Dank u wel Amsterdam!

(No pictures for now, sorry! The computers are too slow)

Last night was most enjoyable.

Dinner from the supermarket= 7E.50
A Baguette (unfinished to save for lunch tomrrow)
Russian Egg Salad (only cost 78cents)
Tin of Olives
Borsin Cheese (so cheap here)
Paprika Chips
2 Amster Pilsners

I sat in Vondel Park and ate, watching the rollerbladers and hundreds of bikers pass. Listening to the best of Wim Mertens and kind of disapearing into the whole park. I proceeded dinner with a trip to the FILMMUSEUM (quite well know) and watched the most remarkable Mathew Barney's Creamaster 1&2, a 6E.50 well worth the watch!

Amsterdam is lovely and you don't have to just be here to smoke pot and watch the women try to tempt you from the street window.

next stop: Hamburg!

Bruxelles!!!! ah a ah

Techno-Gay Men, Chocolates + Waffles + Beer.

I was sitting in a hipster bar having dinner and drinks and reading my book, I am reading "My Uncle Oswald" by Roald Dhal and I read this pharagraph.

"I love when my father got himself worked up like this. Listening to him during those years, I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusisast in life. He taught me that if you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good. Hot is no good either. White hot and passionate is the only thing to be."

The author was refering to wine in France, regardless at this point I feel strongly about those words.

I miss home but this place is nice.
I have 5 nights in Amsterdam coming up for 166.00 E, Ouch!

love and hugs

neon food fashion & fun!

Today was a rough one. The English may be rude, but they know how to drink!
We got home at about 4 and of course as I miss home I rang David to talk and babble on and on, trying my hardest to act sober.

I couldn't ruin my day today just because I drank so hard last night; so, the fool I might be ventured out into one of the busiest markets in the UK-Camden Town market. I wish I took more photos but everytime I moved a little too quickly I thought I was going to be sick. There were at least a million people in this area that seems to never end. Thrift stores jammed, food, food, food and more food. I am a bit cheap on this trip so I didn't blow the bank, only a pair of sun glasses. Finally the sun came out today after a week of rain!

Tomorrow I head to Paris!

Tourister Touristy!

I arrived in London Tuesday the 21st around 1pm. My flight was scheduled to leave Vancouver at 6pm but was delayed several hours which made for an even longer journey. As I sat on the plane waiting for my seat mate I eyed everyone down hoping some of them would not sit beside me. A young guy from Summerland (living in London) sat down. The first hour was great, he gave me a lot of insight on London and was full of opinions of the people, prices, and destinations. After 2 hours I was ready to pull the emergency exit and push this guy out. He would not stop talking just for talking sake. Each move he made he would describe why or just make senseless commentary, and laugh and make immature ridiculous hand gestures and facial expressions... He ended up getting a bit drunk and popping some Vallium and he was out like a light!

I couldn't sleep on the flight and had not slept since the night of the 19th so I was a bit of a zombie in London. Pat and Lili were there to greet me and after a 3 hour nap we were already headed to the bar! Pat lives in a pretty hip area of London and man are the young folks out of control with their fashion!

Yesterday I went to the Tate Modern. Dali had a exhibition including 6 of his films which were most impressive. My favorite work was that of Meredith Frampton a 20th C British painter. (I was surprised that one stuck with me) Oh, also Francis Bacon had several paintings that were overwhelmingly captivating.

The English women are quite rude. They have no sense of personal space and feel comfortable stepping in front of me while I am viewing art from just a foot away. They have no patience for explaining anything and seem as if they think you should just 'know it'!

Today I did the full tourist meal deal. London Bride, Waterloo Bridge, Thames River, Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster, Trafalgar... one street after another full of history I am only just beginning to truly appreciate. History makes more sense to me as I am standing right in front of its remains and not leafing through a book. I realize I took for granted my art history lessons and would (possibly) love to have a chance to take them over, it is only one thing to regurgitate a date, place, artist, medium but it is even greater to understand the why and the how. (I obviously didn't)

I plan to be here until the weekend. Traveling this weekend is a bit prices as it is Bank holiday. Paris is next and then I have a euro rail pass to three countries (Germany, Holland, Czech R.) and then down to Italy.

I don't really miss home but I think about it often.

goodbye and love,

LAURA

Leaving for EUROPE!!!!!

and I HAD to get fish n' chips before I leave! Now the night before my 10 hour flight I am laying on the floor with a grease overload!

I will be keeping this blog as up-to-date as possible while I am away. Posting pictures and stories. Please write e-mails still as I love recieving them!

XOXO