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

T minus 7 days

My time in Toronto is coming to an end. August has been going by so fast. It is hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that a week from now I will be in England, to stay. This week has been a whirlwind of running errands, spending time with friends and waking up at insane hours for work. Lately I've been having my fill of Toronto night life. The photo of Tanya and I is at Rockwood Night Club. I met Tanya coaching with RBA a year ago and reconnected while coaching again this year. A fabulous person, who likes to tell stories and is someone who can literally dance to anything :) On Friday, Joey and I went to a Greek Restaurant called "Pan" on the Danforth (Toronto's Greek Town.) It was hands down the best meal I've had in Toronto. Perhaps because it was three courses and Belgium chocolate moose tart was involved. The belly dancer and jazz band was almost as enjoyable as the food. Last week I also told my manager at Starbucks that I'm off to England and to my surprise she was really understanding about it. She even offered to make connections for me if I wanted to continue working at Starbucks in England : o I couldn't be more thankful.

All in all I feel ready to move on, but I am going to savor next week to the fullest. As my time here is winding down, I'm thinking of you at home going through transitions of your own. Autumn is my favorite season in Vancouver hands down. However, I am anticipating all of the beauty and wonder that a British Fall will bring.

Much Love.

Full Moon

Full Moon

A Portal. A circular door -
to eternity, maybe, where existence goes
to die, to be reborn again. A hole to crawl through
leaving failure behind. Call the place we land in
heaven, although it's dark: the moon does not shine
without the sun. The two-faced sky
sees both sides, its single eye
trained on absence: words not said,
the back of a mirror. The stars' mirror-image
held on the sea. We paddle through
our own reflections, full moon above, that watery
gate. The shape of you, the shape
of me. The infinite distance to be crossed.

-Alison Pick

Connections

Big news! I have booked my flight to England! On August 31st I will celebrate my birthday by flying over the Atlantic Ocean and arriving in London in the AM of Sept 1, 2008. I am spending 3 nights in London's city center then taking a train North to Chester where I will stay with friends for a short while. Of course, leaving Toronto will be bittersweet because in my short time here I have made some amazing connections.

Last week I've had to put my trip planning on hold so I could give my all to coaching some more youth basketball. I feel fortunate to have been apart of G.A.B. (Girls Addicted to Basketball) and coach along side the founder and director, Tanya. She is a visionary and dedicated leader in young women's basketball. Truly an inspiration. I hope to pass on some of the knowledge I gained last week to some of B.C.'s young talent upon my return.

On Friday I partied it up with my roommates at a swank club near our place. Great times indeed! I hope I am lucky enough to find awesome flat mates in the UK. I had a restful Saturday lounging and biking around Toronto Island. It is a 10 minute commute by ferry from Downtown. Although the beaches are man made and the ice cream is $6.00 a piece, the vibe is very relaxed and it offers the best seat for a Toronto sunset. A worthwhile trip overall.

The photo of the Korean ladies are 2 of my ESL students. We prefer meeting in coffee shops because we get the stink eye from library patrons due to outbursts of laughter. Learning is fun, right? Next week I plan to introduce my students to some Canadian Soul by taking them to my favorite live music joint in the city. I anticipate being more entertained by them than the music.

Tomorrow I'm back to the coffee making grind (bad pun.) I begin my shift at 5AM. Ouch. I am not looking forward to giving my manager my 2 weeks notice, after being an employee for only 2 weeks. I'll let you know how that goes down.

That's all for now. I love you.

C