The Thanksgiving Post

Happy Thanksgiving!! I woke up this morning, and even though for all appearances and purposes, it's just a regular day here at Kent Uni, some Thanksgiving spirit must be soaking in from across the ocean because I can't help but feel it.... That sparkly-holiday-morning-time-feeling. Of course there will be SOME celebrating here on campus (since we all like reasons to celebrate!). All the American students are psyched to cobble together "friendsgiving" meals tonight, and the other students are curious enough to come too.

I meant to write this post mostly about getting to go to London a few times this past week for some day trips, but Thanksgiving is really making me want to connect with my family-- I wish we could see each other and eat together today. But that only will make Christmas that much better.

I'm especially thinking of my Grandparents, who are fun and wonderful and love Europe and all things travel. I haven't seen them in a while.... I miss them.

And my parents who are patient with me, (SO patient) as well as supportive.

(old photo, R.I.P blazer you were stolen out from under my nose and I know you won't fit whoever picked you up at The Cuban)

AND my sister. She won't read this so I won't say anything nice. Well, except that she's the best.

And of course Mammaw, who I do not have a picture of, and Chipper, and Izzy, and Lucy the foxhound, and my friends, and all the friends I've met here, and all the people I've ever met that I don't get to see so often and live far away, and kayaking, and Piccadilly Circus, and Wales, and Paris, Trafalgar Square, and the Lab Theatre on UT's campus, and bathtubs on porches, and LC the best cat ever, and Jazz Daqs, and Queen Ann's Lace, and Canterbury with your cathedral and muddy paths, and colorful doors and Carluccio's espressos, and little lights strung up blue between the buildings. I'm very, very grateful.

OOPS I DID IT AGAIN... PARIS.

Again? You might say. Yes, again. And again and again and again as much as I can. Paris this second time around was magnificent.

When we arrived, we went straight to one of Anna's favorite places: Butte Chaumont Park.

It was hilly and full of boulders, sort of a compact central park-- and such a contrast to cool Parisian city scapes.

Gorgeous weather.

One of my favorite moments in Paris,
Having baguettes and champagne beside the Sine.

 

People sure did love the chocolate fashion show at Le Salon de Chocolate.

Another one of my favorite things we did! Musee d'Orsay is converted from an old train station. Full of expressionist pieces.

A little corner close to Sacre Coeur-- one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower. Anna and I made it to the Montmarte neighborhood just in time for the sunset.

Montmarte is known for it's arty walls.

 

And the Moulin Rouge.

And it's sidewalk artists.

 

 Dream dinner-- Florian spoiled us.

 The last morning we climbed the arduous steps of the Arc de Triumph! Loved the view and the time of day we got to see it.

 

 Kids having fun at the Arc de Triumph

Finding a hiding spot.

Does this traffic make any sense to you!? Florian says it is technically eight lanes, but there's no lines painted and no one bothers to drive rationally.

 

Garnier Opera House, luxurious.

Anna and I returned to Canterbury only to make a last minute decision to run to London that same day (!!!). She had a dance performance to see for class; I had heard about a performance piece with great reviews. We headed back to the bus station. Call us crazy, but it was worth it.

We got back to campus right around midnight-- in time to catch the beginning of the election madness here in the UK. Our local campus pub decked itself out in Patriotic snazz, broadcasted the ballot-counting, and served everyone "American hot dogs" until 5 AM.

 The climate was fun AND intense. Boos errupted each time Romney came on screen or his electoral votes were tallied.

This post was full of pictures and events, but I hate to say, I'm still not caught up yet! Coming soon: another day or two in London, plus Thanksgiving. Then Budapest! It's enough to exhaust anyone.

Halloween

Hey! It was fun!

Being Carrie Bradshaw was a natural manifestation of my recent Sex and the City passion.

And adding ZOMBIE Carrie Bradshaw was the obvious next step for round two of Hallooween festivities.
People over here seem to be more into the "scary" side of Halloween, and not so much the cute.



AND best of all, Huma came to visit! Miss her already.

Tonight I am watching Funny Face with Anna in honor of Paris this weekend. I just can't wait for so many things to happen.

Stockholm with the Parents

It was nice, last week, to find my parents huddled under a shop awning in Canterbury city center. Their arrival was such a funny reminder of home: my mom in three layers of fleece, Dad griping about wearing the fanny pack. My parents in the UK.

 We did fun "Canterbury Things"-- walked around the Cathedral, ate at Tiny Tim's, took the boat tour in the canal.

And once departing that sweet hamlet, Canters, we took a more ambitious trip....

 to Stockholm Sweden.

Unfortunately we were doused with a good bit of rain and cold, and we even had to withdraw the first night and settle for hot chocolate and James Bond (Sean Connery) on T.V.

That being said we saw some pretty amazing museums, the Drink and Spirits one had countless peices just on Vodka... and they were really really good.

forgive the glare

taking pictures of pictures, so bad, so guilty

I can't say exactly what Stockholm is like. London and Paris are unmistakably themselves. But Stockholm? It sort of reminded me of London, but there was definitely the Scandanavian/nautical/troll element to it, and perhaps because of the rich yellow red buildings and exotic curvy spires, I also saw more Eastern Europe in it, like Bulgaria.

love those guys

And luckily I got to spend a couple days in London before returning to school. We saw some big shows,

 but the real star apart from the West End, was The Club Lounge.

 I knew staying at the Marriot could be luxurious-- but this? Complimentary food, drink, JACK DANIELS. I suggested making a vacation of just the lounge but Mum and Papa somehow wanted to see London.

And it's a good thing we did! Our first day back we wandered over to Portabello Road. And no it hasn't changed much since Bed Knobs and Broomsticks.

It was really fun to explore the street, look for that stinking Notting Hill book shop (never found it!) and duck into a gorgeous thai restaurant for lunch. It was also my first chance to walk around posh London neighborhoods. Who doesn't want to live here?

In keeping with our love of boat tours, one of the last things I got to do in London was ferry down the foggy River Thames. Everything about and along the Thames gives me goosebumps.

The eventful four days quickly passed, and I finally had to say goodbye to Mom and Dad at the bus station and return back to my home of sorts.

I never imagined Canterbury would be a place familiar enough to feel like "going home" but there it is.

For now I need to remember I have actual school work to do (say whhhhat?) and what the heck is Halloween going to be like here????

Thanks for the great time together Mom and Dad!