Day Trip: Manchester, England

When we arrived in Manchester, we were dropped off near the Visitor Information Center. Alex didn't come to Manchester (therefore breaking our fantastic foursome), so we spent the day with two other exchange students, Gill, from Canada, and Amandine, from France.

Somehow in the point five seconds of being at the Visitor Center (just minding our own business and looking at maps), Harriet got us to follow a Venezuelan man for a free tour of the city (which was sketchy - we learned later that the whole group was from a hostel in the city).

Our "tour guide" took us to China Town, where we saw an arch and then to the Manchester Art Gallery (where we were allowed to roam for about 25 minutes). He kept stopping us to take group pictures of us, so I wonder where on the Internet those will show up.

We decided to ditch the tour when we got to the Town Hall/Albert Square, because it was a massive waste of time (we could have seen all of the same sights in half the amount of time) and he didn't describe anything or provide any useful information.

After that, we walked around and had lunch at the food court (Maddie and I wanted to do a pub lunch, but everyone thought the prices were too high). I'd prefer to not have McDonald's while I'm in another country (and fully capable of finding a better meal) ever again.

We walked around and found some cool shops in the Northern Quarter, and then made our way to Piccadilly Gardens, where the ferris wheel is.

Harriet and Gill headed to Primark, so Maddie and I treated ourselves to some crepes because we were good and didn't spend money on items of clothing we didn't need. I got a Supreme (strawberries, nutella and creme). We then stumbled upon a cute market next to the Manchester Wheel that we should have eaten lunch at (oh well).

When we got back that night, we went out to club that was having a "Mexican" themed party, so that was fun. After that, we went to a house party. I don't know who goes to a house party at four in the morning, but we did. So strange.

Tonight (24 February), the Australians made me try milo, which is similar, yet the complete opposite, to hot chocolate. They were very particular about how I had to drink it - put the milo (which looked like crushed up chocolate cereal) at the bottom of the cup, add milk, add more milo, drink until the bottom, stir milo into paste and eat. Apparently it is very popular drink in Australia. I think I now have a reason to go visit Australia (not because of the milo, but because friends!)

After our milo party, Maddie, Harriet, Alex, Short Harry, two German girls and I went to a Harry Potter themed pub quiz at the Belle Vue. Our team name was "The Seven Potters" - we didn't win, and we were marked wrong for some questions we knew were right, so Harriet and Alex started arguing with the charity group holding the quiz...it was quite comical.

Day Trip: Chester, England

Chester Vloggin':

We'll be in Manchester this weekend!

One Month In Wales

A month ago today, I was arriving in Manchester. Time, stop...please.

Here's what I've been up to recently:

Valentine's Day:
On Valentine's Day, Maddie, Harriet, Alex and I went to a nearby pub, Belle Vue, for tea (tea = dinner...ok, British slang) and some live music.

Belle Vue is really nice. They have open mic and quiz nights as well, and some really delicious £5 deals for food/drink.

Saturday, 15/2: (look at me writing the month/day all British and backwards)
There was a student unions/club fair called "Serendipity" on Saturday morning. I signed up for the Film Society, Photography Society and a Minecraft Society. Now, I just have to make an effort to show up to meetings/screenings.

That night, we went to a Traffic Light party. I don't know why the clubs here are really intent on having themed nights every week, considering only a handful of people bothered wearing red, yellow or green to this one. The drinking/going out culture is really different here compared to America.

Sunday, 16/2:
On Sunday, the Australians and I went to Chester, England. It's only a little over an hour by train, and costs about £7 each way with a rail card. It's a really beautiful and upbeat city.

When we arrived, we had a pub lunch at a place called the Old Queens Head. I had a broccoli and cheese pasta bake, which was very yummy. (Basically every time I eat out, I try to order something that I know I won't realistically cook for myself back in the hall.)

I had a little fiasco with my point and shoot camera - while in Primark, all of a sudden my leg was wet and I realized my water bottle had opened in my bag and everything got soaked. Well, not everything. Luckily it didn't get to my DSLR, but the point and shoot is officially donezo. It's a goner. RIP.

After shopping, we walked around and found the Chester Cathedral.

Then we walked around the roman walls surrounding the city and explored a bit, before catching a train back to Bangor. 

We didn't stay too long, but I wasn't bothered because I already had a train ticket booked to go back in early March to meet up with my cousin who had picked me up at the airport.

Monday, 17/2:
On Monday (yesterday), Maddie and I took an adventure (seriously though, it's a far walk) to Tesco. Tesco reminded me of Costco (not because you could buy items in bulk, but more in the sense that everything you could ever want/need is there). We probably spent a good two/three hours there.

There was a 90's pub quiz at night, but we opted to stay in and watch 10 Things I Hate About You (which is a nice change from how much Harry Potter we've been watching). This Thursday there is a 90's night at a club...Alex wants us to go as S Club 7, but I suggested we go as the Spice Girls (Alex being Baby Spice, of course).

Misc:
I've noticed that everyone eats everything on their plates here. It's not like I don't want to finish my meals, it's just I'm small, overestimate how hungry I am and the portions are too big. I feel like an unappreciative and wasteful American (the latter is probably true).

Harriet, Maddie and I have officially booked a ferry to Ireland. We will be exploring Ireland the first two weeks of Easter Break (6-18th of April). Then, Maddie and I are flying from Dublin to Edinburgh (screw you, Ryanair, for increasing your fares in one week) to meet up with Alex for the last week of break. So excited!

I met with my course advisor (they call them 'tutors' here) today. I told her I was hoping to get some sort of unpaid volunteer/work experience in media/production while here (either this semester or over the summer), and she got me in contact information for someone who hopefully will be able to help. Unfortunately, it looks like the whole not speaking Welsh thing might be an issue.

Coming soon to a computer screen near you: Chester Vlog. 

80+ MPH Winds

The Uni would close campus right after I've finished all my classes for the day. (Sidenote: it's really nice that they don't make you buy textbooks. All my readings are scanned on Blackboard, wooo.)

I just received an email saying, "Due to extremely high winds forecast over the next few hours you are advised to stay inside your Halls of Residence and not venture out." Oh, lovely. 

Apparently, "Winds are expected to gust 80 mph widely and possibly reach 100 mph in the most exposed locations in the west and northwest Wales." 

I know it's been a snowpocalypse on the East Coast, but at least you can walk outside without getting blown over. Or drenched from head to toe.

In unrelated news, I never wrote on here about how there is a hill in town called "Bitch Hill" (it's aptly named, seriously). Going down, no problem. Coming back up, well, let's just say there are many other things I'd rather be doing...especially on nights like when Harriet decided it was a good idea to run up it in the rain while heading home from the club. Unless someone's chasing me, there is no need to be running. 

I made the unfortunate decision to wear heels out one night (why, Heather, why?) and I'm surprised I didn't fall over multiple times while trekking back home (especially because we took Bitch Hill). Tripped, yes. But I didn't fall flat on my face, so that's surprising. 

Why did I bring heels again? Never again. Packing properly is clearly not my forte. 

WEATHER UPDATE: The lights flickered, but our pizza supplies are at an all time high, so we should be ok.

This Quote

"We travel, initially, to lose ourselves, and we travel, next, to find ourselves. We travel to open our hearts and eyes. And we travel, in essence, to become young fools again – to slow time down and get taken in, and fall in love once more."

Pico Iyer

The best hot chocolate in Beaumaris. 

What I woke up to the other morning.

P.S.: And now I'm inspired to write in my journal.

Vlog Update

From moving into my hall to traveling to Beaumaris/Liverpool, follow me around:

(Just realized I forgot to add footage of some wind turbines in this vlog, so get ready to see that in the next one. It's quite thrilling...I mean, there's a rainbow.)

I just want to travel and stay in the UK forever, is that too much to ask?

MIA

I've been MIA for multiple reasons:

1. I'm having the time of my life.
2. I've been sick (too many nights out in this freezing, rainy climate), and therefore went to the University's medical center twice last week (I'm on antibiotics now for tonsillitis, so it's all good).
3. Can I stay here forever? Six months is too short.

Other things:

1. I still haven't written in my actual journal, oops.
2. I think we go to a grocery store literally once a day (although, to be fair, we can only carry so much back and, side note, Bangor is super environmentally friendly with the whole 'bring your own plastic bag or we will charge you' thing).
3. I just bought a railcard (it's £30/year and apparently will save a bunch on future train rides).

Classes:

My first class was supposed to be on Monday (the 27th), but the professor couldn't make it and had us come in on Wednesday instead. Also, I'm pretty sure he's decided to switch up our timetable and make classes Monday/Wednesday instead of Monday/Thursday, which is quite the predicament as I now have three classes literally back-to-back on Wednesday.

I'm concerned about the coursework and getting used to the different education system over here. I like all my professors, but it's going to be an adjustment (some of them I can perfectly understand their accents and then there are times where I'm just like, come again?) 

Recent Travels:

Maddie, Harriet and I took a bus back to Beaumaris on Thursday (the 23rd) to go to the castle. It was an unexpected trip, but a lot of fun. We toured the castle and then walked up a coastal path.

On Saturday, the 1st of February, the Australians and I went on a day trip to Liverpool through the University. Liverpool game plan = nonexistent. We should have done something Beatles related, but everything was expensive and didn't seem worth it (plus, we can always go back). Things we did do: go to the World Museum, walk around Albert Dock, eat and shop. All of the shopping (hey, Primark).

We're all signed up to go to Manchester on the 22nd, and planning to be a bit more prepared (we thought we signed up for an actual tour of Liverpool, but it was just a bus ride and they gave you a map and then abandoned you). Hopefully I won't wake up 30 minutes before the bus leaves for this trip. 

This weekend (the 8th and the 9th), we're hoping to do some day trips around Wales. We looked into going to an Ed Sheeran charity concert in London and/or a Kodaline concert in Leeds, but with transportation/tickets/accommodations it was too expensive :(

Easter Break Plans:

Harriet, Maddie and I are looking into possibly spending the first two weeks of our Spring Break exploring all of Ireland. We figure the ferry there is somewhat expensive, so it isn't worth it for just a quick weekend trip to Dublin. We were thinking we about renting a car, but we might have to consider other transportation options.

So, yeah, that's it for now (I need to organize my planner, actually do homework and try to work on an update vlog). 

P.S.: I think I'll be saying 'cheers', 'lad', 'reckon', and 'proper' a lot when I return to the homeland. Also, I'm afraid to look at my bank account, but, I love life.