Vacation

So most of you saw the pics I posted on FB of djib&reibs but here are some cool shots. The visit was good but its unfortunate that they came at the time that they did. In djibs case it wasn’t too bad because he wanted some time to relax and chill and we chilled at my sisters and literally watched movies and ate non-stop. I know what you’re thinking, “You went to London and you ‘relaxed and chilled’?!” but keep in mind London, as amazing at it is during the school year does have some drawbacks and one major bit of information most people don’t realise when thinking of it. This city is not 24/7. New York is the ‘city that never sleeps’ and for good reason, nothing closes, you can get any type of food whenever. In London that is NOT the case. Where I live (15min walk from Oxford Circus/Regent street - main tourist shopping district) its kind of like the transition between residential and business except the residential is like Kate Moss (she shops at the same grocery store on Marylebone High St as me :S) so finding cheap/fast food is, well, impossible. Within 20 min walk I have a couple handfuls of Michelin restaurants but only 1 McDonalds and 1 KFC… NOT EVEN A CHICKEN SHOP (as common here as Tim Hortons’ in Canada). Its UNHEARD OF. 

But yeah, aside from not being able to eat after 1130 (when McDonalds closes :/ grrr) but all pubs close at 1130 as well NO MATTER IF ITS FULL OR NOT!! Ugghh this is unbelievable. Even Ottawa bars/pubs don’t close till at least 1230 and they don’t close if they have patrons. So annoying.

Alright, enough ranting about London pubs but during Christmas London is actually a ghost-town. No body is here and things close EARLIER! What the SHIT is that?!

With that said, we got some good sight-seeing in and the crowds were down (until we went shopping after Christmas, picture of Carnaby St above). I honestly think London is much nicer at night and after a rain (not too uncommon :P). There is something about the European street lights sparkling off the puddles at night. Absolutely gorgeous.

Oxford

The trip to Oxford was OK I guess. The city is ok, small, but I imagine when schools going (we went during Christmas holidays) it would be quite different and the atmosphere (and scenery heh) would be much better. Could be a really cool student town. Would like to go back during the school year sometime before I leave. Got some sweet pics though, not all are here obviously :P

PS I love bookstores and this was the highlight. it was amazingly epic.