We had few days in New York earlier this year, and then a wedding in Connecticut (that in my head I can’t stop pronouncing the c, as in Connect-icut). Let me just start by saying in the nicest possible way, nothing in that country makes sense. We first realised this when it took us two wrong trains and about 10 dollars wasted trying to work out how on earth to use the Subway.
Manhattan Web
The Skyline – a beautiful disused Subway track converted into a park
And then you’re off the train. Going back to The Precedent – New York doesn’t seem very proud of its subway. The European metro seems to be more like a brand. You see no end of “Mind The Gap” tat in souvenir shops in London, and the art-nouveau Paris Metro design conjours up romantic images of the wide leafy streets leading up to the Louvre or the banks of the Seine.
It certainly looks like the Subway’s Golden Age has been and gone in New York. While many stations retain the old mosaic street number markers on the platform, and the pillars spaced evenly are evident of the might of the city above, it seems that the Subway system has been forgotten in recent regenerations, he needs a lick of paint, improved lighting, signage and passenger information, especially for tourists. But he’s so integral to this city, work it out and he’s your best friend.
A few years back I was travelling to London a lot at the weekends, and between the old markets, the Barbican and the surge of Oxford Street, one in particular sticks in my head. Being a bit touristy and walking along The Mall, I spied a group of soldiers on horseback, and then realised that the road was full of police. Walking down a bit further were more soldiers, dressed in that distinctive red and gold uniform, and then that thumping, rhythmic, military music came into focus in our ears.
Trooping of the Colour
We all know that the Trooping of the Colour takes place on the Queen’s official birthday in June, regiments dress in their official uniform and parade their flags (troop their colours) before the Queen at Horse Guards Parade. But what you might not know is that we caught the full dress rehearsal the week before.
Written for Ailsa’s Travel Theme : Noise
Following Shrewsbury, Worcester and Tewkesbury last year, we took our first UK daytrip of the 2014 this weekend. The weather was forecast to be glorious, not a cloud in the sky and it was my birthday so Daniel took me on the train to Oxford.
1. Public Transport – When I was younger there was nothing more exciting than going somewhere from New Street Station, it meant you really were going somewhere, not like Moor Street where your only options are Stratford (upon-Avon) or Kidderminster. We got on at New Street with our bacon butties for the journey, read trashy magazines until we got off an hour later in a freezing-cold Oxford.
History and Academia and Sunny Shades at the School of Languages in Oxford
2. Dry Weather – Everywhere in the UK is great for a daytrip – if it’s not raining! I prefer Spring and Autumn so keeping an eye out for dry weekends is essential. I especially like London in that period between Autumn and real Winter, November, early December when it’s still dry but crisp and the leaves are on the ground. But, again, always take your umbrella just in case! There are some cities though that aren’t too bad in the rain, Bronte novels are full of dark, wintry manor houses and rain-lashed moors – so towns in Yorkshire are much more atmospheric in Winter.
3. History – Whether it’s an ancient Abbey, castle ruins or an historic university town, history is what has attracted you to this place so you need to enjoy it! Our normal plan is get off the train and head for the Tourist Information straight away. Then while you’re there you can always top up on tourist information on the internet on your phone, you can even TripAdvisor a bar or an attraction when standing right outside if needs be.
4. Find a Tower – Get your bearings from up high, you might have to pay a few pounds and climb up a horrible spiral staircase but the views are worth it from the top. You can climb to the top of church towers and follys in most tourist towns, in the big cities try a rooftop restaurant or just see what’s at the top of a posh hotel. The best ones we’ve climbed are the tower in Teweksbury, the Monument and the Shard in London, and now the tower in Oxford.
From the tower at Tewkesbury
5. Picnic – An impromptu picnic is always lovely, in Oxford we went to Taylor’s little sandwich shop on the High Street and then to sit in the sunny park area outside Christ Church College. From students reading on the benches in their college to young families playing in the grass outside, when the sun’s out the picnic is a perfect way to enjoy your surroundings and soak up the atmosphere.
6. Ice Cream – This one is probably best left to Summer trips, to be replaced by hot chocolate maybe in Winter. An ice cream in the park, by the river, overlooking the castle, windowshopping in the town square. Whether an artisan number from a small craft shop to a bog-standard Mr Whippy, there’s something so special about an ice cream in the sun.
7. Beer – Possibly the most important thing about the daytrip, we started in the first place last year with a promise of a sunny weekend and a the idea that Tewkesbury might just have a pub on one of its two rivers (it didn’t!). A nice warm mulled wine or cider in Winter in a typical little pub or wandering in a Christmas market does the trick as well. Taste the local ales, fight off the wasps in the beer garden, strike up conversation with the old man at the bar, enjoy the whole experience!
Jo Flacco vs Schweinsteiger, Colin Kaepernick vs Lewandowski – who wins in the ultimate competition? Admittedly, I am a tiny bit borrachita writing this post. Which is better?
Baltimore Ravens vs San Francisco 49ers – NFL Superbowl 4th February 2013
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich – UEFA Champion’s League Final 24th May 2013
Let’s start with the much more reasonable timing, they are playing at Wembley, London – “The Cathedral of Football” according to Daniel. It’s 20h30 here, it’s 20h30 at the match itself. Instantly better, no?
Let’s also go for the teams, OK so this year not so good it’s an all German final, but teams from all over Europe compete, so come on you can have Barcelona vs Man U, Milan vs Ajax, Porto vs Monaco – they don’t even speak the same language, that’s how lovely and diverse Europe is. What about the Superbowl? Oh, it’s Denver vs Falcons, Ravens vs 49ers, Green Bay Packers vs the stupid Patriots, all Americans… Where’s the competition? As Adrian Chiles just said : “Two great teams, playing great football in a great venue”
What next? Advert breaks! It’s currently half time, and we are at an ad break, we’ve just had 45 minutes of uninterrupted play. No way?! Yes güey, Tsss… Another winner for for Champions League. Do you know what? In a minute they’re going to cut to the studio, talk about the game (I bet it’s Gareth Southgate), then another one ad break and yes – back to the game for another 45 minutes!
The commentators :
Another advert break singing “the Chaaaaaaampiooooooons”. Yes. Some discussion about the new X-Box…
Playing again now, and the diet coke is sobering me up. Daniel doesn’t want to play the Champion’s League Final Drinking Game, despite there being two Hoegaarden in the fridge. We actually saw two Dortmund fans at the train station today, clearly waiting for the train down, because the Chiltern does stop at Wembley. Boooo Angela Merkel. She doesn’t really look that interested there.
It’s Germany, why are they falling over like stupid Ronaldo? And Drogba (even worse)? I bet even Jo Flacco doesn’t even fall over on purpose and the tiniest touch, Superbowl wins this one.
Dortmund 0 – 1 Bayern. Bastards, we want Dortmund to win. They last won in Europe in 1997, Munich won in 2001. Maybe it’s that couple I saw earlier, or that Dortmund play in yellow, or that they are a true community club that love their supporters, I would just rather Dortmund won.
How many names can you laugh at in the Superbowl? Here we have Bender (no explanation necessary), Schweinsteiger (shouted in a proper 1940s German voice), Piszczech (piss check), Mueller (yoghurts) and of course, Subotic – pronounced Sugar Tits.
I’m rubbish at being a girl sometimes. I can’t do anything more than a ponytail, I don’t experiment with makeup and different brushes and that. I never grew up with that as a priority. I try and get the bathroom spotless and end up crying in a heap as a failure to all womankind. Housework aside, this post is about appearance, and how my lack of awareness and fear of trying means I play it safe, every time.
This the best I can do, when I have to, it was a friends wedding last September, a cruise and buffet on the Thames. Curled with the wavers. I also wore this a variation of this for another friends 30th birthday in Cambridge, a random night out with the girls in Birmingham, dinner when my Mom met my Danielote’s parents… It covers a lot of options.
Long story short, I have a black tie dinner next Saturday, and I really don’t think I can rock this look in a 5-star London hotel. So I got myself on YouTube, searched high and low for easy hairstyles – because let’s face it, even the simplest of styles is going to be more impressive than curling with the wavers. There are so many videos out there that show you how to do things in other people’s hair, then I found a great little channel, Luxy Hair :
Two sisters from Azerbaijan that moved to Canada, give really easy instructions for really easy styles, in such a beautiful accent.
I’m going for one of their easy ones, I spent about three hours this afternoon watching and playing with my hair, I did have to go out to the local Boots to buy supplies, but all in all, I’m going to go for one of their looks, the simple Easy Everyday Updo. Three hours of practice and I’ve nearly got it! That confirms it though, I am rubbish at being a girl sometimes. Put me at the football though and I feel too girly, maybe it’s a good balance. Or maybe I’m just me, my appearance is not my number one top priority, but I do like new clothes, I will keep going at my hair until I’m happy, and if my make up’s a bit off then I’ll take it off and start again.
Maybe it’s simplicity. I keep things simple, classic that I know looks acceptable and run with it. Cleaning the bathroom is not simple – I’m waiting on a Groupon for a cleaner.
Chilanga : Exported 