Welcome to the Motherland!

London. The birthplace of my crazy Easter break adventure. Buckle you’re seatbelts, people.

Also, yeah. It genuinely took me a month to start posting from this trip. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!... darn exams… I’m not supposed to be studying while I’m studying abroad!



Yeah, I'm aware of the suckiness of that video. I tried to salvage it several times then eventually gave up... (: moving on!

9 April

Having packed and over-prepared like crazy the night before, the morning of the 9^th found me excitedly - though rather groggily - abandoning my bed at 4:25 am. Although I awoke plenty early enough for my coach at 6:45, my over-ease and determination to have a full morning meant that I nonetheless ran out of time sooner than expected. Consequently, though I kissed my room goodbye and was out the door on time, I ended up forgetting to bring my bathing suit and shorts… because what resident of England readily remembers those things anyways, right? Either way, I was on my 6:45 coach and London bound in no time!

After uneventful coach and tube rides, and a brief detour to buy National Express tickets for the way home, I was at Heathrow Airport and ready to pick up my cousins from international arrivals. It took me about 5 minutes among sign-wielding limo drivers to check my phone and realise that the people for whom I was waiting had already moved on to the Underground. Cursing delayed phone signals in the airport, I saluted those still waiting for their wary travellers and skipped off back to the tube.

After administering a quick crash course on basic tube etiquette and utilization, I happily lead the way to our hotel. Aside from the inevitable newcomers’ suppressed giggles in reaction to ‘Cockfosters’, the ride was uneventful and soon had us being spit out onto the pavement conveniently located right next to our hotel.

While they checked in, I formulated my plan of attack for my first go at London tour-guiding. Following a quick and seemingly silent battle within my head, our first stop was decided to be the Westminster tube station, where – if I could remember the correct exit – we would be met directly with the sight of Big Ben itself (or Victoria Tower, if you want to get technical); the perfect setting for anybody’s first glimpse of the truly amazing city that is London.

We took the obligatory pictures with the tower and inside phone booths then were on our way to Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, and Trafalgar Square. Though all these locations are easily within walking distance of each other, we had to give out at this point and resign ourselves to some food.

We found a promising looking pub – that at least had dairy, meat, and gluten free options (… yeah, a difficult collection of dietary restrictions to be travelling with) – and sat ourselves down for some lunch. We ate, we laughed, I made the first of many language slip-ups to come and used the word ‘loo’, only to be met with blank stares and confirmations that I was officially British. 

I was red in the face but proud inside.

When we had finished lunch, we made a quick pit-stop next door so Gillian could get her first Pret coffee, then departed for St Paul’s Cathedral. Unfortunately, we got there too late to go inside but we still got a good view of the façade, took full advantage of the photo-op, then headed over to Millennium Bridge where – though I had already seen it several times previously - all my Harry Potter dreams came true yet again (:

Upon reaching the other side of the Thames, we embarked on a daring walk across to Tower Bridge. Not only did we get to see Globe Theatre on the way, but I shocked the pair again with crazy British customs that already seemed natural to me. When we reached a toilet stop, I immediately turned to my purse to get out some change for them. Yupp, you've gotta pay to use the loo in London. I loved reminiscently watching their faces and hearing their proclamations as they came to the same realisation I had all those months ago... 'barren of justice’, ‘refusal of basic human rights’… yeah, it brought me back… I sniggered to myself as I thought of how they would react when they found out you have to pay for water at meals. That is, after the waiter stares at you in confusion for ordering water, then asks if you want gas (sparkling water).

Anyways, we did eventually make it to Tower Bridge (after stumbling across the Leaky Cauldron!!! I was honestly happy to find this as it saved me a return trip and at least an hour of searching.)

When we reached the other side of Tower Bridge, I showed them the outside of the Tower of London and the Roman remains of the London wall, then it was off to Piccadilly Circus!

We later returned to the hotel where I finally got my tea of the day and we watched some good old BBC. Because our room was only equipped with one double bed and despite countless objections, I spent that night on the floor; uncomfortable maybe, but happy to be in my favourite city in the world.

10 April

The next day began with an energy bar, some more tea, and a hop back on the tube, this time bound for Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guard!

After that got checked off the list, we were off have our second go at getting inside St Paul’s Cathedral. I chose a route to the Underground via St James so we got that amazing view of not only the palace, but the London Eye over the water. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in our attempts to enter the cathedral. Darn overpriced admission fees…

Nonetheless, we got another relaxing walk over the Thames on the Millennium Bridge then stopped by the Borough Market for some lunch. I got a tasty cheese & onion pie and happily obliged to providing a quick money lesson.

Once we were fully fed and watered, we headed off – or… they calmly started walking… while I seriously restrained from skipping and running – to King’s Cross! (I told you I’d come back for you!!)*

I would now like to take this opportunity to thank both Ashley and Gillian for admirably putting up with crazy, old, fan-girling me (: You made her day!

By the time I had my hyperventilation under control, we were at the British Library where we got to see the Magna Carta! Unfortunately, this was a strictly picture-free zone, so you’ll just have to take my word for it! Amazing and historically legal documentation aside, we also stumbled across the research of the discoverer of penicillin, works of Mozart, biblical illustrations and… the Beatles (:

It was actually rather fitting that we ran into the artifacts of said famous British musicians because – after I took Ashley and Gillian to their first-ever Primark – the next stop on our tour was Abbey Road.

When we had finished our Abbey Road experience – which included everything from random encounters with fellow-Americans/picture-seekers to swearing bicyclists_­ – there was nothing left to do but grab some home-comfort food at a burger joint near Tottenham Court road creatively christened ‘Burgers & Cocktails’ then retire to our hotel room.

*refer to first ever blog post (:

... to be continued... (once my darn exams are finished :P )

The Brave Quest for Nessie

So, you know, we just went to Scotland for the weekend… nbd.

28 March, 2014

As has become the normal routine lately, I left straight after lab on Friday, rushed home, grabbed my rucksack, and tried to cram as much food in my mouth as possible before the price/calorie ratio skyrockets as is the norm with travel food. Then it was off to the coach station to meet up with my fellow Californians before we set off to the airport.

The plane ride to follow was another of the shortest in my life. But hey, taking a train would have actually been a lot more expensive. The logic of that is still a mystery to me. Honestly, feel free to leave an explanation in the comments if you happen to have been blessed with knowledge on this phenomenon.

Anyways, we were landing before long and were then off to find our hostel, getting a glimpse at the beautiful city of Edinburgh as we went.

Unfortunately, a trip that was advertised as the ‘Edinburgh trip’ was soon discovered to have nothing to do with Edinburgh at all. It was 10:30pm and we were scheduled to leave at 8am the following morning. Needless to say, with my list of Edinburgh must-see’s in hand, I was right back out of that hostel door, regardless of how tired I was.

I first must emphasize that this city is truly so so so beautiful. You know what, this point only has a fighting chance at being made if you see pictures… so here you go!

Hmm... apparently I didn't take that many pictures... Just look at the video people! It's really beautifully beautiful, okay?

Aside from seeing Edinburgh castle (or at least, getting a distant view of the outside) and many other important landmarks, I was also in the city that the dirt-poor, single mom, Joanne Rowling wrote the beginning of the Harry Potter series, and the now rather richer author currently resides. This fact naturally led to the pictures below, involving me freaking out and taking selfies in front of a coffee shop in the middle of a deserted street like a crazy person. #proud.

Though that particular coffee shop is the best known birthplace of Harry Potter, another Rowling-frequented café existed a few blocks over, but has since become an all you can eat Chinese restaurant. I would now like to officially express my disappointment in the Edinburgh branch of Potterheads for not preventing this travesty. Either way, I did find the place, however disappointing it was.

The Potter train’s next stop was at Greyfriar’s Kirkyard. Here lie the gravestones of the real father and son, Thomas Riddell (Riddle) and Thomas McGonagall, who inspired the naming of some of Rowling’s characters. Though the trend has developed to leave notes by these gravestones, I unfortunately found the kirkyard to be closed. Seeing as that it was about midnight, and I was determine to go wandering into a graveyard alone, I think the locked gate was probably some sort of sign. I could already hear Ron’s voice in my head, expressing in what was probably logical soundness, ‘she needs to sort out her priorities’.

Though the graveyard was a bust, I did at least get to see Victoria Street, which was JK Rowling’s inspiration for Diagon Alley.

On my way home, I decided to redeem my seeming lack of self-preservation instincts and stick close to the pair of policemen who were conveniently patrolling the area back to my hostel. When I did finally arrive, it was 12:30 and I was happy to be tiptoeing back into my room, careful not to wake the five already comatose fellow travellers.

29 March

Saturday started bright and early so we could get ready, have a nice hostel breakfast, and be on the coach by 8am. Yet again, I was blessed with an amazing tour guide - decked out in kilt and all - that sure to make this trip a great one. The first stop on our journey was at South Queensferry, just outside of Edinburgh and home to a great view of the Forth Road and Railway Bridges. On the way, the tour guide pointed out the neighbourhood that contains JK’s estate. Needless to say, these houses were huge, and I’m sure hers was even bigger, hidden in the depths somewhere…

I'm flying, Jack!

Our tour guide.

After the toilet break/photo op that was the bridge stop, we were off to Blair Castle. Though the outside didn’t really look like it, our tour guide assured us it had already been renovated to look more like a traditional castle. Our tour of the inside didn’t last long, as we were much more interested in exploring the grounds.

Our adventure continued with yet even more driving. Though we were having a great time and everyone else was enjoying the time to sleep, we soon became convinced that this trip was about nothing more than getting us as far north as possible. Finally, we did stop in Aviemore for free time and lunch. It was here that I (drumroll, please!) officially became British and had my first plate of fish ‘n’ chips! I have been on a quest to find veggie fish ‘n’ chips since arriving in this country and had been unsuccessful until this day. I literally gasped when I read it on the menu and – after staring at the words for a good minute – promptly threw aside the laminated paper and looked up expectantly, thoroughly pleased with my decision.

Though the food itself was nothing really special, I was just happy to have been able to get the country’s signature dish at some point during my stay in the UK.

Stomachs full and legs stretched, we trooped back onto the coach where we stayed until reaching the Culloden Battlefield. This place was super cool, not only for the crazy stories that came with it, but also for its casual placement against the beautiful backdrop of a Scottish mountainside. I’m honestly convinced this type of thing has just become no big deal to Scots. I mean, is any place of this country not absolutely gorgeous? Is everyone just walking around like, ‘yeah! They’re beautiful majestic snowy mountains, what’s the big deal?! … Dumb Americans…’.

Yupp, pretty sure they are.

Highland Cows!

Our resting place for the night was Inverness, only a short drive from the battlefield and placed conveniently right next to our first destination for the following day; (spoiler alert!) Loch Ness!

We arrived at our hostel with enough time to settle in and clean up before heading down to dinner. For most, this involved traditional Scottish food, but for me, it was half-traditional, half-pasta. I’m not complaining, though; cool as it would have been to enjoy a traditional Scottish dinner, some foods are just meant to go uneaten… haggis may be one of those foods.

After dinner, we enjoyed some traditional Scottish story-telling, then were off to a pub :D

30 March

Sunday started with another rushed morning, eating and packing quickly as to get right back on the coach. Thankfully, we were only a short ride away from Loch Ness, which was our first destination for the day.

*The sun rises over Loch Ness as dazzling beams of sunlight dance brilliantly across its surface. From the distance, Christy approaches. A tear glistening in her eyes, she gazes across the expansive waters and – as a mighty wave crashes ashore – she opens her mouth to sing.*

Nessie?

Please, I know you’re in there

People are thinking you’re not real.

They say ‘you’re crazy’ and I’m really not

I’m trying to prove them wrong, just come ashore

We only have each other

It’s just you and me

What do you wanna do?

Do you wanna swim in the Loch?

It doesn’t have to be in this Loch

Okay, bye

*Ahem, ahem* ANYWAYS…

After Loch Ness, it was back on the bus and off to Fort William ... or really, Edinburgh… because, who are we kidding, we had to book it south. Any stops from then on were sure to be little more than bathroom and snack breaks. If it weren’t for the fact that the deaths of 30 young travellers would have been bad for business, who knows if there would even have been those stops.

Nonetheless, we did eventually make it to Fort William, where we fuelled up before moving on to Glencoe! (Or, Glen coe-coe… as I like to call it :) )

When we were all finally dragged away from that truly beautiful location, our entourage proceeded full force back into the city, stopping only in Callander - on the border of the Highlands - for toilets. Though I wasn’t in need of the Loo, I did de-board to stretch my legs and meet this strapping fellow.

We did finally reach the airport. Granted, we were about four hours early, but with a group of our size and varied talents of charming weirdness, it was easy to keep each other entertained.

***

I’ve officially become accustomed to leaving right after lab on Fridays. In fact, as I write this, I’m a little freaked out that it’s Thursday and I’m not packing. Clearly I’m gonna have some issues when I return to my humble, normal life in California. But not to worry! This Wednesday marks my departure for the most sleep-deprived, luggage deficient, whirlwind of an adventure I will ever have. Only one part of this trip is certain; it is sure to be one of the greatest times of my life.

I lied. Two things are certain. The second; it’ll take me a whole other month to blog about.

Has anyone noticed these keep getting longer and longer? Every time I sit down to write, I tell myself this one’s gonna be short and sweet… then promptly write 2,000 words, (oops, sorry). There’s just so much to say! Solution: I’ll just make this into a book. A book nobody will want to read :P