Archive for December 9th, 2008

Flew into Edinburgh this morning. Edinburgh is the most beautiful city I have seen. I am enthralled – entranced – captivated, scintillated. I cannot describe how wonderful this city is.

As the bus rounds the corner onto Princes Street you see Edinburgh castle and old town. It is so stunning – the scintillating sounds and colours, the buildings and gardens – hills covered in ancient artwork of generations past– history literally etched into the mountain right before your eyes. I felt like I was in a fairy tale looking up at the ancient kingdom of legends. I got off the bus from on Princes Street and walked from 3:30 until 9:45. I’ve only just touched the surface of this wonderful city. I’ll start getting pictures as soon as I can download and clear my memory card. The feelings of wonder and desire to stay and explore here for years are beyond my ability to describe. Without second thought and immediately I knew that I could live here – that in fact I wanted to. I’ve got so much to do here and only eleven more days. Not to mention I need to visit the highlands and all the rest of Scotland. I am sad already that there is such limited time. But I plan to make the most of every moment.

Love you and thinking of you – Wishing mum the best and you know I’m thinking about you all while I’m here.

Last few days-

Pretty darn excited to be here in Edinburgh. It is an unbelievable city. Without a doubt one of my favorite places. This last weekend was a trip – spent Friday through Sunday on day trips. Slept 14 hours from Thursday night to Monday night – killer but so worth it. When I get home I’m going to crash for a few days lol! So, Friday went up into the Highlands stunning scenery Loch’s, waterfalls, and a whisky distillery what a trip the emerald green hills, heather and fern, bracken and flora and fauna from around the world. Sheep, sheep, a few more sheep, then a sheep here, and another sheep right over there, two more sheep up there and four down below! Some cattle big toffee furry beasts. Ate haggis and lots of potatoes. The waterfalls were amazing because of the peat draining into the rivers due to all the rain the rivers looked like huge flowing rivers of Guinness splashing and sparkling its dark deep colour across the rocks. Beautiful – stunning – clouds and mist ranging across the mountains and glens. Windows of sunlight breaking through and illuminating the world as thought covered in a sparkling silver veil. Each day trip took all day leaving at 8:15 and returning between 5:30 and 7:30 each time.

Saturday I went to Stirling Castle – Saw the Wallace monument and explored a little there then headed out to two huge nature reserves before winding down a single lane roadway to Inversnaid on the banks of Loch Lomond. I couldn’t stop myself from singing the song as I sat on the shores. We hiked our way up to a high overlook and explored the beauty of the Loch. Again the Greenery, rushing tumbling and falling streams playing amongst each other splashing and frothing on their mad dash to the loch from the heights of the mountains. Unbridled beauty – indescribable the feelings which filled me as I stood and climbed through such land. Birds, rabbits, squirrels, sheep…. Stunning. The view from the top of the path left me completely breathless. We emerged just as the rain broke and the sun broke through and illuminated where we were standing then spread along the gap in the clouds and join the waters giving them a scintillating prismatic effect as the water sparkled within the loch.

Sunday – Down south – southern Scotland down toward the border lands. Melrose Abbey, Scots view, And Roslyn chapel. Roslyn is an unforgettable experience, unbelievable stonework, carving and unique expression in the stone. Each spire on the external is different and original the stained glass and the pillars are all ornate and then the carved cherubs, faces, and scenes from the bible each express through the stone emotion and stories without need of words. Saw the building where they cloned Dolly!!!!

Monday – Upper Highlands, Glencoe – Loch Ness – I went swimming!!!!!!! – Inverness – all around that area. Again the surrounding land is stunningly beautiful – high cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, caves and jagged juts of stone. Loch ness was FREEEEEEEZING! But I felt so alive as I jumped in the second time! I have video as well. Muhahahhahaha.

Monday 18-6-07
Greetings from Edinburgh. Happy fathers day to Dad. It’s a bit late but we were in the air traveling and then had no computer access yesterday. I know it’s been a few days since I last sent word. It’s been terribly busy. In general I was not impressed with Dublin. It felt like a regular rural city. Beautiful to be sure but the pace was too slow and the shift from fast, hard hitting London to slower very casual Dublin was a shock to my system. I’ll post pictures as soon as I can figure out how to get them up in a decent manner. It could be a nightmare. We’ll see.

So to start from the message sent last Tuesday. We went to Kilmainham Gaol. Very interesting the leaders of the 1916 Easter rebellion’s cells were pretty neat. The space itself is cold, dank, and cruel. What a horrid place. The experience of being immersed in that atmosphere lends a whole new meaning to the words, declarations and speeches of the men who suffered there and were executed in that buildings courtyard. The limestone walls etched with names, lovers, dates, and sorrow echo a single overpowering emotion – Suffering. The kitchens and the newer half of the Gaol. is better then the older half. Built in a Victorian style one can observe all the cells from standing at any point in the Gaol courtyard. There is also a huge window above the gallery which lets in light and “God”. Once down and inside the Gaol there are the kitchens and a few feet down the hall there are the solitary punishment cells. Dark, Freezing, Dank rooms in the basement of the Gaol. The inhabitants of which would be tortured with the smell of the cooking food forced to eat only bread and water. We learned of the political moves which lead to the execution of most of the rebellions leaders and of the reasoning behind the construction of the Gaol. A very interesting trip.

Wednesday – we boarded our buses and headed out to the famine museum in Strokestown. The home of the landowning family which was loyal to the British was very interesting. Built in the 1700’s it is preserved and was lived in until the 1980’s. The house is in original condition and the guides allowed us to touch and experience the home as if we were living there. This was amazing it really allowed me to grasp a sense of the history and time which had soaked into the house. Being able to touch and feel the home. To put my hands on history filled me with wonder and discovery. It added a whole new sense of the entire experience. The second half of the estate is a famine museum chronicling the potato famines and the role the household had in the eviction and persecution of the catholic tenants who worked on the estate when the crops failed. The museum gave insight into a subject which I had studied in the past. The Irish emigration from Ireland affected United States culture on a massive scale. But it also deeply affected Irish culture and society because of the changes which happened in population. We finished in the museum and wandered through the estates gardens. I have some beautiful pictures from that wandering. The garden was stunning; colours and scents filled the air and permeated the entirety of it. There were also passages to further corridors which reminded me of the secret garden. Beautiful.

We got home, I bathed and then I went to the Salsa Club again. I had a wonderful time. Dancing, moving and just relaxing, sinking into the relief and reward that dancing brings – a place to centre myself and just move in the moment completely engulfed. A wonderful break that I was really needing. Emotionally I hit my lowest point in Dublin. In the club I met four women who were regulars and danced there regularly. They befriended me and we danced through the night. It was simply wonderful. I wandered home around 2:30.

Thursday – Class – then into town to wander for a few hours then grabbed a day bus to Newgrange. The Oldest building on earth. The huge burial mound is stunning. And to consider when and how it was built with the huge amounts of earth piled high around the stone retaining walls and the embedded quartz which makes the entrance to the tomb glow in the sunlight the golden glow reverberating through the stone. We then ventured inside and saw the chamber which is lit for only five days during the winter solstice. For such a magnificent and mammoth monument the inner chamber is little bigger than a jeep. The roof is arched with hug slabs of stone layered upon each other with only packing rocks between. The scrollwork and the artistry from over five thousand years ago still etched into the secret places. It was stunning – again to touch something so old. To have it at hands length from you and to know that you’re surrounded by it is stunning. The tour guide was gorgeous as well – it never hurts. – Home again – made a decent dinner and then went out on a pub crawl with a few of the gents. We wandered down from the oldest pub in Dublin to Temple bar and the clubs/pubs there. We danced there for hours and caught a taxi home – it was a great time as well and offered another chance for me to dance and relax.

Friday – Relaxed in the morning and then went out into town. Went shopping to get the ingredients for my last few meals in Dublin – Curry rice – Pasta, peppers, cheese and pasta sauce with minced beef. Pretty darn great. Friday night – went out clubbing again – went to the premier club in Dublin – it was a disappointment. No stories there just pretty lame and all music I’d heard before. Luckily we came early and there was no cover.

Saturday – saw the World Championships for street performers and saw one of the 46 living and practicing sword swallower in the world, do a show – his name is the Space Cowboy. These performances were wonderful. There was a beautiful young woman from Zimbabwe who did a very entertaining performance where she pretended to be a stalker type – kill you if you leave me – instantly in love – girl to some random guy in the audience – she played it off very well and the gag was hilarious yet creepy at the same time. Then there were acrobats, and jugglers, and two Belgian gents who did a stunning show. One was a Belgian toy maker and the other was made up as a life size – full tux wearing automated toy which kept malfunctioning and causing the Belgian Toymaker frustration. It was a spectacular show.

Sunday – Came home – Packed all my belongings – made a huge dinner to finish off the very last of all our food – fell asleep around 1:45 – woke up cleaned the kitchen and then left on the bus for the airport.

So, upon arriving here on Wednesday night we set out to explore. Within an hour of landing we were at our accommodations a hotel type dorm (privately owned but on school grounds) at UCD. We tossed our bags in our rooms and within an hour were out exploring Dublin. We hit up the Temple bar area and city center. I have no idea how people find there ways around here I just play hit or miss. There aren’t posted bus maps or routes at the stops. Just time tables for when bus lines stop at the stops. I learned the hard way twice about night buses here. There is no 24 hour transportation. Taxis are the only option during the week after 2:30am (bars close at 3:00) and the night bus stops at 2:30. Sundays the night bus stops at 12am and accordingly the clubs close at 1:30… Wonderful eh? So I had to pay 10€ twice. That sucked. But that’s later in the week. Thursday we got our seven day bus passes and again I headed into Temple bar area. Picked up a bottle of wine. Ordered an Oyster for Alex (great thick stout – a loft like Guinness but smoother and with less bitter at the back of the tongue). Wandered about exploring that area and marked three night clubs for Friday/Saturday. Explored Trinity church and saw the book of kells. Went shopping picked up a bit of food. Friday similar day. Except we ate at the Hard rock – one of the cute girls traditions so there were a bunch of us who went. Bit expensive but an experience. Then we came home for a bit of cheaper fun at the rooms.

The book of Kells was gloriously beautiful. Although small its intricacies and the illuminated text was simply stunning.

Friday night worked out quite well, we played a few drinking games and just mulled around, talking having fun and enjoying the evening. The sun sets at around 10 but it won’t get dark until 11:30pm- 12:00am. From the time the sun sets the horizon turns a purpled red. Gorgeous spirals of colour rise up from the horizon into the clouds and the colours mix with all the greenery. It’s truly stunning. The sun rises around 5. 4:57 Sunrise and 21:53 sunset.
It is pretty wonderful here. But again it’s so laid back that I haven’t accomplished that much. Other than exploring st. Stephens park (large park with huge lawns and arranged flowers tucked behind a large water feature (lake with ducks and other birds with a central island). Gave three of the girls a good back massage at least an hour to an hour and a half each so I’ve got new dedicated friends there…hehehe. Friday done went to sleep.

Saturday – woke up at a decent time 11:00 despite it being light already for five hours. Wandered again into town and explored. Bought MOOOORRRREEEE groceries. Spring onions etc. that night we went down into the city center and ventured into a Dark Techno/trance club here in Dublin. That was a TRIP. I got asked for ecstasy three times and offered some pills. I didn’t take any but it was a new experience to be in an environment that was rampant with blatant drug use. The music was amazing none the less. We left at 3:00 and began to try and find the buses. We walked 2/3 of the way home which is about five miles – give or take. Then we caught a taxi and got a ride home.

Sunday was again pretty relaxed. Cooked myself breakfast, Fresh apples spring onions and hot pasta with Italian seasoning mixed with thinly sliced cheddar – Very good taste! took a nap. Went back to the St. Stephens Park and watched traditional Irish folk music and some river dancing at the gazebo there. That was pretty nice it went on from 3:00-5:15. Then wandered to an ethnic area and picked up some food – Chinese food pretty cheap for the portions and darn good.

Sunday night a girl and I ventured out and found a salsa club. Stayed there until 12:45 and missed the night buses. Salsa club was amazing. A huge long hall with wooden floors with a circular area at the base (end of the bar) which made it look very similar to an old thermometer. Danced my arse off and just had a blast.

Monday – wandered into town hoping to tour some museums and libraries but they are closed on Mondays. Instead bought a bottle of wine and went to the park again. Drank under the green canopy above and enjoyed the serene sounds of the birds – ducks fishing and the gentle sound of air rushing through the leaves. After that met up with Cary and wandered to the Guinness brewery – second time there but took the tour this time. First time I just bought souvenirs – part of what was so expensive. Took the tour and saw Dublin for the highest point in the city – the Sky lounge at the top of Guinness. Took some round about pictures. Brought back memories of Paris and the Eiffel tower although it was different. After the brewery wandered back home again – bought more groceries and came home. We cooked a great dinner – pan fried chicken breasts with pasta, garlic spring onions melted cheddar cheese and chopped cold apple. It tasted wonderful. We cut up a baguette as well and ate it with olive oil and a little bit of salt. Truly a great time.

Tuesday today – class then nap now writing this. Off to a field trip to kilmainhan gaol.

The weather has been startling- no rain or cold just bright hot sun since we landed on Wednesday – this morning a breeze came up so we are hoping for a little rain. But it has been BEAUTIFUL so far.

Canterbury and Dover, London since Tuesday –

On Monday we boarded the bus at 8:30 am and went off to Canterbury and Dover. It was cold, wet, and miserable. Freezing wind and horizontal rain all day. However that aside Canterbury cathedral and Dover castles/cliffs were amazing. Canterbury was beautiful, strong evocative masonry. The armor of the Black prince, and a memorial to Thomas More. Moore’s memorial was interesting, two iron swords piercing an iron cross. The two reflected swords made up a total of four swords. I believe it was to represent the four knights which murdered him. We went down into the crypts and walked around, there was a cat sitting in the middle of the crypt hall just wandering and returning to a padded section in front of the lower alter. That was pretty odd. Then as we continued around the horseshoe shaped crypts we walked past memorials and tombs of people interred inside the cathedral. We remerged and went through the giant carved rock screen and deeper into the church. We passed where the choir would sing (beautiful books full of hymns) and walked around the altar. Behind the altar was the memorial to the former tomb of Thomas more which had been sacked by the king a few hundred years before. There was a commemorative chandelier. We left the cathedral and went back out into the cold. I joined a group of girls and we wandered down the streets of Canterbury. We found a small Italian restaurant and I ordered spaghetti. We gobbled down the hot food then continued around the city. At 1:00 we reconvened and got back on the tour bus then rode to Dover.
We disembarked outside Dover castles and hiked the entry road in the cold rain. Anyone trying to storm that castle must have been insane. We walked through the gate over the old moat now filled with greenery and began to explore Dover castle. Luckily for us there was a Living history exhibition going on so there were men and women dressed as each of the occupying forces of the castle had been. Britons, Roman legionnaires, Germans, Americans, WWI British army, and Special Forces. It was pretty darn cool. After circling the grounds and seeing the castles, fortifications, roman lighthouse, and port from the view of the walls we prepared for our tour of the secret WWII tunnels inside the castle. Sadly the annex (Hospital) wing was closed however the upper floor (Napoleonic tunnels which were expanded for communications use) was open. We toured the inside and then it was time to come home. We came home, freezing, cold and miserable and headed to the student union to kick back relax and enjoy the evening.

Tuesday – We went to Tower hill – after class we met at the tube station at 1:00pm and then went and toured tower hill – with the thousands murdered there – beheaded and tortured the place has an eerie feel. We toured the grounds following a Beef eater (no idea on why that’s the name) and then continued on to see the crown jewels. The First Star Diamond is HUGE just for future reference. I’ve never seen so many jewels, covered in gold, held secure by silver, coated in Diamonds, Rubies, Emeralds, and every other precious material you could image. There was a room full of scepters which must have been at least five feet and probably 8 or nine inches in diameter of SOLID gold. It was quite the experience to see so much wealth in a ten minute walking space. Once outside again we wandered the bloody tower, white tower and a third which I’ve blanked out the name. There are pictures of it up. The tower was a trip….

We then jumped back on the tube and headed out to Battersea to find Thomas Moore’s house. We found the monument to him and took our pictures (it’s part of a scavenger hunt we need to complete) with the monument. That done we completed the long walk home and I crashed. The necessities like cooking dinner etc all happened.

Wednesday – The Dean is HERE! Woke up for class at the appointed 8:00am and made it to class on time. Had a lively discussion about war, its positives, its costs, and whether it was worth it. After class I ran home and got ready then by 3:00 it was time to meet at the imperial War Museum. We met up outside by 3:15 and toured the building. Amazing. It is stunning how much pain, destruction, and cruelty humanity wishes unto itself. The museum was a great memorial to the sad defects of humanity. Their exhibits on world war one and two as well as Korea, Vietnam, the holocaust, and crimes against humanities section were excellent. After leaving the last two I was sick to my stomach – the displays were that powerful.

After the trying experience in the museum we were taken to dinner by the dean. There were 25 of us and we all ordered the bill came to a healthy £486. Dinner was great and discussion with the dean was fabulous (I sat to his right) dinner over we retired to the student pub for some House/techno dancing and a few drinks.

Thursday – Woke up – Class – Napped – ate lunch – napped – met with Nigel and sue for a wonderful dinner. At first we were to meet up at an alternative cafe but it was booked for the night. The cafe was an amazing example of bohemia, art and cloth all over the walls, small hole in the wall feel, and a group of women in heavy makeup and strange clothes in the back cutting up the communal meal that would be served for the evening – a very interesting experience. As it was booked we retired to a favored pub of Su and Nigel and ate there. I had breaded chicken. It was quite nice. They dropped me off home and I went out dancing. First we went to a club called ruby blue but one of the girls brought the wrong ID so instead we ended up (for less money) getting into a club on the upper levels of a building 7th floor. We could see out across all of London, the eye, big Ben all of it. That was quite a bit of fun. The DJ though was awful so after a few hours we wandered the streets and ended up in a bar a bit down the street. The bar was fun we relaxed had some fun and talked with a few of the locals. We took the buses home – got in at 3:40ish and hit the sack.

Friday- relaxed. Watched the game – did some laundry – went out dancing – crashed early still fighting that bloody head cold.

Sat – woke up at 8:00AM went to portabella road – found a gift for mum and some decorations for the wall of my apt in PHX. Bought a bouquet of wooden roses for Su since she is headed out of town and couldn’t take care of live ones – (perfect Idea gooooo me!) arrived at their house at 1:00 – did a little more laundry – fixed some problems with their computers – went out for a walk and wandered Brixton (heavy ethnic population) then walked north to Oval – then went west to Clapham north, then walked from Clapham north to Clapham commons station and then walked to Clapham south station and then Walked back to Su and Nigel’s home. Had a wonderful curry, with prawns, miniature corns, scallops and monk fish (AMAZING!!!) combined with rice – Cucumber and yogurt and a traditional hot side (can’t remember) and retired back home – crashed at around 12:30 –

Well. Where to start. Saturday ended at 5:25Am this morning with a quick journal entry and a response to Su’s message about today’s dinner invitation. Sunday started at 1pm after my quick nap to try and regain some composure. At 1 I woke up, came down to the computer lab and wrote some quick E-mails, and then I headed out and spent around £4 on lunch. Came home and exchanged the down and dirty life details and life stories with my roommate William.

I think I’ve found a good and trustworthy exploring companion in that one. Someone to share the trip with and have some good comradery. After that I ran out and got stuck in delays and all sorts of messes trying to make it over to Su and Nigel’s flat. The train I was on unexpectedly went out of service after twenty minutes of waiting for the doors to close then ten with them closed they finally announced that we needed to switch trains. Then I had misfortune in the timings at the Kennington station and had to wait another 15 minutes for that train. There were a few other minor delays resulting in a good hour and 45 minute trip which I had only allotted an hour for. I felt awful being forty five minutes late but Su and Nigel were quite gracious about it.

Her daughter Ruth came to dinner as well. We spoke around the table as Su put the finishing touches on an amazing meal. Lamb, caramelized vegetables, potatoes and drinks. Then for dessert she produced an exquisite pudding which was simply marvelous. We sat and talked for a while and joked. Su made tea and made me a fresh squeezed Lemon and Honey tea which hit the spot. After a bit Su had me watch a little segment of a show about these large Iron men who had been put up as sculptures on buildings around London ( I had asked about them earlier and she had managed to catch this segment for me ) we watched that and then headed off to home. Su drove me home which was quite nice as the weather is now quite cold and rainy.

Beautiful mind you…. but cold…. and….. rainy…. and well cold. hehehe. Once back at the apartment she ran upstairs to my room with me and collected my laundry! How sweet they are that they offered to do so. It may seem trivial but the effort she will put in doing that chore and saving me from hand washing it is marvelous.

I’m caught in awe of their gracious hospitality and the help they are offering for my stay here in London. They also gave me further advice on places to visit and things which should be seen whilst here. They have made London a much more hospitable place for me and quite a bit more manageable.

Getting ready for bed. I need to do some reading and snuggle down and keep warm (I’m picking up a head cold despite my best efforts (Airborne, Emergen C etc). I have my suspicions that it’s a combination of the weather change and the germs etc I’m exposed to riding the Tube (hand railings etc so I don’t fall over).

I think I promised more about Bath and Stonehenge and didn’t really go into detail about the trip so here goes. Our day trip to Bath and Stonehenge was wonderful. For such an ancient place it seems huge, strong, and mystical. The energies flowing around the stones sent tinges down my spine. I can’t really describe it to you, it was simply startling and awe inspiring. I only wish I had gotten the chance to get closer, perhaps touch the stones and be able to experience their wonder firsthand. We spent about an hour and a half walking the circle and reveling in the innate wonder which stems from that magical place upon the hill, cleared pasture lands all around make it even more stunning because it is alone surrounded by plains. We boarded the bus and drove on.

I took a nap, it’s still a bit hard for me to wake up at 7:00 and not nap on the bus. We arrived then in the most beautiful (well a tie with Oxford) city I have seen here in London – Bath. Gorgeous stone works, natural parks, obelisks, and of course the highlights, the Abbey and the Roman baths. We wandered the streets of bath for an hour and a half before our tour began of the Baths. I found a hole in the wall pub up the street from the abbey and enjoyed a hearty meal of corned beef and mash. Then I wandered up to the top of the hill and looked at the crescent (HUGE building full of apartments) and its front lawn (huge park). Then we wandered back toward bath and found the Jane Austen Center, We walked around a bit and had a blast on our way back down to the abbey. We arrived back at the Roman baths at 10 till our tour and decided to grab some fresh fudge from the little shop across the way. It was DELICIOUS! After sitting outside and admiring the stonework and the beauty of the abbey and rebuilt bath complex (museum) we started our tour of the Baths. I’ve got plenty of pictures.

The baths themselves are filled with that trademark green murky water, full of minerals and who knows what. The old ruins have been built over so there’s only segments left, but once down into the ruins (below street level) there’s chunks left of the old roman architecture and ruins. Steam rooms, changing rooms piping and of course the font of the water itself the spring, steaming and gurgling forth into the complex pipes below our feet. The stonework that was left and the engineering that was done by the Romans is awe inspiring. To have accomplished such a thing at such a time is simply amazing. Note that the idea of bathing is one that should always be strongly considered.

There were pieces of bronze gilding and pieced together parts of walls and carved art. It really was wonderful to see it; I only wish it had been more preserved. We finished the tour and I bought a glass for the spring water to drink. We’ll see how it works out for me. Personally I found the entire trip to be quite satisfying. The wonder of Ancient Stonehenge combined with the awe of the architectural mastery of the ruins of the roman baths was stunning. To top it off me also explored the Abbey next to the baths. The abbey itself was beautiful, with stained glass and what seemed like embroidered ceilings. The graves and the sculptures which marked the loved held for those residing within were beautiful. With the exploration completed we wandered back to the bus and headed home.
Stonehenge allowed me a deeper understanding of English prehistory through its myriad of probable uses. Was it religious? Or a show of force? Regardless it is a symbol of an ancient people making a statement about their power, culture and beliefs and that statement is standing tall thousands of years after it was constructed. Whoever those people were who first erected Stonehenge they were competent, able and constructed a wonder that has lasted throughout time. The Romans and their influence on England seem positive. Bringing advanced construction techniques, bathing, social structure, and order they impacted Britain and helped created the civilized society which is here today. Seeing remnants of that mighty influence really brings home just how much of and impact it really had.

Having a blast in London, absolutely enjoyed today to its fullest, went shopping and found a GREAT dress shirt for £8 and a shirt for Alex as a gift for £6. Bought some other little odds and ends ate out and saw WICKED! The play was FANTASTIC! I love it.

Song number 18 (should be labeled For Good on the CD case) gets me every time. Just wanted you to know that through the entire song I was thinking of you two and Alex. Miss you guys but having such a blast. Going to spend a bit and head to a fancy club this weekend. It’s a bit adventurous and I’m not sure I want to swing the cover but I’m tempted (one of the top nightclubs/dance spots of London) so we will see what happens there. Headed to Dover on Monday, Oxford sat and who knows Sunday. Exploring like mad, having a blast and trying to keep it pretty cheap.

I loved the riverside and my adventures with Su and can’t wait to meet up with Nigel and her again. I hope Carla, Roger; Alex, the Wolf Pack etc. are all on the mailing list. I know what I’m sending is pretty rough but hopefully it gives a decent idea of life here.

Much love Hope you enjoy the song and know that I’m thinking about and thanking you for the opportunity to be here everyday
The Play Spamalot was wonderful, I can’t remember the theater but it wasn’t in the same one as Alex loved. Phantom is still playing in that theatre and I’m trying to get tickets (dreadfully difficult at the moment) I am taking pictures by the ton but uploading the bloody things is a nightmare. I’m hoping for a better connection somewhere to upload a whole bunch. It will be nice to be back so you can read my written journals as well as the typed and get a whole picture of the experience but at the moment I believe they are staying separated.

Little tired. Invited by Su for dinner and some washing before I leave for Ireland. Everything seems to be flying by today trying to keep up. Need to do a bit of reading and work on getting everything in order. This is our last week in town (we fly to Dublin next wed) Going to Canterbury and Dover tomorrow at 8:30am. Went to Oxford on Sat. lots of pictures, very fun. Went to the Ministry of Sound Nightclub. Amazing House Techno and a leader of the techno industry was there as a guest DJ so that was a blast. I need to figure out how to call Su… but I can do that, first time I’m using a phone in this country hehe. I’m pretty sure I told you about WICKED and AVE Q. but just to reiterate they were AMAZING! Friday night was spent at the Student union, dancing to techno and a live funk band upstairs. Reading “A Man for All Seasons” by Bolt a play about Henry the 8Th. Doing a few response papers for Bath and Stonehenge.

Today- I have been out twice, the first time we walked and bought some more water then wandered around a few pubs checking prices. We found that the Imperial College Union had the cheapest drinks and we’ll have to see what the food prices are like as well. We then came back and crashed for a wee bit. Nothing quite satisfies like a siesta. After we woke up we headed out again just to wander. After about an hour we came back to nap and having just woken up are preparing again to head out for a night of fun and debauchery.

Today, or wait, I suppose last night. Well, last night after my last entry we went pub hopping but were out too late (pubs close at eleven) and instead wandered Kensington and south Kensington looking for a bar, after a few hours of wandering and no luck we retired for the night and came home. Dropped into bed to try and get some sleep before today hit.

Sunday- Wow. Today was unbelievable. I started out by waking up at seven and getting ready. I have yet to get used to how saturated things get by the dew created by a hot shower in this climate… everything wet and sticky for like 4-5 hours till it all dries out. NUTS. After the shower I got dressed quietly (roomie was still sleeping) and headed off to explore and meet with an absolutely wonderful woman named Susan (Su) Baker-bates.

After sending her an Email and having a wonderful introduction, Thanks Carla! She invited me to a symposium with dance instructor Robert Tully about dance, the arts and core values. I made my way to Gloucester station and hopped on the circle line, because of construction delays on Sundays I rode it to Notting Hill and caught the central line over to bond station. On the way to Notting Hill I was teased when the tube peaked above ground for a few moments, it was gorgeous green, and I was on a train in London, such a rush! I got off at bond and made my way up to the surface. I found my way to the symposium and was told that poor Su had made a slight mistake and that the meeting wasn’t until 10:30. I was there by 9 (I came an hour early so I could explore) It turned out that she was already there and waiting for me. I introduced myself and we set of for a nice walk around the west end. We went through two parks, a wonderful and diverse farmers market which was just setting up and then wandered through the house of a baron, the house was unbelievably stunning and beautiful. Full of art, enameled Italian plates ranging from 1300’s to the late 1800’s, there were sculptures, inlaid desks and benches… simply awe inspiring. The amount of wealth and composition of one mans collection shocked me.

We then returned to the symposium and had a lecture by Robert Tully. In the audience was a young woman who is the five time British champion of Latin. Her name was Sipra. You tube her and watch their cha cha cha – Very skilled. Mr. Tully gave a wonderful lecture; he was a sweet older gentleman probably in his later eighties or nineties. The lecture consisted of discussions on philosophy, inter-relations, and three core spirits which must work in unison in order for the body to feel fulfilled. The Intellectual, physical and emotional centers. Emotional drives physical which follows patters and instruction which aid in its display, a vocabulary, if you will, offered by the intellectual centre. T
he entire lecture was wonderful, with questions raised by me and happily answered. The two of them will be at Blackpool which I dearly hope to make.

After the symposium we left and went for another walk, then came back to the building (formerly an Art school with intricate French style architecture) and ate a nice lunch, full of lettuce, rice, strawberries, brie cheese, blue cheeses, Greek and green olives, avocado and olive oil. After lunch we left and Su drove me for a personalized tour of London, we stopped in New street and looked at a clock a friend of hers was building, then proceeded around St. Peters and down across the bridge into waterloo. We wandered the waterfront between Westminster bridge and Blackfriars bridge checking out all the shops and stopping just before the globe (smaller than I imagined) I can’t wait to see a play in it. We talked and walked enjoying the riverside and the fresh air for two or three hours, by this time it was around 4ish in the afternoon. Su who is an absolutely wonderful host drove me around and guided me from nine until five thirty, and to top it off she treated me, it was an amazing experience. After another hour or so walking the waterfront we returned and she dropped me off back at my flat.

Back at the flat we decided to read for a bit, then went down to the student union (cheapest drinks in the area) and I tried a Strongbow Cider…. Might bit stronger than I thought it would be. We talked to the bartender and a few British students in the union then headed back to the flat to cook a nice meal. For under £2 we had full bowls of pasta, a lamb meat sauce with garlic and Italian herbs. I cooked the pasta and my roomie cooked the meat sauce, we served six in total and had a nice conversation with three others who joined for their dinner as well. The food was great and the company was lively.

After dinner we retired to our rooms, read the last bit of our work, I decided to write my journal entry for the night. An now I’m off upstairs to write a quick response to our readings for class, then a nice early bedtime and some sleep before today’s fun.

Journal Three-
What an exciting morning. I awoke today to discover that it was bright and sunny, such a different city with a little sunlight. We met up with some others in our floor kitchen and decided to all head over to the Natural History museum, an unbelievable place full of wonders and excitement! As we wandered through the museum it felt like we could stay for hours more and only touch the surface of the history enclosed therein. My two favorite displays were the Green display (wildlife, birds etc) and the gemstone collection on the third floor. The collection of Aurora diamonds was beyond compare, and in black light some of them glowed different colours. Sparking, gorgeous rocks which captivate and scintillate. Out of the green exhibit the most terrible and yet beautiful piece was a long glass window approximately 8 by 5 filled with what seemed like thousands of birds. Layered four deep there literally were only a few inches between each bird on branches inside the case. It was sad because all those birds were killed and stuffed to make the display, but beautiful for their feathers and stunning colours.

I stayed later than my companions at the museum and later caught up with them outside where they had been waiting for me. We walked back toward the housing and ended up stopping at a little sandwich place where I bought some spaghetti, it was the first food I had bought all day, and without a doubt it was amazing. Ordering it was interesting; I was trying to learn how this baguette sandwich worked. I asked the girls at the counter who gave me odd glances and shrugs… despite the fact that they make them… that was fun. Instead I turned to a man in a suit next to me and asked him. He was happy to help and I managed to order without a hitch. After getting some food we walked up to Hyde Park and lay out in the sun in the thick grass. We rested for a few hours then came back to the housing to nap for a while.

I woke up a little late at 6:45 after my nap, which was unfortunate because I was to meet some girls at Kings Cross at 7:00. I felt bad but it worked out for the best. They had left by the time I arrived and I had the pleasure of wandering about Kings cross for two full hours. I stopped by a local market and picked up some pastries and a 700ml bottle of water. I wandered some more and found myself intrigued by a sculpture which had been erected on an ally wall. I walked down the alleyway and found myself at a restaurant which was doing a pre opening special. I got a whiskey and sour and had a nice conversation with the bartender.

The bartender was friendly and offered me advice on places to go dancing. One place he mentioned was a club called salsa. This club played primarily its namesake in dance with a lot of Meringue and a tiny amount of Bachata. There was a live band that played Salsa, Mambo and Raeggeton. After midnight there was a DJ who picked songs. I paid the £8 cover which was hefty and stayed from nine until 2 when the club closed. They dance a slightly different style but I figured it out and after starting their way drew the women to my way of dancing. I had a blast and danced all night.

When I left an older women recognized my accent as foreign and asked if I’d ever ridden the bus. I said no so she walked me to the bus station and showed me how to tell which line to ride. I caught the bus and learned a stop too late that the drivers don’t announce the stops. One must know where they want to stop before they board and what it looks like. It only added ten minutes onto my walk which was fine. By three I had made it to Sainsbury’s a local grocer and picked up supplies to make sandwiches for the next trips and cheap lunches. I wandered home and was in bed by four. All in all, a great day.