Closure

I have spent the past 45 minutes re-reading this blog.  I am so very thankful I wrote what I did!  I am disappointed that I let it slide at the end of my journey, but it became increasingly difficult to complete.  Between no internet at the home-stay, working my tail off at Providence Row (and loving every moment!), and squeezing every ounce of adventure I could with my time -- only pausing to pass out from exhaustion -- I'm not surprised it dwindled.

My last month was filled with truly enjoying the group of people I worked with at Providence Row.  I really felt a part of the group and one of the family.  I miss everyone I worked with and appreciated all the support they gave me while I was there.  I was able to organize the 'open day' event and it was pretty successful.  I was even tricked into singing for them....lol.   It doesn't take much to make me sing.  They gave me a proper send-off with food and kind words.  It was just an amazing experience and I am so thankful for it.

I continued to adventure with the Winant girls.  Roni and Lorena had to bear the brunt of my silliness.  The remaining weekends were dotted with trips to places like Bath, Stonehenge, Cambridge, and just gallivanting around London proper.  Shows were seen, pubs were visited, karaoke was sung, and good times were had by all.  I loved my little Winant family!  Roni, Lorena, Molly, Rebecca, Kyra, Carolyn, Sam and Amy....I was so glad to have a little American family there with me!

My week of travel was hindered a bit by the riots in London, but I was still able to visit the beautiful city of Glasgow and take a tour of Loch Ness, Loch Loman, and the Highlands.  Our tour guide was fantastic.  I was able to score the front seat and chatted with him the entire trip.  He was kind enough to drive me to bus station afterwards -- it was torrential rain all day!  (FYI -- NEVER take an over night bus from Scotland to London to try and be clever and save on a hotel fees.  It's not worth it and you don't get any sleep.)

I am truly blessed and grateful to have had this experience this summer.  I learned so much about history, the world, and myself.  I am forever changed for the good because of the this journey.  I am so pleased I was able to find strength and courage that I never knew I had to embark on this adventure, essentially, on  my own.  I have been able to share stories, artifacts, pictures and videos to my students, enhancing my work in the classroom.  This has made me a better person and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity.

A day in Paris

7/16/2011

Yes, that’s right -- one day in Paris.

My traveling buddy for this trip was Lorena.  We booked a day trip to Paris on the Eurostar.  We left from St. Pancras station at 7:30 am.  As we boarded the train, I found my seat was next to a blond man.  We immediately recognized that the other was American.  What was most surprising was that we both, as well as the group of girls in front of him, were from Georgia.  :)  It was nice to find some ‘neighbors’.  

We had a nice train ride.  The only part of the ride that was not fun was the ear popping pressure changes...much like when you change altitudes climbing a mountain or in a plane.  The weird part was that it happened before we went under the English Channel.  Going through the ‘Chunnel’ was cool.  Dark, but cool!

We hit the ground running -- once we made it an ATM for some Euros and headed for the metro station.  Our plan was to start at The Louvre, since it was raining and we wanted the best weather we could find for out door pictures.

Let me just say, the Paris underground is the most confusing thing I have encountered on this whole trip.  It has nothing to do with the fact that it was written in French (that’s just a matter of matching up the right words).  The problem was that the entrances are not marked well at all.  Lorena and I were able to make to point A to point B without too much confusion and without getting majorly lost.

We made it to the Louvre and took some pictures, only to discover the queue for tickets was too long to wait in.  We took another route and found another place to buy tickets.  The queue was still long, but not nearly as long as the one at the main entrance.

We decided to hit just a few things -- the Mona Lisa, the Venus Damilo, and the Napoleon Apartments.  The building itself was a work of art.  The architecture, painted ceilings, floors, everything was just beautiful!  I could spend a couple of days exploring in there alone.

We left the Louvre and could see the Arc de Triumph.  It didn’t look THAT far away, so we decided to walk.  worst. decision. ever.  It was if the Arc kept moving farther away the longer we walked!  The surroundings on the walk made it much better!

We stopped at a cafe in a park for some crepes with nutella!  They were delicious!  Even if the waiter asked if Lorena and I were married.  0_0  We made a joke of that for the rest of the trip.

We finally made it the arc and took some pictures.  We then made our way to the Eiffel Tower.  We found a tube station -- which were not always marked well...we ended up walking under the arc thinking we were headed to a metro station.  

We left the station and looked up --- there it was!!!!!  We walked around the bottom of the tower, considered climbing it for a second, but quickly determined that neither of us were up to the climb or the queue.  We settled for a snack and then some pictures.

Throughout the day we encountered teens holding clipboards wanting you to sign a paper.  We found out later this was a scam to try to make you pay them a Euro when you sign.  We never signed any of them.  One girl spotted Lorena and I while we were snacking.  Shoved her clipboard in my face.  I told her no.  She then spotted my bag of M&Ms.  She the started repeating phrase, “Have one for me, please!” and kept poking the bag.  I, once again, told her ‘NO!”  She did not let up in her poking and whining in broken English.  I had two M&Ms in my hand and put one of those in hers.  She looked at her hand and then at me and said with disgust, “Only one!!”  She then proceeded to throw the M&M at me and say other things in French.  By the time I looked down at the candy and then back up, she was gone. 

Shortly after, a pigeon with a stumpy leg, whom I christened Stubbs McGee, landed next to us.  I was throwing him dorito crumbs, which he eagerly ate up.  Out of nowhere, a young french boy ran up and kicked poor Stubbs McGee!!!  WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE FRENCH KIDS!!!

As Lorena and I took a million pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower, we were bombarded with men peddling their Eiffel Tower keychains and nicknacks.  I think we turned down 20 or so different people in 5 minutes time.

We caught a bus to track down our last destination, Notre Dame.  Rainy Paris by bus was much nicer than our long walk earlier.  However, by the time we made it to Notre Dame it was closed.  The queue would have been too long anyway.  I got pictures and saw it up close..that’s enough for me.

We then made our way to a tube station.  Lorena asked a waiter a small restaurant how to get to the tubes.  He answered in French then Spanish!  LOL!  Good thing she can speak both.

We made it to the station without a hitch and enjoyed the last of our snacks.  We rested for the first bit of the train ride, but went to get something to drink in the buffet car.  We hung out there until we went back into the ‘Chunnel’.

We made it back ‘home’ to London around 11pm -- and boy was it good to be ‘home’!  I missed London!  We were right next door to King’s Cross, so Lorena had to have her picture taken at platform 9 and 3/4.  We then went to McDonald’s for our first real meal of the day....quarter pounders and fries!!!  :)

8 out of 10 cats

7/14/2011

I got accomplish one of the things on my bucket list --- attend a taping of a BBC show.

If you refer to my Birthday Magic -- almost post, you will find I was thwarted in my efforts to attend Mock the Week.  A positive result of that was that I was given 6 priority tickets to a taping of a different show.

I was emailed a list of shows, dates, times, and locations and determined, after looking up some clips online, that 8 out 10 Cats was the show for me.  

Roni, Molly, Lorena, and Amy joined me for the show.  

The tubes were a nightmare, so Roni, Molly, and Lorena were already in the queue.  Thank goodness priority tickets ensure you get into the show.  As we finally made our way to the ticket guys, we all found it funny that both of the guys remembered me from the previous week.  

I made the girls stop for more pictures with the TARDIS and with some of the other things outside the entrance of the BBC.  They all decided to have a picture with the TARDIS too....I’m telling you -- when you catch the Doctor Who fever, there is no going back!

We ended up in the front row of the studio seats and it was FREEZING!!  This is the very first time I have been inside a building in London and needed my sweater and my coat!

The basic format of the show is that two teams of celebrities (with a team captain each) ‘compete’ to determine the top stories of the week.  They are posed a question then discuss what they think the answer is -- hilarity ensues.  It is hosted by Jimmy Carr and Molly was estatic to find that Jedward was one set of guests on the panel.  I had no idea who these crazy Irish kids with crazy hair and ‘kewl’ clothes were....I know now.  Words cannot describe these two, you will have to Google and you tube them.  They were an interesting addition to the show -- namely because some of the best bits of the show were the other guests and host reacting to what they said.

It was two hours straight of laughing.  The show already has aired and was condensed to 22 minutes.  

After the show, Molly and Amy were able to get pictures with the elusive Jedward as they told everyone about their new show in Sweden and that they were going to another show taping.

We went to Notting Hill and found a cheap kebob place for dinner.  We went for some delicious frozen yogurt for dessert!

8 out of 10 cats

7/14/2011

I got accomplish one of the things on my bucket list --- attend a taping of a BBC show.

If you refer to my Birthday Magic -- almost post, you will find I was thwarted in my efforts to attend Mock the Week.  A positive result of that was that I was given 6 priority tickets to a taping of a different show.

I was emailed a list of shows, dates, times, and locations and determined, after looking up some clips online, that 8 out 10 Cats was the show for me.  

Roni, Molly, Lorena, and Amy joined me for the show.  

The tubes were a nightmare, so Roni, Molly, and Lorena were already in the queue.  Thank goodness priority tickets ensure you get into the show.  As we finally made our way to the ticket guys, we all found it funny that both of the guys remembered me from the previous week.  

I made the girls stop for more pictures with the TARDIS and with some of the other things outside the entrance of the BBC.  They all decided to have a picture with the TARDIS too....I’m telling you -- when you catch the Doctor Who fever, there is no going back!

We ended up in the front row of the studio seats and it was FREEZING!!  This is the very first time I have been inside a building in London and needed my sweater and my coat!

The basic format of the show is that two teams of celebrities (with a team captain each) ‘compete’ to determine the top stories of the week.  They are posed a question then discuss what they think the answer is -- hilarity ensues.  It is hosted by Jimmy Carr and Molly was estatic to find that Jedward was one set of guests on the panel.  I had no idea who these crazy Irish kids with crazy hair and ‘kewl’ clothes were....I know now.  Words cannot describe these two, you will have to Google and you tube them.  They were an interesting addition to the show -- namely because some of the best bits of the show were the other guests and host reacting to what they said.

It was two hours straight of laughing.  The show already has aired and was condensed to 22 minutes.  

After the show, Molly and Amy were able to get pictures with the elusive Jedward as they told everyone about their new show in Sweden and that they were going to another show taping.

We went to Notting Hill and found a cheap kebob place for dinner.  We went for some delicious frozen yogurt for dessert!

Shakespeare's Globe

7/12/2011


I just had the opportunity to do something that people have done since 1599....I saw a play at The Globe.


Just a little history for ya folks, but it's not the 'real' Globe.  It burned to the ground in 1613 (it was made of wood) rebuilt and opened again in1614 then closed again in 1642.  In 1997 it was rebuilt again 230 meters or so from the original site.


We paid £5 for standing tickets and were able to be the first few people in the queue.  This enabled us to stand (yes, stand) on the very front of the stage.  I have NEVER experienced theatre like this before.


We saw Doctor Faustus which was not written by Shakespeare, but rather one of his contemporaries Christopher Marlowe.  It was written in the time of Shakespeare and is one of the few to have survived.


I discovered as we waited in the queue, that Arthur Darvill, Rory on Doctor Who, was playing the part of Mephistopheles.  This news only made me more excited for the play to begin.


The cast was fabulous.  The minstrels were wonderful.  (There was live music and the band members wore period costumes.)  The audience, me included, was spat on with spit takes, drenched with water, and hit with costumes as they swung them in your face.  It was incredible!  They ended the whole thing with a dance number!


We did sit on the ground during intermission for a bit.  BUT, the standing is well worth it!


After the show, we went to the pub that is attached to the Globe.  There I was able to get an autograph and picture with Mr. Rory -- Arthur Darvill!


It's just another one of those 'once in a lifetime experiences' that seem to be happening on this trip!  I don't want them to stop!

David Tennant, David Tennant!!!! Did I mention, David Tennant?

7/8/2011

Birthday magic was with me today.  I met up with the Winant girls for a bite a pub.  We had a good time, but it was quite hot and I was really wanting something low key – well, something mind-numbing anyway.  Roni and I decided to brave the British Cinema!

Going to the cinema is a bit more expensive than it is in the States…and that’s saying something!  Roni and I found a “cheap” theater.  (By cheap, I mean a whole £2 less.)  We decided to see Source Code and were asked if we would like the front or the back.  I recommended the back.  After climbing 4 floors we finally found our theater.  We were shown to our seat by and usher.  (Yes, we were assigned seats.)

There were SO many commercials before the movie began, more so than in the States.  Then there were preview – which I generally like, but was a bit ready for the movie to begin by the end of it.  The movie was quite good and just what I needed.

I love movies because, for just a couple of hours, nothing else matters in the world.  You are completely absorbed in a different reality and think of nothing else.

We were in

Leicester Square

, so I want to check and see if Much Ado About Nothing had finished up yet or not.  By the crowd that had already formed, I determined that it had not.  Patient Roni stayed with me as we waited for 20 minutes for David and Catherine to come out for autographs. 

I devised a plan – David needed to give me a birthday present, so a picture with him would do.  J  My first try was not the best

Me – “David!  It’s my birthday”

DT – “Oh!  Well, Happy Birthday to you!”

He  continues to sign autographs and talk to others. 

Me – “David, could I have a birthday picture with you?”

He doesn’t hear me.

The girl in front of me gets and autograph and a picture.

Me, more loudly – “David, could I have a birthday picture with you?”

DT – “Do you think you can get over here?”

The nice fans move aside for me to get closer.

PICTURE!!!!!!!!!

David then runs off and I have a small moment where I need to compose myself…..it took a while.

I had two or three sets of people stop and ask, ‘What’s going on?’  All I could do was show them my picture. 

Bless belated birthday magic!

Birthday MAGIC -- well, almost

So, I worked for the first time ever on my birthday this year.  Being a teacher, I am off in the summer, so never worry about working on my bday.  When I was younger and worked retail in the summer, I would always ask for the day off.  This year was a bit different.

The Winant girls and I were planning on celebrating together at a pub with some karaoke.  (Imagine that!)  However, I was having a conversation with one of my co-workers while we were riding the lift (elevator).  He mentioned that he was going to a taping of Mock the Week.  I responded with, “That’s one of the things I would like to do on this trip, attending a taping of a BBC program.”  He then said, “Well, I have an extra ticket!!  Would you like to come?”  Of course I said yes and re-arranged plans with the girls.

I mentioned at lunch with the staff that it was my birthday.  My supervisor said, “Well, you kept that quiet!”  I was surprised a couple of hours later with a card and a gift.  My supervisor handed it to me and said, “So, sorry about that!”  (He was referring to the way it was wrapped.)  It was so sweet of them all!!!

I headed off to the BBC studios with my colleague.  We met up with his wife and one of her friends.  We got in the queue (line), got our wristbands, went through security and headed inside the BBC building.  Before we made it in, I spied a TARDIS….a proper TARDIS!  So, I HAD to have a picture.  The holding area for audience members was quite nice.  It had a gift shop (complete with Doctor Who merchandise and a Dalek!), seating, a café, and tons of screens filled with BBC promos. 

Unfortunately, we were a bit later than we had planned to be.  Our tickets were not “sure things” and we had to wait.  It came down to only one of us would be allowed in, so the group let me go.  Unfortunately – again, I and two others were left without enough room to get a seat.  L  By that point, the group I was with had assumed I got in and left.  I didn’t have their phone numbers to call them – it wouldn’t have done me any good any way because my phone died before I could get in touch with any of the other Winants. 

It was a long, cold, rainy, tube/train ride home.  Boo hoo.

Even though the birthday magic fizzled on my actual birthday, it came back with happy times later.  But, that my dear friends, is for another blog!