Amsterdam

Hallo!

How to describe the most bizarre days in my life? I spent four days, I think, with a travel program called Contikki. I didn't bring my laptop to the Netherlands because I didn't know if our place was a hostel or a hotel. Didn't want to risk getting it stolen. So I tried to make a list of some highlights of my days in my phone. And I am positive that I will forget about most of it because of the state I was in during my stay. The days blurred, felt like two really, really long days.

The night getting to the meeting point for the Contikki group was at the Royal National Hotel in London and it was at 7am. Michaela and I took a train around 10pm the night before because the earlier trains would be too late. We spent 6 hours in the train station. Between her falling asleep on the floor, getting kicked out of Euston, photos with platform 9 3/4, James Manalee, delusions, macchiatos (caramel and hazelnut), playing the piano (Michaela taught me something, which I am sure I forgot by now), and more.. it was actually really fun. Our delusions from being so tired were probably the highlight until we met James outside. Please see the video below if you would like to know why James was our highlight. Anyway, our taxi driver from St. Pancras to the meeting point was probably the best taxi driver I have ever had. The sweetest and a chatty mate. Getting to the hotel to meet the others was ridiculous. The program people and the bus was late, Michaela and I could have taken a early train and made it in time instead of taking a night bus and waiting for 6 hours in a train station over night. To be honest, I'm not too mad about it because we had a lot of fun. Only upset about going through the trouble of refunding my previous train ticket for a night one a few weeks ago. Oh, and Michaela, "Mama gotta pee".

         

Next, the bus ride to the P&O Ferries at Dover. Dover is less than an hour away from Canterbury. If only we knew that. We could have taken a bus ride from city centre Canterbury to the Port of Dover. Whatever. Honestly, that tour was very poor in giving information. Tried to sleep and got some help of the seats reclining all the way back. Although our Contikki leader liked to blast his music. He was from New Zealand and a twin. The ferry, I think I got sea sick because I felt dizzy (probably from my stupid blood and anemia) and my stomach was feeling funny. I bought Toblerone chocolate, first time having it and it was amazing. Cadbury is still my favourite though, nothing can beat Cadbury. The ferry is pretty cool. We drove our tour bus onto the ferry and got off and went up the decks to the food court, smoke deck, and lounges, shopping too. Also, Cameron (New Zealand Contikki leader) pronounces deck five as "dick five". Once we hit France we got onto the bus and drove off the ferry and onto France land. We did luggage check and passport stamp before we left Dover by the way. My passport will be filled by the time I get back to America in June. Oh, before hitting Amsterdam we had speed dating in the bus. I had horrible hair and no make up on so I'm sure I scared most of the people I met. Sorry. And coming in, Cameron actually was giving us tips on how to buy weed. Surreal. We blasted "Because I got High" by Afroman. So appropriate.

Stopping for a bite to eat at a rest stop after an hour or so. I had my chocolate instead and then Michaela and I shared a STROOPWAFFLE Mcflurry (they have cadbury chocolate mcflurries in England and they suck). Don't know what a Stroopwaffle is? Stop what you are doing and buy a plane ticket to the Netherlands to try one. I swear, this is in my top five things I will cry for after a month back in the states. It is the most heavenly dutch cookie I have ever eaten. It's like a graham cracker or cinnamon cookie crust and the filling is caramel (I heard it was toffee but the bag says caramel). I actually tried one from Suzanne (from the Netherlands) back in January and it was amazing. So when I got to Amsterdam, that was the first thing I bought. I think I ate over 30 of them during my entire stay, no regrets. I ate really, really, really bad this trip. So much fried food. I had an amazing waffle (popular here, it's different flavour icing on top and they heat it up so it's all melted and offer whip cream on top), fries, olliebollen (dutch donut, google it), churros, a gouda cheese pretzel, etc. Oh well, I ended up walking 23 miles on Kingsday alone. Oh, don't know what Kingsday is?

Kingsday (Koningsdag) is a national holiday in Netherlands, celebrating King Willen-Alexander birthday. Or when people get extremely drunk on the streets wearing orange. Their flag is red, white and blue. When hung up, they hang a separate orange flag piece.

Let me describe me and Michaela's day on Kingsday. Amazing. We started off at the I Amsterdam sign, there are two of them but we went to the one in front of the art museum and by the famous tulips. That was actually our second time at the sign. Took some better photos because the first time was not so successful. Also, we tried to get on the Snapchat live story for Kingsday but we didn't. We left Paris a day early before they had the Paris Snapchat story and we were two days late for the Amsterdam story. I have Greece, Spain, and Italy left so fingers crossed. Wouldn't it be cool to be on one? Anyway, after the sign we bought some orange sunglasses and I bought an orange crown for my head. Walked to the carnival and rode the very high, and fairly fast swings. Got some pretty good photos. We actually were scared though, on swings, come on Ryli. After the swings we walked and walked and walked and walked some more. Saw the canal, it was crazy because it was packed with boats on top of each other and people just drinking and dancing, tons of DJ's everywhere. We went to the red light district for some food and viewing (yeah). Went back at 5pm to freshen up for the night. Our night was crazy, fun, and scary. Some of the things people said to me:

• "Do you like big willies? We have small ones too."
• "You are a queen!" (because I had my orange crown on)
• "Do you need help? I can carry you!"
• "Want some ecstasy?"
• "Cocaine?"

Besides getting majorly harassed by ten guys, our night was golden. Oh, and besides our feet hurting like hell, and the expensive taxi. Hey Contikki, get a hotel in the city centre or at least a ten minute walk, not a fifteen minute drive. I also found a nail stuck into my boot. The pointy end was in my foot and I walked on it all day. It was barely scratching my foot but walking on it for 23 miles, you can really start to feel it. We also could not figure out the tram, tried.

Our day before was successful. We saw the Anne Frank House and The Fault in our Stars bench. I also found a space invader! Now I can say I found one in London, Italy, France, and the Netherlands. There are so many bikes in Amsterdam. Apparently over 10 million. There was a bike parking garage. Michaela and I were going to rent one but they were all closing and weren't going to be open on Kingsday so we were out of luck. We rode paddle boats though, which was horrible. We got lost on the canals and it started to rain lightly. However being outside on the canal for an hour in light rain left us all soaking and old tourists in covered boats taking photos of us in our bad luck. We did look pretty miserable in the wet and windy cold, lost. Also, almost getting hit by several of the big boats (having near death experiences) the majority of the time. One time it was coming fast and right for us, Michaela and I looked at each other massively scared for our lives. There are also these urinals on the corners of streets and it's out in the open. It was a little bizarre. 

Went into a marijuana shop and viewed all their products ("Bulldog" is a popular place). Lollipops, tea, condoms, brownies, etc. When Michaela went up to buy something, she said "Hi" to the cashier and he said, "Yes, I am. Are you?". That's when you know you are in Amsterdam. You also know when you are in Amsterdam when every shop is either a coffee shop/marijuana store or a sex shop, or a red light for a prostitute. Yeah, it is disgusting. Drugs and sex everywhere. Michaela and I weaved through the streets to look at the prostitutes because it's so hard not to look. It's sad and gross. Blue lights indicated the trannies. Watched a lot of guys walk in and out of the doors. The women are just standing in front like a store window and waiting. I heard it was fifty euro to have sex. If they caught you taking a photo, your phone will be thrown into the river. Sad and gross.

Not to mention the sex show, with a free penis sucker. What's a sex show? Literally, people on stage having sex in all positions. Staring at the audience during and pointing. Smiling and waving goodbye to us when the curtains closed. No condoms. One of the couples danced and had sex at the same time. They did bring some humour in it, thank God because Michaela's face was in absolute horror. She looked petrified. They brought audience up and kept picking on the Contikki group. I was pointed to come up with the guy but I got red and ducked, said no way. Thank God I didn't go up because I could have been chosen to rub lotion on his bare butt or been humped. Some people had to take a bite of a banana out of a women's vagina on stage. Crazy. A lot of stripping and dancing between sex shows and audience involvement. We also got two free drinks. I did become a Heineken fan during this trip. 

Febo. Febo is a food joint that instead of ordering, you go up to a huge array of vending machine walls filled with fried food. 

Oh, I forgot to tell you about my first night in Amsterdam. We got to the hotel later and only had an hour for dinner and to get showered, all four of us so I skipped dinner and showered first. Left for the canal cruise/open bar. It was great. We all were in a boat getting to know each other and drinking beer after beer. We all had a Flugel shot too. We had to lick the top of the cap and stick it to our foreheads, put our hands to our head and grab the bottle with our mouths and lift our heads to take the shot. And we said "Proost!" instead of "Cheers!". Left the boat to have a small tour of the red light district and skinny alley with Cameron. Then to some bars and Bulldog (coffee shop). It was a really great first night. Every night was actually really fun, I went out every night. I think that's why I feel like the days blurred to together, plus day drinking. Amsterdam is crazy and brings the crazy out of you.

Trash in Amsterdam made mad. Every garbage can was overfilled and around then were piles and piles. The streets were filled with trash. Every where you looked. It was made me want to put some cleaning clothes on and grab some bags to pick it up. It was absolutely horrific and sad that no one cared about their environment.

Left today, and it was horrible. Waking up early and long bus rides through Netherlands, Belgium, and France. Bought more Toblerone for lunch and dinner and saw the white cliffs of Dover from the sea on the ferry. The boarder passport check was extremely easy. This guy was laughing and joking with me. I was actually worried because I had left my acceptance letter in my luggage under the bus, packed away. But he was extremely nice and funny. He just assumed I was studying abroad and laughed about my France approval for a Student Visa from last week because he had to renew it for leaving England, said that it was silly. All I can say is that you will not see me in Amsterdam ever again. I would rather see the other parts of the Netherlands if I ever went back.

Now, I leave for Dublin on Friday I think. About to buy a train ticket to Belfast for a day trip.

I also want to say thanks to Mollie, I was not expecting a letter and cadbury chocolate from you. Loved it and I love that you took time to come meet up with me in Sheffield to talk and give advice, and have amazing pizza. I hope to see you at Summerfest in Milwaukee or hopefully a trip back to Sheffield! Dank U!

Paris Day 4

Picnic at the Eiffel Tower was amazing. I bought a baguette, lettece, camembret cheese, and an apple. Made myself a sandwich and it tasted like heaven. We also bought all of our food at a street market. Oh I also had some macaroons. Had a baguette fight in front of the tower before we ate them too. We slept for a good hour or more and burned. Michaela and my chest are red from the sun. Good thing that was it for me, I think her arms got some red too. Other than my chest, my legs, arms, and face are tanned. Not so pale anymore. It was really nice, around 60s and 70s with wind. After the picnic, we walked to the Montparnesse Tower. It's a better view than the Eiffel tower, because you're not crowded and you get the tower in the skyline. 

"Do it for the blog."

After that, we went back to the hotel to lay around and be lazy with grocery store, Monoprix, dinner. Michaela stayed in while Alie and I took the metro to the Eiffel tower to see it at night, we also bought some liqueur to make the night even better. Took a coupe (shot) under the tower. Also, at 11pm the tower sparkled for five minutes. The most beautiful thing I've ever seen. It really hits you. While we were in front of the tower I met Sam, some one Alie knew @As.vanquish


Things Sam says repeatedly (sorry for the vulgar language):

• "Fuck you, I have a daughter."
• "Go live your fucking asshole life."
• "Go to Morocco and say, fuck you, and nobody can say you're a crazy girl"
• "He is a playboy, I would fuck him. I'm not gay."
• "My safe is your safe."
• "Never forget your mother, and your father is an asshole."

Day 5 (the day we leave) was spent with two baguettes, liqueur, e'claire, and macaroons. Saw the Arc de Triomphe and the shopping streets. The Louvre gardens (jardens) and the Eiffel tower. Leaving the tower was really hard, I walked backwards from it for two blocks. And lilacs everywhere. 

The Eurostar ride back, I was awake when we were under the channel (water) and you can't see anything. Going through passport check, my guy was really intense. He asked me more questions than usual. Like, "what are you studying?" and "What date are you flying out?" and "Where are you flying in?"and more. The first time they just wanted my acceptance letter from Uni Kent and done. And leaving France, the three of us girls drank over 15 liters of diet Coca-Cola. 

Oh also, I had an incident at a Monoprix yesterday. I hate French people now, I disliked them before and now it turned into hate. I was shopping for dinner with the girls and I still had camembret cheese from lunch but I didn't know how good it was after a few hours so I took it out to check and put it back and decided to buy another container. Well after checking out, two men came up to me and was speaking in French about looking in my bag. They took the cheese and were freaking out about me stealing it. I had them open it and it was half eaten and I showed them a photo on my phone of the cheese with a time stamp from almost five hours ago. They went into the security camera room and a few minutes later they made me come in and showed me the footage of me putting the cheese into my bag, you couldn't see the part of me taking the cheese out first. They also showed me the date on my cheese was the same as their cheese. Duh, because I bought it at a Monoprix earlier (the same date). They kept speaking in French at me and I was getting upset because they still didn't believe me. So I yelled. I yelled, "I didn't steal it and I'm not paying for it" and they just gave me a look like I was a thief and let me walked. Idiots. Because how do I eat half a container of cheese within the two second  video footage of putting the cheese in my bag? Just really irritated me. French people are the worst people. They don't deserve the tower and the baguettes. Sorry to any French people reading this but my blog, my opinion. 

Back in Canterbury. I saw the Uni fox. Yes, there is a fox I see all the time when I am out late on campus. And in town this morning I said "Pardon" and "Merci" on accident.

Songs:

Foux du Fafa - Flight Of The Conchords

Adele - J'ai Peur Parfois

Paris Day 2 and 3

Day Two:

Woke up extremely early to get on a metro, which I had to learn by myself and it was extremely easy. Go me. I'm actually very surprised because last year I was confused by a simple train in Italy and the year before that, I was incredibly confused by New York City's subway. Now I can easily get around London and Paris by the underground/metro. Anyway, I headed to the Louvre. I was the first one in line and the first one to be let in. Sprinting to the Mona Lisa on the first floor, room six. I got there and there was only five people including myself surrounding her. Later there was a huge crowd. I was actually disappointed. Bullet proof case and about ten feet away was the closest I was ever going to get. I mean, I get it. The most famous painting should be protected. Have you seen what ISIS did to the Lamassau? I can see some crazy person trying to ruin Leonardo's work of art. Anyway, I say the Mona Lisa, Liberty Leading the People, Raft of the Medusa (teared up), and a few more that were amazing.

Met up with the girls in front of the Louvre Pyramid. Took selfies and such. And the street people selling souvenirs ket coming up and I said I would buy a keychain and the small metal Eiffel Tower, both for five. Then they wouldn't leave Michaela alone, trying to get her to buy. No means no dude. We also saw love lock bridge, it's massive. Love lock bridge is where couples go to put a lock with their names on it and then lock it on the bridge and throw away the key (in the river). Also river is "La Seine".

I keep finding Space Invaders! So many in Paris! http://www.space-invaders.com/home/ 

Off for lunch. Starved. We got to see out outside of this cute street cafe/restaurant. We all got a sandwich. Mine was camembert cheese in a baguette, it was okay. Also, I laugh at all the French people carrying around baguettes in striped shirts. I really wish they would put a beret on. After lunch, we headed towards the Eiffel Tower. On the way, Michaela had the most clever begger. This lady comes up and picks up a ring off of the ground next Michaela's feet and asks if it was hers'. Michaela said no and the lady said it was to big for her so she let Michaela have it. The lady walks away for a few seconds and comes back asking for change because she was hungry and Michaela said she didn't have any so the lady took the ring and walked away. The ring scam, pretty clever.

Had a pistachio macaroon. I decided on having one a day. Too good to miss.

When we got to the Eiffel Tower, it was surreal. We came from behind and walked underneath it and to the front. Laid out in front of it and took selfies. laying back down for half an hour and looking at it, it was still surreal. The tower looks like a toy that I can just pick up. It's not how I imagined the Eiffel Tower. But it's still beautiful.

Walked to the Statue of Liberty. Yes, they have one. It's really small, probably five of them stacked would make up the torch of the real one in NYC. After seeing that, we headed to a metro and went back to our hotel. Stopped at a grocery store for dinner. I picked up Buffalo Mozzarella. It was better than the ones in England. Probably because France is closer to Italy. Also more variety. Skyped Grandma for a few minutes back at the hotel. Ate food and rested. Then off to a different hookah bar then the one yesterday. Got peach flavour. This one was a bit more expensive but better service. Maybe too good of service. Alie got hit on by the guy serving us and asked for a photo of them together. Bye.

For Grandpa Lee. Miss you.

Day Three:

Woke up early again for Musée d'Orsay. I actually got there an hour earlier than I needed. Went to a cafe to have an expresso as I waited. It was way to cold outside that morning. Windy all day, made it really chilly. If the wind stopped it would be hot outside. At this museum I saw Olympia and Luncheon on the Grass. Then a guy that worked there came up to me and asked in French if I got coffee at the cafe this morning (only knew that he said that because he asked in English after French). Apparently he saw me and we talked about America and such. Then he asked if I had a ticket to the exhibition and I didn't. Only to the permanent collection. He asked if I would like to see the temporary exhibit and I said yeah, and he let me in for free! That was pretty cool. Leaving d'Orsay, I headed to Musée de l'Orangerie for Monet's Nymphéas. Got in for free because I'm 20 and a student. The rooms and the paintings were gorgeous. I took panoramas and gawked for half an hour.

After my museum morning, I met up with the girls at the Victoria monument and went to see Notre Dame. Took awhile to find. Selfies and candids later we headed to the Luxembourg gardens. They have a huge fountain and kids put boats in and have sticks to push them around when they hit the fountain's edge. We then laid out on the grass and we all fell asleep. Power nap. It was really nice, and I got a little burn on my chest. After our nap, we walked to the catacombes. Taking a stop for a vanilla macaroon. The catacombe line was a three hour wait so we left, we didn't really care to see bones underground. Stopped at a grocery store for dinner, I bought more buffalo mozzarella. And then we passed out in the hotel again.

Oh I tried a chocolate eau claire. Tasted like heaven.

Going out on a Saturday night in Paris was great. We bought Ricard (we think it's like their Bacardi). It was like drinking really strong black liquorice. Went to a Scottish pub and we crashed a private party. Left and kept going into bars. Alie and I tried a shot called "After 8" and then we crashed another private party. On the streets, I found a lot of space invaders. Later, we decided to head back and right before we got on the metro, we found a Canadian Bar. Hockey themed, hockey playing on the television. I got a shot of Absinthe. Heard a lot about it because I was going to France. It was the worst thing I have ever drank, never again. It took me like five minutes to recover.

On the metro, this creepy guy kept trying to talk to Alie. He did not get the picture that we wanted to be left alone so we did a lot of things to get him to leave. Did not work. I was relieved to get to our stop to get away from the creep.

"We are just doing the French thing, being assholes."

Today:

We have a picnic at the Eiffel Tower, a trip to Versailles, and up on top of a building-that-I-forgot-the-name-of planned and probably a trip at night to see the tower lit up. Tomorrow we leave but not until 8pm so we plan on seeing the arc de triomphe and the shopping streets. Fashion in Paris. I guess I will come back to see the two Modern Art Museums and to go to the top of the tower later.

Paris Day 1

Bonjour!

Waking up at four in the morning, which is getting easier with every early trip I take, I walked casually to the Eliot dorms where the taxi is going to pick Michaela, Alie and I up. Waiting outside and getting a message from the taxi service that the taxi has dispatched. A few minutes later, I get another text from the taxi service saying that the taxi has arrived and seeing the lights I message Michaela and Alie telling them to come out. Getting absolutely no response, I try calling and tell the taxi driver that I'm waiting for two others. Explaining to me that he will start the meter as he was putting my carry on bag in the trunk. Climbing the stairs back up to the locked dorm doors I try to messaging again. No answer. Then out of nowhere the taxi driver is behind me telling me he has to go and then I finally get a message saying Michaela is not answering the door. Telling Alie via text to start banging on the door as I tell the driver two more minutes. He starts to complain that his boss will get upset and I start begging. Desperately, I call again and tell them to hurry up. Turns out Michaela had her alarm set for Saturday and woke up a few seconds ago. Two minutes later I hear the taxi driver's boss on the phone screaming at him to leave and hanging up on him and I'm screaming on my phone at Michaela to run fast. Getting off the phone, the taxi driver was pulling my luggage out of the trunk and putting it on the sidewalk. He told me the next available one would be at 5:30am and our train leaves at 5:18am. I start pleading and within the last second Michaela and Alie are sprinting down the steps to the cab and we haul our butts inside the back seat. 

Needless to say, we actually made it. 

Now about the trains. We took Canterbury West to London St. Pancras and then head for Eurostar from London St. Pancras to Paris Nord. It was like an airport, checking luggage and passports. Got another stamp in my passport, can't wait for it to fill up. And the escalators are weird. There we are getting on one and then its like a slide going up, not stairs. Shocked us all. Anyway, this train runs under water and I was so excited seeing windows on the train because I thought that we could see underwater, like see fish and stuff. Nope. Nope. Dark and I didn't know when we were under, also I fell asleep. I did have a caramel macchiato but it didn't really work. 

Getting out of the train and then trying to finding a cash point (ATM) to get euros. I missed using euros. Took us forever to find one, waited in line and as soon as I got up to the front, the machine said out of service. Cool. Decided to go pee instead, which I paid for the men's toilet on accident. Oops. Leaving the train station, we found a cash point and decided to walk the hour and a half from the station to the hotel. We originally was going to take a bus but said walking would be nice to see Paris and we had time since our hotel check in is at 2pm. On out walk, we saw Notre Dame but didn't realise it was Notre Dame until I looked it up at the hotel. Passed the catacombs too, but we knew it was since there was a sign that said "catacombs". 

Hotel is really nice. The windows are big and open up all the way. I mean, a bird almost flew in and I practically cried because I was a foot away. We got out of our sweaty clothes. We were wearing warm clothes because England mornings are cold and getting into Paris midday is hot while hauling our luggage for an hour and a half through Paris. Charged our phones and watched some French Fairly Odd Parents. Translated some words online and found out later in the day (after we had so much trouble trying to figure out French for lunch) that Michaela took five years of French. What? 

Lunch: Plain egg omelette (came with a salad but had gross dressing on it so I didn't eat it), and bought some macaroons. 

Walked around for a bit and then went into a grocery store market for dinner food. Basically I bought for dinner: strawberries, pretzels, peanut butter, and an apple. Michaela bought some white chocolate covered oreos. Delicious. Come to Europe and try them.

After dinner at the hotel, we went to a Cicha Bar. On the way there, we got an "oo la la". Anyway, apple pomme cicha. The waiter was beyond rude. Treated us like we were the stupid American tourists. I almost fainted. Got really sweaty and had to run to the bathroom. It was kinda scary. 

Going to bed now, I'll be waking up at 6:30am to get ready and head to the Louvre. I really want to beat the line and be the few first in. Also I have to walk 45 minutes to get there. I might ask and figure out the subway/metro system. After, at midday, Eiffel Tower and baguette time with the girls!

Oh! I found two space invaders already. There are a ton in Paris so I hope to find more in the next few days.

Au Revoir!

Glasgow

What am I doing right now? Watching Keeping up with the Kardashians until Hollyoaks (A British TV show) comes back on. The internet is sucking so no Netflix.

Besides my night, I went to Glasgow today. Woke up and headed to a Starbucks for a caramel macchiato and a blueberry muffin. Thought I had enough time to sit down next to the monument to enjoy my breakfast but I didn't. Rushing to the bus station, spilling coffee, I caught my National Express bus. Only took an hour to get to Glasgow. Slept during the ride because I did stay up late last night. Once I got there, I ran around the Glasgow bus station to find a free map in a broacher but I found none, so I bought one of those "A to Z" mini maps. Sat down in a cafe and quickly circled the places I wanted to go to and went on my way. It's all very random and nothing stuck out to me today. I remember going to the Sir Walter Scott monument and then saw the small green maze for Easter that I saw online last night. I went in and it was filled with screaming children. Made my way to the City Chambers but couldn't find the entrance and gave up, I didn't even know what I was going to look at there. Then I went to "GoMA", the Glasgow's Modern Art Museum. The best part was the an aboriginal painting. It was huge, I just wish I knew what the stories are that was displayed. Walked out and around the corner to find a shopping centre (Glasgow has quite a few). And hey, I found a bunch of Tesco's. Also, coming back and into Edinburgh, I saw a few Tesco's (I'm blind). Anyway, I went up this lighthouse and got a good view of the town. Leaving the lighthouse, I walked to the cathedral and didn't go inside, the gate and door was closed. I went into the cathedral square to admire it and was surrounded by birds so I threw some food and they all swarmed me. I freaked out and then they freaked out. I got used to it and filmed a video. After that, I walked to the Collins Gallery, and couldn't find it. So I got in a taxi at a taxi queue to go further to the Contemporary Art Gallery/School. Cheap rides in Glasgow compared to every else I've been. Anyway, a girl helped me find the entrance because I looked like the ultimate tourist with a fold map and turning in circles with a confused face. Turns out the gallery is closed on Mondays. That blows. Two galleries I didn't get to see. Walked to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. It was huge and filled with not only art, but dinosaur history stuff. Once I was finished there, walked back all the way to the big shopping centre that I haven't been to and it's right next to the bus station. Wasn't interested in anything so I went to the bus station two hours earlier. Asked if there was any possible way to get on a earlier bus and he pointed to a blue bus. I ran over at the last possible second and they let me on with no problem. It was a perfect timing. Hour bus ride back and I'm in my hotel room before six. Showered and ordered Chinese. Now I am finally having enough wifi to type this up after watching some British telly. 


Other details on my day:

• I saw blue sheep grandma! It was on three perfect hills by the highway with Autism Awareness signs. 
• Coming back into town, I saw engravings on the stones next to the doors of buildings. One said "Alexander Graham Bell, Inventor of the Telephone, Born here 3rd March 1847". Started to see more engravings as we drove further. 
• Sleeping in this room is scary in the past two nights. It's beyond pitch black and I don't know why but felt like things were around the bed. Better not be haunted. Last night tonight, thank God. 
• Yesterday my grandma kept telling me how hot the guys in kilts were and she asked me if I was going to go to a male strip show. That is one of the many reasons why I love her so much. 
• Signs saying "People Make Glasgow" everywhere in the city. 
• I find it funny when I see American themed shops for candy or pizza, etc.
• I hear about people having parties that are American themed with pizza and beer pong. 
• Oh I have been coughing like crazy in the last 24 hours, so I'm sick. And now in less than 30 minutes, I will have my grandma yelling at me to get cough medicine for an entire week. 
• Starting to love the Scottish accents. I actually laugh sometimes when I hear it. 
• Saw a guy casually wearing a kilt on the street today.
• Haven't seen any bagpipe players on the street yet. 

Think that's about it. Probably missing a lot but I go home (I mean my dorm room in Canterbury) tomorrow morning. Paris on Thursday!

             

Better Day in Scotland

Slept in. No plans still. Got ready and looked outside, it looked fine. Checked the weather to see how nice it was going to be. Rain. It was actually raining when I looked outside the window, it's just weird how it rains here. It is never down pouring. Happened to me twice now (yesterday when I was getting to the hotel was one of the times). It's more mist if anything. Not even sprinkling because you cannot feel it. Your hair just gradually gets wet. That's why I never decide to carry an umbrella anymore because it's nothing really, and it's usually so windy that your umbrella just breaks anyway. Like the one I brought to London. Thanks cheap Target clearance. 

Looked online to see if the Modern Art Museum was actually open on a Sunday. It was thank God. And it's close to my hotel. Checked on the castle and other things. Still didn't want to go to the castle after seeing the price. I was also looking at tours, and there are a lot of haunted ones to go to here. Did you know the Loch Ness monster originated here, in the Highlands? They call him Nessie. A cute, green, cartoon sea monster in all the tourist shops. 

Oh! I almost cried this morning. I woke up, as I usually do when it's earlier than I want to. I checked the time on my phone and couldn't. I was frantically trying to turn it on after the fifth time trying the top and home button. I struggled getting my case off and then held the two buttons together (I have a iPhone). It turned on and turned off. Tried again, did it again. Almost started crying but after third times the charm. It finally turned on and was okay. Worked all day.  

So the National Scottish Modern Art Museum has Building One and Building Two. I have no idea why. I went backwards, starting with two. I think the best part was seeing a Roy Lichtenstein exhibit. Oh! I also say a Cindy Sherman print. Spent two hours there. Actually took my time because I had time and it was still raining (misting). 

Left for High Street (the shopping street usually) and remembered that Mollie told me to go to The elephant House. The cafe where J.K. Rowling started writing the Harry Potter books. When I was a block away, I heard the cafe name said like three times so I started walking faster. I actually, hahaha, walked to the back of the place where all of the dumpsters were and was thinking maybe I had to find it, maybe it was a fun hidden place. Nope, just dumpsters. So I walked around, and there it was with tourists taking photos. I looked inside and walked to the back, because Mollie told me to. She didn't tell me why but she said it was amazing. When I got to the back of the small cafe, there was nothing to make me go "wow". I got in the line to order and messaged her in the mean time to get what was so special. Sat down with my cheese panini and salad, and cucumber water in a large circle table with strangers. It was packed. Ate it. Packed up. Went to the bathroom. This is where I say, "Wow!" The entire inside of the bathroom was covered with writing. The hallway walls, the ceiling, the floor, the doors, toilets, sink, mirror, just everything. And no, it didn't look bad. You know how you see that kind of stuff in park bathrooms of kids being obnoxious? Well, no. This bathroom was filled with tourists from around the world saying thank you to J.K. Rowling and saying how Harry Potter changed their lives, and how they will never forget the memories. Yes, I did some graffiti myself. It was so amazing, I forgot to pee. I locked myself in one of them and just read for almost ten minutes. There were only two stalls and the place was crowded. Yikes. Sorry.

Leaving that place satisfied, I headed towards High Street or The Royal Mile. Some tents up and tons of people and shops. Also, the tiny, really tiny streets between buildings are called "____ close" and some of them turn into markets. I went into one and it reminded me a really small Borough Market. Then, there are like over five major shopping streets in Edinburgh that I know of. Rose Street, The Royal Mile, Princes Street, Queen Street, etc. Oh and two shopping centres (malls). I was proud of myself, didn't buy any clothes. And I only bought a flag to add to my collection, postcards to send, and whiskey for a special someone. So in the end, I bought a flag for myself and yes, I bought a ring. I can see Michaela saying, "of course you did". I always run towards the rings. But it took me a while to decide to buy one. I only gave in because it's the Scottish celtic knot. I gave in when I thought about regretting it when I come back to the States and when the guy I talked to said he made it and told me the meaning of mine. Apparently the one he was telling me about (the one I bought) represents the body, the mind and the soul. I love it, and it is worth it. Yeah, I'm trying to cut back on my spending. I also found out that they have their own printed money, but same coins as England. Although you can still use England's paper money when purchasing. I'm keeping a Scotland five pound. And hey Grandma Sue, I saw rings that have the blue willow pattern. They were really expensive and gorgeous, reminded me of you! 

After finding The Elephant house, I just walked around. Didn't touch my map. Which, hey, I have not used my phone's GPS. I only use maps when I go on trips now. The only time I use it, is to find where the nearest grocery store is. 

Ran into the Fruitmarket Gallery. Quick look around. Also saw the Light Works exhibit in a square for the International Science Festival. 

When finding myself back to Princes Street, I went straight to the Scott's Monument, paid four pounds, to climb those stairs. All 287 steps straight to the top. Well, the last set of stairs, I had to climb down four times because people kept coming down so I had to start over four different times. Why not go around them? Way too narrow. All of the stairs were spiral and I didn't get dizzy until I was flying down them. So easy going down, even thought about sliding down. Anyway, It was gorgeous. All these places I go to has something to get high enough to see the entire place 360 degrees around. I love that. The castle may have been prettier but this only costed me four pounds. While I was up on the monument, I say this huge mountain this and a roman structure further towards the water. I really wish I knew what they were. I just thought it was be a long walk and probably cost more money and time. I did start walking towards that way until I thought about it and turned around. 

I don't think Scotland has Tesco. My favourite grocery store. Sucks. 

Started going into any tourist shops because after the first one, I had to. I found soft-core Scottish porn on postcards of men in kilts posing seductively and I couldn't get enough of it. It was hard to keep my laughing quiet. Look out grandma, I think you may switching from those Hawaiian boys to these Scottish men. The last tourist shop, I decided to look at the whiskeys. I asked a girl who was working that I have no idea the differences of whiskies and that the only one I really really know about is Jack Daniels. She was amazing. This girl pulled whiskey out of her purse and was letting me try some. Telling me about Lowlands, Highlands, Islay, and Speyside. The palette, the fruit tastes, salt, the smoke. I still don't know but I bought two tiny bottles for someone who loves whiskey and I am trying a small taste of it when he tries them. One of them is secret, I don't know if he reads my blogs so I won't be explaining until we try it and the other is literally a secret. Again, I have to explain later. Come back and read my blog in early June to find out. After buying the little bottles, the girl was telling me to come to this pub for half priced cocktails. Too bad I can't go because that would be a bad idea to go out alone and drink. 

Never in my life, will I again see that many wool scarves, kilts, and whiskey shops.

Went down in the West Princes Gardens, ran into a man with two Scottish terriers. Instantly asked if I could pet them and he said yes! Like every girl, I fall in love with any dog that I see. After that, I picked a white and orange daffodil and sat on a bench to enjoy the view. After a few minutes, it started to rain (mist). Started to walk back. Lucky me, I ran into a market! Just in time for dinner I bought some stir fry and dumplings. 

Tomorrow, I take a bus ride to Glasgow. Wish me luck! 

Edinburgh

I made it. Short naps in the trains with my beautiful neck pillow. Forgot to tell you that the toilet talked to me when I went to the bathroom on the train. Told me no to not flush any nappies, sanitary towels, paper towels, gum, old phones, unpaid bills, junk mail, your ex's sweater, hopes, dreams or goldfish down the toilet. Laughed a little too hard. British woman's voice telling me that while I pee was really funny. 

Walking to the hotel, it started to pour. Perfect. I walked in and there were no signs pointing to any reception. I walk down some stairs and a guy is doing laundry. I asked him where the reception was and he just told me it's closed. He said come back in an hour when reception and check in happens. My phone was dying and I was dripping wet, I asked him if there is a place I can wait. He said no. I asked him where the nearest grocery store was and he said, I don't know. Wow, you are such a great help. Seriously, not one helpful thing came out of his mouth. It wasn't even like he was saying rude, because he was smiling at me. Probably laughing at my smeared makeup and my hair dripping. So he told me he could lock up my bags while I leave for an hour. Still pouring outside, phone dying, and no map. Cool. I'm waiting right by the door trying to look for a store on my phone quickly and literally right before I take a step to walk outside, he asks me for my passport and checks me in. You suck dude. Gives me a key and everything, like "just kidding". 

Charge my phone and clean up. Head into town. I basically got food and saw the Scott monument, the castle from afar, and went into the National Gallery. I decided no to pay that ridiculous amount for the castle that is on a gigantic hill, I'd have to climb. Maybe I'll change my mind for tomorrow, I don't know. I am going to climb the monument because I didn't know you could until I was back in my hotel room. There is a botanic garden place and a Modern museum I might look into for tomorrow as well. After eating and showering, I took a long nap after some Netflix. Now I am here, blogging.

Also, my hotel shower is really cool and scary at the same time. 

Train Talk

Okay, so I'm on my third train to Scotland. Started at five in the morning and didn't sleep last night due to a special flat having their end of the term party. I stayed until 3:30am. It only makes sense to go and celebrate the last week when I started at that flat the first week. Only problem is, I am struggling to keep myself awake. I have three stops. I started at Canterbury West, to London St. Pancras, walked to London Euston, and then to Carlisle and finally to Haymarket in Edinbrugh. I already think the best part of this trip was at Canterbury West when waiting for the train to arrive. Out of the people pouring onto the platform with me, a guy comes along. And he is drunk. Funny drunk. As he first walks past me he told me I had beautiful teeth, when I was not smiling nor had my mouth open for my teeth to be visible. He then continued to ask me if I brushed them but walked away. He then walked back over after a few minutes and asked me if he could sit next him. I said sure, why would I be rude and say no? Then he asked me if I would allow him to smoke his cigarette. Yeah, you do you kid. Smoke your gross and smelly cigarette. I guess you would have to be there, but I my head was turned away and laughing the entire time, because other than those moments, he was mumbling the wierdest stuff to him self. He also was having a huge tantrum because he could not find his headphones... that were hanging around his neck...I didn't say anything. 

Anyway, I practicallt lost my voice. After bar hopping on Thursday with the girls, I sounded raspy but after last night, I can barely talk. I can already see my grandma shaking her head in disappointment. But hear me out grandma, it was worth it. I got to spend hours with these people that I may never see again. I remember standing in a group talking with a person from Turkey, a person from France, one from Lithuania, and one from Spain. So much culture, and these people love it just as much as I do. Two amazing girls invited me to Turkey in June! Out of the four nights of going out this last week of term, Wednesday at venue and Thursday in town were the best. I have to say, Michaela and I peeing in an alley together will never be forgotten. 

Back to this trip that I am on my way to, I have no idea what to do when I get there. I did not plan anything and I am happy with that. I want to walk carefree and do whatever comes up, probably ask locals what's best. I did buy a day trip to Glasgow in class the other day. Which hey, that was my last class of the semester. I am free! Now all I have to worry about is catching buses, trains, and flights. I do have a really random essay due in mid May. I'm not worried about it too much, it's only 2000 words and it's on Picasso. And earlier this week, I did write 2000 words in an hour with no stress. Crazy to think, I'll be in Paris in a week. 

This train is going incredibly fast. I jump every time we pass one going the opposite way. 

My grandma back home is apartment hunting for me. Sadly, due to my math credits not counting because I tested low my first year, I am not at Junior (3rd year) standing. I was going to get a Kenilworth apartment so I didn't have to rush to find a place when I get back, and no way was I staying in Sandburg again. So thank goodness, my grandma and hero is at the rescue. She will find the perfect place, I will probably stay there until I graduate. I'm getting excited about an apartment too. I'll get to decorate! And hey grandma, I think I want to upgrade my twin bed for a queen. 

I picked my classes for this Fall, total of 16 credits. I was looking at getting a job but still unsure about it.  

And hey, my Dutch friend told me if you want a Subway footlong, you have to order it by the centimeter. Either a 15cm or 30cm. 

Liverpool

I'm writing this two days later I guess but it's a long story why. I am exhausted. Even now, today was jam packed with stuff to get done. For example, I wrote the last 2000 words for my essay. I am rushing now to type this too, because I have to get ready for going out tonight. Anyway, Liverpool. I arrived to the hotel and the lady was extremely nice. She gave me a map and circled where everything was and the tips about what to do when I get there. I saw two churches, one where I climbed to the top and saw all of Liverpool. Very beautiful. Wasn't too foggy; it's been really foggy up North during my visits. Then walked through their Chinatown, which was dead. I only went because the lady said the arch is very detailed and huge. Which it was. Walked to Albert Docks to see what every one has told me to do. The ferris wheel was the exact same at Manchester, even the price. I didn't go up. I walked across the docks and went to see Tate (art museum). Saw a Braque, Pollock and a Picasso. Left for the Cavern Club, where the Beatles played before they struck fame. Very cool place, wish I had friends with me to go out that night. Walked down London St. where all the shops are, saw a Forever 21 and ran inside. Huge sale and came out with nothing. After that, I went quickly to the Walker's Gallery and there wasn't anything too exciting in there except for a fake Mona Lisa. After all that walking, I grabbed a sub and went to the hotel. I went into my room and was going to shower, then I saw it was a bath. I freaked out, good freaked out. I hadn't had a decent bubble bath in a long time and after all the walking I took a bubble bath and ate my sub. Got a picture in your head? Yeah, I loved it. Anyway, connecting to the internet sucked. My phone and my laptop wouldn't connect. I asked for help twice and he said he couldn't figure it out. And of course, my phone ran out of data so I was stuck. That's why I didn't write sooner. Anyway, I watched some British TV and the commercials are hilarious. Passed out around seven thirty at night and didn't wake up until eight in the morning. Over twelve hours of sleep. Did get a call sometime during that time of Michaela telling me my grandma was freaking out because I hadn't responded to her in a long time. Had to explain about the wifi and data. Took a five hour bus ride to London and then a two and half hour ride to Canterbury the next day. Had less than three hours to have dinner, shower, get ready for going out, and unpacking. I was rushing like crazy. Managed, and went to the last Ruby Tuesday at Darwin. Tonight is the last Venue. I am sure I am missing little details but I gotta go!


Checklist:

• Received adorable letters from the kids a while back
• I love cucumbers, red onions, and green peppers on my sandwiches now (and I can eat cucumbers by themselves)
• When waking up in Sheffield, I found another spider by the bedside and that bed sucked
• In Manchester I found an invader! Now I can say I found one in Italy and one in England! http://www.space-invaders.com/home/ 
• Police sirens going off all the time in Manchester
• Trams in both Manchester and Sheffield
• I'm a vegetarian now
• The fast lane on the highway is on the left
• Lambs in every field this week

Manchester

Before I left Sheffield I was able to see some of the Peak District on the bus ride. It reminded me of the hills in Italy, it was gorgeous. I was about to fall asleep on the bus but I kept myself awake because I remembered Mollie telling me that I will go through them. I also forgot to tell you that I went in the Moor Market yesterday as one of the things I saw. I gaged when I saw the meat hanging from their tent. So I wasn't in there for long.

Manchester on the other hand is bigger I think. A lot more buildings than hills. Getting to my hotel, I was three and a half hours early before check in. However, I did ask with my reservation for an early check in and apparently they were sold out for a Manchester United football game yesterday. Lucky for me they could lock up my bag so I can go start my trek around the city. Did I mention it's Easter Sunday. Everything is closed! There are a good amount of people walking around, but barely anything was available. No museums or the shopping centre or the arena. I just walked by them. Fun fact: Manchester has an official Gay Village and it was pretty cool. I think the one thing I did get to do was ride the ferris wheel on Market St. Costed me nine pounds but I guess it is worth it if I can't see or do anything else. I got back to my hotel around two in the afternoon and called it a day. There was nothing else to see and I was exhausted. Showered and napped. Now I have to type an essay that is due this Friday. I never procrastinate but here, I do... a lot. 

Tomorrow Liverpool. 

Sheffield

With my eleven hours so far in Sheffield because the rest will be saved for sleeping.. I did just the right amount of sight-seeing. Getting into city centre just after midday, I was able to walk right into Millennium Gallery and the Winter Gardens. Walking to my hotel, was exciting. I just wanted to drop my stuff off and run around all the shops. I was planning on going to the Peak District but I figured I wouldn't have enough time to enjoy it and probably feel rushed. My hotel is perfect. Clean with nice religious people (it's a church army hotel?) and free breakfast, own bathroom, and free wifi. The only two problems is that it is freezing in here right now and I found a spider in the corner. I had to kill it, ew, because I wouldn't be able to sleep knowing it's in the room while I sleep. Also, when the guy was carrying my bag to my room he started to ask questions about where I am off to and where from, and why. I said I am backpacking around the UK and that I never know where I am going next, that my plan is to keep going North and hit the top of Scotland. I had to have a little fun, so I lied, I mean I would love to do that but money, school, and I want to see more than just the UK during my time here. Anyway, after I unpacked a little, I walked down the busy streets and saw amazing street art everywhere. Love, love, love that about Sheffield. I was hunting for the street art at one point. Saw a Taco Bell! I went into T.K. Maxx and bought a dress, clearance. Continued and looked in vintage shops, etc. Decided to come back and drop off my dress and the bottled waters I bought from Poundland for tomorrow, and make myself look decent for dinner. There's this really nice and cool girl named Mollie and she study abroad in Milwaukee a year ago and she read that I was coming to Sheffield. She made reservations for Bloo 88 (a really delicious pizza place/bar) and we talked for like three hours about traveling and other things in life. I'm extremely jealous of her, she has been to Egypt and Peru, Arizona and Seattle, Denver and Africa, and a lot more, and she is going to South America this Summer. Well, after eating our pizzas and talking we left, but only because they decided to turn the music all the way up so you can feel the bass in your chest. I plan on searching for a Wednesday that I am free so I can take a train ride up here again and then I can see the Peak District with her. Just for a day. 

So my little Sheffield trip was successful, tomorrow Manchester.

Platform 9 3/4

Okay so I 'm a day late, but I was exhausted.. So Day 3 in my London getaway:

Not much. Had my normal breakfast at the hotel. People stared at me. I had no idea what I was doing that was so interesting. I kept looking at them to make them back off but they wouldn't. So I ate my scrambled eggs fast. I left around 10am to the tube and took Southwark to Green Park to King's Cross. I had to ask for directions like three times for platform 9 and 3/4 because wow, King's Cross is huge. There was a huge line and I was a little embarrassed to go wait in that line and go up by myself. Having to ask the most outgoing guy that was having people come up one at a time and then ask someone in the crowd to take my photo. Wasn't worth it. I took some photos and looked in the shop. Left King's Cross for Elephant and Castle. Way too early I should say. My bus doesn't leave Elephant and Castle until 2:45pm and I got there at 11am. I didn't want to pay more money for the tube to go to somewhere else either so I walked around. Went into the shopping centre, which is really really ghetto. That whole area was. I googled Starbucks so I can sit down because my back was hurting from my packed backpack (must have weighed like 10 pounds) and have some free wifi. Spent two hours there. When walking to Starbucks, I could have been on BBC News! I was going to walk around this camera man and a reporter because it looked like they were filming the store or something but they backed up and turned towards me. The reporter was like, "So with elections coming up, How do you feel about the Prime Minister..... blah blah blah?" and I laughed because I had no idea what he just said to me and then I said, "I don't even live here" and walked away. LOL. Anyway, after that and Starbucks, I found a park after buying some crackers and ate a snack before the LATE bus. After I left the park to head to the bus stop, the bus decided to be twenty minutes late. And if you know me, I always need to be early and on time. So I was freaking out wondering if my ticket was wrong or if it went by and I didn't see it/wave it down or I don't know. I had to download the app and track it, thank God it was only running late. I did have to pee really bad so I was a little irritated as well. However, I got my own seat and went to the bathroom on the bus, which is horrible to do. Try it and tell me it was easy, I dare you. Slept the entire two hour bus ride back to Uni. Once I dropped my stuff off in my room I went straight to bae's room (Michaela) to order our pizza. We needed American pizza so we planned this like a week in advance. Wasn't going to miss it. After that, unpacked and slept. 

Today is class, gym, dinner with bae, and then library to study. The next two weeks (besides my trip up North) is going to be spent doing just those things. However, I only have two more classes left and I have only one essay due next week. As well, bae and I decided to party one more time before everyone leaves for vacation and before we leave for our trips around Europe. So we have our days and places planned. Not saying yet. Studying and partying. I can already see my grandma reading this and freaking out, sorry G. Love you. 

Also, I came back to my bathroom thinking it can be a rave. The light is like a strobe light on acid. So going pee is fun.