Ok, so this is the first time since I have been here that Blogger has been available. So I have to post quickly on everything that has happened, so please excuse the bullet points...well actually, I can start with one I wrote originally that didn't get to post, and then continue on....so, from 10 days ago....
We flew into Shanghai at 9am Sunday morning. Customs and the airport were no problem at all, and we quickly found our way to the Maglev train to travel into the city. The Maglev train is (I think at this point) the fastest train on earth. It gets up to speeds of 430km/h and goes from the airport to just outside the city of Shanghai . It only takes about 8 minutes or so, but really cuts out a lot of driving in the taxi, plus is fun. Then, we just got a taxi into the city from the Maglev stop. Not sure why super fast train is on such a short track.... While we were on the Maglev, out the window I saw farmer men out in the fields and in boats on the streams, in little pointy hats! like from a movie or something! (you know the pointy hats I mean). Then we got into Shanghai city, which is crazy. There are all these overpass roads, and this one crazy twirling one, which comes down to ground level after you cross the river by going in massive spirals. We were in a taxi, and though the driving wasn’t too excessively crazy, I was concerned as there were no seatbelts for us, even though the driver was wearing one! For our first month in Shanghai we are staying in a serviced apartment in the Hong Kong Plaza. They are pretty fancy by my standards, and are in a double sky scraper which has lots of shops down the bottom, including an electrical goods super shop which is Aidans dream. There are lots of big windows along one side of the apartment, and they face out onto the city, and from our bedroom we have a view of the Pearl tower. We also look out over a really nice park too. Once we settled in, we took a quick walk around to get some food. At the bottom of the plaza, is this thing called Mega bite. Which was so cool. It is like this food hall, where you get a debit card and put money on it, and then go around and get whatever you like. And most things have little plastic models made for them so they are easy to pick out. I had this meal which had a huge plate of rice with bbq pork and duck, a side of greens, a bowl of won ton soup, and this weird dessert, which I didn’t try, but aidan said it tasted like watered down scrambled eggs…bleugh. This whole meal cost only like £2, or less than $5 Australian!!! (This is up there with my other favourite cheapest purchase – paracetemol in London – only costs 16p for a whole packet of 16 tablets!!!) Three minutes walk up the road is the Shanghai Times Square building, which is where our office is located for this initial period (until we find a ‘trendier’ location to have a more permanent office). At the bottom of this building is a very fancy shopping centre, where I don’t think I can afford anything. However, there is a western supermarket in the bottom and a western bookshop. But the western supermarket has mostly American, English, German and Japanese food, and the English bookshop is way expensive. On my walk I found a Chinese bookshop which sold English language books as well, and it was less than 10 Aussie dollars per book,s o I know where I will be going now! We have also been for a walk along Nanjing Lu, which is this super busy shopping street, very touristy I think, with all the fluoro lights that you associate with Shanghai/Hong Kong. Despite it being the touristy area though, we only saw maybe two other western looking people. I assumed that Shanghai would be full of western expats, but there are either not many or they are hiding. We have walked in the French Concession too, and didn't see many there either, same as on the Bund I have started working for Aidan's company, and it is pretty interesting, setting up a new company in China, in an industry that as yet hasn't taken off over here.
I have been clothes shopping way too much, and have put an embargo on further purchases until Christmas.
Even though our work is in this super fancy building with shops like Gucci, etc, just two blocks away are the flower/bird/insect markets, which are amazingly interesting/scary. They also sell turtles by the millions...and anyone that comes to visit me, I will have to take you there.
People hang their washing up everywhere and anywhere, including by tying their lines to traffic lights and road signs.
We have an apartment on Beijing Rd which we will be moving into on the 24th of November, itis in a really nice complex called Ladoll - I will be living beyond my means. It has a dish steriliser (?) but no oven. But then, none of the apartments we saw had ovens...
People so far are really nice, but I thought that english would be more widely spoken (don't know why I thought that)...but starting lessons in December, so very excited about that.
The Shanghai skyline at night is some of the most amazing I have ever seeen.
The weather is quite nice, not too cool and blue skies. The smog isn't as bad as I imagined, and have had no trouble with asthma so far.
The McDonalds tastes exactly the same, but, like London, I still can't get good Aussie KFC-style chips
We eat at Happy Chef type places every night, which are super cheap, but communication is very difficult, and sometimes we do not get what we expected...even if we point specifically...one dinner, at what i thought was quite a nice restaurant, all we got was a whole chicken: half hot, half cold and some nuts. too embarrassed to go back there.
There is this place called Xintiandi (Shin-tien-dee), walking distance from our apartment, which I swear is like a Chinese fox studios! so that is also on the Tracy tour for visitors.
There are these wierd things going on in Peoples Square Park on the weekends, with hundreds of people crowding around and making deals over pieces of paper with chinese writing all over it. I don't know what they are buying/selling...Aidan tells me it is people....but I will get to the bottom of it, because maybe I want some!
I love getting the taxi's which are so convenient, and only cost like 11RMB - or less than one pound or $1.50 aussie.
ummmm...so much to say, but I can't right now, as I am busy, but these are the main points and I will edit this and write it nicely later
(if Blogger is available later)....
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
Italy
In September 2007, Aidan and I spent ten nights on a highly anticipated trip to Italy. We had a good time, but the high expectations we had were not really met.
For some strange reason, of all the places i have gone that should have been full of tourists, Paris, New york, the Greek Islands,...Italy was by far the most touristy, and it definitely detracted from the appeal of the place. The least touristy part by far was Ischia, where the only tourists were German, who were markedly less obvious and and much quieter than the American tourists that we found in Rome and the Amalfi coast. Our trip was at the end of September, so I can only imagine what it was like in the height of summer.
So one of the major problems was the amount of tourists...a problem to which we were obviously contributing though.... The other thing about Italy we were a bit disappointed in was the food. After savouring many beautiful meals from our friend Andrea, the Italian chef, we imagined Italy to be Andrea's cooking all meals every day. Not so, it was greatly disappointing, and as horrible as it sounds, I am pretty sure the food in Wollongong and Canberra is just as good! We had some good meals in Italy, but nothing blew my mind...
Anyway, we spent the first two nights in Rome, then four nights in Sorrento, three nights in Ischia, and a final night in Rome again, before flying home.
Rome was lovely and hot when we arrived! my favourite kind of weather! We saw all the typical sites, including the Vatican Museum, where I surprised myself by staying in line for 40 minutes to be let in. I didn't think I had it in me. I wonder a bit how certain pieces of art become so famous compared to others. E.g. the Mona Lisa is a bit of a mystery, and in the Vatican I was surprised that the part of Genesis on the roof in the Sistine Chapel with the finger of God was so famous above everything else in there. Because while it was awesome, there was so much awesome stuff in that museum altogether.
I liked the square out the front of St Peters Basilica, which is surrounded by three lots of columns/pillars, and if you stand in two certain places in the square, all the columns become eclipsed...like, you can only see the front row, because they are perfectly in line. Anyway, I thought that was cool.
I also was looking forward a lot to the Trevi Fountain, and it was amazingly beautiful, but also packed. And what is with these gypsies selling those noise-makers everywhere in Italy? It is supposed to be romantic! Looking at the Trevi Fountain, I wonder why these days amazingly intricate landmarks like these are no longer created. Everything is chic, and smooth lines, and super giant or super small, but not just being made for beauty like that was.
After Rome we headed for Sorrento, which was disappointing and so I won't say too much about it! The highlight was hiring a scooter on the Amalfi coast, and riding that amazing coastline, although not the bit where Aidan ran the scooter into the side of teh cliff (better than off the other side I suppose). Obviously there were no major injuries! The towns along the coast were pretty from afar, to look at them spill down the mountain side, but inside they were crowded and a bit grotty. The beaches were almost non-existent, and while the water looked nice and clear, I didn't want to lie on thepebbles/dirt/broken bits of concrete that passed for sand, and I most certainly didn't want to have to pay for the privelege! the prettiest town there is Ravella, which is set high up in the hills, and is less busy, and overlooks the ocean and terraces of agriculture.
The next place we went was the most beautiful. Ischia, an island off Naples which is generally snubbed in favour of Capri (all those tourists? no thanks!), is quiet, and favoured by German tourists (I got to use my german, hooray!). It is famous for its numerous hot springs all around the island. We spent a whole day at these things called the Poseidan spa's. this was a sprawling resort kind of thing which was all pools, and landscaped gardens and beach front property! The pools were thermal and ranged from 15-40 degree's celcius. I don't think I went in one under 30! My dream.
The other good thing about Ischia is that it was probably the best accommodation I have ever had anywhere. It was beautifully decorated and centrally located in a cute little village called Forio (I think that was it...). It was a B&B, and the lady was so lovely, and her house was so beautiful. She served us our breakfast outdoors in a beautiful setting and spoke to me in a broken combination of german and English.
While I anticipated trouble from pick pockets while in Italy, or the amputation of my ring finger, we had no trouble at all. Like my experience in Paris and the watched pot that never boils, it seems the more you look out for gypsies, the less you will see. It seems that my Tiffany ring has the effect of looking so misplaced on me that it looks like Accessorize costume jewellery that I might have picked up for £7.99 on Oxford Street.
Anyway, this is the end of my European travels for a little while, next stop Asia...I move to Shanghai next Saturday, 27th October 2007!
T
For some strange reason, of all the places i have gone that should have been full of tourists, Paris, New york, the Greek Islands,...Italy was by far the most touristy, and it definitely detracted from the appeal of the place. The least touristy part by far was Ischia, where the only tourists were German, who were markedly less obvious and and much quieter than the American tourists that we found in Rome and the Amalfi coast. Our trip was at the end of September, so I can only imagine what it was like in the height of summer.
So one of the major problems was the amount of tourists...a problem to which we were obviously contributing though.... The other thing about Italy we were a bit disappointed in was the food. After savouring many beautiful meals from our friend Andrea, the Italian chef, we imagined Italy to be Andrea's cooking all meals every day. Not so, it was greatly disappointing, and as horrible as it sounds, I am pretty sure the food in Wollongong and Canberra is just as good! We had some good meals in Italy, but nothing blew my mind...
Anyway, we spent the first two nights in Rome, then four nights in Sorrento, three nights in Ischia, and a final night in Rome again, before flying home.
Rome was lovely and hot when we arrived! my favourite kind of weather! We saw all the typical sites, including the Vatican Museum, where I surprised myself by staying in line for 40 minutes to be let in. I didn't think I had it in me. I wonder a bit how certain pieces of art become so famous compared to others. E.g. the Mona Lisa is a bit of a mystery, and in the Vatican I was surprised that the part of Genesis on the roof in the Sistine Chapel with the finger of God was so famous above everything else in there. Because while it was awesome, there was so much awesome stuff in that museum altogether.
I liked the square out the front of St Peters Basilica, which is surrounded by three lots of columns/pillars, and if you stand in two certain places in the square, all the columns become eclipsed...like, you can only see the front row, because they are perfectly in line. Anyway, I thought that was cool.
I also was looking forward a lot to the Trevi Fountain, and it was amazingly beautiful, but also packed. And what is with these gypsies selling those noise-makers everywhere in Italy? It is supposed to be romantic! Looking at the Trevi Fountain, I wonder why these days amazingly intricate landmarks like these are no longer created. Everything is chic, and smooth lines, and super giant or super small, but not just being made for beauty like that was.
After Rome we headed for Sorrento, which was disappointing and so I won't say too much about it! The highlight was hiring a scooter on the Amalfi coast, and riding that amazing coastline, although not the bit where Aidan ran the scooter into the side of teh cliff (better than off the other side I suppose). Obviously there were no major injuries! The towns along the coast were pretty from afar, to look at them spill down the mountain side, but inside they were crowded and a bit grotty. The beaches were almost non-existent, and while the water looked nice and clear, I didn't want to lie on thepebbles/dirt/broken bits of concrete that passed for sand, and I most certainly didn't want to have to pay for the privelege! the prettiest town there is Ravella, which is set high up in the hills, and is less busy, and overlooks the ocean and terraces of agriculture.
The next place we went was the most beautiful. Ischia, an island off Naples which is generally snubbed in favour of Capri (all those tourists? no thanks!), is quiet, and favoured by German tourists (I got to use my german, hooray!). It is famous for its numerous hot springs all around the island. We spent a whole day at these things called the Poseidan spa's. this was a sprawling resort kind of thing which was all pools, and landscaped gardens and beach front property! The pools were thermal and ranged from 15-40 degree's celcius. I don't think I went in one under 30! My dream.
The other good thing about Ischia is that it was probably the best accommodation I have ever had anywhere. It was beautifully decorated and centrally located in a cute little village called Forio (I think that was it...). It was a B&B, and the lady was so lovely, and her house was so beautiful. She served us our breakfast outdoors in a beautiful setting and spoke to me in a broken combination of german and English.
While I anticipated trouble from pick pockets while in Italy, or the amputation of my ring finger, we had no trouble at all. Like my experience in Paris and the watched pot that never boils, it seems the more you look out for gypsies, the less you will see. It seems that my Tiffany ring has the effect of looking so misplaced on me that it looks like Accessorize costume jewellery that I might have picked up for £7.99 on Oxford Street.
Anyway, this is the end of my European travels for a little while, next stop Asia...I move to Shanghai next Saturday, 27th October 2007!
T
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Portugal
It was recently the bank holiday weekend, and, like last year, I forgot that I should stay in London for the Notting Hill Carnival! I am so upset that I missed it for my second year running, and when am I going to be in London for it ever again? So stupid. Instead, I did something else very British…I went to the Algarve. This is an area on the south coast of Portugal, where lots of British tourists, and tourists from all over Europe, go for their holidays.
It was just a three day beach break for us, we didn't want anything too strenuous, just relaxing.
However, after three months of Crappo weather in London, which they call a summer, we left London on the nicest morning I have seen here, warm and blue skied. We arrived in Portugal to freezing rain. Fury. Luckily, the weather cleared up that afternoon, but it was a very bad couple of hours for me psychologically
I was a tiny bit worried about the area we were going to, the Algarve, as I had heard from some that it was very very cringe-worthy. The area we stayed was just like a British gold coast, or like if they picked up any English seaside town and put it on a decent beach with nice weather. Which is fine, but, without sounding mean, I don't like British food (or modern culture) at the best of times, and I was quite looking forward to some Vascos/Oporto/Nando's style Portuguese food…however, while there were Chinese restaurants, Indian, a Haagen Dazs restaurant and even an O'Neills, the Portuguese food was nowhere to be found. We finally settled on a restaurant that served mostly western things (Steak Dianne? Hamburger?), but pointed at this other table that looked like they were Portuguese people, and they were having this thing that looked like soupy Paella, with prawns and clams and fish all through it. Turns out that on the menu it was just called 'monk fish', which made me think there was a translation problem, and I didn't want anything called monkfish (which made me think of the Simpson's three eyed fish), but after pointing at the other table a couple more times, we thought they must know what we meant…and yes, it was the yummy soupy Paella.
That first day, the British tourist overload day, was in the Marina. Now, apart from being a lot more expensive obviously, I am beginning to suspect that 'Marina', is just the aquatic version of 'caravan park'…because apart from the bling on these people, they really looked like they were from the trailer park…oooh, is that horribly classist and mean?! I have done my time in caravan parks on holidays, I am not being a snob! I am just saying…Oh yeah, the other thing that the marina seemed to be full of was pubs with large red Englishmen watching soccer games…had to get away from the Marina...
Anyway, we should have known that the Marina would have been the refuge of the tourists, so the next day, we thought we would try something else, and walked down the beach for a while, past the shanty town/caravans, and ended up in the Quarteira, which had fish markets, no sun beds on the beach, and lots of Portuguese restaurants to choose from. We ate a couple of times at this one restaurant that was right over the sand, and which served the most amazing garlic and lemon prawns I have ever had. They were all in their shells still, so I made quite the mess, so much so that the waiter came to me with more napkins three times. I had them for entrée, and loved them so much I was going to have them for dessert too, but for some surprising reason could not fit in prawns+huge steak+potatoes and then more prawns for dessert. Very disappointed in myself.
Before I got there, I was also quite worried about my hotel. I had booked what I thought was a nice four star hotel, for our special weekend away, but then I read some online reviews and they were all terrible! However, it turns out that while it wasn't the Four Seasons, it had a pleasant 70's Dallas style feel about it, with massive rooms, two double beds, a balcony with table and chairs, huge breakfast buffet including chocolate cake, on the beach, beautiful gardens and pool…really I don't know what the complaints were about, they should really have been complaining about other things I think!
So anyway, would highly recommend Portugal, for weather, beach and food…however, would try and avoid the British tourist favourites. They don't like to leave England behind when they are on holiday, but if you, like me, desperately do, then find out where they like to go, and avoid avoid avoid (the bonus with this, is it will probably also be a lot cheaper).
Next trip....Italy....hooraaaaaayyy...
It was just a three day beach break for us, we didn't want anything too strenuous, just relaxing.
However, after three months of Crappo weather in London, which they call a summer, we left London on the nicest morning I have seen here, warm and blue skied. We arrived in Portugal to freezing rain. Fury. Luckily, the weather cleared up that afternoon, but it was a very bad couple of hours for me psychologically
I was a tiny bit worried about the area we were going to, the Algarve, as I had heard from some that it was very very cringe-worthy. The area we stayed was just like a British gold coast, or like if they picked up any English seaside town and put it on a decent beach with nice weather. Which is fine, but, without sounding mean, I don't like British food (or modern culture) at the best of times, and I was quite looking forward to some Vascos/Oporto/Nando's style Portuguese food…however, while there were Chinese restaurants, Indian, a Haagen Dazs restaurant and even an O'Neills, the Portuguese food was nowhere to be found. We finally settled on a restaurant that served mostly western things (Steak Dianne? Hamburger?), but pointed at this other table that looked like they were Portuguese people, and they were having this thing that looked like soupy Paella, with prawns and clams and fish all through it. Turns out that on the menu it was just called 'monk fish', which made me think there was a translation problem, and I didn't want anything called monkfish (which made me think of the Simpson's three eyed fish), but after pointing at the other table a couple more times, we thought they must know what we meant…and yes, it was the yummy soupy Paella.
That first day, the British tourist overload day, was in the Marina. Now, apart from being a lot more expensive obviously, I am beginning to suspect that 'Marina', is just the aquatic version of 'caravan park'…because apart from the bling on these people, they really looked like they were from the trailer park…oooh, is that horribly classist and mean?! I have done my time in caravan parks on holidays, I am not being a snob! I am just saying…Oh yeah, the other thing that the marina seemed to be full of was pubs with large red Englishmen watching soccer games…had to get away from the Marina...
Anyway, we should have known that the Marina would have been the refuge of the tourists, so the next day, we thought we would try something else, and walked down the beach for a while, past the shanty town/caravans, and ended up in the Quarteira, which had fish markets, no sun beds on the beach, and lots of Portuguese restaurants to choose from. We ate a couple of times at this one restaurant that was right over the sand, and which served the most amazing garlic and lemon prawns I have ever had. They were all in their shells still, so I made quite the mess, so much so that the waiter came to me with more napkins three times. I had them for entrée, and loved them so much I was going to have them for dessert too, but for some surprising reason could not fit in prawns+huge steak+potatoes and then more prawns for dessert. Very disappointed in myself.
Before I got there, I was also quite worried about my hotel. I had booked what I thought was a nice four star hotel, for our special weekend away, but then I read some online reviews and they were all terrible! However, it turns out that while it wasn't the Four Seasons, it had a pleasant 70's Dallas style feel about it, with massive rooms, two double beds, a balcony with table and chairs, huge breakfast buffet including chocolate cake, on the beach, beautiful gardens and pool…really I don't know what the complaints were about, they should really have been complaining about other things I think!
So anyway, would highly recommend Portugal, for weather, beach and food…however, would try and avoid the British tourist favourites. They don't like to leave England behind when they are on holiday, but if you, like me, desperately do, then find out where they like to go, and avoid avoid avoid (the bonus with this, is it will probably also be a lot cheaper).
Next trip....Italy....hooraaaaaayyy...
Saturday, August 18, 2007
San Sebastian
On the first weekend of August, Sue-Ellen and I went on a four day break to San Sebastian in Spain. I highly recommend this place, and it goes straight to my top five destinations.
Sue and I meant to go last year, but didn't due to debacles with numerous nay-sayers, so it was good to see that after we made the effort, it was definitely worth it. For those of you who would like to go there, I will give you very easy instructions, because I really think you should all go…
Get a flight to Bilbao. Get a bus from Bilbao airport to Termibus (the main bus station), this will cost only 1.25 Euros. Then get one of the hourly buses to San Sebastian, for about 8 Euros. From my front door in Ridge Hill, to our hostel in San Sebastian, only 7.5 hours. Which includes sitting around in the airport, and all transfers. I think that is fantastic. Let me just say that sue-Ellen and I handled this so well, that we are well on our way to filling out our Amazing Race application forms. (Although I worry that we aren't competitive enough, and are quite lazy, we are convinced that it would be fine, as we have natural skills and luck, which could have us sitting in café's drinking hot chocolate, napping mid day, and still scamming our way to the front. It has been proven before, in Oslo, in San Sebastian. We really are amazing.)
The flights weren't even their usual nightmare, even though we thought they might be, as there was a team of English, rough looking sportsmen in front of us all wearing matching sports jerseys, with T.O.W. printed on the back. Now, before reading on, try and think what sport this might be…Tug-Of-War. Seriously. And they were on their way to some kind of international competition…?
Our hostel was fantastic. With views looking over the beach, big bright windows, tv, three seater couch, big double bed (accident, hostel owner thought we were lesbians), super clean bathrooms and kitchen, and not noisy or anything from the other occupants. In fact, we saw other people in there only twice. The location was also fantastic. Away from the touristy 'old town' and 'swimming' beaches, and instead downtown near the surf beaches. Also conveniently located near a delicious bakery from where we bought our breakfast. It is called Surf Zurriola, if anyone ever wants to stay there, and is around £20 per person per night.
As well as thinking we were lesbians, the hostel owner also thought we were lying when we said we were Australian. As he said, we were 'too dark'. He kept going on about it, so I told him I was Chinese, but Sue-Ellen clung stubbornly to her story, even when he questionned her persistently. (meanwhile, to continue racist theme, small boys yelled out Konichiwa to me on the street! ).
After getting changed into our swimmers, we were straight off to the beach…actually I think that is a lie. I was starving, so it was straight to Tapas down the road, then to the beach. It took us a little minute to understand the etiquette of the tapas, but we were well adjusted after only one meal. We just pick whatever we like, take, it, and somehow, the bartenders remember, and tot it all up at the end. Tortilla, smoked salmon thingy's, meatballs, clams, skewers, prawn things, croquettes…somehow, they manage to make every single thing delicious…except for on Sue's plate, this thing that she described as a 'fish tart'…which really doesn't sound nice…also, they are very good at ice cream making, I of course restrict myself to chocolate, while Sue-Ellen became addicted to pina colada icecream..
Then after tapas, straight to the beach, to lie down, and accumulate a tan which has had NO help all summer, thanks to stupid crap British 'summer'. Lots of topless women, so I thought I would go topless too…kidding! Also, one or two totally naked men. Brown and leathery all over.
Then after the beach, you go home and have a siesta, go out for tapas again in the evening…and then repeat every day! With shopping for a little minute in between. Also, as with all holidays, it is tradition to watch lots of CNN news whenever you are in your room, and we supplemented this with eating lots of cheese and crackers...then fell asleep in sauna like room, which made us wake up feeling quite ill...
On one of the nights, we went out for super expensive cocktails in this fancy hotel called the Maria Cristina, and I got to wear my Alannah Hill dress for the very first time. Unaccustomed to wearing feminina dresses, I felt like a bit of a freakshow for a little while, but it only took half a cocktail, and I was quite comfortable...
On the last day it poured down with rain, making it not too horrific to head off home…which is kind of nice. The return trip was even more of an amazing race effort. Sue-Ellen spotting typical English couple in the airport, deduced they were annoying airport staff to determine which desk would be the check in counter, before they even announced it. so we lined up behind them obviously. One highlight, was that as per usual on a 'grab your own seats flight', people children mill around the front of the queue, not even bothering to line up, because they assume they will get on first with their kids. AHAHAHA fantastic spanish airport personnel were not having a bar of it, and so all the people with kids who hadn't deigned to line up had to go RIGHT TO THE END ahahahaha. Is that evil of me? Well Sue and I got much happiness from that.
Highlight of return trip, was only the game we made up in which we tried to not let anyone sit next to us on the plane (Easy-Jet, get your own seats). I adorned several persona, including raucous 'Girls Aloud'; sickly, coughing puffer-user; sufferer of some disgusting foot disease (excellent in the wake of new foot- and-mouth scandal), and for those parents who might consider placing their child with us, affectionate lesbian.
Sue and I meant to go last year, but didn't due to debacles with numerous nay-sayers, so it was good to see that after we made the effort, it was definitely worth it. For those of you who would like to go there, I will give you very easy instructions, because I really think you should all go…
Get a flight to Bilbao. Get a bus from Bilbao airport to Termibus (the main bus station), this will cost only 1.25 Euros. Then get one of the hourly buses to San Sebastian, for about 8 Euros. From my front door in Ridge Hill, to our hostel in San Sebastian, only 7.5 hours. Which includes sitting around in the airport, and all transfers. I think that is fantastic. Let me just say that sue-Ellen and I handled this so well, that we are well on our way to filling out our Amazing Race application forms. (Although I worry that we aren't competitive enough, and are quite lazy, we are convinced that it would be fine, as we have natural skills and luck, which could have us sitting in café's drinking hot chocolate, napping mid day, and still scamming our way to the front. It has been proven before, in Oslo, in San Sebastian. We really are amazing.)
The flights weren't even their usual nightmare, even though we thought they might be, as there was a team of English, rough looking sportsmen in front of us all wearing matching sports jerseys, with T.O.W. printed on the back. Now, before reading on, try and think what sport this might be…Tug-Of-War. Seriously. And they were on their way to some kind of international competition…?
Our hostel was fantastic. With views looking over the beach, big bright windows, tv, three seater couch, big double bed (accident, hostel owner thought we were lesbians), super clean bathrooms and kitchen, and not noisy or anything from the other occupants. In fact, we saw other people in there only twice. The location was also fantastic. Away from the touristy 'old town' and 'swimming' beaches, and instead downtown near the surf beaches. Also conveniently located near a delicious bakery from where we bought our breakfast. It is called Surf Zurriola, if anyone ever wants to stay there, and is around £20 per person per night.
As well as thinking we were lesbians, the hostel owner also thought we were lying when we said we were Australian. As he said, we were 'too dark'. He kept going on about it, so I told him I was Chinese, but Sue-Ellen clung stubbornly to her story, even when he questionned her persistently. (meanwhile, to continue racist theme, small boys yelled out Konichiwa to me on the street! ).
After getting changed into our swimmers, we were straight off to the beach…actually I think that is a lie. I was starving, so it was straight to Tapas down the road, then to the beach. It took us a little minute to understand the etiquette of the tapas, but we were well adjusted after only one meal. We just pick whatever we like, take, it, and somehow, the bartenders remember, and tot it all up at the end. Tortilla, smoked salmon thingy's, meatballs, clams, skewers, prawn things, croquettes…somehow, they manage to make every single thing delicious…except for on Sue's plate, this thing that she described as a 'fish tart'…which really doesn't sound nice…also, they are very good at ice cream making, I of course restrict myself to chocolate, while Sue-Ellen became addicted to pina colada icecream..
Then after tapas, straight to the beach, to lie down, and accumulate a tan which has had NO help all summer, thanks to stupid crap British 'summer'. Lots of topless women, so I thought I would go topless too…kidding! Also, one or two totally naked men. Brown and leathery all over.
Then after the beach, you go home and have a siesta, go out for tapas again in the evening…and then repeat every day! With shopping for a little minute in between. Also, as with all holidays, it is tradition to watch lots of CNN news whenever you are in your room, and we supplemented this with eating lots of cheese and crackers...then fell asleep in sauna like room, which made us wake up feeling quite ill...
On one of the nights, we went out for super expensive cocktails in this fancy hotel called the Maria Cristina, and I got to wear my Alannah Hill dress for the very first time. Unaccustomed to wearing feminina dresses, I felt like a bit of a freakshow for a little while, but it only took half a cocktail, and I was quite comfortable...
On the last day it poured down with rain, making it not too horrific to head off home…which is kind of nice. The return trip was even more of an amazing race effort. Sue-Ellen spotting typical English couple in the airport, deduced they were annoying airport staff to determine which desk would be the check in counter, before they even announced it. so we lined up behind them obviously. One highlight, was that as per usual on a 'grab your own seats flight', people children mill around the front of the queue, not even bothering to line up, because they assume they will get on first with their kids. AHAHAHA fantastic spanish airport personnel were not having a bar of it, and so all the people with kids who hadn't deigned to line up had to go RIGHT TO THE END ahahahaha. Is that evil of me? Well Sue and I got much happiness from that.
Highlight of return trip, was only the game we made up in which we tried to not let anyone sit next to us on the plane (Easy-Jet, get your own seats). I adorned several persona, including raucous 'Girls Aloud'; sickly, coughing puffer-user; sufferer of some disgusting foot disease (excellent in the wake of new foot- and-mouth scandal), and for those parents who might consider placing their child with us, affectionate lesbian.
Monday, May 07, 2007
You know what this is!!!
Ignore how wrinkly my hands look.... and imagine it all sparkly, for some reason, the sparkliness doesn't translate through photo's.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
New York
Over the Easter Break, Aidan and I went on a five night trip to New York City . We were very excited, as neither of us had been before, and we anticipated great shopping, food, and lots of famous sights.
All present and accounted for, but what we didn’t expect was freezing cold weather, icy winds and snow on Easter Sunday. Never mind, it just has taught me that next time I go, I will go when it is warmer (I advise you to do the same, unless you want to be stuck inside in the shops all the time!).
On the first day, we arrived in from London at about midday, and then thought we would get a bite to eat, followed by some shopping. Now, I hate cosmetic departments at the best of times (they may as well be screaming out to you that you are all ugly and not good enough and no one will ever love you etc.), but I was outright offended at the amount of makeup some woman forced on me. (I did not volunteer, she forced me into the chair, and when I said I didn’t wear much makeup, she said she would just show me ‘this one thing’). Half an hour later she was writing out a list a mile long of all the stuff she had slapped on me…the only reason I stuck around so long was because she was like a caricature of an American woman…highly entertaining. (I tried to explain to her repeatedly that I had just come on a crack-of-dawn flight from London and that I wasn't normally so hideous looking, but apparently this is no excuse).
The other ‘American caricature’ type highlight of that day was our lunch. I just wanted a ham and cheese sandwich, and I seriously probably got a whole pigs leg. Such massive portions. I am not going to say that is why they are so fat. Because from my experience, Americans don’t seem too much fatter than Australians or English people, but you can’t tell from cities, you always have to go out to suburbia or further, before you get to see the real…ok, I am going to stop now before I get in trouble. But all throughout our trip, the portions were huge, and everything came with a choice of multiple ‘sides’. I quite like the ‘macaroni and cheese’, which comes as a side everywhere, but it seems like it could kill you without too much effort. Delicious though.
To continue on the theme of food, we also checked out the new food hall in Central train station. It showcases a couple of local restaurants by having ‘kiosk’ stalls there. So there is a great variety of food to choose from, not too dear, and not deathly busy. Highly recommended. I got something from some kind of 'Southern' resaurant, called Cousin Jimmy's or something. And I got a side of macaroni cheese. The meal was delicious, but so massive that I took the left overs back to the hotel room for breakfast.
The worst food I had was when I was trying to be cool and told Aidan we should go to this Peruvian restaurant. On the menu, I ordered “Prawns, calamari, Octopus and fish in lemon”…which sounds like a delicious mixed grill or something, right? No. So so wrong. First it was cold. Yuck. Cold wet seafood can make your brain believe you just might be eating cold raw seafood. and not in a nice sushi/sashimi colourful presentation way, but in a wet grey lumped together way. Nightmare of nightmares, it wasn’t a grill at all…it was a SALAD – my arch nemesis of all foods. Not only was it cold seafood in salad form, but it was excessively garnished with two of my most hated flavours – chilli and coriander. Really, it was the nightmare of my life. Bizarrely, Aidan, who is way fussier than me, loved it. I gave it to him, and on the way back to the hotel grabbed some BBQ chicken with macaroni and cheese ‘side’, and sat watching Idol eating it. Surely that is partaking in American culture.
But that was the only bad experience of food, the rest of the food was beautiful, and we went to some quite nice and funky restaurants. However, I must say, that everyone told me food was cheap there, but once you add tax and tips, well it is like a horrible little surprise at the end of every meal.
As it was so cold, we didn’t spend as much time outside as I would have liked, but we did explore Central Park on the one nice warm morning we had, and we walked a lot rather than take the subway (the Tube is so much better, and less scary). I did not get in any Taxi/cabs. We spent a lot of time in shops, but I didn’t buy any clothes or shoes, although Aidan bought quite a bit.
We went on a boat ride around Manhattan (circle line cruises – highly recommended by me, super informative, and the man on the loudspeaker tells people to sit down if they get up and stand in your view), the top of the Rockefeller Centre (so we could have a view of the city AND the Empire state building), Ground Zero (not too much to see there, but what they are planning looks amazing), and all the department stores and shops you hear about (Macy’s, Saks, Bloomingdales). I tried to go and get those Sex and the City cupcakes, but there was a big fat line, and even I don’t need cake that much. (well, I probably do, but I don't need THAT specific cake that much).
As we went at Easter, we were around for the famous ‘Easter Parade’ on Fifth Avenue . Where they cordon off a couple of blocks along that street, and people wander around wearing Easter hats they have made. It was something I have heard of forever, thanks to George and his musicals, and so I was very excited. There weren’t that many people partaking, but those that did put a massive amount of effort into the things. There was also some singing and dancing type things going on, but not very Easter-y (break dancing and calypso music…I like it, but it isn’t Easter related).
Then, as you probably all know by now…as we walked past Tiffany’s Aidan told me that he wanted to buy me some jewellery, because he never has. I told him that he knows I don’t wear jewellery, but we went in and wandered around, and found ourselves on the second floor with all the rings, and so we got engaged and looked at Engagement rings. (not really that spur of the moment, we had talked about it before).
So there you go. That is some pretty big news I suppose. However, after trying on all different types of rings, picking one, counselling ourselves over two days on whether or not it was worth the price, we finally put our bank cards down on the counter to buy my ring…and found out that Tiffany’s doesn’t accept debit cards, only credit cards…boo! So no ring yet. The same ring in the UK Tiffany's is much more expensive, and no way would we get that one. More than a third of the price more! And we coudl get it made elsewhere, but then for the rest of my life I would be looking at it thinking 'This is such a nice copy of the ring I really wanted'. Now, I know everyone thinks I am very spoiled, but I'm not, despite the next sentence: Aidan has flown back to NYC this weekend to get me the Tiffany's ring. I am not spoilt! He had to convince me to let him go, and I am paying for half the ring. It is ridiculously expensive, but can you put a price on something like this? Think would regret forever if I scrimped on this one piece of jewellery I am ever going to wear. Ok, enough self-justification.
The return flight home was easily my best flight ever. We flew out of Newark Airport at around 9pm, and flew past Manhattan island, which was the most amazing panorama view, better than on the boat cruise, or from the top of the Rockefeller Centre. Amazing, dark sky and bright sparkling city. I had the window seat…hooray! Then, I promptly passed out, waking only when we began out descent over London at 9am the next morning, and out the window that time was early morning London, clear skies, and I had a great view of the Thames winding its way through the city (if you have ever seen a horrid show called Eastenders, you might know what the view was like). That flight was easily the best ever.
Next vacation may be a while away due to lack of funds, due to extravagant ring purchase...but thats ok. Don't want to escape London in the summer anyway...it is fantastic already. Everyone smiles more, you can stay out later because it is light and warm, and I have a big backyard and bbq!!! Last weekend was spent lying in the sun with drinks and snacks watching McLeods on my mini-dvd player (excellent purchase).
rambling now. so this is the end.
All present and accounted for, but what we didn’t expect was freezing cold weather, icy winds and snow on Easter Sunday. Never mind, it just has taught me that next time I go, I will go when it is warmer (I advise you to do the same, unless you want to be stuck inside in the shops all the time!).
On the first day, we arrived in from London at about midday, and then thought we would get a bite to eat, followed by some shopping. Now, I hate cosmetic departments at the best of times (they may as well be screaming out to you that you are all ugly and not good enough and no one will ever love you etc.), but I was outright offended at the amount of makeup some woman forced on me. (I did not volunteer, she forced me into the chair, and when I said I didn’t wear much makeup, she said she would just show me ‘this one thing’). Half an hour later she was writing out a list a mile long of all the stuff she had slapped on me…the only reason I stuck around so long was because she was like a caricature of an American woman…highly entertaining. (I tried to explain to her repeatedly that I had just come on a crack-of-dawn flight from London and that I wasn't normally so hideous looking, but apparently this is no excuse).
The other ‘American caricature’ type highlight of that day was our lunch. I just wanted a ham and cheese sandwich, and I seriously probably got a whole pigs leg. Such massive portions. I am not going to say that is why they are so fat. Because from my experience, Americans don’t seem too much fatter than Australians or English people, but you can’t tell from cities, you always have to go out to suburbia or further, before you get to see the real…ok, I am going to stop now before I get in trouble. But all throughout our trip, the portions were huge, and everything came with a choice of multiple ‘sides’. I quite like the ‘macaroni and cheese’, which comes as a side everywhere, but it seems like it could kill you without too much effort. Delicious though.
To continue on the theme of food, we also checked out the new food hall in Central train station. It showcases a couple of local restaurants by having ‘kiosk’ stalls there. So there is a great variety of food to choose from, not too dear, and not deathly busy. Highly recommended. I got something from some kind of 'Southern' resaurant, called Cousin Jimmy's or something. And I got a side of macaroni cheese. The meal was delicious, but so massive that I took the left overs back to the hotel room for breakfast.
The worst food I had was when I was trying to be cool and told Aidan we should go to this Peruvian restaurant. On the menu, I ordered “Prawns, calamari, Octopus and fish in lemon”…which sounds like a delicious mixed grill or something, right? No. So so wrong. First it was cold. Yuck. Cold wet seafood can make your brain believe you just might be eating cold raw seafood. and not in a nice sushi/sashimi colourful presentation way, but in a wet grey lumped together way. Nightmare of nightmares, it wasn’t a grill at all…it was a SALAD – my arch nemesis of all foods. Not only was it cold seafood in salad form, but it was excessively garnished with two of my most hated flavours – chilli and coriander. Really, it was the nightmare of my life. Bizarrely, Aidan, who is way fussier than me, loved it. I gave it to him, and on the way back to the hotel grabbed some BBQ chicken with macaroni and cheese ‘side’, and sat watching Idol eating it. Surely that is partaking in American culture.
But that was the only bad experience of food, the rest of the food was beautiful, and we went to some quite nice and funky restaurants. However, I must say, that everyone told me food was cheap there, but once you add tax and tips, well it is like a horrible little surprise at the end of every meal.
As it was so cold, we didn’t spend as much time outside as I would have liked, but we did explore Central Park on the one nice warm morning we had, and we walked a lot rather than take the subway (the Tube is so much better, and less scary). I did not get in any Taxi/cabs. We spent a lot of time in shops, but I didn’t buy any clothes or shoes, although Aidan bought quite a bit.
We went on a boat ride around Manhattan (circle line cruises – highly recommended by me, super informative, and the man on the loudspeaker tells people to sit down if they get up and stand in your view), the top of the Rockefeller Centre (so we could have a view of the city AND the Empire state building), Ground Zero (not too much to see there, but what they are planning looks amazing), and all the department stores and shops you hear about (Macy’s, Saks, Bloomingdales). I tried to go and get those Sex and the City cupcakes, but there was a big fat line, and even I don’t need cake that much. (well, I probably do, but I don't need THAT specific cake that much).
As we went at Easter, we were around for the famous ‘Easter Parade’ on Fifth Avenue . Where they cordon off a couple of blocks along that street, and people wander around wearing Easter hats they have made. It was something I have heard of forever, thanks to George and his musicals, and so I was very excited. There weren’t that many people partaking, but those that did put a massive amount of effort into the things. There was also some singing and dancing type things going on, but not very Easter-y (break dancing and calypso music…I like it, but it isn’t Easter related).
Then, as you probably all know by now…as we walked past Tiffany’s Aidan told me that he wanted to buy me some jewellery, because he never has. I told him that he knows I don’t wear jewellery, but we went in and wandered around, and found ourselves on the second floor with all the rings, and so we got engaged and looked at Engagement rings. (not really that spur of the moment, we had talked about it before).
So there you go. That is some pretty big news I suppose. However, after trying on all different types of rings, picking one, counselling ourselves over two days on whether or not it was worth the price, we finally put our bank cards down on the counter to buy my ring…and found out that Tiffany’s doesn’t accept debit cards, only credit cards…boo! So no ring yet. The same ring in the UK Tiffany's is much more expensive, and no way would we get that one. More than a third of the price more! And we coudl get it made elsewhere, but then for the rest of my life I would be looking at it thinking 'This is such a nice copy of the ring I really wanted'. Now, I know everyone thinks I am very spoiled, but I'm not, despite the next sentence: Aidan has flown back to NYC this weekend to get me the Tiffany's ring. I am not spoilt! He had to convince me to let him go, and I am paying for half the ring. It is ridiculously expensive, but can you put a price on something like this? Think would regret forever if I scrimped on this one piece of jewellery I am ever going to wear. Ok, enough self-justification.
The return flight home was easily my best flight ever. We flew out of Newark Airport at around 9pm, and flew past Manhattan island, which was the most amazing panorama view, better than on the boat cruise, or from the top of the Rockefeller Centre. Amazing, dark sky and bright sparkling city. I had the window seat…hooray! Then, I promptly passed out, waking only when we began out descent over London at 9am the next morning, and out the window that time was early morning London, clear skies, and I had a great view of the Thames winding its way through the city (if you have ever seen a horrid show called Eastenders, you might know what the view was like). That flight was easily the best ever.
Next vacation may be a while away due to lack of funds, due to extravagant ring purchase...but thats ok. Don't want to escape London in the summer anyway...it is fantastic already. Everyone smiles more, you can stay out later because it is light and warm, and I have a big backyard and bbq!!! Last weekend was spent lying in the sun with drinks and snacks watching McLeods on my mini-dvd player (excellent purchase).
rambling now. so this is the end.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Photos
Here is a link to my photo's on the internet. If it doesn't work, maybe see if you can cut and paste into the address bar.
They are just a few photo's...
http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=TracyMusung&CID=1938120&E=Y&ILD=3223573
They are just a few photo's...
http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=TracyMusung&CID=1938120&E=Y&ILD=3223573
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Australia
Although they say that when you are tired of London you are tired of life, I must admit that in January this year, I was tired of London . I was sick of the grey, and the cold, and the never wanting to do anything but stay inside and sleep. I couldn’t be bothered doing anything new or different, but at the same time hated the rut I was in. So it was timely that George bought me a return flight home for three weeks in February.
I flew home on Virgin Atlantic – excellent in-flight entertainment, horrifically uncomfortable chairs, and not too crash hot food. However, I was so excited, that I didn’t even care (unlike on the return home flight when I definitely did care, and thought I was near death from lack of good food and air). When I arrived, Kirsty, Betty, Amanda and Graham were all waiting with smiles, hugs and balloons (including a monkey balloon with big ears and stick arms which looked suspiciously like me…I later found out that that is exactly why they bought it).
and then I got driven down to Wollongong, and after being in London for so long...being driven anywhere was a luxury. Being driven all that way, and not having to pay a minimum of £25 was bliss. Even better was later on when I started driving myself, in the fantastic Echo. I thought it would be difficult to be driving again, but it was a piece of cake (due in no small part I am sure to the magnificent engineers of the Toyota Echo, best car in the universe, and superiorly named in Australia, compared to in the UK where it was always called a Yaris...bad, bad name).
While I was in Wollongong I spent a lot of time with all my friends and family, went shopping in Sydney (and bought an Alannah Hill dress for which I will have no use in the foreseeable future unless I star in a London show of A Midsummer Nights Dream), visited my grandma, spent a lot of time in George’s shop catching up with old work-mates and favourite customers, slept in, had afternoon siestas, ate lamingtons and KFC chips, went to the beach, watched McLeods daughters endlessly, bought shoes, ate FRESH fruit and LAMINGTONS!!! yum yum! (since I got back I have attempted to make lamingtons. They came out as delicious, but hard little rocks. Maybe this was because I covered them in melted chocolate, rather than chocolate icing. I will be trying again at some point....
I even had time to fit in a trip to Canberra. I got down there on a Friday afternoon, loaded down with cakes. Bredoir let me into the building and I wandered around the third floor giving away cake to mostly strangers. No one knew who I was, yet they all accepted food from me, which shows, that we don't really learn from childhood that we shouldn't accept sweets from strangers. I also met my replacements in the FaCS AAU...um, I don't think there is too much to say about that without getting into trouble from the politeness police. Thank you everyone that came out for tea with me on that Friday, re-enacting my farewell dinner of over two years ago (similar to that farewell, I also got to sight my 'nemesis' which is always good for a laugh). Thanks to Tina Lee and Phoebs (and Josh) for letting me stay at your flats, thanks Arun for driving all the way down, and thanks to Robin for the lovely Finance anniversary mug.
While I am on thanks...thanks to Kirsty for coming all the way down from Brisbane and Christina for driving me to the airport, and every other man and his dog (especially Betty George Amanda and Graham), for making my time at home so special.
I dreaded coming back to London , rain and work. But when I got here, the weather had brightened up, the days had started getting longer, and everyone was in a better mood. That immediately made me feel better. Then the weather snapped, and it started snowing, and now it is like I had never left at all...but I am trying to be positive!!!
The work situation is getting to be quite interesting (“will I stay or will I go”-type-drama’s) and my housemates are all back from winter trips, so it feels fun again. I think I can battle it out for a bit longer over here.
Since being back I have even been getting out at the weekend, exploring london, or like yesterday, I went to Cambridge for the first time.
Also, I have a five night mini-break in New York planned for the Easter Weekend! hooray!!! So I guess that will be my next post!!!
I can't be bothered proof-reading this, hope it is ok.
I flew home on Virgin Atlantic – excellent in-flight entertainment, horrifically uncomfortable chairs, and not too crash hot food. However, I was so excited, that I didn’t even care (unlike on the return home flight when I definitely did care, and thought I was near death from lack of good food and air). When I arrived, Kirsty, Betty, Amanda and Graham were all waiting with smiles, hugs and balloons (including a monkey balloon with big ears and stick arms which looked suspiciously like me…I later found out that that is exactly why they bought it).
and then I got driven down to Wollongong, and after being in London for so long...being driven anywhere was a luxury. Being driven all that way, and not having to pay a minimum of £25 was bliss. Even better was later on when I started driving myself, in the fantastic Echo. I thought it would be difficult to be driving again, but it was a piece of cake (due in no small part I am sure to the magnificent engineers of the Toyota Echo, best car in the universe, and superiorly named in Australia, compared to in the UK where it was always called a Yaris...bad, bad name).
While I was in Wollongong I spent a lot of time with all my friends and family, went shopping in Sydney (and bought an Alannah Hill dress for which I will have no use in the foreseeable future unless I star in a London show of A Midsummer Nights Dream), visited my grandma, spent a lot of time in George’s shop catching up with old work-mates and favourite customers, slept in, had afternoon siestas, ate lamingtons and KFC chips, went to the beach, watched McLeods daughters endlessly, bought shoes, ate FRESH fruit and LAMINGTONS!!! yum yum! (since I got back I have attempted to make lamingtons. They came out as delicious, but hard little rocks. Maybe this was because I covered them in melted chocolate, rather than chocolate icing. I will be trying again at some point....
I even had time to fit in a trip to Canberra. I got down there on a Friday afternoon, loaded down with cakes. Bredoir let me into the building and I wandered around the third floor giving away cake to mostly strangers. No one knew who I was, yet they all accepted food from me, which shows, that we don't really learn from childhood that we shouldn't accept sweets from strangers. I also met my replacements in the FaCS AAU...um, I don't think there is too much to say about that without getting into trouble from the politeness police. Thank you everyone that came out for tea with me on that Friday, re-enacting my farewell dinner of over two years ago (similar to that farewell, I also got to sight my 'nemesis' which is always good for a laugh). Thanks to Tina Lee and Phoebs (and Josh) for letting me stay at your flats, thanks Arun for driving all the way down, and thanks to Robin for the lovely Finance anniversary mug.
While I am on thanks...thanks to Kirsty for coming all the way down from Brisbane and Christina for driving me to the airport, and every other man and his dog (especially Betty George Amanda and Graham), for making my time at home so special.
I dreaded coming back to London , rain and work. But when I got here, the weather had brightened up, the days had started getting longer, and everyone was in a better mood. That immediately made me feel better. Then the weather snapped, and it started snowing, and now it is like I had never left at all...but I am trying to be positive!!!
The work situation is getting to be quite interesting (“will I stay or will I go”-type-drama’s) and my housemates are all back from winter trips, so it feels fun again. I think I can battle it out for a bit longer over here.
Since being back I have even been getting out at the weekend, exploring london, or like yesterday, I went to Cambridge for the first time.
Also, I have a five night mini-break in New York planned for the Easter Weekend! hooray!!! So I guess that will be my next post!!!
I can't be bothered proof-reading this, hope it is ok.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Ridge Hill
It has been pointed out to me from many sides that I have not posted for quite a while. This is only because I have not been on any trips in quite a while, and therefore, have not much to say.
However, in an attempt to please my mass of fans, I will now post on my new house. Which isn’t really new anymore, I moved in October, but have restrained myself in posting about it until I got absolutely desperate for news.
Ok, so, in October, I moved from south east London , (Bermondsey), to North West London, (Golders Green). I moved for a few reasons, one of which was an inability to get along with one of my housemates, but mainly I wanted to move in with Aidan, and I liked his housemates and the area his house is in. So I have gone from sharing a three bedroom flat with two irish boys, to living in a nine person house sharing with kiwi’s and aussies. There are three couples, a pair of brothers, and a threesome of friends, so it is all very friendly and family like. It is not at all a party house like some other houses I know, and, most importantly, I am not the only girl. There are five girls to four boys – hooray.
I can see your amazement now…nine people!?!? But the house is quite big, our bedroom is very big and we spend a lot of time in it, there are three bathrooms…basically, there is plenty room, and it is nice to have a house of friendly, but quiet, people. (That is the other good thing, in Bermondsey, my bedroom faced a very noisy road. In Golders Green it faces a very quiet backyard!).
One other reason I moved, was because I thought south east London was dodgy, and that north west looked safer. Bermondsey is a council estate type area, but it is getting nicer as people buy out the council flats, because it is very near the city. Golders Green is a wealthier, family-oriented, Jewish area. So I thought it would be nice and quieter and safer. Hmmm, well, I am not going to dwell too much on that…
I have also had a couple of visitors over the past few months. Emma stayed with me for a week, and now Sel is with me for two weeks. It is excellent, and feels like I never left Canberra . There is a lot of pudding eating and Gilmore Girl watching going on. I also went to see the Dirty Dancing stage show with Emma, and the Nutcracker Ballet. Sel and I went out to the countryside last weekend, but that is the last time I will do that until summer. We were glad to get home, and have reverted to lying on my bed all day watching Gilmore Girls. This is what winter is for.
Then, for Christmas, we spent it with Aidan’s sister and her lover, and it was wonderful company, food and presents (wonderful, WONDERFUL food). New Years was a non-event though, as I was in bed and asleep before midnight. If you think I was a home body in Australia , imagine what I am like in a freezing cold country where it gets dark at 4pm and I have no car. That’s right.
So now I am waiting for my next holiday, which is to go home for three weeks in February. I am looking forward to seeing everyone very much, eating proper fresh food, and maybe getting a little bit of a tan.
See you all soon.
However, in an attempt to please my mass of fans, I will now post on my new house. Which isn’t really new anymore, I moved in October, but have restrained myself in posting about it until I got absolutely desperate for news.
Ok, so, in October, I moved from south east London , (Bermondsey), to North West London, (Golders Green). I moved for a few reasons, one of which was an inability to get along with one of my housemates, but mainly I wanted to move in with Aidan, and I liked his housemates and the area his house is in. So I have gone from sharing a three bedroom flat with two irish boys, to living in a nine person house sharing with kiwi’s and aussies. There are three couples, a pair of brothers, and a threesome of friends, so it is all very friendly and family like. It is not at all a party house like some other houses I know, and, most importantly, I am not the only girl. There are five girls to four boys – hooray.
I can see your amazement now…nine people!?!? But the house is quite big, our bedroom is very big and we spend a lot of time in it, there are three bathrooms…basically, there is plenty room, and it is nice to have a house of friendly, but quiet, people. (That is the other good thing, in Bermondsey, my bedroom faced a very noisy road. In Golders Green it faces a very quiet backyard!).
One other reason I moved, was because I thought south east London was dodgy, and that north west looked safer. Bermondsey is a council estate type area, but it is getting nicer as people buy out the council flats, because it is very near the city. Golders Green is a wealthier, family-oriented, Jewish area. So I thought it would be nice and quieter and safer. Hmmm, well, I am not going to dwell too much on that…
I have also had a couple of visitors over the past few months. Emma stayed with me for a week, and now Sel is with me for two weeks. It is excellent, and feels like I never left Canberra . There is a lot of pudding eating and Gilmore Girl watching going on. I also went to see the Dirty Dancing stage show with Emma, and the Nutcracker Ballet. Sel and I went out to the countryside last weekend, but that is the last time I will do that until summer. We were glad to get home, and have reverted to lying on my bed all day watching Gilmore Girls. This is what winter is for.
Then, for Christmas, we spent it with Aidan’s sister and her lover, and it was wonderful company, food and presents (wonderful, WONDERFUL food). New Years was a non-event though, as I was in bed and asleep before midnight. If you think I was a home body in Australia , imagine what I am like in a freezing cold country where it gets dark at 4pm and I have no car. That’s right.
So now I am waiting for my next holiday, which is to go home for three weeks in February. I am looking forward to seeing everyone very much, eating proper fresh food, and maybe getting a little bit of a tan.
See you all soon.
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