November 11- 13th- Madrid, ES- Couchsurfing with Ilde I arrived at the airport and despite being completely confused by the ATM machine, which I believe charged me $60 American dollars for one transaction, I easily navigated my way to "Sol", the center of the city, via metro (2 years in Chicago definitely comes in handy). I was hoping to meet up with Karen, one of my fellow Pueblo Ingles participants at her hostel. But after walking up and down the ...

November 9-11, 2009- Liverpool, UK- Couchsurfing with Tyrese Despite my true love and affinity for the Beatles and all oldies but goodies really, I'd have to say that my experience in Liverpool was less about the Fab 5 and more about appreciating the gritty charm of an old sea-side industrial city that is transforming into one of England's main cultural hubs. Sure, I visited The Cavern, the club where the group was said to have formed, but other than that I av...

November 6-8, 2009- Bristol UK- Touring with Val and Clive Ford I just pulled out of the Bristol bus station on my way to Liverpool, so I guess that means "She's got a Ticket to Ride"! My departure, again, was a bittersweet one as I had to leave behind Val and Clive who, from the instant they picked me up, made me feel as if I had taken on an English Mum and Dad! This morning, this dear couple woke up before the sun, made sure I was well fed, sent me...

November 1-3, 5 2009- Bath, UK- Katherine and Maurice's Apartment in the Circus Not many can say they have spent nights in a gallery, and their days walking in a painting, but from my experience in Bath I can say both. The warm Georgian architecture of Bath, the peace and tranquility of the tourist town sleeping for the winter, was exactly what I needed after the hustle and bustle of London. So remarkable about this place was the fact that even the modern was...

November 3-5- Oxford, UK- Couchsurfing with 4 Spaniards and a Lovely Russian Senorita! I can't imagine what it would have been like to study in a place so grand as Oxford. The old world, academic charm of this place is so intact and the weathered stone of the historic buildings of study so full of character. Similar to Bath, the buildings blend- one after the other keeping the character of the town- no modern monstrosities to ruin the ambiance. There is someth...