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Published: April 5th 2011
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Brixton Market
I love people with my sense of humour. We saw a no dumping sign and instantly thought of the same thing, So, it has been awhile since I wrote so let me give you all a quick update.
I’m in London. I had a quick evacuation of Swaziland after I found out 8 days in advance that I wouldn’t be extended, and 3 days in advance, that I couldn’t change my ticket.
My last few days were filled with tearful goodbyes of co- workers (especially my intern Ace who I want to bring back to Canada) and good friends. Michelle (my life partner) and Christy had me crying quite hard, but I know I will see them again. Strangely enough, marina was on my flights from Swaz to London (Bart’s surprise valentines gift), which made my 31 hour trip home less shitty.
When I got back it was minus 20 at the airport and my sister didn’t bring me a coat or mitts. OMG Edmonton was like a deep freeze. The next three weeks were a cold, depressing time. Especially since I found out I was a week late on applying for a hockey Canada job with the world juniors – and strict HR policies wouldn’t accept my resume.
More tears – followed by more
Lizzy!
The ladies of team goa. (I look drunk - I'm just jet-lagged) than one what the beep do I do now moments. Thankfully my sister told me about www.canadianaffairs.com - which has cheap charters to London. So… On Tuesday I booked a one-way flight to London for $263! Got my ass to Calgary for a Saturday flight, and poof. I'm in London.
Last time I was in London was December 2007 – to meet up and hang with a group I met on the beach in Goa, India. I met them at a bar on the beach – and got the best nickname ever following this conversation.
Sean – So you’re from Canada. Does that mean you like ice hockey?
Sharman – Yes… I love ice hockey.
Sean – Do you know who Wayne Gretzky is?
Sharman – Uh ya. Gretzky’s jersey is one of the first x-mas presents I can remember getting. He won 4 cups with my team – the Edmonton Oilers.
Sean – Nobody in England knows anything about ice hockey – except Wayne Gretzky was in a Nintendo game. Wayne – what do you want to drink?
Chris – why are you calling her Wayne?
Sean – don’t worry.
Tower of London
Bart - the giant dutchman and I standing in front of the Tower of London She likes it.
And so Wayne was born. It’s hilarious because none of them call me Sharman, and all their friends are confused when they meet me and I have a vagina. Last time I stayed with Chris (who used to design for Burberry but has since moved to Paris) and one of his roommates Laurie offered up his living room and a luxury inflatable bed. He opened his door for me at 8:45 am on Sunday morning. He showed me around his colourful neighbourhood - eating a very yummy breakfast in Brixton Village and he showed me a gluten-free bakery to come back to.
I hadn’t slept yet – so I had a 3 hour nap while his dad put in a new cat door for his newly adopted cat Harry – and then I enjoyed a lovely Mother’s Day dinner with his family. Went for drinks at the pub with Steve and Liz (also team Goa).
Monday I met Marina’s boyfriend Bart for lunch at Wagamama (which had an awesome GF soup), and he took me around the London tower/bridge area and gave me a route to walk around London. Slightly cold here,
I wrapped up and walked all over the place. By the time I got to the National Gallery for a free view of some of my fave impressionists I was in need of a serious jet-lag nap. I was tempted to sleep on one of the gallery couches until some annoying French kids on a tour startled me.
I got myself up and to a startbucks where I slammed a gigantic tea and killed some time reading my new lonely planet before I met my travel buddy Eng for more tea and some French pastries. We met Laurie, Liz and Steve for a yummy dinner and some serious laughs.
Today I walked around Brixton – a very cool neighbourhood in South London. Liz gave me a cell phone, which I got unlocked and loaded to use in Europe. I went back to the GF bakery to get some supplies for my trip, and ordered what has to be the best sandwich I have had in years (mozza, rocket, and chorizo).
And now – I find myself waiting for Eng to come pick me up so that I can stay at her house. Today is her last
Maison Bertaux
lovely gluttonous gluten-free treats day of work and she has a month off – so we are heading east. Tomorrow we have a flight to Albania where we have no plans except to avoid being forced into an Albanian sex-trade operation.
(If anyone has seen the movie Taken – the bad guys are Albanian) I had to watch that freaking movie at least 3 times – in Spanish – on buses in South America last year. Not exactly what you want to see while you are a solo travelling girl.
Any who – the travel blog will be back and alive and well now that we are headed to a random eastern European country. Anyone wanting a postcard from Albania – send your addresses!
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Jen
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WOW WAYNE!!
Great first post Sharm- very excited to read on about all of the adventures to come! Love and miss - Jen