A Tale of 3 Countries

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Chapter 11 Tower stairs and my aching feet

We got this morning and got ready to go on a private tour. We didn’t know what to expect and Sam wanted to check his email this morning and make sure nothing had changed. That’s when he noticed the day that the tour is supposed to take place, the 28^th. You have to understand, we have been traveling for many days and we lose track of the days. I heard Sam say, “Oh no!” I asked why, and he said that, and he said it is the 27^th today. I couldn’t figure out why that was bad. Then he explained that the tour is for the 28^th! So we got up and got ready for nothing! Oh well, if that is the worst thing that happens on this trip, then life is good!

Since we really didn’t have anything planned for the day, we quickly decided that we should go to the Tower of London today. Since the tube was working for the day and the Tower was a long ways from this hotel, we decided it was the perfect day to go see it. We got on the tube, which even though I can be claustrophobic and it is several hundred feet or more underground, I think it a rather ingenious method of transportation. We are pretty sure today I was standing right next to one of the main actors from Wicked on the first route we took this morning.

We had to switch routes to get to where we were going and on the last stretch saw that the route was going to end early, due to construction in that section of the tube. So we decided we would walk the rest of the way. We both really like to walk, and you see so much more, but we really didn’t realize the length of the walk. We are pretty sure it ended up being farther than we planned, due to all the detours we had to take because of construction.

We got to the Tower and got our tickets. I did not realize how big the place was. I heard Tower, as in singular, and it is so much more than a singular tower. I did not study up on any of this because I really liked to be surprised. I was pleasantly surprised. Every corner you turned, there was more to see. My poor feet were getting very sore and tired at that point. In fact, if I don’t see another curved staircase going up a tower again for a long time, I would be happy. Even my legs were starting to protest. But it was such a learning experience for me. I saw the Royal Crown Jewels. The largest cut diamond was in there and so many other precious gems. It is mind boggling to know that that was real and not fake. All the gold and gems in those crowns must make them very heavy to wear! It was amazing! We also saw a film of the Queen being crowned. That was cool.

We went through all the towers, including the White Tower where two Princes were murdered. We saw graffiti from hundreds of years ago. Who knew tagging isn’t a modern thing? It was fascinating to read about that. Prisoners in the towers left their marks on those castle walls.

We did see the Guards up closer, but I left them alone due to all the signs asking us to respect them as they did their duties, and the fact that Sam forbid me from trying to make them smile. He is much more of a rule follower than I am. I am much more of a rebel!

After we went through all we could and my feet and legs were ready to divorce me, we decided to walk over the Tower Bridge. I know, more walking, right? But it was something I needed to do. We did opt to not do the tour of this, as both of us were starving and both our feet hurt. We found a pub across the Bridge and had lunch. After lunch, we found the nearest tube and headed to the British Museum.

We got to the Museum a little late, and knew we weren’t going to have long to see it. My first stop was the ladies loo. Why do people design buildings without thinking of how many women will be going in there? It is a museum; did they not think women would ever go in there? The line for the loo was so long, I couldn’t even see the actual loo from my position. So if any of you reading this ever design a building, please make sure that you remember the women and put in more bathrooms!

We saw the Egyptian, Greece, and other ancient exhibits. We only had about 45 minutes until closing, so we really went thorough very fast. That and the fact our brains are so full of all the other history we have been reading about and seeing, we really just enjoyed at looking at the things, not reading about all of them. I would highly recommend going to this museum on a day you have lots of time.

We then came back to the hotel and have relaxed a little. Our feet are thanking us for that. Tomorrow we will hopefully get that tour. I can’t wait fChapter 11 Tower stairs and my aching feet.

We then came back to the hotel and have relaxed a little. Our feet are thanking us for that. Tomorrow we will hopefully get that tour. I can’t wait for the next adventure!

Chapter 11 - Ancient London

Another day down and only a few more to go. I have to amend something I wrote yesterday, I had thought I was meeting a guide this morning, but in actual fact he is meeting my mother and me tomorrow. I have been on the go so much that I seem to have lost track of the days. I guess its beginning to be like that old movie, 'If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium'. Well, at any rate, I'm glad that I checked my e-mail and realized that I had the wrong date before I went down to the lobby and wasted half the morning waiting for someone that wasn't even coming!

So I had to sort of improvise today's itinerary. I decided to start the day with the Tower of London. The only problem was the Tube. I had a route selected and we made our way through the stations, only to find that the stations were closed where we needed to go. So improvising we decided to walk. It took us about an hour (because it was a little further than I thought) but we finally made it. It was well worth the walk. The Tower of London is quite impressive. There is so much to see and do there, that there is no way anyone could see everything in 1 day. So we put on our running shoes and got to work. We saw the Crown Jewels, the ravens, the White Tower, and walked through several other towers. There were many exhibits and many shops, and at the end of everything (about 2 hours) we were feeling pretty drained.

We walked across the Tower Bridge, and ate lunch at a small pub (I had sausages and mash for the first time). Afterwards, because we were now on the other side of the Thames River, we took the subway to the British Museum (there were 3 or 4 connections on the route but we handled them like champs!).

The British Museum is another attraction that could take weeks to tour the entire thing. Even though we were drained (which seems to be happening more and earlier the later into this adventure we get) we got to work. We basically sprinted through the rooms while absorbing as much as possible. We were there for about an hour, saw the mummies and the ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman exhibits. It was incredible, and a lot bigger than I ever expected. Hopefully I'll be able to get back and give it the time it deserves someday.

For the evening I've just been trying to prepare us for the impending strike. It is going to be very interesting for us to get around without the tube. I'm not looking forward to it. Well, I'm tired and tomorrow is another day, the day I actually thought we were going to have today. A tour of London awaits in the morning. Until then...

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Chapter 10 We found Sam’s London

Last night I asked Sam if London was what he expected. He said it wasn’t the London he expected and that we needed to go looking for it. So today, we set out to find Sam’s London.

We had slept in a little this morning. I’m trying really hard to keep up with someone almost half my age, and he is doing well to try to slow down a little for me. I’m normally a fast walker, but he is a good foot taller than me, so it isn’t easy. That and I really like to look around at all the new sights and that is hard to do while I’m trying to keep up with Sam.

The first thing we did today was master “The Tube” system. There is reported to be a strike going to happen with the underground system while we are here. It seems that the government here has decided it would be better to only have automated ticket sales and no human ticket salesman in the stations. I certainly don’t agree with this, as today we used the human over the confusing automated system. If they do go on strike, it is going to cause massive disruptions in the commuters. Thousands of people use the underground daily, an all these people will have to use other forms of transportation. That leaves us tourists in kind of a tricky situation. I chose to look at it as maybe witnessing some history. I am always up for a new adventure. However, we will have to change hotels during this strike, and you all heard how much Sam loves my closet sized suitcase! Lol

Well, we got our tickets and hopped on the tube going to wear we want to go. I must say, it is a very easy transportation system to use. We figured it out in a short time and got to the place we wanted to. Charring Cross was our first stop and we went to Trafalgar Square. We walked around here and went in the National Gallery and looked at the paintings. Right before we went in, there is a huge blue chicken. This is as big as the other statues of lions and other famous people. I had to know what it stood for and why it was blue. We made our way over there to read the plaque. I’m trying to come up with what the chicken could stand for. Some kind of Calvary group in some war? Food that save the soldiers and blue for the royal family? We got there and I read the plaque. Talk about major let down. It stood for absolutely nothing. It was just art commissioned by the government. I told Sam that we had to go look at the paintings so I could have my faith in art restored again. So we went in and checked some out. We didn’t stay long, as this is the city Sam was looking for and he just found the London he was looking for, and it wasn’t in that building.

After that Sam just wanted to start walking and see what he could find. So we started walking. Sam is not into taking photos, and I had left one camera back at our hotel and my other one was getting low on battery life. My phone camera is being finicky. I sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t. So though we saw tons of cool things, we didn’t take many photos. We happened to come across the Horse guards Parade. It happened to be at the time of the changing of the horse guard. That was awesome to watch and those horses are beautiful. Sam told me that if I touched them at all, I could be arrested. I decided I really didn’t want to test this out and meet a London cop up close and personal under those circumstances.

We then walked down to the river Thames (pronounced Tems, according to Sam). We could see the London Eye and we decided we would go on it today. For those of you that don’t know me, I am terrified of heights and really don’t like Ferris wheels. I was assured by some friends that this one was worth it and not scary like the others. We had to pass through a fair to get there. We saw a cute merry go round. It had a sign on it that told about the origin of the Ferris wheel. Apparently they were used to train the troops on and that America’s goes the opposite direction than the traditional ones. Interesting information.

We stood in line to buy the tickets. The lines were long, but moved quickly. Then we got in line for the Eye. Again long, but moves quickly due to the fact many people get in the car, and it doesn’t stop for people to get in and out. Yes, you heard me; you get in and off while it is moving. Granted it goes slowly, it is still a little scary to get on and off a moving object. I managed to get on and even stand up and look around the city. We found Big Ben, The Parliament Building and Buckingham Palace from up there. I was so proud of myself. I walked all around the car and looked out. Sam wanted me to lean up against the glass, but I really didn’t like to do that. After we went around, I got off without any mishaps, and we headed off to the buildings we had seen. We heard Big Ben up close and personal and walked through St James Park to Buckingham Palace. It had beautiful tulips in the front, but the gates we closed to the palace and we could barely see the guard. I had wanted to try to make them smile, but at that distance, it wasn’t going to happen. Sam said that when the Queen is in residence, the gates are closed, so I choose to believe she was in there somewhere.

After that we needed to head back to the hotel to get ready for the Broadway show Wicked we were going to attend that evening. We dressed up nice and headed to the tube again. We got to the right station and found a place to eat. It was a very popular place and was very busy. We both tried several different beers and I even tried a pear cider. That was very good. We ate some pub food and on our last beer, one of the bar tenders came up and asked me if I would like to try some black current syrup in mine. I said yes and went and got some. It gave the beer a different taste and I decided I liked it. He came back and asked me several times if I liked it and I assured him I did. Sam decided I needed to find a London man so he would have someone here to stay with when he came back, but I told him that it gave a whole new term to long distance relationship and I wasn’t interested in anyone there anyhow. We finished our food and beers and headed to the theater.

Being from Montana, I haven’t really been to many Broadway shows. I like good theater and really like musicals. Wicked was reported to be one of the best ones. Sam has seen it a couple of times and when he saw most of the cast was new at it, he was a little worried. But after the opening act, we both sat back and totally enjoyed it. He said some of these actors were better or as good as the ones he had seen. I have to admit, I really enjoyed it. I will buy the soundtrack to it. It was amazing watching it from the 3rd row. We also looked at the orchestra at the end. I hope to be able to attend some more shows sometime in the future.

After the show, we came back and wrote our blog. Tomorrow morning we are getting a private tour from the man who Sam’s company uses when they come to London. I have no idea where he will take us, but I will enjoy every moment of it.

Chapter 10 - So if you care to find me... look towards the, well, eastern sky

Note to the Readers: Pictures may be late in coming, unfortunately the internet is incredibly slow and they take forever to upload, and seeing as we lose sleep to write and upkeep this blog, I've decided I don't want to lose THAT much sleep for the pictures. We'll upload them when we can... and thanks for your patience and understanding.

Today was amazing. No really, it was wickedly amazing! We started the day with an included breakfast at our hotel. Afterwards, we got ready for the day and disembarked on yet another adventure. Today's goal, master the London Underground, or the tube as they call it.

We are only a block from the Paddington Station Underground, so we made our way towards that. Once we got into the underground we had to get our tickets. It was a little bit of a chore, we stood in line at the kiosks and then, after about 10 minutes of waiting in line, and even less time spent trying to find out which ticket was the right ticket for us, we moved to a different line with a live person at the end. We got to the front and decided that we should get the 7 day pass for zones 1 and 2. Even though it sounds as if this underground strike is going to happen (which really puts a damper on London travel for us), our passes still work for the bus systems. Now if this strike happens, and we have to end up taking the bus, I hope beyond all hope that I won't have any chapters similar to my bus stories from south america. Some of you may already know, and for those of you that don't, check out my other blog for a good laugh.

Anyway, we got our passes and proceeded through the entrance and down to the tube. It was incredibly fast, efficient, relatively cheap, and extremely easy to use. Seriously, if anyone is looking to visit London, and you should really consider it, take the tube. If they aren't on strike it is the fastest way to get around London. Granted you don't see as much as you would if you had taken the bus, or walked, but you save valuable time for more sight seeing. Just remember to 'mind the gap'.

Our first stop today was Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery. It is free admission (just remember to donate a little something to help maintain and upkeep their buildings!), so we walked into the Gallery and meandered through the rooms, looking at some very impressive 14-19th century artwork. After a little time, we decided to get out and walk. We walked up to Piccadilly Circus area, perused the shops and restaurants, people watched a little bit, and continued our walk. We made to an area where it looked like a movie was being filmed, then we walked across a square and made it to the Horse Guard Parade, just in time to see the changing of the horse guards. It was something else.

From there we made our way towards the Thames River (pronounced Tems). We got our first look at the London Eye, the Parliament Building and Big Ben's Clock! We decided we wanted to do the Eye first, perhaps get our bearings on this massive city. Now for those of you who don't know, there are a lot, and I mean A LOT of people that have done, are doing, and will do the London Eye. There is a building across from the Eye, that is where you get in a line (about 35 minutes or so) and purchase your ticket, just to go back across the street and get in the same line you just were in to get on the Eye! It seemed really odd to me to do it that way, but what do I really know about lines (well except that I seem to be in one a lot of the time). The long wait was well worth it. The views from the Eye are amazing, and the London Skyline is quite enormous. The rotation lasts about 30 minutes or so and from there we continued on towards Big Ben and the Parliament building. We didn't stop for too long, instead we made our way towards Buckingham Palace. We were to late for the changing of the guard (it's at 11:30 am or so) but we saw the queen's guards and the royal palace. Honestly (and don't tell the queen I said this), it wasn't SUPER impressive. It really was like seeing the white house for the first time. I just remember thinking, 'that is the White House?!? It's TINY'. And now I've gone and not only offending the Queen of England, but the President of the United States, if either of you are reading this, I'm sure the insides of your building are much more luxurious and full of history, and if you'd like to extend an invitation to either one, I'd be more than happy to change my opinion.

From Buckingham Palace, we went back to the Hotel to get dressed up for our evening. We got ready, got back on the underground, and went to Victoria Station. We went to a good ole pub for dinner and tried several different local brews, and then took off down the street to get ready for the main event of the evening. WICKED! I got my mother and I 3 row seats, center stage, tickets for Broadway's Wicked tonight. I've seen it a few times already, but never that close to the stage. It was, like all broadway shows I've seen so far, incredible. I was awe struck throughout the show. After that we came back to the hotel, and now I must get ready for bed. It's already almost midnight and my mother has to still write her chapter for the night. We have an early-ish start tomorrow, we're going on a tour of London, with a Londoner. Until then...

Friday, April 25, 2014

Chapter 9 our last country

Today was our last day in Wales. I can honestly say that I will miss Wales. The country is truly a beautiful place rich in history and culture. Maybe it was just the amazing tour guide we had, or maybe it is just a magical place. I will definitely want to return to the area and explore it some more.

We know we have many pictures of castles on our blog. I don’t think you can honestly appreciate the castles without being there. They are magical places where you can almost see the guards marching the parameter and the ladies of the court sitting in their chambers. These castles are so massive that just looking at them from a distance takes your breath away. We saw a few more on our train ride to London and wished we could explore those as well.

Today, we really didn’t explore the castles. We learned more about the real people of Wales. We started the day off with a tour of a slate mine. The slate from Wales was and still is considered the best in the world. This particular mine was where they slate came for the dais and the bench and chair used by the Queen Elizabeth when she crowned Charles the Prince of Wales. It was the last job the workers of the mine did. After that, the mine just closed down. The mine just didn’t have any more jobs to do and technology seemed to make the slate less needed. The workers just left everything and closed the mine down. Today it is a museum used to educate others about the mines. The mountain has a huge chunk out of it, the quarry has filled with water, and the buildings are now silent where their used to be the sound of workers performing all the tasks needed to run the mine. This mine was totally self sufficient. They made everything needed, from the buildings out of slate to the windows, the wheels for the railroad cars, and the tools to work on everything. It was all run by a huge water wheel and pulley system. There were mills to cut the trees to make the railroad ties and anything else made out of wood, there were blacksmiths to create any metal needed, there was even a hospital that had the capability to take X rays. This was one of the first in all of Europe to have this capability and it was all for the miners of the slate.

After the slate museum we drove through the Snowdonian Mountains on another path. On the way we stopped and had coffee at a little house known as the Ugly House. It was reputed to be made and had smoke coming out of the chimney in 24 hours. It was said that if you could do this task, the land would be yours, much like our homesteaders in America.

We then went and saw the Swallow waterfalls. They were beautiful, even though they weren’t at their fullest, due to the lack of rain recently.

After that we went to a working wool mill. We learned how they take the wool and turn it into beautiful creations. This particular mill still uses the Celtic patterns and you can only get this pattern from this mill. It was cool to see how the looms worked, and how the spindles created on ply and more. The entire mill also used water to operate, but used hydropower, not a water wheel. The colors used have changed throughout the times and they had a little garden to show what plants made the colors of yesteryear.

From there, we had to catch our train to London. Our guide took us to the train station and made sure we knew what terminal to use. My luggage was our biggest problem. Seems my closet sized suitcase is not easy to fit in the luggage carts! We had to switch trains on the way and that train had some sort of technical difficulties. It even stopped in the middle of nowhere for awhile. It managed to get us here after another stop at another station to repair whatever the problem was. We where about a half hour late getting here to London, but for us it was ok.

When we got here we had to figure out how to get to our hotel. I actually flagged sown my first taxi! Being from Montana, we really don’t have taxis just driving around. You have to call them, in Belgrade. I stuck up my arm and like magic, a taxi stops. He gave us a ride to our hotel and we checked in. I thing the universe wanted to punish me some more, so our room was on the top floor and the lift was broken, so I had to haul my suitcase up all the stairs. Well, I got it half way and Sam got it the other half.

After that we walked around a little bit, but it was dark, so we found a place to eat and came back here. This is Sam’s favorite place, so I will let him have the fun here. Good night all!

Chapter 9 – London Baby

Well I’ll have to keep this one a bit short as I’m very tired. We’ve made it to London! I’ll get to that in a moment, first is our last day in Wales.

For the last day, Irene took my mother and me up the mountainside in Snowdonia to a living slate museum. We got to learn about Welsh Slate (some of the best slate in the world), how they mined it, where they mined it, and what they did with it after it was mined. It was a beautiful area and the cliff full of giant slate slabs was incredible.

Afterwards, we went to Wales’ Ugly House. Its story was rather unique. Apparently in Wales, a few century ago, if you could build a house in 24 hours and have smoke coming out the chimney you could keep the land you built it on. This house, which wasn’t really that ugly, was one of such legend. If it is true, it’s impressive to look at the house and the huge stones that were used to make it and know it was possible to make in 24 hours without today’s modern advances in technology. There was a café in the house and a nice garden out back, and a bee farm on the premises.

From here we continued on to some waterfalls, a town called Betws Y Coed, and then toured a Welsh Woolen Mill. It was fun watching the process of making sheep’s wool into all different kinds of products; from gloves, to pillow covers, to boots, to scarves. Irene then dropped us off at the station and made sure we made our train safely.

The train ride to London was very nice. On the first connection we followed the beach with views of the sea on one side and with Welsh countrysides and old castle ruins on the other. We had a tight connection in Chester for our other train, but we made it with plenty of time to spare. Once we got on our other train, I’ll admit I was a little crabby. For the first time, my mother’s suitcase, which is the size of a small home (you seriously could fit a family of 5 and all their belongings in this suitcase) wouldn’t fit in any of the luggage areas. The train was too full and her case was too big! So we (meaning me) had to carry her case down four car lengths until we finally found a place where her bag sort of fit. I say ‘meaning me’ because I have to haul her bag around because it is bigger than she is! Anyway, that is my bit of complaints for the trip so far, so really no complaints!

Our train had a few complications, we were delayed on the tracks in the middle of the English countryside for about 20 minutes (so at least we had a great view!) and then we were charging full steam ahead into London.

Once we made it into London, it was a bit tricky getting to the hotel. My mother finally hailed a cab, we got in and a few minutes later we were here! It’s a weird sort of feeling, getting to do something you’ve wanted to do since you were a child. London is A LOT different than I’d pictured, and it was very cloudy and dark, but we checked into the hotel and went exploring anyway! (Funny side note: the lift at the hotel was broken when we arrived and we, of course, are on the top (4^th) floor, so guess who had to haul that giant, elephant sized suitcase up the stairs… OK she got it halfway up, but then it was too much so I brought it the rest of the way.) After we got everything situated in our room, we went exploring. The streets of London are gloriously and hopelessly confusing. I was able to find the main road that would lead us to the British Museum. And I was able to find Paddington Station and Hyde Park, and then able to make it back to the hotel, so it wasn’t all bad! It just may take me a while to get my bearings in this city.

Tomorrow we will use the tube as our main transportation, after that I believe it will be on strike for the remainder of our stay. That may complicate things a bit, because I’ll have to learn the bus schedules/routes, and then get us to the airport hotel we have booked for the last night, with that giant suitcase, all while using the bus! That’s something I’ll worry about when the time comes, for now I’m just going to enjoy this city. Tomorrow we have tickets to Wicked and we’re going to take the tube for the first time! Wish us luck! After that it sounds as though we have a guided tour of London on Sunday! Until then…