PLP Break, Yo.
So this post it going to be a loooooong one, just because Mom wanted to know what I was up to for the last 6 days.
Day 1: 27 October 2007.
So I get up at 5 AM (running on 3 hours of sleep from the night before) and Allie & Heidi leave for the train station, which is a 20 minute walk. We arrive at Bologna Centrale and take a shuttle to the Bologna Airport... only to find out 15 minutes later, that we were AT THE WRONG AIRPORT. The correct airport was in the city of Forli, 80 km away. We had an hour to get there, before we'd lose our flight and the rest of our plans. We ran to the taxi queue, only to find a long line. It was a mad house trying to get a taxi and once we get one and drive for ten minutes, we get a flat on the autostrada. Another taxi was called and we were on our way. There was traffic and the taxi driver was getting nervous... as if we weren't. At one point he was driving on the median of a two way street... I thought we were going to die. Once we got to the airport (it's a very small one, so it was easy to find things...) we ran to the check-in counter, threw our bags on the conveyor and handed her the passports. We got our boarding tickets and flew right through security. When they were checking our passports, they were confused as to how we got into Florence and now leaving it... it's because stamps are no longer used to prove border control. We literally walk onto the plane... no assigned seating on Ryanair, apparently. We left 10 minutes early too... I hoped that this was the only thing we'd have trouble with on the rest of our trip. Someone was watching over us.
We arrived in Stansted airport and immediately we were in awe of the building, as Sir Norman Foster designed it and we had studied in school last year. People were wondering what was wrong with us. No lost luggage, which was a relief. We were ahead of schedule and took the easybus shuttle to Baker St. in London. We walk to the underground and find out that the District and Circle lines east of Earl's Court is out for the weekend. Just our luck... So it takes us a while to figure out how to get to our hostel, which is a stop west of Earl's Court. It didn't help that Heidi and I were experiencing London for the first time... we just followed Allie.
We eventually got to the hotel, which was in West Kensington... a very nice neighborhood. We reserved a 4-bed female room, hoping to not have a fourth person, but we did. But it turns out to be a really nice old english woman that did god knew what during the day. I think we trusted her. We freshened up a bit and headed to ride the London Eye.
Of all things we crave to eat, we eat at a Tex Mex restaurant.
Day Two: 28.October 2007.
We wake up to eat a "free" breakfast at the hostel. We then left for Canary Wharf to meet up with Uncle Bien... he works for the Olympic Authority and right now they're working on the London Olympics. We got to see the work and it all looks amazing. He was so nice about showing us Canary Wharf. And the underground mall... I never knew about that part of London before, let alone anything about London. We walked across Futuresystem's floating bridge and the weather wasn't the greatest... slightly drizzly. We had lunch at a nearby restaurant.. it was nice having something other than pasta and pizza. Mmm.
We then made our way to the Tower Bridge, where I rode my first double decker bus in London... it was kinda disappointing. It was drizzling a bit. We then went to Design Museum, where there was the Zaha Hadid exhibition. What an inspiration; her projects were incredible.
We trekked our way to Swiss Re... and during that voyage, we bummed into the London Tower. We finally made it... and it was cool to see the building in person. Right across from it was Lloyd's of London building by Richard Rogers. Right after, we tried to go to Oxford St. to see a building done by Futuresystems, but unfortunetaly, I don't think it existed there anymore. We went to Buckingham Palace, but there wasn't much to see. Then, we decided to take a "haunted" tour around London. It wasn't exactly haunted, but it was neat to hear random tidbits, see the little streets that existed, but weren't keen to the average tourist's eye, and I loved the random people walking around, when the guide talked about mysterious beings. It was hilarious. For a late dinner, we went to Chinatown and I had some won ton, egg rice, and deep fried spare rib. I still like it in Pleasant Hill.
Day 3: 29. October 2007.
Once we get check-out and drop off our backpacks at Victoria Train Station, we head to Westminister, where we find Parliament, Big Ben, Westminister Abbey, and STARBUCKS!! Yay. hee hee. We eat our breakfast and drink our caffeine and get admitted into the Parliament building. It's pretty neat... it's so ornate and I think two years ago when I studied European architecture, Gothic was my favorite to learn about. We felt pretty important getting let in and we waited in the lobby for Allie's high school friend's friend to meet up with us and to give us a private tour.... now that was cool. We walked in several chambers, while he gave us a very educational speech, which to our disadvantage, none us knew too much about the history and policies of British politics. Stupid American architecture students not knowing about Parliament... the interiors and architecture amazed me though. We then went to London City Hall, where the building was designed by Foster, once again. We go back to the Victoria Train Station to pick up our bags and catch a double decker shuttle called the Oxford Tube, to get to yes, Oxford. It was the weirdest thing to have free wifi on the bus... I've never heard of it before. I emailed and checked things.
100 minutes later, we were in Oxford and we checked-in into our hostel, which wasn't too far to the main town area. It was mid afternoon and we proceeded to walk to the big library. Everything in Oxford is fairly close to one another, so we walked by shops and got to Christ Church, where they use the buildings for the film, Harry Potter. We got to walk into the cathedral and the great dining hall, where lewis caroll's portrait hangs. Apparently he went to school there. A man that looks after the place told us a few things about the building... it was funny. Freshman attending Oxford get to eat in the dining hall, which seems quite prestigous. After that, we did a little souvenier shopping. And then we ate at an English pub.... sausage with potatoes and hard cider. It was soooo good. I didn't realize hard cider was alcolholic until I drank it... The bartender was wondering why Americans like to drink hard cider and eat fish and chips. He also was curious as to what type of beer Americans drink... I told him I don't drink American beer. There were these kids running around asking for candy... Halloween wasn't until 2 days later. It was funny. Once we were full, we headed back to the hostel and caught up on things, like planning the next couple days....
Day 4: 30.October, 2008.
We wake up early to catch the "free" breakfast and it was impressive. We walk to the train station, Allie and Heidi board the Naitonal Express shuttle to get to Stansted, they are leaving for Germany. We said our goodbyes and I caught the Oxford Tube back to London. I was officially alone in a country. Ten minutes into the drive, the driver decides to load us onto another bus, because the bus we were on wasn't working so great. It was a full bus, but we got to London on time. From Victoria station, I made my way back to the same hostel in West Kensington. I was booked for a 6-person bedroom. I got there at noon, so I wasn't able to get into my room... I left my big backpack in the computer room with the others. I then proceeded with my plan of spending a part of my afternoon in the Kensington Gardens and to visit the Serpentine Gallery.
The day was perfect for venturing into the park... and the park itself was beautiful, or as they say in Italy, bellisimo!! There was a fountatin dedicated to Princess Diana and it was nice. I had lunch at the nearby libo (?) and had some earl grey. I walked to the Serpentine Gallery, which was pretty neat. The Gallery next to it, which housed a modern artist, was "interesting". I didn't understand it at all. I then walked to the Orangery and Kensington Palace.... I wanted to have tea there, but it was kinda lonely having it alone, so I didn't.
After that, I took the tube once again, to the British Museum. I got lost a few times, so I just ended up asking a local... but I made it. The main entryway was incredible.... and the place was filled with practically everything you could think of that existed in the world. From chinese jade to egyptian mummies to roman sculptures. It was all really neat, but I was exhausted from walking around so much.
I ate at a local to-go dining restaurant and headed back to the hostel. I found my roommates all in the room... two scottish girls, two women from belgium, and one guy from India. It was 9 PM and they were all in bed. I went downstairs to catch up on my journal, plan my next day, and talk to Mom online. Meebo is my friend. I washed up and crawled into bed.
Day 5: 31. October, 2008.
I wake up early to catch breakfast once again. I take my time doing some last minute navigations and then I get onto the tube at 9:30 AM to Buckingham Palace. To my dismay, the changing of the guards were not to be performed today. Apparently they only do it every other day. I took the time to take pictures and sketch. I met a woman who was travelling with the Shaolin monks (they perform in London). She was amazed that I wasn't from China. We helped take pictures of each other in front of the Queen Victoria statue. I bid her farewell and headed to the Royal Opera House. It was quite a let down, but when I was making my way down to Leichester Square... I found an H&M (which don't exist in Firenze) and ended up buying a green dress and sweatshirt for 8 dollars. I was happy. I then got to Leichester Square hoping to buy tickets for a show, but they were a bit pricey and I thought it was better to buy souveniers with that money. I bought a few things nearby, including a 'Mind The Gap' shirt (which they say A LOT boarding the trains in the tube). I walked to the National Gallery, which was open till 9 PM that night... I would return later.
I had lunch at :gasp!: McDonald's... I just needed something cheap and something to eat. After that, I took the tube, which led me to the Millenium bridge, which showcased the museum, TATE Modern. It was a tubrine room turned musuem. The outside was very plain, but once I went inside, it was completely modern and sleek. It had a lot of modern pieces, along with Futurist work and works of Piet Mondrian. I had forgotten that today was Halloween and it disturbed me at first when a teenager was walking around the museum with half of his body in an ugly state... he was dressed up as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I bought a few souveniers at the gift shop.
Right across from TATE, was St. Paul's Cathedral. I wandered into the church and it was huge. It was so beautiful and it was ashame that I couldn't get closer to the alter, because there was great detail on the walls and ceilings... they were about to have service. I got lost once again, trying to find a tube entrance. Once I found it, I made my way back to the hostel to drop off a few items bought.
There was an English restaurant that I wanted to eat at and I couldn't bare leaving London without having a good meal. I figured how to get there and left for it. I had a dish of lamb cutlet along with cabbage, carrots, and potatoes, with Coke. For desert I had a blueberry pie covered in custard. I was definitely happy and full. After that, I left for the National Gallery, sparing me an hour to peruse around. They must have allowed the public to see all the galleries, including the ones I'd have to pay for, and it was pretty interesting. I think I was museumed-out by that time. I took the tube back to the hostel and took a shower. It turns out the two women from Beligum came to London to buy English books to teach elementary kids, apparently London was the only place to buy them. At 10 PM, I went down to talk to mom once again. After that, I went to sleep.
Day 6: 1. November, 2008.
Breakfast and then I checked out at 9:30 AM. I made my way to the tube and got to Baker St, where my pick up location was at for the shuttle to Stansted airport. While I was getting settled in the shuttle, two Asian girls, a little older than me, were talking about Florence. I talked to them a bit and we exchanged numbers. They were grad students studying in London... Firenze would be their weekend trip. They were on the same flight as me, so I would be seeing them at the other airport as well. I checked in my backpack and had lunch at one of the restaurants in the airport. I passed the time writing in my journal and sketching out my project for my case study homework. I got onto the plane nicely and arrived in Forli ten minutes ahead of schedule.
As I was trying to figure out how to get back to Firenze, the two girls from earlier asked me if I wanted a lift, as they were renting a car for the weekend. I thanked them and we were on our way. Luckily these girls have been all around the world, so they knew what they were doing. It took us a few hours to get to Firenze.... I gave them some gas money, as it was 20 euro for a half a tank. Not exactly the cheapest, but these girls seem to have money. They dropped me off at Palazzo Pitti (my case study building) and I walked back home from there, which was 20 minutes away. Firenze was unusually warm and people were walking everywhere. I was thankful that I had made it home safe.
From my sketchbook: Why did London have to be so cool? I had so much fun seeing things, doing things. I'm going to miss the efficiency of the tube and all its greatness. People in central London and Oxford were really nice. I wouldn't mind visiting the city again and perhaps working there in the near future. I was so fortunate to have everything go as planned and it being my first time ever venturing into a new city by myself, I have to say that it was a pleasant experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything else.
Day 1: 27 October 2007.
So I get up at 5 AM (running on 3 hours of sleep from the night before) and Allie & Heidi leave for the train station, which is a 20 minute walk. We arrive at Bologna Centrale and take a shuttle to the Bologna Airport... only to find out 15 minutes later, that we were AT THE WRONG AIRPORT. The correct airport was in the city of Forli, 80 km away. We had an hour to get there, before we'd lose our flight and the rest of our plans. We ran to the taxi queue, only to find a long line. It was a mad house trying to get a taxi and once we get one and drive for ten minutes, we get a flat on the autostrada. Another taxi was called and we were on our way. There was traffic and the taxi driver was getting nervous... as if we weren't. At one point he was driving on the median of a two way street... I thought we were going to die. Once we got to the airport (it's a very small one, so it was easy to find things...) we ran to the check-in counter, threw our bags on the conveyor and handed her the passports. We got our boarding tickets and flew right through security. When they were checking our passports, they were confused as to how we got into Florence and now leaving it... it's because stamps are no longer used to prove border control. We literally walk onto the plane... no assigned seating on Ryanair, apparently. We left 10 minutes early too... I hoped that this was the only thing we'd have trouble with on the rest of our trip. Someone was watching over us.
We arrived in Stansted airport and immediately we were in awe of the building, as Sir Norman Foster designed it and we had studied in school last year. People were wondering what was wrong with us. No lost luggage, which was a relief. We were ahead of schedule and took the easybus shuttle to Baker St. in London. We walk to the underground and find out that the District and Circle lines east of Earl's Court is out for the weekend. Just our luck... So it takes us a while to figure out how to get to our hostel, which is a stop west of Earl's Court. It didn't help that Heidi and I were experiencing London for the first time... we just followed Allie.
We eventually got to the hotel, which was in West Kensington... a very nice neighborhood. We reserved a 4-bed female room, hoping to not have a fourth person, but we did. But it turns out to be a really nice old english woman that did god knew what during the day. I think we trusted her. We freshened up a bit and headed to ride the London Eye.
Of all things we crave to eat, we eat at a Tex Mex restaurant.
Day Two: 28.October 2007.
We wake up to eat a "free" breakfast at the hostel. We then left for Canary Wharf to meet up with Uncle Bien... he works for the Olympic Authority and right now they're working on the London Olympics. We got to see the work and it all looks amazing. He was so nice about showing us Canary Wharf. And the underground mall... I never knew about that part of London before, let alone anything about London. We walked across Futuresystem's floating bridge and the weather wasn't the greatest... slightly drizzly. We had lunch at a nearby restaurant.. it was nice having something other than pasta and pizza. Mmm.
We then made our way to the Tower Bridge, where I rode my first double decker bus in London... it was kinda disappointing. It was drizzling a bit. We then went to Design Museum, where there was the Zaha Hadid exhibition. What an inspiration; her projects were incredible.
We trekked our way to Swiss Re... and during that voyage, we bummed into the London Tower. We finally made it... and it was cool to see the building in person. Right across from it was Lloyd's of London building by Richard Rogers. Right after, we tried to go to Oxford St. to see a building done by Futuresystems, but unfortunetaly, I don't think it existed there anymore. We went to Buckingham Palace, but there wasn't much to see. Then, we decided to take a "haunted" tour around London. It wasn't exactly haunted, but it was neat to hear random tidbits, see the little streets that existed, but weren't keen to the average tourist's eye, and I loved the random people walking around, when the guide talked about mysterious beings. It was hilarious. For a late dinner, we went to Chinatown and I had some won ton, egg rice, and deep fried spare rib. I still like it in Pleasant Hill.
Day 3: 29. October 2007.
Once we get check-out and drop off our backpacks at Victoria Train Station, we head to Westminister, where we find Parliament, Big Ben, Westminister Abbey, and STARBUCKS!! Yay. hee hee. We eat our breakfast and drink our caffeine and get admitted into the Parliament building. It's pretty neat... it's so ornate and I think two years ago when I studied European architecture, Gothic was my favorite to learn about. We felt pretty important getting let in and we waited in the lobby for Allie's high school friend's friend to meet up with us and to give us a private tour.... now that was cool. We walked in several chambers, while he gave us a very educational speech, which to our disadvantage, none us knew too much about the history and policies of British politics. Stupid American architecture students not knowing about Parliament... the interiors and architecture amazed me though. We then went to London City Hall, where the building was designed by Foster, once again. We go back to the Victoria Train Station to pick up our bags and catch a double decker shuttle called the Oxford Tube, to get to yes, Oxford. It was the weirdest thing to have free wifi on the bus... I've never heard of it before. I emailed and checked things.
100 minutes later, we were in Oxford and we checked-in into our hostel, which wasn't too far to the main town area. It was mid afternoon and we proceeded to walk to the big library. Everything in Oxford is fairly close to one another, so we walked by shops and got to Christ Church, where they use the buildings for the film, Harry Potter. We got to walk into the cathedral and the great dining hall, where lewis caroll's portrait hangs. Apparently he went to school there. A man that looks after the place told us a few things about the building... it was funny. Freshman attending Oxford get to eat in the dining hall, which seems quite prestigous. After that, we did a little souvenier shopping. And then we ate at an English pub.... sausage with potatoes and hard cider. It was soooo good. I didn't realize hard cider was alcolholic until I drank it... The bartender was wondering why Americans like to drink hard cider and eat fish and chips. He also was curious as to what type of beer Americans drink... I told him I don't drink American beer. There were these kids running around asking for candy... Halloween wasn't until 2 days later. It was funny. Once we were full, we headed back to the hostel and caught up on things, like planning the next couple days....
Day 4: 30.October, 2008.
We wake up early to catch the "free" breakfast and it was impressive. We walk to the train station, Allie and Heidi board the Naitonal Express shuttle to get to Stansted, they are leaving for Germany. We said our goodbyes and I caught the Oxford Tube back to London. I was officially alone in a country. Ten minutes into the drive, the driver decides to load us onto another bus, because the bus we were on wasn't working so great. It was a full bus, but we got to London on time. From Victoria station, I made my way back to the same hostel in West Kensington. I was booked for a 6-person bedroom. I got there at noon, so I wasn't able to get into my room... I left my big backpack in the computer room with the others. I then proceeded with my plan of spending a part of my afternoon in the Kensington Gardens and to visit the Serpentine Gallery.
The day was perfect for venturing into the park... and the park itself was beautiful, or as they say in Italy, bellisimo!! There was a fountatin dedicated to Princess Diana and it was nice. I had lunch at the nearby libo (?) and had some earl grey. I walked to the Serpentine Gallery, which was pretty neat. The Gallery next to it, which housed a modern artist, was "interesting". I didn't understand it at all. I then walked to the Orangery and Kensington Palace.... I wanted to have tea there, but it was kinda lonely having it alone, so I didn't.
After that, I took the tube once again, to the British Museum. I got lost a few times, so I just ended up asking a local... but I made it. The main entryway was incredible.... and the place was filled with practically everything you could think of that existed in the world. From chinese jade to egyptian mummies to roman sculptures. It was all really neat, but I was exhausted from walking around so much.
I ate at a local to-go dining restaurant and headed back to the hostel. I found my roommates all in the room... two scottish girls, two women from belgium, and one guy from India. It was 9 PM and they were all in bed. I went downstairs to catch up on my journal, plan my next day, and talk to Mom online. Meebo is my friend. I washed up and crawled into bed.
Day 5: 31. October, 2008.
I wake up early to catch breakfast once again. I take my time doing some last minute navigations and then I get onto the tube at 9:30 AM to Buckingham Palace. To my dismay, the changing of the guards were not to be performed today. Apparently they only do it every other day. I took the time to take pictures and sketch. I met a woman who was travelling with the Shaolin monks (they perform in London). She was amazed that I wasn't from China. We helped take pictures of each other in front of the Queen Victoria statue. I bid her farewell and headed to the Royal Opera House. It was quite a let down, but when I was making my way down to Leichester Square... I found an H&M (which don't exist in Firenze) and ended up buying a green dress and sweatshirt for 8 dollars. I was happy. I then got to Leichester Square hoping to buy tickets for a show, but they were a bit pricey and I thought it was better to buy souveniers with that money. I bought a few things nearby, including a 'Mind The Gap' shirt (which they say A LOT boarding the trains in the tube). I walked to the National Gallery, which was open till 9 PM that night... I would return later.
I had lunch at :gasp!: McDonald's... I just needed something cheap and something to eat. After that, I took the tube, which led me to the Millenium bridge, which showcased the museum, TATE Modern. It was a tubrine room turned musuem. The outside was very plain, but once I went inside, it was completely modern and sleek. It had a lot of modern pieces, along with Futurist work and works of Piet Mondrian. I had forgotten that today was Halloween and it disturbed me at first when a teenager was walking around the museum with half of his body in an ugly state... he was dressed up as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I bought a few souveniers at the gift shop.
Right across from TATE, was St. Paul's Cathedral. I wandered into the church and it was huge. It was so beautiful and it was ashame that I couldn't get closer to the alter, because there was great detail on the walls and ceilings... they were about to have service. I got lost once again, trying to find a tube entrance. Once I found it, I made my way back to the hostel to drop off a few items bought.
There was an English restaurant that I wanted to eat at and I couldn't bare leaving London without having a good meal. I figured how to get there and left for it. I had a dish of lamb cutlet along with cabbage, carrots, and potatoes, with Coke. For desert I had a blueberry pie covered in custard. I was definitely happy and full. After that, I left for the National Gallery, sparing me an hour to peruse around. They must have allowed the public to see all the galleries, including the ones I'd have to pay for, and it was pretty interesting. I think I was museumed-out by that time. I took the tube back to the hostel and took a shower. It turns out the two women from Beligum came to London to buy English books to teach elementary kids, apparently London was the only place to buy them. At 10 PM, I went down to talk to mom once again. After that, I went to sleep.
Day 6: 1. November, 2008.
Breakfast and then I checked out at 9:30 AM. I made my way to the tube and got to Baker St, where my pick up location was at for the shuttle to Stansted airport. While I was getting settled in the shuttle, two Asian girls, a little older than me, were talking about Florence. I talked to them a bit and we exchanged numbers. They were grad students studying in London... Firenze would be their weekend trip. They were on the same flight as me, so I would be seeing them at the other airport as well. I checked in my backpack and had lunch at one of the restaurants in the airport. I passed the time writing in my journal and sketching out my project for my case study homework. I got onto the plane nicely and arrived in Forli ten minutes ahead of schedule.
As I was trying to figure out how to get back to Firenze, the two girls from earlier asked me if I wanted a lift, as they were renting a car for the weekend. I thanked them and we were on our way. Luckily these girls have been all around the world, so they knew what they were doing. It took us a few hours to get to Firenze.... I gave them some gas money, as it was 20 euro for a half a tank. Not exactly the cheapest, but these girls seem to have money. They dropped me off at Palazzo Pitti (my case study building) and I walked back home from there, which was 20 minutes away. Firenze was unusually warm and people were walking everywhere. I was thankful that I had made it home safe.
From my sketchbook: Why did London have to be so cool? I had so much fun seeing things, doing things. I'm going to miss the efficiency of the tube and all its greatness. People in central London and Oxford were really nice. I wouldn't mind visiting the city again and perhaps working there in the near future. I was so fortunate to have everything go as planned and it being my first time ever venturing into a new city by myself, I have to say that it was a pleasant experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything else.