Vise/Liege

Wow, so much has changed, and yet so much remains the same. I just returned from visiting with Christian and Claire. I had a wonderful time! The house is still the same, with the same smells. It's amazing how much it felt like 'home'.

I arrived in Vise around 8pm (perhaps later) after traveling all day on Monday. Oufti! We left Sheffield around 8:30 am, so naturally I was a bit tired. We visited for a little bit on Monday night, and then we all went to bed.

On Tuesday I went around Vise with Christian while he did some errands. I got to see some people that I met 8 years ago, and it was nice to see them again. We went to Galler for chocolate (I bought enough for the whole show...seriously...and it wasn't too expensive) which was amusing because Christian loves chocolate just as much as I do. After chocolate we went to pick up Claire at work. She is in Liege now, but is retireing in the middle of December. While there I quickly saw Jean Siquet. I hardly recognized him to say the least. He has completley white hair now and no beard. He is also no longer with Bernadette, and live in Liege with his new wife. Oh the things that change!

Wednesday found me in Liege in the afternoon. I got together with Debra for lunch and then foraged out on my own to Le Coeur Saint-Jean. It is a bar where a lot of exchange students go on Wednesday afternoons. I did find them, and I will say that things haven't changed all that much as far as that is concerned. They deduced that I was a returning student, and I was welcomed into the crowd. I did not stay long though because I had dinner plans. I left them to their drinking and returned to Debra's house with her. A lot has changed there as well. She has finished most of the apartments, and is now working on hers. Cleo is still Cleo but Jess and Jeremy are no longer here.

I returned to Christian and Claire's in the evening to have dinner with them and Philippe, Laurence, and Melanie. Melanie is their daughter. I had gone to a Mini Cooper rally with Philippe in Luxembourg. It was super nice to be able to see them again, and I hope to do it again soon. I'm even friends with them on Facebook, so it aught to be even easier to keep in touch.

I had to come back to work (Lille) today, so I got up early and caught the train from Vise. Christian walked with me to the station, and waited for the train with me. They still call me their American Daughter, which I think is very nice. It was so sad having to say bye after just a few short days. I'm thinking I will go back when we are in Strassberg (sp?), but I can't be certain at this time.

*fin*

Sheffield

So there was no London v.2. I didn't manage to get that far. And then there were two weeks in Birmingham, and now we are in Sheffield. Life on tour is going by quicker that summer in WI. :) In most regards it is exciting that it is going so quickly, but sad in others. There are times that I wish that there were more time in some cities because there is so much to do. It all feels so rushed sometimes, and the schedule isn't going to be getting any easier as time goes on.

We are headed to Lille next, and I am excited for that. I'm going to be spending some time in Belgium with Christian and Claire. I may call Debra, but I would like to see how things go. I may even go to Liege in the afternoon on Wednesday just to see if anything has changed. The main thing though is that I will get to see Christian and Claire!!!

I hope that my French isn't too rusty, as I hope to be able to at least understand my locals. It may be very interesting to see what they say if they think that I don't understand!

*fin*

London v.1

I know, I know, I know. Too much time between posts and nothing super substantial in any of them. I'm sorry, but I am here to correct that!

Let's start back in Newcastle:

We arrived safely and worked with new locals for the first time since arriving in the UK. It was odd to say the least. We are by far the most spoiled people right now since we don't have to re-teach new people every week. I missed my locals! I had also been feeling like poop, and so I took myself to the doctors on Wednesday, which happened to be my birthday. Wound up that the reason it felt like I swallowed a handful of tacks was because I had a pretty severe case of tonsillitis. I've never had this before, so how was I supposed to know! Antibiotics and things were looking up. We finished Newcastle without any other incidents.

Then we were in Manchester:

Load in was the same story different location. At this point, the whole show is the same shit different city. But I like it. It means that we've gotten into a routine. I ended up going back to the doctors for more antibiotics to finish clearing up above condition. *sigh* Then the rest of the week went by quite swimmingly. I went to a theatre show while there. I attended "The Witches of Eastwick" which was based on the movie with Cher and Jack Nicholson. It was great! And so far from the family entertainment that we have for this show. It made me giggle. It was nice to see a show that had adult content. Acutally, it was all adult content. Ha!

Next stop: London:

We travelled on a Monday to get here, which was nice yet not nice at the same time. I always feel like I'm loosing a day when we travel on Mondays. This could be due to the fact that I didn't do anything on Monday. Tuesday I went to Stonehenge, and the one in Asubury (sp?). Pretty awesome rocks standing in some fields. :) Wednesday was work and so was Thursday. I'm hoping that I will have time to go to some shows here in London, as I really want to see Wicked. I cannot believe that it has been out for so long and I still haven't managed to see it.

In other news, I have read the entire "Twilight" series, and I thouroughly enjoyed it. I will be voting in the elections! I have my ballot and it will be on it's way home very soon. Just as soon as I find the post office. Much easier said than done. I'm not sure when I'm going to get photos up, can't gurantee anything. I know. I said that I would do that on a regular basis as well. You know what they say about good intentions... I may also be going to see Body Worlds! It is here at the O2, just like us, and I hope that we will have time to go to it. Work calling...

**fin**

New Castle

I know that it has been a long time since I last updated, and I fear that this one won't be all that long! We are currently in New Castle, England. I don't have a lot to say about it as I haven't been out much. There are more shows this week, and it will be interesting to do.

Just before being here we were in Liverpool and Nottingham. I regret to inform that I didn't do much in either of those cities either. Lots of work. Very little free time. However, I did do some fun things, such as The Beatle's Story in Liverpool and Nottingham "Castle" in Nottingham.

I will try to post pictures at a later date.

I'm doing well all things considered. I miss everyone back home, but I find that I am enjoying tour life. It is fast paced and crazy and I love it! I promise that I will try to have more interesting things to write about soon.

*fin*

Load out

Hey all. I have participated in my first load out, and have successfully integrated myself into the crew. Actually, they all seem to hold me in a higher regard because I stayed. It feels nice to be a part of a team again.

Tomorrow I will participate in my first full load in. I didn't in Glasgow because I didn't know there were two different times. But I do now, and I fully intend on doing a full load in and out in every city.

So, I am now in Liverpool. Home of the Beatles and some fantastic city scapes. I will be sure to take pictures, and I will try to post them. It seems like I will forever be one city behind. lol.

**fin**

Edinbourgh

Hey there folks! I know that it has been a while.

We have successfully opened the show. There have been toasts given and routines fallen in to. There was an opening night party, drinks were had, food was consumed and fun was had by all.

On Monday we went to Edinbourgh. It is a beautiful city even though there is quite a history there. We walked around the city, took a ghost tour, and then came home.

I'll try to post photos as soon as I can.

*fin*

Photos

A panoramic view of Glasgow from The Lighthouse. It is a museum in the city.

Yep, you are seeing correctly, that is a cardboard couch and lamp. Yes, I sat on it. It was comfortable considering what it was made out of!

The new next to the old. It is amazing to see so much different architecture next to each other.

Here are a few pictures from around Glasgow for everyone! I hope to do some more sight seeing soon, but I don't know when that will all happen. For those of you who are unable to view the photos, I apologize. I won't be able to post all of them in the blog since there is a limit to the number of photos on each post. I will try to find a free photo sharing site when I have time.

Tonight was also opening night of the show. It felt like any other show, there were no special butterflies or jitters on my end. Perhaps it is because I don't feel like it is really that stressful. I don't think I have ever been so calm before a show before. It was odd. I am far more used to feeling a couple of jitters all things considered. But the show is open, and it can only get better right?

*fin*