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Published: July 12th 2007
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I left on my birthday from the hotel to go stay with my host John from Couchsurfing. He lives in an area called Kingston, about an hour from the city center. I am getting better with using all of this public transport and have yet to lose my lunch. The nausea is at its worst when I exit a station and have gusts of smoke rush to my face. I have to run for a clean spot and try to smell my tiger balm or eucalyptus oil. Uck!
On my way to Johns I stopped in a town called Ealing/broadway, since I was early I had a look around and I really liked it there. Kingston, the part I was in was quiet and did not seem to have much going on. John was a lovely host, a teacher of History and Politics to middle/hs students. My favorite part about his flat was the bookshelf full of Rough guide travel books. Had I more time I would have become a travel expert, but I only looked through London and Amsterdam.
On Monday we left at 9am and I went to the city, starting at Buckingham Palace. I got
there an hour before the changing of the guards and I stood in that spot for 2 hours to wath this tourist attraction. It was neat to see it, but I could have done quite a bit in that 2 hours. The highlight must have been when the Guards Band played "Staying Alive" by the BeeGee's. 😊 How silly! I walked from the Palace past Westminster Abbey and right outside of Big Ben. From there I took another metro to save time and got to the Tate modern museum. There was a painting there by Mark Rothko and it reminded me of my lovely friend Kelly. Kelly has done the Europe thing on her own and is always an inspiration to me, she has sent me the most messages of anyone while on this trip and gave me a little sentimental card to keep with me (I keep it in my money belt), when I saw the Untitled piece I got a couple of tears because it was as if she was right there with me. A print of that painting (or one that looks exactly like it) hung in our room when we lived together. I wish Kelly and
I had done this journey together, however I lived vicariously through her journal and now she may through mine. That was my favorite part of the museum, it made my trip to the Tate have even more purpose. I left the museum and laid in the park on the river front eating a nectarine I bought from a fruit vendor, watching couple cuddle in the grass and folks walk their dogs, children eating ice cream...
I walked along side the Thames River as I continued my sightseeing, at a point I looked down at the shore and saw a handfull of people with bags picking up findings. I went down to see what the fuss was about and was most surprised to see the shore mainly consisted of broken glass (most soaked in years of oil so it was colorful and shiny) and rocks. I asked around about what people found and then looked on my own. The common thing to find were old clay pipe pieces from the Victorian times, bones and broken pieces of pottery. Once I knew that I looked around and started to find them everywhere. I kept a tiny piece of blue pottery as
it had some art on it that I can not make out, but I envision "Venus in Springtime." It gives a sense of peace this little blue thing. I did see many bones while looking around, not sure to what but the wierdest I found was a pelvic bone to some smaller animal and a little girl found half of a jaw bone that had teeth still in it (but the jaw was long and pointy). I almost took my discovery to the Natural History museum, but instead I left the nasty thing at the top of the stairs, it will surprise someone in passing. I continued on passing a diplay of large guitar statues from Gibson and ended by crossing the London Tower Bridge and walking to the Metro near the Tower of London. It was nearing 6pm then and I was done, I went back to John's dozing off along the way.
Tuesday morning I left to the city again and went to a hotel lobby where I waited for my friend Molly from Los Angeles. Her and her mother were coming to travel. They showed up 2 hours later because the airline lost Molly's bag. 😞
Her mother, Madonna, treated us to lunch and it was lovely to catch up. We never got to go on our lunch date in LA so it was much more memorable being in London (she will be moving home to Chicago in 2 weeks). After lunch I had to say goodbye to begin my journey to Cambridge.
London was abit much for me, as I have no cash or luggage space for shopping I did not even go to the shopping areas, why tempt myself when there is plenty of other stuff to see. It is similar to a crazier New York to me, if that is possible. I am happy to be in Cambridge now. I met a wonderful woman named Narinder, originally from India on the train and we hit it off with some similar interests. The train was rather quick while talking to my new friend. I hope to see her before I leave Cambridge. Julie picked me up from the station with the kids, Helen and Michael and we came to her home. It was lovely to have a home cooked meal.
Yesterday Julie took me on a walk around the town, showing me
Cambridge University and the various colleges that make it. The town is sooo beautiful and again the River Cam really gives it that much more charm. I love peaceful water ways. We went into the Kings College Chapel and looked at the stained glass and read stories about when it was being built and the various Kind Henry's. It was completed by Henry VIII. I would love to live in one of the student housings here, they are straight out of a story book. We went to a very yummy Vegetarian restaurant, the Rainbow Cafe and then continued into the Market (where Julie and Kevan sell CD's and movies etc - www.everythingenglish.com), there we bought fruits, vegies and breads for dinner and breakfast. Again last night she made another wonderful homecooked meal, I am preferring those over the ones in towns right now. I hope I can be as creative and devoted in the kitchen someday.
The kids have gone to school this morning and Julie has much to catch up on, so later I may wander the city (it is very cold still), I am so thankful she washed some of my very yucky clothes for me. It
was certainly time. lol Tomorrow I will help them in the Market to sell their products which I am excited about. I love to be social and it has to do with music which makes people happy so all the better.
I hope you are well, wherever you may be. Please keep in touch, all your messages bring me smiles!
Lots of Love,
Erin
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Athur
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WOW
Erin, you are having the time of your life, aren't you? I'm so jealous! I like the picture of you with the signature green coat with the hood. It's probably traveled to more places than I have so I guess I envy it too. Any ways, you keep having lots and lots of fun and keep the updates coming. chau!