Selecting a "J" novel was difficult (I can't think of any good travel ones and Jane Eyre does not have real travel destinations), so instead I decided to highlight Jane Austen.
Jane Austen lived from 1775 to 1817 and wrote novels filled with irony and wit. Her six major novels are among my favorites, in this order Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, Emma, Northanger Abby, Sense and Sensibility, and Mansfield Park.
I have planned a trip to see Jane Austen sites, back when the internet was new and people still used telephone books. Should I start planning another trip, here are the websites I would visit to start planning:
Pemberley has a fabulous list of Jane Austen travel sites, from her life and from several of the movies. I would focus on Winchester, Bath, and the Jane Austen's House Museum at Chawton.
Starting with Chawton. Chawton is next to Alton, and because I played the French horn in high school, I would have to visit this pub: French Horn. But that's just me. I would also take this literary walk in the area around the house, visiting places Jane herself visited. In fact I have taken this walk and only got turned around once. I must also be a fast walked since it did not take me 4 1/2 hours.
Moving onto Bath. Bath is wonderful, lovely, and has great Georgian character. Visit the Roman Baths, the Pump Room, and the Crescent. Watch the 1995 Persuasion for ideas. Then go visit the Jane Austen Centre.
Jane passed away at 8 College Street in Winchester, noted by a blue plaque on the house. That's it, so it's not worth the effort to seek out. She is buried in Winchester Cathedral, in the north aisle of the nave.
That's my fantasy week of travel based on Jane Austen's life. For for ideas and inspiration, visit Jane Austen Today and Jane Austen's World.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Novel Travels: In a Sunburned Country
At this point, I should explain my criteria for good travel reading.
1) It must give me a strong desire to visit a city, country, or region.
2) I must learn something about the area's (city, country, or region) history.
3) It must serve as a guidebook of sorts: I want to walk into a place saying something similar to "I need to visit this cathedral here on the map because it played a major role in the book and we need to look for a particular plaque on the wall. Also, we have to eat these cookies bought at this bakery because that is where the character met." In other words, the book must give me a list of places to visit, touristy and non-touristy places.
Although I've not been to Australia, I do have a small list of books on my travel-to-be-read list. I have read In a Sunburned Country, by Bill Bryson, and it did give me a long list of places to visit, tips about the people, and a sense of history. And I learned that Canberra is the capital and Australia plants and animals can kill you. I also got some tidbits about the Aborigines and the Outback.
One thing I don't recall being mentioned in the book is meat pies. My husband introduced me to meat pies at Boomerang's Pies here in Austin. I am hooked, the traditional beef pie is like my mother's meatloaf in a pie crust--and really, doesn't pie crust make everything better? So I am eager to visit Australia and taste their pies.
Here are four other books on my Australia list:
The Idea of Perfection and The Secret River by Kate Grenville.
Oscar and Lucinda and True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey.
I would also reread the Australia sections of Collapse by Jared Diamond. And I would reread, um, The Pride of the Peacock by Victoria Holt--this book is 100% responsible for me wanting to mine opals and purchase opals in Australia. In fact, that book is already responsible for several opal purchases in my life. And for the purchase of some Black Opal wine. What can I say but that I was young, impressionable, and romantic when I read the book. Huh, guess I still am.
1) It must give me a strong desire to visit a city, country, or region.
2) I must learn something about the area's (city, country, or region) history.
3) It must serve as a guidebook of sorts: I want to walk into a place saying something similar to "I need to visit this cathedral here on the map because it played a major role in the book and we need to look for a particular plaque on the wall. Also, we have to eat these cookies bought at this bakery because that is where the character met." In other words, the book must give me a list of places to visit, touristy and non-touristy places.
Although I've not been to Australia, I do have a small list of books on my travel-to-be-read list. I have read In a Sunburned Country, by Bill Bryson, and it did give me a long list of places to visit, tips about the people, and a sense of history. And I learned that Canberra is the capital and Australia plants and animals can kill you. I also got some tidbits about the Aborigines and the Outback.
One thing I don't recall being mentioned in the book is meat pies. My husband introduced me to meat pies at Boomerang's Pies here in Austin. I am hooked, the traditional beef pie is like my mother's meatloaf in a pie crust--and really, doesn't pie crust make everything better? So I am eager to visit Australia and taste their pies.
Here are four other books on my Australia list:
The Idea of Perfection and The Secret River by Kate Grenville.
Oscar and Lucinda and True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey.
I would also reread the Australia sections of Collapse by Jared Diamond. And I would reread, um, The Pride of the Peacock by Victoria Holt--this book is 100% responsible for me wanting to mine opals and purchase opals in Australia. In fact, that book is already responsible for several opal purchases in my life. And for the purchase of some Black Opal wine. What can I say but that I was young, impressionable, and romantic when I read the book. Huh, guess I still am.
Novel Travels: How the Irish Saved Civilization
For anyone traveling to Ireland, How the Irish Saved Civilization, by Thomas Cahill, is the perfect airplane read. It's a short history of Ireland--beginning, oddly enough, with the fall of Rome--and an introduction to Irish saints and artifacts. Cahill explains how Irish monks copied literature and helped spread it back through Western Europe during the Dark Ages. During the 4th Century, these monks did their copying in little huts which have remained watertight to this day and can be visited at the Gallarus Oratory (below), on the Dingle Peninsula.
Cahill discusses Saint Patrick, the Vikings, Saint Brigid, the Druids, Christianity, Columcille, and the Book of Kells. This book isn't a fictional walk through a city, but an easy read packed with information. For more on where to find some of the sites discussed in How the Irish Saved Civilization, see Rick Steves' website or read one of his Ireland guidebooks.
Cahill discusses Saint Patrick, the Vikings, Saint Brigid, the Druids, Christianity, Columcille, and the Book of Kells. This book isn't a fictional walk through a city, but an easy read packed with information. For more on where to find some of the sites discussed in How the Irish Saved Civilization, see Rick Steves' website or read one of his Ireland guidebooks.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Novel Travels: Gone With the Wind
Most people who know the novel and movie Gone With the Wind know that Tara does not exist. I understand though, from reading and studying both as an undergrand (University of Texas, English/Women's Studies course: Women's Popular Genres) that people have gone to Atlanta, Georgia, and asked to see Tara.
Margaret Mitchell based the plantations in GWTW on homes in Clayton County and Jonesboro, which she had seen and visited growing up. Although visiting Tara is impossible, it is possible to get a GWTW fix in Atlanta, Texas, and even Ireland.
Atlanta: To start, GWTW lovers should visit the Margaret Mitchell House where she wrote GWTW. The house gives visitors a glimpse into Mitchell's life, hosts literary events, and has a movie museum (and a gift shop). Mitchell is buried in Oakland Cemetery. There is a Margaret Mitchell square in downtown Atlanta. Those who read the novel may recall Scarlett traveling along Peachtree Street. I feel obligated to warn Atlanta visitors that it seems nearly every street, square, and shopping center is named Peachtree (or so it seemed to this outsider). For other reasons to visit Atlanta, I recommend visiting CNN's studios and the World of Coca-Cola.
The Road to Tara Museum in Jonesboro has a large, permanent collection about GWTW. Or, visitors can take the Southern Belles & Whistles Tour in Jonesboro given by Atlanta Tours.
Marietta has a Gone With the Wind Museum: Scarlett on the Square which has the original honeymoon gown Vivien Leigh wore for the movie, several editions of the novel, and Ona Munson's (Belle) movie script.
Texas: If GWTW lovers are anywhere near Jefferson, Texas, they should visit Scarlett O'Hardy's Gone With the Wind Museum, one of the largest private collections of GWTW memorabilia in existence. It's got movie posters, autographs of stars of GWTW, puzzles, and fabric relating to the book and movie.
In Austin, Texas, the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin has the David O. Selznick Collection and occasionally displays dresses from the movie, however they are not scheduled to be shown again until 2014. Until then, visit the Gone With the Wind Online Exhibit.
Ireland: Speculation has it that Mitchell got the O'Hara plantation name from the Hill of Tara in Ireland. Tara is regarded as the traditional seat of the high kings of Ireland because one could see all of Ireland from the top of the hill (not really, but you can see for miles). OK, it's not really related to GWTW except in name, but it's a fun place to visit.
Visiting any of these places will help get a true GWTW lover their fix, until they can take another trip, re-read the novel, or see the movie. (Note: the Paramount in downtown Austin will be showing GWTW over Labor Day Weekend, as part of their Summer Film Series.)
Margaret Mitchell based the plantations in GWTW on homes in Clayton County and Jonesboro, which she had seen and visited growing up. Although visiting Tara is impossible, it is possible to get a GWTW fix in Atlanta, Texas, and even Ireland.
Atlanta: To start, GWTW lovers should visit the Margaret Mitchell House where she wrote GWTW. The house gives visitors a glimpse into Mitchell's life, hosts literary events, and has a movie museum (and a gift shop). Mitchell is buried in Oakland Cemetery. There is a Margaret Mitchell square in downtown Atlanta. Those who read the novel may recall Scarlett traveling along Peachtree Street. I feel obligated to warn Atlanta visitors that it seems nearly every street, square, and shopping center is named Peachtree (or so it seemed to this outsider). For other reasons to visit Atlanta, I recommend visiting CNN's studios and the World of Coca-Cola.
The Road to Tara Museum in Jonesboro has a large, permanent collection about GWTW. Or, visitors can take the Southern Belles & Whistles Tour in Jonesboro given by Atlanta Tours.
Marietta has a Gone With the Wind Museum: Scarlett on the Square which has the original honeymoon gown Vivien Leigh wore for the movie, several editions of the novel, and Ona Munson's (Belle) movie script.
Texas: If GWTW lovers are anywhere near Jefferson, Texas, they should visit Scarlett O'Hardy's Gone With the Wind Museum, one of the largest private collections of GWTW memorabilia in existence. It's got movie posters, autographs of stars of GWTW, puzzles, and fabric relating to the book and movie.
In Austin, Texas, the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin has the David O. Selznick Collection and occasionally displays dresses from the movie, however they are not scheduled to be shown again until 2014. Until then, visit the Gone With the Wind Online Exhibit.
Ireland: Speculation has it that Mitchell got the O'Hara plantation name from the Hill of Tara in Ireland. Tara is regarded as the traditional seat of the high kings of Ireland because one could see all of Ireland from the top of the hill (not really, but you can see for miles). OK, it's not really related to GWTW except in name, but it's a fun place to visit.
Visiting any of these places will help get a true GWTW lover their fix, until they can take another trip, re-read the novel, or see the movie. (Note: the Paramount in downtown Austin will be showing GWTW over Labor Day Weekend, as part of their Summer Film Series.)
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Novel Travels: France
Today, I have a crying infant and therefore less time to think about this post. I was going to write about Tim Moore's French Revolutions (Tim Moore is the British Bill Bryson), however, I do not have a copy of the book (I got it at the library) and cannot find the info I want online. So, this post is more of a list of books about France and the French that I have found useful when traveling to France. Note: I will not cover Peter Mayle books on this list.
Non-fiction
Portraits of France by Robert Daley - A journalist shows his love of France and its people through various stories about life, wine, and journeys.
Two Towns in Provence by M.F.K. Fisher - Fisher brings Aix-en-Provence alive. Some restaurants she visits are still operating and all the fountains are still there and still enchanting tourists (this one included)
Words in a French Life by Kristin Espinasse - A blog-turned-book about life in Provence, told by introducing a new word a day.
- Another blogger, this one for cooking. Charming.
My Life in France by Julia Child - I've not had time to read this yet, but how can it be bad?
We'll Always Have Paris ... and Provence: A Scrapbook of Our Life in France by Patricia Wells and Walter Wells - I've also not had time to read this yet, but I love Wells' cookbooks.
Dealing with the French people
French of Foe? by Polly Platt - Good for work and pleasure and cutting through bureaucracy.
Touche by Agnes Catherine Poirier - Same, good for work and pleasure.
Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong by Jean-Benoit Nadeau and Julie Barlow - Explains why the French behave the way they do (answer: war and revolution).
Talk to the Snail by Stephen Clarke - I've not read this, but imagine it's his Merde books without the storylines.
French Toast by Harriet Welty Rochefort - Another American in France memoir.
Fiction
A Year in the Merde, In the Merde for Love, Merde Happens, Merde Actually, and Dial M for Merde by Stephen Clarke - Fun airplane reading. A Year in the Merde is the tale of a Brit living in Paris and tiptoeing around strikes, l'amour, and dog crap.
- Everyone learning French reads this.
Chocolat by Joanne Harris - As good as the movie.
For kids books, see Travel for Kids.
For more books, see Rick Steves' list.
Non-fiction
Portraits of France by Robert Daley - A journalist shows his love of France and its people through various stories about life, wine, and journeys.
Two Towns in Provence by M.F.K. Fisher - Fisher brings Aix-en-Provence alive. Some restaurants she visits are still operating and all the fountains are still there and still enchanting tourists (this one included)
Words in a French Life by Kristin Espinasse - A blog-turned-book about life in Provence, told by introducing a new word a day.
- Another blogger, this one for cooking. Charming.
My Life in France by Julia Child - I've not had time to read this yet, but how can it be bad?
We'll Always Have Paris ... and Provence: A Scrapbook of Our Life in France by Patricia Wells and Walter Wells - I've also not had time to read this yet, but I love Wells' cookbooks.
Dealing with the French people
French of Foe? by Polly Platt - Good for work and pleasure and cutting through bureaucracy.
Touche by Agnes Catherine Poirier - Same, good for work and pleasure.
Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong by Jean-Benoit Nadeau and Julie Barlow - Explains why the French behave the way they do (answer: war and revolution).
Talk to the Snail by Stephen Clarke - I've not read this, but imagine it's his Merde books without the storylines.
French Toast by Harriet Welty Rochefort - Another American in France memoir.
Fiction
A Year in the Merde, In the Merde for Love, Merde Happens, Merde Actually, and Dial M for Merde by Stephen Clarke - Fun airplane reading. A Year in the Merde is the tale of a Brit living in Paris and tiptoeing around strikes, l'amour, and dog crap.
- Everyone learning French reads this.
Chocolat by Joanne Harris - As good as the movie.
For kids books, see Travel for Kids.
For more books, see Rick Steves' list.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Novel Travels - Ethan Frome/Edith Wharton
While I found Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome tragic and hard to put down, her House of Mirth and Age of Innocence brought turn-of-the-century New York City, with it's complex social structure, to life for me. Therefore, while I should be concentrating this post on Ethan Frome, I'm really interested in Edith Wharton's New York City: what of it is left and what can I see?
Thankfully, the Edith Wharton Society has a helpful list on their FAQ. Starting with Grace Church at Broadway and 11th Street where she was christened. Edith lived at the house on 14 West 23rd Street, but it has been changed over the years. In 1885, Edith got married at Trinity Chapel at 15 West 25th Street, which is now Serbian Orthodox Church of Saint Sava.
And that is about all of Edith Wharton's New York, New York. Honestly, I expected more. This New Times article sheds a little light onto her life in the city and her feelings toward it (she spent most of her life abroad).
Of course, when I think of Edith Wharton, I also think of her friendship with Henry James, which leads me to Washington Square, the novel, and Washington Square, the park. While near the park, I would visit the Merchant's House Museum at 29 East 4th Street. It was built before Edith's time, in 1832, and was not a home for the upper crust of society, but it is a fun glimpse into city life in the 19th century.
To get an even better idea of how Edith Wharton's characters lived, one would have to leave the city and visit the estates along the Hudson River Valley. I think any of them would be worth the trip. Supposedly, Edith's aunt built the (now ruins only) Wyndcliffe, near Rhinebeck, New York.
Finally, on this fantasy trip of mine, I would leave New York state entirely to visit The Mount in Lenox, Massachusetts. Edith purchased the Mount in 1902 and lived there off and on for years.
Thankfully, the Edith Wharton Society has a helpful list on their FAQ. Starting with Grace Church at Broadway and 11th Street where she was christened. Edith lived at the house on 14 West 23rd Street, but it has been changed over the years. In 1885, Edith got married at Trinity Chapel at 15 West 25th Street, which is now Serbian Orthodox Church of Saint Sava.
And that is about all of Edith Wharton's New York, New York. Honestly, I expected more. This New Times article sheds a little light onto her life in the city and her feelings toward it (she spent most of her life abroad).
Of course, when I think of Edith Wharton, I also think of her friendship with Henry James, which leads me to Washington Square, the novel, and Washington Square, the park. While near the park, I would visit the Merchant's House Museum at 29 East 4th Street. It was built before Edith's time, in 1832, and was not a home for the upper crust of society, but it is a fun glimpse into city life in the 19th century.
To get an even better idea of how Edith Wharton's characters lived, one would have to leave the city and visit the estates along the Hudson River Valley. I think any of them would be worth the trip. Supposedly, Edith's aunt built the (now ruins only) Wyndcliffe, near Rhinebeck, New York.
Finally, on this fantasy trip of mine, I would leave New York state entirely to visit The Mount in Lenox, Massachusetts. Edith purchased the Mount in 1902 and lived there off and on for years.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Novel Travels: Don Quixote
Developing a trip for Don Quixote is more difficult for me because I have never read Don Quixote. Now that I've been to Spain, it is on my To Be Read List. I found references to Don Quixote all over Spain, in the art, in restaurant names, and at the chocolate museum.
Turns out, there is an official Route of Don Quixote, estabished in 2007 (or 2006) by the Council of Europe and it is the first European cultural route based on a literary character. The trail starts in one of my favorite Spanish cities, Toledo, meanders around Castilla-La Manchaand finishes at Atienza.
For Toledo (above), I recommend visiting the superb Toledo Cathedral filled with astounding artwork--Rick Steves calls it a mini Prado museum--and the church of Santo Tome to see El Greco's the Burial of Count Oragaz. Toledo has many other attractions for those who love El Greco, however my husband and I had limited time there. Those two attractions were our first stops and I highly recommend them (my husband, on the other hand, was not impressed with the church of Santo Tome).
As for the rest of the route, more info can be found on the Spanish tourist website. I do know that the famous windmills are at Campo de Criptana, Ciudad Real. It also turns out that John Lithgow starred in a TV version of Don Quixote in 2000. And a spoof was featured on the first episode of Spain - On the Road Again, the PBS series with Mario Batali, Mark Bittman, Claudia Bassols, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Turns out, there is an official Route of Don Quixote, estabished in 2007 (or 2006) by the Council of Europe and it is the first European cultural route based on a literary character. The trail starts in one of my favorite Spanish cities, Toledo, meanders around Castilla-La Manchaand finishes at Atienza.
For Toledo (above), I recommend visiting the superb Toledo Cathedral filled with astounding artwork--Rick Steves calls it a mini Prado museum--and the church of Santo Tome to see El Greco's the Burial of Count Oragaz. Toledo has many other attractions for those who love El Greco, however my husband and I had limited time there. Those two attractions were our first stops and I highly recommend them (my husband, on the other hand, was not impressed with the church of Santo Tome).
As for the rest of the route, more info can be found on the Spanish tourist website. I do know that the famous windmills are at Campo de Criptana, Ciudad Real. It also turns out that John Lithgow starred in a TV version of Don Quixote in 2000. And a spoof was featured on the first episode of Spain - On the Road Again, the PBS series with Mario Batali, Mark Bittman, Claudia Bassols, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Novel Travels: Cathedral of the Sea
Unsolicited advice for the day: Go to Barcelona and read Cathedral of the Sea by Ildefonso Falcones on the airplane. It's the story of Arnau Estanyol, a peasant, in 14th-Century Barcelona. He has an active life, from being a porter unloading ship cargo and assisting with the building of the Santa Maria del Mar Cathedral, to going to war, and finally, becoming a moneylender brought before the Inquisition. The novel is high on melodrama but gives a fascinating perspective on that period in Spain's history.
Santa Maria del Mar plays a central role in the novel and should be on everyone's list of places to visit in Barcelona. Yes, Gaudí's Sagrada Familia is more modern, more famous, and more captivating, but Santa Maria del Mar is older--started in 1329 and completed 1383. OK, that is AMAZING for a cathedral built in medieval times (visitors who have read the book should look for the relief of the porters on the main entrance).
Also among reasons to visit the cathedral, it is located in la Ribera district, next to the Passeig del Born, and near the Barri Gothic, all great areas for running around inside the ancient walls and getting a sense of Barcelona's history. The old city is ancient and beautiful--how many cities do you accidentally walk into Roman walls?
Are there other places in Barcelona related to the book that can be visited? Yes, here is a map. Also, del Born is more of a nightlife district now; I had some good pizza and some crepes there. And I also recommend the Picasso Museum and the chocolate museum, neither has anything to do with the book. Finally, here are some 360 views of the cathedral.
Santa Maria del Mar plays a central role in the novel and should be on everyone's list of places to visit in Barcelona. Yes, Gaudí's Sagrada Familia is more modern, more famous, and more captivating, but Santa Maria del Mar is older--started in 1329 and completed 1383. OK, that is AMAZING for a cathedral built in medieval times (visitors who have read the book should look for the relief of the porters on the main entrance).
Also among reasons to visit the cathedral, it is located in la Ribera district, next to the Passeig del Born, and near the Barri Gothic, all great areas for running around inside the ancient walls and getting a sense of Barcelona's history. The old city is ancient and beautiful--how many cities do you accidentally walk into Roman walls?
Are there other places in Barcelona related to the book that can be visited? Yes, here is a map. Also, del Born is more of a nightlife district now; I had some good pizza and some crepes there. And I also recommend the Picasso Museum and the chocolate museum, neither has anything to do with the book. Finally, here are some 360 views of the cathedral.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Novel Travels: Bridget Jones's Diary
Bridget Jones's Diary was published in Great Britain in 1996. In the summer of 1998, when it reached the height of its popularity in the States, I had the good fortune to be studying abroad in London. Everyone reads on the Tube and Bridget Jones's Diary was one of my favorite Tube reads. Fitting since London is Bridget's stomping grounds.
Here are the places I would go to experience Bridget's London.
Holland Park and the surrounding area. Mark Darcy's house is in Holland Park, which is a subsection of Kensington. I would wander around Notting Hill (also, because that is where Syracuse University-London was located, so I was there weekly during the summer and miss it), Portobello Road--skipping the market which was not worth it, just old T-shirts really, at least in 1998--and Westbourne Grove. Of course I would run through Kensington Park Gardens and run through Holland Park, just to see it.
Other locations in the book are her parent's home and Edinburgh, Scotland, where she goes for the festival and does not do much.
There's more to Bridget Jones than just the novel: there are the movies. In Bridget Jones's Diary, Bridget walks across Tower Bridge and around Piccadilly Circus. Both are required stops for visiting London. One attraction visitors sometimes miss is Primrose Hill--near Regent's Park--which offers a great view of London. On a side note, I'm convinced the big fight scene took place at the Greek restaurant I ate at in Bayswater, near the Greek Orthodox Church. I can't confirm that or anything. It was there in 1998.
As for the second book, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. I do not recommend getting sent to a Thai jail just to recreate the book or movie. Not worth it. And there are not many places in the second book that are not featured in the first book or movie. The one thing I would do is visit Hyde Park and see the Italian fountains near the Serpentine Gallery where Daniel Cleaver and Mark Darcy get into a fight.
I could go on, but it is much easier to direct people to this Bridget Jones archive website and this map. And I highly recommend reading the 2005 and 2006 Independent columns.
Here are the places I would go to experience Bridget's London.
Holland Park and the surrounding area. Mark Darcy's house is in Holland Park, which is a subsection of Kensington. I would wander around Notting Hill (also, because that is where Syracuse University-London was located, so I was there weekly during the summer and miss it), Portobello Road--skipping the market which was not worth it, just old T-shirts really, at least in 1998--and Westbourne Grove. Of course I would run through Kensington Park Gardens and run through Holland Park, just to see it.
Other locations in the book are her parent's home and Edinburgh, Scotland, where she goes for the festival and does not do much.
There's more to Bridget Jones than just the novel: there are the movies. In Bridget Jones's Diary, Bridget walks across Tower Bridge and around Piccadilly Circus. Both are required stops for visiting London. One attraction visitors sometimes miss is Primrose Hill--near Regent's Park--which offers a great view of London. On a side note, I'm convinced the big fight scene took place at the Greek restaurant I ate at in Bayswater, near the Greek Orthodox Church. I can't confirm that or anything. It was there in 1998.
As for the second book, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. I do not recommend getting sent to a Thai jail just to recreate the book or movie. Not worth it. And there are not many places in the second book that are not featured in the first book or movie. The one thing I would do is visit Hyde Park and see the Italian fountains near the Serpentine Gallery where Daniel Cleaver and Mark Darcy get into a fight.
I could go on, but it is much easier to direct people to this Bridget Jones archive website and this map. And I highly recommend reading the 2005 and 2006 Independent columns.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Novel Travels: Anne of Green Gables
Since I was 11 I dreamed of Prince Edward Island in Canada. Anyone who has read Anne of Green Gables knows why: Anne's adventures and misadventures allows girls to think they can be themselves and find love while Lucy Maud Montgomery's descriptions of Prince Edward Island bring visions of a magical place before power lines and pollution ruined the countryside.
Back in 2002 I got to visit PEI for ONE DAY. I was a Holland America cruise with my mother and grandparents. They allowed me to plan the entire day, bless them. So I got online and found itineraries and books to help me plan. The most helpful book was Finding Anne on Prince Edward Island. With it as my guide, I planned a very strategic day (too bad I did not have a digital camera at the time or I would share photos).
1st stop: Green Gables in Cavendish in Prince Edward Island National Park. This is the required stop of all who love things Anne as it was LM Montgomery's setting for the novel. After seeing the house, visitors should walk along Lover's Lane and the Haunted Wood Trail. And then visit the store, ahem.
2nd stop: Lucy Maud Montgomery Birthplace in New London. As far as sites go, this is a short stop. The house displays Montgomery's scrapbooks and her wedding dress, giving some insight into the writer's mind.
3rd stop: Anne of Green Gables Museum and the Lake of Shining Waters in Silver Bush. Its rumored to be another version of Green Gables, offers carriage rides and has an inspiring a view of the "lake." What I remember most about this stop was seeing the dozens of girls running around in their "Anne" straw hats with red braids flying--the museum had a good store. It was also where Montgomery got married.
4th stop: The Lucy Maude Montgomery Heritage Museum in Park Corner was a surprise. A simple home, it has some of the figures in the Anne books, like Magog the China dog. It has some of the history of her family and life. If memory serves, it was very close to the Anne of Green Gables Museum. No store though.
We also stopped at Green Gables Post Office and the Cavendish United Church. Neither was very exciting, to be honest.
If I were to return, I would visit Charlottetown and see a performance of Anne of Green Gables and perhaps visit Malpeque Gardens in Malpeque to see the flowers (if I could find a website for them).
Other things: Anne of Green Gables on Project Gutenberg. PEI tourism. Anne Society store at the Green Gables Museum.
Back in 2002 I got to visit PEI for ONE DAY. I was a Holland America cruise with my mother and grandparents. They allowed me to plan the entire day, bless them. So I got online and found itineraries and books to help me plan. The most helpful book was Finding Anne on Prince Edward Island. With it as my guide, I planned a very strategic day (too bad I did not have a digital camera at the time or I would share photos).
1st stop: Green Gables in Cavendish in Prince Edward Island National Park. This is the required stop of all who love things Anne as it was LM Montgomery's setting for the novel. After seeing the house, visitors should walk along Lover's Lane and the Haunted Wood Trail. And then visit the store, ahem.
2nd stop: Lucy Maud Montgomery Birthplace in New London. As far as sites go, this is a short stop. The house displays Montgomery's scrapbooks and her wedding dress, giving some insight into the writer's mind.
3rd stop: Anne of Green Gables Museum and the Lake of Shining Waters in Silver Bush. Its rumored to be another version of Green Gables, offers carriage rides and has an inspiring a view of the "lake." What I remember most about this stop was seeing the dozens of girls running around in their "Anne" straw hats with red braids flying--the museum had a good store. It was also where Montgomery got married.
4th stop: The Lucy Maude Montgomery Heritage Museum in Park Corner was a surprise. A simple home, it has some of the figures in the Anne books, like Magog the China dog. It has some of the history of her family and life. If memory serves, it was very close to the Anne of Green Gables Museum. No store though.
We also stopped at Green Gables Post Office and the Cavendish United Church. Neither was very exciting, to be honest.
If I were to return, I would visit Charlottetown and see a performance of Anne of Green Gables and perhaps visit Malpeque Gardens in Malpeque to see the flowers (if I could find a website for them).
Other things: Anne of Green Gables on Project Gutenberg. PEI tourism. Anne Society store at the Green Gables Museum.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Quilt Overload
Quilt Overload has nothing to do with an alphabet. I just don't have a topic right now. I was thinking Mini Coopers, but all my info would be coming from Wikipedia, so I will skip it (until I get books and books about Minis).
My great grandmother Zoe made quilts. She made quilts for everyone in the family and everyone who entered the family. When asked my father what color quilt he wanted, she famously told him he could not have blue because it showed dirt. So my father asked for University of Oklahoma colors, red and white.
I grew up with one of her yellow and pink quilts on my bed. And I got ink on it, but that is another story (yes, hairspray gets ink out). When my parents moved this last time (fourth time to a new town) my mother discovered that the pink and yellow quilt was not my birth quilt, but that Grandma had made a white and yellow flowered quilt for me. So now I have two yellow quilts.
When we cleaned out my grandmother's house, I got a pink quilt Grandma Zoe had made. And two green quilts. Green and Pink quilts I should add. With 1970s polyester blocks. One has the hot pink yarn bits, the other, sadly, just has green yarn bits.
I also remember the olive green quilt my mother had on my Marine brother's bed. It fit the room, except that some of the squares were pale pink, turquoise, and, my favorite, pink with blue strawberries (why? where does one get fabric like that?).
My mother found quilt pieces and decided to finish the quilt for my son. That was how we confirmed what we had always suspected, Grandma Zoe did not like rectangles and could not make a quilt to fit a bed at all. As in, the bottom part of the quilt was wider than the top. For years we had struggled folding these quilts, but now we know why.
I don't want to sound like I don't enjoy these quilts. Indeed, I love quilts because they are part of history--women saved clothes and flour sacks to keep their families warm. Lots of love went into these quilts. They are quirky. And even historic. I'm sure her earlier quilts speak of the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. Its cool that mine yell out 1970s.
My great grandmother Zoe made quilts. She made quilts for everyone in the family and everyone who entered the family. When asked my father what color quilt he wanted, she famously told him he could not have blue because it showed dirt. So my father asked for University of Oklahoma colors, red and white.
I grew up with one of her yellow and pink quilts on my bed. And I got ink on it, but that is another story (yes, hairspray gets ink out). When my parents moved this last time (fourth time to a new town) my mother discovered that the pink and yellow quilt was not my birth quilt, but that Grandma had made a white and yellow flowered quilt for me. So now I have two yellow quilts.
When we cleaned out my grandmother's house, I got a pink quilt Grandma Zoe had made. And two green quilts. Green and Pink quilts I should add. With 1970s polyester blocks. One has the hot pink yarn bits, the other, sadly, just has green yarn bits.
I also remember the olive green quilt my mother had on my Marine brother's bed. It fit the room, except that some of the squares were pale pink, turquoise, and, my favorite, pink with blue strawberries (why? where does one get fabric like that?).
My mother found quilt pieces and decided to finish the quilt for my son. That was how we confirmed what we had always suspected, Grandma Zoe did not like rectangles and could not make a quilt to fit a bed at all. As in, the bottom part of the quilt was wider than the top. For years we had struggled folding these quilts, but now we know why.
I don't want to sound like I don't enjoy these quilts. Indeed, I love quilts because they are part of history--women saved clothes and flour sacks to keep their families warm. Lots of love went into these quilts. They are quirky. And even historic. I'm sure her earlier quilts speak of the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. Its cool that mine yell out 1970s.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Pregnancy: Z is for ZZZZZZZZs
Z is for ZZZZZZZZs. Sleep is very important while pregnant. All I wanted to do the first trimester was sleep. This made it difficult to write my professional report (essentially my master's thesis) because I kept dozing off.
The second trimester was better, I had more energy, but I would still get home from working 9 to 2, eat lunch, and take a long nap. My last trimester I became a baby. I got up, ate breakfast, and went back to sleep for a couple of hours. If I did that, then I did not need an afternoon nap. If I did not go back to sleep, then I ended up sleeping for a few hours in the afternoon. Then I would not sleep at night.
Ah, sleeping at night, that was a dream (pun intended). I always took at least three trips to the bathroom, on a good night. During that last month (what I had of it), I found it impossible to get comfortable, my body just felt wrong and I was so very hot. Admittedly, it was one of the hottest Junes on record in Austin, Texas.
Getting enough sleep is important for health and especially important during pregnancy. It's ironic that it is difficult during the last month. My mother kept telling me it was my body's way of preparing for parenthood and the lack of sleep during the first months. Yes, she was right. Sigh.
The second trimester was better, I had more energy, but I would still get home from working 9 to 2, eat lunch, and take a long nap. My last trimester I became a baby. I got up, ate breakfast, and went back to sleep for a couple of hours. If I did that, then I did not need an afternoon nap. If I did not go back to sleep, then I ended up sleeping for a few hours in the afternoon. Then I would not sleep at night.
Ah, sleeping at night, that was a dream (pun intended). I always took at least three trips to the bathroom, on a good night. During that last month (what I had of it), I found it impossible to get comfortable, my body just felt wrong and I was so very hot. Admittedly, it was one of the hottest Junes on record in Austin, Texas.
Getting enough sleep is important for health and especially important during pregnancy. It's ironic that it is difficult during the last month. My mother kept telling me it was my body's way of preparing for parenthood and the lack of sleep during the first months. Yes, she was right. Sigh.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Pregnancy: Y is for Yeast Infection
Y is for Yeast Infection. One thing never-been-pregnant women tell pregnant women is "At least you don't have your period for nine months."
What do they know?
Pregnant women get yeast infections, hemorrhoids, heartburn, acne/mask of pregnancy, swelling and cankles, a belly, and get extremely hot quickly. Among other things.
Granted, I would have been pregnant much earlier in life had I known I would not have bad acne when pregnant but have beautiful skin. Best skin of my life. Really. And incredible nails that grow incredibly fast. These two things do not make up for me giving up my breakfast taco craving due to heartburn.
What do they know?
Pregnant women get yeast infections, hemorrhoids, heartburn, acne/mask of pregnancy, swelling and cankles, a belly, and get extremely hot quickly. Among other things.
Granted, I would have been pregnant much earlier in life had I known I would not have bad acne when pregnant but have beautiful skin. Best skin of my life. Really. And incredible nails that grow incredibly fast. These two things do not make up for me giving up my breakfast taco craving due to heartburn.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Pregnancy: X is for Examine
X is for Examine. Or rather, X is for "Sherri is not creative tonight." I meant to go through the dictionary and look for a good X word, but I've been feeding a newborn and am tired.
You get examined often in pregnancy. Mainly while visiting the doctor. Another way is people look at you and try to determine if you are pregnant or not. I got this a lot because I am small and my baby was small so people were never really sure until I hit about 7 months. I was accused of not eating enough. Trust me, three bowls of cereal every morning is enough.
So, pregnancy has many examinations.
You get examined often in pregnancy. Mainly while visiting the doctor. Another way is people look at you and try to determine if you are pregnant or not. I got this a lot because I am small and my baby was small so people were never really sure until I hit about 7 months. I was accused of not eating enough. Trust me, three bowls of cereal every morning is enough.
So, pregnancy has many examinations.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Pregnancy: W is for Water
W is for Water. Pregnant women should drink water because it keeps things flowing--in other words, helps prevent constipation. People should drink water in general, everyone knows that, but pregnant women should be sure to get extra. It also helps increase the amount of amniotic fluid that the baby is floating around in.
Then, once you have a baby, there is more water. If you had an IV, the fluids have to leave your system somehow. Nurses at the hospital will bring you a small pitcher of water (maybe wrapped in a diaper) and you are to drink all of it within three hours.
Breastfeeding is the same way: drink water.
Bottom line: drink lots of water.
Then, once you have a baby, there is more water. If you had an IV, the fluids have to leave your system somehow. Nurses at the hospital will bring you a small pitcher of water (maybe wrapped in a diaper) and you are to drink all of it within three hours.
Breastfeeding is the same way: drink water.
Bottom line: drink lots of water.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Pregnancy: V is for Version
V is for Version. An external version is a procedure that is done when the baby is breech and the doctors push on the mother's stomach and try to flip the baby into the head down position. It is done at around 37 weeks and works about 50% of the time. Sometimes a version can induce labor and other times can result in a c-section.
That last bit, about the c-section, that's what my external version resulted in on June 30. The doctors were able to move the head just a bit, but then it seemed stuck. When his heart rate dipped very low the doctors took it as an indication that there could be something else going on inside and recommended taking him out rather than taking a chance on something going wrong during the last couple of weeks.
So Little Nate was born 9:34 AM, June 30. 6 lb, 2 oz. 18 inches.
That last bit, about the c-section, that's what my external version resulted in on June 30. The doctors were able to move the head just a bit, but then it seemed stuck. When his heart rate dipped very low the doctors took it as an indication that there could be something else going on inside and recommended taking him out rather than taking a chance on something going wrong during the last couple of weeks.
So Little Nate was born 9:34 AM, June 30. 6 lb, 2 oz. 18 inches.
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