michelle and i got together and planned and christy came over and we planned some more. tommorrow michelle and i are going to the hastings battlefield and abbey and pevensy castle. we are signing up for the group trip to oxford on saturday and also this weekend we are going to the picturesque english village next door, and hopefully renting bikes!! also on the agenda: next weekend, stratford upon avon and warick castle. coming soon: windsor. yay.
apparently it is possible but very hard to get really cheap train tickets to Edinburgh, so we are also attempting that. we'll see how it goes.
soon i am going to make a real dinner- chicken! i am actually cooking, which is very exciting. i like this a lot better than the cafeteria.
alsatian sightings: up to four!!! yay. i miss my puppy. and i only have 4 bags of cheetos left.
First we went to Battle, which is the cutest town, and we explored the abbey and went into the battlefield, then we sat on an old abbey wall and ate our sandwiches. It was so nice! I think the weirdest thing about the whole experience is how the really beautiful and peaceful place was once the sight of such a fierce and important battle! We heard the events leading up to the battle from the view point of different sides, so it was easy to see how a fight resulted. Michelle got some dirt (she has a dirt collection!) and I took a flower! There was a kitty in gift shop, too.
After Battle we went to Pevensy castle, walking through the town of Westham. The town name reminds me of a game we used to play when I was little: "the sheriff or rotting-ham sandwich". It was such a cute town! I think I need to live in Europe. We could see the ocean from the castle and it was a great view. The castle itself was awesome, too. I took a ton of pictures! There were kids riding through on their bikes and I was jealous... hopefully we will go soon. I also want to go horseback riding. We saw some horsies in the English countryside on the train ride. At the castle we saw the dungeon (down some steep and scary steps), the obliette (yikes!), and a bunch of towers, and a pile of stones I assume were hurled over the wall using some sort of catapult. Somewhere it said that the castle had been besieged 3 or 4 times, I think- I dont think I'd like that! Michelle told me it was also used by American and Canadian troops during WWII. Outside of the castle we came across a section of the original Roman wall, the sign said it was uncovered in an archeology dig in 1930 and it revealed the amount of accumulation since Roman times- there was maybe 20 feet of dirt in front of it! Area of deposition, I guess!!!
LONG AWAITED LONDON ADVENTURES:
London was amazing, as always, but this time I barely survived! Our first night there was fun! We checked into Wellington Hall which is actually a residence hall for a college in London. It was a very beautiful building, but we had a double with 4 people, so I didnt sleep very well on the floor. That night we got off the underground at Leicester Square and wandered (its a fairly safe place to wander at night, as long as you have your wits about you) and we actually made some British friends, if only temporary.
The next morning we got up early and had a nice English breakfast, then we headed off to Camden Town and the market there. I found the perfect pair of doc martens that I have wanted all my life for only �20, but they didnt have my size, so that was very disappointing. I also found a bag I really liked, and I tried to bargain with the guy but he wasn't cooperating. There then ensued a huge battle between my pride and my desire for the bag, and in the end I sent Michelle back to buy it for me. It is a cute bag and I'm glad I have it, but it is not totally worth �10.
After that we split up, Michelle and Char heading off to the Tower, and Me and Emily off for more shopping. We got off at Oxford Circus and wandered around there- found a cafe to eat in where I threw away my travelcard in the bathroom (typical). We shopped some more (topshop= overwhelming) and ended up wandering down what wasn't Regent's Street, back tracking and going down what was Regent's Street to find the Clark's sale. By this time I was desperate to buy shoes simply because my feet in my boots hurt so bad! I got a cute pair of black slides for �20, a very decent price for Clark's, and it turned 4, the time we had arranged to meet Char and Michelle at the trusty Auntie Anne's in Victoria Station if we hadnt gotten in touch. They hadnt called, so we headed there, and had been browsing the drug store a few minutes when they did call. We arranged to meet at the hotel, so thats where me and Emily dragged ourselves. At this point, tired and sore, we decided to head back to Brighton Saturday night instead of Sunday. We waited at the hotel, and talked with a few guys from Tennesse or somewhere who got annoyed because I keep forgeting and saying they were from South Carolina. Michelle and Char called again and asked us to meet them at the Pizza Hut across from Victoria Station, which actually turned out to be the other Pizza Hut down the street from Victoria Station. Kristi had joined us, after we ate we went back to the hotel, got out stuff and limped to Parliament Square to oooh and awe at the sights. In the end, they headed off to go out, and Emily and I got on our train and FINALLY! made it back, I was so tired! But it was fun, a trip to London is always worth it.
Yay! I'm going to Brussels!!! What's in Brussels?
Michelle, Char, and Emily went off to Stonehenge today, but I declined because, frankly, I wasn't that impressed the first time, and I have no desire to go agian. Plus, I needed a homework day- tommorrow we are going to Oxford and there is a free beach party with Fatboy Slim!
I went into town yesterday with Michelle and we shopped for essentials. I bought a CD player that was the best deal I could find (but since I have now decided to live in England I considered it a worthy investment), hangers (yay- finally found them!), and a dishpan type thing that will be usuful for clothes-washing and pedicures! I already used it today- washed this weeks clothes by hand, only took about an hour and a half. It was relaxing, though, and better then paying a million pounds to use the laundrette that doesn't really work. I need to go back in town, however, and buy more hangers ( I underestimated my hanger requirements) and this thing that I saw in a shop window called a "neat tidy" which is kind of repetetive, and different from a "quick tidy" for your nails. It is difficult to describe, but now that I have seen it I don't think I can live without it.
Ever since I got home with my new CD player, I have been listening to my music and singing along, pretty loudly, and it occurs to me that since the walls are pretty thin, this might bother my flat mates, if the were ever in their rooms. I wonder if they think I am gone as much as I think they are gone. When I went up to the kitchen this morning someone had thrown up in the trash can. It was disgusting. Luckily, by the time I went back up for lunch someone had taken the trash out so the smell was only slightly lingering. I think tonight for dinner I will have my other chicken breast the same way I had the first- fried in olive oil and "herbs de provence" over spagetti with mozerella and tomatoes. Yum! But this time, I will remember to cut it in half so it cooks all the way through.
The cleaning people came this morning again, but this time I was prepared. I had my sink all cleaned off so the guy could clean it, and my floor was picked up so they could vaccum if they felt the desire. They didn't vaccum, though, Michelle and I decided they come in secretly to vaccum because our floors seem cleaner than they should have been. I appreciate the fact they didn't say anything about the extra duvet cover under my bottom sheet that makes my bed sleepable- of course I could always say I asked the porter's office for an extra.
I think I have decided what to do with a law degree once I get one. Surely there must be a company that offers advice and assistance to American companies taking the plunge into European markets. And if there isn't, someone should start one. I had this epifany while contemplating the fact that Mary Kay has yet to expand into France (although I am told it is planned for) and I firmly believe that Express would be very sucessful in Europe. Also, it bothers me that they have a million McDonald's here, but no Inn and Out. I don't think America is being fairly represented by the selection of American companies in Europe.
One last venture into the night to check email, hoping for departure time info for tommorrow's Oxford trip. Also, as mom is returning tommorrow from girls camp and brush sets will likely have been delivered during the week, send finalized lists of requests for packages. Am wishing I could call, but used up all mobile phone money on hold with train company.
Disgusted with self for eating bag of cheetos after promising to eat only dinner. Puzzeled as to why I cannot cook the middle of my chicken breast, no matter what.
PS: remembered glasses.
Oxford itself was very nice, charming, and everything I expected it to be except on one account. Shopping itself wan't as immpressive as it had been made out to be. I did find one place of interest: Alice (of Wonerland)'s Shop, 10 min before we had to be back on the bus. The bulk of time in Oxford was spent on a open top bus with audio tour that provided for our listening pleasure classical trance music in between the informational blips. I had it switched to french for w while, but couldn't understand much so switched back. Must visit France for a weekend in order to brush up. It took a while to get on the bus at first, but luckily we ended up on one with a slightly less grumpy driver then the one we couldn't get onto because it was too full. (He tried to hit people that were apparently standing in the way of him parking because they were waiting to get on.) However, all of the buses seemed to make this scary, loud, grinding noise when they backed up. The tour itself was somewhat interesting; we could see most of the 5 billion colleges from the bus, and the weather alternated between sunny and cold, and we keep getting hit by trees. A favourite pastime of the day was to keep score between us and various forces of nature that seemed to be out to get us, for exapmle: trees,2, us, 0 (until Kristi started fighting back). In general, I believe that England is leading by about 500. After we got off the suicidal tour/disco bus, the remainder of the day was spent wandering the streets and eating.
Return bus ride was v. interesting. Kristi and I, determined to not become sick, elbowed our way to the front. Becasue of the concert/ beach party, thw way to Brighton was "qued-up" and the was home took 3 hours. I think the real party was on the freeway, though. Our bus driver knew a shortcut, as we drove by lanes to Brighton the cars were all at a standstill and there were people sitting on, leaning out of windows and sunroofs. Must have seen 5 guys on the side of the road peeing. Bus driver rolled down his window slowed down next to some v. white, entusiastically waving, shirtless guys, and yelled "are you going to the gay festival?" Oh, the looks on their faces, it was the greatest thing! our bus driver! Kristi and | laughed so hard!
By the time we got back into town it was late and the traffic was still terrible so we took a train to Brighton, which was also very crowded. The whole town was packed with people- it reminded me of New Year's in London. Took our time eating at an Indian all you can eat buffet, which was good, and by the time we fought our way to the beach, they announced the concert was over. Can't believe it, we misses the whole thing! Gets much better. In the confusion of 100,00 people leaving the beach all at once, Michelle and Kristi got seperated from Emily, Char, and I. We spent some time looking for them next to a police van, while Kristi was looking for us from the top of a porta potty, both of which had recntly been used as dance floors. Eventually we went back to the last place we had been and waited for a few minutes before they came too. This was when the tragic decision was made to take a bus home. We waited for a 10 or 15 min to get on our bus, then spent the next 3 hours barely moving. We would literally move a few feet, then sit perfectly still for 10 min. It was unbelieveable! Amazed by the fact that we had not only missed our whole perpose for going into town, but had gotten stuck in the worst aftermath, I spent most of the ride home in a state of limbo between sleep and abject misery. We eventually got home (it took 3 hours!!! to go about 3 km! That only 1 km per hour!! Not even a mile, a km!!) and cancelled our plans for the next (same) day, and I limped to my bed where I stayed for the next 14 hours.
Weather-wise, v. nice day today. I was actually warm in pants! yay! And all of my clothes dried! Too bad bike riding didn't out.
Have removed petty comment from Friday's entry. Will try to be more objective as quest for self-improvement continues. Also: gym... soon.
Can blame lack of potato masher for flavorless mashed potatoes made today (possibly over compensated by ooking too long so they would mash easily with a fork). Emily rescued left over mashed potatoes by turning them into potatoe pancakes, which were very good, and flavored by sudden chunks of garlic (lack of garlic press).
am very tired. must sleep.
Today was v. happy day, as got first piece of mail. V. exciting! made me happy all day, a cute letter from my sis! Yay. Actually went to gym induction thing today, go me. Am getting up early tommorrow to go work out, then to town to make further travel arrangments. Estimate 5 hours of work on class assignments and will be done forever. Decided to argue that Medea did not kill children, but only let Jason to believe that she did, thus coming to the perfect solution of punishing him greatly and herself not at all. One of the best kept secrets of greek tradgedy.
after I thought the whole planning mess business was over, I went to the train station with my friend/ flatmate giselle so she could get tickets to Edinburgh and so we could both get tickets to the ferry sailing point. The guy in the ticketing booth told giselle she had to go to the travel center to buy her tickets, which is ridicoulous because I bought mine in the ticketing booth yesterday, but it turned out to be for the best. We were helped by the friendlist, most helpful person I have ever met in a train station, much less working in one! He kindly explained that it was cheaper to buy a ferry and train ticket all in one, even cheaper than just buying a train ticket. Also tried to help with my train ticket to Edinburgh, which had turned out to be something wierd which I still don't understand, but he said it would be ok, and I believe him. Anyway, he reserved seats so me and Giselle could sit together, and on the ferry, too. This was all puntuated by a brief rushing adventure back to the university so I could get my Edinburgh tickets and try to fix it, and for us to see if we could get a refund on our Irish Ferry booking, which we could, and did. Our second time in the train station we ran into Michelle and Char, who were buying their tickets to Edinburgh, too, and he helped them get on the same train and do the ferry thing too. Unfortunatley, it was his last day because after 10 years in the rail service he is leaving to persue a career in teaching (grade school, I asked), so he won't be there to help in the future. He is going to make a good teacher, though, he was very patient and understanding. Atleast I am or mostly done buying tickets for the rest of summer... whew!
right now am trying to get as much finishing my portfolio done as possible before leaving for Cambridge.
Although, have gotten a good amount of work done in past hour or so.
Couldn't get to sleep last night (after all that!) so I was up thinking about a route to take on my tour de France and Germany in between programs. Am thinking: Nice, Strousburg, Munich, castle nearby(forget the name.. its really famous), possibly followed by train route of the romantic road, then back to Paris from either Munich or Frankfurt. Am v. excited about this! Also, borrowed Let's Go; Europe from kitchen upstairs, and was looking for things to do in Brussels (besides royal pavillion I read about in King Leopold's Ghost), and apparently the musee royale des beaux arts is home to The Fall of Icuarus (sp?) amoung other things, then I remembered the poem we read in Ms. Richard's class and I decided I needed to go see that! Also, there is the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Yay! For our day trip to Germany I am thinking maybe we can go to Bremen or Hamburg or Franfurt, and stop at Aachen, which is right on the border, and was Charlemagne's capital. The sad thing about Frankfurt, that I was reading, is that all there is to see is the cathedrale and memorials, because everything was bombed during WWII.
Right, now I am going to work on my creation diary. And my defense statement for Medea. Can't believe fist session is almost over.
today was the last day of class, and I was kinda sad because I really enjoyed it and it went buy super quick! However, we all promised to get together for lunch next week. our tutor is so awesome! the techer/ student relationship here is a more casual. Oh- fun fact! Guess who is the chancellor for the University of Sussex? None other than the actor who played the old grandpa, Hammond, in Jurassic Park! apparently he is a really cool guy.. I hope I get to meet him!
Got a call from Anne Paterson, mom's friend from Edinburgh, today. I get to stay with her when I go up there. I am so excited, not only about getting to see Edinburgh, which I have heard nothing but good things about, but by actually going up to see someone, which is so much better than being a tourist. Especially since I have been and will be a tourist for every other weekend this summer- what a nice break! yay!
So, yeah, I'm going to Brussles tommorrow! I bet I will get to use my french.. yay! I'm going to bed now.
Returned from Brussels/ Amsterdam approx 12 hrs ago, most of which were spent sleeping, and I think I will go sleep some more. Be reassured that I am safe and (I think) whole. Coming soon: adventures.
total Alsatian sightings (have lost count- not v. many- but for this weekend): 4
Promise to return later tonight with adventures from Brussles/ Amsterdam. Flatmate Giselle and I have big plans for tommorrow including a trip to town to take care of mostly Ireland business, and an evening picnic in Strammler Park to which all are invited. So please, feel free to come!
Had my first day of class today, have a feeling it is going to be just as much fun as the last! I'm excited to be learning about Brighton. We have our first walk on Thursday. Also just realized I am taking almost the exact same class except about London in London.
I'm going to Ireland in 2 days!!!! yipeee!!!!!!!!
Brussels: waffels, 3
Brussels was amazing! I absolutley fell in love with Belgium! Our first night, we checked into the hostel, settled in, and went to the handily situated restaurant down the starirs from our room. The food was great! Then we went down town because someone said that's where we should go, and got into a taxi who insisted on showing us around! We finally got jhim to let us out in the middle of an entire street full of Greek food restaurants, and then we walked into the most description defyingly beautiful square (Le Grand Place)I have ever seen! Sttod around amazed for a while, the asked someone to take our picture. Afte rthat, some French/Belgium guys came up to us and asked to take a picture with them.. we weren't sure if they wanted to take a picture of us, or if they wanted us to take a picture of them, but I think we got it figured out.. We hung out with them for a while, Kristi and I were thrilled to have a chance to speak French, wandered around, and then took an (honest) cab back to the hostel.
The next day we vowed to get up early to go to th Musee des Beaux Arts, but that didnt work out. Instead, we rolled out of bed at 10 and were grumpy until we found a Euro dispensing ATM (this is misleading, all the ATMs in Brussles dispense Euros, the finding part was refering to the ATM itself, the Euro refering to our previuos lack of Euros due to England's isolationist policy when it comes to the commom currency, which actually makes since because the pound is like the strongest currency in the worls, and the Euro isnt, so.. anyway) and waffale stand/ Once we finally found a bookstore, I saw a big flaw in my plan to buy a Let's Go: Europe in Belgium (having previously realized my mistake in thinking I could do without). (BTW- the flaw is they were all in FRENCH! and they didn't have a Europe one, anyway.) We ended up back at the grand Place and ate at a Yummy Pita Place, and tried to call the guys from last night so we could meet up and they could show us around. However, I was leaving a message, trying to speak loudly and clearly in English because I was never any good at French numbers anyway, and especially not on the spot, but an accordian player ran to our table and was playing loudly on our ears as soon as I got on the phone, leaving as soon as I was done with the message (figures), so that definitley explains why they never called back, right? We kept asking directions and eventually made it to the Musee, which was incredible- I saw a lot of stuff I loves, including a view of Brussles, and the oh so famous Fall of Icarus-yay! From there we went to the palace, and the gardens, which were actually a parc but used to be the gardens. Apparantly, and this was news to me, Belgium has a King and Queen! Why have I never heard of them before? I mean, the modern ones, of course I have heard all about evil King Leopold the III or whatever numeral he was... But why isn't the Belgium monarchy exploited on the international tabloid market as is the English, Monacan, and Jordan, even the Spanish and Sweedish? I found it difficult to belive that even I, a self proclaimed Europhile, did not know Belgium still had a monarchy! So difficult, in fact, that I thought maybe I had misunderstood something one of the French guys had said. I restrained myself from asking for clarification because of the risk of coming off as the ignorant American I am trying so hard not to be. Ignorance was confirmed, however, when I came across postcards with nto only the King and Queen, but the Prince and his finacee. Hmmm. Also, a quote from the gardens: "I'm not an idiot. This isn't my first day collecting dirt"- Michelle.
We wandered around Brussles some more, found the Mannikan Pis because Kristi had her heart set in seeing it. The Mannikan Pis (sp?) is a foot high statue of a little boy peeing into a fountain which for some reason or another is famous. There are several legends about how the staue came about, but they are all so ridculous none of them can possibly be true. I bought a Mannikan Pis T shirt anyways, because it was cute and only €5. Bought and ate some Belgium chocolates (friuts de mer... mmm) and a waffle with strwaberries and whipped cream... mmmm... went back to our room and took a nap, then got more salads for dinner at the restaurant downstairs, and went to a fun carnival!
The next morning when the alrm went off, Michelle said "I have a great ideam guys, lets sleep in and take a later train to Amsterdam." So we didn't make it to Aachen, but that's ok. Validated our Eurail passes and got on the train!
Amsterdam
Wow, is all I can say! it is really sad that, amoung the my aged travelers atleast, Amsterdam has the reputation it does. The name is synomymous with prostitutes and weed and the craziest red light district in the world, so I was not at all picturing the beautiful city that we found.
the train ride in was beautiful. Even though I was tired, I didn't sleep because I wanted to look out the window. We got into town, and immediatley realized our mistake at not booking ahead because we soon learned that all teh hostels were full!! We ended up paying a reasonable but more that we would have liked amount for a nice hotel in the center of the museum and shopping areas- it was nice to be able to walk to everything we wanted to do! So we dropped of our stuff in our room, freshened up, and found a yummy bakery for dinner! then we wandered around a bit, I bought a nice windbreaker for only €5!, and took a canal boat tour- which was tons of fun!! After that, we were in for a disappointing night. Esecially for what I had been hearing about the nightlife in Amsterdam, but I guess if youre not into 'that' kind of thing... the highlight was when we took a pita break, eating falfels and sitting on an intersection cement block, completley random, and two guys yelled at us from the window at us (but in a not creepy way- a rare occurance!) and asked us if we wanted drinks to go with out food! then he lowered cokes from the 3rd story window in a grocery bag on a rope! It was sooo cool! how often does that happen? So after that we kept looking for some cheesy euro techno or trance to dance to, but it just wasn't happening, so me and Kristi (who was coming donw with a cold) decided to head back to the hotel (or try, anyway)while Char and Michelle decided to persevere. We wandered around until we were completley lost, were pretty sure we were on the right street but must have turned the wrong way and it kept getting scarier, so we got a cab and he had a hard time helping us because we had no idea where we were, and we just kept driving in circles! the trouble was, all the street names were in Dutch, so we couldn't remember. I think I actually said "It's something-straat" haha. The best part about getting lost was- I actually had the hotel card in my purse (actually, the case from my umbrella, which handily doubles as a purse in a pinch, aren't I resourseful*) and I TOOK IT OUT (like it adds weight!!) saying "I'll remember where the hotel is!" Eventually we got back by having the cad drive back to the centraal station, then follow the tram line we took to get to the hotel in the first place, and we finally realized where we were. We set a realistic goal for getting up in the morning. Turns out Michelle and Char got lost, too, but even worse. They were in the cab for an hour and a half, the driver turned off the meter because he felt sorry for them.
On Saturday, first on our list was Anne Frank's house. I insisted we go there first because I didn't want to miss it, I would have been so mad if I was actually in Amsterdam and didn't go see it. "I don't care if it costs €50 and I have to wait in line for 10 hours! I'm going!!" It was soo touching! I could hardly believe I was actually standing where she lived and all that happened (and pretty recently, too, unlike the Battle of Hastings) Michelle had never read the book ("Did you grow up in America? Did you grow up... anywhere?") too bad we couldn't take pictures, but I have a feeling that is something I will never forget. I WAS ACTUALLY IN ANNE FRANK'S HOUSE!!!
From there we split up, because Michelle and Char wanted to go to the Heninekin Factory, and Kristi and I wanted to go to the Van Gogh museum. It was amazing!! I'd seen a lot of the same paintings when the exhibit came to LACMA, but I did get to see some new stuff, plus its not really something you get sick of seeing. After the museum, Kristi and I got baguettes and ate in a parc outside, where there was a lot of grass and a big fountain, and lots of people and dogs. It was pretty warm- maybe even like 85, so it was really summery and nice and we just laid there for a while. We talked about how much we wanted to live in Europe, and the problem with the 6 month quarrentine in England, and the necessity of dogs, in general. After tha, we stubled across an amazing united Colors of Bennetton sale where the entire store was 75% off! I bought 2 shirts and a bathing suit for €30!!! yay!!! then we said goodbye to Amsterdam to begin our 20 hr. trek back home.
After we arrived in brussles, we wandered aound to find the ineffiecnt bus stop, only to learn that we had missed the last one by 1/2 hr., and would have to wait until 4 in the morning, so our plan of sleeping the the airport was completley shot. We dumped out stuff in teh train station lockers and headed back to our trusty friend the Grand Place. First (and last) good idea was chicken pitas, then we just sat in the square for a while, but it was getting later and sacrier and more and more random people were coming up to us, so for lack of better refuge we ended up in an irish pub where:
1. I fell asleep
2. Kristi threw up
3. Michelle and Char wandered off to use an ATM and got attacked
Eventually, the pub closed so we took a cab back to the station, the driver tried to speak to us in Italian(I think), which is ridiculous because a. we're obviously American and b. we're in Belgium. He also joked about us taking a taxi from London... got stuff, got on the bus, passed out, got to the airport. By this time we were all definatley tired and cranky. the only good thing that had happened since Amsterdam with the exception of chicken pitas is I discovered cheetos in teh train station vending machine. not flamming hot, jsut normal, but baby steps. After checking in we slept on the airport floor unitl we could go thru security. was actually jealous of the guys I saw with their backpacks and sleeping bags on the airport floor. wiated gloomily until they told us to line up, then stood there for 20 minutes and watched the plane we had thought was ours be loaded by another group of passengers while 2 loud annoying women yacked in my right ear (had to restain self from physically harming them). To make things better, once we finally got on the plan our stewardess was a dragon lady!!! Don't remember any of the actual flight because I slept through the whole thing, but after landing we were told to prepare to get off (similair to getting on) and then the door shut and we stood there for a few minutes before they said to sit back down, which we did for about 20 minutes, and then we exited (through the front only, and of course we were sitiing in the back). I don't even know how long we were waiting for our bagage because I was passed out on the floor. The ride to London Victoria was uneventful, but when we got there we discovered that due to an 'incident' all southbound tarins were delayed or cancelled. I ended up sleeping on the floor in Victoria Station in front of teh departure terminal announment board for an hour while we waited for a crowded train to Brighton, where we had to wait another hour (I didn't sleep this time) for a train to Falmer in a station crowded with rude people who apparantly had no better reason to be there then it was a hot summer sunday. After finally getting back, I slept for 20 hours, which I think is only fair, 1 hr of reparation for every hour of stressful return. Added my bed to my long list:
Train, Amsterdam to Brussles
Corner, Oreily's Irish Pub, Brussels
Bus, Brussles to airport
Floor, Brussles Chaleroi airport
Plane, Brussles to London
Floor, bagage claim, London Stanstead airport
Floor, London Victoria
Despite all, had a wonderful time and have decided to pretend entire way back and later portion of friday night simply did not happen, and am looking forward to Ireland trip!!!
went into Brighton to pick up a few things I needed for the trip, including my Let's Go, which wasn't there so I have to get it tommorrow before our walking session, but I ended up going full on shopping, but i got a bunch of really good deals (Karma making up for the way back from Amsterdam?) so its ok. EX: 3 skirts and a shirt for £10, cute trainers for £9, a nice little black backpack for £3, and sunglasses for £1.49. I did pretty well, I'd say. plus I found some exciting stacking travel jars at Boots, where I also bought a quick drying travel towel and turned in my application for an advantage points card. I love Boots. I'm going to miss Boots a lot when I go home.
I got a letter today!! Also, belated excitement because I recieved only just before i left for my continental adventures, I got a package form my mommy! (containing cheetos, makeup, gretel pictures, ranch dressing packettes, and other necessities) Red doggie is doing quite well, thank you. However, he is a bit lonley from being left behind because I am afraid my adventures would be too much stress for him. However, I think he might be able to come to Scotland to see Anne.
We booked a hostel for this weekend. I'M GOING TO IRLEAND TOMMORROW!!!!! YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
"It's Walish"- Giselle
"I'm not masculine, I'm just the man"- Giselle
"....All 51 states"- Craig "There's 50"- Rachel "51!... Canada."- Craig
On Giselles's potentially dirty nick-name: "I have a shirt with Giz on it."- Giselle "Why didn't you get it cleaned?"-Adam
"Can you see England from here?"- Rachel "No, Wales is in the way."- Craig "Can you see Wales from here?"- Rachel "No, it's misty."- Craig "If it were clear, could you see Wales from here?"- Rachel "No, its too far."- Craig
craziness, but already I am leaving for Edinburgh tommorrow!! tommorrow is also our class walk thorugh the north lanes. should be good. and I definitley going to finish next week's essay BEFORE I leave. and print it out, too.
I love Wednesdays.
Here is my news:
Just got back from an afternoon walk around Lewes, the charming town next door, that I haven't actually made it too yet, with some girls from upstairs. There is a castle and a house where Anne of Cleaves, one fo Henry VIII's wives lives. we just looked at the outside, though, because we wanted to spend out money in the gourmet chocolate shop instead.
yesterday during class break I saw a german shephard puppy. It was the cutest thing ever (besides my own, of course.)!!! I even got to tickle its tummy!!
Last night there was a bond fire in the hills behind east slope. I lost count of how many shooting stars I saw!! atleast 20, probably. The most amazing one, someone said it was a metorite skipping on the atmosphere, and it was bright purple and left a trail in the sky for 5 seconds after. Definetley the most amazing thing I have ever seen in the sky!! It was a good night for shooting stars...
My report on this weekend will be up later tonight, hopefully, and also I will try to send out my address in London.
Oh, and, I had almost given up on going to normandie (which is rediculouly (sp?) close at £20 return and probably 3 hours each way) but I finally found someone to go with!! Beverly from upstairs and I are going this Friday, yippee!
Rachel's Adventures in Scotland: (yay)
Edinburgh is an amazing city!!! I was getting a little travel weary and needed a restful weekend! certainly had one- sleeping in late in a real bed, lazy breakfasts, lounging around, watching tv, petting the dog, meandering thourgh town, eating... A LOT!
On Friday after a nap Anne and her husband took us to Linlithgo Palace where Mary, Queen of Scots was born. it was really pretty, and we climbed to the top for a great view!! there was a wedding there, too. I decided I want a Scottish wedding because the kilts are soo sexy!! haha! Then we had good scottish food for dinner and took the bus into town to find Kristi, which we actually eventually managed to do! In the meantime, though, I bought a cosy scottish wool blanket in thomson camel (aka burberry) and suprises for my brother and sis for christmas! Edinburgh was soo beautiful at night, with the castle all lite up...
On Saturday we went into Edinburgh with Laury, Anne's daughter. we went to the castle, which was great! there was another wedding there, too! *sigh* its time for someone in my family to get married in a year and a half or so *cough* susanna *cough*... In the castle were the crown jewels, which have a very exciting history, don't you know. I thought the exhibit leading up to the jewels was a lot better than that at the Tower. After the castle we walked down the Royal Mile and ate a cafe named after Deacon Broody/ Bradey/ something, the inspiration for the character Dr. Jeckle/ Mr Hyde, which is actually set in Edinburgh. You'd think I would have known that, but you'd also think I would have known that Belgium had a king and queen, so.. what can you do. After lunch we said goodbye to laury and took a city sightseeing bus tour (of Oxford classical trance fame, but the music was decidedly bagpipe-esque). After once around we got off at grass market, hiked up to take our picture with the Bobby Greyfrair's statue (DOGGIE!!!) then back down to eat dinner, where some guy attempted to stranggle me with a pair of panty hose. After dinner it was time for our Ghost and Torture Tour, which was very gruesome at some points but also very good. Part of the tour includes these underground vaults, but the lock to get in was broken, so this guy from seattle picked the lock, that was pretty exciting. he also said I look like Princess Leia, which I have been told before...
Kristi left early Sunday morning, later Giselle and I went into town and went shopping at Jenners, the Harrods of Edinburgh. I thought this was funny because I knew a girl in high school who went by Jenners and I had never heard it before, but who knows, maybe she got the idea from the store.. I bought a package of Turkish Delight because Giselle had never had any and I thought she should try it (this also happened with a different friend today in Lewes) and I was reminded of the time when I had never tried turkish delight, but wanted to know what it was because it is mentioned in The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, and so my mommy bought me some! Hurrah for Turkish Delight!! After Giselle left I went back to Anne's house, then Laury and I went for a bite to eat and a movie (scoby-doo!)and generally got to be friends.
on Monday I got on late (again) and me and Laury went into Edinburgh. we got some yummy food then walked down the royal mile and met her boyfriend. We decided to see a show and it took us a while to find one, but we eventually ended up at this radio show comedy routine thing. I actually understood quite a bit of it, but there was this one song about a washing machine (swish... *bing*.. welcome to the washing machine) well, I got the swish part, but what washing machine goes *bing*? after the show Anne picked us up and we went out to a yummy chinese place, I picked up my stuff at the house and said goodbye to Ruddy (one of my fav. parts of the holiday was having a dog!) then went to the station and said goodbye to the rest! :(
I had such a great weekend! Laury promises to come visit me in LA, and I think I might go back up. Maybe with mom when she comes to visit me. there is still so much of Scotland I want to see... teh highlands and Invernes (Loch Ness!!!), and maybe go on the west highlands railway thats in Harry Potter!! plus, I'd love to go back suring festival season and just see shows and maybe the Tattoo! yay for Edinburgh!!!
normandie tommorrow, wahoo!!
and, after much ado, I finally got shampoo!
And I'm still not quite sure what to do with my stuff next week, since I can't leave it at the study center in London. The lady there is supposed to email me details about a storage locker place, so I'll probably do that. Hopefully I'll be able to bribe a big strong boy to help me drop it off on Wenesday morning, since I seem to have accquired two times the amount I came with, and I had trouble enough with that in the first place!!!
But seriously, over the last few weeks, I 've realized what a GIRL I am!! Not that thats bad, I've only just begun to realize it. I always knew I was girlie, it extends beyond all comprhension. Exhibits:
No matter what dreadful traveling conditions I am in, I always try to take care of my appearance. (Until the last morning, after an all night train/ ferry/ bus/ flight/ sleeping in the airport/ station/pub...)
The way I dress.
My job.
My music selections: countless CDs of Broadway musicals, Madonna, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Dixie Chicks, The Corrs, Harry Connick Jr, etc...
My favourite part of any tourist attraction is always the gift shop.
There may be 1,000 gift shops in Edinburgh that sell plaid wool blankets, shortbread, and little stuffed 'Nessies', but I will happily go into everyone just to browse.
With me at all times is my purse, including but not limited to: water, cell phone, diary, travel journal, keys with lipgloss and pocket knife with scisors for cutting split ends, wallet containing up to 3 kinds of currency, 5 forms of ID, 2 credit cards, and picture of dog, portable CD player, pen, camera, sunglasses, eye glasses, and a velocity orange makeup bag of supplies such as a compact, tissues, hair brush and band, cinnimon altoids, hand sanitizer, bandaid, 'beauty blotters', lipstick, lip protector, nail file, 5 different kinds of over the counter medicine, and 4 different kinds of lotion. 4. Why do I need 4 different kinds of lotion? I don't know, but I do. I think its a tribute to my packing expertise (improving weekly) that I am able to use such samll purses as I do!
But don't think I am self disgusted and vowing to change my inner psyche or anything like that. Rather, I see this as a breakthrough in my quest for self discovery. My girliness is an essential part to the whole, and is an enduring character adding to my personality and uniqness... yeah.
I still need more information for my dumb paper. Maybe I will back into town tommorrow (by myself, brave girl) and go to the Local Studies Library like our teacher said to. Plus, I can go back to the book store so I can buy the books I wanted and note the name so I can include the conversation I had with the owner about credit cards in my paper. Yeah. Thats what I'll do. Then my paper will be a lot easier to write. Now I'll.... go see what Kristi is up to.
Still have had no luck calling Germany, which is a little bit disconcerting. Perhaps it will help to try from France. Also, Munich is apparantly not under water, so we should be safe. Good times.
Must not put off packing until the last minute.
almost done packing, which is really depressing. had to vacuum pack clothes again. its amazing how much stuff I accquired in just 2 months! amazing. my suitcases are super heavy and I have no idea how I am going to make it to the storage place all by myself.
also, pray for rain so class walk tommorrow is canceled!
I was going to have a super long internet session and type up all of my adventures from the best week of my life, but I forgot to bring along my journal, and there's way too much to try to remember without consultation, so everyone will have to wait a little bit longer, sorry guys! in the mean time, just know that I love London and have never been happier!!
here are some quotes for you:
"I'm not cynical, I'm realistic. There's a difference."- Kathy. "I'm actually optimistic"- Kathy.
"Oh, Rachel, I'm so glad we're roommates, give me a hug!!"- Kathy. "Me too! We're so alike! It's like we're the same person!!"- Rachel
"Oh, they're kissing!! I wanna kiss!" -Rachel. "Did I just say that outloud?"- Rachel.
"There are two thing you need to know about English history: Henry the VII had six wives, and we always beat the French."- Our tour guide.
Last night I woke up to go to the bathroom and Kathy woke up too and was waiting outside the door, which "gave me a fright". After she went in the bathroom I went back to bed but realized I needed a kleenex, so went back and waited by teh bathroom door, which startled Kathy when she came out! This was really funny when it happened....
LONG AWAITED EUROPEAN ADVENTURES:(this is a long one, go get a cup of *insert favourite beverage here* and sit down!)
PARIS: We had the most incredible luck!!! I think it was karma making up for all of the rotten luck I had when travelling during the program, but this one week was seriously the most amazing of my entire life!! Sometimes I would just sit back and think, how did this happen? For starters, the fact that I was able to actually get all of my stuff safely in storge in London and survive the ordeal is a miricle in itself, and it happened to Kristi, too! whats more, is we both made it to the airport and onto our flight in time! Wednesday night was bittersweet, because I was missing the farewell party and I had to say goodbye to all of my Sussex friends whom I had come to know and love over the previuos two months. However, getting into Paris was exilerating, and even though Kristi and I had no idea where our hotel was and therfore had to pay an extremely large cab fare form teh gare du nord, we were really happy to be there so it didnt matter. our hotel was in a nice area but not exactly centrally located. we tried to find a bite to eat after checking in at 12:30 am, but that wasn't really working so we went back to our room and made a meal of the rice cakes and granola bars and V8 we had brought along, and watched a Barbara Streisand movie in which she pretends to be a guy so she can study (I think?) and ends up marrying a girl... for the rest of the trip, and random moments, Kristi and I both were prone to breaking out into "Papa, can you hear me? I have a voice now!". We had the most amazing day in Paris ever!! In the morning, over breakfast, we met two guys from Irvine, they're everywhere! Fisrt, we went to Saint Denis basilique because Kriti's lab guy had written a novel about it and told here about it, so she wanted to see it. It was really pretty, but of course there just happened to be a group of sans papiers demostrating outside. luckily, it was a friendly, upbeat riot. Then, we walked down the Champs Elysees, which is as beuatiful and charming as ever. It sounds crazy, but Kristi and I noth had forgotten how much we love Paris! Its totally a there in the moment atmosphere thing! We ate in a croque monsieurs in a cute sidewalk cafe, then walked down to L'Arc de Triomphe, and back down the otherside. Kristi bought a Yannick CD in the Virgin Megastore where, years ago I purchased my Pink Martini CD, and this brought back many memories of French class. After the Champs Elysees we saw the ferris wheel in the Jardin de Tuleries, so we headed there. Stoped for yummy chocolate Berthillon glace and again for crepes avec fraise.. yum!! the ferris wheel was great fun, and awesome views! after the ferris wheel, we walked to the Pont Neuf metro, I saw Samaritine and we went inside and took a picture of a harry potter made of lego. This is when things got crazy. We go off at adiffernt metro stop that we thought ould be closer to our hotel, but it really wasnt. we had to ask for directions and ended up taking a bus. By this time we were seriuosly behind schedule, we showed up a gare du nord with 3 minutes to spare before our 1022 train to Munich, and that was a miracle! then, the guy at the information booth informed us that the Munich trains leave from gare d'est, a five minute walk. But, luckily there was a mistake in the timetable I had, and the munich train actually left at 1058, so things worked out perfectly. What are the chances of that happening? God is on our side.
I just decided I have way to many adventures to do them all in one sitting, so look forward to the train ride, Munich, and Nice later on!! Cheers!
"Does the "r" stand for Riverside?"- Marisa
So, back to my EUROPEAN ADVENTURES, hopefully I have enough time to actually do this, or atleast a good bit of it....
Kristi and I thought we were so lucky to get our own compartment on the train, but we later learn that that particulair car was actully going to Frankfurt, so we had to switch at 4 AM to get onto a Munich car, and that was not nearly as nice. But we made it to Munich alright, and after relatively little confusion made it to the hotel we wanted, which had vacacies for us! Yippe! I loved this hotel because it was only 50 euro a night for our private double room, right in the center of town and next to the train station, and teh staff was soo friendly and helpful. In fact, pretty much everyone in Munich was friendly and helpful! Later that day Kristi and I headed to the castle (whose name I can never either remember or pronounce) build by the "crazy" King Ludwig. I can still remember sitting in Mrs. Cribbs 10th grade English class, staring at the poster, and pretending I was there, so it was really exciting to actually be there! The castle was lovely, but I think the best part was the view (the Alps, yay!) And, being such a huge tourist attraction, there were excessive amounts of tourists, especially the loudy screaming kid kind, which really starts to get on your nerves when you have spent the previous night trying to sleep on a train seat. It started to rain, too, which wasn't really that bad, but it might have been nice to explore some of the hiking trails around. We got to take the horse carriage down! I can't believe that I was going to Germany but I hadn't thought of Baravrian pretzels or German gummy bears... This afternoon was accompanied by much eating! We talked to some more guys from Irvine on the train ride back. By the time we were back at our hotel it was pretty late, so we made friends with our Canadien neighbors and then just went to bed.
The next day we got up early and set off for Dachau, so we had a pretty solemn morning. We spent several hours there, trying to do it justice- there was a lot to see. Its hard to really describe the feelings in a concentration camp memorial... but I think it was a good experience. We were planning on making it back in time for the 4:00 Mike's Bike Tour, but that didn't happen. So Krisit went back to the hotel to try to sort things out for the rest of her trip, and I went sightseeing! I wandered around Munich and got a little lost, just looking at the city. It really is a beautiful city!! I saw the big clock do its thing, climbed up to the top of St Peter's and saw an awesome view of the city! Then I went to get Kristi and we got dressed up and ate at this really cute authentic German restaurant where we had authentic German food (assisted by our friendly German eating neighbors) and our waiter was really cute and gave us free pretzels... yum!! Then we got gelatto ice cream for dessert and were eating it at the fountain where we met these 2 crazy Austrain guys, and we ended up going to a karoake bar in a really 'happenin' area, and that was really fun, so it was pretty late when we finally got back to our hotel, and we had a train at 7:30 the next day!
I set the alarm on my cell phone for 5:30 to give me plenty of time to take a shower in the morning, which I had already done when I looked at my watch and realized that my cell phone was still on England time, so I had 45 min to wake up Kristi, pack, and make it to the station (thank goodness it was right across the street!) Amazingly enough, though, we made it!! And then we got to spend the next 14 hours with veyry loud Italian people. I would have considered it a very sucessful day of scenery and sleeping if we had been about to get our own compartment, or atleast share with someone a little more considerate. Instead, I had a little brat sitting across from me kicking my shins for 5 hours straight. So, after 14 hours, its understandable that we were not in our best decision making state, so our choice of hostel makes a little more sense then it would under better circumstances. What's so funny is that, the next day we found the cutest, cleanest, most centrally located hotel in Nice, and we ended up paying less for our room than we had paid the night before for a smelly shared room atleast 2 miles from the center of town! But Kristi and I decided to just forget about our temporary lack of judment and enjoy our last 2 days together.. in Nice!! This is where our luck turned, because we had teh most wonderful day, shopping, sitting on the beach, wandering around in Vieux Nice. Then we put on our dresses and ate dinner and a cute red and white checkered place by a fountain we had found earlier that day, and dessert was across the street at a gellato place with about 500 flavours! It was soo good! Kristi and I both had sorbet and we could really tell it was made from real fruit! Very impressive. It was Monday night, so there wasn't much going on, we found a student place where a small band was playing live, but it was really mellow and we were falling alseep, so we left to wander the streets for a while. There were lots of restaurants and shops open until 12 or 1(very unusual in Europe!), so we still had plenty to do.
In the morning we woke up and went shopping! Then we bought sandwiches and ate on the beach, swam, laid, fell asleep, and decided next time we came to Nice we would go parasailing. After the beach we went back to the hotel and I got my stuff and we walked to the train station, shopping along the way. Saying goodbye was sad, but its wasn't really goodbye since Kristi is coming to see me in London, so we made it not too bad. It was mostly sad because my vacation was over and we had such an AMAZING time!! The train ride to Paris was a good time to gather my thoughts and enjoy the view- Provence is absolutley beautiful!! Just like you would picture it. I escaped my seat in the smoking car and found an empty seat next to a nice French guy from Paris who had done the same- its great that I can actually hold a coherent conversation in French!!
About Nice- I really think I may have found the most perfect place in the world!! Nice, I said to Kristi, is like California in Europe- the best of both worlds!! If I didn't feel this inexplicable tie to England, if my family didn't live in the States, I could happily spend the rest of my my life in Nice! It is so beautiful, so amazingly beautiful, that I don't have words to descibe it! I just kept wandering around, wondering, how does a place like this just HAPPEN?
Kristi and I have decided to open up a shop, in Nice or one of the smaller towns on the Cote D'Azur, called "Rachel and Kristin's favourite things" or <
After getting to Paris, I had some adventures getting to the airport, lets just say that if there are 5 nice people in Paris, they all helped me that night. But I made it, and I met 2 British guys (both named Paul) on the train, and an Austrailan named Meagan at the airport,all on my flight, so I stayed up all night in Charles de Gualle chatting and playing cards, perfectly safe and sound. Even if I was a bit smelly, worn, and edgy (not to mention sunburnt, but that was a result of Nice) by the time I got to London.
Memorable Quotes:
"Are you a soprano or alto?"-Rachel "Oh, you used to play the violin?"-Kristi, "Your name in Ucla?"-Crazy Austrian Guy, "Do you ship?"-us "Yes"-them "Ok, we'll take it"-us "Take what?"-them "The whole thing"-us "The whole what?"-them "The whole store..."-us, "We saw the hills that were alive!"-Kristi.
Today we went to Hyde Park to meet Laura's authentic English cousin, and tonight we are going to clean, bake chocolate chip cookies, plan our trips, and read about The History of London. I have my European Union class for the first time tomorrow! And, hopefully, Kristi makes it to London today... We'll see!!
I went to Buckingham Palace yesterday, which was very impressive. I also read 30 pages in my HUGE History of London book... only 110 more to go before tomorrow!!
Shakespeare has been postponed, so I am killing time before heading to the Globe.
Yesterday was quite adventurous. I saw many famous people and was homesick a lot. And I think I bought more books. More on that later.
I was going to do some solitary exploring today, but instead Kathy and I are going shopping. I still need a really good day of doing nothing but reading all those really expensive books I bought. Soon... There is a festival along the Thames this weekend, that should be fun!
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Mon Sep 16 2002 00:04 'Title'? What is this?:
Also at the festival was lots of yummy food (Laura and I made friends with the doughnut man) and I bought a cute ring. I think my roommates have realized the value of taking glasses from street corners, so we have decided that next time we attend a large event we will bring along a large plastic lined tote for this purpose.
Earlier today I was complaining that my sister got her package but I haven't gotten mine yet, then someone pointed out that Utah is alot closer to California than London is, which is a very valid point. But I still want my package!
Everyone else is sticking around to watch Braveheart, but I haven't got the emotional energy for it, and I've got to go back and read about the European Union, anyhow, so lucky me!
Mon Sep 16 2002 00:45 Midnight Laments:
Tonight my roommates are going to dinner at the Bush (band not US Pres) guitarist's house, so Marisa (who lost the coin toss) and I are bonding and eating Kraft Macaroni and Cheese courtesy of her birthday care package. There was some discussion about which side of the penny was heads and which was tails, but I thought it should have been obvious.
Mommy and Leonard are really coming to see me, which is very exciting, although I am a little upset that Susanna refuses. Although, its probably just as well, because if she comes and manages to sneak Gretel with her, I'll have seen my family 3 weeks before I am due to come home, so I REALLY won't want to leave.
Now I think I'll go drop off my film and spend more money on books, except that I forgot my book list so maybe not. But my eyes are starting to strain because I forgot my glasses, so its time to go.
Sun Sep 22 2002 22:06 This weekend's adventures:
Last night we ordered yummy pizza and listened to hip hop and pretended we were back in 'Cali', which was great. Ate way too much!!!
Today after a very late start we went to Camden Market and I bought a pair of Doc Martens (brown ones, not the ones I have been looking for, but I am still determined). They are really cute, and Marisa bought a pair also, and we made friends with the guys in the Doc Martens stall after spending an hour there while they tried to find the mate to Maria's shoe. I really wish I was a size four. I also bought a fuzzy hat.
Tonight we are going to watch Bridget Jones' Diary and eat the yummy flammin hot cheetos that my mommy sent me in my care package! I still have lots of yucky reading to do for tommorrow and Tues, but tomorrow is also Princess Diana appreciation day, so we'll see.
Mon Sep 23 2002 19:44 On Break from EU Class:
Fri Sep 27 2002 13:23 Free Time, At Last!!!:
I just finished Bridget Jones: the Edge of Reason. I think that Bridget Jones is every woman! If anyone has not read the books, I urge you to do do at once! you will be glad you did! Everyone was making fun of me yesterday because I refused to put the book down and at random moments would burst into fits of uncontrollable laughter. Of course, everyone one who had read the book said "dont worry, I understand" and wanted to know what part I was at. I couldn't sleep until Bridget and Mark Darcy were happily back together! *sigh* Mark Darcy. What a perfect ending! Now, it is absolutey necessary that 1) Bridget Jones #3 is written and published and 2) The Edge of Reason is made into a movie!
Laura, Marisa, Rob, and Tom are off to Scotland, so the rest of us are going to hang about London and maybe go on an exciting day trip. I have big plans for this weekend, inlcuding: all of my reading for next week, sorting thru the big pile of stuff (mostly clothes) on my floor, joining the gym, getting my deposit back from the bastards at Safestore, planning stuff for Mom and Leonard's trip, finding a place for Mom and Leonard to stay, planning my trip to Madrid, sending out postcards, going shopping, brainstorming for the book(s) I am going to write, and just in general figure out what I am doing. Oh yeah, and get my hair cut. Maybe I will buy a pair of hair cutting scisors so I can engage in my compulsive habit with out worry. I wonder if they sell them at Boots?
I've been super busy. yesterday I went with Laura to visit her family in the suburbs and they feed us good food and we watched a movie and played with the dog, that was really nice. This morning we went to see this impressionist collection in somerset house because its free on mondays (I reccomend) and tonight we have front row tickets for My Fair Lady! Then tomorrow we are going on tour with our program of Westminster, and sometime before Spain I have to write a analitical essay on Mary Poppins!
Thu Oct 10 2002 16:33 The Best News EVER!!!!:
Other things to look forward to: trip to Spain in a week, Mom and Leonard's visit for Thanksgiving, and Harry Potter movie #2 coming out in Novemeber. I love my life!
Friends went to Camden Market today, but I came here to work on my paper instead (which I have not yet gotten to...) I guess it is just as well, considering the rain. Yesterday was Stratford Upon Avon and Warwick Castle, which was fun. Stratford was a really cute town, but the whole Shakesperare's Birthplace was kinda overrated and I would have enjoyed it more if we had gone to a Royal Shakespreare Company play. The castle was really nice, though.
Mon Oct 14 2002 11:31 Speaking of Sheep...:
One thing I have noticed about English grammar is that, is a series (such as apples, banannas, and oranges) they leave out the last comma (so it reads apples, banannas and oranges). At first I thought this was an error and was tempted to fix it like my mother used to, but then I realized thats just how they do things. One of those cultural differences, I guess.
Mon Oct 14 2002 16:21 Hurrah!!:
Tonight in Shakespeare we are getting our scene assingments. I'm really excited!!
I think I am having issues finding housing for Winter Quarter, so all you Bruins out there keep an eye open for me!!
We have been trying to eat healthy and so far are doing pretty well!! Today for breakfast I ate Oats so Simple, which is just like Cream of Wheat except oats, and a bannana. Laura and I both like Cream of Wheat despite people making fun of us for doing so. Then for lunch we had organic tomato and basil soup with a fresh roll, yum!! Last night for dinner we had a salad based on the BBQ chicken salad from CPK. It has black beans on it, but they apparantly don't have canned black beans here, atleast not a Sainsbury's, so we had to go thru this whole process of soaking overnight and cooking for 2 hours just for a few beans to put in our salad!!! It was really good, though.
If anyone is coming to England, please bring me canned black beans and Cream of Wheat. Thanks.
Oh, and if you are interested in what I did in Spain, I had an awesome time and Jennie took very good care of me. We saw lots of cultural stuff like famous musems etc and that painting by Picasso, Guernica I think is how you spell it. I also bought cute shoes for very cheap and various other cute stuff. And now, I have a newfound desire to learn Spanish!
They say that education completley changes your experience of things (well, I'm pretty sure they do) and I think it's true; ever since learning about the importance of South Kensington (museum area)- amoung other things- in terms of the emipire, I have been paranoid that everywhere I go I am being brainwashed with Imperialistic propaganda...
Yesterday I went to Camden Town with Laura and we spent way too much, but I got really good bargains for my money, including 2 pairs of Doc's. One of the pairs are tall black boots, and I know I already have tall black boots, but there are those who understand that them being Doc's makes all the difference (right mom?) They were a steal compared to what I would pay in the stores, not to mention I looked in the stores and couldn't find them, having wanted these shoes for some time. So I'm very happy with my new boots. And I think the guys at the Doc Martens stall are very happy with me, too.
Notable quotes: Laura: "I don't care if we see the man of our dreams and he costs 10p, WE CAN'T SPEND ANYMORE MONEY!", Rachel: "I got it at Express for 70% off of 50% off!" Tom: "So that's... 120% off!"
Mon Oct 28 2002 15:41 Pictures:
Mon Oct 28 2002 19:20 Let's try this again:
Mon Oct 28 2002 19:23 hmmmmm:
People keep bumping into me as they enter the computer lab and its really annoying. What, am I invisible?
Fri Nov 01 2002 14:17 French Invasion:
Which I don't really. I have no idea where I am going to live when I get bac, or how I am going to register for classes, or attend the mandatory orientation! I'm sure it will work our eventually but right now it's a big mess.
My ambivilence increases as December approaches and the time starts going faster and faster. Why did God make England and California so far apart? Why?
Well, its paper time again and I have sucessfully put it off. Atleast I know my topic: EFTA and Europe at 6's and 7's. Should be lots of fun to write. Assuming I ever get around to it. Tommorrow my roommates are going to Paris, except for Kathy because she is sick, so actually that makes just Laura going but Marissa is going too and she is a psuedo-roommate so she counts. Anyhow, with them gone there will be less to distract me and I will be able to concentrate on my school work for once and get it all done so I never have to worry about it again!
Tonight we are going to Primrose Hill to see fireworks in celebration of Guy Fawkes Day (which is actually Nov 5). There have been fireworks going off for several weeks now- they must believe in celebrating early- but although we can hear them quite well we have never seen them, which is kinda frustrating, but if tonight is anything like the fireworks display at the Thames festival it will more than make up for it.
This is supposed to be a very rainy weekend, joy.
Sat Nov 02 2002 13:01 musings on Harry Potter (or, procrastinating my EU paper):
Sun Nov 03 2002 16:29 Using my difficult to obtain computer....:
The weather here in London is tempermental at best. It was nice and sunny when I left my flat, thinking to myself that I should be enjoying this nice day. I even took a detour! Right about the British Museum it started raining, then hailing. By the time I got to the study center 2 minutes later I was soaked... Why didn't I think to bring an umbrella? Although I doubt it would have made much of a difference!
Sun Nov 03 2002 17:10 Observation::
Quick Quiz: Do any of you Americans out there know what the term "special relationship" is referring to? Just curious, thanks.
Speaking of hair, I finally got my hair cut!! I was so nervous, after having numerous friends tell me horror stories of their experiences in British hair salons. I was so scared my hair was gonna get chopped off! I felt like I was putting my life into Bertha's hands, but she did a very good job and only took off an inch. (I think she got the hint after I said "Please only take off an inch" and "I really like my hair long" about 50 times.) Then she blow dried it straight so it actually looks longer than before! Its all nice and shiny and healthy looking, in fact it probably won't look this good for a while. I'll be sure to take pictures.
Here is yesterday's account: Hours spent watching the news for glimpes of the Harry Potter premiere(took place in Leiscester Square, I would have gone to gawk myself had I known about it earlier): approx. 3 (not good) Number of times it occured to me that the under-aged Daniel Ratcliff is actually very hot: 6 (very bad) Progress on securing perfectly legal access (library card) to Harry Potter books to read in preparation for the Big Night: good. Progress in securing access to Harry Potter movie poster, legal or illegal: not good. Top news stories of yesterday: Posh Spice kindnapping plot (Kathy I agreed that it was weird how the British adore the Beckhams to such an extent, its like the second royal family... not long before we find ourselves falling into the same trap!), the Diana butler verdict, and how the Queen should pay for the trial, which is estimated to have costed the British tax payer 1 1/2 million pounds, the funerals for the school children who died in the quake in Italy (very sad), and of course, the Harry Potter premeire!! Progress on EU paper: getting there.
I saw a car that had a "Harry Potter premiere car pass" sticker in the window parked on the street on the way back to the flats from Budgens, but Kathy and Kay wouldn't let me stick around to see who it belonged to. It could have been J.K. Rowling herself!!
Here are the problems with studying/ writing papers in my current situation: Limited access to computers at study center. No desk at my flat, forcing me to study at the kitchen table, which I associate with eating. Proximity of refigerator to kitchen table. Proximity of Off Liscence to flat. Presence of remaining bags of Cheetos and Belgium chocolates in Mango shopping bag underneath bed. Proximity of TV to kitchen table, even if there are only 5 channels. Excitement re: Harry Potter on Friday. Split ends in hair that need cutting off. Appox. 1 million other things in London I would rather be doing. The fact that I know I can turn in my paper on Thursday. I think that's about it.
yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Um, so I didn't read the books or watch the movie, but I did get a library card, and lose it 5 minutes later, so I had to pay £1.20 for a replacement. All the Harry Potter books were checked out. Maybe I will go by Borders and read a chapter just to get in the mood, but I don't know if I have time because I have to go to the post office and Sainsbury's because we are having mexican food tonight. Plus, I found out I register on the 21st, so I wanted to go try to decide which classes I want to take. I think I'll have to pick out about 50 because won't get into any of the ones I want. Its going to be very hard to go from having priority registartion. Oh well.
Oh, and I got an A on my core midterm! 74 is actually a very high score in England.
I'm sure there are other things I mean to be saying about since Monday, but I can't think of them right now, so I'll get back to it!!
Despite my laziness, this past week has been very eventful and fun. First of all, Harry Potter was adventerous and awesome!! The book, of course, was 500 xs better, and I actually got to read it because we borrowed them from Laura's aunt! (We went over for Sunday dinner at their house, and I even got to go swimming!) Then, on Monday Laura and I went to see a play called Mrs. Warren's Profession by GBS which was really good and some guy said "I love the way you lot talk". Tuseday I didn't leave the flat or my PJ's except to go to The Globe. On Wednesday we had class at the V&A, the boys were back from their weekend in Amsterdam, and we enjoyed wrecking havoc on the interactive displays (I designed a lovely bookplate). I think Tom missed Laura because he randomly tackled her in an intersection near High Street Kensignton. They both went down but luckily were unharmed and people driving by in taxis seemed very amused. Yesterday, after watching St Lawerence do their secnes in the FREEZING COLD, we had our first rehearsal for Shakespeare which went very well. Today I am going grocery shopping.
It's amazing how time flies. 5 weeks from tommorrow I'll be going home! 1 week from yesterday Mom and Leonard are coming, the day before that, Wednesday, is our big Thanksgiving celebration, and we have our friends from Spain staying with us until Tuesday. Crazy. crazy times.
Here are some notable quotes: "Way to Djahonaly (sp?) Gallery"- sign in V&A "How do you say that word?"-Marissa "Diagonally"-Rachel "Oh, is that how they spell it here?"-Tom. "Toot your support"- sign outside our firestation "But I don't have a tooter!"-Rachel. (While crossing the Millenium Bridge)"Is it safe to drive the boats when the tide is so low?"-Rachel "It's probably the Coast Guard, unless they're on strike to!"-Laura.
Just so everyone knows, esp. those who are planning on coming for a visit soon, England is going through a peroid of relative civil unrest. The firefighters are striking, and so various other groups are also striking either to show their support (as is the case at UCL) or because they think it's dangerous to work while there are no proper fire fighters on duty (as is the case in the Tube). Although the tube had their own strike a few weeks ago, so I don't know. The monarchy is getting a lot of criticsism because of this Diana Butler thing, but I really don't understand any of that and I think I missed a big revealation or something because all of a sudden there are all these inquiries and they are talking about how the Prince of Wales is selling off official gifts and I really don't see how that relates. Not to mention, most of England doesn't want to join the Euro or this dumb war the Americans are starting, but a few of them think for various reasons that they should. I think that Tony Blair is the man to sort it all out, even if the firefighters don't.
Other good news: I got a spot in the dorms, so now all I have to worry about is parking. Hmm. Oh yeah, and registeration. Marissa is in Granada this weekend visiting a friend, and she called to say there was a Zara there, she thinks they have my jacket and if they have a small she is going to buy it for me! I fell in love with this jacket in Madrid, but I have yet to see a small. I did find it in the shop on High Street Kensignton, but the thing that Zara does in regards to their price tags and euros vs. pounds, they change the currency sign but not the actual price of the item, so it's silly to buy anything from them in England.
Friends from Spain are here right now, and we are having a great time! Yesterday we went to Camden Market and today they went to look at rocks, then tonight we are taking them out on the town. Tommorrow night we are seeing Measure for Measure for Shakespeare (last night me and Laura watched the Kenneth Branagh -who is also in Harry Potter!- Much Ado About Nothing to do our reviews on, bringing back memories of high school) then on Wednesday is our big Thanksgiving dinner (a bit early if you ask me) and on Thursday I get to see my family (or 2/3 of it)!
Wed Nov 20 2002 10:21 YIKES!!!!:
Yesterday I walked all over London and was very productive. I would have felt sucessful if I hadn't been so worn out. I am having housing issues, and I have to register tomorrow, with still n idea what to take. I think I am developing a complex about the study center. All this stupid security is driving me up the walls.
Today was our last rehearsal for Shakespeare, and by the end it was coming together quite nicely, despite several initial mishaps. Our practitioner described my and Malini's enterance as 'smashing!'.It will come together even more after we get together tomorrow! Come Tuesday we will be performing on the Globe stage, if that's exciting. I also learned a fun fact about Shakespeare today, if anyone is interested.
I am sucessfully registered for 2 classes at UCLA: French 14 Culture and civilization, and Philosophy 21 Skeptcism and Rationlaity. Leonard helped me register and he even took Philosophy 21 with the same professor! How exciting is that! I have a couple leads in the apartment hunt, one of which sounds awesome, so everyone keep their fingers crossed for me!
The housing search is.. well.. going, and I'm a bit busy and overwhelmed at it all but soon I'll be on top of things again, hopefully! I can't believe we have like 3 1/2 weeks left. I don't think I've been keeping up with my post it countdown....
Last night, as predicted, I read HP #3 intead of writing my papers. oh well, they'll get done eventually. As soon as I pass through this phase where all I want to do is lounge around the flat in my pjs drinking Diet Coke and reading. And when I do leave, I go shopping... Hmmm. Yesterday while shopping with Mom I discovered the top floor of Muji. How this managed to go unnoticed until now, I have no idea. Soon I will make up for it though. I didn't buy anything.. yet. I am excersising great restraint by not going back. And I saw a cute hat in Dorthy Perkins. Well, I'll get my act together today! Must finish stupid journals, then I'll get to work on my review and my analysis. If only the thought of coming to this Godforsaken place didn't give me the heebygebbies! Yeech.
Laura and I went to see Windsor Castle, which was very impressive. Windsor and Eton are pretty much the same town (but neither of us knew, which is kinda silly because Laura went to the Eton open day with her English family, and its kinda hard to miss a castle that big when it is on a hill right in front of you. still, I guess if you dont know what to look for...) so we went there, too. Laura gave me a mini tour and we climbed on The Wall. It was all very Hogwarts-esque, with houses and headmasters and prefects and young children running around, but I guess that's just the British public school system.We kept half expecting to run into her cousin, too, but we didn't. We also ate lots of yummy traditional English food (yes, it can be good!), saw Sir Christopher Wren's house from the outside, ran away from scary geese, and wandered around. Very cute and very pituresque.
"But Rachel, no one wants to take the classes you need."- Laura, on my registration problems. She's right, there's only 8 people in the French class I need. Apparantly the reason we get along so well is that I'm a Piecses (sp?).
Socks.
I have about 5 socks that have no mate, and another 5 pairs that have holes in them which will be abondoned in London. Leaving me with... approx. none. Maybe I will go hunt in the laundry room to see if any of my socks have escaped to there. Ten points to the first person who tells me WHO ELSE wishes for socks for Christmas!
Thu Dec 12 2002 17:16 The countdown begins: 9 days....:
Bits of good news: I am no longer homeless (except for that one day in London, but I'm working on that) and my roommates sounds like loads of fun (talked to them on the phone)and it feels great to look forward to an apartment instead of worrying because I don't have one! Also, my history professor says I have a 'sensitive intelligence' which is the nicest thing anyone's said about me in a while, and all I have is 1 more class, 1 essay and 2 finals and then I'm DONE with school until winter quarter! Yipeee!
I'm really looking forward to warm (comparativley- its the arctic chill here in London, when we landed in Luton it was one degree celsius. one. ONE!!) weather, wearing flip flops, driving to the grocery store, cheetos, catching up with old friends, gretel, new kitten, christmas, new apartment, new classes, new school, getting back to work, new friends, etc etc.
I'm really going to miss wearing scarves, going to Camden Market, hearing British accents, Sainsbury's, Boot's, walking in London, writing London in my return address, shopping on Oxford Street, being able to casually drop in to see famous works of art on my lunch break or plan a mini holiday to Europe with relative ease and little expense, the suprised look on people's faces when they realize they've asked an American for directions, the Harry Potter posters on the number 38 bus (although they took the billboard on Tottenham Court Road down, now its something Christmasy) and probably most of all my London friends, even though actually they're all from California so I'll be able to see them all the time!
Sat Dec 14 2002 17:38 7 days:
"But Marisa, I don't see what Harry Potter has to do with it"- Tom, "I wouldn't mind if you guys want to go BOTH days"- Marisa, "Are you sure you don't want to get some more sleep before you go to Camden?"- Marisa, "I like names"- me (I said this and for some reason my roommies thought this was really funny).
Our blinkey-signal light that I philfered (SP?) burn out, so last night I got another one, but this morning Laura threw it from our third story window. It did not survive.
Sun Dec 15 2002 16:23 5 days!!!:
Wed Dec 18 2002 10:34 3 days!!!!:
Wed Dec 18 2002 12:02 still 3 days...:
Sun Dec 22 2002 19:20 I'm back!!!!:
Gretel just escaped the house, jogged around the block with me and Leonard franically chasing her, then ran back in the front door. I think she wanted attention.