The city of Brighton, England, is known as the country's coastal resort town. It's where the wealthy and famous -- and yes, even common people -- have been vacationing for hundreds of years.
We took a 2-hour train into the city. We didn't have a map or a place to stay for the night, so we made those two things our top priorities upon arrival. We found an information office where we picked up a free map. We then proceeded to find a bed & breakfast just off the seafront. We had a balcony view of the ocean and breakfast was included. What more could we ask for?
We spent most of our time in Brighton just walking. And walking. Shopping. Walking the coast. Eating. Walking. Shopping. Walking.
Brighton Pier is really a sight. It extends a couple hundred yards into the ocean and is lined with doughnut and crepe shoppes, a huge arcade, a restaurant, stores, and even a carnival (with rides) on the tip of the pier. Imagine riding a roller coaster just feet above the ocean! (side note: We were planning to do a ride but we thought otherwise after eating a large meal of fish & chips.)
Brighton was chilly, but still comfortable. I didn't mind the wind and slightly cloudy weather. I was just happy to be on a beach. The ocean does something to me. I feel so alive when I'm near open water. Maybe it's the nature or ocean air or the feeling of being out in the open. I don't really know, but I love it.
Brighton is definitely a unique town... Or at least unique to the rest of England. In fact, I didn't feel like I was in the UK while I was in Brighton. I can't quite put my finger on what made Brighton so special. Maybe it's uniqueness factor stems from the excitement that the city radiates. Or maybe I just liked how "quirky" the city seemed. Upon arrival I felt happy and adventurous and excited. I even found myself wondering if I should have moved to a smaller city like Brighton rather than London... Working on the seafront of a foreign country... Living on the water and yet just hours from Paris, Belgium, London, Ireland, etc. But then I remember that everything happens for a reason. I chose London, and I am making the most of my time here. I live in the greatest city in the world.
Oh! This life I lead is amazing!
- - - - - - -
On a more low-key note, work at London South Bank University is going well. I can't believe I've been working here 5 weeks already. I work on an IT helpdesk in the Learning Resources Centre and, for the most part, things are pretty slow. But, we have an occasional disgruntled student who yells at us in a different language. (Last week we called security, and somehow 3 police cars showed up, too). Today we had a fire scare when the fire alarm went off and we had to evacuate some 300 students into the street. However, on an average day, the most exciting moment is a paper jam that I successfully cleared.
Sometimes I feel like just a boring, 9-5 working girl. But then I'll glance out my office window and catch a glimpse of the London Eye (ferris wheel), or I'll spot Big Ben over my lunch break. And the people. You can't imagine the different types of people I'm meeting over here... whether students or co-workers or random people on my work commute. I'm surrounded by people of every color, race, ehnicity, and background. Each day is a learning experience here. I either acquire new facts about one of my co-worker's native country... or I hear a British opinion of Americans (usually something I have to clarify or explain or justify)... or I discover something new about myself... or I learn a new computer fact. I just never know what my day is going to hold.
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Tonight after work I'm going to see the Lion King musical at Lyceum Theatre. Roarrrrrrr!
x Ashley
We took a 2-hour train into the city. We didn't have a map or a place to stay for the night, so we made those two things our top priorities upon arrival. We found an information office where we picked up a free map. We then proceeded to find a bed & breakfast just off the seafront. We had a balcony view of the ocean and breakfast was included. What more could we ask for?
We spent most of our time in Brighton just walking. And walking. Shopping. Walking the coast. Eating. Walking. Shopping. Walking.
Brighton Pier is really a sight. It extends a couple hundred yards into the ocean and is lined with doughnut and crepe shoppes, a huge arcade, a restaurant, stores, and even a carnival (with rides) on the tip of the pier. Imagine riding a roller coaster just feet above the ocean! (side note: We were planning to do a ride but we thought otherwise after eating a large meal of fish & chips.)
Brighton was chilly, but still comfortable. I didn't mind the wind and slightly cloudy weather. I was just happy to be on a beach. The ocean does something to me. I feel so alive when I'm near open water. Maybe it's the nature or ocean air or the feeling of being out in the open. I don't really know, but I love it.
Brighton is definitely a unique town... Or at least unique to the rest of England. In fact, I didn't feel like I was in the UK while I was in Brighton. I can't quite put my finger on what made Brighton so special. Maybe it's uniqueness factor stems from the excitement that the city radiates. Or maybe I just liked how "quirky" the city seemed. Upon arrival I felt happy and adventurous and excited. I even found myself wondering if I should have moved to a smaller city like Brighton rather than London... Working on the seafront of a foreign country... Living on the water and yet just hours from Paris, Belgium, London, Ireland, etc. But then I remember that everything happens for a reason. I chose London, and I am making the most of my time here. I live in the greatest city in the world.
Oh! This life I lead is amazing!
- - - - - - -
On a more low-key note, work at London South Bank University is going well. I can't believe I've been working here 5 weeks already. I work on an IT helpdesk in the Learning Resources Centre and, for the most part, things are pretty slow. But, we have an occasional disgruntled student who yells at us in a different language. (Last week we called security, and somehow 3 police cars showed up, too). Today we had a fire scare when the fire alarm went off and we had to evacuate some 300 students into the street. However, on an average day, the most exciting moment is a paper jam that I successfully cleared.
Sometimes I feel like just a boring, 9-5 working girl. But then I'll glance out my office window and catch a glimpse of the London Eye (ferris wheel), or I'll spot Big Ben over my lunch break. And the people. You can't imagine the different types of people I'm meeting over here... whether students or co-workers or random people on my work commute. I'm surrounded by people of every color, race, ehnicity, and background. Each day is a learning experience here. I either acquire new facts about one of my co-worker's native country... or I hear a British opinion of Americans (usually something I have to clarify or explain or justify)... or I discover something new about myself... or I learn a new computer fact. I just never know what my day is going to hold.
---------
Tonight after work I'm going to see the Lion King musical at Lyceum Theatre. Roarrrrrrr!
x Ashley
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