London-France

London-France, a set on Flickr.

Sorry, had a bad camera. I will edit them after I get them all uploaded.

More videos

I have finally posted some videos, so if you are just following on Facebook or the CSC website, please feel free to visit my actual blog. My software is still broken but I have recovered the videos and will post more. Enjoy!



More video...*burp*

The fiddler of Bath!!!

This guy is simply amazing. I will post full videos later. This man was easily the top earner of any street performer I saw in England or France.

Bath video

No, not me taking a bath...

Videos

I have had a slight setback in creating the videos as my software has broken. In the mean time I am going to set up an account online to post the pictures, then just post the link here as the blog has pretty restrictive size limits. So tomorrow night should see more useful posts. Sorry for the delay.

Missing Pieces

So after almost a full day of sunshiney I have missed the following:

Free morning and evening newspapers
Strongbow or other cider
Socializing wit friends in the lobby

Things I did not realize that I missed here in Chadron include:

The color green aka grass and trees everywhere instead of just parks
Bathrooms
Showery evenings

First Day Videos



And back again

And the great journey has come to a close. Poor old Bilbo once again must find his place in the Shire while knowing there is a world of adventure out there he would rather be exploring. Today is a rest day for the weary traveler.

Today is a good day because we are all back and safe. Unfortunately I am sick from something and so am attempting to get to a doctor. My body apparently does not like something I made contact with in London.

To re-adjust to this time zone, I stayed awake intentionally the entire Atlantic flight. Then once it was 10:00pm Chadron time I slept what I could until about 6:30 this morning. Hopefully this will help me tomorrow when I must return to work. I pity those that must work today, particularly this morning. If anything of them feel how I do, it will be near impossible to be productive.

I will begin posting pictures and video asap. There is a lot to go through so it will take some time and will at first be montage clips. Enjoy!!!

On our way home...

Taken way off course due to volcanoes(?) in Iceland we left London late and took longer to get to Chicago. Then storms in Chicago delayed flights and so here we are on the bus at 2am for a 5 hour ride home. The good news is that my clock thinks it is 9am and am hungry for breakfast. No lost luggage but I miss my free morning and evening newspapers. People in the US also bother me as they are rude and block the escalators, ulike in London. Bus is bouncing so I will write more tomarrow. Cheerio mates!

To all of my football/soccer friends

I just had a great time at the UEFA Champions League Festival in Hyde Park. If only I could have been here another week and had the opportunity to watch the final at Wembly. Regardless, this was a once in a lifetime experience for me (thought I would hope otherwise I know it is true) and I am very glad I took the time to go clear out there and interact. The museum was the best and the theater that went through highlights and history was well done. With the four giant screens it was almost too much to handle. I heart filled with pride as I watched Real Madrid win throughout the years, Zidane score what is touted as the greatest Champs League goal ever, and Raul score over and over with ease to take the record for most goals in the competition. Even Hyde park itself is beautiful and hard to describe, though I think in total that St. James park is better. Both have some peaceful views and quiet areas to relax.

On a smaller side note, the London Museum was not too bad this morning either. Mostly history, but the Roman exhibit was impressive as well as the great fire of 1666. Otherwise it was not that exciting with just some nice exhibits here and there. The only other one of note was the blitz bombings video that had first hand testimonials. Some of the artwork was OK but the photo gallery was not impressive.

Tonight is the big medieval banquet. There is confusion on the times and different schedules have different times listed that are almost an hour apart. Guess we will see how it actually goes. I don't think I will rent a costume, but I do still have around 20L left to spend before leaving tomorrow.

Punted

Everyone know what punting is? Well that best I can describe it is a person controlling a boat using a long pole. Think Venice. Cambridge is apparently famous for the flat-bottom boats and punting. This was easily the most fun I have had on the trip and (not to brag too much) found that after a few moments of "what the crap" and finding that I was not going to fall into the water, I became pretty darn good at punting considering I had never done anything of the like before. At least I did not get laughed at like a certain someone else on my boat (though he was not the worst punter on the canal by far and actually not bad at all...just not as good as me).

Cambridge itself is a pretty little town. It seemed very mellow and more university/college like with the people and students on site than Oxford did. This is not to say they are any less of a university, but I saw nobody wearing robes. I did appreciate the sign that said no phones, radios or picnics posted in a beautiful grass square on one of the campuses. This is yet another area/town that I would love to live in. They even had a shopping center named Lion's Den that could be found as any mall in nearly any city in the U.S.. So much of the town, while old, had a more comfortable feel and was full of positive activity rather than just the hustle and bustle of other towns I have been in over here. The only drawback is the lamb and mint pastey...yeah. Don't be ordering one of those should you have the opportunity. Mint peas good (aka macho peas), mint and lamb bad (I finished it but only with copious amounts of Coke).

As the day was winding down I sat in a park area under a shady tree. There I sat, watching and listening to the other CSC students as they played, danced, lazed about and had a good time. It made me sad to be leaving this all behind soon. While I have no idea if others would think of me the same way (I could just be a creeper that they are all too nice to tell "BUGGAR OFF"), I feel a bond of friendship with people I would have never met without this trip. Alas these will be unable to continue as most are graduating or otherwise moving on with their lives. The socializing every evening has been consistently the most anticipated part of the day. I will miss all of this positive social interaction.

Tomorrow will be my last post until we are back state-side. I hope to post about the UEFA Champions League Final event they are having in Hyde Park Saturday. If not, then I will be crying to myself that I somehow missed it. For now, have a good evening my friends.

On a happier note...sorta...the group stopped at the American war cemetery in Cambridge where people form WWII (and some from WWI I believe) are buried. These are vets that died in the Atlantic and fighting in Europe. I appreciate that we stopped, it was touching and meant a lot to me to see such a proud display in another country. It was very well kept and respectful, so thank you to those that maintain it.

Changing of the Scotland Yard...As if they need to call it "New"

OK so the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace was pretty good. Only the second group ever (from JS) to have the opportunity to view it from inside the palace grounds. There were two regimental bands, one Scottish and one Welsh. The Scottish played Scotland the Brave as they marched in, which made me a little giddy as I love that song. I admit I was a little confused about where they were all going and the point of some of it, but fascinating to watch how ceremonial it all was. My favorite part was the Sergeant yelling "Still, Stand Still!" at each line of the two regiments. The bearskin hats were spiffy, but I think it must have been terribly hot in those uniforms.

Scotland Yard (read NEW) provided some great dialog from some older constables. The presentations were some of the best, if not the best, of the entire educational side of the trip.  I have a great photo of me "running" with the Olympic Torch from the last Winter Games in Vancouver. I love watching the police CCC of the Notting Hill Carnival as well as the history behind it. Would never guess that such a "posh" and well-known neighborhood would party so hard. I would love to have the opportunity to go to such a celebration of freedom. Not get stabbed of course, but....Hugh Grant would be a bad ass DJ I bet, throwing tunes from his bookstore.

We had the opportunity to see more of Scotland Yard than others, look at some of the offices and look at signed stuff in their hall of fame. They have an autographed Chelsea FC kit from when they won the league last year. I know at least one person that would kill to have that.

Tomorrow is punting...so I better remember how to swim.

Museum Day

Today we went to the Prime Meridian and the Maritime Museum as well as the Museum of Natural History. Of the two the Maritime was better, but it was good they were both free. The Maritime was mostly models and not actual ships. They did have a cool lighthouse running and a screw. The equipment and history were interesting, though somewhat misleading and incomplete. In one section talking about the impact of Europeans on Native Americans they state (keep in mind this is British) that while it was tough for them due to disease and the increasing numbers of Europeans kept them off balance, the Native Americans were able to adjust and live on. Maybe it is just me, but I would guess there would be a different view in the U.S..

As for the Natural History Museum, if you have been to one you have been to them all. The ecology exhibit about the environment was informative. My personal favorite was the planets and geology areas. They had a lot of interactive exhibits that I actually learned from. They also had a human body/mind exhibit that was chalked full of games and activities to teach about how the body and brain work and perceive.

The Jack the Ripper tour was OK, but there was only two actual sites involved and the story was changing with each guide we passed from our actual guide. Oh well, it was a great walk and not a bad evening overall.

Churchill War Rooms

This is the first and only museum that costs money that I will be attending. Thankfully I chose well as it was very very good. When WWII and VJ day happened, they did not pack anything, just tidied up a bit and shut off the lights for the first time in six years. Which is exactly how it was later found as the entire bunker was a secret. Along with the War Rooms is a Churchill museum that documents his life. I found it very interesting that he was actually responsible for many great failures and yet others took the blame. Overall he was not a great politician either. Except for WWII he would be nobody of consequence, or even viewed upon in a negative light. The technology in the museum was new to me. They used lasers that when broken activated movies and sound. The speakers were set up so they were really only hearable for those that were directly under them. 

On another note, we also visited Wormwood prison. The prisoners are treated so much better and with far more respect that in most U.S. facilities. The prison system (at least this one) is highly dedicated to rehabilitation rather than incarceration, helping prisoners become educated and learn trades to get hired. An interesting point made was that some prisoners are there because they want to be. They make more in prison jobs to send home then they would at local jobs in their home countries. That is disappointing on many levels, both from their abuse of the system and the lack of opportunity and development in their own countries.

Stonehenge...with a missing camera

Well our group photographer took some great photos of Stonehenge and Bath...but lost the camera on the way back. We are hoping to recover it tomorrow but no luck today. The videographer (me) still has his camera and life is good. So look forward to some great videos of possibly the most beautiful area in the UK, or at least England. This area is lush and green. Fields are bright yellow with flowers to make canola oils. It is by far the most beautiful place I have seen in Europe. Bath is a place I would love to live, not too large but has most everything a larger city would have but with a smaller, quaint feel to it. Stonehenge was cool, but mildly disappointing as it is so far away from where people can get. It is in really bad shape as well and there is not much left of it. I forget what tomorrow brings, but I know I am back with the group.

Market Day!!!

The Camden market was alright. Far overcrowded and except for a few vendors, most everyone was selling the same stuff. I did get two handmade shirts shirts which were really nice. I was rather disappointed that most of the selling culture here has the exact same items I can get in the US. My roomies and I then walked (yes the tube was closed) to Knotting Hill and the Portabello Market. This market was more like a flea market and had some interesting good, though none of it worth getting. There was one cool store in Knotting Hill that had thousands, seriously, of antique sewing machines that make up its outside and inside walls. After two days of nothing but walking int he sun, needless to say my face and scalp are hurting from sunburns. I did buy sunscreen and after-burn gel for today though, but I am not convinced they worked. Tomorrow is Stonehenge and Bath. I will be sure to tell the curators about how superior Carhenge is...yeah.

Paris...a dirty but beautiful city

The trip to Paris started with a great ride on a speedy train that had comfy seats and a tasty breakfast served. They even provided a cute little jar of cherry jam, which I almost saved but was hungry enough to eat. I am now a full supporter of high-speed rail, much better than flying.

Paris itself is full of litter. Uncountable pieces of garbage floating in the river and piled in the parks and along the streets. Yet I feel for the garbage crews as they were working hard every time I saw them.

On a side note, I felt that Paris was a much more impressive city, more sightly anyhow. Paris driving makes London seems like Chadron though. I would love to spend more than a day there as the lines were too long to really enjoy anything, but I went for volume rather than quality of visits. L'Open Tours were a great way to see the the core of the city. It was cheap and ran all day with different lines covering different segments of town. It took me to so many things I ran out of battery in both my cameras well before I was done...and forgot about my phone camera. Oh well.

Tomorrow will be all about shopping and visiting some markets around London.

Friday the 13th!!!!

For such an unlucky day, today was pretty darn good. Went on the tour of the 2012 Olympics and got come cool stuff from it. The new facilities are awesome, being 97% recyclable after the events. The entire build is coming in under budget and on time (probably even early) and note of fact, it is the first Olympic Stadium ever built with no fatalities. No kidding!!!

Found another great pub (Thank you Dr. King) and ate some great hot wings (not the same style as in the US). Tomorrow I head for Paris. It will be raining but should be a good time. Ta- for now!!!

Stone Henge and Bath

Last night I booked a tour to meet up with my roomies on a tour of Stonehenge and Bath. I think it should be fun, and I get to see more of the non-London GB.

Great day in London

Had a great day at the police station and trainign center today. Lots of great information and exploring afterword. Visited the Sherlock Holmes pub afterword with some friends. Too expensive to eat but a nice experience. Chose the blue pill but they were out. Going to get up at 5 a.m. and post a video when the Internet is working better. Until then, stay classy!!!

First days in London

I cannot get a video to upload from the hotel. I will try to post something tonight. Sorry about the delay folks!

Denver Airport - WiFi Sux

I had a video...but the Internet is horrible!!! But we are all in DIA waiting to board for Chicago!!!

The Night before London...

Blogger wasn't uploading videos well last night. This is highly shortened, so sorry if it cuts off.

Packing- You think you have it all figured out until...

Space vacuum bags rock for packing...until you realize a half-full suitcase weights over 50lbs.

Not that excited...

People keep asking me if I am starting to get excited. Even more tell me that they are jealous and wish they could go. Well in response all I can say is that this trip is for class and most certainly not a vacation. I have been stressing about the work involved, the paper at the end, and the interview requirements while we are there. Got a strong reminder that this trip is not for fun and while I am sure there will be some fun times (aka the free weekend) the rest of the trip is structured with long days that appear to leave little time for much exploration. I am probably over-thinking all of this and sincerely hope I am wrong and just tired of packing, because I pretty much live to have fun.