The last couple days have been very good! I'm all settled in London and doin' juuuust fine. :) Sunday was good, we had ISA orientation in the morning then we had a personal double decker bus city tour, which took about 2 hours. SO MUCH TO SEEEEE! It's hard to believe that I'm here still. Anyway, these peeps I met are cooool and we've been doin a lot of site seeing!
Monday was really exciting too. We had University orientation for a few hours, with lunch included, yum :) and a couple hours of class after. At about 4 we headed to Harrods, the world's largest department store, to have HIGH TEA, aka tea sandwiches, scones and cakes. I felt so poshhh. After tea, we all went shopping and a little bit of site seeing!
Tuesday was rough, started class! Luckily it's only 3 hours of being in the classroom 4 days a week, not bad at all :D After class, we were supposed to go to the Camden markets, but it started to poooour, then it was off to the British museum. Some of us went to see if we could get any festival tickets, but everything was sold out :( then we decided to go to the British Museum, and let me tell you you can definitely get lost. I did see some mummies, supa cool, and after, we had a nice English pub meal. After a couple friends and I booked our day trip to PARIS. CANNOT WAIT.
Wednesday was pretty relaxed. I went to class, then took a nice little nap. So nothing really exciting.
Today, finally up to today, there was a strike in all the schools, post people and most of blue collar workers were on strike. SO no school for me today! :) We finally went to Camden markets, and it's THEE largest market place I've ever seen. So huge! And the food is really cheap there too. But it has also been a chill day, which I'm liking :) I'm just so excited to go to Paris tomorrow! Even though it's just for the day, it'll be worth it.
Talk later! xx
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Saturday, 25 June 2011
off to my "study abroad" LONDON.
I'm finally in LONDON! After staying with the Clarky's,( who are the BEST PEOPLE EVERRRRRRRRR!) I have made it to London town. Thanks to Treva Clark who drove me here! I'm all settled into my dorm, gots a room to muhhh self :) and I'm in a nice large room with 2 windows, I'm livin' the life. The area around the dorms is really neat, lots of hang out spots and bars and lil shops. I think the next 6 weeks are going to be interesting and FUN.
I met a lot of people so far, and it's been fun. Hopefully it'll be 100 Times better tooooo! I'd put photos up but I don't know how. hahah. Tomorrow we're going on a tour bus of the city to kind of see everything so we don't get lost and that funky stuff.
See ya lataaa <3
I met a lot of people so far, and it's been fun. Hopefully it'll be 100 Times better tooooo! I'd put photos up but I don't know how. hahah. Tomorrow we're going on a tour bus of the city to kind of see everything so we don't get lost and that funky stuff.
See ya lataaa <3
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Windsor, Winchester, Newbs, Penwood, Oxford....and stuff :)
It's been awhile! Been off doing a bunch of things for the last week with Rich and his fam, so I've been a bit distracted! But it's been very fun and we've done a lot of things. We walked around Newbs for a bit on Monday and had lunch in town, very cutsie little town :)
Grandma left last Wed, but Tuesday we went to Windsor Castle and saw the Castle, obviously, and the lil town and things. Unfortunately, the state rooms (where Queeny lives while she stays there) was closed because the weekend before she came to stay there for the Change of the Guard and her Beedaaayy! It's an amazing castle though, smack in the middle of the town that was built around it.
A couple days later, Rich and I took a walk from Kintbury to Hungerford to get lunch and have a walk down the canal. It was so gorgeous and greeeen. For lunch we went to a cute lil pub and decided to walk back instead of taking the train. Bad idea. It rained the entire time, so I finally got to see the "English Rain" which isn't nice.. Besides that, it was a nice walk!
Last Saturday, Suuuuuuuuuuuuuue, Trevor and Reechard took me to Oxford for a little day on the town and some luncheon. We went to the Pit Rivers Museum and saw a bunch of cool old stuff! Also saw the 42 Colleges Oxford has within the city and Sue snuck us in one, since we weren't allowed because of the graduation ceremonies in all the Uni's.
Later on, Rich and I went to his friends for a hang out sesh because his friend was going back to the US.
Sunday was father's day and since I couldn't spend it with my own daddyyy, I spent it with Rich's! We went golfing, well Sueeeee and I drove the buggy (I'm reallllly good at it :) hehe) It was supposed to be nice and warm, but it was a bit chilly, but of course warmed up after we left. England. Sue made a lovely roast dinner and treacle pudding and custard for dessert, SOOOOO GOOOOODDDD. The best meals I've had here!
Monday Rich took me to the New Forest, only a 30 min drive, and we took a nice walk again. And of course, it was raining again and made the walk awesome :) We walked for about an hour to this pub, but it was closed! But it was all fun because I got to see wild horses and donkeys and cows just hanging out in the middle of the road. One horse thought it was funny to stand in the middle of the road and create a road block for quite awhile, so funny.
Tuesday Rich took me to Winchester to see the Cathedral and the Round Table. The cathedral is massive and is so old. It's really hard to put your head around how old it really is. Next we saw the table, which by the way is on the wall! The legs obviously are a bit old, so it was needed to hang on the wall. It's sooo huge and has so much history. And finally went home from a good day!
It's been such an amazing week at the Clark's and they've been so nice and gracious towards me. And they've dealt with me well too haha. I finaaaally start classes next week so I'll be out of their hair, but I know they'll miss me! xx
Grandma left last Wed, but Tuesday we went to Windsor Castle and saw the Castle, obviously, and the lil town and things. Unfortunately, the state rooms (where Queeny lives while she stays there) was closed because the weekend before she came to stay there for the Change of the Guard and her Beedaaayy! It's an amazing castle though, smack in the middle of the town that was built around it.
A couple days later, Rich and I took a walk from Kintbury to Hungerford to get lunch and have a walk down the canal. It was so gorgeous and greeeen. For lunch we went to a cute lil pub and decided to walk back instead of taking the train. Bad idea. It rained the entire time, so I finally got to see the "English Rain" which isn't nice.. Besides that, it was a nice walk!
Last Saturday, Suuuuuuuuuuuuuue, Trevor and Reechard took me to Oxford for a little day on the town and some luncheon. We went to the Pit Rivers Museum and saw a bunch of cool old stuff! Also saw the 42 Colleges Oxford has within the city and Sue snuck us in one, since we weren't allowed because of the graduation ceremonies in all the Uni's.
Later on, Rich and I went to his friends for a hang out sesh because his friend was going back to the US.
Sunday was father's day and since I couldn't spend it with my own daddyyy, I spent it with Rich's! We went golfing, well Sueeeee and I drove the buggy (I'm reallllly good at it :) hehe) It was supposed to be nice and warm, but it was a bit chilly, but of course warmed up after we left. England. Sue made a lovely roast dinner and treacle pudding and custard for dessert, SOOOOO GOOOOODDDD. The best meals I've had here!
Monday Rich took me to the New Forest, only a 30 min drive, and we took a nice walk again. And of course, it was raining again and made the walk awesome :) We walked for about an hour to this pub, but it was closed! But it was all fun because I got to see wild horses and donkeys and cows just hanging out in the middle of the road. One horse thought it was funny to stand in the middle of the road and create a road block for quite awhile, so funny.
Tuesday Rich took me to Winchester to see the Cathedral and the Round Table. The cathedral is massive and is so old. It's really hard to put your head around how old it really is. Next we saw the table, which by the way is on the wall! The legs obviously are a bit old, so it was needed to hang on the wall. It's sooo huge and has so much history. And finally went home from a good day!
It's been such an amazing week at the Clark's and they've been so nice and gracious towards me. And they've dealt with me well too haha. I finaaaally start classes next week so I'll be out of their hair, but I know they'll miss me! xx
Sunday, 12 June 2011
reeeeeeeeeeading, redding, however you say it....
Part of it was from yesterday so here:
We left Yorkshire district, (SHOUT OUT TO JEMMA'S MUM!) We were staying in Wetherby, which looks to be halfway between Leeds and York, and it was about a 4 hour journey down to Heathrow. The roads in England are superb and beautiful, no potholes :)
On our way down we passed Nottingham, which is known for the Robin Hood stories. Mostly the drive was green and filled with sheep and cows. Other than that, not much around.
After we arrived at Heathrow, we took a bus to Reading (pronounced REDing) and got a little hotel right off the bus since we were just wingin' it for the next couple of days. It's a big/small town, meaning there isn't much to do, but there is a giant mall area thing called the Oracle. Amazingly enough there's a million shops and restaurants to choose from which is fabulous. Rich thinks otherwise and that it isn't exciting. Whatever. For dinner we actually went to Jamie Oliver's Italian Restaurant for dinner. IT WAS SO DELICIOUS. Not a lot of people can say that ;) heheee.
Today, we slept in, FINALLY. After a little roamin' in Marks and Spencer for breakfast, we went to the cinema to see X-MEN First Class. Now that was a good movie, even in England! After the movie, we went to this southern restaurant for dinner and with our movie ticket the meal was basically half off, supaaa! And the food was really good, everything is better in England. Although the butter was better in Scotland, sorry guys.
Tomorrow we're finally DONE staying in hotels and Rich and his parentals are nice enough to let us stay for a couple nights before sendin grammy off to the states. Gotta say, this lil adventure has been rough, yet awesome. I can't wait until school starts, then the stories really start flowin'! :)
Friday, 10 June 2011
DRIVING!
Yeah, title says it all. Just drove for 6 hours today.
BUT, we did stop at a cute little B&B for lunch and tea and continued on our way. Finally we stopped in Wetherby, near York, in Yorkshire. It's so beautiful!
Maybe tomorrow will be more exciting :)
BUT, we did stop at a cute little B&B for lunch and tea and continued on our way. Finally we stopped in Wetherby, near York, in Yorkshire. It's so beautiful!
Maybe tomorrow will be more exciting :)
Thursday, 9 June 2011
The day I tried Haggis and went on a bus.
Okay so the Haggis part isn't all that interesting, but since it's the national dish I though I'd add it in. For breakfast I tried a little with beans, sausage and 'shrooms. Haggis is made of like sheep's innards and oats and spices or something. Unfortunately, it was good. I kinda feel bad haha. So that was that.
Today was tourist shopping day and other cool Edinburgh stuff. We finally got Gma some good walking shoes (only took like 9 days to find some haha) and then went along to get all the Scottish necessities :). The coolest part of Scotland is that a lot of things are a bit cheaper than the US. Like perfumes....I bought one for myself because it's about half price here. And cashmere. Since it's made right here in Scotland it doesn't need to be shipped anywhere so it's about 50 bucks cheaper here than in America! WOOHOO!
After the shopping we hopped on a double decker bus, finally got to ride on one of those babies, and went down to the Royal Yacht Brittania. The funny thing about this Yacht is that it once belonged to Queeny, but in 1998 the United Kingdom took it from her because she was costing them a TON of money. Poor Queen hasn't been up to Scotland since, can't get over it I guess.
We went on a tour of the ship and had tea sandwiches and tea in the Tea Room. It was lovely : )
Finally we took our bus back to the hotel and it had been an exhausting day actually. We started at 11 and ended at 6! Time goes by so quickly!
Tomorrow we're heading back into England and down to London, stopping every once and awhile to see the countryside. Bye loves xxx
Today was tourist shopping day and other cool Edinburgh stuff. We finally got Gma some good walking shoes (only took like 9 days to find some haha) and then went along to get all the Scottish necessities :). The coolest part of Scotland is that a lot of things are a bit cheaper than the US. Like perfumes....I bought one for myself because it's about half price here. And cashmere. Since it's made right here in Scotland it doesn't need to be shipped anywhere so it's about 50 bucks cheaper here than in America! WOOHOO!
After the shopping we hopped on a double decker bus, finally got to ride on one of those babies, and went down to the Royal Yacht Brittania. The funny thing about this Yacht is that it once belonged to Queeny, but in 1998 the United Kingdom took it from her because she was costing them a TON of money. Poor Queen hasn't been up to Scotland since, can't get over it I guess.
We went on a tour of the ship and had tea sandwiches and tea in the Tea Room. It was lovely : )
Finally we took our bus back to the hotel and it had been an exhausting day actually. We started at 11 and ended at 6! Time goes by so quickly!
Tomorrow we're heading back into England and down to London, stopping every once and awhile to see the countryside. Bye loves xxx
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Tour to Loch Ness and the Highlands!
I forgot to mention in yesterday's post that we took a Scottish Whiskey tour right after the castle. By the way, I'm not sure how these people LIKE to drink this stuff. No matter what the "flavour" is aka Banana, Lemon, Peet or flowery, it still tastes like disgusting. But it still was an interesting tour. Kind of like it's the small world ride at Disneyland but with alcohol. Point: it was fun.
Anyway, today was very long, wet but beautiful. We started the journey really early and it was a total of 12 hours. We went all the way up to Loch Ness, to see the monster, which pretty sure I did ;) By the way, the water is BLACK, which is because of all the peet in the rocks, making it merkey and I didn't want to swim in that. Of course, right as we got on the cruise boat it started POURING and there was no room down in the bottom deck. So Gma and I were chillin' at the top trying not to get completely soaked, although that didn't go down very well. And sandals probably weren't the best choice, but hey, California girl gotta have my sandals.
After that we had fish 'n chips at a restaurant and headed off to look at some more cool scenery and stuff. It's so green in the highlands, it's ridiculous! There's a part of the highlands where no commercial or residencial buildings can be put up so it preserves the land. (And probs the sheep, which are everywhere). We drove all the way to Inverness, which is the capital of the Highlands. Look it up on a map, it's verrrryyyyy far up there. Then turned back to drive on the other side back to Edinburgh.
Finally we arrived in Edinburgh and I'm frozen like a popsicle and ready to go to bed, at 8 haha.
More tomorrow! (For whoever is reading this anyway, let me know so I'm not writing to myself :) Even though I like reading my own stuff) XX
Anyway, today was very long, wet but beautiful. We started the journey really early and it was a total of 12 hours. We went all the way up to Loch Ness, to see the monster, which pretty sure I did ;) By the way, the water is BLACK, which is because of all the peet in the rocks, making it merkey and I didn't want to swim in that. Of course, right as we got on the cruise boat it started POURING and there was no room down in the bottom deck. So Gma and I were chillin' at the top trying not to get completely soaked, although that didn't go down very well. And sandals probably weren't the best choice, but hey, California girl gotta have my sandals.
After that we had fish 'n chips at a restaurant and headed off to look at some more cool scenery and stuff. It's so green in the highlands, it's ridiculous! There's a part of the highlands where no commercial or residencial buildings can be put up so it preserves the land. (And probs the sheep, which are everywhere). We drove all the way to Inverness, which is the capital of the Highlands. Look it up on a map, it's verrrryyyyy far up there. Then turned back to drive on the other side back to Edinburgh.
Finally we arrived in Edinburgh and I'm frozen like a popsicle and ready to go to bed, at 8 haha.
More tomorrow! (For whoever is reading this anyway, let me know so I'm not writing to myself :) Even though I like reading my own stuff) XX
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
SCOTLAND Day 2
Scotland tourist day!
This morning we got up and toured the Edinburgh Castle. Which is BEAUTIFUL. I honestly don't think I've ever seen such a more wonderful/exciting/gorgeous city in my life. The city is half old half new, weird, but it's so wonderful to see it all integrated. But anyway, the Castle is the most spectacular piece of architecture I have ever seen. Since I have my Gma with me we had a "special" car ride up to the top of the castle. It plopped us at the top so we were able to see the Royal Crown Jewels, the oldest cathedral and we saw the blasting of the cannon's, which happens every day at 1PM. I actually recorded a video and when it went off, I got scared and the camera shook. After that we took a double decker city bus tour throughout the city to the Palace of Holyrood. Which is the Queens residence while she's in Scotland. SO AMAZING. Finally it started rain. And when I mean finally, I mean that because it's been great weather ever since we landed in the UK, so I guess it was time for bad weather. After Holyrood we hopped back on our tour bus and ended back at our hotel. Grandma was exhausted and so was I. But it was a good ending to a good day :)
Everything about this place makes me think that America isn't that great... Even their butter is like 10,000 times better. I'm tellin' ya. Although I will never try Haggis. That's all for today, tomorrow we're heading to Loch Ness(to see Nessy of course) and the highlands on a bus tour. Should be long, but brilliant :)
This morning we got up and toured the Edinburgh Castle. Which is BEAUTIFUL. I honestly don't think I've ever seen such a more wonderful/exciting/gorgeous city in my life. The city is half old half new, weird, but it's so wonderful to see it all integrated. But anyway, the Castle is the most spectacular piece of architecture I have ever seen. Since I have my Gma with me we had a "special" car ride up to the top of the castle. It plopped us at the top so we were able to see the Royal Crown Jewels, the oldest cathedral and we saw the blasting of the cannon's, which happens every day at 1PM. I actually recorded a video and when it went off, I got scared and the camera shook. After that we took a double decker city bus tour throughout the city to the Palace of Holyrood. Which is the Queens residence while she's in Scotland. SO AMAZING. Finally it started rain. And when I mean finally, I mean that because it's been great weather ever since we landed in the UK, so I guess it was time for bad weather. After Holyrood we hopped back on our tour bus and ended back at our hotel. Grandma was exhausted and so was I. But it was a good ending to a good day :)
Everything about this place makes me think that America isn't that great... Even their butter is like 10,000 times better. I'm tellin' ya. Although I will never try Haggis. That's all for today, tomorrow we're heading to Loch Ness(to see Nessy of course) and the highlands on a bus tour. Should be long, but brilliant :)
Monday, 6 June 2011
On to the best one, WIDNES TO SCOTLAND.
This was definitely a journey. I drove all the way from Widnes (Liverpool) to Edinburgh, Scotland.
By the way, that's about 5 hours. :)
Well not much to say about this lil part of the trip except the countryside is sooo gorgeous and the drive was really simple.
Plus, we only got lost ONCE in Edinburgh! Only because we forgot to turn on a street, oops.
The hotel we're staying at is really nice and we'll be here for 4 nights. Can't wait and more to come :)
xx
By the way, that's about 5 hours. :)
Well not much to say about this lil part of the trip except the countryside is sooo gorgeous and the drive was really simple.
Plus, we only got lost ONCE in Edinburgh! Only because we forgot to turn on a street, oops.
The hotel we're staying at is really nice and we'll be here for 4 nights. Can't wait and more to come :)
xx
Birmingham to Liverpool (Widnes)
Although this already happened I wanna give an update :)
We left Birmingham the 4th (woop!) and traveled on up to Widnes to see Liverpool. Widnes is about 30 min driving away from Liverpool and Manchester. It was such a cute little town, mainly neighborhoods, and the people at the Inn were so adorable. (side note, my grandma had been driving the entire way till now). The guy that owned to Inn took us to the train that took us to Runcorn Station which the train took us to Liverpool and that only took 10 minutes! We stayed in Widnes for 2 nights so we could really see Liverpool.
Liverpool is such a great city, home of the Beatles and who knows what else. My gram and I went to the docks to do some tours of the city and went on this tour called the "Yellow Duckmarine," and it was yellow and it was a boat/car. Considering there are only 60 of those car things left in the world, this thing was so interesting! It first took us around the city on land then 30 min later took us through the docks for another 30 minutes. The weather was kind of dreary, but it was still nice to look around and see the city.
After that tour we had lunch at the Blue Cafe, and I had a traditional Sunday roast and my gma had fish and chips (we're in love with the fish and chips). Afterwards we went to the Beatles Exibit and saw basically everything you need to know about the Beatles. It was very educational too.
As we headed back to our quaint little Inn, we got to see a bunch of the countryside of the North-West of England, so beautiful.
Now also, this is where I finally got to drive in England. And I'm VERY, VERY good at it believe it or not! The stick shift is so easy and driving on the left gets a little scary, but not bad at all. I'm very proud of myself :) And I have driven ever since.
The journey in Liverpool was definitely great, it's a city I would travel to again when I'm in the UK and I recommend it to anyone!
We left Birmingham the 4th (woop!) and traveled on up to Widnes to see Liverpool. Widnes is about 30 min driving away from Liverpool and Manchester. It was such a cute little town, mainly neighborhoods, and the people at the Inn were so adorable. (side note, my grandma had been driving the entire way till now). The guy that owned to Inn took us to the train that took us to Runcorn Station which the train took us to Liverpool and that only took 10 minutes! We stayed in Widnes for 2 nights so we could really see Liverpool.
Liverpool is such a great city, home of the Beatles and who knows what else. My gram and I went to the docks to do some tours of the city and went on this tour called the "Yellow Duckmarine," and it was yellow and it was a boat/car. Considering there are only 60 of those car things left in the world, this thing was so interesting! It first took us around the city on land then 30 min later took us through the docks for another 30 minutes. The weather was kind of dreary, but it was still nice to look around and see the city.
After that tour we had lunch at the Blue Cafe, and I had a traditional Sunday roast and my gma had fish and chips (we're in love with the fish and chips). Afterwards we went to the Beatles Exibit and saw basically everything you need to know about the Beatles. It was very educational too.
As we headed back to our quaint little Inn, we got to see a bunch of the countryside of the North-West of England, so beautiful.
Now also, this is where I finally got to drive in England. And I'm VERY, VERY good at it believe it or not! The stick shift is so easy and driving on the left gets a little scary, but not bad at all. I'm very proud of myself :) And I have driven ever since.
The journey in Liverpool was definitely great, it's a city I would travel to again when I'm in the UK and I recommend it to anyone!
London to Birmingham
So it's a bit late for this but I forgot. Anyway, my grandma and I left NYC the 1st of June and arrived at Heathrow the next day. Gladly, Rich (literally the best boyfriend ever) and his dad picked us up from the airport, thank god, and drove us to our lovely hotel for the night. We toured around Mayfair for a bit and walked to Oxford Street, Picadilly Circus and some other little sites. I decided not to do any crazy site seeing since I'll be in London for 6 weeks anyway.
After resting and being totally jet lagged we went to a pub for pints and fish and chips. SO COOL. (P.S. they call chips fries and crisps are chips, just in case you didn't know :) ) and then Rich headed back home and my gma and I went to bed early.
The next day(6/3), we went to Heathrow to pick up our rental car. AND man, let me tell you, I probably wouldn't recommend driving here. So stressful. BUT I ended up not being able to drive. (up until Liverpool) Since I'm not 25, I couldn't "drive."
Obviously driving on the other side of the road and with a stick shift is difficult, but I actually got the hang of it very quickly.
It took about 2 hours to get to Birmingham, and another 2.5 getting lost. The streets and roundabouts are slightly really complicated here, but after awhile you get used to it. We finally arrived to our hotel and wandered around Birmingham. Which I wouldn't recommend anyone visiting. There isn't anything to do, and plus it's a nightmare to get anywhere.
Anyway, all in all it was a prettyyy hectic journey up to Birmingham, and let me tell you, I definitely would NOT do it again. But it still was a valuable experience.
After resting and being totally jet lagged we went to a pub for pints and fish and chips. SO COOL. (P.S. they call chips fries and crisps are chips, just in case you didn't know :) ) and then Rich headed back home and my gma and I went to bed early.
The next day(6/3), we went to Heathrow to pick up our rental car. AND man, let me tell you, I probably wouldn't recommend driving here. So stressful. BUT I ended up not being able to drive. (up until Liverpool) Since I'm not 25, I couldn't "drive."
Obviously driving on the other side of the road and with a stick shift is difficult, but I actually got the hang of it very quickly.
It took about 2 hours to get to Birmingham, and another 2.5 getting lost. The streets and roundabouts are slightly really complicated here, but after awhile you get used to it. We finally arrived to our hotel and wandered around Birmingham. Which I wouldn't recommend anyone visiting. There isn't anything to do, and plus it's a nightmare to get anywhere.
Anyway, all in all it was a prettyyy hectic journey up to Birmingham, and let me tell you, I definitely would NOT do it again. But it still was a valuable experience.
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