The Countdown is on

I leave Canada for the UK in just 10 days. It's crazy how fast time has gone since I decided to go on this adventure. It really doesn't feel like almost 2 months has passed.
In that two months, however, I successfully finished my second year of university!

I'm getting really excited, but also pretty nervous.
I mean, I have to get to know a new place, and a huge city at that! (And I'm from a pretty small town, there's only one bus..)
I have to try and find a job, and a place to live.
It's a little overwhelming.
I'm sure it'll be fine though, and I've decided that if I can't find a job I'll just visit various relative's and and make my way around England.

In researching England, I've slowly realized how many things there are to do and see are in England. It's ridiculous! And I want to do everything! However, I've also come to the realization that I can't do everything, so I'm going to have to focus on what I want to do most, and then do it thoroughly. That way, I will always have a reason to go back!

Stonehenge

Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonehenge

Bath

Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath,_Somerset

York

Taken from http://www.york-united-kingdom.co.uk/york-minster/

Stratford-Upon-Avon

Taken from http://wikitravel.org/en/Stratford-upon-Avon

I wouldn't be able to call myself a Shakespeare fan if I skipped Stratford!

Liverpool

Taken from http://www.placesonline.com/europe/united_kingdom/england/liverpool

And what sort of Beatles fan would miss going to Liverpool?!

These are only some of the amazing places Britain has to offer. There are many more cities and towns that I'd love to explore. I've found a website, called Global Goose, that is doing a "Beyond London" Guide, which will be helpful in planning trips I think.

Then of course there are all the things to do and see in London itself! Tower of London anyone? The Globe Theatre? Westminster Abbey? I want to see and do it all!

Another thing that strikes me about the UK is how old everything is. A building that's hundreds of years old is commonplace it seems. Or like, in York, there was a Viking settlement at point, and the Romans built baths there. And of course, Bath is named after the Roman baths!

Yes, Canada has history. But the really old, historic buildings are in Quebec. Here on the west coast, the best you can get is 150 years. That means nothing in England. Try 900 years, or more. It's pretty astounding, to me at least!

Anyways, I've got a busy week coming up. Sorting through all my stuff, deciding what to pack (while leaving everything else neatly in my parents house), buying stuff to bring with me (I want to show my Canadian pride during the Olympics, and have little gifties for relatives who put me up). Also, it's my brother Evan's Prom this coming Friday, and Spencer's 20th Birthday the day after. Definitely an exciting time!

Trains and the Titanic

Just a quick update - in between all the studying and exams!
(3 down - Biopsych, Chem, and Physics, 2 to go - Physiology, and Anthro)

Britrail was having a sale (which ends tomorrow actually, so I just made it on time), where when you buy a pass, you get an extra day of travel free. So, since I plan to do a bit more than work while I'm in UK I cashed in. I bought a Britrail England flexipass, which is good for 8(plus 1 free = 9) days of travel anytime in 2 months. And it goes by days of travel, not number of trains. So I could take 7 trains in one day if I wanted... Not that I'm going to.

Taken from http://login.greatbignews.com/userfiles/166/continentaltravelweeklynewsfeb14-08.htm

This means I could take 9 day trips
Or, 4 weekend trips and a day trip
Or, 5 day trips and 2 weekend trips
Or, 3 weekend trips and 3 day trips
Or, 7 day trips and 1 weekend trip

Also, being a youth really has it's perks, (besides the whole no reading glasses, achy bones, over-forty scatter-brainedness), because I got 20% off the Britrail pass just because I'm younger than 26!

I'm also going to cash in on the whole Titanic craze that's happening now. I am a history lover. I find it fascinating and the Titanic is no exception. (I also happen to LOVE the 1997 movie with Kate Winslet and Leonardo Dicaprio, but who doesn't! - don't answer that Mum and Dad. And Spencer has been forced agreed to come see it with me in 3D, he loves me very much!)
Anyways,
Belfast, has created this museum type place right on top of the shipyard where the Titanic was built. And it looks amazing! www.titanicbelfast.com

Taken from http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/mar/23/titanic-belfast-guggenheim-bilbao

I guess I should go back to studying now...

Only a month to go

It's just under a month until I board the plane for London. And it's only been a month since I latched on to the idea of working abroad. So far it's been a whirlwind of getting everything together, but now I've basically done everything I can from this side of the Atlantic. There are some things, but mostly emails and research, nothing super substantial can happen until I get to London.

Anyways, I've come across some pictures/quotes that pretty much sum up how I feel about travelling. Hopefully they inspire you in some way too! =)

I can't remember the specific site this was from, I 'stumbled' on it

Found at http://fortheloveofwanderlust.wordpress.com

I can't remember the specific site this was from, I 'stumbled' on it

Found at http://imgfave.com/view/1801717

Found at http://blog.statravel.com/

And finally, a quote from Mark Twain, "Twenty years from now you’ll be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do, than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore.  Dream.  Discover."

So what are you waiting for? Go travel!