Buy the Oyster, Bring the Map

I met my brothers in London this weekend. We spent a fortune on public transportation, took selfies in front of Harrods, climbed the lions at Trafalgar Square, fed the ducks at St. James's Park, squinted at the smaller-than-life Jane Austen sketch at the National Portrait Gallery, walked along the Thames with a friend, and peered through the gates at Buckingham Palace. We did so many of the must-do in London things!

But we also got helplessly lost. In fact, we spent most of Saturday evening walking in the wrong direction and retracing those steps--first in search of the Spaghetti House, which was boarded up when we found it. Second, in hopes of seeing the Victoria & Albert Museum, which was closed for a private viewing. Third, on our mission to find the Paddington Bear statue, which we learned most of the locals have no idea exists. And fourth, geting home to Wandsworth.

 

 

 

It was rather a nightmare.

Lessons Learned in London

#1: The "Ultimate Pocket London Travel Guide" app is not ultimate. Download a real tube and bus schedule.

#2: Don't leave the London map at the hotel

#3: Do the research. Find out exactly where points of interest are (e.g. Paddington), whether they are still in business (e.g. Spaghetti House), and if they are open that day (e.g. V&A Museum)

#4: Buy an Oyster. London's public transport system is cashless

#5: Pray. Maybe this should be #1.

 

I hope my list saves you a headache on your holiday. This was a downer post, but every trip has its downsides, and now I am free to regale you with stories about Pavel the street beatboxer and little miss indignant at the Palace gates!

 

 

 

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My Book Nook

My lecture/seminar schedule leaves me 3 days free every week. My housemates are jealous. My last semester self would be jealous, too.

It's Friday. I'm writing from the the third floor of the South Wales Miners' Library. I think it's going to be my favorite study spot. It's right in the Village, so I don't have to walk far. It's tucked away at the top of the hill, hidden by a campus building and the bend in the road.

 

 

 

It was established in 1973 as a research center. It has a valuable collection of resources about the coalfield.

 

 

It's just the perfect size to not be overwhelming. Lots of natural light comes in from the windows, the books are in good condition, and it's warm.

 

 

They had a little book sale. I bought a couple ones in pretty, old binding for a pound each.

Don't you love it?

 

 

 

 

 

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Goodbye, Dusty Well

  This year has been very eventful for me, but time constraints and maybe not really having anything worthy to say kept me from posting here.

     Now I am getting ready to spend a whole semester studying abroad at Swansea University (Swansea, Wales). I probably won't be posting here in the near future. January 1st seems like a good day to say goodbye to the dusty Well in the Wood.

     In this shiny new year of 2015 I wish you all my best wishes, and I hope to see you at my new travel blog, A Long Expected Journey at erikainwales.blogspot.com.