Ramblings of a Restless, Wandering Girl

Loving the UK

I am in love...with England. Especially London. It was brilliant. I now have, finally, some quiet time away from the business of that city, and a computer I can write on for a while. I am currently in Newcastle, visiting by good friend Eleanor, who is at a baby Christening right now. I did so much this past week! Here it goes:

I arrived on Monday, after a pretty pleasant plane ride and a nice next door neighbour for the journey (always a bonus when traveling alone). I was definitely intimidated by the Underground system, but after meeting helpful people I made my way to the hostel. It was a busy four days in London, and I managed to do a ton. The first day I saw Tower Bridge, Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral (awesome), Tate Modern (I discovered I am definitely more of a classic art appreciator versus abstract/modern), and caught a show at Shakespeare Globe Theatre. I prayed really hard that God would provide someone to tour around with, and he did, a cool Aussie girl who I got completely lost from at the Tate. Wednesday started out rough, figuring out train/coach tickets up north was disappointing (I returned an hour after a train ticket quote to find out that cheap tickets were sold out). I got lost trying to find Temple Church and my feet killed. After being grumpy, I finally had an "I heart London," warm fuzzy moment when I went to the National Gallery and Trafalgar Square after lunch. After wandering around SOHO to Piccadilly Circus, I had a rest at the hostel and went out for the night with an American girl who was staying at the same place. Went Brazilian dancing, hehe, then to another place because we had free tickets. That was "interesting" and "eventful." But anyways...

Okay, so, Thursday then. This was a pretty cool day, starting out with the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (a spectacle to say the least). Oh my goodness, the band actually busted out in an ABBA tribute. Picture these proper guards marching to the tune of Dancing Queen. I had to pinch myself. After this was one of the highlights of my time so far: a tour of Westminster Abbey and an incredibly informative walk through of the Parliament. I ate fish and chips to finish off the day, and spent the evening chilling at the hostel, recovering from aching feet. The Friday coach ride up to Newcastle was frustrating. 7 hours turned into nine and a half. The only break came 6 and a half hours into the trip! I witnessed a great spectacle of nose-picking from the dude a seat up, and the bus smelt like a hospital cafeteria. I think that I would rather have been back on a bus in Asia, actually. Enough complaining (complaining puts you in the wilderness).

Newcastle is pretty and full of students. Staying with Eleanor and her housemates has been fantastic, firstly for the company, but with the bonus of proper dinners (not sandwiches at erratic times of day), a clean shower, and doing my laundry! Last night we saw the African Children's Choir perform (it was all I could do not to try and kidnap one of them, they were adorable) and today (Sunday) started out with Church service and barbecue (her Church is fantastic). I was really challenged by the message today and feel like I need a few days to process anything before sharing those thoughts. This post is already insanely long as it is, anyways.

One more thing though. Its pretty cliche, but honestly, I feel like this journey is not just one I am taking physically, but spiritually and emotionally. I am praying that, as I experience life in other parts of the world, God inspires me, and fires me up again. I am glad I am here. I am feeling more alive than I have been in the past little while, despite a couple foolish choices I have made here already. I am also glad to be alone for the travel part of it, as it forces more communication with God, as well as with strangers. I plan to post again in a few days about Edinburgh. Till then, cheers.

posted by SarHa @ 7:06 AM