Christmas normally meant travel in our family. A trip to Yorkton or Ogema when I was little and then later a trip out to Winnipeg. This year we are all off to Edmonton to celebrate Christmas with my Brother and his family. Much like when I was little, I woke up bright and early this morning ready to get my trip underway.
It doesn't feel particularly Holiday-ish in London despite the constant bombardment of Christmas Carols, mulled wine and skating rinks. Yesterday it was 11 degrees ABOVE freezing and the grass is still green. People are shopping frantically and there is a steady stream of "How to Cook/Craft/Garden Your Way to the Perfect Christmas" on television. One show even taught you how to butcher your own pig which is an interesting hybrid of all three categories of perfection.
My friend N and I went skating last Sunday at the Tower of London where they have set up a small rink in the moat. It was a pretty spectacular setting...but there are also rinks at Canary Wharf, Somerset House, the National History Museum, Hyde Park, and Hampton Court Palace. I'm sure there are others too but these seem to be the most advertised. They are all artificial ice surfaces but I'm thinking that the ice plants aren't that sophisticated as the ice is really soft and could use a few laps of a Zamboni! It definitely one of the first times in my life that I was one of the best skaters on the ice.
Skating also reminded me how lucky we are in Canada. At home, we can regularly grab our skates and head out to a dug-out, slough, lake, neighbourhood rink or river. If you are lucky, some enterprising soul has gotten a few buddies together and dragged an old sofa down to ice level where you can stop for a breather. Here in London, you clamp on your rented skates, book ahead and have a timed slot for hitting the ice...and there is not a hockey stick in sight.
I have finally been truly homesick and you'll never guess what was the cause: it snowed one morning.
Happy Christmas to all my friends and family!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Glasgow
I forgot just how much I love Scotland. Even in the pouring down freezing rain I was still really happy to be there. Something about it just makes me feel happy. Well, maybe that was the fresh from the oven Cheese Pasty!
I was last in Scotland in late July and early August 2002. I know this with absolute certainty because when I opened my Lonely Planet guide an old train schedule fell out. I love when I leave myself these little surprises/reminders. I have tucked my Coldplay ticket inside that same guide to find in another 9 years.
The quick-witted among you will have deduced by now that the purpose of my trip to Glasgow was to see Coldplay live. I am not going to lie. It was awesome. It was the first time that I have seen them in concert and it was also the start of their Mylo Xyloto world tour. Only 10,000 people in a nice small venue. They gave everyone these cool bracelets that they could light up remotely which was really neat. It was pretty tough to act all cool and sophisticated...you just put your hand in the air and dance like a teenager! Attached is a photo of the crowd with the bracelets. I would like to be able to say that I was inspired by my very cool photographer Uncle (Hans) or my equally cool videographer Uncle (Steve) but...in reality...my camera was on the wrong setting and I wound up with this rather cool picture.
I was sorry to say good-bye to S&P but I am really grateful that they introduced me to N...whom I am sure will be a great companion on future trips!
I was last in Scotland in late July and early August 2002. I know this with absolute certainty because when I opened my Lonely Planet guide an old train schedule fell out. I love when I leave myself these little surprises/reminders. I have tucked my Coldplay ticket inside that same guide to find in another 9 years.
The quick-witted among you will have deduced by now that the purpose of my trip to Glasgow was to see Coldplay live. I am not going to lie. It was awesome. It was the first time that I have seen them in concert and it was also the start of their Mylo Xyloto world tour. Only 10,000 people in a nice small venue. They gave everyone these cool bracelets that they could light up remotely which was really neat. It was pretty tough to act all cool and sophisticated...you just put your hand in the air and dance like a teenager! Attached is a photo of the crowd with the bracelets. I would like to be able to say that I was inspired by my very cool photographer Uncle (Hans) or my equally cool videographer Uncle (Steve) but...in reality...my camera was on the wrong setting and I wound up with this rather cool picture.
Sunday's weather smartened up a bit (flashes of sun occasionally) and allowed us to shop shop shop! Glasgow is the definitely the ugly step-sister of Edinburgh (my apologies to any Glaswegians reading this!). It has rather retained the gloom it inherited during the Industrial Revolution. There are highlights...it was in Glasgow that I first discovered Charles Rennie Mackintosh whom I continue to love and it is also the home of the most spectacular modern stained glass windows in a Church I have ever seen. But, on the whole, it isn't my favourite spot. However, the shopping is actually really good! I was just a humble backpacker last time I was there and didn't have money to spend on anything other than food and lodgings (and beer)...but I did my best to support the local economy this time!I was sorry to say good-bye to S&P but I am really grateful that they introduced me to N...whom I am sure will be a great companion on future trips!
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