I just arrived back in Dublin after three glorious days of touring Northern Ireland. I would love to spill every detail right now, but unfortunately am typing from my iPod and it would take forever. I wish I could spend Easter with my family, and it is very weird not doing so. Nevertheless I am having the time of my life in this country. Ireland is truly something else completely apart from what I've experienced in England.
This is my fourth and last night in a hostel before we fly back to London tomorrow. I am looking forward to an Easter night on the town - a nice pub in Temple Bar with friends, good food, live music, and perhaps a bit 'o Guinness!
Love to all, and a grand Easter!
Xo
Jenny
12 April 2009
11 April 2009
What the "feck" I'm up to...
I made it to Ireland. Last evening at the hostel in Dublin was very interesting. Tonight we are in Derry, having a grand time with the tour group...onward tomorrow to see more of this beautiful country! Too much to write, but everything is amazing!
Love to 'ya
xo
jc
Love to 'ya
xo
jc
09 April 2009
Back and Forth, Forth and Back
I just returned from a day in Warwick (pronounced War-rick) and Stratford-upon-Avon.
Two things today:
a. I climbed to the top of a castle
and
2. I saw a Shakespeare play performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company…in Shakespeare's hometown (that's a lot of 'Shakespeare').
View from top of Warwick Castle.
Eight hours of stairs later...YES!!
When in Stratford-upon-Avon, do wear fresh flowers in your hair.
OVERJOYED to be standing in front of the home where WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE was birthed. Really.
I'm spent, and I need to get packed/rested for my big journey tomorrow to the Emerald Isle. Whoooo! I feel like I've been waiting my whole life for this!
We depart via train at 0800 (2 a.m. CT), then have a layover before ferrying out. I believe we should arrive sometime around 1600. I am taking just a carry on bag so it's going to be tight packing. Tomorrow evening I will be staying in a hostel in Dublin, and sleeping with my belongings as I am sharing a room with 18 mixed strangers. I am excited with uncertainty!
If I don't post in the next few days (I likely won't have I-net access), I wish everyone a fantastic Easter loaded with family/friends/pets/etc. I know I will be missing my favorite "Progressive Easter" that my family puts on, with wonderful food and even better company! You'll be in my thoughts on Sunday!
Love, and of course as they say here, "cheers"!
xo
jc
Two things today:
a. I climbed to the top of a castle
and
2. I saw a Shakespeare play performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company…in Shakespeare's hometown (that's a lot of 'Shakespeare').
View from top of Warwick Castle.
Eight hours of stairs later...YES!!
When in Stratford-upon-Avon, do wear fresh flowers in your hair.
OVERJOYED to be standing in front of the home where WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE was birthed. Really.
I'm spent, and I need to get packed/rested for my big journey tomorrow to the Emerald Isle. Whoooo! I feel like I've been waiting my whole life for this!
We depart via train at 0800 (2 a.m. CT), then have a layover before ferrying out. I believe we should arrive sometime around 1600. I am taking just a carry on bag so it's going to be tight packing. Tomorrow evening I will be staying in a hostel in Dublin, and sleeping with my belongings as I am sharing a room with 18 mixed strangers. I am excited with uncertainty!
If I don't post in the next few days (I likely won't have I-net access), I wish everyone a fantastic Easter loaded with family/friends/pets/etc. I know I will be missing my favorite "Progressive Easter" that my family puts on, with wonderful food and even better company! You'll be in my thoughts on Sunday!
Love, and of course as they say here, "cheers"!
xo
jc
08 April 2009
London, Episode III: Conquering Single-Handedly.
THIS PAST AUGUST I DID what was, at the time, something incredibly daring for a little lady: I jumped in my car and drove unaccompanied to Minneapolis for the day. Of course I was disoriented for most of the journey, though made it back in one five-foot-one-inch chunk, feeling more of an adult.
I can safely say that today this affair was upstaged. For just after realizing that I indeed had an afternoon free of lecture and nothing to fill my hours, I decided to board a bus to London…by myself.
The strangest part about this endeavor was, I didn't have any idea where I was going and at the same time, I wasn't the least bit scared. I tossed my Rick Steve's Best of Europe 2009 book into my purse, a pocket sized map of the London Underground, and on my way to the station stopped by Wendy's News on High Street to pick up a London map. Then I got on the bus. I didn't think about getting on the bus, and I didn't think about where I was going, or what I was doing. I just got on.
There I sat, on the top of the double decker, in the very first row. I spread out my maps and books, and for the hour ride I studied the city as though I were to be tested in 60 minutes and I absolutely could not fail. When my stop came, I felt confident and primed for an adventure. I jumped off and like a magnet, made my way to the Underground to purchase my day pass to ride. From there it was all a slice of London; a smooth, tasty slice of London.
I'd been dying to see St. Paul's Cathedral since arrival, and so planned it as my first venture. One of my courses has me studying a nice bit of Sir Christopher Wren, the great architect that redesigned a chunk of London after the Great Fire of London destroyed a good deal of the city in 1666. St. Paul's is Wren's masterpiece, and honestly, I'm not certain that he, or anyone, could have exceeded this effort in his lifetime. Years of planning and building erected a wonder, and I wanted to see it straightaway.
Getting off at the nearest station, I rounded a corner and saw it assembled before me.
I wish…I wish I could tell you. I wish I could tell you what I felt. I wish you could feel it, and see it, and understand. I will try.
Think of the biggest building you've seen, be it a football stadium or a Walmart or what have you. Now multiply that building by two or three, change it two Portland stone and decorate it, in the same manner that icing adorns cakes. Embellish it with grand doors and elaborate stairs, columns, the works. Stand before this great structure, and feel the vigor that it secretes from the foundation to the highest point of it's dome.
I already was feeling emotional, and I had yet to see the inside.
It takes a good amount to procure this kind of sentiment from me, but when I walked through the doors I — literally — nearly cried. Call me trite, I know — it's a just a cathedral. I can say without a spot of disbelief, it is the most beautiful building I have ever been in. I circled the aisles for a while, looking from wall to wall, floor to ceiling and thinking of all the great people and events that must have traced the same sectors. And tread upon tread, I had my breath stolen. It is a masterpiece — humbling, epic, divine and beautiful. I could have stayed there for hours.
St. Paul's West Entrance. Glorious.
From the Southeast.
Lovely dome! Ooooo....ahhhh...
NICE WORK WREN!
A photo that I conned a friendly woman into taking. Awkward!
Alas I wandered on, stealing away to the Monument, and further to the Tower of London. I crossed the London Bridge, then jumped the Tube to Oxford Circus for a bit of, well…shopping. This was a tad ridiculous, but I will not argue. I had a great time spending money.
Tower of London. Pictures don't do it justice, I promise!
Tower Bridge. Holy moley!
See — I was there!
"I made it to the Tower of London."
View from the London Bridge, looking toward Tower Bridge.
A timeout for a quick meal ensued, before Tubing back to my bus stop and making the hour journey back to Oxford. There is hardly a single thing I would have changed about the day. I was in heaven the entire time!
So it is, that on this day I forced myself out of a great comfort zone, and into one of most gigantic cities in Europe. And I loved every moment of it.
I am very proud of myself!
Tomorrow I have decided to go to Stratford-upon-Avon with my group, with a side trip to Warwick Castle (-cough- TOURIST TRAP -cough-). I am going to postpone my Wicked viewing/London exploration for another week. It's not every day you get the opportunity to visit the birthplace of Shakespeare!
Whew. I loved today.
Cheers,
jc
I can safely say that today this affair was upstaged. For just after realizing that I indeed had an afternoon free of lecture and nothing to fill my hours, I decided to board a bus to London…by myself.
The strangest part about this endeavor was, I didn't have any idea where I was going and at the same time, I wasn't the least bit scared. I tossed my Rick Steve's Best of Europe 2009 book into my purse, a pocket sized map of the London Underground, and on my way to the station stopped by Wendy's News on High Street to pick up a London map. Then I got on the bus. I didn't think about getting on the bus, and I didn't think about where I was going, or what I was doing. I just got on.
There I sat, on the top of the double decker, in the very first row. I spread out my maps and books, and for the hour ride I studied the city as though I were to be tested in 60 minutes and I absolutely could not fail. When my stop came, I felt confident and primed for an adventure. I jumped off and like a magnet, made my way to the Underground to purchase my day pass to ride. From there it was all a slice of London; a smooth, tasty slice of London.
I'd been dying to see St. Paul's Cathedral since arrival, and so planned it as my first venture. One of my courses has me studying a nice bit of Sir Christopher Wren, the great architect that redesigned a chunk of London after the Great Fire of London destroyed a good deal of the city in 1666. St. Paul's is Wren's masterpiece, and honestly, I'm not certain that he, or anyone, could have exceeded this effort in his lifetime. Years of planning and building erected a wonder, and I wanted to see it straightaway.
Getting off at the nearest station, I rounded a corner and saw it assembled before me.
I wish…I wish I could tell you. I wish I could tell you what I felt. I wish you could feel it, and see it, and understand. I will try.
Think of the biggest building you've seen, be it a football stadium or a Walmart or what have you. Now multiply that building by two or three, change it two Portland stone and decorate it, in the same manner that icing adorns cakes. Embellish it with grand doors and elaborate stairs, columns, the works. Stand before this great structure, and feel the vigor that it secretes from the foundation to the highest point of it's dome.
I already was feeling emotional, and I had yet to see the inside.
It takes a good amount to procure this kind of sentiment from me, but when I walked through the doors I — literally — nearly cried. Call me trite, I know — it's a just a cathedral. I can say without a spot of disbelief, it is the most beautiful building I have ever been in. I circled the aisles for a while, looking from wall to wall, floor to ceiling and thinking of all the great people and events that must have traced the same sectors. And tread upon tread, I had my breath stolen. It is a masterpiece — humbling, epic, divine and beautiful. I could have stayed there for hours.
St. Paul's West Entrance. Glorious.
From the Southeast.
Lovely dome! Ooooo....ahhhh...
NICE WORK WREN!
A photo that I conned a friendly woman into taking. Awkward!
Alas I wandered on, stealing away to the Monument, and further to the Tower of London. I crossed the London Bridge, then jumped the Tube to Oxford Circus for a bit of, well…shopping. This was a tad ridiculous, but I will not argue. I had a great time spending money.
Tower of London. Pictures don't do it justice, I promise!
Tower Bridge. Holy moley!
See — I was there!
"I made it to the Tower of London."
View from the London Bridge, looking toward Tower Bridge.
A timeout for a quick meal ensued, before Tubing back to my bus stop and making the hour journey back to Oxford. There is hardly a single thing I would have changed about the day. I was in heaven the entire time!
So it is, that on this day I forced myself out of a great comfort zone, and into one of most gigantic cities in Europe. And I loved every moment of it.
I am very proud of myself!
Tomorrow I have decided to go to Stratford-upon-Avon with my group, with a side trip to Warwick Castle (-cough- TOURIST TRAP -cough-). I am going to postpone my Wicked viewing/London exploration for another week. It's not every day you get the opportunity to visit the birthplace of Shakespeare!
Whew. I loved today.
Cheers,
jc
06 April 2009
London, Episode II: The Down Low
THE PROBLEM WITH LONDON IS, outside of being magnificent, it's so gigantic that you can feel it swallowing you. The city laughs at you, because it finds it hilarious that there is so much within it that you'll never get to see. And also too, London leaves one tuckered out (I'd say the equivalent feeling of a dog's chew toy) so you are left with zero energy to share your adventures.
We landed (alright, we were on a bus) in London around 1030 yesterday morning, once again blessed with beautiful weather. I took off at the Notting Hill Gate stop. First order of business was cappuccino, and I entered the first Non-Starbucks establishment I saw (love Starbucks, but I am boycotting them while I'm here). A quiet, cute café with a super cheesy sign out front. Perfect. When we walked in, I realized that the place was a tribute to Princess Di, and the walls were plastered with her image. I bought a terrible 0.90p cappuccino (you really do get what you pay for) and was off to wander the beautiful neighborhoods of Notting Hill.
I immediately loved this area. First, it is 18 million times cuter and quieter than touristy Central London. The people walking down the streets actually look like LOCALS! And there is character abound: colorful houses, buildings, and shops.
The only plan for Notting Hill was to get lost in it, which was a great idea since we eventually ended up at the Portobello Market. What a FANTASTIC thing to stumble upon!! Portobello is supposedly one of the top tourist attractions in London. I'd heard of it, but wow. Literally, one of the neatest things I've experienced. The shops had their goods on the sidewalks, hoards of antiques, jewelry, clothing, and knick knacks. There were so many goods I wish I could have bought. There was SO much. It is truly a traveler's woe, to see all of those things and know you cannot fit them in a suitcase. Nevertheless, I bought a beautiful dress.
More wandering, and we eventually found a Tube station. I was overcome with a nervous excitement, as I'd never ridden on the London Underground, though I'd heard only excellent things. A mere £5.40 gets you around at lightning speed for an entire day — and the system is fool-proof: color-coded, well organized and slick. Everything is glorious and self-explanatory. To sweeten the deal, the Underground system uses a beautiful font throughout, and displays great artwork around the stations. You really, really can't go wrong.
I didn't do too much in the evening outside of eating a wonderful lunch at the Victoria & Albert museum before perusing the works, and a bit of exploring the South Bank. Surprisingly my feet still managed to wear out.
I believe I am going again on Wednesday, for more exploring and to see Wicked in the evening. On Thursday I am jumping the train + ferry (we decided on the scenic route) to Ireland for Easter.
All is calm here — and hopefully, all is well with all you lovelies and mates across the ocean!
xo
jc
We landed (alright, we were on a bus) in London around 1030 yesterday morning, once again blessed with beautiful weather. I took off at the Notting Hill Gate stop. First order of business was cappuccino, and I entered the first Non-Starbucks establishment I saw (love Starbucks, but I am boycotting them while I'm here). A quiet, cute café with a super cheesy sign out front. Perfect. When we walked in, I realized that the place was a tribute to Princess Di, and the walls were plastered with her image. I bought a terrible 0.90p cappuccino (you really do get what you pay for) and was off to wander the beautiful neighborhoods of Notting Hill.
I immediately loved this area. First, it is 18 million times cuter and quieter than touristy Central London. The people walking down the streets actually look like LOCALS! And there is character abound: colorful houses, buildings, and shops.
The only plan for Notting Hill was to get lost in it, which was a great idea since we eventually ended up at the Portobello Market. What a FANTASTIC thing to stumble upon!! Portobello is supposedly one of the top tourist attractions in London. I'd heard of it, but wow. Literally, one of the neatest things I've experienced. The shops had their goods on the sidewalks, hoards of antiques, jewelry, clothing, and knick knacks. There were so many goods I wish I could have bought. There was SO much. It is truly a traveler's woe, to see all of those things and know you cannot fit them in a suitcase. Nevertheless, I bought a beautiful dress.
More wandering, and we eventually found a Tube station. I was overcome with a nervous excitement, as I'd never ridden on the London Underground, though I'd heard only excellent things. A mere £5.40 gets you around at lightning speed for an entire day — and the system is fool-proof: color-coded, well organized and slick. Everything is glorious and self-explanatory. To sweeten the deal, the Underground system uses a beautiful font throughout, and displays great artwork around the stations. You really, really can't go wrong.
I didn't do too much in the evening outside of eating a wonderful lunch at the Victoria & Albert museum before perusing the works, and a bit of exploring the South Bank. Surprisingly my feet still managed to wear out.
I believe I am going again on Wednesday, for more exploring and to see Wicked in the evening. On Thursday I am jumping the train + ferry (we decided on the scenic route) to Ireland for Easter.
All is calm here — and hopefully, all is well with all you lovelies and mates across the ocean!
xo
jc
05 April 2009
04 April 2009
Nonstop.
This is a snap from today, about 0930 this morning in Burford Village a half hour from Oxford. It's a Cotswold Village, meaning a quaint town compiled of hundreds of dwellings made of honey colored stone that dates back centuries. Burford is certainly a quintessential English settlement.
We weren't in Burford for very long, just 45 minutes and I unfortunately never made it beyond the Church graveyard. There were hundreds of old stones — hundreds — and so much beauty, character, with a healthy dosage of eeriness. I was shooting the entire time, and never truly felt that I got what I wanted (hence me sticking around for so long, attempting to capture something magnificent). The sun was really gorgeous in the early morning, casting shadows from so many interesting flowers and trees.
Church cemetary, Burford Village. The trees were so unlike anything I've seen before.
Detail on headstone.
We boarded the bus and made our way to Bath. It was nothing of what I'd expected: It was better. Bath is so gorgeous, surrounded by hills dotted with old buildings. The countryside leading into the city was the greenest I've ever seen. And the Roman Baths themselves were quite beautiful. Bath is a very historic, posh city — I'd only wished I could have spent more time there.
The MSU Moorhead group at the Royal Crescent, Bath.
Catching some b-e-a-tiful (and much-needed) sunshine at the Roman Baths!
A quick shot from overhead. I don't know why my camera changed everything strange colors. Maybe the healing waters have that effect on things...
I took plenty of photos, but I'm having issues with my camera/computer. I'll try not to get too behind on posting. I've been busy.
Speaking of busy, I'm really exhausted and need to get some sleep for a big day in London tomorrow, where I plan to traverse the Notting Hill area, visit the British Museum, Albert and Victoria, and explore Central London, catch some great city night life and make it home in time for bed...
Love.
We weren't in Burford for very long, just 45 minutes and I unfortunately never made it beyond the Church graveyard. There were hundreds of old stones — hundreds — and so much beauty, character, with a healthy dosage of eeriness. I was shooting the entire time, and never truly felt that I got what I wanted (hence me sticking around for so long, attempting to capture something magnificent). The sun was really gorgeous in the early morning, casting shadows from so many interesting flowers and trees.
Church cemetary, Burford Village. The trees were so unlike anything I've seen before.
Detail on headstone.
We boarded the bus and made our way to Bath. It was nothing of what I'd expected: It was better. Bath is so gorgeous, surrounded by hills dotted with old buildings. The countryside leading into the city was the greenest I've ever seen. And the Roman Baths themselves were quite beautiful. Bath is a very historic, posh city — I'd only wished I could have spent more time there.
The MSU Moorhead group at the Royal Crescent, Bath.
Catching some b-e-a-tiful (and much-needed) sunshine at the Roman Baths!
A quick shot from overhead. I don't know why my camera changed everything strange colors. Maybe the healing waters have that effect on things...
I took plenty of photos, but I'm having issues with my camera/computer. I'll try not to get too behind on posting. I've been busy.
Speaking of busy, I'm really exhausted and need to get some sleep for a big day in London tomorrow, where I plan to traverse the Notting Hill area, visit the British Museum, Albert and Victoria, and explore Central London, catch some great city night life and make it home in time for bed...
Love.
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