London, baby!!!

April 25, 2005

Just wanna share that I’m now in London and won’t be able to blog or post pics till I come back ; ) Anyway, got to go so I could make the most of my stay here! Tata!

The Sound of One Heart Breaking

April 23, 2005

by Karen Kunawicz
*retrieved from Vieve’s blog… Nice one, Vieve!*

Ever come across the Zen koan that JD Salinger used in one of his books? You know, the one that asks what is the sound of one hand clapping. I don’t know the answer to that one. But ask me what’s the sound of one heart breaking and I might have an answer.

Welcome to the dark side of love.

What is the sound of one heart breaking?

It is the sound of someone curled up in a tiny ball crying softly in the night, the sound of the first unwanted teardrop touching your skin, it’s the sound of a telephone that doesn’t ring, the sound of regret pounding inside your brain with every heartbeat, it’s the whispers of the toy animals she gave you.

It’s the shuffling of the feet walking away from you, the sound of your soul shattering into a million pieces at recognizing the word “goodbye,” it’s the soundtrack of memories torturing you, it’s the sound of feeble hands trying to push back the obstinate hands of time, it’s the sound of a cherub’s dying breath, the sound of all those years disappearing in the vortex of Cupid’s kitchen sink, it’s the unrelenting, plaintive baby meows of an abandoned kitten outside an ignoring door.

It’s the sound of the rain that doesn’t ever stop, the sound of all the doors in the world shutting and closing in your face at the same time, of raging, howling storms in the night when there’s no one there to hold you, the sound of your voice as it screams back at you, the echo of “I love you” burning holes in you, the sound your heart makes as it tells you to lie still because nothing you will ever do will matter without love.

The sound of the waves at the polluted beach you went to as it moves from the shore and crashes inside your mind, of the sniffles that make up your pathetic “SOS-to-the-world,” the cracking of the brittle black-red petals from the sidewalk vendor roses she gave, the sound of the music she used to make going to your gut.

The sound of things in your room being thrown around and landing on the floor, the caress of sharpened kitchen knives on skin, the sound your throat makes as you swallow your saltiest tear. It’s the sound of your own voice calling out to someone who isn’t there, of winged creatures dying and falling on a city pavement, of terms of endearment used a hundred times a day struggling to crawl into a vacuum of forgetfulness, it’s the sound of your own sobs keeping you company, it’s the cold, uncaring stillness of the air you share your space with.

Destruction isn’t always as noisy as bombs exploding. Sometimes the ultimate catastrophes are as quiet as feather falling on the floor of a Zen monastery. No one else can really hear your heart breaking except you.

Bonjour Europe!!!

April 13, 2005

I received one of my most anticipated phone calls earlier today. It was the call confirming my flight to London, where all the magic would begin! Much as I’d want to write more about this, I’d have to cut this short coz I still have to review for tomorrow’s exam. After exams, I’m off to see the world!! The tour package was aptly called European Discovery, by the way.   (Drew, you go work on your French in Montreal while I traverse the great cities! Hopefully I’d improve mine before I go.) Here’s my itinerary:

Featuring: Belgium (in transit) . Netherlands . Germany . Austria . Vatican City . Italy . Switzerland . France.

Contiki offers Europe tours to the greatest cities, including London, Amsterdam, Munich, Hopfgarten, Venice, Rome, Florence, Lucerne, and Paris. Trip Itinerary 

Depart Canada
Arrive London: After checking into the Imperial Hotel the day is yours to experience London at your leisure.

London to Amsterdam: A warm welcome from your Contiki crew as we head for the White Cliffs of Dover and our ferry crossing to France. We continue through Belgium to Holland and its capital, Amsterdam for the evening. (D)

Amsterdam to the Rhine Valley: An orientation tour and a visit to a diamond cutting exhibition. Then to St Goar on the banks of the Rhine.(B, D)

Rhine Valley to Munich: We follow the Rhine on our way to Bavaria and its capital, Munich. Our orientation tour includes the Marienplatz, with the famous Glockenspiel. Tonight, experience a typical Bavarian beer hall.(B)

Munich to Austrian Tyrol: A scenic drive through the Bavarian Alps takes us into the heart of the Austrian Tyrol. En route, perhaps a chance to try White Water Rafting. Later relax in this picture postcard paradise. (B,D)

Austrian Tyrol to Venice: Spectacular scenery as we head south to Venice. Enjoy a complimentary motor boat trip to see St Mark’s Square, the Doges’ Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and treat yourself to a gondola ride.(B)

Venice to Rome: Southwards as we climb through the Appennine Mountains passing medieval hillside villages and travel to the Eternal City, Rome. Tonight a walking tour of this ancient city will include the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and the Pantheon.(B)

Rome Sightseeing: Today why not discover the ancient ruins of Rome with a local guide and in your free time leisurely discover the secrets of the Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel.(B,D)

Rome to Florence: We drive to Florence where our local expert guide takes us on a walking tour of the Duomo, Giotto’s Belltower, Piazza della Signoria and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Enjoy a demonstration of Florentine leathercraft. Tonight join the locals at a restaurant or club. (B)

Florence to Lucerne: A spectacular Alpine drive as we pass Lake Como and head for Switzerland. Lucerne awaits with its cobbled streets, and our orientation tour takes in the beautiful wooden Chapel Bridge. This afternoon, there’s also a chance to visit Mt. Stanserhorn. (B,D)

Lucerne to Paris: Through the French countryside to the romance of Paris. Enjoy a first view of the sights of this spectacular city of light.(B,D)

Paris Sightseeing: On our city tour, see the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Nôtre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre, shop on the Champs Elysées and stroll by the Seine. Tonight, why not experience a Parisian cabaret? (B)

Paris: This morning your scheduled tour ends at the hotel.  After breakfast, but before 10am, there will be a transfer for you to Paris (Charles de Gaulle) airport for those on our fly & tour package.

Alternatively, you could choose to take a complimentary transfer back to central London with your driver and tour manager if flying out of London suits you better.  You will arrive in London early evening where you can also choose to extend your stay at either the Imperial or Royal National Hotels. (B)