It was some years he planned a trip to London. About three or four, I think. First it was with a girl he had a certain fondness. But our relationship was only through the network, so it was difficult to organize, especially if we add that by that time we were both children and our parents had certain fears. She was left without Internet access and so the relationship faded away.
I frustrated my first attempt, I decided to do next summer on my own and not have to depend on anybody. But I again run into the same problems. Age, the fear of my parents, having to make other trips before and nobody wanted that he should make but myself.
The third year went something like a mixture of first and second case. In the fourth, this, I entered college. After exams (late January, early February) is a little vacation. Until 14 this month, February. Again I decided to travel to London on these dates. Assumed that there would be no problems or accommodation, flights or prices as opposed to if she left for the summer. In addition, a companion with whom I got along pretty well in college decided to come with me. This time it seemed that finally the trip was going to be. I passed the exams and a week before the game reserve the EasyJet flight to Luton airport (they said that from here out buses from the same company for 2 pounds a central London). We started on the wrong foot. In choosing the dates, were delayed a week later without realizing it (when school in session) and edit it cost us 50 euros each. Small bug that gave us a little scare.
was pretty motivated, but not sure how to organize the trip. I bought a book about the city and its nearly 400 pages become overwhelming to prepare a five-day itinerary. I found a website called forolondres.com which proved to be useful. But we had not booked the hostel. The partner was willing to look at the very London, but I saw a big setback with the possibility to reserve online. Two days before departure I went to see the situation of accommodation. Second decision, he should have booked earlier. Most flights and downtown shelters were full. I finally found one called Ace Hotel for 17 euros a night and four subway stops from central London (you have to take into account the distances between stops London Underground are large). Could have been better, but much worse. The day before I finished preparing the itinerary. I made a short summary of the most important sites to visit, organized by location and indications of its location on the map in the book. Everything to lose as little time as possible in the city. The case made it very lightly, with clothes to shower even days and have more time to get out and more space in your backpack. A small notebook for writing and the essential camera.
time I went to the airport, but Zeus, my companion, was delayed so we had to run to the billing from the airport train station, where awaited him. But we arrived on time. The flight was successful, two hours. Upon entering the UK put clocks on time (one less, and the Canary Islands) and went down with a ladder of the aircraft. Right there we bought the bus tickets GreenLine because I could not buy from Spain, two pounds of EasyJet Bus because it was a date too close when I wanted to order them (for any other travel tips and life in general: TIME TO MAKE THINGS .) We spent an hour hoping to catch the bus because the line was extended to us. The journey from Luton to London was long hours. But from the bus we saw that we were in a strange land. The first was the most obvious. The driver of the left lane. In London you have to get used to think that when two people move in opposite directions, your position must be to the left (on sidewalks, roads ...). The green field. The architecture of the houses like the style of American films. Townhouses, with its garden, dark brick with white board ... Upon entering the city also makes a difference. Great signs of shops with a classic style, all in English (of course), the same architectural style as mentioned before, buildings are not too high, gray sky, much movement, people dressed in gabardine suits, limousines, expensive cars (Ferrari, Porsche ...). We had to take the Tube. A mix of metro and train. Metro in its aesthetics and goes most of the time underground. Rail lines that they have different destinations. Fortunately, the frequency is very high (one minute) and address of each meter is pointed out most of the time on the screens. In many stops still sounds the mythical "Mind the gap" and the markets you can buy shirts with "Fuck the Gap" written on the logo of the underground. On reaching the house the name of Zeus did not appear on the computer (it was he who made the reservation). There we saw the severity of the English (though the receptionist had oriental features.) They gave us five (and no more) minutes to find the email of the reservation and print. About 30 seconds we decided to give away to anyone who came near there in less than 29 seconds. In my opinion the hostel was not bad, but Zeus would have preferred a better (perhaps a hotel?). It was clean and safe. I no longer needed. Our four-bed room shared with the two Poles, father and daughter, as discovered by the cloud of soap (a gel and shampoo, only agreed, as the language, Polish.)
That afternoon we went to the tourist information center but on arrival we found with a song in the teeth with the schedule English. There, museums, traditional shops and offices close at six or seven in the evening (at most). Instead, you can find supermarkets and department stores even open until midnight (as supermarkets Tesco, which are everywhere). We decided to leave the next morning. We continued walking through London. Charing Cross Road, to meet the wishes of Zeus, we entered a sort of literary sex shop on the first floor, audiovisual in the basement. The English have equal or greater need for the English pornography. You need only go to one booth and watch any three quarters of it is inhabited by tabloid newspapers, heart weeklies and semi-pornographic magazines. Upon arrival at the hostel (about eleven) Poles and slept.
The next morning, Saturday, we went first to the tourist office where they gave us some maps and brochures and then went to Camden. A kind of market between shops diluted with spectacular decoration on its walls, stalls, food stalls ... in which you can find absolutely everything (clothes bizarre, gothic, lunch, souvenirs, music, objects, paintings, furniture .. .). I bought a coat (that got me down 5 pounds) and a beret ( beret in English). This is one of the places in London that I liked the whole trip.
That evening left with an old friend of Zeus who was studying piano. We visited the school of music and drama, then went to the residence where she lived with her boyfriend (Ponthus, Swedish) and went to dinner at an Indian restaurant where we did a 20% discount. In the one next to us were 25%, but the food in the latter was better and cheaper, according to the chef. Yes, I too am surprised this kind of competition in the trade of restoration. The food, to deny, was not very good, but we spent an entertaining evening. The curious thing about it is continually mixed English, Catalan and Castilian lesser extent. And when Ponthus wanted to say something in a language that is familiar (besides English) did in Catalan, which was taught as Anna, the friend of Zeus, which has some deep-rooted origins Catalans. Indeed, it is a good time to make a linguistic item. I must say that London is relatively easy to meet with English, though this may not surprise many. What I do is interesting is that in the English capital is not difficult to hear speak Catalan in the most unlikely place (a supermarket, meter ...). We returned late to the hostel. On the one. The Poles were sleeping but we had left an auxiliary light on for you (I assume) do not we light the main.
Sunday was dedicated to visit the London turisitica, monumental. We start with the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace (we saw the last part). People are often boring, tedious. But I must say that I thought it was entertaining. It is as if even had a group of people fighting for something and maintain some discipline, the timing on the other hand is completely useless in these circumstances and only serves to entertain tourists. What of the situation these guards is something that intrigues me. Are they actors or they really are cops? Why so much ballet?. Why not flinch when someone comes to take a picture with them, as if they were mere objects? Is not all this discipline a small bait for tourists in London? After this we come to Downing Street (which is fenced), the home of parlamaneto (and Big Ben) and Westminster Abbey, where I saw what the British phlegm. Conversation with the doorman of Westminster Abbey:
-Hi. We only want to see the Newton's crypt.
Man says the sign indicates that Sunday is closed. I press
-And ... We come from Barcelona to see Newton's tomb Because We Are Physicians students and this is our last day in London. What can we do for seeing Newton's crypt? (Little white lie about the last day, but was seeing if we did not see that day of the calendar will go to hell and never really knew if we could come back)
-Nothing (I said as I looked over my head as if looking for another tourist to be loaded).
I think it was after this that the automatic door London Underground took me (it was sounding the warning and closed simultaneously) and saw no one lifted a finger to help me. I had to force it to be opened (literally). In addition, the doors are closed with great force, so I gave a little bump on the head still hurt two days later. These and some other episode are the ones that make me think that excluding certain frame of kindness in order to preserve some ways, part of British society suffers from the typical arrogance of the companies in advanced countries.
Well, that said, we went to eat. This is a small problem. Because eating in a restaurant is too expensive and not open on Sundays many supermarkets. The plane had indicated that about a hospital and we went to him for food at an affordable price. A plate in the hospital is 4 pounds, 6 euros. Well, something we save, but not much. After that we went to Tower Bridge (not confused with London Bridge, as happened to us.) It was simply beautiful. From there also saw the City Hall, a modern building which is the town hall. And near the castle of London Tower, where Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn beheaded. Although we did not enter because it was night and was closed. Then we went to Harrods. The most expensive shopping mall that had never before visited. Metal shelves for 2 million pesetas, evening dresses for half a million pesetas, football shirts signed by 900 euros (for example, Roberto Carlos of Real Madrid). He kept surprising me that there were people willing to pay such exorbitant prices for things as simple as can be found elsewhere for a price, say, a hundred times smaller. The decor, Egyptian style is good to be a mall, but nothing spectacular. There was near Hyde Park, so we headed to it. Yes, I said good night. That is, we did just the opposite of what they advised the foreign ministry. Walking at night in a deserted park and large as is Hyde Park. Actually is very advisable to those who like the gothic and somewhat lonely places. It was as if I had been immersed in one of the landscapes of Bram Stoker. There was a small dispute between Zeus and I due to minor scratches from previous days. I caught him in the face, for example, had not prepared anything for the trip and over criticize my choices, but also their apathy and pessimism for almost everything. He complained that I did not like leaving night clubs and that he, so the trip is boring if it was cruising through the factor. Well, here in Hyde Park decided to go to find a cyber cafe to find the address of the famous Ministry of Sound nightclub. I then I decided to walk to the hostel in London (one hour) and thus get around the city. I noticed that when I saw the remains of a structure on the street had a sign apologizing for the inconvenience that may cause the neighborhood ("formality or feeling?). Anyway, if only for form's sake, are appreciated such gestures. The hostel had arrived Zeus. There was less expensive Internet connection. I immediately went to bed (I wanted to get up early), he went to bed an hour and a bit later. Finally there was a disco.
The next day was Monday. We woke up late but still wanted to Zeus shower (she did every day), I did not want to waste more time and went to the science museum. In London all public museums are free, you just have to go through a small security check before entering. The Science Museum in London and the natural history (are contiguous) are fine but nothing exceptional. For example, the science is better than Barcelona in the amount of historical material which has but much lower than Valencia, which is more focused on self discovery. Yes, we ate well that day. Buffet at a Chinese restaurant (slightly higher quality than you are used to Barcelona) for four and a half pounds. He was a man who had a small shop in a basement. With closed sign on the door let us in when asked if he was still open. Interested in what I wanted to drink (which is where you usually take in the free buffets) replied that TAP WATER, ie tap water. It's like a kind of magic word to get water for free at any restaurant in London (he told us the friend of Zeus). Water, period, is bottled water.
That night we went to a jazz concert that became the residence of Anna and Ponthus. A Zeus does not like jazz, so he was absent most of the time, but I enjoyed it a lot. I was surprised to hear Ravel's Bolero to sax and electric bass, beautiful.
Tuesday was also a day of museums. We started with the British Museum. Knew he could not visit him completely, so I decided to see it two rooms. In Egypt and Greece and Rome. Impressive is little to describe this collection of wonders mankind result of looting of the British colonies. Egypt is there and also its Rosetta stone. Pharaohs, sphinxes ... No words can describe. You have to see, you have to go there and realize that Egypt was one of the wonders of humanity that the world has a rich historical past. Only one is fully aware of history in these places. See the bust of Alexander the Great, Socrates, Epicurus, Pericles ... Sculpted by the Romans in imitation of the Greeks. Middle Parthenon is there. They breathe, feel, hear the footsteps of Plato, Aritóteles, Pythagoras ... It is as if all the characters we've studied to depart from the fiction of paper sitting on the evidence of evidence of their existence. In the British Museum traveling in space-time without giving us account penalties.
Then came the ecstasy in the Nationa Gallery. Rembrandt smells only enter the room, Van Gogh is heard in the cry of his paintings, his sunflowers, Monet discovered you with Impressionism and near to see Manet as its fusilamento imitating a Goya, which is also close by. And the best thing is to discover painters, paintings. I especially liked this to Francesco Hayez (Susannah at her bath.) I include here (I have to say that after cost me find him, because he did not remember neither the author nor the name of the picture, so you have to bring notebook and pen to museums)
Having a picture and know that what you see is the very stroke that gave the painter is almost like talking to himself. Reflect with Van Gogh, Monet, Delacroix ... Only so well worth a visit these cities.
That night we went to the Greenwich Observatory. The very place where he began the GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). Is closed we were told when we asked which way he was. Of course, we know we're in London, we thought. Indeed, the park where he was was closed. There would be another opportunity to visit, at least this year. The gate was difficult to jump. High and vertical bars and homes all around. But we were "lucky" and find a tree that one of its branches protruding slightly over the fence. From this we hold and we get enter. As we approached the observatory, saw a bright red dot in the square but I gave more importance. Arriving at the house of the same, we note that it was inhabited. We walked around and even sat on a bench in front of her. We saw lights that flashed on and off just a bit strange. And suddenly ran Zeus. An infrared camera was focusing us. We ran and ran up to a fence behind a house. The street, we thought. I was not quite sure it was outside, but I ended up jumping. Zeus was on the other side. When I was researching where I was, I saw people go through several doors with flashlights. I ducked into a place where they believed I would not. But a few seconds later, I felt like two flashlights focused on my back. I turned around, got up and lifted my arms in a sign of vulnerability and innocence. Zeus had already run out. I began to ask the guards if it meant the street, like making me Swedish. Was no place for jokes. They insisted on knowing where my friend, who had seen by the cameras. I tried to reassure them that we were not thieves but students who had come to see the Greenwich Observatory, which we were clueless in the park and wanted to leave. Zeus insisted and made me call him. He did not respond. I argued that was scared and had run. The one who seemed to be the "bad cop" is gone. Took the opportunity to expose the situation to the "good cop." He reassured me everything was going well. Soon came another and said it had controlled my friend, who had jumped and was in the street. After asking a thousand times sorry accompanied me to the exit. By the way I asked the "good cop" (who accompanied me) that since he had seen us from near the observatory said. "That damn red dot" I thought. I was told as a Zeus meet, but I did not see or did not quite understand the explanations. Resolved go to the station. He realized that the place of departure, where we reached the village, would be a good meeting point. Zeus was not well and waited for me at the first entrance to the park we saw. I did not know where he was, where I had been released and also I really wanted to stay there. Well, after an hour or two waiting at the station his cell phone rang (I had all his stuff in my backpack). I was at the station. He also had called the shelter and thinking maybe I would have gone, but I would not have done because he also had his money and he could not return. The return was complicated because it was near one o'clock. We took a subway and two buses at night, but finally arrived. It was two.
The next day was the departure, evening out our plane. We decided to go in the morning to Westminster Abbey again, to visit the grave of Newton. Enter cost us six pounds, discount card included with the university. Newton's tomb was at the end of the exhibition so we went directly to her (and then, if there was time, we would see the rest). But it was cordoned off. We asked the guards around. Could not enter unless we paid a guided tour of the abbey, not taking pictures added and by reading the intentions. Recalling last night I decided to do things for the good. I went to complain to the lady at the box office since before buying the entry I made sure if we could see the grave of Newton. It told me to call the guard who was about twenty feet, and would talk to him. This did not seem to me much attention and less when I told him "the darling" of ticket office is Asking you. Darling is an English lover. I wanted to say lady, ma'am. Anyway, I ended up making it to understand what he said and went to talk to the woman. At one (half an hour later) would accompany us Newton's tomb. While we saw the rest. Most were kings, except occasional artist, and Handel. It is a curious place, but only if we ignore the presence of Newton. And it's time. The man explained the symbolism of the monument erected at the grave. Zeus spent those twenty minutes to copy the Latin inscription on it. I took the opportunity to get down and do 1 Newton of force over the grave. When I do a Newton, Newton's grave (and Newton, there below), I respond with another Newton (the normal force) that act on me. Almost religious
They were also buried Rutherford, Thomson and Kelvin. Right next to Newton. And another great character that almost go unnoticed Charles Darwin! I walked over his grave and saw her enrollment jumped as if he were committing some kind of scientific sin. When I tried to take a picture with it asked me to give the camera, of course, not delivered. We went to eat and write the postcards we had bought in Camden. But oh, when we realized was an hour before they closed the airport check. We had to go to the shelter, again near the same spot where we were and take the bus GreenLine alone already takes an hour if all goes well. We did all this as fast as we could. We arrived about forty minutes after flight departure time. He had already left without us. The closest was the day after the same time and would charge us 35 pounds each. Zeus went to Anna. I decided to stay 24 hours in the airport. If he returned to London would lose more money and would only be to spend the night on the town that I too was very clear how to do it (the two could not stay with Anna and she sleeps in one room with her boyfriend, Ponthus). A Robinson Crusoe-style experience or the movie "The Terminal."
First I started getting to know a Portuguese who had two days at the airport and still have two more left. I drew special attention because it had a chair to rest your feet, a luxury, and I wanted to know where he had taken. It had been found. His family was operated with Swiss prostheses and all but he died. The Swiss government "rewarded" with a guard post at a hospital in Bern. And over there was going by bus. First to Brussels and then to Bern. In his pocket he had a few little pennies and not eating for days. I invited him to a sandwich while I gave him to understand that I had not much time. I produced distrust so on the grounds that in that part of the airport where we were sitting there was little light and cold (it was near the door) I went to the seats in front (away). There I met two Polish girls, Marlena and Martha with whom I talked and had a continuous smile crossing. Constantly worried about my offer pillow, your bags to rest your feet, chocolate cocoa ... At five o'clock it was his bus and I almost miss a crybaby to say goodbye. Also when was the guy sitting to my right, with not a word had passed but he shared company, which was in looking at the last minute to take the time to wake up and see me say goodbye (goodbye) as you did.
sleep first asked for a chair or box into a kiosk where I bought a magazine or if he knew where to find it. The clerk told me that everyone is sleeping and sitting without it would be done. Then I went to a bar where I ate a sandwich. The boy was looking for ten minutes to find a hard case on which to rest your feet. I showed him the best I could how very grateful I was and my box, shelter and spent the night cap. I never thought I could get to sleep sitting but I did and I woke up at eleven. Had lost my mates last night so I felt somewhat empty. I took a small tour around the airport, watching planes taking off. It's funny, but they had two boys and an elderly gentleman who had come by car to the airport to see planes with binoculars. I toured the entire periphery (got a long way) and I realized how small it is for an airport waiting room her small stores in comparison to the size of the tracks. Then I sat in a cafe and spent the morning writing about what he learned, on an idyllic future and drawing the who passed by. I dedicated the last hour reading the New Scientist.
a half hour to shut down the billing when it was Zeus. He ate a sandwich and we discussed whether it was more essential to the life of Chopin and Copernicus. Zeus defended that same but with more emphasis on Chopin. In my comparison I was grotesque. An astronomer who made humanity see their situation in the universe could not be measured with someone who devoted his life to musical composition. They are worlds apart, but I find it more relevant knowledge of our means not artistic pleasure.
intensive I frisked before boarding. The flight was uneventful, and we had to add one hour at our watches. Upon arrival in Barcelona I felt a certain sadness at what was left behind by the experiences that are difficult to repeat again. What happened to Marlena?, Portuguese man What? How would the galleries that I missed to see in the National Gallery?, What about the British Museum?, When walking at night again for a place like Hyde Park? Where to find other Camden?, When 'll say it again What? someone to talk fast enough to not understand? When pulsars button again a light to illuminate a WAIT? When will I see that perfect traffic lights change from red to green in a delightful cast? When going to see the Susannah at her Bath? Anyway ... Another day will be repeated. Perhaps I do see Barcelona lived otherwise, a mixture of parts of the world that I liked the ride so you can create a little cosmos in my house, customs rooted in other parts, different ways of seeing ...
Compass
PS: The other photos are on Flickr
kt
" That's what sex is? Actually I do not, is the least I care. I may like a man as much as a woman. The pleasure is fuck, same as with drugs. I do not attract a great ass, a pair of tits or a dick that fat. Well ... is not that attract me ... Of course I attract! I love them! But ... not seduce me ... I was seduced by minds, intelligence seduced me, seduces me a face and body when I see that there is a mind that moves and that is worth knowing ... Know or be looking to dominate the mind Hache.
I make love with the minds, should be fucking minds!
Dante, Martin Hache.
Good
all again. Sorry for this huge amount of time without writing word any but the race I was completely absorbed (or maybe just dealing with a bad organization of agenda).
already completed the first semester of physics (although there is still a test that is approved doubt) I can draw some conclusions about college and how to see the current knowledge.
The first is that if we learn, the university is not the right place. It may be shocking, but I have this idea after seeing how the classes are given as they are focused examinations.
A teacher get in, do a dump of information and leaves. Students nod obeying Newton's first law (inertia) and believe nothing without understanding who really understand. A mathematical proof after another. Principles and statements, formulas, theorems, shortcuts to solve problems, exercises no apparent effect, shaped vanities questions, corrections ... A cluster of words that fall into the bag of nonsense.
do not deny that final knowledge is somewhat larger than the original, but how? We passed by the faculty researchers at the tip of the spear of knowledge of reality. Are they excited to see what they have in their hands? "You see them looking at the beauty of the world now that I know, who understand a little more, you can see what he had not allowed ignorance? No, certainly not. A person who instead of going to the supermarket to do shopping and then prepare a good stew, goes to his office to resolve some calculations to help you resolve a problem. The emotion of love from home to see his family enjoys good food will be similar to the physical he sees as their demands are consistent with what experiments show. Everything as if it were a game where winning the game was just something valuable, but do not know exactly explain why. When the test is to be an important issue, so that when it comes to this is the only moment when silence becomes completely pure, is that something is wrong.
A review, indeed, it matters rather little to show understanding of concepts but rather be able to solve a mathematical problem, as if it was the home of the pastimes of the newspapers. Pass a
is simple, if that's what you want. Just have to solve puzzles, not that it matters the content of words, and for that you just have to practice. Understanding the physics
, appreciate the workings of nature and how it affects our self is hard work that the time devoted to it is proportional to decreasing the exam.
But the university is a wrong way to true knowledge is not equivalent to saying that there is already accessible path to understanding our world. In fact, if anything has taught me this semester, is one I can learn on their own, self-taught method. It is simple, you look at the books recommended in the bibliographies of the subjects that interest us and see which one is the one that has a way of explaining who sympathize with our thinking. We must seek to find the best book on the subject and then study it carefully. This is how you learn really. The issues are important but should not be at the heart because, although they can help us understand better, it may happen that our interest focuses on how to solve the problem and Why not be done well, big mistake for our purposes of real knowledge.
Another major problem is the gap that sits between the various disciplines. I've been to several schools (studying, visiting libraries or just browsing) and note some barrier between the different races. The fragmentation of work leads to more rapid progress at certain times, but it is also true that results in the greatest ignorance of each of its parts, its students and researchers. Should be meetings with all disciplines to share new discoveries, new sensations that reality has and we have been blind to that time.
physics and philosophy are, in my opinion, two very similar knowledge. There is some relationship between them, but very little. Why many physicists do not take into consideration why philosophers and philosophers have no relations with physicists, explorers of reality? What then is love of knowledge?
For when a career that physics, chemistry, biology, philosophy ....? It may be long, but for me, as if it lasts a lifetime. Is there anything really more worthy to man the knowledge in these fields are investigated and, at the same time, poetry of life?
When the incentive to pursue a career will be economic or social, that they will be left to one hundred and eighty which are not now?
When knowledge is something really appreciated by anyone? For when a society where you come across any passerby can explain the chemical process of photosynthesis with the utmost delight?
Never, I fear. Pride, vanity, the survival instinct will push us to betray these words that we now accept. I myself in a few years I can corrupt me enough to see this written as a result of immature idealism.
At least, at least try to act now with the way we create more consistent with our ideas. The time it will take care of treason but never let them do it in our presence.
Compass
PD: At the end I passed everything.
kt ktreflexion ktciencia
