St. Patrick's Day

So St. Patty's Day wasn't quite what I expected here, so close to Ireland. I was expecting some remark of wishing me a happy day or at least some green.... no no.

Here there is no pinching (which I learned after having pinched sadly enough), there are no leprechaun tales, no dying rivers green, no shamrocks, no potatoes (that's Irish), no nothing. The only thing different about today then every other day is a more reason to drink. What a shame. I happen to like St Patrick's Day!

I'm sure I will live, but most holidays here seem to be rather on the lame side. The holiday that sounds like a lot of fun though is bonfire day! It's sometime in the summer. Apparently once upon a time hundreds of years ago someone tried to bomb parliament but he got caught first and they burned him in a bonfire. They celebrate bonfire day every year as "the day parliament didn't get blown up." Isn't that every day? Oh well. It includes a big bonfire and bonfire candy and fireworks! Not quite the fourth of July and no corn but still joyous.

Spring Break

Spring break, woo!

This is going to be the BEST spring break I have ever had... by far. First Annemarie comes to visit. We are going to Stonehenge first then to Paris then back to London. On the list is the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre Dame, Versailles, Billy Elliot, Buckingham Palace, Westminister and whatever else we feel like. The best part about it? I'm done planning!!!!! I have booked all the tickets and train and hostels that I need to (I think). I am much relieved.... it is going to be great.

And what about when Annemarie leaves you ask? There's still another week of spring break. ROME! I'm flying out Monday and meeting John in Rome. From what I hear, we are going to also visit Florence and Switzerland. I am SO excited! The other amazing thing is that John is planning out the whole thing so all I need to do is to show up :)

This really is going to be incredible.

Feed the Birds....

I saw a pigeon lady, a real live one. She was sitting outside of Sainsbury's on Newcastle and the pigeons were flocking to her. She was feeding them bread.

I instantly started singing Mary Poppins and then awed in that pigeon ladies do really exist in England. I also found out a tuppence is like a penny :)

Gypsies also exist....