Had an amazing and busy day today. Went to St. Paul's and climbed up to the Golden Gallery (please go on their website and find out how many stairs that is), a photo tour, a Thames river cruise and a play, as well as Vietnamese for dinner. And I went to King's Cross and saw Platform 9 and 3/4. Awesome.
-Laur
July 31, 2009
July 30, 2009
I wish I had a celing mural in every room of my house!
Well, I've had more adventures, and they were definitely more enjoyable than half of yesterday's.
Today I wandered my away around the South Bank until I found Shakespeare's Globe theatre. I took 3 double decker buses! Woohoo me! However, I did not sit in the top of any of them, so I'm going to have to do that. Maybe tomorrow. The Globe was awesomely awesome, and I enjoyed every second of it, especially watching it pour on the poor engineers working on the set for the Globe's offering of Helen by Euripides. The Exhibition in the basement of the attached building was stunning, well-crafted, and at times very funny.
After the Globe I wandered down the Thames bank until I hit a fork; go into the Tate Modern, or walk across the Millenium Bridge to St. Paul's cathedral. I chose the Tate because so many people have told me it's awesome, but I think they forgot how little an appreciation I have for art. I was in and out of there in half an hour. Some of you will be disgusted with this choice, but meh. I don't dig art. I'd prefer a gallery full of renaissance artists or Rubens or Van Dykes, stuff like that, which is why I enjoyed Windsor Castle so much. But more on that later.
I walked across the Millenium bridge and it was very windy and cold and rainy, but the views were awesome and all in all it was a positive bridge experience. I never did go into St. Paul's, because I'll be doing that early tomorrow morning. Instead I headed for Mansion House tube station and began my journey to Windsor Castle.
My London Pass suggested a route to me that made a lot of sense; instead of taking the tube to Notting Hill Gate station and bussing it the rest of the way, I went to Paddington and got an actual train to Windsor instead. It took a lot less time and was way more comfortable, plus the scenery out the windows was nice.
Windsor Castle and the surrounding area was everything I could have asked for. The surrounding shops and such were very charming and pretty, and the castle itself was even more grand and gorgeous than I thought it would be. I arrived at 3:30 so I only had half an hour before St. George's chapel closed for the day, so I grabbed a free audio guide and hoofed it over there; I'm not really into god and religion and stuff, but that chapel was the most beautiful, peaceful places I've ever been in, even with hundreds of tourists streaming through it. I wasn't allowed to take pictures, and I think that helped me appreciate it better. So did the audio guide. They're quite handy!
The Dollhouse collection and the State Apartments came next, and it seemed to me like i was overwhelmed with one stupendously decorated room after the other. Weapons all over walls, suits of armour, bedrooms and drawing rooms and portraits and busts...it was overwhelming near the end.
Now I'm back at the hostel. Very early morning tomorrow because I have a lot to do, and my last experience of the day will be real, old-fashioned British fish and chips.
Tiredly yours,
Laur
Today I wandered my away around the South Bank until I found Shakespeare's Globe theatre. I took 3 double decker buses! Woohoo me! However, I did not sit in the top of any of them, so I'm going to have to do that. Maybe tomorrow. The Globe was awesomely awesome, and I enjoyed every second of it, especially watching it pour on the poor engineers working on the set for the Globe's offering of Helen by Euripides. The Exhibition in the basement of the attached building was stunning, well-crafted, and at times very funny.
After the Globe I wandered down the Thames bank until I hit a fork; go into the Tate Modern, or walk across the Millenium Bridge to St. Paul's cathedral. I chose the Tate because so many people have told me it's awesome, but I think they forgot how little an appreciation I have for art. I was in and out of there in half an hour. Some of you will be disgusted with this choice, but meh. I don't dig art. I'd prefer a gallery full of renaissance artists or Rubens or Van Dykes, stuff like that, which is why I enjoyed Windsor Castle so much. But more on that later.
I walked across the Millenium bridge and it was very windy and cold and rainy, but the views were awesome and all in all it was a positive bridge experience. I never did go into St. Paul's, because I'll be doing that early tomorrow morning. Instead I headed for Mansion House tube station and began my journey to Windsor Castle.
My London Pass suggested a route to me that made a lot of sense; instead of taking the tube to Notting Hill Gate station and bussing it the rest of the way, I went to Paddington and got an actual train to Windsor instead. It took a lot less time and was way more comfortable, plus the scenery out the windows was nice.
Windsor Castle and the surrounding area was everything I could have asked for. The surrounding shops and such were very charming and pretty, and the castle itself was even more grand and gorgeous than I thought it would be. I arrived at 3:30 so I only had half an hour before St. George's chapel closed for the day, so I grabbed a free audio guide and hoofed it over there; I'm not really into god and religion and stuff, but that chapel was the most beautiful, peaceful places I've ever been in, even with hundreds of tourists streaming through it. I wasn't allowed to take pictures, and I think that helped me appreciate it better. So did the audio guide. They're quite handy!
The Dollhouse collection and the State Apartments came next, and it seemed to me like i was overwhelmed with one stupendously decorated room after the other. Weapons all over walls, suits of armour, bedrooms and drawing rooms and portraits and busts...it was overwhelming near the end.
Now I'm back at the hostel. Very early morning tomorrow because I have a lot to do, and my last experience of the day will be real, old-fashioned British fish and chips.
Tiredly yours,
Laur
Greetings from London town!
Well, I'm here! I'll spare you the irritating details of the actual journey (it was a comedy of errors after I picked up my luggage, anyhow) and tell you about my afternoon in London after 2 pm.
I arrived at my hostel, YHA London Central, at around 2 and after settling up at the front desk I went upstairs and took what had to be the best shower ever. The hostel is 5 floors with between 10 and 14 rooms per floor; I don't know how many people each room sleeps, but I'm in a room with 4 bunk beds, quite a few cupboards a sink and mirror, and a fan. It's clean, spacious, well-ventilated and smells pretty good; I definitely enjoy spending time here and it isn't just a place to sleep. There's a lounge on the main floor where you can sit and drink with your friends, eat some food, go on the Internet (on your own laptop with free wifi or on their 3 high speed computers), watch TV or play Nintendo wii, and generally chill. Downstairs in the basement is a huge eating area with a stove and dishes and sinks and 8 bar fridges to store your cold foods and such. You can also store your baggage and do laundry down there.
So after my shower I thought I might have a nap but I felt so invigorated that I came downstairs and checked my email, and then I set out for Piccadilly Circus, where I needed to pick up my London Pass (an entertainment card that I'll be using to get into attractions and such for most of my trip). Along the way I got to walk down Oxford and Regent Streets, and the shopping here is amazing! Stopped in at Lush for a hand massage (and boy, did I need it!) and then kept hustling right down to the bottom of Regent street, where the Britain Tourist Office is. Picked up more than a few pamphlets and maps of London, and then when the office closed at 4:30 I walked outside and just headed for something I thought looked interesting. Turns out it was the entrance to St. James park, and I walked around it for a while before going across the street to St. James Palace and museum to check things out. I could see the London Eye behind the museum on the skyline; that was pretty cool.
I walked up the street on the other side of St. James Palace and suddenly found myself in Trafalgar Square, complete with the steps of the National Gallery, the fountains, the giant lions and the immense crowds (London is CROWDED!). That was an unexpected surprise, and I really enjoyed people-watching and taking pictures. After the bustle of Trafalgar Square (which I will be visiting again so I can go to Canada House) I went back to St. James park with a bottle of water and a map to figure out my next step. Turns out I never should have left Trafalgar Square because I needed to go back there to get to Charing Cross Road in order to go to Covent Garden and meet my friend Rachael for dinner. Anyhow, more people watching and walking ensued and I wound up at Covent Garden station in time to meet Rachael and go for dinner.
We had dinner at Pizza Express (which believe me, is not express or fast-foody at all AKA delicious!) and then found a gelato place. We had a great visit, and I wound up back at the hostel at around 8 pm, absolutely exhausted and ready for bed. I didn't actually go to sleep until closer to 11 because I met my roommates, a bunch of really lovely girls from all over (Paris, Hong Kong, Poland and Sweden) and we had to visit and discuss stuff. But when I did go to bed, I slept like the dead, even when Marguerite and Camille, the two girls from Paris, stumbled in from a night of drinking at 5:15 in the morning. I feel really good today, and I'm about ready to start my adventure.
Today will probably comprise of Shakespeare's Globe and Windsor Castle; I want to get the two biggest attractions done on the same day because tomorrow I have a photo walking tour that takes two hours and I see a play in the evening.
More updates tonight or tomorrow!
Adventuring with a vengeance,
-Laur
I arrived at my hostel, YHA London Central, at around 2 and after settling up at the front desk I went upstairs and took what had to be the best shower ever. The hostel is 5 floors with between 10 and 14 rooms per floor; I don't know how many people each room sleeps, but I'm in a room with 4 bunk beds, quite a few cupboards a sink and mirror, and a fan. It's clean, spacious, well-ventilated and smells pretty good; I definitely enjoy spending time here and it isn't just a place to sleep. There's a lounge on the main floor where you can sit and drink with your friends, eat some food, go on the Internet (on your own laptop with free wifi or on their 3 high speed computers), watch TV or play Nintendo wii, and generally chill. Downstairs in the basement is a huge eating area with a stove and dishes and sinks and 8 bar fridges to store your cold foods and such. You can also store your baggage and do laundry down there.
So after my shower I thought I might have a nap but I felt so invigorated that I came downstairs and checked my email, and then I set out for Piccadilly Circus, where I needed to pick up my London Pass (an entertainment card that I'll be using to get into attractions and such for most of my trip). Along the way I got to walk down Oxford and Regent Streets, and the shopping here is amazing! Stopped in at Lush for a hand massage (and boy, did I need it!) and then kept hustling right down to the bottom of Regent street, where the Britain Tourist Office is. Picked up more than a few pamphlets and maps of London, and then when the office closed at 4:30 I walked outside and just headed for something I thought looked interesting. Turns out it was the entrance to St. James park, and I walked around it for a while before going across the street to St. James Palace and museum to check things out. I could see the London Eye behind the museum on the skyline; that was pretty cool.
I walked up the street on the other side of St. James Palace and suddenly found myself in Trafalgar Square, complete with the steps of the National Gallery, the fountains, the giant lions and the immense crowds (London is CROWDED!). That was an unexpected surprise, and I really enjoyed people-watching and taking pictures. After the bustle of Trafalgar Square (which I will be visiting again so I can go to Canada House) I went back to St. James park with a bottle of water and a map to figure out my next step. Turns out I never should have left Trafalgar Square because I needed to go back there to get to Charing Cross Road in order to go to Covent Garden and meet my friend Rachael for dinner. Anyhow, more people watching and walking ensued and I wound up at Covent Garden station in time to meet Rachael and go for dinner.
We had dinner at Pizza Express (which believe me, is not express or fast-foody at all AKA delicious!) and then found a gelato place. We had a great visit, and I wound up back at the hostel at around 8 pm, absolutely exhausted and ready for bed. I didn't actually go to sleep until closer to 11 because I met my roommates, a bunch of really lovely girls from all over (Paris, Hong Kong, Poland and Sweden) and we had to visit and discuss stuff. But when I did go to bed, I slept like the dead, even when Marguerite and Camille, the two girls from Paris, stumbled in from a night of drinking at 5:15 in the morning. I feel really good today, and I'm about ready to start my adventure.
Today will probably comprise of Shakespeare's Globe and Windsor Castle; I want to get the two biggest attractions done on the same day because tomorrow I have a photo walking tour that takes two hours and I see a play in the evening.
More updates tonight or tomorrow!
Adventuring with a vengeance,
-Laur
July 28, 2009
Last Canadian post!
Alright, this is it! My very last post on Canadian soil until I get back from London. Woohoo! My flight leaves at 11:15 this evening and will get in to Heathrow, barring any delays, at 11:25 am, GMT. It's going to be neat to stay in the 0:00 timezone for 5 days!
I put a roaming block on my phone for the time I'm away, and a vacation responder on my email. I feel like a real traveller.
Awaiting adventure,
-Laur
I put a roaming block on my phone for the time I'm away, and a vacation responder on my email. I feel like a real traveller.
Awaiting adventure,
-Laur
July 26, 2009
To phone or not to phone?
That is the question. Should I get an international calling card when I get to London, just in case? Or should I abandon my North American attachments and just go with the European flow?
I guess I'll figure that out when I get there.
2 days until I get on the plane. I've just finished a load of laundry and I think I have everything I need to go in my suitcase. I'm packing light; I'm going to have plenty of room left over for souvenirs and such, but that also means I'm going to have to do laundry while I'm over there. Oh well!
Tonight Bryna and I will be attending the Katy Parry concert at Molson Amphitheatre. I'm so excited! We were going to spend most of the day downtown chilling before the concert, but unfortunately we've been very much rained out. Donna, the LP officer at my work, says that I should expect weather similar to this in London. I hope that's not true, considering it will be August when I'm there. We've had very little summer to speak of in Thornhill, so hopefully I'll get some heat there before going to the relative sauna of the French Riviera and Italy.
I'm experiencing more apprehension than I expected, and I'm hoping it will lift before my flight; I don't really want to be sitting in a seat for 7 hours quietly going crazy. Traveling alone will be an adventure, and I'm prepared to embrace every experience that comes my way. I think.
Off to pack some more!
-Laur
I guess I'll figure that out when I get there.
2 days until I get on the plane. I've just finished a load of laundry and I think I have everything I need to go in my suitcase. I'm packing light; I'm going to have plenty of room left over for souvenirs and such, but that also means I'm going to have to do laundry while I'm over there. Oh well!
Tonight Bryna and I will be attending the Katy Parry concert at Molson Amphitheatre. I'm so excited! We were going to spend most of the day downtown chilling before the concert, but unfortunately we've been very much rained out. Donna, the LP officer at my work, says that I should expect weather similar to this in London. I hope that's not true, considering it will be August when I'm there. We've had very little summer to speak of in Thornhill, so hopefully I'll get some heat there before going to the relative sauna of the French Riviera and Italy.
I'm experiencing more apprehension than I expected, and I'm hoping it will lift before my flight; I don't really want to be sitting in a seat for 7 hours quietly going crazy. Traveling alone will be an adventure, and I'm prepared to embrace every experience that comes my way. I think.
Off to pack some more!
-Laur
July 22, 2009
Packing lists
As I get older I understand more the importance of a thorough packing list. Not only does it organize your packing efforts and make it less stressful, but an extra list printed out ensures that you don't leave your favourite clothing item in a cabin outside of Venice.So I'm packing, as I'm sure you can see (please ignore the Always on the bed), and it's going much more smoothly than I thought it would. Some things need to be laundered before I put them in a suitcase, but that's fine. I have time. I dragged the biggest and the smallest suitcases upstairs after breakfast today and whipped out my trusty glue gun to affix some Canadian flag patches on them and my MEC pod. I felt very Martha Stewart while doing it :) I did it because I don't want to be mistaken for an American; not that I dislike Americans or anything, but a lot of people abroad seem to dislike them so no sense in bringing it on myself.
I've been reading my travel books and I discovered, much to my chagrin, that in Paris the Louvre museum is closed on Tuesdays. The only full day I will be in Paris is a Tuesday. I'm hoping that we have some time to explore the Louvre on Monday after we get to Paris; I guess that's something I'll have to ask my tour manager at the group meeting before the tour.
I'm just listening to 90s music while I take a break from packing and talk to my friend Rachel, who lives in London, about meeting her for dinner in Covent Garden while I'm in London. Thank goodness for friends abroad!
I am also thinking about making region-specific playlists for my iPod. I can do Britain no problem, and France, even, but I don't know about Italy, Germany or the Netherlands. I'll have to do some research.I have to go to the gym soon. Mom is off work in 15 minutes and I think I'll meet her there. Work tonight at 6.
Ever more excited,
-Laur
July 17, 2009
Sleep soon
I can't sleep. I have so many questions about Europe. The fact that it's SO SOON has just finally hit me and now my brain is buzzing. I'm trying to plan out when to do things, and what I'm going to do about money, and where to exchange CAD for Euro and British pounds. What snacks should I bring? Beach towel or bath towel? Buy insect repellent here or there? So many questions and not a lot of people who can answer them. Grrr.
Tomorrow I start working on putting together a mini first-aid kit. Band-aids, little Polysporin and antiseptic wipes at Shoppers, and maybe a new tensor. Just in case.
Too much on my mind, guys. File my bitten-off fingernails and go to sleep.
-Laur
Tomorrow I start working on putting together a mini first-aid kit. Band-aids, little Polysporin and antiseptic wipes at Shoppers, and maybe a new tensor. Just in case.
Too much on my mind, guys. File my bitten-off fingernails and go to sleep.
-Laur
July 15, 2009
13 day countdown...
Welcome to the Europe blog. Do you like the template? I thought it very appropriate.
Right now I'm listening to a song on YouTube from the musical Avenue Q, which I will be seeing while in London. The song is called "If you were gay". Venture a guess at the content. I love it.
I'm contemplating going downstairs and talking through a packing list with Mom. I think it's a wise idea. The time will creep away, and soon I'll be packing like a crazy person the night before my departure!
Today I went shopping and bought a new bathing suit top and trunks. They're very bright and tropical-esque. I also got a really nice dress, one that's made of polyester so it won't wrinkle in my suitcase. The bathing suit is because I'll be in at LEAST 2 places with possible swimming opportunities; the dress is because we'll be going out sometimes in the evening and a nice dress will come in really handy, especially in the casinos of Monte Carlo.
Can you tell I'm excited?
T-minus 13 days.
-Laur
Right now I'm listening to a song on YouTube from the musical Avenue Q, which I will be seeing while in London. The song is called "If you were gay". Venture a guess at the content. I love it.
I'm contemplating going downstairs and talking through a packing list with Mom. I think it's a wise idea. The time will creep away, and soon I'll be packing like a crazy person the night before my departure!
Today I went shopping and bought a new bathing suit top and trunks. They're very bright and tropical-esque. I also got a really nice dress, one that's made of polyester so it won't wrinkle in my suitcase. The bathing suit is because I'll be in at LEAST 2 places with possible swimming opportunities; the dress is because we'll be going out sometimes in the evening and a nice dress will come in really handy, especially in the casinos of Monte Carlo.
Can you tell I'm excited?
T-minus 13 days.
-Laur
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