05 November 2008
It's all a big game
"So then, do you know who won?"
My mouth is full of smoked salmon and I didn't fully understand what he said because the thickness of the accent takes a minute to process.
But the minute passes. I swallow and say "Obama."
"Oh? You're from the United States?"
"Yes."
We continue to discuss politics. The English are very, very with it when it comes to world politics. They are even more interested in the results than many of the Americans I know. And their news had an Obama slant from the beginning. The newscasters all hoping that the Americans choose Obama. It was very odd since every channel is very much like that and I'm not used to it from the States.
The London City Airport is unlike any other airport I've every encountered. There are no announcements. All boarding and flight information is on the monitors. If your flight is on last call the flight is in red. Really, to have people responsible for themselves. The airport is really, really, quiet too.
One hour and 30 minutes later I'm in Geneva. Somehow I missed getting off the train in Geneva and kept going to Nyon, Switzerland which is far...so far that when my friend realized where I had ended up she said if I had headed East instead of North I would have ended up in France.
And they won't stamp passports in Switzerland unless you're a Swiss Citizen. I asked. Bummer! No proof on my passport that I've ever been there.
It was a great day of touring around with my friend Celeste. I got to hear all about the reality of Swiss Bank Accounts and see the city of Geneva. We walked all over and it was great. The giant chess pieces made me think of Wei Qi and I wondered how that would work if there were really big Go pieces to move around.
Geneva was not what I expected but it was still cool. And I'm very happy that French was my second language in school. :) It was fun to speak it again. No matter how rusty.
I came back to London in the evening to see fireworks along the DLR on my train ride back to the heart of the city. It was beautiful and a nice welcome. Of course, it was also Guy Fawkes Day.
Remember, Remember, the fifth of November,
The gunpowder treason, and plot.
I know of no reason,
The Gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot.
Here's to you Mr. Fawkes.
My mouth is full of smoked salmon and I didn't fully understand what he said because the thickness of the accent takes a minute to process.
But the minute passes. I swallow and say "Obama."
"Oh? You're from the United States?"
"Yes."
We continue to discuss politics. The English are very, very with it when it comes to world politics. They are even more interested in the results than many of the Americans I know. And their news had an Obama slant from the beginning. The newscasters all hoping that the Americans choose Obama. It was very odd since every channel is very much like that and I'm not used to it from the States.
The London City Airport is unlike any other airport I've every encountered. There are no announcements. All boarding and flight information is on the monitors. If your flight is on last call the flight is in red. Really, to have people responsible for themselves. The airport is really, really, quiet too.
One hour and 30 minutes later I'm in Geneva. Somehow I missed getting off the train in Geneva and kept going to Nyon, Switzerland which is far...so far that when my friend realized where I had ended up she said if I had headed East instead of North I would have ended up in France.
And they won't stamp passports in Switzerland unless you're a Swiss Citizen. I asked. Bummer! No proof on my passport that I've ever been there.
It was a great day of touring around with my friend Celeste. I got to hear all about the reality of Swiss Bank Accounts and see the city of Geneva. We walked all over and it was great. The giant chess pieces made me think of Wei Qi and I wondered how that would work if there were really big Go pieces to move around.
Geneva was not what I expected but it was still cool. And I'm very happy that French was my second language in school. :) It was fun to speak it again. No matter how rusty.
I came back to London in the evening to see fireworks along the DLR on my train ride back to the heart of the city. It was beautiful and a nice welcome. Of course, it was also Guy Fawkes Day.
Remember, Remember, the fifth of November,
The gunpowder treason, and plot.
I know of no reason,
The Gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot.
Here's to you Mr. Fawkes.
04 November 2008
A Story book vacation
The London Eye from the top. Of course, it's not our pod but it's still cool.
One thing I have to say about the London Eye. You get perspective on the world. Sometimes we're going in circles up and down and we don't realize we're in a glass box and the world seems bigger than it is or smaller than it is depending on where you're focusing.
And it is always easier to focus on the pod in front of you or behind you than it is to focus on your own. In fact, it's impossible to see your own pod with any sort of perspective. But looking at the other pods can be quite beautiful.
If the light strikes from behind you can see the shapes of people as they look out and it can be quite striking. Or you see them from the front and you make up little stories for each of them.
They're on their honeymoon.
The husband and wife aren't talking but they're here for the children.
They're on a University holiday.
He's a journalist.
Stuff like that.
Funny that we make up stories when we don't know them. We read people like books and create our own thoughts about them. Sometimes they're fairytales. Most of the time they're not. But they're interesting all the same...especially if they belong to the pod next to you.
One thing I have to say about the London Eye. You get perspective on the world. Sometimes we're going in circles up and down and we don't realize we're in a glass box and the world seems bigger than it is or smaller than it is depending on where you're focusing.
And it is always easier to focus on the pod in front of you or behind you than it is to focus on your own. In fact, it's impossible to see your own pod with any sort of perspective. But looking at the other pods can be quite beautiful.
If the light strikes from behind you can see the shapes of people as they look out and it can be quite striking. Or you see them from the front and you make up little stories for each of them.
They're on their honeymoon.
The husband and wife aren't talking but they're here for the children.
They're on a University holiday.
He's a journalist.
Stuff like that.
Funny that we make up stories when we don't know them. We read people like books and create our own thoughts about them. Sometimes they're fairytales. Most of the time they're not. But they're interesting all the same...especially if they belong to the pod next to you.
CSI, Eye, Aye aye
"Hmmmm, what is this? CSI properties?"
Part of the reason for a vacation is to get away from work. Or, one would think so. Yesterday part of my group went to The National Theatre and we toured it including the backstage area.
Towards the end of the tour, a conference was let out for lunch and we found it to be the Tessitura U.K. conference. What does that mean? Well, basically, work followed us here. Or, maybe, of all the places in London to go--we found the one place there was a work conference.
After that we went to the London Eye. It was beautiful. 30 minutes to go 'round but you see so much. The majority of my photos are from this ride. Over a hundred actually. Think I went a little overboard. Might need to delete a few. And, of course, I don't have any here for you to see.
We also went to "Billy Elliot" and it made me cry 3 times. The youth were so good and the adult actors as well. It was really lovely.
Part of the reason for a vacation is to get away from work. Or, one would think so. Yesterday part of my group went to The National Theatre and we toured it including the backstage area.
Towards the end of the tour, a conference was let out for lunch and we found it to be the Tessitura U.K. conference. What does that mean? Well, basically, work followed us here. Or, maybe, of all the places in London to go--we found the one place there was a work conference.
After that we went to the London Eye. It was beautiful. 30 minutes to go 'round but you see so much. The majority of my photos are from this ride. Over a hundred actually. Think I went a little overboard. Might need to delete a few. And, of course, I don't have any here for you to see.
We also went to "Billy Elliot" and it made me cry 3 times. The youth were so good and the adult actors as well. It was really lovely.
03 November 2008
Jack the Ripper
"And she her throat was slit twice, ear to ear. The second time so violently that it went back to the vertebrae and her head was basically decapitated off."
I shudder. And I don't sleep very well that night. Nightmares of being slit open. Not very good with this sort of thing.
But, the tour was wonderful and the little Tower Hill communities around that we walk through are actually quite charming. Part of it feels like the back lot at Paramount or Universal. It's almost so cute it's not real.
From what we're told the neighborhood is being gentrified. Flats are now more expensive and renovations are making it into an nice community where the prostitutes don't tend to roam any longer.
Jack would find it hard pressed to find his victims now I guess. As long as he stays out of my nightmares.
I shudder. And I don't sleep very well that night. Nightmares of being slit open. Not very good with this sort of thing.
But, the tour was wonderful and the little Tower Hill communities around that we walk through are actually quite charming. Part of it feels like the back lot at Paramount or Universal. It's almost so cute it's not real.
From what we're told the neighborhood is being gentrified. Flats are now more expensive and renovations are making it into an nice community where the prostitutes don't tend to roam any longer.
Jack would find it hard pressed to find his victims now I guess. As long as he stays out of my nightmares.
Are you from Wisconsin?
"Are you from Wisconsin?"
"What?"
"Where are you from?"
"Wisconsin"
"Ahhhh, yes, I thought so."
I'm wearing brown pants, brown shoes, and a black jacket that is totally nondescript. How could he know I'm from Wisconsin? I even ask my friends later and they think it's totally weird.
I was wandering to the far side of Buckingham Palace. A part no-one was around. It was empty and the view was really pretty. And this guy comes up to me and starts with "Are you from Wisconsin?"
London is so lovely. I forget how much I miss this place. It brings a true smile to my face to be running around the city. I think one of my traveling companions even caught of photo of me skipping down the path in front of Kensington Palace.
I only have 2 minutes left on this internet card. I'll have to add more later. With photos I promise. We'll talk about Jack the Ripper then. :) Bye for now.
"What?"
"Where are you from?"
"Wisconsin"
"Ahhhh, yes, I thought so."
I'm wearing brown pants, brown shoes, and a black jacket that is totally nondescript. How could he know I'm from Wisconsin? I even ask my friends later and they think it's totally weird.
I was wandering to the far side of Buckingham Palace. A part no-one was around. It was empty and the view was really pretty. And this guy comes up to me and starts with "Are you from Wisconsin?"
London is so lovely. I forget how much I miss this place. It brings a true smile to my face to be running around the city. I think one of my traveling companions even caught of photo of me skipping down the path in front of Kensington Palace.
I only have 2 minutes left on this internet card. I'll have to add more later. With photos I promise. We'll talk about Jack the Ripper then. :) Bye for now.
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