Final day of my 5 weeks backpackin’ or rather 5 months long of wandering. My friend told me a couple of days ago that we are wanderlust. I cannot help but agree. There is this feelin’ of true satisfaction of discovering new horizons, be it new places, food, people or culture.
Ended the trip with a bang. ‘Fame the Musical’ was not disappointing at all. The dances made me go wow wow wow. Super synchronize and energetic. Manage to see H in the musical. Well, if u guys still remember he is the blonde guy in the now defunct Steps. I recall those days where I used to go gaga over their hit songs like One for Sorrow and 5,6,7,8. Caught a glimpse of a poster ad on Chicago and Tina Arena is in it. If only I have more time. I truly loved her songs. I hope I will not miss that one like the time when I failed to catch Stephen Gately in ‘Jopseh and the Technicolour Dreamcoat’. I am beginning to wonder why all these stars are turning up in London West End Theaters.
Something is really coming over me. I just cannot deny it anymore. I really think that its time to stop wishin’ upon that bright shinnin’ star for what I really want is to shine as bright. Even if I will burn out someday, I need that one moment in my life.
One of the reason for me to check out London again besides the muscial is the Sunday Up Market. So we went there despite the rain. It turned out to be better then what I have expected. Its really busy even on a rainy day.
There are lots of food to choose from. Had a really hard time tryin to figure out what to eat. And vintage clothes too. But I have no money so cannot buy Sigh. I luv the walk down Brick Lane, it gives me the feel of Oliver Twist days.
We checked out a pretty cool museum named Kinetics Museum near Spitafields market. The sound equipment exhibition there was really cool. They got like interactive instruments that work via sound waves. You use all kind of ways to make music. This includes a handshake, or steppin on the sensors, using magnets, infrared and even hand movements. Cool.
The whole day was spent at London East End market. Its off to West End again tomolo to watch Fame. Gotten a center portion of the stall seats. Hope its gonna be good.
I decided on this trip spontaneusly. I was never a fan of soccer ever since young. No matter how interested and good my dad is at this sport, the gene was never in me. This decision to visit two stadiums in a day is a pre-Father's Day tribute to my dad.
Set off early mornin to Manchester to sportcity. The new home to Manchester City FC. The gloomy sky did not affect my visit as I was super impressed but the huge stadium that sits 47500 people. There is only 4 people in the tour which makes it more exclusive!
We checked out many areas like the players' tunnel, dressing room, press room, and director boxes. By the way their dressing room is pretty normal, nothing luxurious. Just plain and simple. I like the colour so much. Its just pleasant to the eye. Luv the chair esspecially, they are cushioned. Yes its obviously cost more to sit at those chair. Duh!
I must say that what is most impressive is standing near the pitch. Imagine thousands of people looking at you when you play. The feeling is overwhelming. When we ended out trip, it started to rain. I was pretty lucky to hitch a ride from this other lady who joined the tour.
When i reached Old Tratford,home of my dad's favourite team, Manchester United FC, I couldn't helpbut notice how different it is. Everything is so posh as compared to the simple yet nice MCFC. Guess that's what happen when u get rich and famous. Stupid budweiser was having a competition there so there is no tour inside the stadium. Sigh I never get to see jacuzzi in dressing room. Argh.
Walked around their megastore to get a gift for my dad. Settled for something small as they price of things there are nuts. I hesitated bout going into the musem and stadium as I cannot see the interior but when in the end. I'm glad that I went it. The museum is like 5 times bigger than the on in sportcity!
The stadium was less stuning though. I guess its becos it is much older. I get to watch the competition on the pitch before rushing off to catch my coach to London. Dad, I hope someday we could watch the devils play at Old tratford!
Me and Ka Fui decided to go both York and Scarborough after a whole night of dilemma. Two towns in one day. Now that is a challenge.
York turns out to be so relaxing and nice. Its like a smaller version of Quebec City. Haha. They've got fort wall arouod the town, Remains of old buildings and nice park too! The famous church there whose name i cannot recall nowhas a really stunning imterior. However, it is less impressive on the inside as compared to the cathedral in Montreal.
We checked out the world's largest railway museum as it is free! Haha. Yup. Happy. Uk has lots of free museums. Come here if you like this kinda sutff. We did not went in the Clifford Tower as it looked too small. Decided to go to the one in Scarborough instead.
This is what we had for lunch. Thanks to Ka Fui for making them. As this is almost the end of the trip, I am runing out of funds. Sigh.
I first came accross the word Scaborough when my dad played his oldies. This song that goes 'Are you going to Scarborough Fair.............' Its a pretty sad love song to me. I got this gloomy feeling bout the town. Its was totally different when I am there. For the first time, I see a beach in UK! By then, we were hyper already as we both grow up in small town that faces the sea. It was so calming to see the sea again.
The Scarborough Castle is a must see attraction. Althoght all that is left of the castle is the remains, the surrounding is amazing!
The View from above is pretty stunnin too. U see the ocean on one side, beach on the other and the town too. We spent the whole time admiring the nice landscape there. Scarborough Fair, I need to be here for the summer someday.
I never expected Leeds to be so boring. I went there to meet up with my childhood friend whom I have known for about 15 years now. Now that's long. There is nothing much to do here biut shopping. Since I'm running out of fund, there is no-way that I could enjoy this. There are lots of pubs there though. Made me longed for those pubbing days in Calagry. Will upload photos of the City as they are still with Ka Fui right now.
Nothing much was done today except for rushin around. I was runin round London underground like an idiot tryin to catch my flight. I was lucky however, to be able to get the next one out 30 minutes thereafter. Lesson no 1: Be early for coach to airport else you will miss it. Worse still scampering around underground looking like a mad man is not cool at all
After reaching the airport, I realized that there is a long queue. They mentioned that the check in counter will be closed 40 minutes prior to departure, but at 30 minutes, the queue still looks like a caterpillar. People start to panic and cut queue. I waited in line like a good old boy and ended up to be the last one to check in. Lesson no2 : Cut queue when everybody else does. You dun wanna run like a mad cow to the gate!
At the rate that I am going I will surely miss my flight, Its only 10 minutes to the flight time. As I run towards the gate, I faced a roadblock. By what you’ll ask. Well none other than another train to take me to the gate. As I get off the train, it was already 5 minutes to flight time. I have a choice to run or to give up. Being me I did a dash all the way to the gate. Phew, manage to reach there on time. But wait, why is there a long queue again? Delay! Argh! Lesson no. 3: Keep your composure, stay calm, the flight will wait. ( I do not bear any liability if you miss your flight due to this statement. He he)
Just in case you are curious I took Easy Jet from London Stansted airport.
Crazy crazy day today! Walk around for more than 6 hours. Nuts! We visited most of the main landmarks of London today. Yeehar. Now my legs are so tired but my brain is hyper!
Started off the day with a little walk around Kensington area where they sell all the vintage clothes. Cool. Took photo with one of the main London symbol the Phone Booth. Haha. See the Mini Cooper and the Chocolate Fountain?
Headed off to Buckingham Palaces. Wa super luckyto catch the change of guards ceremony. Saw the queen too! Well just kiddin. Gotcha!
Went to this place where they keep the horses. I cannot seem to remember the name. But I really liked the place. Wanna take pic with the guard but he left when i wanted to approach. Argh!
Ate at this Japanese restaurant named Misato. The portion is huge. Way too huge! But I lub it. and the yogurt milk durg is damn good. Anjuma come here and try it out ya. Went around Picadily Circus once again. I wanted to catch Fame of Billy Elliot but failed as we were late to grab the tickets. But hey surprise, I am not going to Paris anymore! Me gonna come back London to catch those shows. Yeeeeharrrr.
The walk along Thyme River was really good. Saw Big Ben, London Eye and London Tower.
I must say I liked the Tower Bridge the best. The structure that we always see is caled Tower Bridge not London Bridge. Haha. A new thing that I learnt
I think I am addicted to taking photos of the London Red Bus with the beautiful landmarks. I so luv these pictures!
I did another clip today while waiting for the flight to London today. Montreal! I used the song Cassaopeia by Rain as it was our anthem at espace confort. Looped it so much till it keep ringing in my mind. Here is the clip.
The flight on Thomas Cook turned out to be unexpectedly good. Two meals served in just 6 hours flight and lots of leg room too. Reached London on a rainy mornin'. After a little luck and following my instinct, I found Eunice's place.
We first went for breakfast then shopping at Saintberry. I hope i spelled it right. It was like a huge Superstore and its only 2 minutes walk from her place. So good! Went on to check out 3 museum in less than 1 hour. Haha. Went in just to take a little photo and videos. All the museums are freeee! Isn't that cool?
We next went around Imperial college, Royal Albert Theater, Chinatown and Picadilly Square. I like the busy feeling at Picadilly. It seems like the London that I envision. I truly like the red buses here. They look really attractive.
We next made a really impulsive decision to watch a musical. Decided on dirty dancing. However, tickets are out. The lady suggested that we take 'We Will Rock You'. I wanted to watch it in Toronto but did not have the time. We went ahead not knowing that it is actually the 5th Annivesary party tonight.
The casts were really impressive. They put on a very stunnin and powerful performance. The singing was marvellous. I can feel the energy charging throughout the hall. Choreography was simple but nice. Best musical so far for me. Got to see Queens live too! Now, that's really a bonus. I spoiled myself by buyin' some merchandise. Hehe, Finally I'm buying something.
London turned out to be superbly nice! Regret for not stayin longer.
I found a vision. I'm gonna do a check about something when I get back before deciding. This could be the biggest decision that I make in my life. And I hope I could finally follow my heart.
