Saturday, April 26, 2008

Does anyone have a pedometer?

After we left the office today, we decided to go to St Paul’s Cathedral. An ex-colleague/work friend of mine strongly suggested visiting St Paul’s Cathedral as it was the most beautiful place she’s ever seen.

I was already tired as I’ve been walking around with my laptop and no matter how far technology advances and make electronic devices smaller, there will always be new technology to be squeezed into computers and the weight of laptops pretty much remain the same.

We took the tube to get to St Paul’s (around 3-4 stops plus one change) and the cathedral grounds is pretty much directly behind the tube exit. Walking to the right hand side I saw the “Temple Bar”.

The Temple Bar is the only surviving gateway into the City of London. It was erected by King Charles II to replace a previous timber structure. Where it stands now is actually not its original location. It was moved there as it was blocking traffic.

Directly opposite the Temple Bar is the right side of the cathedral where you’ll see the dome.



We’re not allowed to take photos inside but the ceiling of the cathedral, including the dome, is covered in beautiful paintings and art work. There are no words that good describe it except….PHWAOR!




The structure standing today is actually the fifth church on this site and was designed by Sir Christopher Wren to replace the previous Gothic cathedral destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. Anyway, originally a spire on the old church, the dome consists of a bigger dome covering a smaller dome. Wren designed it this way to make it look impressive from the inside as well as the outside. People can actually go up the dome (434 steps in total). The first stop is the “Whispering Gallery”, after 163 steps. Somewhere in the middle of the dome structure you’ll see a fence-like structure. This is the “Stone Gallery” and that is 282 steps up. Above the grey part of the dome is the “Golden Gallery” and that is 434 steps up. Really cool…inside the walls of the cathedral are tunnels and stairs and this is how you get to the top. In between stair cases sometimes there are resting seats. The tunnels are very tight. With my laptop bag, I had to walk slightly sideways in some parts.






Once you get to the Stone Gallery, you get breath-taking views (if you have any left that is) of the city like the ones below showing the Millennium Bridge and London Eye.




The steps are spiral and are very tightly wound. You can never plant your feet flat and have to tip toe all the way up. When you reach the Golden Gallery, guess what we saw…

Hahaha! Anyway I think they meant no jumping…..

If you think that’s it, you are very wrong. We went in the afternoon. Got there around 3pm and got to the Golden Gallery around 3.50pm. We were rushing back down because another part of the cathedral is “The Crypt”, the cathedral’s burial chamber and it closes 4pm. We didn’t make it in time but we did see the tomb’s of Lord Nelson and Florence Nightingale. So the rest of the cathedral will be part 2 then…10 quid to enter to I’ll have to work to get some money first.


Friday, April 25, 2008

Iron Man UK Charity Premiere

After the last blog entry, we decided to go to the National Gallery to have another look at the artwork. When we had enough, we came out for a bit of fresh air but instead of making our way home, we decided to go on a detour towards Leicester Square where the Iron Man premiere was going to take place. Around this time, a long white limo drives by slowly beside us on the right. I thought…hmmm. I wonder if the stars are starting to arrive…


So we started standing with the crowd beside the iron fences (no pun intended). 45 minutes later the first celeb was driven in and it was Hayley Westenra! I said “hey look! Is that Hayley?” The kids in front of us said “who?” I said “Hayley Westenra. She is a New Zealander. A singer…” They all went quiet for a sec but since the kids were there with their autograph books, they probably thought what the hell…the three started yelling “HAYLEY!!!” But she never came to our side. All I got was this…


A couple of other Limos came with “unknown people” – i.e. not known to me…Then came Robert Downey Jr. He playd Tony Stark / Iron Man of course.


But the bastard wouldn’t come to our side of the crowd so all I got are shots of his back. These are is the clearest ones.

Then this guy came. Jon Favreau - the director; I know his face from other movies but never knew his name. Jon walked right in front of us and signed a few autographs.

Here’s a nice surprise! Gwyneth is here! I didn’t recognise her at first…but she’s got really long legs and her long legs are pretty much the only thing you’ll notice while she’s posing in front of the photographers…

Here’s her just out of the car…

And her as she walked toward us


But she started walking the other way!!! Arggghhh!!!


After her was Terence Howard (Jim Rhodes)…Again he walked to our side of the crowd. In fact he was the only guy who went around the whole crowd…



Anyway, all-in-all it was a good experience. I now know where to stand when there are world premieres in Leicester Square…the only question is how long will I be standing there.

This time round we stood there for 1.5 hrs and my legs almost gave in.

A Blissful Year for PopCulture Fans!








Something is always happening at Leicester Square

I think I've mentioned before that Leicester square is a very happening place. Lots of theatres, chinatown is just on the other side, lots of half-priced tickets for shows, and the Odeon Theatre seem to be a regular premiere venue for movies.

Our office is around the corner (and by office I mean the Internet Cafe). So we've been here pretty much everyday. We'd take turns using the computer and the other person would take a walk outside or as far as 3-4 blocks down to Picadilly and Regent Street where the bigger shops are. Just today I realised that walking to the right of the internet cafe is the National Art Gallery. So I might spend some time there in the coming days until I start work on Monday.

The other day we were just walking pass the L Square looking for food (not that there are no available food. on the contrary there are too many to choose from - at least for me) and we saw a cordon off area for the world premiere of "What Happens in Vegas". Later that night Ashton Kucher came to visit. No we didn't stay stargazing...

Today I walked out to the square again looking for a the post office. And guess what I saw...

Yes I think it is a launch of the Iron Man movie! Big trucks putting up signs and setting up stages.

In the corner of my eye I saw something else...It was a kind of carnival ride...


And since it is ....
I went on. Not bad. The ride is a preview of the movie where Ironman was testing his suit for the first time.


After the ride, I got this poster....



Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Tube and train etiquette and other bits and bobs

Have I mentioned that Londoners are terrible with their manners? General observations include: bad service, bad manners, no respect for others (most of the time) - some people might call this cut throat?...but I think it is not as bad as NY (at least what I've seen on TV) when people just ram into you.

Anyway, as in most heavily populated cities, there are rules when you are in the train stations. I think there are rules in NY, Singapore and other places. Here in London, you have to stick to the right hand side of the escalator so the people who are in a hurry can walk up or down the escalator on the left side. As soon as you get off the escalator, there is a rule to keep left which hardly anyone follows. Sort of confusing too.

In the train, there are signs suggesting that you offer your seat to people who are less capable to stand like the elderly or pregnant people. But isn't this everyday manners our parents have taught us? That seems to be the nature of London though. I used to watch where I'm going until one day I realised that I was giving way to practically everyone. Last week I've started to behave like a Londoner and just kept on walking straight and let other people clear the path for me. Of course my nature kicks in every 5 minutes or so and I end up giving way again.

In restaurants or coffee shops, they all behave like they don't wanna be there. Well of course this is true for some of them but if you work in a restaurant, you are expected to provide service with a smile. Not here. they even roll their eyes or sigh heavily. If Woofman were here, he would have tried to get that person fired already...

The other week, I went to a department store called Debenhams. Bought a pillow. This indian looking guy served me and asked a question. I didnt quite understand as it was a mixture of indian accent with british tones plus whatever else is in there. He asked the second time and was referring to a loyalty card - asked if I have one. I said no. He offered to apply me for one to get discounts in the future. As I was in a hurry, I told him no. Then he tried again (maybe he gets some sort of commission?) I said no, I don't want to worry about it now. I'll do it later. He then let out this strong sigh and with an annoyed face he ask me for payment. If this was farmers in Auckland, I think I would have gotten this guy in trouble with the managers but here it is normal.

*sigh* :)

Sunday, April 20, 2008

The London Tube

This is why it is called the tube…

:)

This station is actually among the cleaner and smaller ones. Some of the tube stations are a lot more crowded. I think there are around 10-11 tube lines. Some lines are older and the trains are slower. Tube lines have varying depths underground. Some are probably two floors underground and takes about 20-30 steps of stairs to get out to the road. Some lines, like the northern line, are among the deepest underground. It takes one set of stairs, two long escalators, then another set of stairs to get up to street level. So naturally, they build lifts into these underground stations as well.

Where we are currently staying (Holloway Rd, Islington), the tube station just around the corner from us is “62 + 20 steps” underground. Of course there are two lifts which I’ve always caught after using the stairs twice before.

We came across this sign from another station if you dare to take it.

And if that is not enough…



Saturday, April 19, 2008

London Bridge

After a whole week of daily trips to internet cafes, talking to agents, and job hunting, today we decided to do a bit of relaxation before we’re at it again on Monday. Actually we started yesterday afternoon where we went to one of many markets in London. Think of them like the Saturday Avondale markets or Otara markets, except they are a bit cleaner and the things for sale are from Europe…

Today I saw several stands with yummy cheese including this type of mozzarella made from buffalo milk. Really yum! Was very tempted to get some plus some Italian bread but I’m lactose intolerant so I was a bit cautious. As soon as we left the market I regretted not getting any so I’ll definitely go back to get some next time.

Today we also went to London Bridge. The history of the London Bridge is amazing. I haven’t really read about it until I visited the London Bridge Experience today. It’s history goes back to the roman times when the Roman’s first built the very first bridge. It’s been said that if it weren’t for the Romans, there probably wouldn’t be a London today. Well…maybe there will still be one but slightly different, aye!


The second London Bridge had houses on it including gates to protect the city of London. On top of these gates are wooden stakes where traitor’s heads including William Wallace’s head (have you seen Braveheart?) are displayed for everyone to see.

In the 1600’s, a new bridge was designed and it took 33 yrs to build. The designer and builder was Sir John Rennie. Actually his father started the work but died before finishing the bridge and John took over and was knighted after the bridge was completed. This bridge didn’t have the houses anymore and lasted 600 yrs.

It was in the mid-1900s when London decided to get a new bridge (since the old one was no longer stable) so a new one was designed. The old London Bridge was purchased by an American guy named McCullough for $2.5 million. His company then took apart the bridge, numbered each brick one by one, then moved and rebuilt this bridge in Arizona where it is still standing today over a river christened “Little Thames”

The new bridge was opened in 1973 by the queen.Here’s a view of the River Thames. Looks very dirty and brown like the Waikato river.


And to the east is the Tower Bridge which a lot of people today mistake it as the London Bridge.


Friday, April 18, 2008

teeheee... i mean "whoops! Sorry!!!"

Stepped on a lady's big toe this morning as I was trying to move away from the entrance way on the train... I'm pretty sure that I came down on her big toe with my heel 'cos it certainly felt like it :-) man you should've seen her face, I must've woken her up or something as well 'cos if looks could kill I'd be dead :-) so after saying sorry a couple of times, I just looked the other way and stared out the window.

The train needs more handholds, true there's the occasional pole and most seats have a a handhold on the backrest behind the passengers head but I've never been a fan of those and would rather grab on to one that's hanging from the ceiling.

The word for the day? Toe!!!

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

A bit of a break

Had a bit of a break today and tried to enjoy London attractions…not easy if you are unemployed and a workaholic. We actually started a bit later than usual. I think we would have done more if we started earlier but not living in your own flat and having to wait for others before you can carry out your daily itinerary certainly does not help.

It was nearly lunch time when we went to see our friends…



After the photos above, Sarah wasn't happy...





Morgan and I on the red carpet

Make it so...




We then went to the Natural History Museum. And like the Art Gallery, it deserves subsequent visits..