After Manchester and NCL, we head back to London for the "piece du resistance" of our trip. The Arsenal - West Ham derby game.

Except its tie at the end. So its kinda disappointing with Zack's grim face, and me on the other hand couldnt wait for the game to finish as Im freezing my ass off (literally!)

Hate to admit but I found my new idols at the end of the game, who is Samir Nasri. I did foolishly bought the new away jersey and printed his name at the back, foolishly since I thought the jersey doesnt look good on me (or any other jersey for that matter)






























but everything is ok soon after I went with Yah and Khalid to watch "WICKED" - the most amazing musical of the year!! (not to mention, my 1st ever musical that I attend - I used to attend some in Volgo, but I couldnt make the head and end of it when they sing in Russian). I officially fall in love with London's arts and theatre settings, that on my last day in London, I decided to skip the bed and went to watch Billy Elliot - another musical in less than a week apart. Its kinda pricey for student like us, but hey, I wont mind escaping some meals just to watch the Green Wicked Withc tossing her hair!!!



















Then there's the typical London landmark. Big Ben, Tower bridge, bla bla...bo..ring...haha..at least its kinda boring when u have to struggle agaisnt cold winter breeze slapping right on your face. I couldnt imagine that I skipped all London's magnificent museum. Blame that to Zack since Im afraid it gonna bore him I dont even mind to ask.







!

Zack and I couldnt take the bus anymore (Megabus can be stinky), so we ditched our bus ride and ended up buying a new train ticket. We rather waste that 4 pounds than having to sit next to a in-couch WC. And anyway, Yah told us there will be sheeps..lots of sheeps along the railtrack..so yeah, minus WC and pluses sheeps, Im all for the train journey.

Manchester is...really...manchester. Not London, no romanticisim, classicism, neo-bla bla architecture. Its red bricks, functional, and within the shadow of the great manchester university, where Zacks friends are currently studying, and whom lovingly spared us their lovely home for us to ditch in. (did I really put all that facts in a sentence?)

In fact, we're not even planning for Manchester. So really, its just to spend good time with ol' friends (well, at least zack's, got no one I really know there), visiting the Old (literally) Trafford (Atak ngan Theenesh jgn mara please..hehe), and shops in Trafford Centre (hurraaaahh!!) which I found awfully beautiful to be just a shopping centre. I'd get married in place like that (statement NID utk ari ni).

They got the "box" in Manchester!! The X-box!! (not xxx u kinky little fella!!). I'm hardly a gamer, but I cant say I'm not impressed.

Talking about impression, there's a friend of Sdar/Jenglot/Naboo whom I met, and he made a big impression on me. I love the last night we were there, where we got everything out from his wardrobe and he insisted of trying his new cardigan with all the shirts he have. I'm sorry he had to return that cardigan, I found it lovely.

Will head back to London soon, for the Derby game..

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The couch was too comfy that I woke up at 0830..tu pun seb baik khalid kejut,kalox, subuh unta la jawabnya..

After bagels and some guitar hero sessions (which emphasize that I sucks at music) we leave the house at 1000 to discover the beauty and the bold in Newcastle.

Let's start with the eerily silent St James Park stadium, the home of Newcastle FC. Not a football fan I am, but I managed to burn some cash purchasing the overrated souvenirs.

Then we head on to the city centre, watching the ruins, of the old city wall, some unrecognisable neo-classic church, the town hall, the theathre, and the chinatown.

Come the shopping time, and I can resist myself from the temptation of discounts in FCUK n Clarks. With the "develish" support from Khalid and Zack (thanx heaps guys) I ended up burning my pocket.

We later on walk along the hill towards Quayside, and testify the magnificent Millenium Bridge, one of the greatest architecture been built in.....Newcastle. it sparked contrast with the more ancient building beside it, but the modernistic Opera Hall by the left hill along the Tyne is a strong statement that Newcastle is really going forward.

Dinner was at some Indian restaurant, which left me with an episode of diarrhea. Tu la gatai sgt nk mango lassi.

Tomorrow we'll be leaving for manchester by train. I wish we wouldn't miss it or anything

London :
7 a.m. and I could not stay in bed any longer. its been a while since I really had a good night sleep, and the single bed room in Hollands Inn is no match to the one I lay on every day in Volgograd.

after taking some morning walk around the block and breathe in the misty English morning, I had the longest warm shower, and light breakfast before we head to Victoria station, to store our luggage there.

The famous london tube dont sprang up without maintenance, thats for sure. but the very habit of 'em Londoners to maintain it on weekend really take a toll on us. Several lines are closed, n we do have to ride the double-decker buss. its hardly inconvenience, while at the same time i savoured the london scenery during her weekend...people from all over the world are here, but i cant see harrassment, or even rudeness in its day-to-day life. i dream of Volgo being like this...

Later on we head to Westfield, the unchallenged-yet,largest-shopping-centre in whole Europe. sales everywhere, but selections are few, and size that fits me...even fewer. At the end of the day, Zack managed to grab for himself a Topman jeans, some shirts n stuffs, while all that i can got for myself is a pair of socks.

Its 1630 and we're boarding the Megabus for 6 hour trip to London. notes to self : having a WC on board isnt a blessing as it smells! poor us that we have to wait for 4 hours before the bus clears up and we manage to shift to the front seat.

arriving in NCL later at midnight, we waited for Khalid and Yah to arrive for about an hour later. the NCL night is cold and eerie, but the few beggars who asked us for money politely do manage to cheer me up.

Yah's house is B.I.G!! in every sense that a russian student can imagine. imagine that her room alone is the size of my apartment in Volgo.

its 3 am and i really need to get some sleep before painting Newcastle red tomorrow!!