Well, Christmas is almost upon us. I find this to be a bit odd, due to the differences in seasons. This year feels like it has gone exceptionally fast. Considering that I left home in a summer, Peru was very much like an early NZ summer. And then into an American summer. So when I was in America because it was hot my body was telling me it was February even though I knew it was July. Now that its snowy and cold everyone is talking about C'mas, but to me it feels like mid year. Certainly not the end of it!
I have managed to get out of the city a few times now. The first time was to visit some family up north. Which was a great trip, and esp good to meet the family of my mothers cousin - who visited us when I was very young. It was also great to get out of the city and into the country for a weekend.
The following weekend which was at the end of Nov, a friend and I went on a day trip with the local bus company to some Christmas markets in a northern town. It was quite funny because the average age of every one else must have been about 50. And that is only so low because of us two youngins! otherwise it would have well been easily 60.
But the most interesting trip so far was my recent travels to Munich. It started as most of my trips do with me underestimating travel times and becoming concerned that I might miss my flight. But as it turned out the plane was late this time. As we came to land through the low cloud my first impression of Munich was seeing the snow dusted pine trees. Coming into land on an old air force base (easily WW2) I was instantly reminded of just how much history there is in this part of the world. I know its the same with London, but I guess after living here for only a few months the gloss wears off.
There were lots of great things about my Munich trip, but I guess the best thing would be spending time with friends again. One from Peru and one from home. I chuckled to myself at the time because for the second time in a new city I arrived on one of the Smith brothers front door step. Although this time much more organised! and due to the -4 temperature, I'm glad I wasn't waiting for hours on the street!
But the weekend was fairly busy sight seeing, we managed to see some Christmas markets, parts of the city, go ice skating in the snow! which was extra cool for me. As well as the BMW museum and BMW world which is basically a huge car shop but both were really cool.
We also visited a Bavarian Beer Hall, which was extra special because it was only on arrival that I noticed the logo. It was the same logo that I have seen for years on a beer mug (that has always had pens in it), I always thought the said mug was from England. So I thought it was cool that someone form my family had been to the same beer hall. Only to find out later that my parents brought that mug in Arther's Pass! However my mother had been to the beer hall many years ago.
Monday and half of Tuesday was spent catching up with a friend (the oldest Smith brother) that I haven't seen in years. So time went by very quickly indeed. And before I knew it, it was time to get back on the bus and go to the airport.
So now I am out of work for the time being, and have been since I got back mid last week. But I'm trying to make the most of the opportunity by seeing as much of London as I can. And possibly fit in a day trip somewhere up north perhaps to Oxford. But given its so close to C'mas short notice trips seem to be quite expensive.
I do have work lined up in Jan, working for an expat Kiwi. Who does some pretty interesting work for the best kind of clientele -the ones with money. One of the jobs I should be on is by the Tower Bridge. So hopefully I will start in the second weekend of Jan. But until then I'm just chillin, both literally and figuratively!
I will spend C'mas with my friend down the road who is also an expat and who has been here a little longer than me. I think we will have a good ol NZ lamb, it seems only right!
And then shortly after I will be making my way to Amsterdam for New Years!
So I hope you all have a great C'mas and New Years.
