The USB isn't working, so I can't show you pictures...
But I can write a little about what's been up...
So.... um, let's see. After leaving Ireland, I spent about 3 days in Amsterdam. We (as in me and three girls from the Ireland class I was traveling with) saw the typical tourist things--the Red Light District (which is apparently, Amsterdamers say, the only 1% of the city that 99% of tourists see....), the Anne Frank House (VERY worth going to, even though it's entirely bare), walking along the canals. It is a very beautiful city, with a lot of old buildings, and it feels very alien, almost like another world.
After that, it was off to Wales, via a bus from London's Victoria Coach station--an approximately 4 hour bus ride that was COMPLETELY worth it in every respect. Cardiff, Wales' capital, is a wonderful little town; you can walk everywhere, and it's affordable, and they have a castle with all these phases of architecture... from the Norman Keep to the 19th century baily that was built as a residence for the Bute family during the Industrial Revolution--which they tried to make look as medieval as possible. So... yeah. Very nice. And the next day I took a tour of the countryside in south Wales, which was gorgeous!!! So full of greenery and hills and valleys... Honestly, I think I can say I prefer it to the Irish countryside. They're both unique in their own ways, of course..
After Wales, it was back to London for 4 days to meet up with the girls; they had gone to Paris, and since I went with DIS last spring, I didn't feel the need to go again. We met up, and I was able to stay with one of the girls' friends, in their apartment--yay for saving money in money-sucking-expensive Europe! London was... well, actually, it was a bit different than what I remember from 8 years ago. I did the Tower, again, because I can't resist it... but other than that, I ended up doing a lot of different things. I saw the Prime Meridion, which is marked by the Royal Observatory--itself up on this high hill that gives you an awesome panorama view of London; plus I went at night, so it was extra pretty, and they had a laser marking the meridion... so, as you can imagine, I spent a few minutes standing on it and jumping from hemisphere to hemisphere. XD
I also saw Windsor Castle, which is gigantic, and quite pretty. I'm learning so much about the layouts of castles... And actually, this particualr one is still in Royal use today. It's still like a living entity, which is really unique, as compared to all the ruins I saw.
Went inside Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, which my grandma and I hadn't gotten to do. It's actually really cool inside! They've got an exhibition on the period clothing, music, materials, etc. that they use... Plus, the theatre itself is pretty, and round... I want to go back sometime in the summer so I can actually see a play there!
There was more to London, as well--a Jack the Ripper walk, the British Museum (THEY have the Rosetta stone... which is awesome... plus a bunch of other really well preserved Egyptian things... theives... XD), general walking around in enjoyment. This morning I left, though, and am currently in my first hostel in Edinburgh; tomorrow begins my Haggis tour of the Highlands, which promises... promises. Yes......
On a side note--London is the warmest place I have been so far! It's really weird... Amsterdam was the coldest, actually.
I get back on Monday, Feb. 2 at about 7pm... so if people want to see me when I get back, just let me know!
So.... um, let's see. After leaving Ireland, I spent about 3 days in Amsterdam. We (as in me and three girls from the Ireland class I was traveling with) saw the typical tourist things--the Red Light District (which is apparently, Amsterdamers say, the only 1% of the city that 99% of tourists see....), the Anne Frank House (VERY worth going to, even though it's entirely bare), walking along the canals. It is a very beautiful city, with a lot of old buildings, and it feels very alien, almost like another world.
After that, it was off to Wales, via a bus from London's Victoria Coach station--an approximately 4 hour bus ride that was COMPLETELY worth it in every respect. Cardiff, Wales' capital, is a wonderful little town; you can walk everywhere, and it's affordable, and they have a castle with all these phases of architecture... from the Norman Keep to the 19th century baily that was built as a residence for the Bute family during the Industrial Revolution--which they tried to make look as medieval as possible. So... yeah. Very nice. And the next day I took a tour of the countryside in south Wales, which was gorgeous!!! So full of greenery and hills and valleys... Honestly, I think I can say I prefer it to the Irish countryside. They're both unique in their own ways, of course..
After Wales, it was back to London for 4 days to meet up with the girls; they had gone to Paris, and since I went with DIS last spring, I didn't feel the need to go again. We met up, and I was able to stay with one of the girls' friends, in their apartment--yay for saving money in money-sucking-expensive Europe! London was... well, actually, it was a bit different than what I remember from 8 years ago. I did the Tower, again, because I can't resist it... but other than that, I ended up doing a lot of different things. I saw the Prime Meridion, which is marked by the Royal Observatory--itself up on this high hill that gives you an awesome panorama view of London; plus I went at night, so it was extra pretty, and they had a laser marking the meridion... so, as you can imagine, I spent a few minutes standing on it and jumping from hemisphere to hemisphere. XD
I also saw Windsor Castle, which is gigantic, and quite pretty. I'm learning so much about the layouts of castles... And actually, this particualr one is still in Royal use today. It's still like a living entity, which is really unique, as compared to all the ruins I saw.
Went inside Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, which my grandma and I hadn't gotten to do. It's actually really cool inside! They've got an exhibition on the period clothing, music, materials, etc. that they use... Plus, the theatre itself is pretty, and round... I want to go back sometime in the summer so I can actually see a play there!
There was more to London, as well--a Jack the Ripper walk, the British Museum (THEY have the Rosetta stone... which is awesome... plus a bunch of other really well preserved Egyptian things... theives... XD), general walking around in enjoyment. This morning I left, though, and am currently in my first hostel in Edinburgh; tomorrow begins my Haggis tour of the Highlands, which promises... promises. Yes......
On a side note--London is the warmest place I have been so far! It's really weird... Amsterdam was the coldest, actually.
I get back on Monday, Feb. 2 at about 7pm... so if people want to see me when I get back, just let me know!