Let it snow...

Day 30: The original plan was to go to Musee D'Orsay but I woke up to see a bright blue sky, and knew that I needed to take advantage of it. So without even having breakfast, I rushed straight over to the Eiffel Tower and was surprised to see that the line wasn't that long. Odd. It was ridiculously long the other few days that I had walked past, and those days were miserable. Guess I was in luck. After waiting in line for 20 minutes, I was on my way up!! However, apparently they don't have a lift which takes you all the way to the top, which is really disappointing. Had to get out on the second floor to wait in line for another 20 minutes for another lift. But then it was only up from there!! And when I got out of the lift at the top, the wait was definitely worth it. The view is gorgeous from up there. I never knew Paris was such a white city. Everything looks white from way up there. They were also selling ridiculously overpriced champagne up there (20 euros for a flute). I guess they were trying to take advantage of the lovers up there who were desperate to toast their love for each other. Anyways, I did laps around the top of the tower taking photos from almost every spot to capture the entire scope of awesomeness that is the top of the Eiffel Tower. It seriously is breath-taking, and it is one of the highlights of my trip so far.

Eye-opening day...

Day 27: So I didn't end up going outdoors that day. It was raining, and it was a perfect day to spend indoors just watching TV, eating and sleeping. Really. I did nothing that I couldn't have done back in Sydney. I started watching Amelie so I would have an idea of what to expect when I visit Montemarte, but I fell asleep halfway through (not because it was boring, but rather cos I was lying on my bed). Also watched Friends in French. Because of my extensive knowledge of the all the episodes, I was able to dub the French version back into its original English version in my head, so technically I was able to understand the French version lol.

So much food everywhere...

Day 25: Did the New Europe Paris tour. I realise that I don't actually remember where I go on these tours. I just like to hear the history and the stories behind them, but I don't remember where I walk so I usually don't know how to get back. Tour ended at the beginning of the Champ Elysees, which used to be the most expensive shopping street in the world. It's still quite overpriced, and it's still home to all those high-name brands. Even Maccas is more expensive on the Champ Elysees - a meal was 60c more expensive!! Walked down the Champ Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. Did you know that you are not insured if you have a car accident on the roundabout around the Arc? It has 12 roads leading into it, and has 10 "lanes", but there are no line markings in the roundabout. An accident occurs every half an hour apparently, but I assume a lot would be minor accidents.

I'd rather walk than wait...

Today was Day 24 (well technically yesterday since it's now 2am). I left the house quite late today, since there was a big commotion about Honours grades being released/emailed so I stayed for that, and chatted to all my psych friends who were online. Plus my clothes were still in the dryer so I needed to stay until that was done too. Didn't end up leaving the house until 1pm, which by then, the free tours had already begun so there was no point heading over there. Instead, since my cousin's place is very near the Louvre, I thought I'd go and check that out. Didn't go in though since the line was so long, plus I decided I should wait to get a museum pass so I can have entry into several museums for a cheaper price. Did the usual tourist thing and took some photos of those awesome glass pyramids.

Wicked way to leave London...

Day 22: Went to line up for Wicked tickets at the Apollo Theatre. Got there at 8:30am and was surprised to see two people sleeping at the front of the box office. I was thinking that they must have been real big fans to be sleeping there, until I saw the security guard shoo them away. Then I realised that they were hoboes. But I didn't need to be there so early. I could have shown up at 10am and still have gotten front row tickets. But anyways, after walking around the block  few times, I noticed a few people show up around quarter to, so I decided to stay put. Luckily the guard had told me which door was for the box office so I sat there whilst the other losers were waiting at the wrong door. As the doors opened, I was first in, and managed to get the best ticket. Front row, dead centre. All for the low low price of £27.50!!

Tower, Windsor, Stonehenge, Bath...packing so much in...

Day 20: Finally went to see the Tower of London, and it was amazing!! I'm really cut that I didn't get there earlier because I was only able to be there for three hours before they closed for the day (at only 4:30pm). But I love the Tower!! The history behind it is so interesting, and the stories behind all the beheadings that took place in there, as well as the torturing in the dungeons really had me enthralled in the place. Had to speed through the second half since it was 4pm and there was only half an hour left for me to explore so much more. This is what you get for sleeping in (but London weather really does make you just want to stay indoors all day).

Flexibility is key...

Day 18: So I guess I did kind of get out of the mindset of saving all my money temporarily when I went shopping at Primark Oxford Street. It was ridiculously cheap in there. No wonder everyone shops there!! I bought a shirt, a cardigan, a sweater, a pair of cargo pants, 5 pairs of socks, 2 ties, a pair of shoes, a beanie and a backpack for only £32.50. Yes, $50AUD or so. Nevertheless, the Asian in me then took over and decided that even though all this was cheap compared to in Oz, because it was more than £8, it wasn't cheap enough for me to buy. Everything I bought there was £8 or less. There was a really nice jacket for £30 which I was planning to get, but the more I looked at it, the more flaws I found, so I guess maybe it's a good thing I didn't get it. Also some nice vests there, and everyone knows I love vests. But once again, relatively expensive (£12) and I didn't really wanna carry it around with me. All in all, was a good day shopping. So crowded though. I did have a look at their suitcases just in case I wanted to buy one so I would have room for all my extra stuff and the suitcases are only £25. Hmmmmm maybe. It was a rainy day so that really was all I did that day. Shouldn't have wasted it, but the gloomy weather over here really just makes you want to stay indoors and just watch a movie or something.

Must stop being Asian...

Day 15: Final full day in Edinburgh. Went to see the Rosslyn Chapel. It was smaller than I expected, but still really impressive in terms of its architecture and all the carvings inside. In particular, there were carvings of corn, which suggests that the British may have arrived in America before it was actually discovered by Columbus. The chapel itself was undergoing restoration (which has been going on for years and will continue to go on for years) so there was scaffolding everywhere. Not the pretty picture I was hoping for, so I bought a postcard instead lol. The area that the chapel is in is a really quiet little town, so I had to wait 50 minutes for the next bus to take me back to central Edinburgh. In the meantime, I hiked down a little trail which led me to Rosslyn Castle. Didn't go in though since I needed to get back in time for the bus (or risk waiting another hour for the next one after that).

Freezing cold...

It's been a few days since I last posted. Here's a quick summary of each day.

Day 12 - Went to a vintage market in London, and found an awesome Ben Sherman jacket for only £12!! I'm currently wearing it, and I'm so glad I have it cos it's so bloody cold. Then pretty much just bummed until I had to catch my overnight coach at 11:15pm. Heard an interesting conversation whilst I was in the bathroom at Maccas.

Guy1: Dude. Look at my piss. It's green. I've been taking special vitamins.
Guy2: Dude, I don't wanna look at your piss.
Guy1: Come on!! It's green!!
Guy2: Holy shit!! It's actually green. Like fluorescent green.
Guy1: Told you.

Guy Fawkes. Awesome dude...

Day 11: Didn't get to explore the British Museum and Tate Modern as planned today. Went on the New Europe London Tour, which pretty much went to every place that I went to myself yesterday. But the cool stories at each spot definitely made the attractions more interesting. Did you know that Big Ben is actually the name of the bell inside the tower, and not the clock itself? And that it's actually sloping and they're doing restoration work on the building joined to it because it's tearing apart? The only new thing today was Buckingham Palace, where I happened to catch some of the changing of the guards ceremony. However, I only saw a bit since the tour had to move on, and my camera battery died so I couldn't get any cool photos. Besides, the massive crowds there meant I couldn't really see much anyway. Who knew that there were so many tourists in London on any given day? Apparently the Queen wasn't in today so the guards could play some more informal songs. They played the James Bond theme!! But when the Queen's there, they play the formal songs lol.

In the land of Monopoly...

Day 10: As usual, I did some exploring of the city. Was planning on catching a bus down to London Tower and walking back but I couldn't find the bus stop that Van had told me to take, so I just kept walking. In the end, I found myself at Leicester Sqaure so I knew I had gone too far. Had a look at the half-price tickets available, and sadly Wicked wasn't on the board today. Guess I'll have to come back another day. From there, I continued down the street until I hit Trafalgar Square. Spent some time inside the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery admiring the artworks, before heading back out and admiring the beauty of Trafalgar Sqaure. Nelson's Column is impressive, as are the two large fountains beside it. In the distance, I saw turrets and the British flag flying so I knew that's where I needed to head.

London baby...

Day 9: I'm now in London, staying at Van and Alan's place. The trip over was OK. Once again, there was a discrepancy with the number of people checked in and the number of people actually on board which caused a bit of a delay. They sold tickets during the flight for bus and train journeys once we left the airport. I asked for a bus one, and didn't check. Turns out he sold me a train one and by the time I realised, it was too late. With the bus ticket, it would have taken me straight to Marble Arch which is where I needed to go, but the train one only took me St Pancras International train station. However, I thought it would be OK since I had also bought an Oyster Card (prepaid travel card which you swipe every time you get on a train, bus or tram). I could just train it to St Pancras, and then use the card to take the Tube to Marble Arch.

Adios Madrid...

Day 9: So I thought I was going to post once I got to London, but I have a bit of time now before I have to leave for the airport. I actually have 4 hours since I had to check out by 10am, and now I'm just sitting here blogging. There's a guy in my dorm who never seems to leave the room, besides to have a cigarette now and then. Every single time I enter the room, he's there on his laptop. I'm not sure whether he's a traveller or not. He's Japanese though. But he has an annoying alarm which goes off every morning and just leaves it to ring until it stops. And then it goes off again 5 minutes later. And he's still asleep. Glad to finally not have to share a room with him anymore. Plus the room really stinks.

Tapas, here I come...

It's now 3pm on Day 8, and I'm waiting to head out on my tapas tour. I haven't really had much Spanish cuisine since I've been here. Had some paella the first night I got here, but that was included in a buffet (for only 10 euros!!). So I guess today will be my first true experience of a Spanish meal.

I got an offer for dentistry today. It's a weird feeling. I kinda made my peace with not getting in, and now that I've received an offer, there isn't really feeling associated with it. Just neutral feelings. I guess it was always meant to be a back-up option. Now if I get an offer for Masters in Org Psych, then I'll be overjoyed. Judging by the date that they said they would annouce offers, I should be in either Slovenia or Italy. But as for dentistry, I'm supposed to accept within 10 days via email. Still working that out because it's a bit weird and everything is so confusing right now.

Halloween and churros...

Days 6 and 7: Last night was Halloween. I never realised how big it was in Madrid. Actually I never realised that Halloween existed outside of the USA. It definitely doesn't exist in Australia, and I tend to not open the doors to greedy kids who don't take the effort to dress up and are just there to get lollies for nothing. Good riddance to you. But here, I'm not sure if they trick-or-treat or not, but they all wander the streets as they normally do, just dressed up. Even the adults were dressed up. There's a very strong police presence in Madrid (or in Puerto de Sol which is the absolute centre of Spain and is where I'm staying). Lot of fake goods being sold on the streets, and every time a cop car approaches, they pull on a string and everything is scooped up conveniently into a bag and they're off running. Quite amusing really. But walking these streets are OK at night. I feel really safe, mainly cos there were just so many people around.

Out of Marseille and into Madrid...

Thought I'd mention this here since it doesn't really relate to anything. At the French railway stations, before they make a PA announcement, they always start off with three tones. Now to me, those three tones sound exactly like the three tones that start Soulja Boy's "Crank Dat (Superman That Hoe)". As a result, every single time there's an announcement at the train station, I'm so tempted to yell out "NOW WATCH ME YOUUUU" and do the corresponding "interpretive dance". Fortunately, I have been able to resist humiliating myself in public, but in my head, I'm doing it.