Metz Cathedral

When I decided to venture to Metz, Frnace, it was because of a recommedation from my friend, Stephaie. I had other great recommedations, but I was drawn to Metz for some reason. Maybe because the others sounded German and I still wanted to a French experiece. It was more of a mental thing than anything specific.
I arrived in Metz yesterday via train from Paris. I didn't know what to expect or even where I would stay. I just went. This morning I ventured out to explored the small city. One place I wanted to see was the cathedral. I could see the top of the spires from throughout the city. What I didn't know until I got up close and personal is that it looks very much like Notre-Dame de Paris. Very much like it.
I looked around for a line to get in. There was none, but I saw people coming and going, so in I went. The inside also very much resembled Notre-Dame. The biggest difference? The number of people. There were maybe 50 people total inside the cathedral while I was there. The line to get into Notre-Dame was way longer than that. While there wasn't a lot of noise in Notre-Dame, there still has a dull hum because of the shear number of people there.
I recommend Metz as a definite visit if you ever go to France. You can see some of the same kinds of sights (a cathedral like Notre-Dame; the Centre Pompidou, etc.), but get a much more French town. Now, most of the people don't speak much English, or don't cop to it, so you'll have to know a little French at least.

French food

I am enjoying the food in France so very much, but I have to admit that I'm looking forward to being back home where I'll have more control-such as my own kitchen.
Being a tourist, especially in large cities is difficult between not knowing where to go and not wanting to spend too much, as well as eating somewhat healthy-though the last list out. The most healthy things I have had are fruit smoothies from McDonalds, and some salads when I would have a sit-down meal.
While I feel I may have gained a ton, I think it has been evened out by the shear number of miles I have logged in my feet.
Here is some of the food I have had on my trip.

The expanse

Zooming through the French countryside on a nearly silent train, I see green fuzz covering an otherwise brown terroir. The blue-gray sky is nearly cloudless, black specks-birds-dot the space above the horizon
The land outside the window could be that of my home country if not for the brick towns that pop up.
This country is lot my own or even vaguely familiar, but it shows that we (humans) aren't that different. Though not all countries are so similar, we are people have some basic needs and desires that are the same, regardless of where we're from-food/water and love. I can't think of anything else that we need to live. Love makes us human, otherwise what are we? Robots or monsters.

"Nowhere to be and all day to get there"

That's my favorite song by the Waybacks (they performed in Stadium Park years ago). That's how I feel right now. I could go anywhere right now. I'm going to Metz, was going to try and visit a friend in Germany at the American Airforce base in Ramstein, but no train there today.
I've been trying to firm up a place to stay in Metz for tonight-I do have one for tomorrow night, however.
I attempted to take the 1:40 pm train to Metz, but the ticket machine would t take my card and the line for tickets was Lon and SLOW. I didn't get my ticket until 1 pm. So now what? Sitting in the train station people watching and blogging and ill likely pull out my Kindle-I'm in the middle of a good book.
While I'm a slight bit anxious about not having a place to stay, I'm not worried. Worst comes to worst I'll hop on a train or bus and go somewhere else (most likely to you, Jessica B.)
I'm sad to leave Paris, but after seeing the difference between London an Canterbury, I'm ready to et out of the city. Now I'll really have to use French instead of relying on everyone to know English (and they do-they often start talking to me I. English the second I open my mouth).
I'm sad that my vacation-the first alone in years (and by alone I mean sans my constant companion)-is nearly over; though I miss my girl dearly! It's been nice to have a break from always working or being a mother. Needed to recharge and seeing the world is a high priority to me and it's been pushed to the back burner.
Next year, Paula and I are going to Russia!! Anyone want to take my girl for two weeks? :P Just kidding, but only slightly. :D

Cheese and wine...finally

I've been attempting to sample some of France's infamous cheese and wine. While I've had some here and there (and it lives up to its reputation), I wasn't able to get to an actual wine bar. I specifically wanted to try some wine AND cheese.
Le Garde Robe on rue de l'arbre sec in Paris was recommended to me by a friend of a friend who lives in Paris.
I attempted to go there Saturday night, but got the incorrect metro stop and directions from my map app (thank you, technology!), so my attempt was thwarted.
It was closed Sunday, so I had accepted I wouldn't make it. Then, I found it while walking around this afternoon. It was t quite open then so I went back to my hotel to get there at the "right" time, after 9 pm.
The small wine bar, which also specializes in cheese and meats, is a small room with a brick wall in one side with shelves or wine opposite it. The wood-floored room seats about 20.
The first thing I was asked was "red or white?"
"Red," I said.
"Light or heavy?"
Hmmm....decisions.
"Light," I said, expecting a rose. Instead I got something more like a Zinfandel, but with a taste I've never had before. She promptly went behind the bar and brought back a wine. She poured me a small taste for me to try. I got to say yes or no to it and she the poured me a full glass with a "yes" answer (or oui).
Next, I got to order my food. I wanted to try both the meat and cheese, but didn't want full orders of each. I asked if I coil have a small board of each. She said no, but then said she could give me a one-half board of each. I'm not sure that I got a half order, but it's good none the less and I do not know when I'll be in Paris.
Though I'm the only single party here, all the rest are couples, I'm enjoying the atmosphere. And the food. And the wine.
And eventually I'll have dessert. My sever/bartender did last call for the kitchen and was quick to say that dessert would still be available.
A man just walked in selling roses. I'm only used to seeing young woman selling the roses on a night out. Oh how different Paris is.
All the cheeses were relatively not stinky, but I like the stinky cheese!!!
I now am a very satiated Heather now that I've experienced a Paris wine bar.

How do you say...what?

We're in the Flanders area of Belgium. I was expecting to speak French, or even German, and it appears to be Dutch with German, French and a bit of English mixed it. I feel bad just speaking in English without making effort in Dutch. I need to just say "Hello" in German and let it be, though I don't know what it is. I do how to say "thank you" in German, that's easy. I learned no and Christmas tree.

Stories

The beat part of traveling-even life-are the stories you accumulate due to mishaps or just because. I find that the best things come unexpectedly.
Tyler and I planned to take the ferry from Dover, England, to Dunkirk, France, because it is closer to the best beer in the world. Tyler reserved a rental car for us in Dunkirk (car is the easiest and possibly only way to get I the monastery-short of hitchhiking or paying a random person to drive us, which I would be willing to do for the best beer on the world in a pinch), but we couldn't get tickets to Dunkirk, only Calais, France, because you had to have at least a bike to get on that ferry.
Now that's just lovely.
I'm not worried, one way or another we'll either get a car in Calais or take a bus/train to Dunkirk. We'll get to see a bit more of France either way.
Of course, my best stories are likely yet to come as we're leaving an English-speaking country for French and Flemmish.
I've been learning via Rosetta Stone an I have a phrase book to read on the journey over. I'm practicing what I'd need to say to certain people I may see when we arrive. Will make every effort in French.

Waiting, watching

I sit in the train station, waiting. Waiting for my travel companion to arrive. Waiting for the train to depart. Waiting for my body to thaw.
While I wait, I watch.
I see a school field trip with at least 30 6-year-olds and one adult per 5 children. I see families heading of for holiday. I see businessmen (and women) in suits, carrying briefcases. I see people.

Another world...mostly

Walking down Oxford Street, I was not surprised to see the Gap, Footlocker, Starbucks, Burger King, McDonald's, Pizza Hut and other America shops. Like in the US, nearly everyone has a smartphone in hand - nearly always an IPhone.
What's different - at least for living in a more rural area - are all the different people speaking different languages. I've heard more language than I have English - though half the time I can't understand some of the thing accents even from native English speakers.
I've already found myself using some different words :
Instead of:
mail use post
Excuse me, sorry
Bathroom, loo or toilet
Takeout, takeaway
Subway, Tube or underground
Trash, rubbish
Trash ca, rubbish bin
Elevator, lift
Apartment, flat
Watch your step, mind the gap
Rent, hire or let
Truck, lorie
Cart, trolley
Trip, journey

And so many more.

Another important discovery, if you ask for a tea, you'll be prompted for more info - what kind of tea for you want? Cream and sugar?

If you ask for a coffee, you'll the same question, because with the exception of Starbucks and the cafe by the London Eye, no one has "filter" coffee (which we know as brewed) or pour over or French pressed (maybe a French place will have that, but I'm waiting to go into French places until I get to France)

I've arrived in London

Getting to our London host's wasn't as easy as I expected. I had the directions in my phone, and carefully followed them. I cursed myself (inside my head, of course, to not appear crazy) for not doing the street view BEFORE I left the United States.
Wearing my 50-plus backpack (maybe that will keep me from buying too much-but probably not), I trekked down Stockwell Road toward Nathan's flat. I was looking for what I thought was a street (Court was the second word). The directions said to walk six minutes and it's be on the right. I figured I was much slower than six minutes with the backpack and not sleeping on the plane (oh how tried-and failed). After about 13 minutes I was still walking. I just knew I had passed my turn. So I finally found a place to stop and ask for help. It was a tiny neighborhood shop. The man there was a foreigner evident by his English skills. After showing him the address on the phone (appears I was saying it incorrectly, of course), he directed me to barbershop next door. I was expecting what you'd see in Atascadero (terrible comparison: Atascadero to London, not even close).
I walked into the barbershop. There were about a dozen or so black men (nice on the eyes, of course). Everyone stopped to start at the white girl-lost and American wearing a huge backpack and frizzy hair from walking in the drizzle). They were somewhat helpful, but the first question was "why don't you GPS it on the iPhone you're holding." "It doesn't work" (because it's $20 per MB, unsaid of course).
With a tiny bit of a direction (now I knew to look for Stockwell Green), I headed off back toward the Tube station. Not far of a walk, I saw Stockwell Green and then the name of the apartment building (not a tiny court).
I MADE IT!!!!!!

Please note that I am writing these all on the fly on my phone. When I can, I will edit on my computer. I want to be sure to write these whenever I can or I will get for behind.

The waiting

It feels like a dream. I'm an hour from my flight to London taking off. Traveling has been such a desire for me. Really, what I believe I'm built for-exploring the planet on which we live and sharing those inhabitants' stories. I've put it on the back burner. Not any longer.
This trip. Was more of a whim. Well...not even a whim, really. My brother and I were chatting on Facebook and he said, "after I visit you, I'm flying from SLO to London."
"I want to go!" I hastily wrote back. As if, I thought bitterly.
That wishful thinking sentence led to more wishful writing between Tyler, which led to "well, why the hell not "
Which turned to "I'm going to Europe for two weeks."
The initial planning, however was for Tyler, my girl and I. I was excited to take her and write about traveling Europe with a 4-year-old. My mother soon offered to come out to California from Kansas to stay with A. My immediate reaction was "NO! We're both going!" After a weekend travel writing boot camp, I quickly called my mom and said "Ok, let's do it." That was in September. Here we are 6 months later. It's happening. Holy cow!!!! I've been to Europe before, heck, I've been to London before, but my last international travel was 13 years ago, when I was 20.
One thing I live about traveling is the people watching. Absolutely intriguing. People are so interesting to just watch. How different we all are, but also how similar we are. We are all people.

Two-week Europe trip here I come

I'm getting ready to start a two-week European adventure with my brother. The backing-through-Europe, staying-at-hostels-crashing-on-couches type of trip. The kind you'd expect a newly graduated high school or college student to do.
Instead, it's the single, working parent of a 4-year-old. I'm excited for two weeks of ME time. No planning my schedule around my girl's sleep schedule or her "fussy" time.
The last several vacations I've gone on, I was left with "why did I even spend all this money on a vacation to enjoy none of it." I would go home more exhausted from 24/7 of being withy daughter. I live her and enjoy being around her, but there are limits to how much she can handle.
I feel like a child let less on her own. No one to worry about but herself.
Work will survive without me. And although it's a bit saddening to me, so will my daughter, though she keeps saying "I'm going to be SO hungry" or "who's going to take care of me?"
The longest we've been apart is 3 days and that was only 3 weeks ago.
I'm waiting to get on my first flight of the trip, SLO to LAX, then LAX to Heathrow.
I can't seem to relax, yet.
I've got the important things with me. My child is in good hands and there's not much else I can do right now. Except relax.
That will be the most important thing this vacation: relax. Slow down and breathe. Don't worry. Things will work out the way they will.
Stay tuned for updates throughout my trip. I'll post as often as I can. Let me know what you think I should see or do in London.