Paris, je t'aime

16 March 2008

This past weekend I traveled to Paris, France. It was my second time in the city and I couldn’t wait to experience it again. Since I’ve arrived in London I’ve been torn about which was my favourite European city. Well, after this trip I have reconfirmed that Paris is at the very top. It has such a different atmosphere from London. Now don’t get me wrong, I do love London very much but there is just something about Paris that makes it stand out. We took the EuroStar from London Pancras Station straight to the center of Paris, going under the English Channel. What a cool way to start the trip! From here we checked into our hostel, St. Christopher’s Inn, which was brand new and just beautiful. So far we have really lucked out with hostels…no creepy experiences for us yet! We were in a very different part of Paris than the last time Ashley, Eric, and I were here. It was further from the historical section and a little less “Parisian” as one would expect, but hey, it was still in Paris! Nicole, Ashley, and I found a little bar to have our first glass of wine for the weekend. Ashley, always eager to use the language, made friends with a couple next to us who taught her how to order her drink. It turns out the woman was an artist and was sketching the three of us, but she didn’t know that we knew what she was doing!
The next morning we set off to show Nicole everything, as it was her first time in the city! We walked the whole day, stopping at the Centre Pompidou (the modern art museum), the Notre Dame, at a carousel for Eric to ride(!), Ile Saint Louis for the best ice cream in Paris, and the list goes on! We also walked around the Latin Quarter where we stayed last year and on our street, Rue Saint Andre Des Arts. The streets are just so small and filled with character. There are crepe stands, flower stands, bakeries, cafes…it’s all just so perfect. It was such a leisurely day. On our way to the Ile Saint Louis we stopped on the pedestrian bridge to listen to a group of jazz/blues musicians. It was incredible! They were all set up on the bridge…a sax, drums, guitar, bass…with microphones and dressed to the nines in Frank Sinatra style suits. It was so relaxing to just sit and listen, surrounded by people swaying in time to the music. Only in Paris will I ever experience something like that!
That evening we went to the Louvre for free because we are all under 25 (oh the perks of being young!). We saw the Mona Lisa, Venus Di Milo, Michelangelo’s Dying Slave, and countless other amazing pieces of art. We checked out the royal jewels and crowns. I don’t think I will ever have enough time to look at all that is in there. Second time there and I haven’t even scratched the surface yet. For dinner we went to the Latin Quarter to our favourite restaurant. We simply call it Hakim’s place…I’m not even sure of the actual name. Last year we became friends with one of the waiters, Hakim. He took a liking to Ashley, calling her “Pink Hat” the whole time so when we stopped in before dinner he instantly remembered and gave us free kir to drink. So for dinner we stayed until closing, enjoying fantastic food, wine, and conversation. To end the night we walked along the Champs-Elysées, finished at the Arc de Triomphe and then hailed a taxi to take us to the hostel. What a day! The next day was just as action packed, but still quite leisurely. As a surprise we took Nicole to see the Eiffel Tower. There is a secret metro stop that takes you to the best view of the tower. It was a beautiful sunny day and just fantastic for not only Nicole, but all of us. After that we went to the Pere Lachaise Cemetery. As creepy as it sounds it’s just a beautiful, peaceful area in Paris. We took a look at Jim Morrison’s grave and kissed Oscar Wilde’s grave! We spent time just sitting looking out on the city. We walked across the city, after that, to Montmartre to complete our day. Here we had crepes for lunch and sat on the steps leading to the Sacre Couer, listening to more street performers. Then we walked along the small streets before heading back to the train station to take us to London.
I’ve not given the descriptions that this city deserves, but quite honestly you have to experience it for yourself to understand the beauty of it. For now au revoir from a student studying frantically before spring break in Italy!

Weekend Fun!

25 February 2008

.....Time is a funny thing. It seems to go by so fast and you don’t even realize it. I say this particularly today because it is my sister’s 15th birthday. I can’t believe how the years go by and how this trip is going by so fast. I have not written in a while, but that does not mean that nothing has been happening here in the UK. In fact, quite the opposite actually! There has been so much happening that I have completely run out of time to write. My weekdays are spent going to classes and studying in the library. The work load here isn’t too overbearing but I’m trying to take advantage of my jobless situation (something that has not happened since I was 14) and learn as much as I can!
.....The weekends are my favorite time because it’s spent traveling! Last weekend was to see Stonehenge and also a small town called Salisbury. What a great time! The entire Passport Plans crew went and we had such a relaxing weekend in the countryside! Hear more about that trip with the second episode of Passport Plans, which should be finished soon!
.....This weekend was to Amsterdam! I’m so happy that I can add the Netherlands to my list of European countries I’ve been to, which is growing longer with each weekend! Ashley, Nicole, Eric, and I left on Thursday for our overnight ferry ride. We were a bit apprehensive, to say the least, but there was no need! This “ferry” was a cruise ship! We had our own cabin with a full bathroom. The ship itself was beautiful with several restaurants, a bar, a casino, and even a movie theater! The trip started out amazing and continued the rest of the weekend! We stayed at a hostel in Vondelpark, which was, again, surprisingly amazing! It was our first hostel experience and exceeded our expectations! The city of Amsterdam is just beautiful. Canals circle the city, so a canal boat tour was a must! It was such a nice way to enjoy the city and hear more about the history of it. My favorite part of the trip was a bike ride on Saturday morning. In Amsterdam a bike is a way of life so we had to try it out! We rented four authentic Dutch bikes for the morning and road along the canals and through Vondelpark. Our meals were fantastic! We found a little Croissanterie for lunch both days and bought cheap but delicious pastries! Not that we’re not adventurous, but when we find a place we like we go back, and that was true not only for lunch but also dinner. We found a little, residential pub and had pancakes with bacon, powered sugar, and maple syrup both nights! We made a trip to a coffee shop and the Red Light district too but that’s not part of the Amsterdam that I like. To say the least, this trip was a new experience. It has helped me grow up a little, in the sense that there was so much planning and it was a trip we all took on our own, without any adult guidance…because, we’re the adults now!
.....I look forward to each weekend and this coming weekend has been a long time coming! I have someone visiting from home who is very dear to my heart. I have a week to spend in a city I love, with a person I love! Cheers for now!

To watch Passport Plans check out www.wpcwtv.com/pointpark.

.....London. What can I say about London that hasn’t already been said. It is like no other city I’ve ever been to, and it certainly is one of the best. Vibrant is the best word for it. There are always people out on the streets, in the pubs, in museums. We went to the British Museum this past week to see an exhibition. There were 500 tickets and by the time we got there at 10:30am, it was sold out! I love that this city is in love with it’s history, bloody and thieving as it may be, they love the past and want to preserve it. At the same time they are all about the future and new technology. It’s all of those things together that makes London such an amazing city.

.....Despite the love of the city life, we all needed to slow down a bit and check out the countryside of England. This past weekend we traveled to Stratford-upon-Avon to see where Shakespeare lived. When we first arrived, the town reminded me of a suburb at home with doctor offices and insurance companies. But as we got into the town it became more and more touristy. Ashley described it as, “The Disney World of Shakespeare.” We had a few hours there and decided to find the real Stratford-upon-Avon. We walked past all of the tourist traps and had lunch at this locally-owned, little pub. It was nothing fancy and seemed quite boring but I loved it. It had a bar and TV’s playing a football(soccer) match. We had terrible service for our fish and chips but I didn’t mind…it was real and they weren’t catering to the tourists. After lunch we walked through residential streets and found the church that has Shakespeare’s grave. We had to pay 50p to see it but I think it was worth it. The church was sort of hidden with sprawling lawns behind it and an old, old cemetery. It was beautiful inside and even had a gift shop…but I didn’t mind that because the people just seemed so real. After running late to our bus we went to see the Warwick Castle. It’s actually a defensive wall, which we were unhappy to learn, but it was some wall! It was beautiful and from the top we had the most amazing views of the countryside. The sun was setting and I could have just stayed on top of the tower all day. I just stood there thinking of my parents and how they would appreciate the view. They would just stand there for hours too, just looking at the beauty. I would look down over the tower, too, and see families entering the castle. It made me miss home but also made me think of all the amazing trips that my parents took Hope and I on…someday the little kids I saw would remember Warwick Castle like I remember Fort Niagra or Charleston.

......This past week I went to Portobello Road in Notting Hill with Ashley and Nicole. We spent the whole day just walking on part of the street looking in all the markets and shops. There was just too much to look at so we will definitely be going back there. We heard rumors that Lenny Kravitz was walking along the street that day too but we didn’t see him!

.....On Friday, for my Contemporary Music in London class I went to see the band, “Snorkel,” perform. They were awesome! It was such a new experience, like nothing I’ve ever seen before! They were very experimental and so very creative! The entire crowd was so into the music just letting go of themselves and dancing the whole night! I loved it so much and hope that it is an indication of how this trip will continue to be. I just want to have an open mind and let go of all of my inhibitions to experience London the way that it deserves!

.....On that note I won’t be mentioning in every post how much I miss everyone. Just know that although I am having this great experience I have a heavy heart each and every day because I’m not with the people I love.

London Life

24 January 2008

........Hello from London. So I’m starting to “get the hang of London.” I’m looking right before I look left when I cross the street. I’m remembering street names more and more. And I’m realizing that I need to save money if I’m going to survive in this city! Everything is so expensive. As I sit in the laundry room at school and wait for my 2.5 pounds or five dollar laundry to dry, I realize that unless I want to be like the many, many homeless young people I see all around London, then I need to watch what I spend. Luckily, I don’t have to spend much on food because the meal plan that Regents College offers is fantastic. I have had fish every dinner since I have been here! The food is practically gourmet (no Point Park cheese quesadillas for me) and the prices are actually reasonable in comparison to my spending limit on the meal plan.
........To help compensate for all the money spent, Nicole, Ashley, Eric and I have been walking everywhere! We have walked from Regent’s Park all the way to the River Thames, and then back! The Tube is great, and not too expensive but by walking we’re experiencing the side streets of London with the neighborhood pubs and chic boutiques. There are so many people walking the streets and it’s great just to people watch and listen to them speak. I can walk one block in London and hear about 5 different languages being spoken! It’s incredible how many people there are here from all over the world! I love that it’s such an eclectic mix of people and food and fashion!
........ To finally fulfill our tourist roles, this past weekend we saw Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, and Big Ben. The buildings themselves were breathtaking but the fact that I was seeing them made me feel like a true traveler of the world. It’s the same feeling I had when I saw the Eiffel Tower. I appreciate the skill that went into the building and it's beauty and the fact that millions of other people have seen these sights. It makes me feel like a part of a true global community.

........Classes started on Monday here at Regents. I am in love with each and every one of my classes. Monday I start out with Media Ethics and then move onto my English class. This English class is what I have been looking forward to most. It is called Modernism and the Novel: Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, DH Lawrence, and Henry James. Right now we are reading Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf. What’s incredible is the fact that this novel was written about one day in London. I have been on the streets and seen the monuments that are described in the book! Virginia Woolf has one of her characters go to Regents Park…right where we are! My other classes are great too! I have a theater class and Contemporary London Music. In both of the classes we get to go on trips. I get to see 8 plays and go to 6 gigs in London…for FREE! It can’t get any better than that :)

........Almost every night this week Eric, Ashley, Nicole and I have gone out to a pub! It is so amazing that there is nightlife on a weekday…certainly very different than Pittsburgh! Nicole turned 21 on Monday so we celebrated at a few different pubs with her! Then last night was my favorite…we went to a blues club in SoHo! It was full of locals, and when I say full, I mean full! We could barely move and there was even a line outside just to get into this little hole in the wall! Luckily we didn’t have to wait in line but I definitely would have waited to get in…it was so cool! My new favorite drink is Strongbow (I hope you’re happy Jack) and even though it’s only hard cider, I look like I can handle a beer, haha. Tomorrow night we are going to Fabric. Apparently it’s suppose to be the 2nd best club in Europe! It should be fun!! This weekend we are all traveling to Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was born, and Warwick Castle! It’s certainly going to be a packed weekend but that’s what I like…it makes me less and less homesick! I’m still missing everyone and hope you keep the emails coming! Cheers from London!

First Impressions

18 January 2008

I have officially been in London for a whole day. I am not sure how I feel about the city yet. I am absolutely thrilled to be here and I appreciate all that London has to offer but I’m not sure if it is fulfilling my expectations. I don’t even know what I expected other than I thought that I would like it more than Paris. I thought London could be my home but I don’t feel that yet…granted I have only been here for one day! I shouldn’t make such broad decisions yet about what city I like best.
Despite my indifferent initial reactions of the city, I am in love with the college. It is located in the picturesque gardens of Regents Park. The people working at the school have been nothing but friendly and helpful. They know that we have expectations of London and they want to make sure their city is displayed proudly so they constantly recommend places and share their insider’s knowledge. The college itself is very small…just a quad with a few buildings. I walked around the library today and I am very pleased with the selection. I hope to take a book out every week to read. There are so many topics that interest me from cinema books, tointernational media studies, to contemporary British fiction. I want to learn about the world on this trip and I know that but I have to be more willing to practice that. I think if I maintain this attitude of excitement and the willingness to experience something new then I will truly love this city.
Ashley, Nicole and I traveled to Picadilly Circus this evening. We chose to walk around ourselves rather than go on the trip the school offered. I want to experience London, not as a tourist, but as a traveler and I don’t feel the school travel group is conducive to that. We did, however, have to take the mandatory tourist photos in the red phone booths! We walked from our school in the north of London all the way to Picadilly Circus. It was a somewhat long walk but WOW it was worth it! We went through winding streets with little shops and cafes. The Gaps and Starbucks littered every street that we went on but the independent small shops, bars, and clubs certainly outweighed all of that. To get to Picadilly, which seemed much like New York’s Time Square, we had to travel through Oxford and Soho. Oxford was very much a commercial street with wide sidewalks and very trendy looking teenagers. Soho couldn’t have been more different with dark, narrow streets with hopping clubs and people pouring out onto the streets with a pint in hand. It was such a vibrant area with everyone having a fantastic time, looking cool. That is one thing that does not seem to differ…the trendiness of everyone. It’s incredible how almost every person I see looks like they are out of a magazine. I hope to acquire some of this London style! To end our first night out on the town, we went to a small café selling baguettes, wine, and desserts. We each had a whole piece of the most decadent chocolate cake I have ever had(I know, that’s not helping me acquire the waistline for the hip London style!) It was a great night with lovely friends in a beautiful city. I think that maybe I just need to have more days like the night I had tonight. I need to see the diversity and realize that I can fit into this city but I first need to drop my tourist illusion of it. To help shed that stereotypical view of London, Ashley, Eric, Nicole and I are going to “do the tourist attractions” tomorrow. We will see the quintessential London sights…Buckingham (pronounced without the “H”) Palace, Big Ben, the Tower of London, Parliament, and the London Eye. I am very excited about it and I think once we see those sights I can become less and less of a tourist.
It is also hard today to be extremely happy because I found out that my computer will not hook up to the schools wireless network. Their system does not support Mac’s Leopard…damn updates from Apple! I have to use the schools public computers, which makes it harder to use instant messenger and virtually impossible to use the webcam. I think today was the combination of many disappointments and homesickness. I know that I will always be a bit homesick but I also know that if I don’t enjoy myself then this was a waste of a trip. I want to have an amazing time and come back with loads of stories to share with everyone. I’m looking to the positive and hope that London will lighten my spirits tomorrow. Until then, “Cheers” from a homesick daughter, sister and girlfriend.

Passport Plans

In less than 24 days, I will be setting off for London, England. I have spent the last 2+ years at Point Park University looking forward to the day that I could study abroad, and at last the time has come!  I will be producing a show for Point Park's campus channel, U-View, while I am abroad. I've posted a promo that I made and in the future look for episodes or clips of the show!