Two and a half years into marriage, and Ralph and I are finally finding ourselves sandwiched in the process of adjusting. Our recent Euro Trip, in-laws in tow, proved how this adjustment process can be (sigh)...difficult. It was really a test of our teamwork, of how well we work together which...we unfortunately survived with a "D." Free-willed Ralph set his reigns loose while I, in hopes of dodging the inevitable marital squabbles involved in the planning process, acted like a "mannelly" - Ralph's invented term of endearment when I put on the crabby, bratty and melancholic mood(S).
Soooo get this. 6 countries, 9 cities in 3 weeks by trains with night stays at hostels...serious backpacking was the plan. Ralph booked, inquired and researched every country, every city and there I sat, ho-humming nonchalantly in the background, trying to hold my tongue over some of the decisions he'd made. I let it fly...thinking that it was for the best. But I was wrong and here's what I got from taking the easier route.
First stop - LONDON
Via Plane from Treviso Airport to Stansted Airport
Total Travel Hrs.: 6 (including travel from home to airport and waiting time)
Ah, yes indeed! Been in just twice but fell in love with the city! 10 Stars if I have to rate it...but, its also the first city we're staying at a dun...dun...dun...dun....HOSTEL (insert shriek). Okay, they're not that bad. Actually its very affordable for those just looking for a night to stay, but to assume it as a place to get some R&R, think again. Rooms usually accommodate 4-12 beds, typically as bunks, rented out to different people. So privacy, cleanliness and safety can be an issue especially to those uncomfortable with communal living.
So what happened the first night? Everything went well until our door clicked at 3 in the morning. One of the girls we were rooming with, chose to get drunk and there...sadly, the shhh-ing and hushing of her friends only added to the already garish scene. So much for that coveted sleep and yes...Welcome to the world of hostels!
Soooo get this. 6 countries, 9 cities in 3 weeks by trains with night stays at hostels...serious backpacking was the plan. Ralph booked, inquired and researched every country, every city and there I sat, ho-humming nonchalantly in the background, trying to hold my tongue over some of the decisions he'd made. I let it fly...thinking that it was for the best. But I was wrong and here's what I got from taking the easier route.
First stop - LONDON
Via Plane from Treviso Airport to Stansted Airport
Total Travel Hrs.: 6 (including travel from home to airport and waiting time)
Ah, yes indeed! Been in just twice but fell in love with the city! 10 Stars if I have to rate it...but, its also the first city we're staying at a dun...dun...dun...dun....HOSTEL (insert shriek). Okay, they're not that bad. Actually its very affordable for those just looking for a night to stay, but to assume it as a place to get some R&R, think again. Rooms usually accommodate 4-12 beds, typically as bunks, rented out to different people. So privacy, cleanliness and safety can be an issue especially to those uncomfortable with communal living.
So what happened the first night? Everything went well until our door clicked at 3 in the morning. One of the girls we were rooming with, chose to get drunk and there...sadly, the shhh-ing and hushing of her friends only added to the already garish scene. So much for that coveted sleep and yes...Welcome to the world of hostels!
Ms Manelly - not a happy camper!
Still, judging a place for its hostels is just plain ridiculous and shallow, because London = awesome. Am I being totally biased? I think so. But could I just say this? I love London because its a fusion of theatre, arts, books, fashion, and diversity! And talk about reading...almost every single train ride we're in, its almost too rare to not find someone's nose buried in a newspaper or a book. And I can dress to kill without being judged or feeling overdressed. Love! Love! Love It!
We visited some of the most popular landmarks in London i.e. Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Thames River, Tower Bridge, and this time, the Tower of London and the British Museum. The Tower of London, which houses the royal family's, high-priced Crown Jewels is definitely a "MUST." What I love about it is actually not the crown jewels themselves (although still worth looking at) but the re-enactment of medieval history throughout the Tower. Not only was it entertaining but it gives life to the "once was" of the Tower of London. We've watched the story of Margaret of Anjou, portrayed as the conniving, unsympathetic Queen fighting against the House of York. It was worth watching the 20-minute play, that when the Queen's maid ended with somewhere between this line, But, that story is reserved for next time, the crowd can't help but give a short, collective sigh.
We visited some of the most popular landmarks in London i.e. Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Thames River, Tower Bridge, and this time, the Tower of London and the British Museum. The Tower of London, which houses the royal family's, high-priced Crown Jewels is definitely a "MUST." What I love about it is actually not the crown jewels themselves (although still worth looking at) but the re-enactment of medieval history throughout the Tower. Not only was it entertaining but it gives life to the "once was" of the Tower of London. We've watched the story of Margaret of Anjou, portrayed as the conniving, unsympathetic Queen fighting against the House of York. It was worth watching the 20-minute play, that when the Queen's maid ended with somewhere between this line, But, that story is reserved for next time, the crowd can't help but give a short, collective sigh.
The British Museum, on the other hand, accommodates one of the largest collections I've seen so far. Besides the famous Rosetta Stone, which is why we came the first place, seeing the Americas, Polynesian and Asian treasures came as a surprise like the manga display and the Rapa Nui statue. Then again, it would not come as a surprise if I actually did the research and browsed through their website. Perhaps, ignorance is sometimes a bliss???
Oh, saw and screamed for Zac Efron during his St. Cloud London Premiere...if that counts for anything.
Next stop...Paris!
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