Well, since I have about 48 extra hours that I had not been counting on, due to a "massive" snowstorm (20 cm over 24 hours... Eastern Canada is rolling on the floor laughing right now), I can take some time to share with you my trip to London and Newcastle. Having reached the midpoint of my trip on January 25th, I was very happy to be able to go somewhere where I would find familiar faces, people that made part of MY life in Canada.
So, leaving a sunny 13 degree Nice I travelled to London to first meet with Nathan, my adoring friend from Uvic, who is doing law school in London. Coming into town in the bus from the airport, I noticed how dynamic and ever-moving London. As I arrived, it was drizzling, which I thought it to be very appropriate, since London is famous for its overcast glory. We took a cab to Piccadilly Circus, in Soho, where we went to a pub (surprise!) for dinner and drinks. I was so overwhelmed, fascinated and awed at the never ending stream of activity on the streets. Everywhere you look there are men and women dressed to the nines in their power suits, strutting the streets, and rocking out their accents...which when you really think about it, are not really accents here since they're in their homeland. One of the things that I've loved the most while here, is the culture liased to socializing after work, everyone goes out to the pubs after they're done working, resulting in masses of young, extremely well dressed, Londonites, mingling with each other after a day spent in the office facing a computer. It really puts a focus on interpersonal relations, as opposed to relations through your Blackberry( or other techie toy of your choice).
My first full day in London was filled with sunshine, and although quite chilly, it was the perfect way to see a city that was meant for walking. I made my way to St. Paul's Cathedral where Princess Di got married, but did not go inside because they charged a ridiculous amount to get in. Then, I crossed the Millenium Bridge across the Thames (watch Love Actually, you'll see it in the intro) and went into the permanent exhibition at the Tate Modern museum. It was a free entrance, and I was able to see some very interesting modern art spanning from the Impressionist Era (Monet's water lilies) to contemporary art. Most of the art was fascinating, but others, especially some video installations, left me wondering if these people were seriously talented or seriously disturbed.
After my cultural fill for the day, I had lunch next to the river, and then walked along the Thames, to the Jubilee Bridge. From here I was able to see the London Eye, Big Ben, and enjoy street performers. The whole time I was regaling in one of London's best pasttimes: people watching. You get everything from modelesque 6 feet tall women, to guys dressed in punk rock outfits, to ladies with fur coats and little dogs. Next up was a walk to Covent Gardens. This is a hip and young Central London neighbourhood with lots of shops, a market, pubs, and some world-class street entertainment. I was able to feast my ears listening to a string quartet which boasted an opera tenor, and delighted the crowds with a magnificent rendition
of
O Sole Mio . Then, it was MY turn to be part of a street show, as I stumbled upon a man who walked on a rope and juggled knives at the same time. In front of a pretty big crowd, he asked me to be his "Lovely Assistant", and I was in charge of giving a demo on the sharp knives by cutting a carrot, and then handing him the knives while he was on the tight rope. It was fun to be a street performer for 30 minutes!
Meeting up with Nate, he took me to a Liverpool Bar. This area of town is much more eclectic and fresh than the rest of London, home to a laid back but hip crowd. We ate and drank at a bar with excellent atmosphere, playing everything from 70s rock to techno. After 5 pints, and some more catching up conversations, we made our way home in the tube, and got into bed after a jam-packed day.
The third day was spent with my lovely friend Chelsea, who is doing her Masters in Art History. She took me to more touristy places like Trafalgar Square( where, much to my disappointment, I couldn't climb on one of the plaza's famous lions for a shot... damn ledge), Buckingham Palace, Whitechurch, the Parliament Buildings (where Big Ben is), and even a personalized tour of her schools impressive Impressionist Art gallery which includes works by Manet, Monet, VanGogh, Boticelli and Renoir. After another day of very tired feet, we went back to her place to re-charge, re-apply make up, and re-dress for a Friday night out in town.
We met up with Nate, and went to get a little taste of home at a pub called the Maple Leaf, which has beer from Canada, and food from Canada too. Then, on our way out, we struck conversation with a rickshaw driver, who turned out to be COLOMBIAN, and he gave us a really fun ride on his kabuki cab through London streets to a Latin bar called Salsa. This was by far, the best Latin bar I have ever been to outside of Latin America... they had a live salsa band, played traditional merengue, reggaeton and salsa, and in short, we danced the night away. It was a perfect way to end my sejour in London.
Saturday brought a very early flight, and the second leg of my trip: Newcastle. Amanda and Neil were waiting for me at the airport, and I was so happy to see my bff again! We had home made omelettes, caught up, and then I was taken on a little tour of the city, the North Angel - which is, and I quote: "believed to be the largest angel sculpture in the world", and then to a very windy, very rocky, very english-looking beach. My time in Newcastle was mostly a relaxing ordeal, meant to refresh and rejuvenate me for my second half in France, and mostly to spend good quality time with Amanda. We had a movie night, ate Fish and Chips, and Sunday we spent the whole day at the pub watching a football match. You might as well call me English now, I've done it all!!
Which brings me to the end of this trip, which has been incredibly stressful. Britain got dumped with 20cm of snow, which is way too much for them to handle. Airports shut down, I almost didn't make it to my flight from Newcastle, and I'm camped out in the city for 2 days until they can fly me out on Wednesday. I guess it's a little more free time than I asked for.. hehehe. But, hey, it's given me time to update this blog, my diary, and read my ridiculously good French book that I can't put down!
I'll leave you all for now, but just as an aside... it's 10 days until my birthday, and it's a BIG one (25!!!) so you better all get those cards in the mail if you want them to get here on time ;) hehehehe
Big hug, missing you all tons!
