I've booked myself two trips for early next year.

I saw that Travelodge were having a sale, with rooms at bargain rates, so went ahead and booked myself a week in Glasgow, for the first week of February. I've visited Glasgow twice before, though it's nearly a decade since my last visit, and I've been meaning to go back some time. I have an internet friend who lives in Glasgow, so I'll meet up with her this time and get her to show me some of the pubs. It's a great city to visit, though given the time of year, I expect it to be cold and wet.

A day or so after that. I remembered that I'd wanted to go to Redemption Con next year. This is a fan-run covention, originally for Blakes 7 and Babylon 5, though it takes in other s-f related stuff too. Not heavy on star name guests, but loads of workshops, panels, games, quizzes, dances and fun. The last programme included about three panels of s-f sex and slash, which looked interesting. It's cheaper than the more commerical conventions, too.

If I'd remembered Redemption earlier, I'd probably not have booked for Glasgow. As it is, I've now booked for both. The con is about 3 weeks after my trip to Glasgow, and falls over my birthday weekend. What's more, it'll be for a s-f significant number - 42. It turns out that a live journal friend is also going to Redemption, so it will be good to meet Linda.

So, two holidays in Feb, and the rest of the year at home, eating baked beans, probably

we don't have plans to go anywhere yet But I'm hoping we can make a trip down to Florida for Spring Training in March. I need a real vacation so badly. Otherwise, we'll be waiting until fall because I refuse to travel during the summer because I don't want to deal with peak season prices and tourists everywhere.

Well, if Mara can make up her mind, I'll be going to Disney or to Vegas or... Atlantis Who knows. Other than that... no idea.

I want to take a GAP year and travel Europe next year, but with the current financial climate it may not be a viable dream. If I do go, the one place I'll be for certain is the Edinburgh Tattoo. My best friend’s dad is playing in it next year.
And London. Definitely going to London.

No where I'm afraid. But as long as my b/f gets the visa I'm happy with that. Otherwise Colombia.

Rogue - if you do make it to London next year, say when, and I'll come down and meet you.

Awesome, that'd be great!

No where... Fast.

LOL.

I'm sort of broke after living in Tokyo...

So that's where you've been?

Yea, for a bit, and studying photography, which is harder than it seems

Wow, what's Tokyo like?

Nice. In the middle of summer it can get a little hot (then again, in the UK "hot" = anything over 25C, so when Tokyo's pushing 40 it gets a little weird) and rain is actual rain (rather than drizzle), so it's quite extreme weather wise, which is fun. Stuff there is cheap if you need it (like food, accomodation, and, oddly, manga). Stuff there is extremely expensive otherwise. CD's and such were about the equivalent of $30USD when I was there, which, now, due to the credit crunch, is more like $45USD.

Harajuku is nice and bright, Akiba flashes a lot, Shinjuku's red light district is great fun, and the rest of it isn't bad either.

Outside of Tokyo I didn't see much, because the time I put aside for exploration outside of Tokyo was hit by a load of flash floods and earthquakes

I've started planning my gap year - Europe in August, September and November.

Who needs money in the future? Not me, that's for sure!

Anyway, leaving Australia on the 21st of August and staying til at least 11th Oct. More if I can manage it. I may have to rob and steal.

So far it's edinbourgh for the Tattoo, then a weeks backpacking in Ireland, down to London through Bath. Hang out in London for a week or two, then tour around mainland europe with a friend. After that, a week or two with some family in Holland.


I can't wait!

That sounds great. In case you drop by in Germany and near me, don't be afraid to ask for a bed to sleep.

Wherever you are going, have fun.

so jealous!

We're going on a cruise from baltimore to the Bahamas in September. Its about the only thing we should agree on. I want to visit Europe, while MR. RB says he never wants to vacation in a city and can't understand why we need to go overseas when there's so much stuff in the US. Personally, the idea of going to the middle of nowhere South Dakota to see the faces of some dead old white dudes carved into a rock just doesn't do it for me.

Maybe you could explain that Europe has countryside too ? Lots of it, in fact, and often very pretty.

And with things being on a smaller scaller than the USA, especially in the UK, it's easier to get from countryside to city and town - less time and less distance. So one day in a smaller city, like Norwich, or Coventry, then a trip to somewhere in the country.

You're not going to see everything there is in the USA anyway, so why not experience what it's like in another country. Holidaying in your own country is good, but there's nothing like going abroad for the feeling of really having travelled, and realizing that people in other parts of the world really do things differently and think differently.

The USA is hardly a strange place to the British - we see US television, films etc, and get more international news that you usually do. But actually visiting is another matter. And so worth doing.

I've begun paying for my trip...

*sobs*

I may need to give up eating!

Anyone else's plan coming together?

Rogue - how's the planning for your trip coming along ? Got any more detail on when you're coming to the UK yet ? I'd like to meet up with you if possible.

Funny you should mention it, I just booked my Ireland Hostels!

I'll be getting into London on the 12th of September, and be in town for a few days. My tour leaves London on the 16th and gets back in on the 14th of October. Then I'm in London until the 21st. I'd say anytime after the 14th would be good to meet up.

OK, about time I replied...

October 12th onwards should be fine for a visit. If you'd like to get out of London for a couple of days, you're welcome to come up to Sheffield and visit a day or two. The accomodation's a bit basic but you're welcome to stay if you like. There's plenty to do and see around here.

I hope the planning's still going well.

Yeah, trip planning's going good. I paid off the last of flight centre bill today!

At the moment, I've got everything but a few days in Ireland planned.

Good to hear from you and that plans are going well.

Keep in touch and we can arrange a date to meet up.

Hey CD, sorry for the late reply, it's been hectic around here lately.

Well, everythings more or less organised for my trip. I fly out of Sydney on Friday, so I'm getting pretty excited. Anywho, if you're free to catch up I'm not sure I'll make it far out of London, but I'd love to meet up. I think the furthest north I'll get at that time is either Cambridge or Oxford.

Let me know if you're free.

Back to my half-packed suitcase...

Getting down to London shouldn't be a problem. You're in town from the 14th to the 20th October or so, aren't you ?

Will you have online access during your trip ? In know London's full of internet cafes. I can pm you my phone numbers for arranging details if net access could be a problem.

Have a great trip !