Europe Trip 2010

Emma took us to Gibraltar, a UK territory on a rock on the Southern tip of Spain. She spent much of her childhood there and showed us around. My favorite part? The apes! They were kinda pests in a way though: think seagulls. Darren found this out first hand. He was just about to open a popsicle when a monkey jumped on him, grabbed his ice cream and ran up a tree. I wanted to get my picture with one so bad, but I was too scared to get close to them.

Slow on posting. I had trouble finding a European converter for my English converter for my American electric plugs. That means my camera, computer and iPod all died. Now, fanagled my way into a wifi cafe, drinking a Cruzcampo cerveza. I see the ocean and dozens of tropical plants. I hear Spanish conversations drifting in and out. Somehow I have unlocked many key phrases stored up in my brain. When you are out of your element, you kind of have to stretch your mind out of necessity.

When we first arrived at our lush apartment, Briana and Emma (a new Brit friend and bridesmaid at Clare’s wedding) and I had the most difficult time getting in. I ran down a corridor and found a man doing dishes. I asked if he spoke English. “A little,” he said. I started saying things like “Puerta. Uh…Cerrado? Uh… WE NEED HELP.” The good samaritan came over and helped us open our door. Nice man. Nice people in general here in the beach town of Tarifa. I can see Africa right now. It’s just right across the turquoise waters. We joked about having a swim over there.

I decided I’m staying here in Tarifa and not coming back to California. (You don’t believe me?!) Friendly dogs run loose on the streets and come and go as they please into cafes. Pretty much everyone has some sort of tattoo, piercing or hippie style (i.e. jeans in the style of jeanie pants). Flip flops a must, makeup a bust (it melts off!). This is my third day here and I feel like I finally have things to say about it.  I was taken aback at first. So much beauty and passion and love, compassion and art.

I got a fatty sunburn already, but it didn’t stop me from having a great time at Clare and Powelly’s wedding yesterday. It was so beautiful and changed my perspective to a more positive outlook about weddings. They looked so happy. We had a lovely dinner – octopus, all sorts of cheeses and wines. We danced to Tupac’s “California Love” played by the DJ. We ended our night with a group skinny dipping session in the sea.

I have so much more to say! It’s been the experience of a lifetime – this trip. Briana and I decided we are going to work on a zine when we get back to the states and print out copies for all our friends and family. We have been saving scraps, receipts, stickers, photos. I’ve been taking lots of notes in my travel journal. I hope it will be an honest representation of this trip.

Not only have I seen amazing things, I have felt amazing things. I have learned so much about myself in such a short period of time. I have to keep traveling. It is helping me grow and make the most out of life.

“Travel is not a means to an end. Home.” -IKEA ad

No, I didn’t have sex in the city. But, I DID see one of the popular TV show’s stars!! Kim Cattrall was in London last night.

I only saw a glimpse of her for a split second, but I’m still excited about it. It all started after Briana and I had just traveled from Hull to London and unpacked at the Picadilly Backpacker’s Hostel. We had a nice pizza dinner at Soho Pizzeria then wandered around town.

We kept seeing signs for the Sex and the City 2 movie. It’s coming out in theatres on Friday. I’m as excited to see it as the next 20-something-woman, but I didn’t get why it seemed to be such a big deal in London. Next to a large, golden and glitzy theatre, I found my answer.

Tonight was the film’s London premiere! Security guards held up gates to contain crowds. Most of the actors had already passed through the theatre to travel on to their afterparty. There was one actor left though – Kim. We saw her short blonde curly bob and she threw out a wave to her fans. We were so pumped and tried to find a midnight showing of the film. No dice. We ended up drooling over Prince William shot glasses at some souveneir shop instead.

We just checked out of the hostel and waiting for our flight at Heathrow. We’re geeking out on my laptop at Soho Park. It’s buzzing with people and has lots of cute benches to hang out. It kind of reminds me of New York, London. The culture here is really similar to the American one in so many ways.

Examples of globalization: The Flaming Lips. Whole Foods. Starbucks. (All three are known everywhere)

In England, their mainstream culture often praises that of America. There are t-shirts that say “I heart Miami (or LA, NY, whatever).” You can’t go in nearly any shop without hearing Rihanna.We even found a Whole Foods supermarket today with an American manager. I laughed my ass off when the Haworth Arms pub of Hull played the soundtrack from Glee. I knew Holly would appreciate it as much as I did.

It’s the shirts that are so British that attract me (the grass is always greener, I guess). The best I saw? “Sex. Drugs. Sausage Rolls.” I didn’t ev

en care that it was a man wearing the shirt, I WANTED it. I actually had tried a sausage roll (think pigs in a blanket but more epic) for breakfast earlier that day. Cross your fingers that I may find this masterpiece in the flurry of the city.

Another difference? No one tips here. I feel weird about that and tip anyway. Cab drivers are the only ones that seem offended by it. As if I’m some pompous rich American? Yeah, right. Briana and I are looking forward to Spain, where we will be in more of a small hippy town. It kind of gets old being in the hustle and bustle. Can’t wait to lay on the beach and get some sun!

I’m a brunette, now!

It’s subtle. I still got my blonde hair to go with my blonde personality. I’m just stoked I finally got my first “European” hairdo. Judy threw out the suggestion six years ago, when I came to Europe the first time. I chickened out then, but now I’m a big girl. Yay! Briana (who got her own shorter, sleek do) supported me today in taking the plunge of a new darker color and the ladies at the Blush Salon were fabulous. They took such great care of us. Complimentary wine, free consultation (more like fussing with love) and head massages!

Hull, England has been a girlfriends paradise.

Briana and I have done all our favorite things: sleeping in, drinking buxfizz (mimosas, of course), shopping, pampering and BLOGGING! Haha. For me, blogging has become the equivalent of nicotine gum to a smoker. I fear it may be my newest addiction in replacement of Facebook (John Osborn calls it the “website” flu. Briana just said, “You are blogging about comments on my blog? GEEK.”)

I’ve been so giggly with happiness today. I had my few cranky moments walking around the mall, but all of our fashionable finds (including a scandalous dress for Stephanie’s June wedding!) seemed to keep my spirits high. Briana and I had so much fun that we are gearing up for another shopping run tomorrow morning before we take the bus and train back to London for our last night in England. Friday – it’s off to Spain!

We’ve been taking it easy tonight, which has helped my mood, too, because we have been so busy. Clare is super into American Idol so we watched it with her tonight. All the commerical breaks were glorifying America. I busted up laughing and started chanting “U-S-A!” Clare said I MUST do that at her wedding in Spain, so I’m planning on representing big time

Beans, Sausage, Rasher (bacon!), over easy eggs and a white Americano. Yum! I cringed when I first saw the beans, but they were actually quite tasty. If I keep eating like this, I might be going up a pants size.

P.S. I’ve confirmed on this trip that I am NOT a techie dinosaur. In fact, I’m actually a techie geek! I’ve been helping Briana learn how to use her blog. Click here to check out her tales of our trip!

“You have a horrible British accent,” Alfie said.

He kind of ruined my fun.I had been spouting off my impressions of words since this Europe trip began. Marmalade. Futbol. Brillant! I’ve been having fun doing it, but apparently I just sound like a goof. Alfie – the guy Briana and I stayed with last night in London – called me out and I told him that his American accent probably isn’t too good either, but he said that’s why he doesn’t try impersonating us. Ha! Jokes on him, he can’t even snap. (KRFH 4 LIFE! )

Alfie is a recent university grad in Anthropology and was an exchange student in Turkey last year. He took us to the most AWESOME place to have dinner. It was a thrift shop/bar/deli. Seriously. You could shop and drink a beer at the same time if you wanted! We ordered some beers and had some bacon(!) and steak pie with fresh salad. We sat on couches with 70’s-style shag rugs and watched a TV with bunny ears. It was very homey. We watched a futbol tourney – England V. Mexico – with the owner of the place. I feel the World Cup fever brewing here. The owner of the shop was very liberal, untrusting of his government. He talked about being a former squatter and was very passionate.

After, we came back to Alfie’s apartment and talked for awhile (he shared his love of dubstep and his dream to work in a Cuban bar down the street). I’m tired. Alfie didn’t have internet at his house so I’m falling behind on posting.I am having trouble having decent conversations because I keep tuning out. I feel like I don’t have the patience to try and understand people a lot of the time.

Am I being a rude American? It’s just culture overload and I have so much on my mind. What can I say? I’m a day dreamer.

Besides that, this trip has by far by the best trip of my life. It’s been so rewarding and I feel so free. Briana is such a great friend to travel with – so much lovely girl time! We never run out of things to talk about. I feel safe. I feel entertained and welcomed. I have already seen so many different sides of the culture here. I am happy to meet all the friendly people of London.

Clare’s dad, Tren, took us on yet another tour of the city yesterday. He has been a blast. Him and Sarah have been so extremely hospitable to us four American girls visiting London. They have been housing us in their posh flat for three days, they make us breakfast and dinner, take us on tours around the city,

PLUS pay for tube fees and coffee/beer breaks! I can’t wait to figure out a way to show my appreciation. My one idea at this point is sending them oodles of ranch dressing. They don’t have it here in England and they LOVE It. Bizarre.

We walked over to St. Paul’s Cathedral yesterday, too. It’s beautiful. We also took a boat ride on the Thames River. It was refreshing after experiencing a heat wave. Apparently, the temperature broke a five year record (80ish degrees) this week.

Tren and Sarah took the other two American girls, Stacey and Sarah, up North yesterday back to their hometown. We are all meeting up on Friday when we make our way to Spain for Clare’s wedding on Sunday.

We took a trip to Hull today, Clare’s hometown about 3 hours north of London. As soon as we rolled off the bus, I felt at home. It’s overcast and about 50 degrees. It was nice to put on my coat for the first time on this trip and not feel so dehydrated. I just met another of Clare’s friends. They are all so much fun! Tonight we are going to see a couple of their friends bands play. Everything is within walking distance and it’s not so crazy busy like London. I’m liking it already here in Hull.

P.S. KRFH STICKER STRATEGICALLY PLACED IN CLASSY BRITISH RED PHONE BOOTH! CHECK IT!!

We made it through our first night in London – it was wild!

A group of Clare’s girlfriends met up with us Americans and we had a dressed-to-the-nines, ladies night out (brides to be call them “hen nights”) at this place called Los Locas. There were brides-to-be EVERYWHERE. Not sure why? Wedding season? I guess the hen nights are a big deal here. Los Locas was supposed to be a “Mexican” joint, but it was kinda akward. It was more Western-Texas themed and they had lots of BBQ sauce in every dish. They kept playing cheesy 80′s music and everyone in the place was singing. Wham? Bon Jovi? Tiffany? Oh yeah. I loved it. Sarah (one of the other Americans visiting) brought bachelorette playing cards with us and we completed tasks to get points as a game. We didn’t really keep track, but some of the things we did: Sarah had to feel the doorman’s muscles, Briana had to tell about the worst kisser she has ever had and me? I had to ride a chair and pretend like it was a mechanical bull in the restaurant. There’s video out there somewhere. I look like a lunatic.

After, Clare’s friends took us to a nightclub called “Pearl.” It was so much fun – we danced through the night. We met all sorts of characters at the bar (I got asked if I spoke Penguin, for example). I am also now thoroughly convinced that one of Clare’s friends, Gema, is Emma Watson. She looks JUST like Hermione from Harry Potter. It was nuts. She laughed when I told her. We all kept giggling and practicing our British accents and they practiced their American ones. Another Brit, Jenn, told me I need to work on my language. “It’s not a ‘sidewalk,’ Ashley – it’s pavement.” I also still feel silly saying “loo.” I don’t pull it off too well.

Today, Tren and Sarah had breakfast all ready for us laid out. They have been such great

hosts and are fun people to get to know. Tren led us around the Thames River today. We went by Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and St. James Park. We also checked out some art at the Tate Britain and had brew at a pub. There has been a heat wave here and everyone was out on picnics. It was very picturesque.

I love it here. We are having so much fun and it’s been really relaxing. Clare is leaving to go back home to Hull (about three hours north) tonight. Briana and the other Americans and I are going to keep exploring the city tomorrow on our own. Briana and I are staying with this guy named Alfie (so British!) tomorrow night then heading to Hull by bus on Tuesday. I’m looking forward to it because that is where Briana went to University when she was on exchange a few years back.

I miss my peeps back home and have even more stories to share.

P.S. To my guy back home – I’m thinking of you a lot!!

So we made it. Briana and I made the journey across the States across that big, blue, volcano-ash-covered ocean to La-La-London! We almost didn’t make it (and of course beer was involved). Us girls stopped to have a beer at a pub, waiting for our London flight out of SFO. Gabbing away about our favorite gossip (gardens, puppies and boys) we lost track of the time!

We had to hustle – just like that scene in that movie “Home Alone.”  I was laughing my ass off the whole time. I knew we would make it. No worries. This trip was too epic not to work out. After running around to get stamped and go through security AGAIN, we got in.

Whew.

The flight wasn’t too bad. I listed to some Sade (pronounced Shaw-day apparently? I am officially the worst DJ ever. This confirms it, as if my confusion with the Village People, Men at Work and Men Without Hats didn’t confirm that fact already). My flight neighbor was this cool, middle-aged British fellow. We talked about immigration politics and British accents. It was awesome.

Briana’s friend, Clare, is getting married. That’s the whole reason we came to this continent in the first place. She picked us up, along with two other American friends – the Midwest sisters, Sarah and Stacey. We are staying at this awesome flat right in the city that Clare’s parents, Tren and Sarah, own. It’s sunny and HOT. I’m so confused about what time it is. I’m just rolling with it.

Showered, napped, we are about to go out partying in London at some Mexican cafe/nightclub. Mexican in London? Sounds sketchy. We’ll see. Bachelorette party! More updates to come. I’m so excited to be here and see all the culture. There were some kids chanting on the tube about a futbol tourney. It made me smile. I wish I could call everyone I care about, but there is just not enough time. This will have to do for now