Up until I was sixteen years old I saved every penny I earned at my job at McDonalds in order to travel overseas between when year eleven stopped (Term 3) and I believe the HSC (final year) ‘technically’ began (Term 4). Mum and dad helped with the fare too, frankly I think because they were amazed I had the stamina to save the money in the first place. Maybe also to get rid of me for a little while. Can’t say I blame them.
The trip was, I think, my version of the ‘gap year’ teenagers often take now between high shool and university; albeit crammed into two weeks. I bought a green tartan travel diary before I left and promised myself I would write down my thoughts at the end of each day as I went across the London area and Vancouver Island, Canada.
Surprisingly, I did.
I’m writing up some of these entries in a series of posts because
a) I think they’re funny…
b) …and I could do with a laugh lately and
c) I don’t mind if you laugh at me either.
Because, oh, gentle reader, the pithy observations of a sixteen year old girl are something else!
The Tower of London and Westminster Abbey; 19th September 1995.
Weather: Cloudy, occasionally sunny.
The Tower of London was great. There were so many Germans! It was a bigger crowd than I thought there was going to be. Crown Jewels were beautiful. Saw many more things than last time* and much more extensively. After lunch we went to Westminster Abbey. It was absolutely beautiful. Paid TWO POUNDS to see much of it and well worth the fare. The statues and tombs were stunning and I bought a book of both places.
I ate the most delicious hot dog in my life outside the Abbey – it was loaded with mustard and ketchup. Caught bus home. Nan is getting on my nerves.
So you see, even though I profess to love the sights, I was obviously also distracted by the family dynamic and the desire to locate places where I could scoff down processed meats.
Glad to see nothing’s changed much. Heh.
P.S I love you nan.
*(1991)
