Travel Diary- London and Manchester

I am not really a resolutions person- but I did make up my mind about a few things I wanted to do and it did happen around the turn of the year- so if that makes it a resolution then I have done quite well on my new-year resolutions thus far. An employee of an airline company made a rather rookie mistake and offered discount fares to London from Bermuda (fares that you would kill- annoying co-workers for). This offer was supposed to be available only for employees but his mistake made it available to world at large- This coupled with the fact that my beloved Manchester United were going to play Jose’e men at the Theatre of Dreams meant it was a perfect opportunity to visit the queen’s land and annoyingly call everyone “Love”- I don’t know what it is with English women- they insist on calling everyone “love”- Like my hair dresser – every time I go to her our conversation goes something like this:

HD: What can I do for you my love?
Me: Err…I can think of a hundred things but you are fat ugly and old…so a hair cut would do just fine

Anyways- I did get super cheap tickets to London, spent a fortune on the game tickets and got a wonderful excuse to catch up with T/B and M and also to do touristy things like pose in front of her majesty’s palace. The preceding three weeks were just outright brutal- from the stress of not knowing if I will cling on to my job- see my heart broken friends leave the island for no mistake of theirs- see friends lose their loved ones (and not even being around to give an arm around their shoulder) A vacation seemed a perfect escape route- I was feeling quite horrible about myself on the flight actually- but it was the only way I could get away from all this


Wednesday March 11th 2009

I reached London around half six in the morning and dropped my bag at T’s and hopped on a train to Manchester that morning- Reached Manchester around half four and picked up my ticket from the agent and started walking to the ground-There was a festive atmosphere all round the city- Almost every guy seemed to be going to the game with scarf’s around their neck/beanie on their head/paint on their face and the united anthem on their lips- I was walking with that stupid grin on my face- like the one kids have when they ride their bike for the first time. I started singing along with the rest of the fans- My voice stood out in the crowd- I got stares from people – I don’t blame them – it was like our deva singing an English song- Deep hoarse voice – voice that is just not suited to singing. I went into the stadium and the whole thing just takes your breath away- I am not exaggerating like I always do- there are some places that really do- Like the first time I came to Bermuda- I was awe struck for a good 2 weeks- I am not going to go into the details of the game- Cracking game – Sung my heart out for 2.5 hrs-loved the experience and got hugged by a weird Malaysian dude when we scored- still not able to sleep

Thursday- March 12th 2009

Came back to London that morning- T was supposed to take the day off and we had planned to go around the place and argue about the zillion things that we disagree on. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen but K was kind enough to take me around London- We did all the touristy things like –See Buckingham palace-London Eye-Trafalgar Square –West Minister’s Abbey and clicked a zillion pictures. I did go to a rather fascinating place –Sherlock Holmes museum which is indeed located in Baker street- Totally loved it despite not knowing too much about Mr. Holmes/Watson or Sir Arthur Doyle.

Friday- March 13th 2009

The plan was to meet M in London and the both of us would go around the place- But he felt he’d rather cut his hand with a knife and spend the day in hospital with a fractured finger and some damaged ligaments than hang around with me and that is what he did- M had a kitchen accident and spent the day in hospital waiting for old nurses to call him love. I was on my own again- I decide to make this day a sporting pilgrimage- What better places to visit than the “Mecca of cricket” and the Wimbledon? I have always had a strong interest in and affinity towards Wimbledon- grew up watching Ms Graf win games like she owned the fuck*ing place. I met up with this rather beautiful Japanese woman who was rather inquisitive about a rotund Indian guy and a weird accent. She was a complete joy to be around with-Shame that she never got my name and I don’t remember her’s. T and I met up in the evening and argued long into the night like we always do- Glad to know nothing has changed after all these years. I have to make a quick word about the tube facility in London- It is absolutely fantastic-Amazing how well the city has been connected-

Saturday-March 14th-2009

Caught up with B after ages- We had English break fast at a pub and watched the first half of the United –Pool game before sanely deciding to go around the city and catch up on old stories and the latest updates. I did annoy B with my slap stick humor as always- and I guess he enjoyed it slightly better this time as the frequency had come down drastically. I had a cracking time with B
Met up with T in the afternoon and we were planning to do a “Jack the ripper walk”- but like the flavor of the tour made alternate plans as we found out that the tour guide was an self obsessed as*hole who’d rather talk about himself than Mr. Jack. We turned in early that night as T had an early morning flight to catch

Sunday- March 15th 2009

Came back to Bermuda after thoroughly enjoying the last 4 days- My idea of a vacation is completely different to most people- I try and appreciate the different cultures/ and traditions but that is not the point of vacations- I like to go and see new places/catch up with old friends and do things that I wouldn’t have done normally and try and spice up things a little bit. There are so many places that I want to visit before I kick the bucket- so it is more like crossing a list and enjoying things in my own way- So I apologize if my travel diaries aren’t too interesting-It is just my personal journal to come back and read it in say 10 years time

Cheers
S

PS: I saw a lesbian couple making out in the tube- It completely changed my take on public display of affection- God bless the ladiesJ-