Over the past two weeks I have lived a whirlwind lifestyle of a traveler and it has been an absolute blast. Diversions dont even begin to describe the events! I will throw around some boring chronological misadventures because thats really the only way that makes sense.
July 26 I left Vienna and took a flight to London. After two train rides I arrived in Oxford and jumped into the arms of Michelle, who spent her summer months in England (divided between London and Oxford). I stayed in Michelle's dorm (where they clean up for you and change your sheets - UNC could learn some lessons). I spent my days wandering around Oxford and we saw a lot of the "sights" - gardens and old buildings - in the time that I was there. I dont think we stopped talking the first nine hours I was there. As a part of her class on the second night of my stay we took a "magical mystery tour" through some meadows and ended up in two different Pubs - the Perch and the Trout - or something like that, they were both marine themed. Tuesday morning I woke early and hopped on a train down to Southampton, in all I had a blast with Michelle and exploring Oxford.
When I arrived in Southampton I was greated by Di! Although I hadnt seen her in three years, that hardly mattered. We walked around Southampton, lugging my stupid suitcase no-less, and I experienced the oddest sense of deja vu because for the most part I had been there before. It was crazy walking down the same paths that I had almost exactly three summers ago. While most things were the same, there were some definite changes such as a Hollister store in the mall! American companies amaze me. Di and I managed to grab lunch at a shop called "Pret a Manger" - where Michelle and I also grabbed a meal in Oxford. I have grown to love prepared sandwiches. After lunch I hoped on the train to Romsey where I was picked up by Rob (another friend I hadnt seen in 3 years). If I thought that being in Southampton was weird, it was even more weird driving from the Romsey station out to Rob's house in West Tytherly. It was the same and yet so different. Isn't it odd that while places dont change, the way we change is reflected in the location in which we find ourselves? Profound, I know. Anyways - I had an absolute blast at the Greene's home. I was welcomed, cared for, well-fed, and more. I spent a wonderful four days with my second family and the only consolation with leaving was that I hope to return in the fall!
Friday I left the country and took a train to Bath. I guess I wanted to relive my previous summer in England? I spent the next few days with my friend Sarah and we had a blast laughing our way through the rainy streets of Bath. I clearly had not packed for an english-summer, it was cold and rainy for most of my stay on the little Island. Sarah and I checked into our hostel (lovely and clean, though up a big hill) and wandered back into the city through a lovely meadow. We went to the Roman baths, window-shopped (As everything closed early) and found our way to dinner at a delicious sea-food restaurant (though we ate way too early because everything else was closed). After wandering in the rain we found our way to a small french cafe and ate lots of deserts! Saturday took us to "the Cotswolds" (though Bath is part of the region). We ended up in Cirencester which was too much of a town for our taste. We did manage to have a few laughs TRYING desperately to get some lunch. Eventually we ended up having tea. As a result of our dismay we took a taxi to Bibury (buses had stopped running). The Trout Farm was closed, so I was upset, but we spent some good times with nature and looking at the pretty village buildings. On accident, we stumbled upon an open-air opera outside of a lovely hotel. We thought we were spying on a wedding and in a way we were since the opera we watched was "the Marriage of Figaro." What a funny coincidence! Despite freezing, Sarah and I had a great time at the Opera and even managed to get some free champagne and "food" (olives, almonds and cheese sticks).
Sunday (August 2) brought me back to London. After breakfast, a bus ride, a train ride and two underground trains I ended up under the clock at Liverpool Street Station waiting for Hogan. Dutiful spouse that I am, I waited for two hours and he appeared! Luggage and all. Luckily there was a Starbucks posititioned right under the clock - perfect? I think so. After talking non-stop to Hogan for a few hours, we got him settled in at his friend's apartment for the night and we went on an adventure to find Susie at King's Cross station. The three of us went to dinner and once Hogan left Susie introduced me to some of her friends. We spent Monday wandering around London - Susie showed me the King's campus and we possibly found my "hall" for the fall. We played Lego Star wars for almost an hour in the Apple store at Oxford Circus, ate Bens cookies at Covent garden (which I have eaten before Miche), explored Libertys among other things. After dinner Susie and went to see Billy Elliot: The Musical! It was just what I needed and I left the theater in that weird "musical" high. It was a blast. We spent Tuesday morning watching My Fair Lady and, like Eliza, I practiced my "proper accent." Tuesday I made my way over to Gatwick airport, because Victoria underground station was closed for an emergency I had to take a taxi to get to the train in time. Luckily, I had the nicest cab driver of all time and he was more than understanding. My favorite part of the ride was jamming out to "As long as you love me" yes, by the Backstreet Boys, driving by Buckingham palace! At least I got a nice tour of the city! I just managed to get on the 1:30 Gatwick Express, made it to the airport by 2 pm, and just barely made it through security at 3:10 pm, when my flight was boarding. So, starving, I made my way to the gate. In hindsight, I could have stopped to get some food but I was too worried that I would miss my flight!
I arrived in Athens Tuesday night around 9 pm. The past five days have been a mix of reading, finishing citizenship papers, eating delicious food and laughing (with some shopping thrown in there for good measure). We were able to spend some time in the new Acropolis Museum, which was truly a gift because the museum is BEAUTIFUL and really well done. We also took a day trip to Delphi, where I havent been since I was one, and that was a blast. On the return trip to Athens something broke in the car we were in so we spent two hours with the grit of the road rolling through our hair. I had a rat's nest on top of my head afterwards! One evening we went to an open-air movie theater and saw the Hangover, which was very funny but which I will probably never watch again. I have found a new coffee drink called cappucino freddo skethos, which is delicious and basically like a melange on ice. Wearing summer clothes has been a treat since the week of fall weather in England. Today (August 9) we are headed to the beach for a little over a week. I'm looking forward to being at the sea!
Seeing Susie, Di, Rob and Rob's family could have been weird since it had been three years apart, but it felt like not a moment's time had passed since 2006. What a great program that unifies people in just six weeks together! We were able to reminisce on the "good times," enjoy the present and arrange more visits for the future (my presence in England for the next four months has something to do with that I imagine)! My trip in England was wonderful and gave me a good taste of things to come - rain, tea, scones and theater. I am more excited than ever to return in September. Greece has been a great vacation but at this point I am looking forward to returning home for a while and getting off the proverbial road. I still have a lot of processesing to do about the past seven weeks, so my brain will be cranking on that front when my nose isnt burried in a new book! So far I have been able to read Sophie's World, The Alchemist, and the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. All of which were absolutely wonderful books that I recommend to everyone.
So now that this epic report is over, I hope you are all well and safe. I have been reminded once again this week that life is precious and I feel so blessed to know all of you and I look forward to seeing you as soon as possible.
In love,
Lauren
(In other news if anyone has two standing tickets to see Coldplay in London September 19 holler at a girl - Im looking to buy)
