London. The mere idea of that city conjures up images in my head of red phone booths, fashion, narrow roads, the tube, and many of the city's recognizable icons. These images have been floating around in my head for years, and yesterday, I finally got to see many of them for myself. I have been waiting for years to go and experience this city that I have heard so much about - and I am so glad that I finally had that opportunity.
Stace and I got up early to catch the train into London. The train ride was about 2 hours - just long enough to get bored. By the time we got to Victoria Station, I was ready to go. The first place on our list was the Tower of London. Stacey had never been here either, so it was a new experience for both of us. I was just amazed at the amount of history there is in that little plot of land. The fact that Stace and I were walking around on the same rocks that Kings and Queens walked on for centuries just amazed the two of us. We were lucky enough to follow around one of the tour guides (I know that they have some sort of title in the Royal Army, but to be honest, I don't remember what it is). The stories that he told were just so interesting, things that we would never have found out about if we just went on our own.
Probably the most spectacular thing that we saw at the Tower were the crown jewels. Each piece was just more spectacular than the last. And even the gold pieces were incredible. There was a punch bowl that Stacey and I could have easily fit inside. Stace said that she needs one for her house - and I replied by telling her that it would take up her entire living room.
Next on our list of places to go was the Tate Modern. This museum was incredible. If you like art and you happen to be in London - head here for sure. Besides, it's free - and everyone likes something free. The collection holds works of some of the greats, but there are also some lesser known artists whose stuff can blow your mind away. The way the collection was arranged was quite different than anything that I have ever seen before. I won't be able to describe it nearly as well - so this is the description off of the website...
"Tate Modern Collection consists of four wings on Levels 3 and 5 of the gallery. At the heart of each wing is a large central display, or ‘hub’, which focuses on one of the pivotal moments of twentieth-century art history. The four hubs feature Surrealism, Minimalism, post-war abstraction in Europe and the US, and the three linked movements: Cubism, Futurism and Vorticism. Around the focal points, a range of displays move backwards and forwards in time, showing the predecessors and sometimes the opponents of each movement, as well as how they shaped and informed subsequent developments and contemporary art. The introductory room in each wing bring together work by artists from different generations, to reflect this ongoing dialogue between past and present."
I am happy that I was able to see as much as I did in the Tate, because Stacey and I almost got ourselves kicked out. (Not really, but it sounds much better that way, right?) I was yelled at for taking a picture of a Picasso I studied in school, and Stacey got yelled at for stepping too close to a painting and for talking on her cell phone. Oops. Oh well, we made it out of there without being shown out, so I guess things turned out a-ok.
And what is a trip to London without a trip to Harrods? It is always a place that I have fantasized about - a shoppers paradise. I had no intent to buy a single thing there, but I wanted to see what I had heard about. The food displays were gorgeous, the Egyptian escalator was something to be marveled at, and on and on and on. The place was SO large, I can't even begin to tell you how many times Stacey and I got lost. Pictures will come soon - and you will need to check out the ones from Harrods because there are a few funny ones. There is a particularly great one in the hat department (where there were signs telling us not to take pictures - oops, we were bad). So, be on the lookout!
We had a quick bite at a cute little Italian place not far from Harrods, and then we jumped on the Tube to head to Piccadilly Circus. Stacey told be even though it is one of the most touristy areas of town, I still had to see it. Upon arriving after a very hot and sticky tube ride, I felt as if I was in the middle of a scene right out of a movie. That is one of those places that always appear in movies that are filmed (or are supposed to look as if they were filmed) in London. The area reminded me a lot of Times Square in NY - which I guess in many ways it is the equivalent across the ocean.
By this point it was approaching 9PM, so we had to head back to Victoria station to catch the train back to Ramsgate. By no means was London my most favorite city that I have ever visited, but I am looking forward to hopefully returning sometime during my semester over here. There is still TONS to see and do, and people to see that are studying here. I will be back, that is for sure. But even if I don't return soon, I will have a wonderful day with Stacey to keep in my memory (and some pretty great pictures for my scrapbook!)
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
All You Need is a Haircut
I forgot how small I was when Stacey was in the US with us until I sat down with her yesterday morning and watched her old home movies of Melanie and I. There is only one word to describe them - hysterical! I was this little six photogenic six year old who only wanted to steal the attention away from my sister, and Mel was this little three year old who was still crawling around in the frog position and always had to have something in her mouth. Stace and I sat on the floor of the family room for a good hour just cracking up at some of the scenes that she had filmed. There was the one of Melanie singing songs off of the old "For Our Children" CD (which actually benefited Elizabeth Glaser for all you AEPhis out there reading this). There was another moment of all of us at the zoo marveling at the newborn baby animals in the spring. Stace and I were going back in forth there - arguing if the thing on the baby gorilla was a diaper or a nappy. After that hour or so of watching the videos, Stace said that there was never a dull moment with Melanie and I - we always kept her laughing.
Later in the afternoon Kurt, Stacey, Astin, and I all loaded up into the car and headed towards BlueWater - the closest enclosed shopping mall. In some ways the mall was so similar to what we are used to back in the states. There was a footlocker, a Gap, a lacoste store - but then there are also all of these stores that I have never even heard of. But, the most shocking thing of all that I discovered while we were there were the outrageous prices. Stacey has been looking for a comfortable pair of boots that she can wear to work, so we popped into this little shoe store. There were Uggs there and she fell in love with a gorgeous pair of leather ones. The price of these things were the equivalent of almost $400 American dollars. When I got back here that night, I looked them up online and they are only $179 American dollars at nordstrom. The prices are just insane! I can't bring myself to buy a single thing here because I just double whatever the price is in £s and watch my jaw drop. It makes me quite happy that I am not spending my entire semester here in the the UK, to be quite honest.
For dinner we went to TGI Fridays. When Stacey was in the States, it was her most favorite restaurant, so it is just about a dream come true for her that there is one within driving distance. As I was sitting in the restaurant, I realized that I could have been sitting back in Cincinnati or at any Fridays all over the US. The food was the same, the decor was the same, even the plates were the same. The one thing that wasn't the same, though is the service. Stacey and Kurt had warned me that I would think service over here was awful, and at first I didn't believe them, but after being here a few days I defiantly agree. People in the service industry just aren't as attentive here as they are back at home. For example, after getting your food at most restaurants in the States, the waiter or waitress would come back a few minutes later to see how everything tasted and to see if you needed anything else. Not here. They essentially drop your food off and come back only to clear the plates and give you the check. It truly makes me appreciate even bad service back in the U.S.
Before leaving BlueWater, I got some Krispy Kreme donuts for the morning! Just like home...which is exactly how it should be!
Later in the afternoon Kurt, Stacey, Astin, and I all loaded up into the car and headed towards BlueWater - the closest enclosed shopping mall. In some ways the mall was so similar to what we are used to back in the states. There was a footlocker, a Gap, a lacoste store - but then there are also all of these stores that I have never even heard of. But, the most shocking thing of all that I discovered while we were there were the outrageous prices. Stacey has been looking for a comfortable pair of boots that she can wear to work, so we popped into this little shoe store. There were Uggs there and she fell in love with a gorgeous pair of leather ones. The price of these things were the equivalent of almost $400 American dollars. When I got back here that night, I looked them up online and they are only $179 American dollars at nordstrom. The prices are just insane! I can't bring myself to buy a single thing here because I just double whatever the price is in £s and watch my jaw drop. It makes me quite happy that I am not spending my entire semester here in the the UK, to be quite honest.
For dinner we went to TGI Fridays. When Stacey was in the States, it was her most favorite restaurant, so it is just about a dream come true for her that there is one within driving distance. As I was sitting in the restaurant, I realized that I could have been sitting back in Cincinnati or at any Fridays all over the US. The food was the same, the decor was the same, even the plates were the same. The one thing that wasn't the same, though is the service. Stacey and Kurt had warned me that I would think service over here was awful, and at first I didn't believe them, but after being here a few days I defiantly agree. People in the service industry just aren't as attentive here as they are back at home. For example, after getting your food at most restaurants in the States, the waiter or waitress would come back a few minutes later to see how everything tasted and to see if you needed anything else. Not here. They essentially drop your food off and come back only to clear the plates and give you the check. It truly makes me appreciate even bad service back in the U.S.
Before leaving BlueWater, I got some Krispy Kreme donuts for the morning! Just like home...which is exactly how it should be!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Fish and Chips and Vinegar
Another day has gone by here in Ramsgate - and this time I am actually up to see the sun go down. Yesterday evening I was in bed and asleep before 8:30 PM. But, tonight, I feel as if I have pretty much adjusted to the time zone - both mentally and physically (even though I kept yawning all day!)
This afternoon Stacey, Kurt, Astin, and I went for a walk down into town. It is just absolutly beautiful here. The old houses are gorgeous, the sea is blue and the sky had the most perfect clouds floating in it. The four of us went and had fish and chips at this cute little restaurant were we sat outside. The food was quite wonderful, not something that I would eat everyday, but a good salty fried treat! I think now that I have had fish and chips - I can truly say that I have been a visitor in Great Britain.
Today I discovered some things that I found incredibly weird/I did some things that really made me stand out as being an American. First of all, here the British don't refigerate their eggs!! I can't get over this for the life of me! I never thought that I would say "let me get you an egg out of the cupboard." But no, here that is how they do things. Kurt things that I am strange because I think that eggs need to be kept cold. He asked me if when a chicken lays an egg they find the need to keep it cold. The idea of not keeping eggs cold just baffles me and I get a kick out of it whenever it is brought up. Stace says that it is going to be "an ongoing yolk" between Kurt and I. I just think that the eggs need to be put back in their proper place in the fridge!
Also, today I tried to get in the car on the wrong side, and when I went to cross the street I was looking for cars to come the opposite way than they should here. That really made me feel odd, because if a car had been coming, my looking the wrong way could have gotten me into big trouble!
Late in the afternoon Stacey and I ran a few errands together at the local shopping center. We poked into T.K. Maxx (why they don't call it T.J. Maxx is beyond me...), and we went into the department stores. Things were quite normal, but I felt as if people were doing a double take and looking at me again when I opened my mouth. It is weird to realize that I am the one with the strange accent here.
Then, we came home and Stacey's parents and Kurt's mum came round for dinner. Kurt barbequed hamburgers and chicken kabobs. Stacey also made one of her favorite (and my favorite) salads. It was really nice to have that kind of meal, because it reminded me of home, especially with everyone sitting around the dinner table.
And with that, I am going to stop fighting my body clock and head off to bed. Laila tov!
This afternoon Stacey, Kurt, Astin, and I went for a walk down into town. It is just absolutly beautiful here. The old houses are gorgeous, the sea is blue and the sky had the most perfect clouds floating in it. The four of us went and had fish and chips at this cute little restaurant were we sat outside. The food was quite wonderful, not something that I would eat everyday, but a good salty fried treat! I think now that I have had fish and chips - I can truly say that I have been a visitor in Great Britain.
Today I discovered some things that I found incredibly weird/I did some things that really made me stand out as being an American. First of all, here the British don't refigerate their eggs!! I can't get over this for the life of me! I never thought that I would say "let me get you an egg out of the cupboard." But no, here that is how they do things. Kurt things that I am strange because I think that eggs need to be kept cold. He asked me if when a chicken lays an egg they find the need to keep it cold. The idea of not keeping eggs cold just baffles me and I get a kick out of it whenever it is brought up. Stace says that it is going to be "an ongoing yolk" between Kurt and I. I just think that the eggs need to be put back in their proper place in the fridge!
Also, today I tried to get in the car on the wrong side, and when I went to cross the street I was looking for cars to come the opposite way than they should here. That really made me feel odd, because if a car had been coming, my looking the wrong way could have gotten me into big trouble!
Late in the afternoon Stacey and I ran a few errands together at the local shopping center. We poked into T.K. Maxx (why they don't call it T.J. Maxx is beyond me...), and we went into the department stores. Things were quite normal, but I felt as if people were doing a double take and looking at me again when I opened my mouth. It is weird to realize that I am the one with the strange accent here.
Then, we came home and Stacey's parents and Kurt's mum came round for dinner. Kurt barbequed hamburgers and chicken kabobs. Stacey also made one of her favorite (and my favorite) salads. It was really nice to have that kind of meal, because it reminded me of home, especially with everyone sitting around the dinner table.
And with that, I am going to stop fighting my body clock and head off to bed. Laila tov!
Tale as Old as Time
Hello from Ramsgate, UK! I arrived here yesterday morning after about 18 hours of traveling (7 of those which were spent in Newark Airport - thank you to everyone who spent time on the phone with me while I was there). I am here safe and sound, and I am eager to spend the next week exploring this wonderful country and of course spend time with Stacey, Kurt, and their one-year old son, Aston.
For those of you that do not know, I am here visiting Stacey because she was my au pair (or if you prefer, nanny) when I was younger. She lived with my family for over two years, making her as much a part of it as say my aunts and uncles or grandparents. Although Stacey has returned to the states numerous times, I have never made the journey over here to see her. So, at 20 years old, here I am. Yesterday as we drove into Ramsgate it was just so wonderful (and slightly surreal) to have her point out places that have significance for her, and to just see her world.
Immediately after arriving at Stacey and Kurt's house, I felt right at home (which is exactly what they had hoped for). I was grabbing stuff to eat out of the pantry and lying all over the couches. It is just so nice to be here spending time with them - and I love that it feels so normal. Aston has taken to me without hesitation, within moments of meeting Stace and Kurt outside of customs Aston was putting his arms out so that I could hold him.
I am sure that seeing me with Aston is slightly weird for Stacey. She was just a bit older than me when she came over to the States to be our au pair. So, now here we are almost 15 years later, and I am in her house playing with and taking care of Astin.
We all used yesterday as a day to just hang out and relax. I didn't realize this, but in the UK yesterday it was their Bank Holiday. What that means - who knows, but everyone was off of work for the 3 day weekend. The only place we all ventured to yesterday was the grocery store. Oh goodness - that place was HUGE. It was really interesting to go around and see what kinds of food they have that are the same as ours and what was different. The one thing that I was just taken with were the different flavors of potato chips - or as they call them here - crisps. I picked up a chip that was flavored with sweet balsamic and caramelized onions. Can you say out of this world? Why don't we have things like that in the states?
The rest of the day we just spent time in the backyard and lounging around. I froze most of the day, even though it is about 70 here. It is just that it is a far cry from the 105 degree weather that I left in Cincinnati. Stacey's parents and cousin, Lisa, came over for a bit and they were in their summer outfits, and there I was in jeans and my Northface. I like this weather, but I think my body needs to get used to it. At the grocery store, I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb because I was dressed so warmly. And, the kicker is, the high today is only supposed to be 64 degrees Fahrenheit.
Stace just returned home from taking Astin to the doctor, so I think that I am going to sign off - we have quite the day planned! Much love from Ramsgate!!!
For those of you that do not know, I am here visiting Stacey because she was my au pair (or if you prefer, nanny) when I was younger. She lived with my family for over two years, making her as much a part of it as say my aunts and uncles or grandparents. Although Stacey has returned to the states numerous times, I have never made the journey over here to see her. So, at 20 years old, here I am. Yesterday as we drove into Ramsgate it was just so wonderful (and slightly surreal) to have her point out places that have significance for her, and to just see her world.
Immediately after arriving at Stacey and Kurt's house, I felt right at home (which is exactly what they had hoped for). I was grabbing stuff to eat out of the pantry and lying all over the couches. It is just so nice to be here spending time with them - and I love that it feels so normal. Aston has taken to me without hesitation, within moments of meeting Stace and Kurt outside of customs Aston was putting his arms out so that I could hold him.
I am sure that seeing me with Aston is slightly weird for Stacey. She was just a bit older than me when she came over to the States to be our au pair. So, now here we are almost 15 years later, and I am in her house playing with and taking care of Astin.
We all used yesterday as a day to just hang out and relax. I didn't realize this, but in the UK yesterday it was their Bank Holiday. What that means - who knows, but everyone was off of work for the 3 day weekend. The only place we all ventured to yesterday was the grocery store. Oh goodness - that place was HUGE. It was really interesting to go around and see what kinds of food they have that are the same as ours and what was different. The one thing that I was just taken with were the different flavors of potato chips - or as they call them here - crisps. I picked up a chip that was flavored with sweet balsamic and caramelized onions. Can you say out of this world? Why don't we have things like that in the states?
The rest of the day we just spent time in the backyard and lounging around. I froze most of the day, even though it is about 70 here. It is just that it is a far cry from the 105 degree weather that I left in Cincinnati. Stacey's parents and cousin, Lisa, came over for a bit and they were in their summer outfits, and there I was in jeans and my Northface. I like this weather, but I think my body needs to get used to it. At the grocery store, I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb because I was dressed so warmly. And, the kicker is, the high today is only supposed to be 64 degrees Fahrenheit.
Stace just returned home from taking Astin to the doctor, so I think that I am going to sign off - we have quite the day planned! Much love from Ramsgate!!!
Saturday, August 25, 2007
'Cause I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane
Here we are - 1:37 in the morning, in good ol' Cincinnati, Ohio. I have just completed the adventure that is sometimes referred to as "packing." Considering I have just finished this quest, I wish that I had some words of wisdom to impart to all of you out in cyberspace, but I think that I have finished just as confused as when I started. How in the world is one supposed to pack for three and a half months in a suitcase that can only weigh 51 pounds? I have discovered that it just isn't possible - plain and simple, especially when you are trying to be prepared for three seasons and many different types of precipitation. I hope (crosses fingers)that I have accomplished this task, but I guess only time will tell.
My flight leaves Cincinnati at 11:00 AM and I fly to Newark. There I will have close to a 7 hour layover, and at 6:50 PM, my flight will depart for London Gatwick. In London I will be picked up by my nanny from when I was younger, Stacey, and a cast of other characters that will be introduced at a later date. I will be sure to update when I get to Stace's to let the world know that I have arrived at my destination safely. But more importantly, I want to start the chronicle of this incredible journey that I am about to embark on. I have vowed that this is going to be a semester of learning, growing, and making the most of what is around me.
My flight leaves Cincinnati at 11:00 AM and I fly to Newark. There I will have close to a 7 hour layover, and at 6:50 PM, my flight will depart for London Gatwick. In London I will be picked up by my nanny from when I was younger, Stacey, and a cast of other characters that will be introduced at a later date. I will be sure to update when I get to Stace's to let the world know that I have arrived at my destination safely. But more importantly, I want to start the chronicle of this incredible journey that I am about to embark on. I have vowed that this is going to be a semester of learning, growing, and making the most of what is around me.
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