First time out of the country, first time in Canada, first time to cross the Atlantic, first time in Great Britain and now my first real train ride. I'm well aware that it wont meet my idealized notions of train travel (between going under water and traveling at light speed, it will be nowhere near any nostalgic civilized conception from English Lit). Nevertheless I'm genuinely excited about the train ride and my first glimpse of the continent--the excitement only slightly tempered by my always inopportune and fickle stomach ailments.
The chunnel was much shorter than Id expected. I don't know if Id say it was a let down (like the "tunnel" in NWA was the first time I went through it). The first continental glimpse was one of post card farmland followed quickly by the city/stop of Calais. First difference between UK and France is the lack of trees separating the tracks from the country side which obviously helps the view.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
London--Not a chill to the wind but a nip to the air
I slept horribly. Couldn't find the right sleep. I was fooled by the early sunlight of the north. I assumed it had to be 7am at the earliest--5:15. I felt like Kasia, up until 2AM and wide awake @5. So I went for a walk. For some reason the think I wanted to see the most in London was Grosvenor Square. I guess that's silly but there it is. I set off north towards the Square passing all sorts of embassies along the way. I had London to myself that early in the morning. The street I took to the square was small and tight, confirming my preconceptions of London. After reaching the square I realized that the majority of it was cordoned off (protection for our embassy). I strolled around it then headed towards Hyde Park. The vast open space was amazing in the heart of the city (it would have reminded me of Central Park more if it weren't so flat). Achilles, looming large, was the most striking feature of the park. A monstrous sculpture, it was created from cannon used during several battles to honor the Duke of Wellington. I strolled down the (by this point) the much busier Knightsbridge Rd towards Royal Albert Hall (the other top destination in London for me) before realizing it would be too much ground to cover. I also figured something would be open by this point so I could get batteries for my travel alarm clock and maybe a quick bite. Wrong again. It was only 630 by the time I got back to my hotel. I wandered for another 15 minutes (getting a Pain au Rasin at Starbucks along the way) until I found a small shop run by a man apparently prone to sneezing fits--which naturally interrupted the battery and newspaper transaction. He was a friendly, helpful man though (helping me sort through the various change I'd acquired). Speaking of which, Ive always envisioned English women as somewhat frumpy and with bad teeth--wrong again--I haven't seen anyone around my age that wasn't at least on the attractive side of plain. Maybe I'm just in need of personal/verbal contact so my eyes are jaundiced.
After about 4 more hrs of sleep I walked across the street to what I can only guess is Jamba Juice's UK arm/brand: Crush. Jamba is better. I cleaned up, packed, and went down to check out. Despite its ease and low cost I opted for a cab to Waterloo instead of the Tube. The concierge hailed me a bright pink Taxi and off Charles and I went. I'm glad I opted for the cab because I passed the changing of the guard as it was happening and saw Parliament, Big Ben, etc along the way (with the ever present help of Charles pointing things out along the way). Now I'm about 3hrs early for my train (I guess I take after Dad) but I had to be out of the hotel by 12 and don't feel like lugging my bag around London trying to see sights--So, instead Ive got the International Herald Tribune, a croissant, some water and a prime spot for people watching.
After about 4 more hrs of sleep I walked across the street to what I can only guess is Jamba Juice's UK arm/brand: Crush. Jamba is better. I cleaned up, packed, and went down to check out. Despite its ease and low cost I opted for a cab to Waterloo instead of the Tube. The concierge hailed me a bright pink Taxi and off Charles and I went. I'm glad I opted for the cab because I passed the changing of the guard as it was happening and saw Parliament, Big Ben, etc along the way (with the ever present help of Charles pointing things out along the way). Now I'm about 3hrs early for my train (I guess I take after Dad) but I had to be out of the hotel by 12 and don't feel like lugging my bag around London trying to see sights--So, instead Ive got the International Herald Tribune, a croissant, some water and a prime spot for people watching.
Toronto to London
My flights been delayed 45mins. I wonder if they'll "make up time in the air" à la Seinfeld. Ive been amazed at how much longer the days are here than in Austin. Maybe I'm just more aware here (that and the fact that I am never up before 6am in Austin). I was shocked to see that 2 of the 4 breakfast dishes offered at the airport restaurant this morning had chorizo in them. I was not adventurous enough to sully my pretentious Austin mouth with the Great White North's version but it did give me a chuckle of amusement ( especially since I'm so used to Yankee's asking what 'CHOR-EYE-ZO' is). Hopefully the flight will go well and I'll be in London safely.
It's midnight and I managed to navigate myself safely from the airport to my hotel for 4 pounds. The rain has followed me here but stopped long enough for me to get to my hotel dry. My first view as I crested the steps leading out of the Tube were red telephone booths--Quintessential London. I didn't pause over the '"view," my bag was heavy and I was anxious to find my hotel. Initially I was somewhat confused on finding it. I spotted what see,ed to be my hotel--big glass entry way, well lit but the address was 1 Curzon and I needed 53 Curzon. For a moment I doubted the innate navigation skills as a male but as I turned around I saw my hotel (which, as it turns out is a condo/hotel building and did nothing to meet my expectations of what a hotel should look like. Now its well after 12 and I'm debating between finding an internet cafe (that is supposedly 1 min away) or showering after a long day of travel and trying to force sleep on my 730PM body.
Apparently everything closes early in London except for 24hr Kinko's/FedEx. I hadn't realized the 24hr convenience store idea never made it across the Pond. Everyone I asked looked at me like I asked them if there were any Martians around, "Oh no...Not Around here" followed with a shock of disbelief that anyone could ask that kind of question.
It's midnight and I managed to navigate myself safely from the airport to my hotel for 4 pounds. The rain has followed me here but stopped long enough for me to get to my hotel dry. My first view as I crested the steps leading out of the Tube were red telephone booths--Quintessential London. I didn't pause over the '"view," my bag was heavy and I was anxious to find my hotel. Initially I was somewhat confused on finding it. I spotted what see,ed to be my hotel--big glass entry way, well lit but the address was 1 Curzon and I needed 53 Curzon. For a moment I doubted the innate navigation skills as a male but as I turned around I saw my hotel (which, as it turns out is a condo/hotel building and did nothing to meet my expectations of what a hotel should look like. Now its well after 12 and I'm debating between finding an internet cafe (that is supposedly 1 min away) or showering after a long day of travel and trying to force sleep on my 730PM body.
Apparently everything closes early in London except for 24hr Kinko's/FedEx. I hadn't realized the 24hr convenience store idea never made it across the Pond. Everyone I asked looked at me like I asked them if there were any Martians around, "Oh no...Not Around here" followed with a shock of disbelief that anyone could ask that kind of question.
Houston to Toronto
I was safely dropped off at the Airport by Gogo and Granddad. Currently waiting to board. A bit nervous but sure of the trip and the guaranteed joy it will I know it holds.
In Toronto finally. The rain gods wont let me dry out. Its overcast and raining. My flight was quite bumpy which wasn't great for my nerves. Upon disembarking I realized that Toronto really does live up to its billing as the worlds most diverse city. After some initial confusion I was able to find ,y way through customs and then somehow locate the shuttle to my hotel. There are major differences between the US and Can (everything being announced in Fr and Eng pops into my head first) the small differences-mainly in wording (History Television instead of channel). My first experience in another country will be a brief one but has created a much greater excitement inside me that lust for Europe.
In Toronto finally. The rain gods wont let me dry out. Its overcast and raining. My flight was quite bumpy which wasn't great for my nerves. Upon disembarking I realized that Toronto really does live up to its billing as the worlds most diverse city. After some initial confusion I was able to find ,y way through customs and then somehow locate the shuttle to my hotel. There are major differences between the US and Can (everything being announced in Fr and Eng pops into my head first) the small differences-mainly in wording (History Television instead of channel). My first experience in another country will be a brief one but has created a much greater excitement inside me that lust for Europe.
Austin to Houston
I'm sorry this has taken me so long to do but blogspot was banned at the London cafe. I'm on a tricky French computer so bear with me.
There are few occasions that make me nervous driving. I'm at peace on the road. My first leg from Austin to Houston was far from peaceful. I was afraid Id be washed off the road. Visibility was pitiful and my self confidence was thankfully dented by enough by the rain to slow down. The one solace from the rain was the top 500 country song count down on KVET that I had for half the trip. After I lost that station I continued soaking myself in Americana by listening to The Sugar Hill Anthology. I guess the impending Euro adventure has me grasping for true American music to help bury my fears.
There are few occasions that make me nervous driving. I'm at peace on the road. My first leg from Austin to Houston was far from peaceful. I was afraid Id be washed off the road. Visibility was pitiful and my self confidence was thankfully dented by enough by the rain to slow down. The one solace from the rain was the top 500 country song count down on KVET that I had for half the trip. After I lost that station I continued soaking myself in Americana by listening to The Sugar Hill Anthology. I guess the impending Euro adventure has me grasping for true American music to help bury my fears.
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