The Strap-hanger

(Source: thestraphanger)

Today is my last full day in London for a while, as the rest of my trip in Europe will be spent in Brighton or traveling to and from the airport.  (with a wonderful brief intermission spent at my darling friend Doriane’s birthday lunch.)

Right now I am cooking myself some tasty eggs, to prepare for a lovely day of adventure.  First off, I’ll visit The Tate Modern, a wonderful Modern Art museum. I’m most excited to see the new exhibit in Turbine Hall, the large space that rotates artists on the ground floor of the museum.  Each exhibit remains at the Tate for almost a year, and I am proud to say this will be the third exhibit in this space I have visited.  The first was Doris Salcedo’s Shibboleth, and second was Th. 2058 by Dominique Gonzalez - Foerster.  

After the Tate, I’ll bus it over to Marble Arch at the end of Oxford Street to visit the wonderfully cheap and always overcrowded Primark store, in an effort to score some cheap accessories and maybe a pair of jeans.

Next I’ll visit King Cross/ St. Pancreas Station, where today they are attempting to win the Guinness World Record for longest hug! 

Finally, I’ll head to the Camden Markets, where I will grab a cheap Chinese or Indian take away.  Then, I’ll walk from Camden High St to Regent’s Park Rd and up to the top of Primrose Hill.   This walk is so lovely, and a beautiful example of a small urban community in London.  It was walking along here that I once saw Tim Burton and Helena Bonham-Carter, as they live in this neighborhood. The hill itself is in a perfect location to see most of the city, and I have sat up on that hill many times and just enjoyed the view.  

I won’t be discouraged that it’s raining today, I have all the necessities needed to survive it (aka a pair of wellies and a fold-up umbrella) and it seems more fitting anyway.  It always seems to be raining in foggy London Town, and I love it when it rains.

(Source: thestraphanger)

After 2 buses, a midnight flight, 2 more buses, sleeping in a hostel where you climb into a numbered pod and waking up 5 hours later… I am in London!  This city is so wonderful, and although I am beyond tired, the joy of just being here has plastered a strange perma-smile on my face.  After waking up in pod bed A, I got some time to stroll about before heading to my friend’s apartment in New Cross.  

I’ve been sitting here watching a few TV shows I downloaded (30 Rock!!!) and putting my aching feet up, but wishing I had the energy to go out and see more of Londres.  But I have created a list of the museums I’m going to visit while I’m here, and planned out some of my favorite walking routes.  After living here and returning a few times, I finally feel like I know this city well enough to just set out without looking at a map.  

Going to hit the hay and recharge from the travels, but first I’ll sit here and enjoy the view of double deckers driving by a little longer.

Sorry I haven’t been keeping you updated on my movements, tumbler-verse.

I ended my 2011 year wonderfully, and started 2012 with a bang by traveling around Spain with my boyfriend, who came to Europe from the US of A.  We had so much fun, and as I update the many wonderful photos from Barcelona, Granada, and a few more special shots from Sevilla, I hope to share fun events we experienced while traveling together.

All I can say to describe the trip in general though, is Fantastic.  It was wonderful to get away from my obligations in Sevilla, such a new city to me, and yet the need to escape had flooded over me.  Exploring the big city of Barcelona was a wonderful contrast from the small southern city of Sevilla, and I loved Las Ramblas area where we stayed, it was so alive with culture and full to the brim with people.  Granada was also another contrast from Sevilla, as they both are small southern spanish cities, but Granada is so much more intimate.  In Granada you get a tapa, or a small bit of food, with every drink you order.  Maybe my favorite night of our trip was just strolling along from bar to bar in Granada for a beer and whatever tapa they decided to serve us.  

After Matt left and I returned to my host family, some events transpired that I don’t care to elaborate on over this medium, but it was time for me to move in from there.  So I moved on to this lovely little hostel that I have been inhabiting for a few days now, and will stay here one more night, as this is my last full day in Spain.

I’m staying in the Alameda, and I must say this part of the city is exactly where I want to be on my last few days here.  The attitude is lax, the people are strolling along, and the restaurants are beckoning. (a lust for tapas, which I have actually been fighting while staying in this hostel, in an effort to save money by only cooking from the grocery store and not eating out.  But tonight I’m looking forward to have one or two parting-ways tapas.)

Speaking of trying to save money, I’ve been thinking about all the ways I have concocted over the years of traveling to make the money stretch, and I might start a little “Tip” segment on this here travel blog.

But for now, dear friends, I bid you adieu, and will update soon from foggy London Town and sea-side Brighton, my stop over points where I have pals to see before heading home to Milwaukee. 

Safe Travels,

The Strap-Hanger

(Source: thestraphanger)

Hello friends and travel lovers, I’ve been exploring Spain with my boyfriend for the last week. We celebrated the new year in Barcelona, then back to Sevilla, and now we’re enjoying lemon tea and a hookah in Granada. I can’t wait to post all my recent photos and share my adventures with you all! More later!
Love,
The Strap-hanger