What I've Been Up To: Wales, etc.

OK, so a quick update on what I've been up to this past week:

Wednesday I went back to Brick Lane for dinner for a friends birthday where we negotiated down to 8 pounds per person for appetizers, main course, and wine. After Brick Lane we all went to The Rocket which I've already mentioned is one of my favorites. Music was again awesome- still lovin the 90s.

Then Friday was my main adventure for the week, which was a day trip to Wales, more specifically the capitol, Cardiff. From London its like a 3-4 hour bus ride, so we meet at 7 40 (after waking up at 7 20) to hop on the tube and catch our bus leaving at 8 30. Once we got to Cardiff, we grabbed something to eat at what we thought was a Deli. They take us down to the empty tables downstairs amidst colored lights and lounge-style couches when we see posters all over the walls realizing we are in fact in a drag queen bar, for breakfast. hahaha. I would somehow end up in a drag queen bar unintentionally. There weren't shows going on or anything but the food was good even if the server did try to get us to change our mind on all of our orders.

After satisfying our grumbling, empty stomachs my friends (Teena and Sarah) and I headed to Cardiff Castle aka Castell Caerdydd. After going to the wrong entrance and being confusedly stared at, we had to make our way around to the other entrance which gave us a chance to walk around the park. If it had only been warmer I would have stayed in that park forever. It was green and sunny with cute dogs and bikes and runners all around. My freezing hands and feet voted no to staying there forever, however. After making it to the castle doors and buying our tour ticket, we headed inside and the cutest little Welsh man showed us around, including long awkward pauses in his little speeches making him sound like a mix between a flight attendant and a news anchor. The tour was really interesting though and watching this woman and our guide play their little flirtatious game made it all the more so.

Outer Wall of Castell Caerdydd

The Old Part of the Castle

When the tour was over we watched a little movie then toured around by ourselves and climbed the old castle revealing a beautiful view over Cardiff. Check it out-

View of the Castle Grounds and Cardiff

After the castle, we did a little shopping, a little coffee drinking, a little wandering and then... a tour of Millennium Stadium, home of all things Welsh sports, most importantly rugby and football (remember not American football). We got to go see the field, go into the locker room, check out the press room, sit in the President's booth, including both Queen Elizabeth's and Prince William's seats. It was actually a lot more fun than I am currently making it sound. In fact, it was probably one of my favorite things I've done since I've entered the UK.

Holding the Trophy from when Wales Beat Australia

And after a good day in Wales, we had a three hour bus ride home. On the bus ride we proceeded to be the obnoxious American girls who didn't stop talking the entire way back, but our outgoing/annoying antics lead us to meet two really sweet people. First, a girl born and bred in Wales who thought we were absolutely ridiculous for taking a day trip to Wales. She repeated over and over again how intrigued she was by us and our weird accents and day trips. And then a guy from London who undoubtedly wanted all of us to shut up but he was in the middle so he kind of had to talk to us. It solidified to me that people from the UK in general are really sweet and friendly. I could totally move here!

Last update: I finally made it to Borough Market! I have been trying to go since I got here but kept on not going for one reason or another. Over winter break I saw a Barefoot Contessa special about Ina in London. In the show she went to Borough Market so obviously it went on my list. I mean if Ina loves it, then who am I to not go? It didn't disappoint. There were fruits, vegetables, weird meats, pig heads, mulled wine, sweets, baked goods, flowers, and really anything else you can imagine. I will definitely be making a return trip.

A Loud Borough Market Vendor