okay so this phone number business is tricky.
none of us can figure out how people in the USA can call our UK cell phones
so for now i have to call you
if you have a specific time in mind, you'll have to email me
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Back from Scotland!
Scotland was amazing. We saw a ton for the few days we were there. Took the bus on Wednesday. Stopped at Hadrian's wall, which are old ruins of the wall built by the Romans separating England from Scotland. Really awesome. Then stopped at Dryburgh Abbey Hotel, very fancy and beautiful. Had a lovely buffet dinner. They did not serve enough strawberries and cream which was the best part :) After about 9 hours on the bus we finally ended up at the University of Edinburgh ("Ed-in-burr-uh"). We stayed in their dorms which were quite nice. We got complimentary breakfast. Avoid the black pudding, aka blood pudding. It looks like a burnt cookie, actually fried sheep's blood! Stayed away from the haggis as well, no sheep's innards for me.
Pictures 1!
Day 1 in Edinburgh.
took a tour with this rad guy in a kilt. learned the essentials. went to the National Gallery art museum then climbed the 287 steps to the top of the sir walter scott monument. it was tiny and cramped and a bit unnerving considering there's only one way up and down. but the views were awesome. then we visited edinburgh castle. saw the scottish crown jewels (no pictures allowed), the dungeons (which reminded us all of a disneyland ride actually) and a war memorial for scotsmen. For dinner we explored the city and found the most amazing, authentic italian restaurant. best meal i've eaten since i got to europe.
Pictures 2!
Day 2
Went for a hike in the trossachs (miniature highlands), half of us went friday, the other half on saturday. sooo amazing. i'm so glad I went. edinburgh is an awesome city, but it didn't wow me the way london did. I'm more of a fan of scotland's nature and countryside. the weather was nice on the hike up, it took about an hour. it got hard toward the end but the views were amazing. we were attacked by swarms of "midges". They're basically harmless, but just ridiculously annoying. the way down was much harder, especially as it had begun to drizzle so it was super muddy and everyone was slipping. it began to pour, but we were almost done. the beginning of the trail is a site for loggers and they decided to begin working, so they closed off the trail and provided a detour, or "diversion". it was a series of really steep uphill climbs and was probably at least an extra half an hour. it was totally raining at this point, we were a bit whiny at this point. our shoes and socks were soaked and muddy. we were late for dinner, so we couldn't take showers, just had to go straight there, only to find out it was just drinks and snacks. so then laurie, corey, aness and i left to find dinner. We ended up at the elephant house. it is famous because it's where J.K. Rowling began writing the harry potter books. It had a lot of familiar american type food which made us feel at home and we were starved.
Pictures 3!
Day 3
Went into town to do a little shopping. found some souvenirs and postcards and then walked around the old town. decided to do a little 3D loch ness experience (since we didn't actually get to go). it was a little cheesy but talked about the "scientific evidence" and sightings and such. very silly. then went an amazing place called Chocolate soup for a snack. had a chocolate banana smoothie, yummm. then we took the bus to Rosslyn Chapel outside the city. it's an old masonic chapel, the inside is entirely carved from stones. Really intricate and really beautiful. once again no pictures allowed inside. :( The chapel became extra popular after it was featured in the da vinci code. it was a bummer because the outside is undergoing major renovations so it's surrounded by scaffolding and a protective covering. went out searching for dinner again and landed in a great chinese restaurant.
Pictures 4!
Day 4=the bus ride back
long and uncomfortable again. stopped at fountain abbey, very beautiful. quite in ruins though.
it's nice to be back at cambridge though. everyone felt like this is our "home". Edinburgh was great, but it was almost too much time in that one place. we couldn't wait to get back "home" and get settled again and get into a routine of classes.
Pictures 1!
Day 1 in Edinburgh.
took a tour with this rad guy in a kilt. learned the essentials. went to the National Gallery art museum then climbed the 287 steps to the top of the sir walter scott monument. it was tiny and cramped and a bit unnerving considering there's only one way up and down. but the views were awesome. then we visited edinburgh castle. saw the scottish crown jewels (no pictures allowed), the dungeons (which reminded us all of a disneyland ride actually) and a war memorial for scotsmen. For dinner we explored the city and found the most amazing, authentic italian restaurant. best meal i've eaten since i got to europe.
Pictures 2!
Day 2
Went for a hike in the trossachs (miniature highlands), half of us went friday, the other half on saturday. sooo amazing. i'm so glad I went. edinburgh is an awesome city, but it didn't wow me the way london did. I'm more of a fan of scotland's nature and countryside. the weather was nice on the hike up, it took about an hour. it got hard toward the end but the views were amazing. we were attacked by swarms of "midges". They're basically harmless, but just ridiculously annoying. the way down was much harder, especially as it had begun to drizzle so it was super muddy and everyone was slipping. it began to pour, but we were almost done. the beginning of the trail is a site for loggers and they decided to begin working, so they closed off the trail and provided a detour, or "diversion". it was a series of really steep uphill climbs and was probably at least an extra half an hour. it was totally raining at this point, we were a bit whiny at this point. our shoes and socks were soaked and muddy. we were late for dinner, so we couldn't take showers, just had to go straight there, only to find out it was just drinks and snacks. so then laurie, corey, aness and i left to find dinner. We ended up at the elephant house. it is famous because it's where J.K. Rowling began writing the harry potter books. It had a lot of familiar american type food which made us feel at home and we were starved.
Pictures 3!
Day 3
Went into town to do a little shopping. found some souvenirs and postcards and then walked around the old town. decided to do a little 3D loch ness experience (since we didn't actually get to go). it was a little cheesy but talked about the "scientific evidence" and sightings and such. very silly. then went an amazing place called Chocolate soup for a snack. had a chocolate banana smoothie, yummm. then we took the bus to Rosslyn Chapel outside the city. it's an old masonic chapel, the inside is entirely carved from stones. Really intricate and really beautiful. once again no pictures allowed inside. :( The chapel became extra popular after it was featured in the da vinci code. it was a bummer because the outside is undergoing major renovations so it's surrounded by scaffolding and a protective covering. went out searching for dinner again and landed in a great chinese restaurant.
Pictures 4!
Day 4=the bus ride back
long and uncomfortable again. stopped at fountain abbey, very beautiful. quite in ruins though.
it's nice to be back at cambridge though. everyone felt like this is our "home". Edinburgh was great, but it was almost too much time in that one place. we couldn't wait to get back "home" and get settled again and get into a routine of classes.
Monday, June 23, 2008
'ello!
how about some photos from Cambridge University!
I'm at Pembroke College, which is the 3rd oldest. there's about 30 colleges in the university and they are very separate from each other and have rivalries and such. is it weird that i'm in love with everyone's accents? It's ridiculously beautiful here. My dorm room is huge with a sink in it, and the bathroom is only 2 doors down. We had a formal dinner tonight with a 3 course meal. The town is really cute with tons of shops.
I had my creative writing class today, it sounds like it will be really fun. 5 weeks sounds so daunting but it's going by so fast. Everyone is getting along so well, it's wonderful. i can't believe i'm here. i keep forgetting that i'm in another country, on another continent. England has far surpassed my expectations.
My t-mobile situation pretty much doesn't work. I think i'm just going to rent a phone over here. I can get one for 5 pounds and pay 20 pence/minute or less for any calls.
We're going punting tomorrow, more on that later. And I leave for Scotland on Wednesday, which will be quite majestic.
I'm at Pembroke College, which is the 3rd oldest. there's about 30 colleges in the university and they are very separate from each other and have rivalries and such. is it weird that i'm in love with everyone's accents? It's ridiculously beautiful here. My dorm room is huge with a sink in it, and the bathroom is only 2 doors down. We had a formal dinner tonight with a 3 course meal. The town is really cute with tons of shops.
I had my creative writing class today, it sounds like it will be really fun. 5 weeks sounds so daunting but it's going by so fast. Everyone is getting along so well, it's wonderful. i can't believe i'm here. i keep forgetting that i'm in another country, on another continent. England has far surpassed my expectations.
My t-mobile situation pretty much doesn't work. I think i'm just going to rent a phone over here. I can get one for 5 pounds and pay 20 pence/minute or less for any calls.
We're going punting tomorrow, more on that later. And I leave for Scotland on Wednesday, which will be quite majestic.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Pictures...
for now check my facebook.
it's too difficult to upload them on here.
I'll put them on myspace soon.
it's getting late and i need sleep.
I'm out in the lobby and there's a euro cup game on
people are intense
it's too difficult to upload them on here.
I'll put them on myspace soon.
it's getting late and i need sleep.
I'm out in the lobby and there's a euro cup game on
people are intense
Friday, June 20, 2008
Greetings from London!
I already feel like I've been here forever. I absolutely love it here.
Where shall I begin?
International flights are a weird little bubble of society. Virgin Atlantic is nice though. 2 good meals and we got to help ourselves to drinks in the galley. It was loooooong though and I slept maybe 2 hours at the most. Arrived at Heathrow, which is huge and confusing. I was going to try to find the girls I was supposed to meet up with but it didn't happen. I ended up at the Underground Station and ended up taking the tube to the hostel. I love the Underground! It's really clean and super easy to use.
The girls (Breesa, Aness, Melody and Jenny) made it to the YHA central london after I took a much needed shower. Probably the second best shower of all time (first was the shower after the week of kayaking in canada). Then we went and walked around Westminster to Oxford Street.
People in England are ridiculously nice and polite. Very helpful when you ask for directions and when they notice your american accent they're very interested in where you're from and what you're doing here. When we ride the tube with luggage (NOT fun) and have to lug our suitcases up and down flights of stairs (because there are NO elevators) we've have tons of people stop and help us carry our bags, it's awesome.
I didn't sleep very well last night. it must have been the jet lag. I laid awake for about 3 hours. This morning we had a traditional English breakfast: Fried egg, sausage, "bacon" (a fried slice of ham), beans and toast. Then we made the trek through the underground to Swiss Cottage with is Northwest London, near Hampton and Camden I think. We're staying at Palmer's Lodge which is this gorgeous brick Victorian style building. We went for a walk to find a market and on our way back all the children were getting out of school and walking home. They were adorable with little uniforms. Little 8-yr-old boys in polos and blazers.
*****So t-mobile hotspots have been rather nonexistent which is frustrating. But I would highly advise Skype, it's only 2 cents/min.
I will post pictures later, we're going to get ready for some dinner!
Where shall I begin?
International flights are a weird little bubble of society. Virgin Atlantic is nice though. 2 good meals and we got to help ourselves to drinks in the galley. It was loooooong though and I slept maybe 2 hours at the most. Arrived at Heathrow, which is huge and confusing. I was going to try to find the girls I was supposed to meet up with but it didn't happen. I ended up at the Underground Station and ended up taking the tube to the hostel. I love the Underground! It's really clean and super easy to use.
The girls (Breesa, Aness, Melody and Jenny) made it to the YHA central london after I took a much needed shower. Probably the second best shower of all time (first was the shower after the week of kayaking in canada). Then we went and walked around Westminster to Oxford Street.
People in England are ridiculously nice and polite. Very helpful when you ask for directions and when they notice your american accent they're very interested in where you're from and what you're doing here. When we ride the tube with luggage (NOT fun) and have to lug our suitcases up and down flights of stairs (because there are NO elevators) we've have tons of people stop and help us carry our bags, it's awesome.
I didn't sleep very well last night. it must have been the jet lag. I laid awake for about 3 hours. This morning we had a traditional English breakfast: Fried egg, sausage, "bacon" (a fried slice of ham), beans and toast. Then we made the trek through the underground to Swiss Cottage with is Northwest London, near Hampton and Camden I think. We're staying at Palmer's Lodge which is this gorgeous brick Victorian style building. We went for a walk to find a market and on our way back all the children were getting out of school and walking home. They were adorable with little uniforms. Little 8-yr-old boys in polos and blazers.
*****So t-mobile hotspots have been rather nonexistent which is frustrating. But I would highly advise Skype, it's only 2 cents/min.
I will post pictures later, we're going to get ready for some dinner!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Contacting me!
Alright here's the deal.
If you have my cell phone number:
Try to avoid texting me. It won't be free/unlimited for me.
I do have free talking in T-mobile hotspots.
So email/text me with a good time to call you and I'll run to the nearest hotspot.
Don't forget London is 8 hours ahead of west coast time.
Update:
I just got a skype account.
So I can talk through internet.
If you have skype it's free for us to talk to each other.
Or I can call land lines/cell phones from skype for $.02/minute.
Much cheaper than T-mobile's $.99/min if i'm not in a hotspot.
So if it's late for me and I don't feel like running into downtown Cambridge by myself
then I can call you this way.
I don't really know how to use it yet
and my microphone volume isn't too good
so in order for you to hear me I might be yelling into my computer
good thing the dorms are singles!
If you have my cell phone number:
Try to avoid texting me. It won't be free/unlimited for me.
I do have free talking in T-mobile hotspots.
So email/text me with a good time to call you and I'll run to the nearest hotspot.
Don't forget London is 8 hours ahead of west coast time.
Update:
I just got a skype account.
So I can talk through internet.
If you have skype it's free for us to talk to each other.
Or I can call land lines/cell phones from skype for $.02/minute.
Much cheaper than T-mobile's $.99/min if i'm not in a hotspot.
So if it's late for me and I don't feel like running into downtown Cambridge by myself
then I can call you this way.
I don't really know how to use it yet
and my microphone volume isn't too good
so in order for you to hear me I might be yelling into my computer
good thing the dorms are singles!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Packing
I'm in the middle of this whirlwind mess of clothes
but I figured it was a good time to start this blog
Hopefully I can keep people updated about my travels
I'm ridiculously excited
and I've definitely been talking about it nonstop
So Europe, this is where I will chronicle my adventures with you.
p.s. i absolutely despise packing. and unpacking. i wish my clothes would just appear wherever i need them.
this is what my room currently looks like:
but I figured it was a good time to start this blog
Hopefully I can keep people updated about my travels
I'm ridiculously excited
and I've definitely been talking about it nonstop
So Europe, this is where I will chronicle my adventures with you.
p.s. i absolutely despise packing. and unpacking. i wish my clothes would just appear wherever i need them.
this is what my room currently looks like:
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