I'll admit that prior to going to Paris I was not that excited, just because everyone in the US kind of bitches about the French (which in some ways is entirely deserving), but after this weekend it was an amazing time and I can't wait to go back. So here's how this weekend went down.
It all started at St. Pancras station boarding Eurostar. I had the honor of sitting next to the Shinead O'Connor look alike, like that was anything hot to look at for two long hours. Then once we got into Paris we stopped moving and they came over the loud speaker and were talking in French. Naturally I had no clue what was going on and only when everyone grunted did I know that there was a twenty minute delay into Paris. This is where my bad luck seemed to run out though thankfully.
Cut to my first experience on the Paris metro. Sweet mother of God, what the hell is with the people of Paris and there public transportation system. The minute one descends into the darkness that is the Paris subway the smell of urine becomes immediately recognizable. Plus there is a ton of garbage and cigarette butts everywhere. Remember they keep it classy. Also, I am quite positive they are breaking some form of safety regulation in the US because the doors open manually when the train is slightly moving still. Oh and beware of getting your hand stuck in the doors which the French denote by this really cute picture of a bunny getting stuck in the door. Don't ask why...
After getting to the hostel I realized I needed to pay in cash so I had to run to the ATM to get more Euros aka monopoly money. There I met the annoying German girls who were in my room and the boy from Luzern, Switzerland. Sad to say though I would not be seeing them that evening because I ended up pulling an all nighter. For dinner I ended up walking around Paris and ate a delicious piece of three cheese pizza. Only downside was the three cheeses were Bree, mozzarella, and feta. All great cheeses by themselves but together not so much.
Then after my pizza disaster we met up with Derek and a few of my favorite new chicas. My favorite part of Friday evening was the punch these really nice old ladies made at the bar we went to. It was damnnn good. Plus I also enjoyed the fact that the club charged 10 euro but it included a drink. The music was mainly all American which was funny because all the French people were dancing not knowing what the words were while all of us were drunk singing along. Oh and then Utah was just there whipping his hair back and forth. By 3am it was time to leave though since I had some crazy people creeping on me and I had enough fun for one night, so I thought.
We get out of the club and after walking around aimlessly for about an hour looking for food or a lounge to go chill, I realize that I have no clue how to get back since there is no subway running and I don't know the bus system, and you don't hail cabs in Paris you have to go to taxi stations. So how did I solve this issue? Geoff and I decided to pull an all nighter and just go wander for food. That being said we forgot the French were lazy bastards and despite the smell of freshly baked bread filling the streets at 5am nothing in reality opened until like 8:30 am at the earlier, including McDonalds (drive through 24/7 in the US...keeping it classy France once again).
Luckily by 6:00am we were able to find a cafe and I had my first venture into Parisian food which was bread, croissant, orange juice, and hot chocolate. This feeling I had inside me was one I had not felt in months. It was the feeling of being full and actually eating good food (no offense Brits but one can only eat so much cheese and bacon sandwiches). With my stomach full I decided to go back to the hostel for a round two of breakfast which was the same thing I had at the cafe. Then I took a slight nap and was at the Louve with Geoff by 9am. Yes I only got 2 hours of sleep but the high of being in Paris had me ready to go.
Here are my thoughts on the Louve: Mona Lisa, over rated. The picture right behind her is more massive, and way way wayyyyyyy more impressive. Furthermore, given the ornate detail and design of the Louve, which was once a royal palace, I now know why the French killed their monarchs because I would have too if they used all my tax money to live such lavish lifestyles.Then we went to the "Bastille" which I use in quotations because its not longer there, big letdown, and the Moulin Rouge. After that we did some running around seeing the Eiffel Tower during the day. Me being the moron that I am had to ask one of the street vendors how much one of the towers cost and then I got a five minute sales pitch which ended in me taking the tower he gave me and setting it on the ground and walking away because I was just enquiring on how much they cost. I had no plan on buying them at that given moment. For lunch then I had some McDonald's. French McDonald's offer potato wedges instead of fries with mayo dipping sauce. So.damn.good. And of course while I was enjoying my McRoyal
After all this we sat by the Seine, and sat, and sat...two and a half hours later we finally got off the park bench. Now I know why Parisians do nothing and bitch when they have to work more then 35 hours a week and past 60. I would be too because it is so addicting and there is something about this city that just wants to make you sit down, have a coffee and a baguette and relax.
Going back to the hostel before dinner I thought I was going to die though. This woman got on screaming in French that she needed milk to feed her baby (or so I think?) I thought oh shit this is it, this is a suicide bomber. The woman scared me so much since I didn't think she was carrying an actual kid I got off the metro car, and then I saw someone jump the wall so they did not have to pay to get into the subway.
At dinner I realized that for some crazy reason wine is in fact cheaper then water in Paris. That being said dinner consisted of Madame Cluck (or whatever its called, a ham and cheese sandwich with a fried egg on top), tossed greens, and some french fries along side a Long Island Iced Tea! Then we went and saw the Eiffel Tower (at night!) before finally having a chocolate covered marshmallow and going to bed.
And then it was Sunday we went to Notre Dame for church. I was really annoyed though how people were allowed to walk around the edges of the inside of the church and take pictures and talk during mass. I found that entirely rude. And also I'm sorry but churches shouldn't have a gift store. I must say though it was one beautiful and amazing church though. The stained glass windows and the architecture were just breath taking.
And now cue The Carpenters. While waiting to meet up with Richard for lunch in the Jewish Quarter, Geoff and I were waiting at a bistro getting some crepes. I never got my chocolate crepe sadly. I pointed to it on the menu and got hot chocolate, but then I met him....Pierre. He was so hairy and would not leave my site. Yes, Pierre was a cat. I hate cats but this random cat jumped on my lap in this cafe and would not leave my sight. He was such a Parisian cat. All he needed was a beret and a cig and he would look so chic. We are now long lost lovers. One day Pierre I will see you again and here you say "le meow".
After saying goodbye to Pierre, I consoled myself with a chocolate eclair. Then we met up with Richard and went to the Jewish Quarter for falaffel. We waited outside for a bit but then the man said go inside and sit down its easier. Little did we know he never said that you had to buy the more expensive platters if we sat down inside instead of the falaffel pitas. I can make a joke, but I'll let you. I see a bit of irony there...
Then after all this it was au vou (I think that is how it spelled). Paris I will be back again someday when I'm rich because I am craving your food as we speak!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Ryan and Brinda Go To Amsterdam
So I can't upload any pics right now because my media card reader isn't working and I am too lazy/busy to fix it, but I am willing to procrastinate enough to blog about this comical weekend in Amsterdam!
It all started Thursday morning. Brinda and I went to the PAWS room to print out our shuttle tickets to the airport. Being the absolute morons that we are be bought round trip tickets, not realizing we were flying into another Stansted and leaving from Luton. The best part none of us never remembered the night before at the Holly Bush when I said, "we're flying out of Luton but coming back to another airport right?". Then, I was frantically rushing to insert the footnotes into my history paper since my computer has Microsoft office starter on it that for some reason does not allow footnotes. I put in all the footnotes and then didn't save the friggin paper. So then I had to insert them all again, then I noticed I referred to one of the author's "Dickinson" as "Dickson" in reference to my Poly Sci professor. Thank god Dame Maggie Smith aka the cat wasn't in the PAWS room. We were such messes.
Now cut to the airport. After a long torturing 40 minute we were in Amsterdam! But the only problem was, we don't know Dutch. I still do not understand a word of that language. For some reason the Dutch can't take my Visa Car only ATMs can so I had to keep going to the ATM and withdraw money. We were not sure which train to get on. So we randomly asked some train attendant, they looked at us and laughed...just laughed in our faces. Then they told us to get on. I think they felt sorry for us because we got on the high speed luxury train when we only bought a ticket for the regular train. We looked back at them and they said, "This is first class" and then they laughed again. So we went to second class. Me being the moron that I am said, "Brinda are we moving?" That is how fast and smooth the train was running. I am now a proponent of high speed rail in the US, especially up the east coast, screw the Acella Express.
Now we're walking around looking for our hostel. Obviously we don't know Dutch and I can't even pronounce the names. That's when I asked, "What would Heidi Klum do?" and then I was reminded she's not Dutch, and apparently nor is Seal. To add insult to injury it began to rain and my umbrella broke. It was a downpour. I won't say anything else. Then after buying some expensive toiletries from a convenient store and having them tell me America is too expensive we went exploring. I love the city I must say. It is so pretty seeing all the tiny row houses. If I had the pics I'd show you. Then for dinner I decided to try the McKroket. I thought it kind of reminded me of a pierogi since it was a fried breading with what looked like potato and cheese on the inside. Turns out, it was beef. My bad...
The red light district. I've never seen so many hookers of so many shapes and sizes in my life, nor do I want to ever ever again. Oh I forgot to mention our room in the hostel. Brinda and I were in a queen sized bed on the top bunk. Fun times. Thursday night was a pain getting to sleep because these French guys were flirting with these German girls who didn't know French so they were using English to talk to them. It was a key example of of foreigners trying to use sarcasm and failing. The one guy would not shut up and was saying something to the effect of "oh I shouldn't be hitting on her because shes a minor and I need to ask her mother for permission". Thank god they were gone the next night.
The next day we went out on bikes with Brinda's friend Lea, one of my new favorite people, and her friends from her study abroad program in Spain. I personally enjoyed biking through the traffic of Amsterdam. It was really windy, but seeing all the canals and the boats going up and down them was so pretty. As was the houses as usual. We then biked around Vondel Park and being the inner child that I am we went down this epic slide in the park. Well the climb to the slide was epic, the slide not so much. We went by the Van Gogh Museum but 14.50 euro to look at paintings...I'll pass. So instead we went to the Sex Museum. Yea... basically it was nothing I couldn't find in a google or xtube search. Basically it was porn, but it was still fun. Since I don't smoke and I would like to possibly have a government job one day, Friday night can best be summed up as this though: Heineken 1-Ryan 0.
Saturday morning started on a wonderful note. We went bike riding again for a bit and finally went to the Anne Frank museum. The line was long but it was worth it. Bit of a let down that Otto Frank refused to restore the annex to how it looked when they were in hiding but it was still a great experience to see how they lived in such tiny rooms trying to avoid being kidnapped. The Heineken Factory didn't happen since it was 15 euro which is a pretty good amount. But who cares when there is pancakes involved. We got some Dutch pancakes for lunch which were so big and soooo good. It was kind of like a crepe topped with bananas, cinnamon, powdered sugar, and syrup. I am a fan.
I don't want to discuss my train ticket purchasing fiasco home because it got me so aggravated and this woman at the ticket counter was so rude I may have said "Dutch Bastard" out loud when I walked away instead of saying it in my head. Oh well...
In conclusion, Amsterdam is a wonderful city, very pretty, not much of a night life minus hookers and pot but it is definitely a city to go on a short 2 day trip to! Now to do my film studies paper...
It all started Thursday morning. Brinda and I went to the PAWS room to print out our shuttle tickets to the airport. Being the absolute morons that we are be bought round trip tickets, not realizing we were flying into another Stansted and leaving from Luton. The best part none of us never remembered the night before at the Holly Bush when I said, "we're flying out of Luton but coming back to another airport right?". Then, I was frantically rushing to insert the footnotes into my history paper since my computer has Microsoft office starter on it that for some reason does not allow footnotes. I put in all the footnotes and then didn't save the friggin paper. So then I had to insert them all again, then I noticed I referred to one of the author's "Dickinson" as "Dickson" in reference to my Poly Sci professor. Thank god Dame Maggie Smith aka the cat wasn't in the PAWS room. We were such messes.
Now cut to the airport. After a long torturing 40 minute we were in Amsterdam! But the only problem was, we don't know Dutch. I still do not understand a word of that language. For some reason the Dutch can't take my Visa Car only ATMs can so I had to keep going to the ATM and withdraw money. We were not sure which train to get on. So we randomly asked some train attendant, they looked at us and laughed...just laughed in our faces. Then they told us to get on. I think they felt sorry for us because we got on the high speed luxury train when we only bought a ticket for the regular train. We looked back at them and they said, "This is first class" and then they laughed again. So we went to second class. Me being the moron that I am said, "Brinda are we moving?" That is how fast and smooth the train was running. I am now a proponent of high speed rail in the US, especially up the east coast, screw the Acella Express.
Now we're walking around looking for our hostel. Obviously we don't know Dutch and I can't even pronounce the names. That's when I asked, "What would Heidi Klum do?" and then I was reminded she's not Dutch, and apparently nor is Seal. To add insult to injury it began to rain and my umbrella broke. It was a downpour. I won't say anything else. Then after buying some expensive toiletries from a convenient store and having them tell me America is too expensive we went exploring. I love the city I must say. It is so pretty seeing all the tiny row houses. If I had the pics I'd show you. Then for dinner I decided to try the McKroket. I thought it kind of reminded me of a pierogi since it was a fried breading with what looked like potato and cheese on the inside. Turns out, it was beef. My bad...
The red light district. I've never seen so many hookers of so many shapes and sizes in my life, nor do I want to ever ever again. Oh I forgot to mention our room in the hostel. Brinda and I were in a queen sized bed on the top bunk. Fun times. Thursday night was a pain getting to sleep because these French guys were flirting with these German girls who didn't know French so they were using English to talk to them. It was a key example of of foreigners trying to use sarcasm and failing. The one guy would not shut up and was saying something to the effect of "oh I shouldn't be hitting on her because shes a minor and I need to ask her mother for permission". Thank god they were gone the next night.
The next day we went out on bikes with Brinda's friend Lea, one of my new favorite people, and her friends from her study abroad program in Spain. I personally enjoyed biking through the traffic of Amsterdam. It was really windy, but seeing all the canals and the boats going up and down them was so pretty. As was the houses as usual. We then biked around Vondel Park and being the inner child that I am we went down this epic slide in the park. Well the climb to the slide was epic, the slide not so much. We went by the Van Gogh Museum but 14.50 euro to look at paintings...I'll pass. So instead we went to the Sex Museum. Yea... basically it was nothing I couldn't find in a google or xtube search. Basically it was porn, but it was still fun. Since I don't smoke and I would like to possibly have a government job one day, Friday night can best be summed up as this though: Heineken 1-Ryan 0.
Saturday morning started on a wonderful note. We went bike riding again for a bit and finally went to the Anne Frank museum. The line was long but it was worth it. Bit of a let down that Otto Frank refused to restore the annex to how it looked when they were in hiding but it was still a great experience to see how they lived in such tiny rooms trying to avoid being kidnapped. The Heineken Factory didn't happen since it was 15 euro which is a pretty good amount. But who cares when there is pancakes involved. We got some Dutch pancakes for lunch which were so big and soooo good. It was kind of like a crepe topped with bananas, cinnamon, powdered sugar, and syrup. I am a fan.
I don't want to discuss my train ticket purchasing fiasco home because it got me so aggravated and this woman at the ticket counter was so rude I may have said "Dutch Bastard" out loud when I walked away instead of saying it in my head. Oh well...
In conclusion, Amsterdam is a wonderful city, very pretty, not much of a night life minus hookers and pot but it is definitely a city to go on a short 2 day trip to! Now to do my film studies paper...
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Going to See the Helen Keller House!
I'm still wet and of course today's forecast in Amsterdam is for heavy rain. I feel like this is a recurring theme in my life, kind of like a motif (I'm procrastinating a sequence analysis for film studies can't you tell?)
This week has been boring the past few days since a lot of people went home for reading week, guess its the equivalent of fall break although I wouldn't know since GW doesn't have one. I was supposed to Skype with my family last night and then I was offered the chance to go to the Holly Bush in Hampstead, the really "proper" English pub. Cider won out as usual so Cory if you are reading this that paper took forever to finish, ok good...
Until a few days ago I was unaware that Amsterdam is home to the Anne Frank house, which for some reason I always confuse with Helen Keller. Don't ask me why I just confuse them. Now that I'm thinking about it there are actually no similarities from which I should ever confuse the two. Oh well...
Well I need to buy some wooden shoes so I will be back in a few days!
This week has been boring the past few days since a lot of people went home for reading week, guess its the equivalent of fall break although I wouldn't know since GW doesn't have one. I was supposed to Skype with my family last night and then I was offered the chance to go to the Holly Bush in Hampstead, the really "proper" English pub. Cider won out as usual so Cory if you are reading this that paper took forever to finish, ok good...
Until a few days ago I was unaware that Amsterdam is home to the Anne Frank house, which for some reason I always confuse with Helen Keller. Don't ask me why I just confuse them. Now that I'm thinking about it there are actually no similarities from which I should ever confuse the two. Oh well...
Well I need to buy some wooden shoes so I will be back in a few days!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
I'm All Wet (Again)
So I forgot to mention this yesterday, but it has been rainy for the past few days in London. Having the luck that I have this means that my umbrella was destined to break, which it did. It basically just collapses on one side and the handle is unable to go down all the way. To quote The Hangover my umbrella is a "re-tard". So basically, once again...I'm all wet!
I have a paper due this week before I leave for Amsterdam on Friday, so naturally I took a trip to Narnia to get some work done. I am quite surprised I must say. I literally spend hours upon hours doing absolutely nothing procrastinating in my room and I think I got just as much work done in the library in two hours. After two hours and 1,000 words (out of 2,000 including footnotes) I had enough magical fun for the day and went back to Hampstead in the rain.
This has been bothering me for a few months now and I think I want to get it out, why exactly on the tube does the woman say: "Customers Blackfriars should alight at Temple and continue their journey at street level." Maybe it's just me but I feel like you need some sort of preposition in between there such as "to" or "for" since two nouns back to back, in this case "customers" and "Blackfriars" makes absolutely no sense at all, where is the proper grammar there? And ever since Geoff stated that the term "way out" is weird I have started thinking the same thing for some reason. Oh and while we are on the subject of tube etiquette and grammar, this is a kind word of advice for all my non-English speaking friends: you stand to the right! And also, when playing music, headphones were invented for a reason, use them. I love how people claim not to know English and ignore the signs but listen to American music, so ironic.
I also got one of my papers back today and I simply do not understand the British grading system, which apparently is now going to be Americanized but still using their numbers. For example, a B is a 60-64, and A is a 70-79. Apparently if you get higher then an A you are like Einstein and should have your work published in Oxford.
And to show that I still pay attention to American news, I was informed that Alvin Greene called the DNC to ask how much it would cost to run for President. God help us everyone.
Hopefully I will stay dry tomorrow!
I have a paper due this week before I leave for Amsterdam on Friday, so naturally I took a trip to Narnia to get some work done. I am quite surprised I must say. I literally spend hours upon hours doing absolutely nothing procrastinating in my room and I think I got just as much work done in the library in two hours. After two hours and 1,000 words (out of 2,000 including footnotes) I had enough magical fun for the day and went back to Hampstead in the rain.
This has been bothering me for a few months now and I think I want to get it out, why exactly on the tube does the woman say: "Customers Blackfriars should alight at Temple and continue their journey at street level." Maybe it's just me but I feel like you need some sort of preposition in between there such as "to" or "for" since two nouns back to back, in this case "customers" and "Blackfriars" makes absolutely no sense at all, where is the proper grammar there? And ever since Geoff stated that the term "way out" is weird I have started thinking the same thing for some reason. Oh and while we are on the subject of tube etiquette and grammar, this is a kind word of advice for all my non-English speaking friends: you stand to the right! And also, when playing music, headphones were invented for a reason, use them. I love how people claim not to know English and ignore the signs but listen to American music, so ironic.
I also got one of my papers back today and I simply do not understand the British grading system, which apparently is now going to be Americanized but still using their numbers. For example, a B is a 60-64, and A is a 70-79. Apparently if you get higher then an A you are like Einstein and should have your work published in Oxford.
And to show that I still pay attention to American news, I was informed that Alvin Greene called the DNC to ask how much it would cost to run for President. God help us everyone.
Hopefully I will stay dry tomorrow!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Pilgrimage to Harrod's
My first thoughts upon walking into Harrod's can be summed up as this: holy shit... I have never seen so much stuff under one roof ever in my life, most of which, at my current point in life I am too poor to afford. Let me give you an example, one of the cheapest things there, which I bought was a piece of goat cheese and spinach quiche for 1.95pounds. It was really good though so I suppose you do pay for quality. The cheapest thing we found in the store was a mini sausage roll for 50p (you get 8 for a pound at Morrison's). After being amazed by the variety of food they had in the food halls and I mean anything, we ended up walking into the ladies department since naturally I went with the girls. They had some nice watches in the jewelry section for men, too bad they started at 1000 pounds. The dress and shoe sections, well lets just say it looked like something Jill Zarin from RHONY would make Bobby buy her. These shoes were so expensive they were on display like they were in a museum. Price? Don't even ask, because if you need to it means you cannot afford it.
Since I wouldn't wear, let alone purchase any Prada or D&G women's clothing. I was way more interested in the pet section. They had the cutest 1000 pound puppies and a selection of hamsters and gerbils for quite cheap. They also had a pet salon. One dog no lie was getting massaged while another had its nails painted purple. If your dog needed exercise, they had a treadmill with 101 Dalmatians playing for your dog to walk
on.
After seeing the dogs get pampered we got in touch with our inner children and went to the toy section! I would like to thank my family now for spoiling me on Thomas the Tank Engine wooden trains as a child; saw the price tag, quite pricey. Apparently now they light up too and have censors so they know what other trains are near them so they can talk?! What happened to using your damn imagination! By this point we are all making a scene at the display of the toy pig that walks, snorts, and grunts, talking about how we want to buy one as our floor pig. I then see a guy making snow. Naturally I got in touch with my inner five year old and had to join in and make some.
Finally we went to the men's department after some food. I found a really nice sweater that had an insulated vest built into it (if that makes any sense) by D&G. I really liked it, then I saw that it cost 995pounds. That was the end of that. Also there were some really nice shoes in the shoe department. I'm not cheap, but I when the cheapest pair is 150pounds, I think I'm gonna have to pass. Saw the Diana and Dodi Memorial. It's almost on the verge of being...shrine/cult..ish? The literally have what was believed to be the last cup she drank out of on display.
Then last but not least we went to the Christmas section! Nothing exciting, typical Christmas section but I thought I'd include it.
Check out the online store and the dress code (yes there is one to get in here)!
Since I wouldn't wear, let alone purchase any Prada or D&G women's clothing. I was way more interested in the pet section. They had the cutest 1000 pound puppies and a selection of hamsters and gerbils for quite cheap. They also had a pet salon. One dog no lie was getting massaged while another had its nails painted purple. If your dog needed exercise, they had a treadmill with 101 Dalmatians playing for your dog to walk
on.
After seeing the dogs get pampered we got in touch with our inner children and went to the toy section! I would like to thank my family now for spoiling me on Thomas the Tank Engine wooden trains as a child; saw the price tag, quite pricey. Apparently now they light up too and have censors so they know what other trains are near them so they can talk?! What happened to using your damn imagination! By this point we are all making a scene at the display of the toy pig that walks, snorts, and grunts, talking about how we want to buy one as our floor pig. I then see a guy making snow. Naturally I got in touch with my inner five year old and had to join in and make some.
Finally we went to the men's department after some food. I found a really nice sweater that had an insulated vest built into it (if that makes any sense) by D&G. I really liked it, then I saw that it cost 995pounds. That was the end of that. Also there were some really nice shoes in the shoe department. I'm not cheap, but I when the cheapest pair is 150pounds, I think I'm gonna have to pass. Saw the Diana and Dodi Memorial. It's almost on the verge of being...shrine/cult..ish? The literally have what was believed to be the last cup she drank out of on display.
Then last but not least we went to the Christmas section! Nothing exciting, typical Christmas section but I thought I'd include it.
Check out the online store and the dress code (yes there is one to get in here)!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
UFF!
Uff is quite possibly the greatest word that actually has no real meaning. Eve said everyone in Madrid says it for everything and now it is my favorite word to say too, so Londoners beware.
Friday was an interesting day which started with my War Studies session. I think Hermione may have had a coronary because he (yes the person I call Hermione is a girl) was just grunting when he got disgusted by peoples opinions and responses. This combined with the constant raising of his hands led to me laughing constantly, which I did not care about at this point. GW registration meant I missed my history class, and for once it went smoothly for the most part. One class that I wanted is currently restricted to majors only but life goes on. I would have rather sat and watched paint dry for an hour instead of go to history discussion because a) I find the TA to be pretty boring and way too philosophical in his approach to the British Empire and b) this girl I got put in a group with talks way too much. Guess the main theme I am trying to get at here is that I am not the biggest fan of brown nosers.
And this is where my weekend gets sooooooooo much better. First of all, I got my new laptop finally and then Geoff and Eve were in London so thats when the fun started! Our Friday evening consisted of a few bars and a "proper" indian meal. On the way to the resturaunt though a woman asked me if I was English, as in the nationality. Naturally Geoff and Eve said no, but I said kind of. She wanted to know where the Victoria tube station was. Well...given the fog in St. James's Park I could not see the sign that said where the station was, even though I knew it was close. I was so caught off guard because I realized "shit its really foggy". By response was, "Ok I'm not that English" and walked away.
Now back to the resturaunt. Let me say for 12.50 this was a really good meal. We got a little bit of everything, what was in it...I am not too sure but it was really good. My favorite personally was the nan and the potato pancake like ball with the taziki-ish cucumber sauce. And in addition it was dinner and a show! Next to us was the most charming Scottish man who for the record was not drunk. He asked if we were American since he heard us talking. He LOVED America. He then went on to talking about how it was his favorite country (other then the UK) and asked us about our history. According to him FDR, Reagan, and Thatcher were his favorite US and UK leaders, and then by this point he fell out of his chair. But remember he wasn't drunk he just lost his balance. He then discussed that no one seems to like Carter because he didn't do much. He then ended his conversation by hand shaking our hands and asking that we continue the special bond and friendship because we are best friends. Naturally I said of course because I love the Brits and then he started singing what he claimed was "God Bless America". Awkward silence ensued because it wasn't the right song so I screamed "God save the Queen!" He said, "She needs it," and then he walked out the door.
The next day was action backed with all the touristy things around London starting with the Science Museum. The best part by far was the interactive area despite the fact that we were way too old to be in there and probably should have been asked to leave. Then Eve played "Energy Ninjas" which I swear is indoctrination because it was trying to get you to recycle and rat out your neighbors for buring garbage or something like that. That was followed by Buckingham Palace, the Diana Memorial (which I found this time), and some Bergs and Mash for lunch with some cider. While at Hyde Park we found the Perter Pan statue. This is a public service announcement to all parent: Don't let your kids just climb all over statues, especially when people are trying to take pictures, and especially don't go over to get them off the statue and then proceed to show them every animal that is covered on the statue.
Then we finally found some poppies so we fit in. The Brits wear them to comemorate WWI basically. Eve and Geoff got the whole story from some guy when they landed so I'm gonna go with it. With our poppies freshly pinned on our coats we were then off the the Tower of London, Harrod's, and Abbey Road. Abbey Road...is full of traffic...so I don't know how the Beatles were able to cross the street. I got an OK picture trying to do so. And finally after weeks of epic build up I finally FINALLY had some fish and chips with them at The Flask in Hampstead. It was really good, and thank god the tartar sauce was good because if it was that crap from Morrison's I bought I would have been pissed.
I was a wonderful weekend to say the least. Uff!
Peter Pan Statue |
And this is where my weekend gets sooooooooo much better. First of all, I got my new laptop finally and then Geoff and Eve were in London so thats when the fun started! Our Friday evening consisted of a few bars and a "proper" indian meal. On the way to the resturaunt though a woman asked me if I was English, as in the nationality. Naturally Geoff and Eve said no, but I said kind of. She wanted to know where the Victoria tube station was. Well...given the fog in St. James's Park I could not see the sign that said where the station was, even though I knew it was close. I was so caught off guard because I realized "shit its really foggy". By response was, "Ok I'm not that English" and walked away.
Buckingham Palace |
National History Museum |
With our poppies! |
Then we finally found some poppies so we fit in. The Brits wear them to comemorate WWI basically. Eve and Geoff got the whole story from some guy when they landed so I'm gonna go with it. With our poppies freshly pinned on our coats we were then off the the Tower of London, Harrod's, and Abbey Road. Abbey Road...is full of traffic...so I don't know how the Beatles were able to cross the street. I got an OK picture trying to do so. And finally after weeks of epic build up I finally FINALLY had some fish and chips with them at The Flask in Hampstead. It was really good, and thank god the tartar sauce was good because if it was that crap from Morrison's I bought I would have been pissed.
Abbey Road |
I was a wonderful weekend to say the least. Uff!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Chillin With My Boys Churchill and Earl G
I am so sick of sasuage rolls, their novelty kind of wore out after the like tenth one that I've had in the past week or so. I swear in some ways I am losing my sanity here. I walked into Tesco and saw that they are selling a single Krisy Kreme donut for £1.20 and just laughed. Like really, I was standing there all by my lonesome just laughing because there is no way in hell anyone in the US would ever pay the about $1.80 equivalent for a friggin glazed Krisy Kreme donut. Those are the thing you buy in a pack of a dozen for like $5 from kids trying to raise money going to Peru, when you're commuting to work, outside the metro. Oh and if you wanted a really nice fancy donut it was at least £2. Then were talking $3. Gotta love the 17.5% VAT.
Today GW took did something touristy with us, aka I had a full decent meal. We went to the Churchill War Rooms. Which were really cool to see seeing as Churchill is my boy and all. Sad thing is my laptop isn't here yet so I can't upload the pics. That was one massive underground complex the Brits had to keep the government going during WWII. Then before we went to the National Portrait Gallery I walked over to St. James Park. I was watching this lady feed the ducks that were across the fence and I noticed one on the other side of the path. I thought to myself, "ok how did that little guy get over here." I walk over to take a picture of him since he was so close. I get right in front of him and the little son of a bitch just jumps up, flapping his winds, and flies off to the pond. Damn duck almost killed me. Between the cat, which I swear is Dame Maggie Smith transfigurated, and birds in the country, some animal is going to do massive harm to me.
And then we went to the National Gallery for tea. All that was missing were cute old British ladies playing bridge (totally stereotyping, and probably false in addition so my appologies). I had my favorite tea in the world, Earl Grey Tea, which in all honestly I only had in my Aunt's chocolates before trying it today. In addition to that we also had a carott cake, ginger snaps, scones, egg salad, ham sandwiches, and what I think was chesse and chutney sandwiches? Best part was the view from which you can see all of central London.
Also, I don't think I mentioned this apparently Marie is Maria, since I just realized the cleaner can speak some sort of quasi-spanish. Me and her are now best buddies. It was kind of like my "Oh stewardess, I speak jive" moment when I realized she could speak Spanish.
Geoff and Eve are coming this weekend, should be amazing! Plus I will never have to use the PAWS room after tomorrow! So maybe, just maybe, I'll get some work done finally.
Oh and lets make this clear apparently Americans are so stupid because we elected "that actor" President. I'll leave it at that.
Today GW took did something touristy with us, aka I had a full decent meal. We went to the Churchill War Rooms. Which were really cool to see seeing as Churchill is my boy and all. Sad thing is my laptop isn't here yet so I can't upload the pics. That was one massive underground complex the Brits had to keep the government going during WWII. Then before we went to the National Portrait Gallery I walked over to St. James Park. I was watching this lady feed the ducks that were across the fence and I noticed one on the other side of the path. I thought to myself, "ok how did that little guy get over here." I walk over to take a picture of him since he was so close. I get right in front of him and the little son of a bitch just jumps up, flapping his winds, and flies off to the pond. Damn duck almost killed me. Between the cat, which I swear is Dame Maggie Smith transfigurated, and birds in the country, some animal is going to do massive harm to me.
And then we went to the National Gallery for tea. All that was missing were cute old British ladies playing bridge (totally stereotyping, and probably false in addition so my appologies). I had my favorite tea in the world, Earl Grey Tea, which in all honestly I only had in my Aunt's chocolates before trying it today. In addition to that we also had a carott cake, ginger snaps, scones, egg salad, ham sandwiches, and what I think was chesse and chutney sandwiches? Best part was the view from which you can see all of central London.
Also, I don't think I mentioned this apparently Marie is Maria, since I just realized the cleaner can speak some sort of quasi-spanish. Me and her are now best buddies. It was kind of like my "Oh stewardess, I speak jive" moment when I realized she could speak Spanish.
Geoff and Eve are coming this weekend, should be amazing! Plus I will never have to use the PAWS room after tomorrow! So maybe, just maybe, I'll get some work done finally.
Oh and lets make this clear apparently Americans are so stupid because we elected "that actor" President. I'll leave it at that.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Sherlock Holmes Did Cocaine?
Yes, I did not know that but when doing the reading for Film Studies today I learned that Sherlock Holmes had a liking for cocaine and that Blake Edwards (Julie Andrew's husband) directed Breakfast at Tiffany's. This is how sad my life has become. But wait it gets sadder...
So the computer guy calls me today and says that my laptop has a motherboard problem because everytime he installs the new video card in it, the computer overpowers and just dies. He then proceedes to tell me that if I want that fixed it will cost £250 in addition to the service charge. I then asked him how long it would take he said, "I don't know I will call you back in a bit, but it will be long and £250. Cheers!" Then he hung up... Maybe its just me coming from the perspective of someone who does not say "cheers" on a daily basis, but saying that after telling me it's gonna cost me a shit ton to get my laptop fixed after not having it for a week was the equivalent of saying, "Ryan, I have bad news, grandma died...but have a great time at the funeral!"
I'm still waiting on the guy to call me back. Glad I'm not sitting by the phone or anything in anticipation. So now my newest plan is to buy a new laptop. Since the cheapest Mac here cost $1,300 and no I can't buy a computer from the US store in the UK I am buying one from Dell (again). Since I pay 75cents a minute on my phone I chatted with Dell online to call me since I discovered that I could not pay with a US debit card in the Dell UK store, and for some reason you can't buy them in any UK store. So I rush back from the PAWS room to get the phone call, give him all my personal information, and then you know what Raj (that was his real name) says to me, "Sorry sir your card is declined." And then I google maps, outlined the route to Tower Bridge and proceeded to jump off it...no in all honesty I didn't I just went back to the PAWS room and did it again after I got my bank to allow the charge. Only problem I still have yet to get that call back from Dell. I only have two papers due in the next two weeks but thats ok, take your time Dell.
So you know what was the highlight of my night? Going to Tesco at 9pm when everything is put on reduced!! Tonight's super deals included 19p pancakes and a tube of Quality Street we all split for only $4.50, original retail price £10.00. Yes reduced chocolate was my highlight. All I need is a tube of icecream and a British accent and gain about 50 pounds and I'll probably the male version of Bridget Jones given all the bad luck I have. Thank Jesus Geoff and Eve are coming this weekend!
So the computer guy calls me today and says that my laptop has a motherboard problem because everytime he installs the new video card in it, the computer overpowers and just dies. He then proceedes to tell me that if I want that fixed it will cost £250 in addition to the service charge. I then asked him how long it would take he said, "I don't know I will call you back in a bit, but it will be long and £250. Cheers!" Then he hung up... Maybe its just me coming from the perspective of someone who does not say "cheers" on a daily basis, but saying that after telling me it's gonna cost me a shit ton to get my laptop fixed after not having it for a week was the equivalent of saying, "Ryan, I have bad news, grandma died...but have a great time at the funeral!"
I'm still waiting on the guy to call me back. Glad I'm not sitting by the phone or anything in anticipation. So now my newest plan is to buy a new laptop. Since the cheapest Mac here cost $1,300 and no I can't buy a computer from the US store in the UK I am buying one from Dell (again). Since I pay 75cents a minute on my phone I chatted with Dell online to call me since I discovered that I could not pay with a US debit card in the Dell UK store, and for some reason you can't buy them in any UK store. So I rush back from the PAWS room to get the phone call, give him all my personal information, and then you know what Raj (that was his real name) says to me, "Sorry sir your card is declined." And then I google maps, outlined the route to Tower Bridge and proceeded to jump off it...no in all honesty I didn't I just went back to the PAWS room and did it again after I got my bank to allow the charge. Only problem I still have yet to get that call back from Dell. I only have two papers due in the next two weeks but thats ok, take your time Dell.
So you know what was the highlight of my night? Going to Tesco at 9pm when everything is put on reduced!! Tonight's super deals included 19p pancakes and a tube of Quality Street we all split for only $4.50, original retail price £10.00. Yes reduced chocolate was my highlight. All I need is a tube of icecream and a British accent and gain about 50 pounds and I'll probably the male version of Bridget Jones given all the bad luck I have. Thank Jesus Geoff and Eve are coming this weekend!
Monday, November 1, 2010
You Talk Way Too Much
I was deciding on boycotting the blog until I got my laptop fixed but oh well I gave in. Ok WTF... First of all lets backtrack to Friday night. Who in their right civilized mind would ever think it is cool to cum (yes CUM as in ejaculate sperm) onto someone's door handle. It wasn't mine but really I swear I live with utter scumbags sometimes. I've also come to realize that while indie music is good to listen to on your ipod during rush hour on the tube, it is not my favorite kind of music to dance to and in all honesty I am over going to clubs like that. Plus they also play the same shit over and over and over. Just once, just ONCE I would love a club to play "I Like It" Enrique Inglesias, I don't know why but I am determined to hear that song played. The closest thing they play to a current pop song here in the UK is friggin "I Got A Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas which last time I checked is so Summer 2009 or some of Rhianna's new shit, which quite honestly I am getting sick of. We know Chris Brown hit you, he's wortless, lets move on now...
Saturday I attempted to make custard. I just hate the metric system, safe to say it was an epic fail and came out like soup. From now on I am sticking to Jaffa Cakes.
Now to Sunday night. I went as Wolverine, which I must say looked pretty damn good. I don't have the pics uploaded yet since the laptop is still getting repaired. I was enjoying myself and my two liter bottle of Strongbow but then we went to this hot as balls club in London Bridge. First of all, London DJs stop stopping songs midway through and then restarting them. Secondly, AC was invented for a reason, we should really use it. I'm not a fan of sweating in a massive moshpit of people dressed up in halloween costumes with one hand not functioning because I have tinfoil claws attatched to them. Even the cheap alcohol did not justify the massive heat stroke I almost had because it was so damn hot in there. And then the trip home...I was just tired let's just leave it at that. I am sticking to Soho from now on for clubbing, more my scene.
Although this morning I woke up and probably went to class with eye liner still on but you know what I could care less. Tube delays caused me to almost be late for class. It took me an hour to get from Hampstead to Strand because of a signal failure (what else is new) on the Jubilee line. But then I got to class and Hermione was talking as usual, WAY TOO MUCH, but I've come to ignore that. Today Snape was going on about how the British are starting to say "Zee" instead of "Zed" in reference to the letter "Z" I swear the man is out to get me based on my twang...
So I think the moral of the story for all of this is you can't fix stupid.
Saturday I attempted to make custard. I just hate the metric system, safe to say it was an epic fail and came out like soup. From now on I am sticking to Jaffa Cakes.
Now to Sunday night. I went as Wolverine, which I must say looked pretty damn good. I don't have the pics uploaded yet since the laptop is still getting repaired. I was enjoying myself and my two liter bottle of Strongbow but then we went to this hot as balls club in London Bridge. First of all, London DJs stop stopping songs midway through and then restarting them. Secondly, AC was invented for a reason, we should really use it. I'm not a fan of sweating in a massive moshpit of people dressed up in halloween costumes with one hand not functioning because I have tinfoil claws attatched to them. Even the cheap alcohol did not justify the massive heat stroke I almost had because it was so damn hot in there. And then the trip home...I was just tired let's just leave it at that. I am sticking to Soho from now on for clubbing, more my scene.
Although this morning I woke up and probably went to class with eye liner still on but you know what I could care less. Tube delays caused me to almost be late for class. It took me an hour to get from Hampstead to Strand because of a signal failure (what else is new) on the Jubilee line. But then I got to class and Hermione was talking as usual, WAY TOO MUCH, but I've come to ignore that. Today Snape was going on about how the British are starting to say "Zee" instead of "Zed" in reference to the letter "Z" I swear the man is out to get me based on my twang...
So I think the moral of the story for all of this is you can't fix stupid.
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