The dirty weekend

Brighton...England's scenic and historic "dirty weekend" resort town. I spent a weekend there at Suzy's house, a very un-Brighton weekend. We went out plenty, don't get me wrong, but the town is most famous as an historic destination for aristocrats to take their mistresses and behave atrociously. The city has really embraced its questionable claim to fame, and is also now England's gay capital - that combination leads to very good nightlife. But the city still looks like a cute English seaside town during the day. The palace below was a royal palace built by a playboy prince. The outside is inspired by the Taj Mahal, the inside is Chinese-themed, and quite spectacular. The whole thing is very sumptuous. Queen Victoria sold it because it wasn't built for a family so it had too few bedrooms, and because she didn't think it was private enough, which is probably true.

















This sculpture which is on the boardwalk is made by different sized holes in the metal letting the light through to create the images of people kissing - including gay couples. Click on the image for a better view.











But the town wasn't all immorality. I saw a cart that was employed when people started bathing in the sea for its supposed health benefits. Bathing carts - little dressing rooms on wheels like a wheelbarrow were employed so that ladies could remain modest. A lady would enter the cart and change into her bathing costume, then she would be wheeled inside the cart to the water, exiting directly into the sea for a minimum of exposure. I think we've all had bloaty days where this sounds like a very good idea.

So it's been awhile...

But I'm back to posting again. My January was filled with graduate school applications, and I just got my first result back. I was accepted into Columbia School of Social work. Since I worked a solid 5 weeks, I've earned another 2 weeks vacation. I went to visit Suzy in Brighton for a weekend, and now I´m spending the rest of my vacation in Portugal. I am wrapping up 4 days in Lisbon, then I´m off to Coimbra and Porto. I hope to get my pictures onto a cd in the next few days, so I'll get some posted. It is beautiful here, and the people are really nice. More details to come. While in England with Suzy, I got my nose pierced on a whim. Here's a pic for you all:

I will be back

I had a great time at home, and have been back in Avignon for a week now.  Not much news.  I'm overwhelmed with grad school applications, so I'll be starting the blog back up soon as that's done.

That snowy Saturday

The morning I went back to Saint Rémy with Robyn and Alicia. It snowed. This is how much it snowed. Who would get excited about this much snow? Well, this is a once-in-three years event in Avignon, so a lot of people would.





In Saint Rémy I showed Alicia and Robyn around the posh shops and we went to the Christmas market which was really nice. Then we stopped by Nostradamus' childhood home. Nearby is a picture of him on a wall. Me and Nostradamus:




After about 12 hours of travel I'm home. Yay!

Saw this online, and I know at least the U of Cers reading this will think its funny.

It's snowing!

in AVIGNON!  Unfortunately it's just warmer than freezing so it won't stick.


A clarification on my last post:  After reading it my mom said, "so, you really like Dodd," I didn't say that, I said I like his voice. A lot.

The Democratic Debate

CNN Europe is showing the democratic debate tonight. I've never really heard Sen. Chris Dodd speak before. I've read his statements, but speaking, it's a whole 'nother ball game. He has a good voice to start with, but a great manner of speaking. He sounds like a cross between a Kennedy and a classic movie star. If this election was on radio only, he'd win. I almost want to vote for him just to be able to hear him talking all the time.