Goodbye

It's over.


I'm home now. I'm back in Boston. I just got it yesterday after spending 10 hours in Heathrow because I missed my flight by 10 minutes (fucking cab driver). Then some Indian man tried to get my number and told me he was from Portugal. Why would you lie about something like that? I mean, you are old and gross, so being from India isn't going to make your points go any lower. I'm shallow, not racist.

I'm not happy about it. When I was in London I was excited to be back here. I wanted to see my friends and family and get a job and see my pretty little cat and now that I've done those things I couldn't give a wank. I just want to be back in my dorm room in Furzedown, looking out my window onto the school where all the little wanker children would play at fucking 8 in the morning. I want to see the dishes piled high and have only one tap to drink water out of. I want public transportation that works and to climb up the double decker stairs when the bus is moving and risking serious injury. I want to see Rosie, Mark, Josh, Callum, Ocky, Becca, Elenor, Amaranthe, Leigh, Paul, George, Fran, Megan, Alex, and all the others. I want to roam the streets of London; the dirty, beautiful streets of London. Did I use that semicolon correctly? Probably not.

I have almost cried a couple of times, but I guess I can't be too upset because I know I'll be back there soon enough. I'll see some of those people again and I'll walk those streets again. I'll see Brick Lane, Portobello, and Borough Markets again and I'll CONQUER it all.

Dublin was boring, by the way. Drank a lot. That's about it.

I guess this is the end of my London blog. There isn't much more to say except that it is one of the greatest cities on earth and the opportunity I was given to come here was more than I could have asked for. I love London. That's that.


I still need to find an English husband.

Regrets...

I wish I could go back in time and rethink my trip. I would scratch off Manchester and Newcastle for sure. I don't know why I went to all these industry towns. They are boring as..well...industry towns. I wanted to see England and the UK at it's finest! Not old mills and cranes building new high rise apartments in slums where the people would never be able to afford to live in them, thus having to move when the high risers make all the property around them increase and they can't even afford their dilapidated, wonky flats.

Edinburgh was like a breath of fresh air in my industry town tour. The Royal Mile is almost ALL 17th century, genuine buildings. Sure, there are gift shops everywhere, but that doesn't bother me. The city is gorgeous and I didn't want to leave. I could have walked around for days and days.

I reached into my wallet and pulled out a mean £38 to go on a day tour in the Highlands. It was partially worth it, although the Castle Stirling was about as interesting as all the other castles they've turned into War museums. The Scots really do love to fight. But the view of the mountains, the Lochs, the winding, tiny roads, and the beauty of what looks like a pristine and untouched Scotland was worth it. We took a boat cruise down Loch Lamond and the view of the mountains and of Mount Ben Lamond was stunning. It was the first time I had ever really seen a white capped mountain in real life and NOT from the air. In case you are wondering, a LOCH is the word for lake and it's not pronounced LOCK, but LOCCCHHHHSSFKLSJ....like Hebrew. You see that spelling? That's Hebrew.

The tour guide was a tiny, robust Scotsman who would talk endlessly about the lore and told the truth about William Wallace. Turns out the guy was 6'7", his sword alone was 5'7". And he would nae painted his face blue. That was the tribe called the Pects that tattooed themselves blue and fought bare ass naked. The Romans never DID conquer them, probably the sight of naked, blue men charging at you would make anyone a little skiddish. Also the words "blackmail", "Nightmare" and "Daylight Robbery" are all from Scotland. That was interesting. On the way back from the Loch Lamond, the entire bus joined in singing to the song The Ballad of Loch Lamond. I couldn't help myself and I sang quietly to myself while some English women went mad.

There was an American couple of the tour and they annoyed the hell out of me. American tourists tend to do that to me because I am so high and mighty now, you know. I mean, I'm a world traveler. Well, at least a European traveler and I have no problem with that. I don't think I am all that upset that I won't have the chance to go further into the mainland. Although I do with I had more time to spend in Paris. That is my regret. Paris would have been fantastic.

Now I am in Dublin, a bit stranded, hungry, and alone. Not unhappy, though. I think I am getting weary of traveling and I am excited to be back to London on Saturday and then come home soon after. I love it here and I have to come back, but the responsibilities back home seem to be piling up and it's affecting me over here. I can't just forget about things. I need to tend to them right away because I lack patience. Well, with myself at least. Well, this has cost me two Euros and I must be on my way. I am STARVING.


oh yeah...so where I would go.... Bath and Cornwall. Somewhere else too. Oh well, they'll still be there in two years. Hopefully.

CONT'D

So Edinburgh. Beautiful. Wet. Hilly.

I went to The Castle Edinburgh yesterday. It was sunny and fucking cold as hell. The castle is perched atop a rocky cliffside overlooking most of Edinburgh that isn't on the Royal Mile. It cost me 11 quid to see the view. The castle itself wasn't so impressive. I mean, it was a castle and all castles, regardless , are amazing for me. There was a lot of war stuff there. Cannons, the war museum, prisoners of war museum, war war war. The Scotts love their war. I did get to see the crown jewels of Scotland which had been hidden for a couple hundred years and found at the bottom of a chest. AND there were ruins. So that was nice.

There are kilt shops and wollen textile shops a plenty. Scotland is known for its textiles and of course, the Tartan. Gift shops with little naked scotsman and all that glorious stuff. Tomorrow I do a walking tour and then the next day I am off for a day to the highlands to see LOCHNESS!!! WHOO!!

Tonight though, I am going on a haunted tour. Muahaha.

The Flying Scottsman?

EDINBURGH is amazing. It's gorgeous and I am so excited to start looking around tomorrow.

Booked the hostel. It's nice enough. A lot of people. I hate to say it but a 300lbs girl is going to be sleeping on the top bunk above mine and I am sorta scared for my life. We'll see. If I don't update for a week, then I'm dead. But you'll know I'm dead already.

I went to the castle today and it was alright. The view was amazing and what really made the place. There was also a massive blizzard today. A blizzard in April. It was strange. But it all melted except some little dust on the mountain/hills. Whatever they are.

Oh computer is about to die. More later.

bonus

I find myself on the computer a lot. Checking the same websites.

Facebook
Myspace
Livejournal
Gmail

Waiting to see if anyone is commenting on my posts. If I have any personal e-mails that don't involve making my penis larger or how I missed this deadline and that. The loneliness of traveling is creeping up. Even though I am in Newcastle with a very nice host, I'm lonely and sort of waiting for my trip to be over. When I can come home. Seeing people I love. And don't.

I am taking things for granted, I know. OH MY, she says, WHAT A BORE! I DARE SAY THAT ALL THIS TRAVELING THE UK IS GETTING ON MY NERVES. I DON'T WANT TO SEE THE WORLD, EXPERIENCE NEW THINGS, MEET EXCITING PEOPLE. I WANT TO GET A JOB AND FEEL SORRY FOR MYSELF. I WANT BE SAD.

Shit. I WANT to be sad. I am making myself sad. I am literally doing things in order to feel that horrible, gut wrenching ball in my stomach build up until I feel like bursting. I want to be on the edge on tears when no one is around. I WANT WAITERS IN RESTAURANTS TO TELL ME I HAVE SAD EYES.

So. I guess I'll have to stop being sad. First task in my no more sadness goal is to eat right. The food I am eating isn't making me happy. I know my choices and I will choose them wisely. I already did pretty well today. Happy times?

Happy times.

Manchester and Leeds

Manchester's sister city should be Minneapolis. Although they are nothing comparative in size, they are both industrial towns and reminded me of one another. Manchester had...a high street but all cities have high streets. All the beautiful, lovely cities of England are being destroyed by high street shops like Marks and Spencer, NU LOOK (although I do buy pants from there), BH, John Lewis, and whatever crappy departmental store that they can implant on the once historic high streets. But there was a good area for alternative shops. An actual arcade full of them. 3 floors of alternative shopping. I bought a pair of plugs that were, unfortunatly, too big. Looks like I am in for a summer of ear pain while I stretch them to fit. I spent £12! I can't lose that!

I met some German guys named Roman and Peter. We were in the same room at the Hostel. Sweet fellas. We ate indian food and drank together, but I had to leave in the morning to get train to Leeds...

LEEDS! Leeds was far more interesting than Manchester. Oh , I left out that Manchester had a boss art gallery called Urbis. Check it out online or something. I really don't care what you do.

SO LEEDS! I couldn't get ahold of my friend who would be hosting me so I spent the better part of the day looking or a hostel then realizing there are none in Leeds. Oh well. She did get ahold of me and I would take the train then bus to her village of Homfirth. I walked around Leeds with my massive, heavy bag and wasn't that interested in the art museum. I found a cheap place to eat which ended up being a gay bar. The fact that techo and Madonna was playing my entire meal (AND the song "It's Raining Men") and I was surrounded by gay people. There was a lesbian in the corner who would peer at me over her drink in a most unflattering way. As if she knew I wasn't gay. She could see right through me.

I went to a small villiage called Homfirth. That's where Rosie lives. She happen to live on top of a hill which was...lame, but absolutely beautiful. The view was of green fields, slate stone fences, horses, and old country houses, and the bluest sky I had seen in a while. It was windy and warm. Ah! It was heaven.

On the second night, we all went into center of Leeds for an art show of a friends ex. It was interesting enough. I had fun. I drank four glasses of wine within an hour and a half. That's a whole bottle of wine. MY GOD. Then afterwards we tried to dine and ditch, but that didn't happen. We just continued to drink. I had a good time being with friends I knew from school. It was nice to see familiar faces. Traveling can be very lonely and it was a releif. We all went back to Josh's house, drank more, fell asleep on the floor and woke up with a massive head ache. Also my throat decided not to work.

AH well. Leeds was fun. I'm not in the mood to write more. Fuck it.

Liverpool is full of Scallies

I never thought I would utter the words " I've been to Liverpool".

Now I can.

I've been to Liverpool.

Every obsessed Beatles fan's wet dream is to stand in front of the tiny stage in the damp, dingy, smelly ol' Cavern Club. Yeah, I lived it. I got the pictures to prove it (which, of course, I am far too lazy to post). Although it isn't the true cavern club. It was partially demolished in the 70's and then was rebuilt using all original bricks. The archways are, as far as I know, true originals. They also moved it 15 meters up Mathews St. and a couple floors lower.

But it was still the Cavern Club. Lets not argue about this.

I spent 7 quid on a cheesy Beatles museum called "The Beatles Story". The most amazing thing they had, and it isn't THAT amazing-but kinda is- was George's first guitar. It looked like crap but man oh man, it was real. They also had the original collarless jackets the lads wore in the early days. I find it so hard to believe that every record company had declined to sign them. Sometimes I really love irony.

Then I went into the Beatles shop and bought stupid things like buttons and the like, but didn't spend hoards. I also visited the Tate Liverpool the night before (all this is located on the Albert Docks) and it was okay. I have a beef with modern art that may never be understood.

Back to the Beatles...after the hour and a half cheesiness, I headed off to Mathews St. otherwise known as "Beatles Street". This is where the Cavern Club is, The Cavern Pub, really bad Beatles memorial things, and The Grapes Pub. All of these places hold a special place in every Beatles fan's heart. When I laid eyes upon the cavern club, rounding the corner in the dark, dankness and sweaty place, my heart stopped. I was silent and nothing existed except me and this club. All the scallies were non existent. It was a moment of bliss between two lovers.

So after all my Beatles fun, I met up with me mate, Mark. His dad was kind enough to pick me up from Liverpool Central and take me to his home in Beddington on the Mersey side (which used to be called Lancashire- ignore spelling) We went to a real, English like pub for a night out with his two mates and little brother. Ironically, the real English pub had some guy singing Frank Sinatra tunes all night. It was a strange atmosphere but most enjoyable to get pissed in.

We headed back to his house and he was kind enough to let me sleep in his bed while he took to the floor. What a gentleman!! In the morning, I was going to head back to get my stuff from Marcin's place (Marcin is the CS guy that was kind enough to host me, but I feel bad that I ended up staying with Mark rather than him for the last night. He's polish, works for Ryan air-yikes- and was super nice although a bit strange and a loner.) Anyway...Mark's dad makes me breakfast and then they all offer to take me to a small town called Chester and to Penny Lane! What the hell? Why are these people so fucking nice? Their hospitality towards me was honestly amazing and I am beside myself and very grateful. We went to Chester which is a small town that has a medieval wall surrounding it along with ancient roman ruins. Then they bought me LUNCH!!!

And several Pints!!!

Then we watched Liverpool play Ebbington in a football match which was sorta boring.

I ATE MORE FOOD!!!

Got on the train and here I am in a hostel in Manchester. It's late, I'm tired. And I was in Liverpool.