There can be only one word to describe London: BEDLAM. (Scene of uproar and confusion, originally from the term, asylum)
True story, no wonder Samuel Johnson said: "When a man is tired of London he is tired of life..." It really is a great happening town, and the time we chose to visit just co-incided with a whole different level of experiences.
We landed on Saturday evening, a good night to experience the night-life. After checking into a hostel (which every young person HAS to stay in when travelling the world) we decided to check out the night life in nearby Greenwich.
Stumbling into a crowded pub, there is a band playing, about 7 members, blasting jazz/classical/instrumental versions of pop songs. Tell you what it was a great vibe. The lead triangle player seemed to have the greatest time showing off and playing like no one was watching.
Sunday was spent stumbling around the public transport. In my honest opinion, its a crap system they have. How are they ever going to simplify things for the Olympics in 2012. Here are two masters students in Tourism, blindly looking like tourists trying to find our ways around. Either we are bad students or the tube and train system is a pig trying to figure out in one day.
Besides from the transport, the Sunday was the 13th of November, the day of Remembrance(Poppy day). For a change, London was actually British for the day. a touching and heartfelt day whereby every recognised armed force personal has a right to march past the Cenotaph and everyone has a moment of silence. Highlights of the day; Seeing all the old timers in uniform, adorned in medals, all receiving a thankful nod from passer by's, random "thank you sir's" and general respect in the streets.
Oh, and I got to see the queen and some royalty...
Cardiff also has this mystical vibe to it. Maybe its the dragon all over on their flag, or the fact that it was a really misty day. But besides from the crazy language that looks like a bad hand in scrabble, it really is a fantastic city that one needs to visit in their life time.
BTW, a had a beer at the Yu Mochan Du ( Pronounced Yee Mo-ckan Zee), called a Cwrw Cymru...jawellnofine.
From Wales two days were spent with family, Si, Ally and their new offspring, Angus Erskin Sutherland Rankin. What a man he is. Always smiling, always happy and the absolute joy of his parents. Spending time with family is always a joy.
One of the main attractions of the trip was a little thing of watching a live game of Footy, at Wembly Stadium! Englad France, what-a-game! Cant ever support the english, frogs are not that much better, but because they are not the english I had to support them. Not too loudly mind you, England is known for hooliganism. Although, a very strange phenomena at English footy games, is that there is absolutely no alcohol allowed to be bought, consumed or spilled while watching the game. No food, no sweets, no chips, no drinks of any sort. Its get in, sit down, cheer and watch the footy. Strange but true.
And thats about all I have to say about that...
