WillTravel and 14-year-old daughter in Madrid, Amsterdam, London, Seattle - August trip - now the delayed report
Nov 13th, 2005, 09:04 PM
#41
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had purchased a dinner/theatre combo for 19.95 pounds for The Producers at Lastminute.com. The dinner was at Maxwell's. We enjoyed our dinner. I had a huge Camembert appetizer, and my entree was also good, although I don't recall what it was! As far as I can tell, the usual price for our Producers tickets was 20 pounds. They were high up, but the view was not obstructed. We enjoyed the show very much. As usual, my daughter noticed some things I missed.
Slight digression now, about London food. Although much is very expensive, some types of cheese are very cheap. We got a 250g circle of Brie for one pound at Tesco. Try doing that at home. Also, some of their good chocolate bars are very reasonably priced too. The Green & Black brand has bars that cost 1 pound. I can get these at home, but for at least 50% more.
Another night, I had gotten tickets that ended up costing about 12 pounds, with all fees, for Theatre of Blood, also from Lastminute.com. These were about 7 or 8 rows from the front, and I saw that the man directly in front of us had a ticket with a face value of 36 pounds. This starred Jim Broadbent from Moulin Rouge, and my daughter was very excited to be seeing him. The special effects were very good, and the characters were very nicely drawn (we particularly enjoyed the characterization of a flamboyant old theatre critic with two little poodles). We enjoyed the show and the acting, but we both agreed it wasn't our favorite. It had a lot of in-theatre jokes that seemed a bit pretentious. It was creative to distill so many of Shakespeare's killing methods into one play, though.
One morning I noticed in Time Out that we could go see The Philadelphia Story, starring Kevin Spacey. My daughter was beside herself at this thought. Off we went, and once again got pretty good discount prices - I think about 10 or 12 pounds. My daughter, being a student, was eligible for a much better discounted seat than I got. She was down one level from me. However, if you do tend to feel claustrophic in those London theatres, the bench seating I got was certainly not confining, and I could see that some big or tall people might actually prefer it.
My daughter once again demonstrated her nerve. At intermission, she asked the usher if she could move to an unused seat near the front. He let her do so! I didn't know she had done this until later, but saw her waving up from the prime seat. I found out how she did it afterwards. Kevin Spacey was great. I hadn't known him as a comic, physical actor, but he did some of that in this play, and did it very well.
My daughter actually wanted to hang around the Old Vic in hopes she would see Kevin Spacey emerge and then get an autograph. I persuaded her this was most unlikely. We went to a small cafe near Waterloo Station, and I had some lamb kebab that later that night gave me a mild case of food poisoning. I had read the warnings here and elsewhere, and I won't do that again. I had thought it would be okay, not being takeaway. My daughter had no problem with her veggie burger.
Another place we visited was the London Dungeon, using a coupon we had gotten from our hotel. This was very hot and crowded at the beginning, particularly given I still wasn't feeling that great after the food poisoning the previous night. But the environment improved a bit, and I have to admit the actors and reenactments were very good. My daughter had really wanted to see this, and enjoyed it very much.
What we did not do in London: any classic sites, any museums, any churches. We did visit one private art gallery near Waterloo. I've been to London a bunch of times by now, and although there is much I want to see still, I didn't mind missing these for this trip. We were going quite slowly and favored taking our time over seeing more attractions.
Slight digression now, about London food. Although much is very expensive, some types of cheese are very cheap. We got a 250g circle of Brie for one pound at Tesco. Try doing that at home. Also, some of their good chocolate bars are very reasonably priced too. The Green & Black brand has bars that cost 1 pound. I can get these at home, but for at least 50% more.
Another night, I had gotten tickets that ended up costing about 12 pounds, with all fees, for Theatre of Blood, also from Lastminute.com. These were about 7 or 8 rows from the front, and I saw that the man directly in front of us had a ticket with a face value of 36 pounds. This starred Jim Broadbent from Moulin Rouge, and my daughter was very excited to be seeing him. The special effects were very good, and the characters were very nicely drawn (we particularly enjoyed the characterization of a flamboyant old theatre critic with two little poodles). We enjoyed the show and the acting, but we both agreed it wasn't our favorite. It had a lot of in-theatre jokes that seemed a bit pretentious. It was creative to distill so many of Shakespeare's killing methods into one play, though.
One morning I noticed in Time Out that we could go see The Philadelphia Story, starring Kevin Spacey. My daughter was beside herself at this thought. Off we went, and once again got pretty good discount prices - I think about 10 or 12 pounds. My daughter, being a student, was eligible for a much better discounted seat than I got. She was down one level from me. However, if you do tend to feel claustrophic in those London theatres, the bench seating I got was certainly not confining, and I could see that some big or tall people might actually prefer it.
My daughter once again demonstrated her nerve. At intermission, she asked the usher if she could move to an unused seat near the front. He let her do so! I didn't know she had done this until later, but saw her waving up from the prime seat. I found out how she did it afterwards. Kevin Spacey was great. I hadn't known him as a comic, physical actor, but he did some of that in this play, and did it very well.
My daughter actually wanted to hang around the Old Vic in hopes she would see Kevin Spacey emerge and then get an autograph. I persuaded her this was most unlikely. We went to a small cafe near Waterloo Station, and I had some lamb kebab that later that night gave me a mild case of food poisoning. I had read the warnings here and elsewhere, and I won't do that again. I had thought it would be okay, not being takeaway. My daughter had no problem with her veggie burger.
Another place we visited was the London Dungeon, using a coupon we had gotten from our hotel. This was very hot and crowded at the beginning, particularly given I still wasn't feeling that great after the food poisoning the previous night. But the environment improved a bit, and I have to admit the actors and reenactments were very good. My daughter had really wanted to see this, and enjoyed it very much.
What we did not do in London: any classic sites, any museums, any churches. We did visit one private art gallery near Waterloo. I've been to London a bunch of times by now, and although there is much I want to see still, I didn't mind missing these for this trip. We were going quite slowly and favored taking our time over seeing more attractions.
Nov 13th, 2005, 09:23 PM
#42
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I should mention that every day in London we got the family tube ticket for Zones 1 and 2 travel. With this option, you can travel only after 9:30 AM, which wasn't a problem for us, and you must always be traveling together. This can also be used for buses. The total price per day for the family is about 4.30 pounds. (I think this is one adult plus a certain number of children, up to age 15.)
Despite the reputation, London did not end up being particularly expensive for us. We typically had Italian deli sandwiches for brunch, we bought snacks from Tesco, and we had dinner somewhere or other from 3-10 pounds per person. We got great theatre and attraction and transport deals, and we had the Priceline hotel.
Our last day in London we had an uneventful return to Madrid, and then two days later a long trip back to Seattle, as already mentioned. My daughter then had a great time at Bumbershoot, while I enjoyed visiting libraries, coffeeshops, and the markets in Seattle.
My daughter is eager to go back to Europe. I've mentioned going a couple other places, but she wants to save the money for going to Europe again. At the same time, she did have a hard time being without her friends for that long, so maybe next time we would try a trip that was less than two weeks.
I suggested the possibility of staying in hostels so she could meet more people. We have stayed at hostels before in the US and Canada, and she enjoyed meeting people there. (I remember at one hostel on Saltspring Island, she met a Quebecois girl who didn't speak much English. They still managed to communicate about their favored stuffed animals they had brought and go around together and have fun.) But despite this social aspect, she says she much prefers nice hotels. I have to admit amenities like a private bathroom, a telephone in the room, a TV with English channels, and nice toiletries are pretty enjoyable.
I probably won't get any more solo trips to Europe for a while. Before this year, she hadn't been interested in going, but she is now. My son is in his second year of university, and not particularly interested in traveling with his mother or sister any longer, but he did indicate some interest at the thought of traveling and getting an apartment. So we'll see what happens next summer. I think we could all enjoy a 10-day stay in Berlin in an apartment, for example.
Thanks to everyone again for their comments.
Despite the reputation, London did not end up being particularly expensive for us. We typically had Italian deli sandwiches for brunch, we bought snacks from Tesco, and we had dinner somewhere or other from 3-10 pounds per person. We got great theatre and attraction and transport deals, and we had the Priceline hotel.
Our last day in London we had an uneventful return to Madrid, and then two days later a long trip back to Seattle, as already mentioned. My daughter then had a great time at Bumbershoot, while I enjoyed visiting libraries, coffeeshops, and the markets in Seattle.
My daughter is eager to go back to Europe. I've mentioned going a couple other places, but she wants to save the money for going to Europe again. At the same time, she did have a hard time being without her friends for that long, so maybe next time we would try a trip that was less than two weeks.
I suggested the possibility of staying in hostels so she could meet more people. We have stayed at hostels before in the US and Canada, and she enjoyed meeting people there. (I remember at one hostel on Saltspring Island, she met a Quebecois girl who didn't speak much English. They still managed to communicate about their favored stuffed animals they had brought and go around together and have fun.) But despite this social aspect, she says she much prefers nice hotels. I have to admit amenities like a private bathroom, a telephone in the room, a TV with English channels, and nice toiletries are pretty enjoyable.
I probably won't get any more solo trips to Europe for a while. Before this year, she hadn't been interested in going, but she is now. My son is in his second year of university, and not particularly interested in traveling with his mother or sister any longer, but he did indicate some interest at the thought of traveling and getting an apartment. So we'll see what happens next summer. I think we could all enjoy a 10-day stay in Berlin in an apartment, for example.
Thanks to everyone again for their comments.
Nov 13th, 2005, 11:05 PM
#43
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi WillTravel,
sorry to say this to you ... but your daughter was right, you would have probably been able to meet Kevin Spacey, get the autograph, the picture and all that ... During the last couple of months I have been getting mails from friends who have been to London and gone to watch "Philadelphia Story", and all of them got the autograph, the picture ... after three of those messages, it gets a bit boring
BTW, the man who shouted to your daughter in Madrid was probably asking for money. He had probably assumed, based on her looks, that she was going to give her something, and he was probably complaining and saying what he would be able to do if he had enough explosives ... There are a couple of them that either opt for wishing you to get AIDS or to blow you to bits, I havenīt decided which one is my favourite ... Probably the one who shouted last wednesday to a young kid : "You look like a rebel, but you have a bourgeois heart !!!". Priceless ...
Rgds, Cova
sorry to say this to you ... but your daughter was right, you would have probably been able to meet Kevin Spacey, get the autograph, the picture and all that ... During the last couple of months I have been getting mails from friends who have been to London and gone to watch "Philadelphia Story", and all of them got the autograph, the picture ... after three of those messages, it gets a bit boring
BTW, the man who shouted to your daughter in Madrid was probably asking for money. He had probably assumed, based on her looks, that she was going to give her something, and he was probably complaining and saying what he would be able to do if he had enough explosives ... There are a couple of them that either opt for wishing you to get AIDS or to blow you to bits, I havenīt decided which one is my favourite ... Probably the one who shouted last wednesday to a young kid : "You look like a rebel, but you have a bourgeois heart !!!". Priceless ...
Rgds, Cova
Nov 14th, 2005, 11:53 AM
#45
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cova, apparently Kevin Spacey has now installed an "autograph flap" to facilitate giving out autographs. My daughter will be upset if she ever finds out it was so easy.
http://tinyurl.com/74z5n
LoveItaly, my daughter is indeed a lot of fun!
111op, Belle & Sebastian is a band I can actually enjoy, which isn't the case for much of my daughter's music. She was terribly upset, though, because she had somehow failed to load any B & S into her iPOD before we left, so she didn't have access to them for the whole trip. She really enjoyed having the iPOD along for plane and train trips, and listening to music back at the hotel.
http://tinyurl.com/74z5n
LoveItaly, my daughter is indeed a lot of fun!
111op, Belle & Sebastian is a band I can actually enjoy, which isn't the case for much of my daughter's music. She was terribly upset, though, because she had somehow failed to load any B & S into her iPOD before we left, so she didn't have access to them for the whole trip. She really enjoyed having the iPOD along for plane and train trips, and listening to music back at the hotel.
Nov 14th, 2005, 01:44 PM
#46
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,862
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting. I'll take a look at home and see which B&S song(s) my friend copied for me.
It probably won't surprise you that I don't have an I-Pod.
I looked at the Spacey link. Interesting. I had forgotten that he's now connected with the Old Vic. I guess that's why I don't seem to hear much about him anymore.
It probably won't surprise you that I don't have an I-Pod.
I looked at the Spacey link. Interesting. I had forgotten that he's now connected with the Old Vic. I guess that's why I don't seem to hear much about him anymore.
Nov 14th, 2005, 04:07 PM
#48
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
willtravel, nice report. I treasure my memories of traveling as a teen with my family (we had some amazing fights, but I think it bonded us!).
I enjoyed reading that your daughter frequented the flea market in Amsterdam. At about age 15-16 I spent many hours of an Amsterdam trip there and bought, among other things a used suede jacket (pretty grody, but hey, it was sooo cool) that I wore for years.
My parents were nuts about Spain but, like your daughter, I didn't really warm to Madrid (I love it now). However, as a teen I liked el Rastro market. I still have an funky old cross I bought there and wore through much of high school.
You are creating such memories for you and your daughter and providing her with a priceless world-view. How great is that!
I enjoyed reading that your daughter frequented the flea market in Amsterdam. At about age 15-16 I spent many hours of an Amsterdam trip there and bought, among other things a used suede jacket (pretty grody, but hey, it was sooo cool) that I wore for years.
My parents were nuts about Spain but, like your daughter, I didn't really warm to Madrid (I love it now). However, as a teen I liked el Rastro market. I still have an funky old cross I bought there and wore through much of high school.
You are creating such memories for you and your daughter and providing her with a priceless world-view. How great is that!
Nov 15th, 2005, 12:49 AM
#50
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,056
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What an interesting trip you had. I used to go off with my son too and we had a great time; now he is inseparable from his girlfriend and I can't afford to pay for three people! So make the most of it.
Incidentally, the African man being questioned at the airport was probably having an immigration problem rather than being a suspected terrorist!
Incidentally, the African man being questioned at the airport was probably having an immigration problem rather than being a suspected terrorist!
Nov 15th, 2005, 06:39 PM
#51
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,605
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
WillTravel, thank you for sharing your trip with us-it was a terrific report! Your daughter has great taste in music (love Belle&Sebastian and surprised to see a reference here), food (go veggies) and, most importantly, mums: you are awesome!!! I have enjoyed both of your reports w/your son and daughter and look forward to many more. If your daughter feels like it, it would be wonderful to hear her top 10 list.
Nov 16th, 2005, 11:05 AM
#52
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
111op, daughter says that the best B&S album is "Feeling Sinister". She had a list of best songs too, but I'd have to ask her to type them. mvor, thanks for the kind words.
nona1, it was probably immigration when the African man was questioned intently in the immigration line, but when he was questioned again at the Thameslink station, I don't think it was.
I talked to my daughter about whether she'd want to go for a long trip again, given how she missed her friends, and her verdict was YES. So we'll see how it goes. I don't know if I can get away next summer.
nona1, it was probably immigration when the African man was questioned intently in the immigration line, but when he was questioned again at the Thameslink station, I don't think it was.
I talked to my daughter about whether she'd want to go for a long trip again, given how she missed her friends, and her verdict was YES. So we'll see how it goes. I don't know if I can get away next summer.
Nov 16th, 2005, 11:07 AM
#53
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,862
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting. If she has a list, you can have them e-mail me (the address can be obtained by viewing my profile on the blog).
But it's not a big deal.
I'm curious to hear what she thinks about "The Magnetic Fields," whether she has heard of them. You may have read that I've been listening to a few of their songs.
You probably want to keep her from the corrupting influence of Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin for now.
But it's not a big deal.
I'm curious to hear what she thinks about "The Magnetic Fields," whether she has heard of them. You may have read that I've been listening to a few of their songs.
You probably want to keep her from the corrupting influence of Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin for now.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
lincasanova
Europe
4
May 6th, 2009 10:13 PM
coro
Europe
4
Sep 2nd, 2006 01:52 AM
