My Way to Greatness

Yes, I promised to post yesterday. Don't take my word for it in the future. I've been fighting with iTunes and been out late. As I recall I promised to talk about my sightseeing in London. Since I've been there before I got to see all the big tourist magnets, already. However, since London is such a huge city, you never run out o things to see! I've not had a chance to visit the big museums so they go on my list. First there's the British Museum with the Stone of Rosette, the lionhunt reliefs, egyptian mummies and other cool stuff! I've planned a half day for that one. Let's see if I manage. Before that I want to go see Westminster Abbey again, since last time I was too late to go inside. Also, I finally want to hear Bog Ben ring. That one was down for restoration last time. Also on my list for Saturday is another visit to the Sherlock Holmes Museum. I've been there before, but it's just so lovely and I want to buy another few prints from the gift shop. They're really gorgeous and I want them all!

As soon as all the museums are closed (which is much too early for my liking) I'll go shopping for books. There's this lovely bookstore which sells cookbooks only and, what's even better, delivers internationally! I'll use my mum's credit card! Next is another bookstore just across the street selling travelling books. I've yet to find a proper travel guide for Devon!
Next on my list is Fortnum & Mason, where I bought the most lovely tea last year! I've been to Harrods, too, but that department store is simply frightening! No matter what you're wearing, you'll feel out of place! I felt so uncomfortable I wanted to run screaming! Fortnums is no less frightening, but somehow it's not as pompous a show as Harrods is. I felt so silly buying tea and handling the coins clumsily! The cashier stared at me like I didn't belong there at all and that's how I felt. The tea was woth it, however (did I mention I didn't get past the foo section?).

For my evening entertainment I chose Pickadilly Circus again. Also been there last year, but was sorely disappointed. It's a boring crossroad with lots and lots of neon signs completely outshining the small Eros statue. However, right off Pickadilly is Chinatown which I want to explore a little.

Afterwards I'll go home. You all know I'm not much for nightlife, especially not in a foreign city.

Sunday is reserved for the Tates entirely. Originally I'd planned to visit the Tower of London again, which is just an amazing sight to see. I've not gotten to see all exhibitions there. Unfortunately the Tates take ages to go through, even if you pick the pictures and rooms you want to see beforehand (which you can do online). I'll stay half a day at each and travel from one to the other with the "From Tate to Tate" service, which is a boat tour down the Thames (oooh, last time I got motion sick; hope it'll be better this time). I'll eat somewhere along the way. What, if at all, I'll do for evening entertainment I'm not sure, yet. I'd love to walk through the lovely Hyde Park again. The Flower Walk is lovely in summer. I hope my feet will not be too sore!

Anyway, on Monday my journey continues to Salcombe. Technically I've still got half a day till the train leaves from Paddington, so I'll see if I'll just sleep long or go shopping or something else.

Soon I'll have to go to work (yay, only two times left befor the big journey!) and face lots of stress and people! Tomorrow (maybe) I'll tell you about what else I was able to tick off on my list.

Love, Winnie

Dear friends and folks,

Welcome to my brandnew journal, a blog dedicated to my journey to England (not exclusively, though).
First off, if you have your own journal here, why don't you friend me? I'm utterly friendless as of yet.
Next I want to comment on my choice of language (of course!)! As you may have noticed (if not, you're really good!) I'm not writing in my native language, but let me say: This is the whole f***ing (yes, I like to swear, so please, if you're underage, stop reading NOW!) point of the experience. Now, don't complain (Chris)! I know you're all perfectly able to understand me and since I'm no monster I'll allow you to comment (and yes, you WILL comment!) in whatever language of your choice. Of course, you can ask me about any vocabulary or grammar problems you might have. You can also write individual emails to me and I will answer them if you wish.
Now you might ask yourself: What's this stupid blog for?
Two reasons: I am lazy and don't want to repeat things a hundred times to people who're not interested at all in the stuff I'm writing. So I decided to write my crap once and be done with it. Everybody who wants an individual account of things will get it, so don't be put out. I'm not sure about how much free time I can (and want to) spend writing emails, so an answer might take a couple of days.
The other reason? I'm also very forgetful! Since I'm undertaking this journey for my studies, I also have a taks, which is to write a paper on what I encountered on my journey in the context of intercultural awareness. Being able to brag about the things I encountered on my way helps to create a unique journal I won't forget too quickly. Also, your comments could be helpful to my task (no, you don't get any of the credits in the end, they're all mine!)

A word about my writing: I'm not perfect, I'm sloppy and I'm lazy (as we already established). So please don't mind the many mistakes and typos I'm making.

Got everything so far? Fine! Then let's continue with the main topic for today's post which is Preparations!

What have I done so far? A lot! I'll not go into detail about how I found the place I'm going to stay in,m since I've already told all of you about that. So let's start with me buying plane tickets!

At the travelling agency I was able to get a reasonably priced flight (with return) to London, but unfortunately no further. Which meant I had to take care of the rest of the journey from London to S., which is about, um, many kilometers. Train tickets were easily bought over the web, only I couldn't have them sent, but will have to collect them from a ticket machine at the station. Which does only work with the card I paid them with. So I am now the proud owner (well, okay, permitted user, my mum still owns it) of a credit card! Isn't that every girl's dream, spending days in a lovely city, lonely except for her credit card? I'm going shoppiiing! Cookbooks is what I'm after and I've found just the right store selling nothing but cookbooks! I'm in heaven!

That was the most important part taken care of! Still, there was (and is) lots to do! I had to make appointments for physiologists and stuff to get checked through. As good as the British medical system is, I don't want to have to use it. Last week I was at the dentist's. I've been a good girl this past six months and had no hole. Next week some more appointments follow, plus a visit to my hairdressers, which I haven't seen in over two months! My hair is way too long and right now looking like a sheep!

I got medication, a new backpack for my laptop, a new money bag and loads of other stuff I'll need (like a plug for the completely different sockets), which means another few ticks on my to-do list. It's growing shorter! In contrast to my baggage-list. That's growing exponentially to the length of my to-do list. Which is bad, because I only have 20kg of free baggage. Every extra kilo costs 10€, which is f***ing expensive! I already planned on packing my hand luggage with the heavier items like all electric stuff, books and so on.

Very well. I think that's it for now. Tomorrow I'll tell you about what I've planned for my two days in London!

All my love! Winnie