This is a difficult entry to write. I just sat at the computer for a full three or four minutes, trying and failing to think of a good title for this last post. It's so complicated! So I settled for something safe and rather boring.
I've been putting off writing this entry for a little bit, for two reasons. 1) There's a lot of pressure on a last entry! It's got to sum everything up and leave the reader (intentional singularity) feeling complete and satisfied. This is why I hate english! And 2) A summary involves...well...a summing up of everything! And I'm not sure I'm ready for that. I'm still working through a lot of the experiences, in terms of how I feel about them and how I will integrate them into my "real" life.
Speaking of my "real life," it's weird being so totally re-immersed in it. I expected to feel a little at a loss, but instead it's just far too easy to just BE here again. Not joyfully liberated or anything, just BEING. Here. Normality. Almost like I never left. But I think that it's all part of the process, and Glasgow will take some time to kind of get assimilated back into life here.
Speaking of Glasgow. I had a little poster on my wall in my room. It read "What does Glasgow mean to YOU?" And I could never decide. At one point I had the thought that it is a place that I struggle "With, in, and for." Some fun facts about Glasgow: 1) It is the murder capitol of Glasgow. 2) It has a bridge that is acclaimed for the absurd number of dogs that kill themselves by jumping off of it. 3) It's shield claims the expression "The bird that never flew, the tree that never grew, the fish that never swam, and the bell that never rang." It's an absurd place. It's a place that had gruffness and depth and imagination and seediness and vivacity. It's as changeable as it's ridiculous weather. Would I ever live there? Hell no. But my study abroad experience there? Kind of perfect. It's a real place. A real place for a real experience. And real lessons.
When people ask me "How was your study abroad experience?" what will I say? I've given this some thought. I wouldn't want to say anything as one dimensional as "Fantastic!" or "Great!" because it wasn't all the time, and it deserves more depth than that. I've decided that the best adjective would be "Amazing." Because in every sense of the word it was that. I saw and learned SO much. And those things will stay with me forever. The places and the experiences and the people, too. In fact, I made a list:
THE TOP 21 THINGS I'VE LEARNED STUDYING ABROAD:
1) Look to the skies. (You never know, there might be a window! That's a U2 reference.)
And I mean that in the sense of a) when you need that little extra bit of inspiration, b) when you need to figure out if you are going to get absolutely soaked in the next four minutes of your walk to class, c) if you've got a few extra minutes, cloud-picture games are delightful, and d) ENJOY EVERY BIT OF SUNSHINE THAT COMES YOUR WAY!
2) It's okay to go to Starbucks every once in a while.
a) Pragmatism is the potato of life. When the coffee is cheaper, delicious, and can be iced, sized, and carried away to personal preference (which it absolutely CANNOT be anywhere outside the UK), it's worth it. b) Starbucks is an excellent homesickness remedy. Reliable, consistent, and yummy! c) Treating yourself is good for your soul.
3) Smile.
4) The nature of limitations and independence.
This is a complicated one, so I'll elaborate, even thoughI'm not sure I'll do it justice. It's easiest to explain in terms of my Ben Nevis experience- there were two things that really stuck out to me on that trip, other than every single pebble on the way down. One was how there were times that I knew that if I didn't stop and take a break, I would pass out or collapse. There was the certain and absolute knowledge that I would not make it to the top unless I listened to what my body needed. I am a human being, and as badly as I wanted to sprint up to the top, I couldn't. I found that I have limitations that I can't break. Even more importantly than that, there were times that I was exhausted and mentally willing to give up, and then found that my body was capable of doing more than I ever thought I could. Past the point of exhaustion, I could keep going. There's a balance to it, obviously, and it's not an easy one to work out. My study abroad experience taught me both that I am limited and absolutely unlimited at the same time.
5) A good pair of shoes means the world.
6) It's okay to look forward and back, but look down at where you're walking, too.
This is one that I continue to struggle with. Look to the past to ground yourself your roots, look to the future for anticipation and excitement, but also look to the things around you, or you'll end up missing out.
7) Give yourself a happy place, whether it be a daydream or a coffee shop.
8) Find structure but leave breathing room, as well.
9) Always carry a rain hat. And a granola bar.
10) Style comes second. Or third or fourth.
11) Eating alone is not as scary as it seems. In fact, being alone is lovely, sometimes.
12) Appreciate home.
13) When all else fails, keep busy.
14) People are both more and less than you ever expect them to be.
15) A little email goes a long way. So does a little song on the radio, or a little chocolate from a friend.
16) Waiting for the bus is an art. One that I'm not very good at.
17) Keep a record of some kind. It's worth it.
18) Always eat a good breakfast.
19) Don't be tempted by vegetables for 50 pence, no matter how big the bag of spinach is.
20) There's a hell of a lot more for me to learn. I am in no way a finished product.
21) A cup of coffee is always the answer. If not, tea is lovely, too.
Thank you so much to all of you that have been reading this. And to everyone that facebooked, emailed, called, or in general showed you cared. I couldn't have done it without you guys.
Now, a last pooh quote:
"If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together.. there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart.. I’ll always be with you." -Winnie the Pooh
Much love,
Erin
Monday, May 16, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
One Week!
I honestly don't know if I'm saying "One Week!" in an excited, happy way, or in a panicked, terrified way. It's both and neither and definitely loaded with a ton of tumultuous emotion.
At once I'm feeling very ready to go home, but also like there are still vast amounts of abroad-related things that I haven't done yet. Ben Nevis was simultaneously and beautiful beautiful capstone to my adventures, and a reminder of how wonderful exploration is. As in, I want more of it. But I'm tired. But I know I won't have these opportunities again. At least, never the same way.
We had a lovely gluten-free birthday dinner for me at a friend's apartment a couple of nights ago. The food and the ambiance and the company were delightful, and made me realize that going home won't just be a question of fitting back into life in the states, but leaving a life behind here. Even my room here, which I've claimed no attachment too, feels just a little bit cozy and a little bit bittersweet now.
Plus, I've got finals! That's just downright stressful. No idea what to expect or how to study, so the catch-all answer? Study my butt off, of course! That always seems to be the answer. And it's never a pleasant one.
Anyway that's a little window into my brain at the moment. We are planning a picnic in the botanic gardens today, and tomorrow they are having a "Highland Games" tournament south of Glasgow. They throw logs! It's going to be awesome.
Okay, off I go. Pooh quote: "There are twelve pots of honey in my cupboard and they've been calling me for hours. I couldn't hear them properly before because Rabbit would keep talking, but if nobody says anything except those twelve pots, then I shall know where they're coming from."
Much love,
Erin
At once I'm feeling very ready to go home, but also like there are still vast amounts of abroad-related things that I haven't done yet. Ben Nevis was simultaneously and beautiful beautiful capstone to my adventures, and a reminder of how wonderful exploration is. As in, I want more of it. But I'm tired. But I know I won't have these opportunities again. At least, never the same way.
We had a lovely gluten-free birthday dinner for me at a friend's apartment a couple of nights ago. The food and the ambiance and the company were delightful, and made me realize that going home won't just be a question of fitting back into life in the states, but leaving a life behind here. Even my room here, which I've claimed no attachment too, feels just a little bit cozy and a little bit bittersweet now.
Plus, I've got finals! That's just downright stressful. No idea what to expect or how to study, so the catch-all answer? Study my butt off, of course! That always seems to be the answer. And it's never a pleasant one.
Anyway that's a little window into my brain at the moment. We are planning a picnic in the botanic gardens today, and tomorrow they are having a "Highland Games" tournament south of Glasgow. They throw logs! It's going to be awesome.
Okay, off I go. Pooh quote: "There are twelve pots of honey in my cupboard and they've been calling me for hours. I couldn't hear them properly before because Rabbit would keep talking, but if nobody says anything except those twelve pots, then I shall know where they're coming from."
Much love,
Erin
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Ben Nevis!
So, I haven't posted in a little while. There have been a couple of reasons for that: 1) I haven't been doing anything really interesting (especially by comparison to the epic-ness of spring break) 2) Yes, I just climbed Ben Nevis, but that's an exception to the former because I was really freaking tired afterward and needed to recuperate.
Ben Nevis. That was a perfect way for me to celebrate my 21st. It's a big birthday and I wanted to do something big. And everything worked out exactly perfectly! Beautiful weather, wonderful people to climb with, and loads of birthday luck. The view at the summit was nothing short of breathtaking, and crystal clear. that only happens 60 days out of the year! Ten minutes after we began our descent, it was back under cloud cover. The whole experience was...enormous. I'm not sure how better to phrase it. I saw the world spread out before me and I could feel the hugeness of that expanse. And just for one day, I could claim some part of it. Claim is the wrong word...I could be involved in some part of it. I'm not doing it any justice at all. Oh well, I'm not the english major!
And yes, I even had a mug of pear cider with some of the girls when we stumbled back to our rooms in Wolfson. Also I do mean literal mug- the only dining things I have are the utilitarian ones that I've surrepticiously borrowed from downstairs.
The last couple of days have been mostly devoted to studying my butt off and taking wayyy too much time getting up and down stairs. As it turns out, climbing a mountain when not entirely in shape leaves some pleasant reminders in the following days. So, my birthday gift to myself? Aching, aching muscles. Including my ankles- I didn't even know there were muscles there!
So, if you so desire I've put up the facebook pictures from both the family trip through Britain and the Ben Nevis excursion. Enjoy!
Pooh quote: "That's funny," said Pooh. "I dropped it on the other side," said Pooh, "and it came out on this side! I wonder if it would do it again?" And he went back for some more fir-cones. It did. It kept on doing it.
Much love,
Erin
Ben Nevis. That was a perfect way for me to celebrate my 21st. It's a big birthday and I wanted to do something big. And everything worked out exactly perfectly! Beautiful weather, wonderful people to climb with, and loads of birthday luck. The view at the summit was nothing short of breathtaking, and crystal clear. that only happens 60 days out of the year! Ten minutes after we began our descent, it was back under cloud cover. The whole experience was...enormous. I'm not sure how better to phrase it. I saw the world spread out before me and I could feel the hugeness of that expanse. And just for one day, I could claim some part of it. Claim is the wrong word...I could be involved in some part of it. I'm not doing it any justice at all. Oh well, I'm not the english major!
And yes, I even had a mug of pear cider with some of the girls when we stumbled back to our rooms in Wolfson. Also I do mean literal mug- the only dining things I have are the utilitarian ones that I've surrepticiously borrowed from downstairs.
The last couple of days have been mostly devoted to studying my butt off and taking wayyy too much time getting up and down stairs. As it turns out, climbing a mountain when not entirely in shape leaves some pleasant reminders in the following days. So, my birthday gift to myself? Aching, aching muscles. Including my ankles- I didn't even know there were muscles there!
So, if you so desire I've put up the facebook pictures from both the family trip through Britain and the Ben Nevis excursion. Enjoy!
Pooh quote: "That's funny," said Pooh. "I dropped it on the other side," said Pooh, "and it came out on this side! I wonder if it would do it again?" And he went back for some more fir-cones. It did. It kept on doing it.
Much love,
Erin
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
A drive around Britain, D'Agostino style
First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!
The last two weeks were wonderful. I lounged in a car, snacked, and lazily watched the countryside out the window. I didn't have to worry about how or when we were getting where we were going. Of course, it being a D'Agostino trip, there was also a fair amount of last-minute scrambling for everything from dinner reservations to ghost tours to ticket scrounging for plays in London. Not to mention the natural tensions that arise when six people are crammed in a car for seven hours. It was fantastic. I say that without a grain of sarcasm. For one thing, gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous weather. That's right, three gorgeous'. We also stayed in lovely lovely hotels (exponentially decadent by comparison to the hostels I've been surviving in) and we saw beautiful scenery and we hit all the major attractions everywhere we went. Megan might argue that we missed one: New Look, a cheap but fashionable superstore here.
A review:
Wednesday, April 13: Meet-up day
Early solo train Glasgow to London (finally got my picture of platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross! A very bemused guard showed me the way).
Portrait Gallery (which helped me finally get the correct sequence of the English monarchy in my head).
An inventive dinner at Heathrow while waiting for Nana and Papa to arrive (it consisted of a plain baked potato from a airport fast-food venue, and raw peppers and ready-to-eat chicken from the grocery store).
Thursday, 4/14: A stroll with Nana
Kensington Gardens
Kensington Palace (a fairytale of a palace, designed for kids and immature adults like me to enjoy).
The Victoria and Albert Museum (complete with a Rodin exhibit and a coffee break)
Harrods (a simultaneously terrifying and captivating experience)
Lovely pub dinner
Quick dip in the hotel pool (first swim I've had in five months!)
Friday, 4/15: A tour bus and three stops
Starbucks breakfast too early in the morning to have been properly awake
Warwick Castle (complete with costumed staff members and medieval food-carts)
Stratford upon Avon (the birthplace of shakespeare! and a very pleasant little town).
Pub Lunch the White Hart
Christ Church College in Oxford (I now know where I'd study if I could go anywhere in the world. Think of how many secret passageways!)
A repeated pub dinner (good once, good again!)
Saturday, 4/16: The rest of the clan arrives! Minus Kerry. (Who we missed very much throughout the trip).
A solo run to the British Museum (I'll be back there again, considering I saw...10 percent of it? 5?)
Mom, Dad, and Meg meet with us at the hotel
Starbucks lunch (gluten free sandwhiches and pastries! Yet another reason to love it.)
Hampton Court Palace (where I successfully intrigued Megan into listening to me lecture on the wives of Henry XIII!)
Resort outside London, down a backroad. I don't remember any of the hotel names, but this one had a pretty garden that we strolled in.)
Sunday, 4/17: The drive to Edinburgh
A stop for an introduction to Marks and Spencer and Costa, two of my favorite UK chain food places, for roadside picnic essentials.
Dinner at the Witchery next to Edinburgh Castle (gluten free veggie lasagna!)
Monday, 4/18: Edinburgh Exploration
The Castle (third times a charm!)
Mary Kings Close (third time there as well!)
A People's Story Museum
Dinner at Bella Italia (it's remarkable how much of our trip surrounded gluten free eateries...the pizza was delicious!)
Tuesday, 4/19: Glasgow!
Botanic Gardens
A Play, A Pie, and a Pint (just a tiny bit scandalous...and by that I mean I now actually hold the most-inappropriate-play-finder crown instead of my dad.)
Introduction to the Old Campus of the University
A tour of the Glasgow School of Art
Dinner at La Tasca (mmm)
A sprint for a late night ghost tour in Edinburgh (which I was relieved to find wasn't as scary as the one Kerry and Ariana and I did).
Wednesday, 4/20: to Inverness!
A quick stop in Edinburgh to simultaneously visit St. Giles Cathedral, win a parking ticket battle, and get a free juice smoothie. How is that for efficiency?
Drive to Inverness
Loch Ness Exhibition Center (does Nessie exist? After 11 display rooms, you get a nice big literal question mark.)
3 Island Walk on the River Ness (A big hit with Mom, Nana, and Meg! Mom and Nana for the scenery, Megan for the dozens of dogs frolicking in the gorgeous weather.)
Dinner at "The Mustard Seed" (funny how I remember restaurant names, but not hotel names. Or people's names, for the matter).
A sprint to catch the last 20 minutes at the pool. Mmhm jacuzzi.
Thursday, 4/21: To the Lake District!
Megan got her scenic horse gallop while the rest of us saw Urquhart Castle
A drive through Loch Lomond (so pretty! If I can muster the energy, that is a last day trip I want to make.)
A quick stop in Glasgow for me to unload some more excess crud I've acquired on my family
Dinner at "Three Fat Ladies" in Glasgow- fun place.
Late late arrival in the Lake District. One potential near catastrophe involved dark, windy, narrow roads and a poorly lit quarry).
Friday, 4/22: To London!
Scenic drive out of the Lake District (sailboats and sun and rapeseed fields- bright yellow flowers).
Lunch in York at "El Piano"- a wholly gluten free spanish/mexican restaurant!!! Complete with GF carrot cake desert!
Dropping off Nana and Papa
Racing the clock to get to London and find tickets to a play with twenty minutes until start time. But, since we are the D'Agostino's, success! Dirty Dancing. Really really enjoyable. As was the ice cream we got after.
Saturday, 4/23: A Partial Parting of the Ways
A quick walk along the river with Megan and Mom, with coffee in hand
I caught my train for York, and the other three headed for Heathrow
After some confusion on both ends, I found Nana and Papa and Mom, Dad, and Meg found New York.
Dinner at the "New York Grill" (I didn't even get the York-New York relation until Nana pointed it out)
Sunday, 4/24: Easter!
A dress up day! I love dress up days.
Mass at 11
Picnic lunch along the river Ouse
The Railway Museum
Evensong at Minster Cathedral
Dinner at the Old White Swan (pub dating back to 16th century, home to multiple ghosts and host to the world's tallest man- 8 feet- in the 1700s.)
Folk Music at the Anglican Parish Church (yes, that's three masses in one day!)
Monday, 4/25: York exploration day
The Castle Museum- completely recreated Victorian and Georgian rooms, streets, and newspapers. Very well done. Also a section on the 60s and a tour of the old castle jail. Well deserving of Rick Steves' three stars.
Lunch in the sun
Solo trip to the Yorkshire Museum (with a little added time for sun-basking and coffee-drinking).
Exploring the Shambles (and finding some very cool shops nestled into the haphazard winding cobbled ways)
Final dinner at the New York Grill
Tuesday, 4/26: Mom's birthday! And a final parting of the ways.
After a quick early-morning train-station breakfast, Nana and Papa headed to London and I to Glasgow.
I got in midafternoon, and I've kind of been futzing around since then. I'm not quite sure what to do with myself, but I'm thinking the finals glaring on the horizon should probably start factoring into my plans.
But I'll deal with that tomorrow. For now, a shower and some tv are sounding pretty good.
Pooh quote: "While you wonder what to do, sing a song."
Much love,
Erin
The last two weeks were wonderful. I lounged in a car, snacked, and lazily watched the countryside out the window. I didn't have to worry about how or when we were getting where we were going. Of course, it being a D'Agostino trip, there was also a fair amount of last-minute scrambling for everything from dinner reservations to ghost tours to ticket scrounging for plays in London. Not to mention the natural tensions that arise when six people are crammed in a car for seven hours. It was fantastic. I say that without a grain of sarcasm. For one thing, gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous weather. That's right, three gorgeous'. We also stayed in lovely lovely hotels (exponentially decadent by comparison to the hostels I've been surviving in) and we saw beautiful scenery and we hit all the major attractions everywhere we went. Megan might argue that we missed one: New Look, a cheap but fashionable superstore here.
A review:
Wednesday, April 13: Meet-up day
Early solo train Glasgow to London (finally got my picture of platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross! A very bemused guard showed me the way).
Portrait Gallery (which helped me finally get the correct sequence of the English monarchy in my head).
An inventive dinner at Heathrow while waiting for Nana and Papa to arrive (it consisted of a plain baked potato from a airport fast-food venue, and raw peppers and ready-to-eat chicken from the grocery store).
Thursday, 4/14: A stroll with Nana
Kensington Gardens
Kensington Palace (a fairytale of a palace, designed for kids and immature adults like me to enjoy).
The Victoria and Albert Museum (complete with a Rodin exhibit and a coffee break)
Harrods (a simultaneously terrifying and captivating experience)
Lovely pub dinner
Quick dip in the hotel pool (first swim I've had in five months!)
Friday, 4/15: A tour bus and three stops
Starbucks breakfast too early in the morning to have been properly awake
Warwick Castle (complete with costumed staff members and medieval food-carts)
Stratford upon Avon (the birthplace of shakespeare! and a very pleasant little town).
Pub Lunch the White Hart
Christ Church College in Oxford (I now know where I'd study if I could go anywhere in the world. Think of how many secret passageways!)
A repeated pub dinner (good once, good again!)
Saturday, 4/16: The rest of the clan arrives! Minus Kerry. (Who we missed very much throughout the trip).
A solo run to the British Museum (I'll be back there again, considering I saw...10 percent of it? 5?)
Mom, Dad, and Meg meet with us at the hotel
Starbucks lunch (gluten free sandwhiches and pastries! Yet another reason to love it.)
Hampton Court Palace (where I successfully intrigued Megan into listening to me lecture on the wives of Henry XIII!)
Resort outside London, down a backroad. I don't remember any of the hotel names, but this one had a pretty garden that we strolled in.)
Sunday, 4/17: The drive to Edinburgh
A stop for an introduction to Marks and Spencer and Costa, two of my favorite UK chain food places, for roadside picnic essentials.
Dinner at the Witchery next to Edinburgh Castle (gluten free veggie lasagna!)
Monday, 4/18: Edinburgh Exploration
The Castle (third times a charm!)
Mary Kings Close (third time there as well!)
A People's Story Museum
Dinner at Bella Italia (it's remarkable how much of our trip surrounded gluten free eateries...the pizza was delicious!)
Tuesday, 4/19: Glasgow!
Botanic Gardens
A Play, A Pie, and a Pint (just a tiny bit scandalous...and by that I mean I now actually hold the most-inappropriate-play-finder crown instead of my dad.)
Introduction to the Old Campus of the University
A tour of the Glasgow School of Art
Dinner at La Tasca (mmm)
A sprint for a late night ghost tour in Edinburgh (which I was relieved to find wasn't as scary as the one Kerry and Ariana and I did).
Wednesday, 4/20: to Inverness!
A quick stop in Edinburgh to simultaneously visit St. Giles Cathedral, win a parking ticket battle, and get a free juice smoothie. How is that for efficiency?
Drive to Inverness
Loch Ness Exhibition Center (does Nessie exist? After 11 display rooms, you get a nice big literal question mark.)
3 Island Walk on the River Ness (A big hit with Mom, Nana, and Meg! Mom and Nana for the scenery, Megan for the dozens of dogs frolicking in the gorgeous weather.)
Dinner at "The Mustard Seed" (funny how I remember restaurant names, but not hotel names. Or people's names, for the matter).
A sprint to catch the last 20 minutes at the pool. Mmhm jacuzzi.
Thursday, 4/21: To the Lake District!
Megan got her scenic horse gallop while the rest of us saw Urquhart Castle
A drive through Loch Lomond (so pretty! If I can muster the energy, that is a last day trip I want to make.)
A quick stop in Glasgow for me to unload some more excess crud I've acquired on my family
Dinner at "Three Fat Ladies" in Glasgow- fun place.
Late late arrival in the Lake District. One potential near catastrophe involved dark, windy, narrow roads and a poorly lit quarry).
Friday, 4/22: To London!
Scenic drive out of the Lake District (sailboats and sun and rapeseed fields- bright yellow flowers).
Lunch in York at "El Piano"- a wholly gluten free spanish/mexican restaurant!!! Complete with GF carrot cake desert!
Dropping off Nana and Papa
Racing the clock to get to London and find tickets to a play with twenty minutes until start time. But, since we are the D'Agostino's, success! Dirty Dancing. Really really enjoyable. As was the ice cream we got after.
Saturday, 4/23: A Partial Parting of the Ways
A quick walk along the river with Megan and Mom, with coffee in hand
I caught my train for York, and the other three headed for Heathrow
After some confusion on both ends, I found Nana and Papa and Mom, Dad, and Meg found New York.
Dinner at the "New York Grill" (I didn't even get the York-New York relation until Nana pointed it out)
Sunday, 4/24: Easter!
A dress up day! I love dress up days.
Mass at 11
Picnic lunch along the river Ouse
The Railway Museum
Evensong at Minster Cathedral
Dinner at the Old White Swan (pub dating back to 16th century, home to multiple ghosts and host to the world's tallest man- 8 feet- in the 1700s.)
Folk Music at the Anglican Parish Church (yes, that's three masses in one day!)
Monday, 4/25: York exploration day
The Castle Museum- completely recreated Victorian and Georgian rooms, streets, and newspapers. Very well done. Also a section on the 60s and a tour of the old castle jail. Well deserving of Rick Steves' three stars.
Lunch in the sun
Solo trip to the Yorkshire Museum (with a little added time for sun-basking and coffee-drinking).
Exploring the Shambles (and finding some very cool shops nestled into the haphazard winding cobbled ways)
Final dinner at the New York Grill
Tuesday, 4/26: Mom's birthday! And a final parting of the ways.
After a quick early-morning train-station breakfast, Nana and Papa headed to London and I to Glasgow.
I got in midafternoon, and I've kind of been futzing around since then. I'm not quite sure what to do with myself, but I'm thinking the finals glaring on the horizon should probably start factoring into my plans.
But I'll deal with that tomorrow. For now, a shower and some tv are sounding pretty good.
Pooh quote: "While you wonder what to do, sing a song."
Much love,
Erin
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
A month in review
Alright so the pics are en route to facebook as we speak. And, by that I mean, as I write and hope someone is reading. I say that because I know that my most loyal fans (that's a shout-out to you, nana and papa!) are otherwise occupied currently getting ready for their trans-atlantic trip to visit me. Hurray! I'm meeting them tomorrow night at Heathrow. Ahh! Then the rest of the family (Kerry excluded, because she's too much of a nerd to skip her lame classes for a week). Whatever it's only Harvard.
Anyway I'm uploading the pics, categorized by city. I'm intending to go through them and label them more specifically, but let's see how determined I end up being. And by that I mean how much caffeine I get into my system. Despite the fact that I've spent the last 3 days lazing in the periodic scottish sun and doing nothing, I still manage to find myself procrastinating.
So, a profile on each of the major cities (just my crazy perspective, mind you):
Glasgow: a "real" city. It's got grit under its fingernails because it's seen a hard days work. The personification that comes to mind is kind of like an old man with gnarled hands and missing teeth, but friendly and with a wicked sense of humor. Also totally unintelligible with that thick scottish accent. Not a tourist city. It's got a busy-purposeful vibe. And a colorful vibrancy. Cf. New York City.
Edinburgh: a pretty little city. Charming and friendly. A lovely place to visit or to go to high tea or to explore. Below the touristy facade is a rich history, with street sewage as well as gold filigree. Castles and closes. A great place to get lost. Cf. Florence.
Paris: A lovely mixture of cosmopolitan verve and quaint antiquity. Cute little cafes and grand boulevards. Clean cut functionality and windowsills teeming with homegrown flowers. A people that walk the fine line between aloof and urban-purposeful. Cf. Rome, Barcelona.
Berlin: German. Functional-efficient-clean-industrious. But also very pretty as a result. Spacious. A people with a social conscience (world war II inherited guilt?). Germans don't litter, J-walk, or cat-call. Below the surface, that awesome artsy vibe. Back alley wall graffiti and artist communes. Cf. Glasgow.
Prague: Delightfully touristy. Winding cobbled streets and lamp-posts and flowerboxes. Castle turrets around every corner. A souvenir city, but one perfectly designed as one. Friendly people and great history and great art. Cf. Florence.
Barcelona: A multi level city. The touristy "ramblas" and the beach scene and the fantastic museums and the cobbled backalleys and the fashionista boulevards and the Gaudi insanity and the nightclubs and the tapas elegance. A city with a literal pace of its own (eat absurdly late and up absurdly late, with a siesta to make it humanly possible). At once fun, sophisticated, historic, and modern. Seriously chill people. Cf. Paris.
Favorite cities: Paris and Barcelona.
Favorite (most relatable) people: the French. They're just so COOL.
Okay off to finish up with the pictures!
Later gators!
Much love,
Erin
Anyway I'm uploading the pics, categorized by city. I'm intending to go through them and label them more specifically, but let's see how determined I end up being. And by that I mean how much caffeine I get into my system. Despite the fact that I've spent the last 3 days lazing in the periodic scottish sun and doing nothing, I still manage to find myself procrastinating.
So, a profile on each of the major cities (just my crazy perspective, mind you):
Glasgow: a "real" city. It's got grit under its fingernails because it's seen a hard days work. The personification that comes to mind is kind of like an old man with gnarled hands and missing teeth, but friendly and with a wicked sense of humor. Also totally unintelligible with that thick scottish accent. Not a tourist city. It's got a busy-purposeful vibe. And a colorful vibrancy. Cf. New York City.
Edinburgh: a pretty little city. Charming and friendly. A lovely place to visit or to go to high tea or to explore. Below the touristy facade is a rich history, with street sewage as well as gold filigree. Castles and closes. A great place to get lost. Cf. Florence.
Paris: A lovely mixture of cosmopolitan verve and quaint antiquity. Cute little cafes and grand boulevards. Clean cut functionality and windowsills teeming with homegrown flowers. A people that walk the fine line between aloof and urban-purposeful. Cf. Rome, Barcelona.
Berlin: German. Functional-efficient-clean-industrious. But also very pretty as a result. Spacious. A people with a social conscience (world war II inherited guilt?). Germans don't litter, J-walk, or cat-call. Below the surface, that awesome artsy vibe. Back alley wall graffiti and artist communes. Cf. Glasgow.
Prague: Delightfully touristy. Winding cobbled streets and lamp-posts and flowerboxes. Castle turrets around every corner. A souvenir city, but one perfectly designed as one. Friendly people and great history and great art. Cf. Florence.
Barcelona: A multi level city. The touristy "ramblas" and the beach scene and the fantastic museums and the cobbled backalleys and the fashionista boulevards and the Gaudi insanity and the nightclubs and the tapas elegance. A city with a literal pace of its own (eat absurdly late and up absurdly late, with a siesta to make it humanly possible). At once fun, sophisticated, historic, and modern. Seriously chill people. Cf. Paris.
Favorite cities: Paris and Barcelona.
Favorite (most relatable) people: the French. They're just so COOL.
Okay off to finish up with the pictures!
Later gators!
Much love,
Erin
Friday, April 8, 2011
Gawking in Glasgow
Today, I got off the plane and found myself in complete, uninhibited sunshine. In glasgow. It's like I've come back to Glasgow with a face-lift. Spring has sprung! It was about 60 degrees and so lovely that there were ice cream advertisements outside of shops! And tables for outdoor seating! I had my first iced coffee in scotland today!
It was a very welcoming experience, I actually felt like I was coming home. Got back to my cozy little room in time for dinner at the dining hall (which wasn't empty! I sat with some of the scottish kids that apparently don't go home for the month).
Also the sun only just went down officially. It's 8:30 pm. I went outside and read on the lawn for a while AFTER DINNER. Scotland may have a disgusting winter, but it knows how to do spring.
Oh- as for a quick review: Yesterday evening I did manage to meet up with primo and tommy, though all three of us only had enough time to do Parc Guell together, after which primo ran to class and tommy and I had a very funny fake-date tapas dinner. I totally immasculinated him by paying for both of us with my credit card (after which he paid me his portion). Parc Guell was incredible- Gaudi at his most insane. Undulating mosaic arches and columns intentionally put ever-so-slightly askew and towering views over all of Barcelona. Also the world's longest bench! Who knew? And the tapas dinner was DELICIOUS! We got one plate of artfully stacked eggplant, peppers, and goat cheese that was pretty much the most scrumptious thing I've ever eaten in my life. Also I don't know if I've ever used the world scrumptious in my entire life...first time for everything, I guess!
This morning I woke up bright and early so that I would have enough time for a last trip to the market and a walk to find the infamous "Barceloneta" or beach section, which I had yet to visit. I walked about an hour with my enormous hiking bag on, which was not fun, but I did make it there! And still caught my bus to the airport. Success.
Oh, sidebar. I flew ryanair today, which is always slightly stressful. They can be very very finicky, shall we say, about what bags they allow on board and which restrictions they are going to randomly enforce. I was carrying two bags (my giant hiking bag and my purse), which is more than the alotted one-bag-per-person. So, my brilliant idea was to hide my purse under my big snowboarding jacket. It has worked before perfectly. Only problem? I wasn't waiting in line outside in 80 degree weather before. In the open sun. It was a truly rough 20 minutes.
Anyway my plan for the rest of the night is to sit back and chill. Watch some tv- TV! Haven't done that in AGES. I'll start working on updating the pictures tomorrow.
Pooh quote (now that I've got my little book again!): "Like Rabbit, never let things come to you, always go out and fetch them."
Much love,
Erin
It was a very welcoming experience, I actually felt like I was coming home. Got back to my cozy little room in time for dinner at the dining hall (which wasn't empty! I sat with some of the scottish kids that apparently don't go home for the month).
Also the sun only just went down officially. It's 8:30 pm. I went outside and read on the lawn for a while AFTER DINNER. Scotland may have a disgusting winter, but it knows how to do spring.
Oh- as for a quick review: Yesterday evening I did manage to meet up with primo and tommy, though all three of us only had enough time to do Parc Guell together, after which primo ran to class and tommy and I had a very funny fake-date tapas dinner. I totally immasculinated him by paying for both of us with my credit card (after which he paid me his portion). Parc Guell was incredible- Gaudi at his most insane. Undulating mosaic arches and columns intentionally put ever-so-slightly askew and towering views over all of Barcelona. Also the world's longest bench! Who knew? And the tapas dinner was DELICIOUS! We got one plate of artfully stacked eggplant, peppers, and goat cheese that was pretty much the most scrumptious thing I've ever eaten in my life. Also I don't know if I've ever used the world scrumptious in my entire life...first time for everything, I guess!
This morning I woke up bright and early so that I would have enough time for a last trip to the market and a walk to find the infamous "Barceloneta" or beach section, which I had yet to visit. I walked about an hour with my enormous hiking bag on, which was not fun, but I did make it there! And still caught my bus to the airport. Success.
Oh, sidebar. I flew ryanair today, which is always slightly stressful. They can be very very finicky, shall we say, about what bags they allow on board and which restrictions they are going to randomly enforce. I was carrying two bags (my giant hiking bag and my purse), which is more than the alotted one-bag-per-person. So, my brilliant idea was to hide my purse under my big snowboarding jacket. It has worked before perfectly. Only problem? I wasn't waiting in line outside in 80 degree weather before. In the open sun. It was a truly rough 20 minutes.
Anyway my plan for the rest of the night is to sit back and chill. Watch some tv- TV! Haven't done that in AGES. I'll start working on updating the pictures tomorrow.
Pooh quote (now that I've got my little book again!): "Like Rabbit, never let things come to you, always go out and fetch them."
Much love,
Erin
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Burning in Barcelona
Yeah, it finally happened. Ive been here for four days and it took until today for me to finally get sunburned. Not too too bad, only one arm is really painful. Go figure.
Anyway this is actually an odd time for me to be blogging- around 5:15 pm here. The only reason I am is because I'm waiting for Tommy and primo so we can have our final evening in Barcelona together. A bit stressful when primo has class at seven. Not that basking in the sun outside the hostel is really such a tragedy.
Today (especially compared to yesterday) was extremely relaxing. Went to the market, explored some more, walked down to the pier, sketched a bit, then met primo for a trip to the chocolate museum- yum!- then meandered my way back to the hostel.
Took me four days but I may have achieved just a bit of spanish-ness. Let's see how long that lasts- laziness doesn't exactly run in my bloodstream.
When the boys get here the plan is to head up to parc Guell, which gaudi designed. I'm excited! Then hopefully a tapas dinner. Mm.
Tomorrow morning back to Glasgow! Be back by dinner! Haven't had baked potato in forever! I'm actually starting to miss is a little.
Later!
Much love,
Erin
Anyway this is actually an odd time for me to be blogging- around 5:15 pm here. The only reason I am is because I'm waiting for Tommy and primo so we can have our final evening in Barcelona together. A bit stressful when primo has class at seven. Not that basking in the sun outside the hostel is really such a tragedy.
Today (especially compared to yesterday) was extremely relaxing. Went to the market, explored some more, walked down to the pier, sketched a bit, then met primo for a trip to the chocolate museum- yum!- then meandered my way back to the hostel.
Took me four days but I may have achieved just a bit of spanish-ness. Let's see how long that lasts- laziness doesn't exactly run in my bloodstream.
When the boys get here the plan is to head up to parc Guell, which gaudi designed. I'm excited! Then hopefully a tapas dinner. Mm.
Tomorrow morning back to Glasgow! Be back by dinner! Haven't had baked potato in forever! I'm actually starting to miss is a little.
Later!
Much love,
Erin
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