June 17, 2009

June 17, 2009

Traveling from Heathrow airport in London to Miami, home. My journal pages stuffed with maple leaves that line the streets surrounding the Buckingham Palace, ticket stubs from the London Eye and pamphlets from many of the attractions we missed. I didn't feel like I needed to go to attractions; just being in this city was a big enough attraction.
Last night was beyond leaving me speechless. Yesterday was all together fascinating. Checking into the The Rubens hotel was what really started my day nice. We were greeted a the doors by a very nice, and tall man wearing a top hat and a long, green coat.  What an upgrade from the hotel Gyles and I stayed at the past two nights called Central House (thanks, Chris!)! That hotel really made me laugh. I guess it just added another item onto my list of experiences while traveling abroad. Our room barely fit us and our luggage, but we had nothing short of two of the best nights of my life. Plus, hotel rooms in London should only be for sleeping. Outside of your room is what really counts.
On our first night together in London we were advised by his parents to take the tubes (subway) to Convent Garden for a sunday night of entertainment and dinner. Being new to the city and all, something was bound to happen. We hopped on the wrong bus, and we didn't know where to get off either. So, we rode the bus until we were so far we weren't even on the map of London I was carrying in my purse. Finally someone told us to get off and get another bus going back south. We ended up in Leicester Square at an Italian restaurant appropriately called "Pizzeria Italiano". We asked for a table for two outside and the host sat us outback in a beautiful alleyway behind the restaurant. Jude Law was sitting two tables away from us with a group of people who didn't look as famous as him, or maybe they were more famous.
We ordered a bottle of white wine and pizza. What a great night with my love, in London, drinking wine and savoring the night.

xx
Lindsay

an excerpt from a journal I kept while I was visiting Jersey in the summer of 2009.

June 14, 2009

June 15, 2009

On the plane now London-bound from a place I have called my home for the past six weeks. The beautiful island of Jersey. My eyes couldn't hold back my tears. Tears of joy and happiness from just thinking about all of the amazing times I have had, and all of the most interesting people I have met on this journey. I'm looking out of the small, oval-shaped plane window down at the tiny island. I'm upset to leave, but I know I will be returning to visit again soon. My time here has been intoxicatingly rich. Life enriching. I've just had time here that you don't get from any sort of book or film. From the intense smell of real, freshly picked and distilled lavendar from the Lavendar Farm, to the refreshing and light taste of Tetley tea every morning.

An island filled with history so rich and fascinating it will make you cry. The Jersey War Tunnels will especially. A tribute to when the Germans occupied the island from 1940-1945 and tried to rob this land of its dignity, of its history and of its people. The Germans were not victorious though, and luckily for the citizens of Jersey life was able to move on and continue to flourish.

The roads are ever-winding, so narrow and curvy. Lined with lush green trees, Magpies and overgrown flowers so colorful. There's just so much beauty to this island that you won't get anywhere else in the world.

The nightlife is also worth mentioning. Bars, and clubs and pubs for every kind of person in Jersey. Some for the old, some for the young and all for those of all ages. It's a place that doesn't discriminate based on age, unless you're under 18 and completely drunk, or under 18 and don't look old enough. Even that crowd manages to still enjoy what Jersey has to offer.

I'm landing now at Gatwick airport in London. Totally ready to seem taste and explore a whole new world within this world we live in. Wish me luck!

xx

Lindsay

an excerpt from a journal I kept on my first visit to Jersey in the summer of 2009