The first several days went smoothly – for instance – our first day in NYC and I left my ATM card in the machine in Queens and didn’t realize it for two days. It was my only source for withdrawing money while at school this year. I can still barely believe I got it back.
We’ve tried to plan at least a few hours in advance when out and about, but mostly those plans have been falling through. We went down to Canterbury to see the beautiful cathedral and then on to Dover to the white cliffs – but then our luck ran out. The boat wasn’t operating, the taxis were nonexistent and the buses no longer took our desired route. Determined not to spend more money since we had purchased a weekly bus pass we traveled all the way back to London just to catch a different bus and head another direction – this time to Salisbury to see Stonehenge. No dice. The bus was full.
Trying to hit Bristol next, we were again denied. After changing plans and boarding the bus to Bath we arrived at the station at 11pm. According to our guidebook the nearest YHA hostel was located up a “very steep hill”. Recognizing that it had been a long day, we opted for a taxi and paid £5 to get us up there. After pulling my bag up the driveway and into the hostel we were notified by the security guard that a bus full of students were occupying the entire place. So we headed back down the hill and across the town to the YMCA.
:::sigh::: One male dorm bed and one female dorm bed left.
Finally! =)
So here we are in Bath. We’ll only be here for a few hours to sleep and wander around in the morning and then we’ll be jetting off to Bristol and on to Stratford-upon-Avon (the home of Shakespeare). I know that Nick thoroughly enjoyed the castle experience today in Dover – it provided lovely views which he photographed at length. It’s snotty I know, but since I’ve been to more impressive castles I was more keen on the Secret Wartime Tunnels that meandered beneath the castle. They were used during WWII and make up an interesting tour we went on.
I spent my last day in the USA at a war protest in downtown Manhattan. I can’t even explain how much that makes me smile.
Before leaving NYC we had to visit the quintessential tourist trap – the Statue of Liberty.
We’re currently in a hostel in London. It’s only our second day in the city and I already feel quite comfortable on the tube and we’ve covered an immense amount of ground. Sites we’ve visited:
Hyde Park
Buckingham Palace
National Gallery
Trafalgar Square
Piccadilly Circus
Big Ben/House of Parliament
Westminster Abbey
Nick ended up enjoying the gallery more than he had originally thought – I had to go after taking Art History last year and personal highlights included the Arnolfini Portrait, The Virgin on the Rocks, Venus and Mars and the hilarious Marriage à-la-mode.
Since beginning our global trekking there has ceased to be a moment where Nick’s camera bag (and subsequently sweet, but bulky, camera) has not been present. He has captured just about everything we’ve seen. The pictures below are a bit of a tribute to that. =)
Being in the midst of trendier, prettier, thinner European women has worn on me already. I notice myself doing constant comparisons between me and every female in sight – I think my insecurities and nerves about this year have reared their ugly heads again. Thankfully I realize it and am working on it. It’s not easy though.
Tomorrow we leave to travel around southern England for a few days before ending up back in London to pick up my luggage. I can’t wait to rid myself of them – but I have a feeling Nick’s shoulders look forward to that moment even more than I do. I’m finally excited about being here and beginning this new life – it’s going to be tough, but a blast. I’m up to the challenge.
Well, Nick and I arrived in New York City and spent the afternoon struggling to pull my absurdly oversized luggage on and off buses, trains, taxis, planes and trains! No joke.
I’ve found New Yorkers to be incredibly helpful (when they speak English). Perhaps it helped that we stood out as foreigners in Queens.
We’re currently riding a bus bound for his aunt’s house in the Hamptons – I’m indebted to the individual who thought of wi-fi-ing the buses here. I’ve been able to surf while Nick naps. :)
I think I’ll rest up the remainder of the drive – we did start our morning at 4am and are going on a few short hours of sleep.
The adventure has just begun…
At least four of the supposed 9/11 hijackers have come up alive as reported by reputable sources including the BBC. After five years their names and faces still grace the pages of the FBI’s hijacker list. Some reports suggest as many as 7 of the nineteen hijackers are in fact alive, including the man below.
What are we to make of that?
According to the controversial docudrama The Path to 9/11, one of the biggest mistakes which led to 9/11 was that the Clinton administration was reluctant to kill Osama bin Laden when they had the chance.
I can’t help but be saddened to hear that not assassinating someone was seen as poor judgment. I would think the opposite should be true. Since when did the US develop a policy of assassination? And when is it ever okay to just kill leaders who might or do pose a threat?
That sounds exactly like the type of policy bin Laden lives by.
Since I leave for the UK in – oh- eleven days, I decided parting with my car was a good idea since it won’t fit in my suitcase. I posted an ad on craigslist and have found myself inundated with emails and phone calls. One guy offered “the last $700 of his savings account” in exchange for my car (which I listed at the bargain price of $1,500), while others have slowly walked around it showing off their limited expertise on automobiles.
I’m glad (and a bit surprised) to have so many people interested, but want to make sure it goes to the one who will pay the most just the right person.
This is only the third vehicle I’ve ever sold (the last one was my moped and occurred two weeks ago) and I’m always a bit nervous and excited when people respond. Oooo.. speaking of – I have an appointment to show my car in a moment. I feel a little giddy inside….
UPDATE:
While writing this entry I had to leave to go show my car to someone. They have since purchased it. I should reconsider my need for a Master’s degree and go work at a car lot.
Ok, maybe not.
England here I come! 
