Full-time Traveler, Part-time Student

So I am eating healthier and I booked a trip to Scotland and Wales. Slow down Ryli. 

And I have an essay due next Wednesday and a presentation that day as well. Oh the following Wednesday.. another essay due. 

Southampton and Isle of Wight

Waking up at 5am so was not waking up for me. I didn't sleep. All-nighter, on accident, I swear. So I got ready around 3am and started walking to city centre with Michaela just before 5am to get on the bus that left 5:40am to London Victoria Station. Read, slept for an hour. Woke up in London, driving past Big Ben and the London Eye, got off and headed to the nearest Starbucks before hoping on our bus to Southampton. Grande, skinny, non-fat, vanilla spice latte. Arrived in Southampton at 11:45am. Found the Art Gallery (the reason why I decided to come to Southampton). Louise Bourgeois featured exhibition. I liked it a lot. Walked out to find the most amazing restaurant I have ever seen in England so far. The menu was filled with so many satisfying choices for a extremely cheap price. I was so conflicted on what to get and once I got my Mac and Cheese, it was a huge portion with garlic bread and a small side salad. 4.49 pounds. The place was called the Frog & Parrot. Favourite. Then started walking towards the bay, instead found the main street with all the shops, markets, and the mall. It was heaven. So much to look at and see, to choose from. Michaela and I bought a donut for dessert at a stand. 

Forgetting to mention the perfect weather, sun was shining beautifully, besides the sea wind. Found the castle wall walk, and took that to the bay. Found the ferry to Isle of Wight and took that twenty-five minute ride over to the cute little shop filled island. Collect a massive amount of tiny little shells. Bought a rabbit ring (locally crafted) and some postcards. Left back to Southampton on the ferry, to get back to rain and then turned into hail. But it passed within fifteen minutes, and we were back to shopping. I bought puke-green rain boots. I have been needing some, even for when I get back to Milwaukee. Walked into ASDA to grab dinner, cereal and a caramel Cadbury egg for the bus rides back. I did have two eggs but walking out, I saw a homeless man playing a guitar and I laid one of my Cadbury eggs in his hat. I thought chocolate would be equally as good as pences. Bus from Southampton at 16:30 to London 20:30. London at 22:00 to Canterbury at 23:45. Taxi back to Uni and finally back at 00:00. A huge fun filled day. One of my favourites, with no doubt. 

Woodys

Went to an open mic night at a campus pub called "Woodys". Strawberry Cider.

Howdy

Yesterday, had Mexican food. It's been awhile so I thought I should. I even got a Bailey's Banana Cocktail. Then checked out the Wednesday Market and found rings for only three pounds.

Today, I laid in bed with a headache and the hiccups. I did leave my bed for lecture and dinner. Tonight, I booked Dublin, Ireland. A decision was made between Dublin and Edinburgh. I just do not have enough time to see everything. Five months is not enough, factoring in school is just painful. Anyway, I'll be venturing around the city of Dublin for two and a half days. Taking a bus for fourteen and half hours from Canterbury to Dublin, I know I will regret it once I am four hours in, but I am just thinking about the scenic view. 


Checklist:

• Whenever British people try to do an American accent, they go straight down South. They associate Americans with the Southern accent, I don't know.

Double Decker Sunbathing

It's a miracle. I am not miserable anymore, and getting better dramatically quick. I'm not complaining. Good thing too because I have a lot of work to do for school coming up really fast, and I have many day trips planned. This Saturday is Southampton, and I think I'll be visiting Sandwich on Tuesday (which isn't much, quite a small and half day trip). I am in the process of planning a trip to Ireland and Scotland, and many, many day trips around England. Last night, Milwaukee girls and I booked a weekend trip to Oxford. 

The weather is gorgeous. I think it's a sign, the day my health was turning around (yesterday), the weather wanted to be warmer and sunny. It almost hit fifty degrees (Fahrenheit) and today will be the same. It's just funny comparing Monday and Tuesday. Monday, I was crying in pain and spent three hours in Urgent Care. Tuesday, I slept amazing and woke up to head into town. I didn't wear a coat, it was that beautiful outside. I bought blueberries and raspberries for two pounds at a stand and read my book while eating those in a small park. I sun-bathed everywhere I could, including the top of the double decker. Came back to clean my room willingly and do laundry. Yesterday was a wonderful day. Today, the weather will be the same, however I have two lectures to go to. That won't stop me. I plan on heading into town after my first to do some readings and walk around before my second one. I have a four hour gap, plenty of time. Think I'll get a latte. 

 No classes on Mondays and Tuesdays now.

Fifty Shades of Stonehenge

So it's Monday and I am going to recap all the way back to Valentine's Day (Saturday).

Saturday/Valentine's Day: Woke up. flawless. Just kidding, I was sick as hell (still am). Went to the gym once it opened and ran a few miles. Once showered and wearing my red sweater, me and the girls went into town to get our nails done. Sadly, we didn't think that they would be full because of it being Valentine's Day, so we held off. Went grocery shopping instead. I just grabbed cereal bars, bananas, expensive peanut butter, and jarred cucumbers (weird pickles). Back to Uni. Dropped the groceries back in my room to run over to Michaela's to watch Gone Girl with her and Alie. I finished the book on Friday night so I was dying to watch it. Skyped my little bratty brother, miss him like crazy. Missing all the cousins, aunt and uncle, brother, dog, and duh.. G. Then dinner and another movie (at the theatre with cheetah seats). Fifty Shades of Grey. Dinner was our normal Rutherford cafeteria food. Movie was great. I don't understand the reviews but I was a fan. I even read the book. I was dying at the end because of the way it ended. Sadly, I only read the first so I plan on reading the second as soon as possible. When the movie finished we rushed back to Uni to sleep. Sleep the three hours we could before we hoped on a bus for our day trip.

Sunday: Four-thirty in the morning, awake. Five in the morning, walking from Uni to bus station (buses not running this early and din't want to pay for a cab). Five-thirty in the morning, running almost the entire High St. to the bus station because our bus leaves in ten minutes. Five-forty in the morning, bus leaving with us inside sweating. On our way to London Victoria Bus Station. Saw Big Ben and the London Eye for a split minute. Eight in the morning, waiting for our tour bus to leave in the Victoria Station. Eight-thirty in the morning, sleeping while the annoying/funny tour guide was talking in the mic. Two and a half hours later we are at Stonehenge. Rocks. Mysterious rocks. Cool. Sheep surrounding them too. Feeling miserably sick and feeling like I was going to faint, I bought a cheese and onion pasty. Drank some water and felt a tad better. Back on the bus for another two hour ride to Bath with our annoying/funny tour guide. Arrived and it was gorgeous until we parked and went into the tourist Roman Baths. The green water was really bad I guess, they said we would get sick if we touched it. No way was I going to. I thought the view going in was gorgeous because of the stone buildings (all of the buildings were bath stone). Reminded me of Italy. He told us the stone had to be washed regularly to keep the same white look, otherwise they all start to turn black. Got some shitty gelato. I mean, they called it ice cream so I guess I can't say shitty gelato. It's just that they called it Italian and had the gelato set up. Saw a T.K. Maxx along with all the shops. Left back to London, crying because of how much I hurt. Being sick and stuff. Arrived, out of tissues and starving. We got off and got Chinese food. Chicken and mixed vegetable noodles. On yet another bus at eight-thirty at night for our two hour ride back to Canterbury. Walked from city centre to Uni after that. Got back in my room at ten-thirty, I think. Horrible day, only because of my state. 

Today/Monday: Rather, three in the morning I woke up crying in pain and in the shower for another entire hour. Fell asleep somehow around six in the morning to wake up and go to the Canterbury and Kent Hospital. Three hour wait to get medicine and have them tell me I have a Sinus Infection. Bought Fifty Shades of Grey Darker book for four pounds, a Subway sandwich, and a water bottle to filter my tap water. Got back in my room late and received my Valentine's flowers from my bear. They were here on Saturday but the mail room was closed until today (Monday). They are not too bad, but you can tell some of them are about to die. Other than that, they are beyond beautiful and lucky enough to have someone that cares that much to send them all the way from the States. I even got a tiny teddy bear and chocolates, and Grandma Sue's Valentine's Day card. Now, I took medicine and about to read my book, full from my sandwich and chocolates. Praying tomorrow will treat me good, thank God I have no classes too. 

Faversham

Faversham, however you say it. Michaela and I went there for maybe two or three hours. Not much. We got off the bus at the very last minute before it took us back to Canterbury and walked back into Faversham Town Centre through Love Lane. We caught the end of a small farmer's market. It was raining. Today was a perfect example of England's finest weather. Got a baguette at a baguette place. Was whatever, I mean it wasn't something I loved or hated. I had ham, mature cheese, and lettuce. Then went for a Nutella crepe. Michaela got the Pleasure Pud: Nutella, bananas, strawberries, nuts, and whip cream, oh my. Walked through the little town and found a bus back. The bus back was horrible. It was filled with Hogwarts middle schoolers. Annoying little things. Witnessed bullying at it's finest. 


Checklist:

• Wanted to point out the major coffee chains: Costa, Pret a Manager, and Nero.
• Saw a correct car, one that had the steering wheel on the left side. 
• When walking anywhere, people suck. It's like playing chicken, trying to weave through people because they could care less. Sometimes, I have to wait for people to pass because they are so ignorant to move a few inches to the side. 
• Cemeteries are strange here, and filled with moss. 

Also, I'm sick. Miserably sick. Coughing, runny nose, sneezing, hot and cold flashes. Remember my sty? It was on my left eye. Yesterday I had a horrible pressure, not a headache but pressure and tension on my left side of my head including my eye. It's thankfully gone because it was unbearable (I insanely went to a pub crawl with it). Today, my left side of my face, mainly below my eye is in pain. Especially if I touch it, it hurts like a bad bruise. I really don't want to die in England, and only one month in (joke).  

Deal

Solo day trip because no classes! Since I bought the Unirider bus pass, I can go anywhere in East Kent. So, I plan on seeing the major parts like: Whitstable (check), Margate (check), Herne Bay (check), Deal (check as of today), Dover (check), Sandwich, Ashford, Ramsgate, Folkestone, Faversham, Hythe, and the places between. Deal was like Whitstable. A castle, a bay, shops. Although I feel like the bay was prettier with lots of rocks and shells, and it had a pier with a cheap/delicious restaurant. As soon as I got off of the forty-eight minute bus ride from Canterbury I started walking to the pier and ran into a "Unusual gift shop", more like a hippie store with incense, buddhas, stones, and shells. Good thing I love all of that stuff. I spent more time talking to the owner rather than shopping. He could tell I was American and started talking about his travels in North America and Australia thirty years ago. He was an extremely nice 56 year-old hippie with a dog. Asked him for advice on what to do in Deal and he laughed, said nothing and then soon told me about a few cafes and museums. Left and continued to the pier. It was quite long, not as long as the Santa Monica Pier though. A bunch of fisher man were fishing, and I noticed they were using poor starfish. The pier looked like it was going to collapse any minute. Made it safely to the restaurant at the end for some breakfast just before midday. Eggs, hash browns, sausage, toast, beans, and bacon. Walked back to go under the pier and started to take photos and scavenge for rocks and shells. I was probably down there with my head in the shore for two hours. A few times the waves almost got my feet wet. The water is disgustingly green. Walked to the castle, it looks much bigger in the picture than in person. It was five pounds to get in, I didn't do it because it just looked pointless. Then I made myself inside the town rather than the bay and found a shopping area. Bought a donut and valentine's day cards. Then caught the bus on the minute it left. Otherwise, I would have to wait over forty-five minutes for the next one. The bus back was an hour and eight minutes long because it went through two other towns. I read a lot of pages in Gone Girl on the bus rides, I haven't touched that book since the day I got to England. It was a great day to do a day trip. Hopefully having another one soon the Milwaukee girls and with Vee (my trekking buddy). Either Ashford or Sandwich are next. For this Sunday I have Stonehenge planned with my Milwaukee girls. A train to London and then a bus (I think) to Amesbury, Salisbury. And that will be a very long day trip. 

           

U.K. U.K.

Holy Communion and Huffkins

UGH. Woke up early AGAIN, probably even earlier than the day before. Took an expensive taxi into city centre because it's a Sunday and the bus doesn't run until noon. Eight in the morning for Holy Communion with Michaela. It was only half an hour and it was actually boring. I'm sorry but I did want to experience church within the historic Canterbury Cathedral, however, they just read straight from the bible the entire time without explaining anything or telling a message or story. Went to Mrs. Jones Restaurant for breakfast. I ordered a hoffkin. It was so delicious, a breakfast sandwich with sausage, egg, and bacon inside. Now it's barely ten in the morning and all of the shops don't open until eleven. Michaela ditched me at Costa cafe. So I wrote some letters and postcards, that I'll be sending out soon this week (if I remember). Then bought shoes. My black boots are falling apart, so that was my excuse to get some black, boot heels. They were on sale so I don't feel so guilty. I really am not a shoe person but the shoes here are calling my name! Anyway, sat and listened to a group of street performers. They are really good. I posted the song I listened to them play down below. Back to campus to: shower, clean, blog, and either read or nap before dinner. And I forgot to mention last night, walking back with Alie, we saw a fox. It ran right by us. 

Margate

What a tough and silly morning. Waking up at the butt crack of dawn and hoping onto my first SouthEastern train to Margate with two other young ladies. Quick ride. Seeing the sea as soon as we walk out of the train station, we went right to it. Seeing windmills in the sea and the large amount sandy, wet shore. Of course, if anyone knows me, I could spend hours upon hours scavenging for shells and other beautiful things. However, it was freezing due to the wind so it was only thirty minutes. Collected my sand and a few shells, rocks. Next, we were starving. Went to a large restaurant called Mechanical Elephant to have breakfast. We all picked the same thing, a breakfast wrap with egg, bacon, sausage, and cheese inside. Delicious and cheap. Staying to talk and laugh for an hour more than needed. Also stopped at a cafe to split a cinnamon roll and left for the Turner Contemporary Art Museum. Free admission. Saw the last Van Dyck self portrait and some other really cool contemporary self portraits. Then I took a mat to lay on the ground to admire an artwork hung on the ceiling. I really enjoyed that museum. After, the three of us headed to the Shell Grotto. Woah. What a beautiful thing to experience. It's small and the colour was fading but it was gorgeous. Sorry, Shell Grotto is a shell cave. Stayed in the cafe there for an hour, drinking a cheap and fantastic banana milkshake while a cat sits on my lap. The tables had a world map as the table cover too. That is probably top ten of my favourite places I've been to in England. That place has everything I enjoy: milkshakes, shells, cats, world maps, what more can I ask for? Made our way to the shops, so many vintage shops. Probably every other store was displayed as "vintage". Margate is a run down place, but it's my favourite. Even has multiple murals every where you look. Got an oversized sweater and polka dot tights before we walked back to the train station. Back to Canterbury to shower and nap, finish homework, and finally to go out after dinner with the girls. 

Also, I have a sty and it hurts. 

Belonging Here

Cheers! It's been a while I think. Not too much has happened that you would care about. Just classes and socialising with new people, making more friends and having nights out. I'm actually struggling with trying to remember what happened this week. Someone asked me what I did last Saturday night, and I completely forgot... I was in London, how do I forget that?

Monday was spent working out and napping from London, one lecture. Dinner. I booked Italy. I'll be heading back to Cesena to see a beautiful family I met last summer. Blessed to stay with them for a few days and then fly down South to Mondello, Palermo, Sicily for a few more days. I'll be doing this all on my own and it'll be my last excursion before I head back to Canterbury to pack my bags for America.

Tuesday. Same as Monday, however I did not have any classes. So I was extra lazy. Started Sherlock Holmes on Netflix and almost done with Serie (Season) two out of three. I did book my Greece trip with Michaela. I'm really fortunate to have a friend willing to be broke, financially, when we go back home in the States because she's heading with me to Santorini, Greece. To be exact, we will be staying in Fira for the views, for about three nights and then off to Kamari for the the beach, two nights.

Wednesday, lecture, dinner. Went to cave training and became a official cave climber. I had to climb an awkward small ladder. I mean, it was easy but really awkward to climb. I was swaying and laughing because it was so weird to have this as the test to become official. I also tied a figure eight knot with one hand and tied a double figure eight with two hands. Later, me and some friends went to the campus club, the Venue.

Thursday (yesterday), worked out. In the locker rooms, it's like Aldi's or ASDA with the shopping carts. Put in a pound to get a key and unlock your locker with your key to get the pound coin back. Went into city centre to do some readings and writings in a Costa cafe. Had a green tea and banana and pecan breakfast loaf. Rushed back to seminar in the snow and went to dinner with the girls. I also got a special birthday present from a special someone, a Wisconsin flag from Todd to hang up next to my American and Britain flag. Went out for a beer with friends and ended up going into town for a few more. It was actually a really fun night. I'm very happy I met the people I have met here so far. Note to self: get "Baby monkey riding on a pig" drink next time. And always hold onto my coat at pubs, because two of my friends unfortunately got their coats stolen. 

Today my plans are confusing and unsure. I woke up rather early (for me), nine. Doing homework, as in readings and research. Next, I plan on getting lunch because I don't think I'll be back for dinner. I have a seminar from 14.00 to 16.00 and afterwards, I'm heading to the gym for day number four. Not wanting to rush at the gym I'll probably miss our usual dinner date with the girls at 18.00. For tonight's plans, I'm not entirely sure. Tomorrow, I plan on taking a day trip with Michaela and Melissa to Margate, England via train in the early morning, so I'm excited to see more English land and experience the train. Once I understand the train system, I'll have more confidence to go out by myself to other parts of England. I want to see Manchester, Sheffield, Oxford, Liverpool, Wales, etc. There is so much to offer here in the United Kingdom.

Trips booked: London (again), Paris, Amsterdam, Santorini, and Italy.
I'm really tempted to book for Scotland and Ireland next, who knows!

London

No idea on how to start this post about my first trip to London. It's going to be long. I'll just go in order to what I remember.

Day One: 
The four of us took a bus there, around two hours. Slept for half of it and woke up to the lights of London around six at night. Deciding to get off a few stops earlier, we tried to take a bus and failed. Oyster card needed for next time. Took a cab to our hostel. Yes grandma, we stayed at a hostel. It was a really nice one to be fair. We had our own room, toilet, and shower. Our beds were actually really cool. Felt like we were in camp with the bunk beds, three beds on top of another. Well, we settled in and had some really disgusting baby food, vegetable, green throw-up soup. Then got ready for our night out. Thanks to a very nice friend of ours, we were on a guest list to an extremely nice club in city. Roof Gardens in South Kensington. Mango Absolut. Went out all black with the girls. Cab back into city, and casually drove past Big Ben and the London Eye, all lit up. Michaela fell before we even entered the club. It was probably the very best way to get introduced to London. 

Day Two: 
Cab to Big Ben please? Cried. I was in awe, and probably because I thought of mom. She went to England when I was younger, and told me Big Ben was her favourite. That's what I remember her talking about the most. London Eye. Rode it and sketched Big Ben in my sketchbook, I honestly couldn't take my eyes off of it. Later, took a photo of the exact spot my grandmother, Susan, stood in the 1900s with Big Ben in the background. Entered the Westminister Cathedral, had a free audio tour. It was quite amusing. Saw some Shakespeare and Charles Dickens stuff and beautiful windows, lots of tombs and sculptures. Had a sandwich at the cafe inside. Left, raining outside. Saw guards on horses. Then walked to Trafalgar Square. Saw the blue rooster, and went inside the free admission, National Gallery. Art. Was on my list, and ran into it unexpectedly. Saw "The Two Ambassadors" first and practically jogged over. Saw Jan Van Eyck, Monet, Van Gogh, Leonardo, Poussin, and much more. I was over joyed. Lastly, saw the Buckingham Palace. No funny hat guards in the red suits. It was late. Had dinner at Pizza Express. Had a spicy pizza that reminded me of Italy. Delicious. Cab back.

Day Three:
Breakfast, same as yesterday. Decent. Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and hash browns. Served seven to nine. Checked out at ten. Back packed around London all day before our six-thirty bus ride back at night. Walked over thirteen miles. First we walked to the London Bridge. We saw it a lot, and went over it in the cab twice, but walking over it in the day time was amazing and windy. Next to it was the London Tower. Nothing special, looked like some Pompeii ruins. Next, walked to China Town and had some chicken fried rice and tried a steamed pork siu roll. It was all cheap and extremely yummy. Then walked to Camden Market, it was like tourist city. Massive amounts of souvenir shops. I caved, got a tank that simply says London and has a flag. Also got some gifts for family back home. Had a triple chocolate muffin in Costa Cafe before we walked into Stables Market. Same thing. Souvenir shops, however it was cheaper and really cool inside. Walked the forty minutes back towards China Town and went into the M&M World store. Got some M&Ms of course. Walked to Victoria's Station for the bus back. My feet were killing me. Still are. Super bowl is tonight, was going to go out and watch but took a two hour shower and about to watch some American Netflix. It was also a brilliant idea to clean my room completely before I left, because when I walked in with my sore feet and crooked back, I was relived and stress free. 

Some other things:

• They have words and arrows on the ground to tell you what way to look when crossing the street. 
• Birds are not afraid until you are less than a foot away. 
• Starting to use "xx" in my messages.
• Speed bumps reminded me of Italy. 
• Baby stoller is a "buggy".
• Taxi doors in London kept unlocking and locking randomly.

Lastly, I just wanted to tell you... I booked Paris, France for April and Amsterdam, Netherlands in April as well for King's Day Festival. I bought my plane ticket for Bologna Italy, but still need to buy one back along with my trip to Palermo, Sicily. Also, in the process of buying a weekend trip to Dublin, Ireland and then one to Edinburgh, Scotland with Vee. And the last one is a cruise through Greece islands with Michaela. This girl is going to be broke. I think Madrid and Barcelona is going to be saved, along with Sweden, Switzerland, and Finland for when I'm a rich artist in my thirties. 

Add me on snapchat if you want to see my excursions. I'm surprised at my 150+ stories. rylii1

Finland. Africa.