Some Mo' Soul Searching

First off, Happy 30th birthday to my brother Jeff! This year has been huge for you. I hope all your dreams come true on your special day, cause it all goes to shit after this...just kidding ;) On Nov 5th I participated in UK's annual Guy Fawkes Night (photo of 4 bundled up bunnies.) It is a night of fireworks and bonfires throughout the UK to commemorate the Gunpowder Plot in 1605 when some Catholic peeps including Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the House of Parliament in London. The bonfire was massive and very mesmerizing (photo.) The fireworks were so close that I could smell the burn and feel falling ashes on my face, much different than viewing fireworks from a barge like Vancouver's Symphony of Fire.
Another celebration I was happy to partake in was Halloween. The act of dressing up in costumes and getting hammered is emerging in its popularity among UK adults. I decided that it was only fitting to dress up as Amy Whinehouse. My housemates and I went to a house party (photo) then ventured to a nearby pub. Good times! The final photo is of a vibrantly coloured tree in front of Chester's Cathedral on an autumn day.

While enduring all this fun I've also had my knickers tied up over indecision. Arriving in the UK with a chicken scratch agenda is liberating but at the same time overwhelming. It's like starting a paper without a topic. The opportunity to travel and do it solo is rare so I want to make it count. Over the past few weeks I've asked myself what do I want? What kind of experiences do I hope to have? I've applied these questions not only onto the upcoming year but onto life itself. Making choices without any distraction or influences from other people is pretty cool and the sense of self-reliance is huge. In time one answer revealed itself to me, Scotland baby! I recently gave two weeks notice at the cafe and on November 17th I am taking the train to Glasgow to live. I have never been there before but I know in my heart of hearts there is something for me. I look forward to networking in a big city and what I'll discover in terms of Glasgow's employment & volunteer opportunities, accommodation, people, sports and the arts. I will update with news as it comes hither.

Thinking of you often. xo
PS. Woot Woot Obama!

Knowing Me When I Don't

I miss you
For making me laugh at inappropriate times,

I miss you
In our moments of discussing nothing and everything,

I miss you
For offering tenderness when I'd act a fool,

I miss you
Along with the happiness and tragedy we share,

I miss you
Your sound, your sunshine, and your stance,

I miss you
For knowing me when I don't.


CSD

Cardiff, Bristol & Bath

Before I put my head down and work like a hog over the winter months I decided to take advantage of some free days I had last week. Since I've enjoyed Wales so much I decided to begin my three night venture to its capitol city, Cardiff. Cardiff Castle (photo) was the first castle I've ever been to, other than the Disney Castle, so it was memorable. It was occupied by the Bute Family who founded the city's coal. The next morning I rented a bike and rode it along Tariff Trail to Castell Coch. Note to self, as awkward as it feels, STAY LEFT! After Hostel Happy Hour, myself and two other lone travellers found and Irish pub complete with a 17 piece band upstairs. F**king wicked.

Day two found me in Bristol. Originally I planned only to have lunch in Bristol en route to Bath, but was seduced by the city's raw industrial allure. The photo of The Holy Cross was taken at St. Mary's Redcliffe Church. (It seems nearly every Church was named after St. Mary) I was lucky enough to be in the church during organ rehearsal. I never knew there were chords that low! Rumors of Bristol's vibrant night life was convincing enough to check in for the night. The hostel I came upon wasn't choice at first glance, but ended up being very memorable. After a few rounds in its basement bar I took to some live jazz at Old Duke Inn (photo.) Kudos on the local talent. Since my time in Bristol I've been flirting with the notion of relocating there sometime in the New Year... hmmmm...

12 miles East along Avon River is Bath. Soaking in the rays and the city's harmonious, leisurely feel was a perfect way complete this trip. I thought it wise to do a hop on-hop off bus tour due to time constraints. It was neat to see rows of narrow streets flanked with Georgian inspired buildings and see where Jane Austin wrote her classic novels. My next must read is Jane Austin's Persuasion. I also toured The Roman Spa Museum (photo) and was amazed at how well preserved the artifacts dated from the First Century AD were. Soooo old!

The photo of the train is myself at Newport Train Station. The photo is an important addition as I spend good amounts of time at stations like these on my travels throughout the UK. I feel happy and content to come home to Chester and get back to my bedroom and my work. The boss lady is giving me full time hours and I may work for Royal Mail over the Christmas months to earn extra £ :)

Keep in Touch XXX

Feel the Vibe

I feel fortunate to be where I am. To be in the UK and living in Chester with Tamara and Jo. Currently, I'm working as a Batista in one of the city centre's cafes. I'm pictured above in front of it. From working there, I've gained insight into British culture. There is some good with the bad of course but I'm embracing the cultural differences. I also start a waitress gig today at an Italian Restaurant in town. I'll let you know how it is. I tried to do the netball thing, but I just don't like the sport :( It's not hands on enough for either Tamara or I. So, to avoid the true consequences of the high-carb British diet, I'm running along the canals and doing weekly group circuit training at the community centre.

I'm loving how central Chester is to the rest of the UK. On my days off I've been able to do day trips to neighbouring parts of Wales and England. Two weeks ago I explored Manchester. The city has been my favorite thus far because of its vibrant people, fashion and eclectic architecture. The Picture above is of St. Mary's Cathedral in Manchester. I'm anticipating a return visit to catch some live music or a football match! The landscape photo was taken from the top of a hill in Wales. Jo, Tamara and I, along three of Jo's mates, spent last Sunday hiking. The photo of myself with the fantastic backdrop was taken a few days ago in Llandundo Wales. Spontaneously, I decided to spend the day there on my own and it was an amazing day. The ocean, landscape, animals and pastel coloured buildings created such a calm, peaceful vibe. I love that each place I have visited so far has an energy that I have connected differently with. I can anticipate that my memory on the specifics of historic buildings and museums will eventually fade, however, the way I feel in a place and from the people in it is simply unforgettable.

Chester, Liverpool, Wales

Here I am in Chester now. I think I like it. I think I'll stay. I captured Chester's vibe in the photo of the city center. Chester offers a bit of everything, but most importantly it has Tamara and Jo, the two ladies I'm staying with. Tamara is Canadian and Jo is from Wales and they've welcomed me to stay with them as long as I'm in Chester. I met Tamara working at Gateway Society (for Autistic youth) about 8 years ago. They both have been soooo hospitable and welcoming. I have met some people while I was in London but it seems a bit more challenging here. Conversations run few and far between other than asking locals for directions or to take picture of me. I feel fortunate to have Tamara, Jo and their cat here because loneliness would have found me by now. Tamara and I are trying out for the local Netball team this evening. It's competitive here. There are 32 girls competing for 12 spots, we'll both be nervous. She grew up on Softball and I on Basketball. I think we'll be solid recruits. Our strategy is to pretend we know what's up, when neither of us have actually played before. What can we lose right?

When I'm not job searching I have visited Liverpool which is on Merseyside River, pictured above. It is a 35 minute train ride from Chester. Liverpool has a more modern feel to it, but also a little rough around the edges. I was intrigued by it's International Museum of Slavery. The Museum exhibits the history of Atlantic Slave Trade and how Europe has benefited.

"They will remember that we were sold, but not that we were strong.

They will remember that we were bought, but not that we were brave."

-William Prescott, former slave

1937

Last weekend Tamara and I went to Wales (pictured with Tamara & the dog and myself in yellow.) Chester is on the boarder of Wales so it was about a 30 minute drive to Hilbre, on the Irish Sea. We took Jake, Jo's pup along. Because the tide was out we walked for hours to a nearby island, rested, ate and walked back. I felt so free and happy to be back to nature, smelling the salt, investigating sea life and walking barefoot through muddy sand.

I will keep you updated on my future happenings

I think of you often and I love you very much.

London

We have all seen many many images of different places around the world. I thought I knew what London was all about because I saw a few pictures of Guards with furry hats and read of royalty gossip in the tabloids. It feels absolutely amazing to be in London. My favorite has been roaming through the beautifully kept garden's and parks like Jame's Park & Regent's Park (Picture of me by the fountain), the architecture, window shopping down Carnaby & Regent Street, Brompton Road and Camden Town (picture of me on the stiars) and seeing classics like Buckingham Palace, Westiminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral and London Eye. My Favorite Art Gallery bar none has been Tate Modern Gallery which is filled with contemporary, modern paintings and scultupres that stretches the mediums to their creative and conceptual limits. Out of the people I've talked to here, very few have actually been born and raised in England. From what I've heard it's mostly because of the EU. People from all over Europe and beyond have come to London for work. I can sense the struggle of the people here because of the City's high living cost, even an air of desperation in some. I just keep very alert. I am very excited about the opportunity to stay with my friend Tamara in Chester, a 6 hour coach ride North of London. I depart tomorrow at 10:30am. There, I will begin my quest for settlement and empolyment. I will keep you posted! Please visit my flickr account to view more of my London pictures.

Love Carlee

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28862896@N07/

28

Early on August 29th I woke a few hours early to begin packing before my last day of work. I sheepishly checked the weather in England, browsed facebook photos, then read through my email. I wasn't too surprised to see an email from Zoom Airlines in my inbox as I assumed it was a confirmation email. I opened it. Read it, blinked, read it again, on the 4th and 5th read my eyes widened and I thought...OH F*CK! The email was a notification of suspension due to soaring fuel prices and that all flights as of August 28th have been canceled, including mine booked for August 31st, two days following. All calmness and logic went out the window. It was a day full of anxiety, worry, being on hold with Visa, bribing travel agents with free frapaccinos, and rebooking London reservations. At the end of the day I secured a refund with Visa and a cheaper flight with AirCanada that departs on the evening of September 5th. Eventhough I am anxious to go, this mishap buys me more time for research which I can definitley use more of.

Because of the flight delay I was able to celebrate my birthday in Toronto! First, I spent Saturday night at Joey's family's farm/cottage in Ajax about 45 minutes outside of Toronto. It was such a treat to get out of the city and be introduced to Ontario's countryside. We ate yummy food, stargazed, (until I got spooked) and sun worshiped. So fun!

The group shot is taken on Sunday, the night of my Brithday. In the phtoto is Tanya, myself, Tamara and Tika at a swank resteraunt & lounge called Spice Route. It was also Tamara's 28th birthday. Tamara and I got treated to a night out on the town. After Spice Route and some very nice car jams, we made appearances to Beakonsfeild Lounge and The Drake Night Club. Thanks for the awseome time ladies, I am forever touched by your kindess and generosity xox

I hope you are having a restful and fun long weekend. Thank you for all of your birthday wishes and your concern when you heard about Zoom.

Love,
Carlee