Hello Hello my loyal followers...
As most of you know, I have been on holiday this last week, in a little (but gorgeous) town called Exeter!!!!
Well, let me tell you the ups and downs (yes, unfortunately, there have been a few downs as well).
My last update ended on Monday (in the hostel). So I will begin with my week as of Tuesday.
I woke up around 09h00 (unfortunately, my version of late and my body's version of late are not the same thing) BUT I was determined to have a break, have a holiday, and tour tour tour... which, I am GLAD to report i followed (...well... mostly...)
I went downstairs bound for the nicest, longest shower I could imagine... or so I thought... It turns out this hostel has these taps which you press on and about thirty seconds later, the water turns off (you know the type, water saving taps - and no, you can't adjust the temperature of the water!). But, no worries, I was still determined to have a break, a holiday, and tour tour tour... So, having pressed the button on average thirty times I got out the shower (now came the interesting part - I had to dry - without a towel - hmmmmmm). I won't tell you how I dried, but I'm sure you can imagine!
I got dressed and was still determined to have a break, a holiday and tour tour tour. I went downstairs and set out for my adventure. I walked to the local cathedral and got the information I needed for the local tours, I noticed that it was slightly overcast (what do you think that signifies in the UK?). I then went to Sainsbury to get some supplies and went back to the hostel to catch up on all my email, on all the news and to chill. I spent the rest of the day admiring the pouring rain whilst listening to music and playing games online.
Wednesday came along, I was determined to go on at least one tour of Exeter and to BUY a towel. This is precisely what I did. The weather was sunny with a few clouds (so relatively nice). I spent most of the day seeing sites around Exeter and meeting several people. I managed to see the catacombs (and met a really nice gentleman, from Exmouth, who took out his torch and lit the way for me - and as usual, told me his life story [who knew he would have to go home and walk the golden retriever named josie before his wife got back???]). I then took a walk along the city wall (built in the Roman times - three quarters of it still stands - and it is over three metres thick and 10 feet high). I then did a tour around the outside of the cathedral (which was VERY interesting - built, demolished, built, painted, scraped, built up and nearly 1000 years old). I then did a tour through some of the streets, seeing some churches and the mint (I did not think terribly much of this though - but everything appeals to someone). Between all of this, I went to the £1 store and bought a towel. Needless to say, I was well chuffed with my accomplishments!!!!! I got back to the hostel absolutely EXHAUSTED, but ever so proud of myself (I think I may have resembled a pouter pigeon... I hope nobody noticed!!??) BUT, this was not the end of my day, I even managed to attend an organ performance by a german composer in the cathedral (for £5). The performance was not as good as the first one I heard in France, and personally I thought that both the organ and the composer/performer have more potential. I arrived back at the hostel around 21h30 wide awake and raring to go (I can hear you asking... 'what's wrong with her?'... I can hear myself asking the same question!!!) So, I got my laptop out, played around on it for a while, did some sudoku and before I knew it, it was 23h30. So I went to bed. I slept well.
Thursday arrived, and I woke up around 10 (now we are talking!)
I got out of bed, rushed toward the thirty second showers (with my new towel) and had a really awesome succession of showers! I then went downstairs, had breakfast and then realised it was absolutely POURING outside... so I spent most of the day indoors, watching television on my laptop. Later that evening (well, as soon as the rain paused), I went to Primark and bought myself a RED umbrella and a raincoat. I then went back to the hostel and had some soup and a much needed chat.
Friday morning arrived at 09h30. I got up and looked out the window. There was lovely weather, so I got dressed and went downstairs. I went on another tour, this time it covered the buildings surrounding the cathedral (called cathedral close) and the palace gardens. I thought this was slightly disappointing. Don't get me wrong, it was interesting, but overall, a let-down. It turns out, the garden has been made a sanctuary - where the plants are trimmed and lawn cut twice a year (so not really worth a visit if you ask me). Once the tour was done, I went to the bus station to get an idea of how long it would take me to travel to my next client (in Exminster - one town away from Exeter). The walk there was lovely. On the walk back through the shopping streets, I found out that one of the restuarants (the giraffe) was bombed three months ago by a terrorist (he went into the bathroom of the restuarant with a nail bomb strapped to his chest, and then blew himself up... Luckily he only managed to kill himself - and a bit of tourism to the area). But interesting nonetheless. I got back to the hostel rather late. I went up to get my laptop, where I met another lady. Her name is Louise. She decided I looked friendly enough to cling to (is it my face???) anyway, after a LONG discussion with her, I got out my laptop and checked my email (as I was waiting for one). I found that Active Assistance had sent me an email on my progress (this is the down part I mentioned at the beginning of the blog).
It turns out that I have passed my probation period and that I am OFFICIALLY employed (I hear your minds ticking...) Contained in the same email is a monthly feedback from clients on my performance, and things I can improve. Well, it would appear that my first two clients were chuffed with my performance - not that the first one counts in my opinion. But my last client gave negative feedback. You know the one - yes, the stripclub one, the one I lost sleep with, the one who never let me have a break, the one who constantly went out and had friends over, the one who i had to clean up after, the one whose friends left the house looking like a bomb had hit it... getting clearer??? Well, he gave feedback to AA (Active Assistance - just for you Sherelyn!!!) saying that by the time I left his home (in the space of two weeks) there was a 'thick' layer of dust on all of his stuff. He also commented saying that I never did anything his way, and that when he instructed me to do something, I would disregard what he had said and do it the way I felt.
Now, you can imagine the amount of steam coming out of my ears, the amount of blasphemy, the amount of pure frustration and anger...
I decided I would take it into account (as if it were constructive criticism) and make sure that I dust at my next client's home.
After all the frustration had died down, and 19h00 approached, I decided I would go for another tour around the close. So, on my way out the door, Louise asked if she could join me. I accepted graciously (even though company was the last thing I wanted). We did the tour, which was VERY interesting. On the way back to the hostel, Louise wanted to go for some supper. So at around 22h00 we went and ate dinner (I had a baked potato, as I was not all that hungry). We got back to the hostel around 23h00, where Louise spent the next hour telling me about her life and why she was travelling so much.
Needless to say, Friday ended on a rather dull note.
Saturday came and I got up late, had a shower, and a huge cup of coffee. I grabbed some breakfast and rushed out the door for yet another tour... I got to the tour just in time. The tour covered parts of Exeter all the way down to the quay and customs house. The tour ended two hours later. I then walked around the quay and stumbled across a canoe race between three local cities (Exmouth, Exeter and Plymouth). I sat and watched that for a while (well, actually, a long while). Once I had had enough of that I began my exploration of the other half of Exeter (on the other side of the river). I found yet another shopping centre, which i then further explored. I decided I would stop for some lunch and something COLD to drink. So I went to the Pizza Hut. I ordered a small pizza (just enough to fill the gap and a bottomless apple and blackcurrant drink). I left an hour later, having had enough of all the funny looks (apparently people are not used to seeing someone dining alone in a family restuarant)... I then strolled back to the hostel, where I had a nap and then I spent the evening indoors (as it was raining, AGAIN). BUT, never mind, Louise was there to keep me company...
Sunday morning arrived sooner than i anticipated (I woke up at 08h00). I got showered and dressed and went to eat breakfast. Following this, I checked my email. I was joined by Louise and Peter (an Austrian guy). I then walked Peter to the Library and Louise to the station (where I got a timetable for the trains from Exeter to Bristol). On the way back to the hostel, I stopped at the indian restuarant for their buffet. The Indian guy there (Ahmed - If you have seen it, you will be laughing now) hit on me... I smiled (isn't that just SO typical???). BUT, it payed off, I got my drinks on the house!!!!!!! ANYWAY... I then met up with Peter at the hostel. I had managed to give him a craving for indian, so he popped out to get some whilst I played a card game. He got back, food in hand and he ate whilst we played a few card games. Following this, we walked down to the quay (in the rain) for the jazz concert. We watched the band (the steam jazz band, composed of six elderly men) and then went for coffee in high street. It was rather nice. Following this, we went to the mass at the cathedral (for entertainment - and because entrance to the cathedral is free when there is a service!!!!!!!) It was good. We then went back to the hostel. I then spent the rest of the evening online and chatting to various people around me...
My last day of holiday arrived... Monday morning...
I spent the morning on the internet (checking email, watching television and updating my blog). I then packed it all away and went out into the town (where I wondered the streets and watched the locals). I started feeling a little peckish, so I looked at the time... it was already 16h30!!!! So, for someone who does not like shopping, I seemed to do it quite well (who knew my female roots would expose themselves!!!!) So, I went into a local cafe and ordered a pie and chips... WELL, it was certainly the BIGGEST pie and LARGEST plate of chips I have ever seen!!!! Needless to say, I left there stuffed! On my way back to the hostel, I got some houmous and pita (for dinner - which I ate around 20h00). Once back at the hostel, I spent the evening watching television and chatting to various people. I eventually found myself talking to a British guy about pretty much everything and actually enjoying it!!! Needless to say, this left me going to bed at 02h00.
So, this morning (Tuesday) I turned over and felt as though I had overslept. So I quickly grabbed my phone, only to see that it was 08h00!!!! So, I got out of bed, showered my million showers and came downstairs to finish my blog. I have since seen the British guy again (sorry, I don't know his name!!!!!
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