Friday night adventures Bird's Eye View , The Giraffe and Globe -

Yea, we finally made it to the Eye. As you may recall from a previous blog, visiting London's Eye was on my London Bucket list. The weather was rainy, but we manged to get a few shots before the windows were covered with rain drops.

My super awesome flat mates, this trip would not have been the same without them.

We had extra time before we had to be at the Globe for the production of Anthony and Cleopatra. Imagine my surprise when I saw there was a Giraffe Restaurant among our choices! I have been wanting to eat there. I decided tonight was the night to loosen the shoe strings and have a little fun and eat at a sit down place. Several friends in  our group decided to join us. Guess what... it was even "Bar Buddy" (1/2 off drinks) hmmmm I had been telling myself all week I was "allowed" to get a treat after my little Accident and Emergency crisis. SO- when I saw that melon margarita, I was sold!

When my drink came, it had no giraffe! I was waiting for my giraffe stirrer, I had spotted every color of stirrer sitting on the bar.... I notice these kinds of things. After, asking our server brought each of us a giraffe, Whew yoo! I had ordered loaded nachos with spicy sausage ( I can't remember the British name) it was more like bacon pieces. It was very good. As we were about to leave, an employee came up to check on us (maybe the manager). I spied a giraffe lanyard hanging out of his pocket. I asked if they were for sale, he said no, but here you go, and he took off his keys and handed it to me. Score!!! Not to mention it was a free souvenir-- but something that can not be purchased - that is what you call a super awesome souvenir, my friends!

Off to Globe Theater, I was looking forward to seeing the structure. Last time I was here they were rebuilding it.  Patrons could buy building materials to sponsor the rebuilding. I could not help wonder where my "bolt" was that I had purchased years ago. Sadly, to say I have no pictures of the Globe to share at this time. I am thankful that our seats were covered by the awning ( since the Globe theater is a open venue  and a rainy night) and that we had seats that were against the wall, I was able to lean my back against the wall. Not the best comforting way to sit for four hours, but we could of been the patrons below us with a bench to sit on!

On the way back from the Globe, we walked across the bridge over the Thames River.

I found the Mary Poppins Bench! There are 50 book benches around the city of London, we have been on a quest to find our favorite books. I

plan to dedicate a blog about them soon. 

How to fill your belly up for just £3

I have a exciting budget tip for you!  Where can you fill up your belly and get the good kind of sticker shock? A local grocery store offers meal deals. Today, I decided to check out a sandwich my friend recommended (she even made the pic background).  I picked up the lemon herb chicken salad sandwich, some salt and vinegar crisps AND a lemonade. I think the lemonade was the best part-- since I have been shoe stringin' it  - tap water has been the main beverage of choice.  

Name Art Collage

This video can also be found via YouTube Name Collage

Avoiding throwing money out the window

The UK is known for a lack of preservatives in their food .  Hence, it was recommended that we buy food every couple of days. This has been an adjustment for many of us Americans. We tend to buy extra or what we need for the week. My mama’s philosophy - the more trips to go to the grocery store to get just one or two things the more you spend and you come with a bag full. I think many of us are on the same page here—less trips to the store. Sad to say food has been thrown away this past week. Who would know that a whole loaf of bread could turn into a science project in two days? Yes, probably could of lasted a bit longer in the frig but who wants to eat a cold, hard peanut butter sandwich? Not this girl. As previously blogged, an excellent way to save money is shop with a friend. Shopping with a friend, is also an excellent way to avoid multiple baguettes cluttering up the counter and getting hard. Being grocery store savy will help prevent the feeling of standing there and  throwing pounds (British money) out the window.

Free------ I am always looking for ideas to get free deals  Recently,  some friends invited me to join them for dinner  at their flat – free meal and great company. But it does not stop there. I commented on the bag of marshmallows that was sitting on their bookcase. They told me that got them free…. FREEEEE……. I say? Apparently, if you cute and flirt with a street vendor you can get free marshmallows.   Hmmmm……...

A tip from my friend Danielle : Don’t go to the grocery store when  hungry because you are apt to buy extra STUFF! Yes, most of us know that, but felt like I needed to share this shoe string tip .

Watch out for those sly postage stamps that look innocent. Here in the UK a stamp to mail a postcard is $1.71 not to mention the price of the post card. Sadly, enough my postcard list had to be slashed drastically. I found an alternative way to let loved ones know I was thinking of them, taking pictures that remind me of them and posting on social media.

Perhaps a top way to save money while traveling – stay out of the souvenir shops. This could be tricky, so I recommend having an idea what you are looking for. When you have achieved your mission stay strong and prevail! Just say no! I learned it was perfectly alright  to wait outside of the Harry Potter gift shop. Some of you may gasp in disbelief. Hopefully, my 229 pictures will provide lasting memories.

Lastly, adhering to my shoestring budget, I bought the cheapest theater ticket to see the Crucible. Sometimes, a person has to sit back and ponder, do I want to save money and take the risk for crummy seats where you cannot see the actors on the stage? Or do I want to forgo some other expenses, save money and buy better seats. I suppose, it all comes down to priorities. 

How I ended up at Accident and Emergency while in a foreign country

Steamy temperatures near 100 degrees on Friday while enduring 23,491 steps/ 54 floors of stairs / 10.3 miles (according to my friends fit-bit) reeked havoc on my body. By the time we traveled back on Sunday evening it was clear that I needed some medical attention. Friday, my ankles slowly began to swell and a funky rash around my ankles and legs and I was beginning to waddle, as it was getting hard to walk come Sunday. Being that it was Sunday night,  and in a foreign country all the doctors offices were closed. Under the persuasion of my flat mates and Assistant Program Director, off to A&E otherwise known as the Emergency Room we went. The whole time as I rode in the taxi to the hospital, I wondered what kind of treat I would buy myself…. if I get a treat when I visit the doctor, surely a trip to A&E deserves a something yummy.

After checking into reception and consultation we waited two hours in the lobby, I silently began predicting what alignments other people had.  When,  finally my turn. an actual doctor called my name, unlike what  America. The doctor came in, looked at my feet and said “this is interesting, I have never seen this”….  The first thing that came out of my mouth, “Please don’t make me spend the night. (shear panic) ” How pitiful was that? After a five hour adventure and more than one doctors opinion my diagnoses was undetermined except the A&E did not think it was “sinister” or an infectious disease. 

Well, that was good news. Basically, I had sun poisoning, over heated, walked a great deal and along with heat rash. I was sent away with a bunch of meds and orders to come back if the rash spread higher than the green magic marker they drew all over my legs and then they would consult the infectious disease team. I must say I was relieved at the end result.  I am so thankful to report that the swelling is may down and the rash color is fading.   I wonder what the A&E bill will be? Sure glad I have international student insurance!

As we were walking out of the hospital  there were a series of signs about spreading infectious diseases... oh my, I sure hope I don't have cooties. 

Spending less than 50 euros in Paris

Let me just start out with saying that Paris is amazing! Paris on a shoestring budget? Well I imagined it was going to be a challenge. However, sometimes things and situations turn out in our favor when totally unexpected. Keep reading to see how I spent less than 50 Euros for the entire weekend in Paris.

Our Eurostar Train  fare was part of our class trip. All of our class activities were covered on Friday including a museum pass and Metro tickets through the weekend. Everyone in our group planned on staying through the weekend. We all booked rooms and paired up with one another in our group. We were treated to a lovely lunch on a river boat that cruise up and down the Siene River (the boat was air conditioned - Praise the Lord).

After the 3 course meal and wine we had a walking tour. The  guide took us to the homes of VanGough and other famous artists, as well as seeing various architecture and ladmarks around Paris. Sweltering heat and never ending stairs and hills (as it seemed) were a kicker in nearly 100 degrees temperature. We found a water fountain that we could fill up our bottles for free! 

Moulin Rouge Theater

We had just enough time to check into our hotels before heading to the Eiffel Tower. My buddy Heide invited me to stay with her at the hotel she booked; which was super awesome because she used her Mariott Points. 

After we checked into THE finest hotel I have ever been in, which had air condition and a lift (elevator) I was ready to crash. Fuzzy robes and slippers like clouds...ooohhh so divine.

                                       Selfie on the lift 



However, it was off to see the Eiffel Tower! Our group all met up and went up! It was so exciting. Many of us opted to go up to the highest point (an extra 6 Euro (approx $8) but so was worth it.

After the Eiffel Tower, we bought some overpriced, not so good food from a street vendor – but at midnight you got to partake  what you can. On the way back to our hotel fireworks were going off. It was really magnificent seeing the fireworks with the Eiffel Tower in the back ground. We decided to take  the Metro, (underground subway). which can be a bit confusing, luckily Heidi  is an excellent map navigator so we made it back to our hotel not to our destinations throughout the weekend. 

The pillows and duvet cover were so comfy.Sleeping in felt great on Saturday, and the breakfast that was part of our stay was amazing, We had a ton of choices and one of my favorite things was “traditional tomatoes and peppers” It was crushed up tomatoes, spices, onions and bell peppers; yum, so good! Did I mention that there was fresh squeezed orange juice?

We visited Notre Dame. 
 

On our way we walked across a bridge that is nicked named Love Locks Bridge. Visitors from all over the world place a lock on the bridge and their significant other throws the key into the water and they are suppose to be together forever. 

We spotted a crepe vendor along the Siene River. I had my doubts about their sanitation grading. I just handed Heide my money and kinda looked the other way. I selected a crepe with Nutella, it literally melted in my mouth, it was one of those things that if a lot of backtracking had not been  involved, I may have gone and got another. We came back to the hotel to rest a bit and were able to help our self to the coffee/tea/ and hot chocolate bar! Not to mention a huge container of gummy candies (free souvenirs for a certain gummy bear fan coming their way!). Saturday evening we decided to take it easy and find a local supermarket and just have a light dinner in our room, Selecting items was a bit tricky trying to figure out the kind of cheese or kind of sandwich as everything was written in French. We were going to chill out in our hotel slippers and watch a movie but at 16 euros ( $21) we said no way!

Throughout the weekend, Heidi's mission was to recreate photographs that her mother took while she visited Paris in 1970. It was fun to share some of the excitement with Heide as she found the landmarks.

After another stuff our belly’s full of French food for breakfast (yes, there were croissants too) on Sunday we headed to the museum must see list. We used our museum passes that where purchased for our program which allowed us to visit nearly 60 museums and enter through a special gate not requiring us to wait in the que! We checked out the Louve and Musee d’Orsay (I really enjoyed the d’Orsay as many Monet paintings were on display).

Hundreds of people swarmed around the Mona, but I saw it and was good to go!

A little souvenir shopping was done to use up our euros. I had been scouting out some of the souvenir peddlers and knew what I wanted and put the exact change in my pocket and was ready. The vendor tried three different prices and I just shook my head no and he finally gave me the price that all the other vendors were charging. I haggled the local whew yoo! -another shoestring tip.

How time flies, it was time to head to head back to London. We all met up at the train station and took the Eurostar back to London. It would be nice if I could say that we all went back to the flat and chilled out. However, that’s not what happened, I had a little visit to the ER. I will be sharing my adventures in the ER in a future blog.

This weeks adventures in London

Today was a bit more relaxed from our 7 miles and 26 flights of stairs that we traveled through Oxford yesterday. We had class this morning and worked on our digital stories.  This afternoon we went on a tour of the BBC Television studios. It was interesting to learn they are three times bigger than CNN! Our tour included a look into the "presenters" different title than anchors that American uses. We took a look at a studio where they tape some of the news. Small groups of visitors were selected to be "presenters" and the meteorologist. Inside I was secretly thinking pick me, pick me. I did not want to volunteer and then look foolish, so I just watched from afar. Then could kick my self, at this once in a life time opportunity. One of my classmates was selected to report the news. She did a great job. Our tour group was also invited to do a small radio recording with voices and sound effects. I was ready to volunteer for this one, after missing out on the news desk, but the tour guides selected the participants. One of my classmates Kiersten was a reader and Sarah was chosen to do the sound effects. They both did awesome.