Thursday, December 31, 2009
Back in San Diego
After a wonderful Christmas with the family, I am finally back in San Diego. I am slowly getting settled into my new place and am looking forward to seeing everyone at school after break. Happy new year to all!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
A Touch More Literary
I am fascinated by the disappearing woman – the character that hops on a train and is never seen again. Where has she gone?
Chapter 1: Bristol, December 10-12
I arrived at the train station in Bristol at 10:30pm and rolled my small suitcase as best as I could across cobble stone pavement. I set out to find the Rock n’ Bowl Motel and within a few minutes the suitcase was slung on my back because it wouldn’t stay upright. Eventually, after only one wrong turn and a little backtracking, I arrived and checked in. Since it was a hostel, the light in the room was already off (as expected) so I did my best to find an unclaimed bed. I dropped my things and headed straight back outside.
On my way to an ATM (since it was much easier to pay for the hostel in cash…thus leaving me a little on the short side) I heard live music drifting from a bar, ironically named The Bank. They were having an open mic night and I managed to catch the end of it and make a few friends at the same time. After The Bank closed at one, we drifted to The Lanes next door and stayed until they closed at two. A few goodbyes later and I climbed upstairs to crash. The bed I had chosen was occupied, but not to worry, the one above it was free and my bag and bedding were still on the floor beside the bunk.
The next morning I woke before my alarm. I am not sure you understand the significance of that statement. I never wake up before my alarm, especially when it is set for 8:30. Perhaps it was a mixture of excitement and anticipation, or perhaps it was simply that you feel guilty for staying in bed when everyone else in the room is awake or already gone.
I set out for breakfast and discovered a wonderful little café just down the street from where I was staying. I had the most delicious coffee and a croissant with cheese, tomato, and a little ham. It was the perfect start to a long day.
I headed out from the café with the intention of going to the Old Vic, but ended up going to the cathedral first. I had to stop in at the library to get information because the tourist info centre was closed (perhaps permanently), but the woman there was absolutely helpful and gave me all the details I needed. There was an event at the cathedral, so by the time I was leaving it was nearly full to capacity – 500 people. I passed by the Old Vic and stopped in to see what was playing (Hansel and Gretel), but did not purchase a ticket. I continued through Queen Square to the floating harbour, then headed west following the water. I stopped to see the ss Great Britain and the Matthew, but did not go aboard because of all the other things I wanted to see during the day and the price was too high for just a quick glance. Then I headed on and stopped briefly at Underfall Yard where I saw the wooden frame of a boat that was in the process of being built. Finally I crossed back to the north bank and headed back, stopping to snap photos of the ss Great Britain from across the channel.
At that point I received a text from the friends I intended to meet, so I headed toward the Broadmead area which was back toward the hostel. Along the way I passed Explore@Bristol, the aquarium, and the Hippodrome. At the latter I stopped in to see what was playing – Snow White – but opted not to take the third tier back row seat for thirteen pounds. I continued, stopping for a lunch of a chicken and vegetable pasty. I met and chatted with my friends over coffee but they soon had to leave so they could go pack for a week of travelling.
I returned to the hostel and enquired about things to do, and as a result ended up going to the city museum and art gallery for a half hour until it closed. Then I headed back to the Old Vic to purchase a six pound ticket for Hansel and Gretel. I walked around for a while, ate dinner, checked out St. Peter’s Church, and wandered into the mall for a bit of warmth. Finally I returned to watch the show, which was full of kids but still good fun. After a full day of walking, this simple, easy-to-follow tale was the perfect spectacle for my tired brain (and feet because I finally got to sit). On a tip from the woman at the hostel, I went to Colston Hall after the show and listened to some free live music. It was not too crowded, and people were dancing to the lively tunes. It even got my tired bones moving a bit.
I left before the concert ended, but only because I was completely tuckered and knew I would have to get up early the next morning. I returned to the hostel, jotted a few notes in my journal, took a quick shower, and crashed.
Click here for a map of the area I covered. Purple indicates where I went on the 10th and 12th, blue indicates where I went on the 11th.
Chapter 1: Bristol, December 10-12
I arrived at the train station in Bristol at 10:30pm and rolled my small suitcase as best as I could across cobble stone pavement. I set out to find the Rock n’ Bowl Motel and within a few minutes the suitcase was slung on my back because it wouldn’t stay upright. Eventually, after only one wrong turn and a little backtracking, I arrived and checked in. Since it was a hostel, the light in the room was already off (as expected) so I did my best to find an unclaimed bed. I dropped my things and headed straight back outside.
On my way to an ATM (since it was much easier to pay for the hostel in cash…thus leaving me a little on the short side) I heard live music drifting from a bar, ironically named The Bank. They were having an open mic night and I managed to catch the end of it and make a few friends at the same time. After The Bank closed at one, we drifted to The Lanes next door and stayed until they closed at two. A few goodbyes later and I climbed upstairs to crash. The bed I had chosen was occupied, but not to worry, the one above it was free and my bag and bedding were still on the floor beside the bunk.
The next morning I woke before my alarm. I am not sure you understand the significance of that statement. I never wake up before my alarm, especially when it is set for 8:30. Perhaps it was a mixture of excitement and anticipation, or perhaps it was simply that you feel guilty for staying in bed when everyone else in the room is awake or already gone.
I set out for breakfast and discovered a wonderful little café just down the street from where I was staying. I had the most delicious coffee and a croissant with cheese, tomato, and a little ham. It was the perfect start to a long day.
I headed out from the café with the intention of going to the Old Vic, but ended up going to the cathedral first. I had to stop in at the library to get information because the tourist info centre was closed (perhaps permanently), but the woman there was absolutely helpful and gave me all the details I needed. There was an event at the cathedral, so by the time I was leaving it was nearly full to capacity – 500 people. I passed by the Old Vic and stopped in to see what was playing (Hansel and Gretel), but did not purchase a ticket. I continued through Queen Square to the floating harbour, then headed west following the water. I stopped to see the ss Great Britain and the Matthew, but did not go aboard because of all the other things I wanted to see during the day and the price was too high for just a quick glance. Then I headed on and stopped briefly at Underfall Yard where I saw the wooden frame of a boat that was in the process of being built. Finally I crossed back to the north bank and headed back, stopping to snap photos of the ss Great Britain from across the channel.
At that point I received a text from the friends I intended to meet, so I headed toward the Broadmead area which was back toward the hostel. Along the way I passed Explore@Bristol, the aquarium, and the Hippodrome. At the latter I stopped in to see what was playing – Snow White – but opted not to take the third tier back row seat for thirteen pounds. I continued, stopping for a lunch of a chicken and vegetable pasty. I met and chatted with my friends over coffee but they soon had to leave so they could go pack for a week of travelling.
I returned to the hostel and enquired about things to do, and as a result ended up going to the city museum and art gallery for a half hour until it closed. Then I headed back to the Old Vic to purchase a six pound ticket for Hansel and Gretel. I walked around for a while, ate dinner, checked out St. Peter’s Church, and wandered into the mall for a bit of warmth. Finally I returned to watch the show, which was full of kids but still good fun. After a full day of walking, this simple, easy-to-follow tale was the perfect spectacle for my tired brain (and feet because I finally got to sit). On a tip from the woman at the hostel, I went to Colston Hall after the show and listened to some free live music. It was not too crowded, and people were dancing to the lively tunes. It even got my tired bones moving a bit.
I left before the concert ended, but only because I was completely tuckered and knew I would have to get up early the next morning. I returned to the hostel, jotted a few notes in my journal, took a quick shower, and crashed.
Click here for a map of the area I covered. Purple indicates where I went on the 10th and 12th, blue indicates where I went on the 11th.
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