Train to Terminal 5, Gatwick

The train whirrs along with wavering keening noises. everyone reading papers or minding their own business. The girl in front of me picks at her nails or texts. A large framed businessman checks at the toilets and then wanders back , only to fall on an irate bollywood looking businessman who just glares at the accidental intruder.

A mix of nervousness and excitement stirs through as I stumble through the stations. wrong train. Take this one. no take that one. no take the bus. On to London Bridge. It speeds through the streets like something out of harry potter, this replacement bus.

Thank you to Eva, the Ladbrokes employee.

I've caught the last train to Gatwick. The train sways back and forth on the tracks making a whirring thunk sound like a boat car on a theme park ride.

Meeting Connor

i feel like his anonymity is safe as i have only a first name...

I was on the phone with sebastian, trying to make note of the directions to his house when I hurriedly looked up at the yellow-lit blocks of numbers indicating which buses would arrive at the stop. A red double-decker bus, it's sign lit up in green contrasted against black, shoulted "27!!!", my bus! I held my card up to the electronic register and stumbled into the seat across from a young guy. He had a youthful style. Hoodie zipped over a tee and baggy jeans. He had his head-phones in. I glanced around, trying to get my bearings. Am I on the right bus? no maps! glancing around in a slight panic, I decided to ask this young guy in front of me. He pulled out his headphones and apologized straight out. "I'm from Ireland, sorry, my cousin just put me on this bus, I have no idea where I'm going" I assured him that it was ok and tried comically to still find out where I was headed even a couple times attempting to go up to the bus window, but he seemed busy driving or busy with passengers just arriving. I asked him what his name was.

"Connor" he replied.

Very Irish! i thought

I introduced myself. After shaking my hand he realized that I was wearing a ring.

he asked "your ring, it's a claddagh ring?"

"yeah," i replied "my flatmate had one and i liked the idea of it so i bought one at a market here" he proceeded to show me his ring. It was beautiful, a tarnished gold ring in the exact same style. He explained that this town he grew up in was the town that made these rings in Ireland. While I wondered at this he looked up to see that we were nearing baker street, my stop. He pushed the button, reaching across the aisle to do so.

"Thank you" I said with an outstretched hand to wave goodbye.

As i stepped off I smiled...

Bound for Beaumont

I puzzled over my directions; a crumpled laser-jet print out, underneath a building's scaffolding before deciding on a street. Again I began my mantra (almost there, almost there, almost there, almost there...) I gritted my teeth and made each 20 step march. Finally a glimmer of hope in the form of a lumber yard--I had remembered that in the taxi directions online, it had noted that one must tell the cabbie that the dorm was near this. As I passed, construction workers unloading items, I reached the corner and peered around as I walked...this was it! Beaumont Court!!! Finally I was able to unload my bags, sign in and begin to unpack

Ace Hotel Evenings

I organized my things and went up and down the warm green staircase doing this and that, talking to one person or another, not sure if they could see through to my awkward interior. That i am not really this worldly traveler, but a passer-by who has just happened to stumble into another country again. I pleaded with the desk-worker to allow me to use the internet for a few moments to tell C., my boyfriend, that i was ok (and in turn he would hopefully let my family know that I was ok.) I climbed up to the room I shared with Z., an american pessimist, and E. another american in the top bunk to my right. He tapped away on his mac. the soft blue glow shone brilliantly in the dark room. Stealthily (or at least I'd like to think I was) I grabbed my p.j.'s and bath items and went to shower. another guy was also waiting. "I'll check the other levels." he stated and proceeded to search on another floor. I nearly followed but decided to stick it out and wait on the fourth floor. Finally one opened and with the awkward caution found in any public wash-room, I showered, gathered everything up and went back to the room after a considerable amount of trial and error I managed to let myself in with the electronic key-card. I remember Z. telling me that she would probably be waking me when she woke at 5 am. But that morning I barely heard a thing, more concerned with my sleep-talking and the sharp protests of the box-spring mattress. When my alarms announced morning and sunlight greeted my eyes, E. and I realized that he and I were the only occupants of the room!

All others had already left. a short while later after packing up and visiting the restroom to get dressed I joined him and the others downstairs for the free breakfast. A hotel-style spread lay ona series of tables on the right-hand side of a room over-crowded with wooden tables and happily chatting guests. Eventually the aussies and a couple americans joined us at the table.

I had to laugh inside. ME! sitting at a table full of well-traveled and frankly quite handsome guys. hm...I pretended not to notice and ate double breakfast (since it was free) and squirreled away two boxes of cereal...tiny little things. We laughed and puzzled over the kids' games included on the small boxes, exclaiming at our discoveries. One by one we said haphazard goodbyes and left. I boarded the tube once more and made like a mule on a mountain trail- laden with bags to my flat. Mornington Crescent, got it. The sun was uncomfortably hot.

Stockholm & Skanstull

I arrived at the central station at around mid-day. and phoned the hostel. Instead of walking I decided, with the hostel staff's advice, to take the subway. I arrived and couldn't find the hostel. After spotting a backpacking shop I quickly stepped in to ask and he pointed the way. I dropped off the luggage.

after dropping off my bags in stockholm I saw an asian girl looking at the wall of guide maps provided by the hostel. "did you just arrive today?" I asked. We talked and introduced ourselves, M., and when I found out that she was about to go shopping I got excited and she invited me to join her. I happily agreed and we began to talk and get to know each other. We went in and out of vintage markets all through the day. Bread and cheese at a local bakery, then a lift ride to see the city and a short boat tour. I went back to check in then contacted M.K. (someone i met on the bus to Linkoping...i should write that story too!).

We planned for the three of us to walk around and had so much fun, we were out until very late and got quite silly. I'll always remember the tales of chaining up trees to prevent theft, and fast blue boats, along with M.'s child-like and youthful glee to show us ev everything we could think of in stockholm!

Seeing in him a genuine person, I decided to meet him the next day to tour the city some more. I met some friendly and lighthearted girls that night; one from singapore, the other from malaysia, and also an american guy too. We hung out the next day, meeting at a famous outdoor market.

As I waited I discovered a film crew! "what is going on today?" I ask the guy who is cordoning off the area (that reminds me of M.'s claim that cars were taped off if someone had too many drinks!!!) The film guy replied that they were shooting a German movie. I hung about for a bit more to snap some photos and video while waiting for the girls.

I stepped also into a small fabric store where I loved and lost ( had to abandon) a small piece of Uzbek Ikat fabric. nearly 20$ u.s. for a meter. I went back to meet my friends and we had a great time picking out meats, cheeses, and breads that we ate on a shaded outdoor table in a nearby plaza. (some people bought drinks so that we could sit there). Fun times, though the raw herring was not...blech...after that the girls and I hit some museums, well more like the library and a palace (the freebies) and later headed to a riverside cafe for sotdas and icecream. As we headed back I messaged M. that I was sad to go since it was my last evening in stockholm. To my delight, he messaged back that he was free and could meet.

After a short debate I decided to split off from my friends and go to the Central station while the girls went back to the Hostel. I surprised M. as he walked past (however, i had nearly gotten lost first). We walked for a few hours around the city as dusk began to fall. Up the winding paths to the park near the observatory then down near the orange, lavender, indigo and sky hues of the riverside as we walked to the Night palace, laughed at the silly actions of some spanish tourists, and he tried to convince me that various companies were really Swedish...even completely american ones...or horses, that they were originally swedish, where does it come from? I asked and he said, when nothing else comes to mind he will make something completly outlandish up out of the blue. I have to admit, it keeps things light and funny, and had me smiling for days!

We ended at Central Station sometime near 10 pm. a quick hug and goodbye and we went our separate ways.

The next day I woke, checked my luggage out (but stored it temporarily in the hostel office) and ran quickly to the vintage store where I found a pair of pointy-toed ankle boots (Inspired by M.) and an artsy smock shirt with angular ties all the way down the front. rushing back, I picked up my bags, caught the metro to central, and then rushed back and forth before finally finding the correct swebus terminal.

It was funny... almost like a private bus. It was just me and an older German lady. Sleep overtook me and I sprawled out on the empty seats. the airport was slightly harried but I made it through...

and when I spotted a girl who appeared a bit lost I smiled at her from my seat in the terminal. We talked about traveling and Taiwan (her grandparents were from there) and were just nearly seatmates. she sat one behind me. It was a pleasant flight, even though I didn't exactly make friends with my swedish seatmate and I was pleasantly surprised with three extra sodas from the airline attendant when I had only asked for one.

I started to get tired reaching London. Slightly nervous and with an aching back and arms I purchased my first tube ticked and stepped up to the maw of the tube station and waited. It was such a releif to sit down. I was awkwardly perched on the edge of my seat with my bag still attached. Resting my head on my bag I drifted in and out of train-induced sleep.

A journey normally taking 20 minutes took 40 or 50 minutes (at least according to my over-hearing of a conversation across from me in the carriage of the train). I actually got off on the wrong spot. some london Police standing at the platform helped me call the hostel and find the right spot. I ran back to the car when one of the policemen shouted "stop chattering (i was talking to one of the security men about my plans to get to the hostel), that's your train!" I swear they must have laughed at my tilted wobbly run with heels and a hiking bag... finallyabout 15 to 20 minutes later I emerged from the station and asked the station staff how to get to the hostel. I made it to the street only to dicover a park splitting the street straight downt he middle. I asked people on the doorsteps where to find the hostel. One woman told me that she walked back from the tuve each day and had never seen it so i decided that it must be the other side. And I hobbled over, deciding to take 20 steps at a time and then resting. Finally I was just about to reach the door when a couple saw me struggling and the guy offered to grab my bag while the girl went up to the stairs to hold the bag. I began to feel guilty and the guy said "you're just wearing the wrong shoes for this." I had to agree. Funny to think that I had thought they were the perfect shoes when I started (good for oing through security with their side-zips) I was drenched but checked in, my bags sprawled out over the leather benches in the entry-way. Finally I made it to my room and met my one night room-mates. A french girl, Z., and an american guy. We'd meet downstairs for dinner, we agreed. I went downstairs after organizing and looked around, finally spotting Z. sitting at a picnic bench downstairs in the courtyard.

She waived to me in the deep indigo light of the evening. I spent a wonderful evening meeting everyone as they drank and smoked. Fabulously irreverent Aussies, funny and very American Americans, and effortless Z.

We trooped out to a hole-in-the wall pizzeria and laughed with the Sicilian pizza man as he tossed the dough in the air and made some of the best pizza I had ever tasted while "Britain's got Talent" played in the corner. Whe the three aussies, Z. and myself arrived bak at the hostel, everyone crowded around the tables and commented estatically abotu the flavorful pizza. I met one american Engineer who reminded me so so much of my friend B., the MP back home. WhenI told him this he tated it because of personal experience with police in his family. As one of the aussies said often, "Fair Enough". We talked for quite a while, T. and I, while i made sure to get his name and to find him on facebook.

Z. offered to have me stay at her place in France, I'd love to take her up on it!

Tower Day!

K. agreed to meet me for lunch if i researched a good place. I woke later and then settled in to finding a place. Two stood out- a cheap hamburger place...and...Belvedere cafe! The menu looked to be 6$ a plate rather than 20, so at noon I knocked on K.'s door. She got ready and we took the bus so I 'd also know where Gamla Linkoping was, an old town theme Village. We got off the bus at the square and began to walk only to find a mother duck and her ducklings walking swiftly down the road in a tiny wobbly line. Everyone who saw them began to smile and several took photos. Suddenly...a crosswalk! by then there were several watchers and they quickly sprang into action. They held out their arms and began to shout for the traffic to stop...and it did! So mother and ducklings crossed in safety and continued to brighten faces through the park until exiting into someone's back-yard. We then changed our course to more directly arrive at the Belvedere. I was so happy! K. loved it!!! our food was delicious. An olive and pepper with fetta sandwich on deliciously crisp bread and two cakes. One was a heavenly blueberry cheese-cake with actual blueberries undulating in the slice's surface. Secondly a cute little round of tiramisu with a blueberry, raspberry, and gooseberry (??) trio garnish on top. An ultralight crust encased a smooth cafe-hued filling and decadent rich raspberry jelly filling sitting on a base of coconut...I could just end the day there, it was lovely! So perfect, staring down at the city from our third-storey perch in the tower. dozens of glass windows and the light streaming through. We took a long time to eat so we had to pay for a second bus back. I got off at Gamla Linkoping with kirsten. She waved goodbye and I wandered about. After just one shop i thought, if Martha Stewart had a theme park, this would be it. Quaint, picturesque homes and gardens decorated to a tee with matching made by hand items.

There were musicians playing by the street and a small chocolate shop. I passed by and then again, when this sweet old man came up to me to say something in swedish. I tell him, "sorry, i speak english" He replies "I tip my hat to the beauty. We don't often get someone like you here." I thank him. He continues "Where are you from?" "America" I reply. "I think that maybe you are Russian." he says, and again "I tip my hat to the beauty" I thank him shyly and continue on. I walk quite a distance and find a horse farm. Tourists sit at the gate eating ice cream and small meals. I walk past and discover horses everywhere. Fields are full of strong elegant horses. Back and forth I wander, marveling at the landscape before turning back. After this i wander into deep wooded trails & get lost (see earlier post). Asking directions from an old couple picking herbs in the woods, I find the way out and exit the woods...on the other side of campus! It was a place I'd never been, and frankly in the opposite part of town than where i had started my walk! My feet were starting to drag and I was thirstier than anything!

I was starting not to care about the campus buildings even though i had been excited, simply because i was so worn out. My brain switched over, pain, hungry, I had to get back so I could rest and eat. So I walked and walked past campus buildings and blocks upon blocks o housing dormitories. Gradually things became more familiar and I was encouraged. I walked a little faster then. When I finally touched the key to the key pad and let myself into the corridor I sat down on the couch, leaned back, and proceeded to drift in and out of utterly exhausted half-sleep. I half-way noticed the african student (K.'s corridor-mate) walk in and out of the room once or twice, but barely registered it.

Finally I got up to make tea and return my key to K.

Even though my departure was ealry we still chatted long past dinner and played a few rounds of Mario Cart, all of which I lost miserably, but I was glad to munch on oatmeal cookies and share in the moment. After a late night of packing I fell soundly asleep, ready for Stockholm.

Lost in Linkoping Woods

Scattered sunlight as the woods grow deeper. I've been walking for a while now and feel as though I've left the city behind. A sheep track pooled with water imprinted in the ground. Tall elegant trees soar into the skyline. Should I sit and sketch, i wonder, no...I couldn't even begin to do it justice. Should I head back yet? I check the time: 16, and it gets dark at 20...I can wait one more hour and enjoy the fresh breeze and the grass brushing cooly against my toes. A blue beetle's belly shines like a sapphire laying in the mud. Onwards still, there are horse tracks and interlacing striations left by mountain bikes. Should I turn now? I wander still further to take a photo through the maze of trees before turning.

The road less travelled is a long one...

Revisiting Flash Mob Day

Oh dear, we have a late start again today. I had gone into town to visit the market stalls and some fabric shops. (and the second hand store once more). The lady at the fabric store was quite nice and very patient as she explained the prices in English for me. I ended up selecting 1 meter of a brilliant purple with bright metallic flowers. I didn't know what to choose in the yarn shops so i made my way to the second-hand shop where I made the rest of my purchases and spent the rest of my time. After deciding no on an expensive vintage french dress I selected an inexpensive belt and a ball of yarn for my sister. I was running late so I biked as fast as I could and out of breath, I knocked on K.'s door only to be greeted by a bleary-eyed-just-woken-up K. and O., her boyfriend, had decided to stay in and work, and K. decided to pick up groceries after taking me to IKEA for the flash-mob, but in the end decided to join me in participating. We had a bit of confusion after we ran to the bus-stop...we had missed the 1st bus, but in the end waited for the free bus. We rode anxiously hoping we would be in time for the Mob. We rushed to find the home-furnishings department when we got there. Luckily we saw some people in the beds and as we looked we saw more and more until finally we found an empty spot and joined in for a short while. Some people chose interesting locations. Tables, bunks, desks even to sleep on and the strangest was a kid who decided to sleep in a bin of panda-bears!!! After this I went with K. to the super-market which was also in this extra large shopping center. She picked out essentials and I picked out things with cute packaging. Some Gevalia coffee, Chocolate filled cookies and swedish crackers. both of us had the hardest time deciding on everything.

While K. went back to her corridor to rest and study I continued to shop. I went EVERYWHERE! eventually cycling back (not literally, i just walked in a big circle) to IKEA and buying a small sized french press to make the coffee I had just bought. I wandered to the other centers and spent quite a bit of time just walking around the enormous center. Eventually I returned "home", ate a bit, and rode the bike out. I tried to find the college, but confused and lost, i turned back and headed downtown. I parked and chained "my" bike and walked about. I thought to go to the park and walked past a procession of tuxedo and formal-wear-clad swede graduates. They noisily proceeded past, leaving a litter of champagne bottles and glasses all the way back to the park. I debated on taking one of the empty glasses, but someone beat me to it, so I walked on and photographed a beautiful array of chandeliers hanging in glass baubles in the park. back and forth and deeper into the park I saw an Idilic greenhouse and happened upon a tower on a rocky hill. I peered inside and it looked to be a cafe. But the times of operation were not displayed. I sat down later in the chair outside the now closed-for the day greenhouse restaurant. Then I received a call from K. to go to dinner at a student bar and restaurant. I hurry back and we get ready, but after choosing a seat we are turned down, the place is closed for dinner, but the bar would be open later. K. was a bit dejected and disappointed, but be ended up finishing the day with a lovely meal that oliver had made and wrapping up the evening.

The Bike Incident

I rode on the back of K's bike that day. We wobbled and laughed until we made it all the way to the downtown after the days shopping we tried again. I thought I had it down. My feet barely touching the frame for balance, one hand on the frame and one hand on K's shoulder. But suddenly the spokes nabbed my shoe and tangled it in...I unwedged it and we tried it again. It wasn't much further before i wedged both my foot and shoe in the spokes. After detaching myself I began to bleed profusely, but I smiled and walked. I couldn't let it get me down and plus it didn't hurt that badly anyway! We walked the rest of the way back for dinner. Little did I know but it was going to hurt much more the next day.

First day in Linkoping

K. woke later in the morning but we still went downtown even though the plan had called for going earlier. Our first stop was the second-hand shop. It was amazing! I tried out a few things and settled on a lacy dress and a small leather satchel.

Though I wanted to keep looking we left for the interest of time.

Next stop--Ice-cream!

Simply the best flavor ever, a Swedish creme chocolate and banana scoop for me and a peppermint and creme/choco-banana for K.

We walked to the Cathedral to eat them and then to the park where we lay out on the fresh green grass. collapsing with joy under the bright blue sky after we finished the ice-cream. A few modelesque guys stood in the distance and I snapped some photos before we wandered into the green house. Flower filled photos ensued. We walked down the main shopping street and got distracted by several home decor shops. And i nearly bought a "poo" plushie keychain but figured I'd wait for stockholm before purchasing any souvenirs.

More wandering and we returned home to eat.

Though it was an absolute downpour, I wanted to get some more sightseeing in so I cycled to the town again, but on my own so K. could get a chance to study. When I reached the downtown the downpour turned to hail and among others I took shelter from the pelting ice under an awning, but i wondered, how long would i have to stay under here? Impatient, I began to move from covering to covering until I found somewhere to go. I missed the closing times for several shops but pressed on. If nothing else I could find the stores I wanted to visit next time and see some architecture. I was quite lost! but I thankfully wandered back to the bike again (after stumbling through two grocery stores) and pedalled back before dark. Dinner with K. (I made baked potatoes in the microwave) and I proceeded to update my facebook photos for the rest of the evening. Though I worked late into the night, some would still have to wait.

I wasn't quite so lucky...

on my LHR>ARL flight. Middle aged man who read Tom Clancy or snored the entire way back...though I was kind of out of it too...I wedged my head into the nook between the seat and window several different ways in order to try and rest a bit. This is the time I'm supposed to be awake!--i thought--but could barely hold my head up to eat my chicken-salad club sandwich and cola.

_ the Bus Driver is Scaring me!!!_

They give the Bus lane the least room on the road here...out of all the lanes...

Arrival in Arlanda

It feels like it's time to reflect now. It feels also very strange yet easy traveling on my own. Everything is quick and fast and there's no one around...it almost feels like I am in the wrong place or there at the wrong time, but I am also deeply confident that things are going ok. For example--customs. A couple quick questions *stamp* and Im on my way again. Baggage was super easy--thanks to my awesome rust-orange hiking bag~! (side note- I saw a guy who looked like a prada model, gorgeous and tall and wtih a metro style like none i'd seen, a heather purple tee and tan walking shorts with sperrys). the bus people and swebus were super super nice! Even when the paper barcode didn't scan, she told me "everything is in order" and just let me on.

Now about my new friend from Costa Rica: I was pleasantly surprised when a stylish handsome guy i had spotted in the airport terminal turned out to be both my seatmate and a genuine and nice person. We talked on and off about our plans, spanish, and traveling in general. He is going back to Helsinki (where he had studied at in the past) to ask his girl a very important question , in other words he will propose!, and i wish him the best of luck. I hope we meet again :)

Keeping true to my Promise of Being Social

I’ve made friends with both my seatmate to Dallas and a personable and friendly Costa Rican guy heading to Helsinki. I liked talking to the woman, Ellen. We talked for the entire flight. We talked about travel—my trip...and hers to visit her son in L.A., Her time as a teacher in the peace core. I told her about my sister wanting to join. Then we talked for quite a while about closed-mindedness...our own and the helpless feeling watching/listening to locals in Springfield who are so content not to wander past the city or state boundaries. In the movie I watched later, the character called these Americans “Freedom Fry Americans.” It made me laugh a little and think. The movie made me think about loving a life without regrets. About the rare chance for things like true love. I don’t have the time nor need to feel regret for myself nor others. I have to go...to see...to hear...to touch...to feel..to love and never let go. Forever love. I think of Colt then for a while.

Time unknown...

Trouble in the Terminal!

I recently recieved a call from priceline.com informing me that my flight was cancelled! Fortunately, and wtih a deep sigh of releif on my part, it was the flight on the 3rd and not today's. I followed a lengthy call process through both Priceline's and British Airway's India call centers to find that no flights were available earlier than 3pm departure which means I would arrive at 5:15, missing the check-in and tours! I called Aleks at AIU. She assured me that it would be OK. I felt releived, but am now debating taking that extra early flight so I will feel more relaxerd in London upon arrival--still to be decided then... I then began to settle down only to find that I had not rememvered my camera uploading cord! I ran through the possibilities in my mind. I could borrow one or buyone later, but my biggest worry wat that I would not be able to take my style photos, let alone anything else as I'd run out of memory space within a day or so! Then I remembered (after much fretting) that I had once switched my sim cards between my camera and video camera and some of the files still pulled up on i-photo. Trying it out once i got back to the seating area (It worked!!!) Situation solved! And what more i didn't have a bulky cord to carry around...

And so it begins...

5/27/10
I'm in the Springfield Airport at the cafe. A Television talkshow plays on the screen in front of me and I've just mixed instant drink powder into my Orange starbucks mug filled at the water fountain. It was the easiest check-in I've ever had. The line for security was so short I could have said that the airport was just opening for the morning. I gave the guard my passport and boarding pass with ease and efficiently processed my carry-ons and laptop through the scanner. "You've done this a few times" the blonde security personelle coments. I thought to myself, 'i guess I have'. A wave of confidence washed through me as I scoped out my terminal and subsequently meandered back to the newstand to browse the magazines. In their glossy pages there are so many textures and treatments i want to store in my memory for my senior collection and I can't wait to see what I'll be able to think of when I have finished my time in Europe.

Introduction

Hi! this is April Whitlow, I am 22 and a 4th year student at Missouri State University. I'm about to embark on a European adventure and hope to keep you guys updated through this blog. My main location will be London, England studying at American Intercontinental University and Internship TBA, but i'll be sure to travel elsewhere, starting with a detour to Sweden and possible side-trips to Madrid, Amsterdam, and Dublin. My passion lies in fashion and you will see street shots of my favorite looks as well as a detailed look into my courses at AIU which include fashion journalism and fashion styling. I plan to go at this full tilt, so get ready!

For more information view:

My Portfolio: www.aprilwhitlow.com

Designs for Sale: www.avrilestrella.etsy.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/aprilwhitlow