Wandering around Manchester
Manchester,
United Kingdom
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Well so much has happened since I left for Manchester. I dont even know where to start. Lets see....
25 march
I walked from Emily's place to Liverpool city centre and into the main train station. I bought a ticket to Manchester and an return open ticket so that I could return on any day I chose to and at any time, on any train. It was amazingly really easy. I found my platform and was sitting on the train within 5 minutes. The train left the station and arrived in Manchester in less than an hour, it felt like nothing, like I had just been on the "L" going from one end of Chicago to the other.
So I followed my directions and only had to ask a police officer once about which way was Piccadilly Gardens. My hostel was set above the Koffee Pot, a well known cafe and breakfast joint. I had a to ring the little bell to be buzzed in. I checked in and the girls at the desk were extremely friendly. I got to know them over my stay and really enjoyed having them be my friendly faces whenever I entered and had to ask directions to somewhere.
I signed up to stay in a 6 bed co-ed room. I was a little nervous about who I was going to meet and if they were going to be creepy or annoying or snore really bad or be untrustworthy, but actually my first night worked out well because I ended up being in the room by myself. It was a good introduction to my first hostel. This is a slow season and it was in the middle of the week so it was kind of empty. The rooms were very clean and really nice. Down the hall was a common kitchen where you could cook food. A lot of the time though I just ate the free toast and jam with tea or coffee. It was good enough to get me by for a while. Down the hall some more was a small computer area where you could use the Internet for 1 pound for a half hour. Kind of expensive but it was necessary at times. There was a TV room where you could rent movies, watch TV, or just hang out. There was also an outside patio that I never went on because it was always rainy and cold. The whole place was really nice and very friendly and I just so happened to meet some of my good friends that I made here.
After I became acquainted with the hostel I made my way out to the city centre to try and find the Library. I needed to use the computer and printer area so I could print out a bunch of CVs to hand out to employers. I ended up using the library several times during my stay for this purpose.
It proved pretty difficult however, as the streets and addresses are near impossible to make out if you are unfamiliar with a place. I did a lot of wandering, but allowed myself to not get frustrated but instead take it as an adventure. This way I was able to see a lot of things that I wouldnt have seen if I knew exactly where I was going. I began to become used to some of the sights and streets and it helped me learn my way around. I stumbled across some theatres and cool shops that I looked in and kept in the back of my mind for places to hand my CV to. I finally found the Library, which happened to be on of the best well know and beautiful buildings in the whole city, and I walked by it several times before realizing that it actually is the Library.
After printing out CVs I did a lot more wandering and learning streets and areas. I learned that my hostel happens to be in the best part of town. The Northern Quarter, they call it, is an artistic trendy area full of cafes, funky shops, vintage clothing, and people with dramatic style. I loved it. It is also well known for its night life as I soon found out after dark.
After the sun went down I ate a bit and decided to see what kind of pubs were around. I went into a place called the Night Day Cafe. It has live music every single night and has a very cool vibe. I talked a little bit to the door man and he gave me a list of cool places, shops, and music venues to hit up. I found out later that the Night Day Cafe is actually a very well known place for live music, and that a lot of great bands have started out there.
After my pub curiosity passed I was hungry so decided to get a Kabob from the greasy late night fast food place around the corner and head back to the hostel (which was less than a block away). When I was there I went to the kitchen and worked on eating my food. I met some really nice people that were there with a school group. The people I met were teachers of the group and were nice conversation while I ate. They learned that I was there by myself so they invited me on their bus for the tours the next day since they had some extra space. I was appreciative and decided, why not? So I took them up on it.
26 March
After my quiet nights sleep in my own room, I got up and showered to meet the school group in the lobby at 9:30. First stop on their trip: MANCHESTER UNITED! Well we werent going to a match, but we DID get to go on a tour of the stadium and see their facilities up close and personal. They were amazing facilities and it was a huge pitch (field), but most of the time I didnt really know what they were talking about when they mentioned the players since I dont follow football (soccer) at all. None the less it was still really cool, and I can only imagine how fun the matches are.
After the tour the bus stopped the group at The Lowry Center, which is an area with a wonderful theatre venue, posh shopping mall, and art gallery of Lowry. I actually didnt stay for this part because I knew that I needed to get to work on finding a job and a place to live. So when the bus driver said that he was going back to city centre and offered to drop me off on the way, I took him up on it.
Back in city centre I continued wandering, handing out CVs, and trying to get a hold of people so I could go look at their available room. THIS was the theme of my week.
I did this all afternoon and by dusk I made my way back to the hostel. When I got in my room I realized that someone would be staying with my that night as their stuff was all over one of the beds. I was just about to leave to go check out another pub when he walked in.
His name is Travis from Bristol and he is a very polite, bubbly lad. We decided we would go grab a couple of pints together. We went to Odd Bar and just chatted away. He was there in Manchester for a few days enjoying the World Cycling Championships at the Manchester Velodrome. He had taken off a week of work to come and was having a dandy time.
When we arrived at the hostel I went in the ladies bathroom to prepare for bed and when I went back in the room I heard Travis talking to himself, turns out hes a real weirdo. JUST KIDDING! I thought he was talking to himself until I turned the corner and realized there was another person in the room. Gary, from somewhere in between Liverpool and Manchester. He missed a train or something and had to stay at the hostel last minute. I was telling him my story when he said that he was also moving to Manchester and looking for a place to live. He said he knew of a few places that he was going to look at the next day and was happy to take me around with him to view them. I was please to get his phone number because then that would mean I wouldnt have to get lost in the cold rain trying to find these places.
After this we all fell asleep and it was very pleasant.
27 March
The next morning I got up and once again did a lot of wandering. I wandered all day, getting things done while I wandered, but yes, I just kind of wandered. I viewed some houses. This was the hardest part of the trip though, since I was going far out of city centre and into the nearby towns, didnt know where I was going, the streets are poorly labeled and make no sense, the bus drivers are often not helpful or mean, and most of the time I would just rely on luck or sense of direction to take me to the right place. A lot of times I just missed appointments because I couldnt find it, or realized it was just too far for me to walk, especially in the freezing cold rain. However some places I did manage to see, some of them were nice, some sucked. One scared me just to be standing in it.
In the evening time I managed to get a hold of Gary and he was nice enough to come find me in the middle of a place I wasnt familiar with and couldnt really tell him much about my where abouts. We went to look at a place in Chorlton, which was supposed to have two empty rooms, but by the time we got there only had one. It was a really cool place above some shops in a prime location, with a beautiful, nice rooms, and good facilities. The people that lived there were cool and Gary and I both liked it. We were going to box over it, but since he was the one that found it of course he got the room. Im glad he took me though because after that he drove me around the area and around other "suburbs" of Manchester to see what they were all like and where I would like to focus my search. My favorite though was Chorlton. And they arent really suburbs, theyre more like extensions of the city. You can get into city center by bus within 10 minutes. Everything is just so much closer here than in the States. I can walk everywhere and anywhere in Manchester and my feet will be fine. I love that.
After Gary dropped me off I got in touch with Travis again and we decided to go to Mike And Phreds, which is a well known jazz bar. (All of the pubs I went to, by the way, were within a block or 2 of the hostel). It was a nice band and cool atmosphere. We had a good time but were both tired. When we went back to our room we were the only two in there for the night, which was actually bad because then we wouldnt shut up. We kept talking to each other from our beds and wouldnt let each other fall asleep. But we eventually made it there...
28 March
This was my last planned day in Manchester. I had some appointments to view some houses to live in so I got up and did that in the morning. I had one in Chorlton that is occupied by a musician and an artist. When I went in I fell in love with the place. It had been redone by the owner who is an artist, so all of the new things about the place are unique. The room is a good size and has comfortable facilities. The guys that live there are older but are very nice and very cool. Steve and Steve are their names, and one other one that I didnt meet because is on sabbatical in Africa. The location in great, it is on a main street in Chorlton full of restaurants and just down the street from Garry. The price is amazing at just 200 pounds a month including all bills except one. I couldnt have asked for better! I wanted that place right away! However they were still viewing it to another person and it would end up being between me and another girl. I was nervous about not getting it so I continued viewing other places.
I had plans to go up to Salford which is a northern part of Manchester. It is where Manchester United play, where The Lowry Theatre is, the Quays, and some kind of tourist attraction for The Smiths. Before I left the hostel I stopped at the desk to check out when I overheard two guys asking directions to Salford. I told them that was where I was going and that I could show them the bus they could take. Theyre names were Phil and David from Belfast and were two very polite and friendly guys. I soon learned that they were going to The Smiths tourist thing and I wasnt sure where that was, and I knew that it was different from where I was going, so I had to leave them at the tourist centre and take my own bus to Salford.
Salford was a horrible experience as there is not much around, the streets are horribly marked, and it was the worst weather I had experienced yet. I was drenched, freezing and lost and horribly pissed about it. after an hour of walking in the wrong direction I finally got on a bus, and on my way back THEN i found where I needed to be. I did my viewing and was ready to leave asap. On the bus to the train station the driver was rude to me, and that seemed to be about the last thing I could take before I snapped and had to shed a few quiet, stressed out tears. I knew that I was fine, but it was stressful all at the same time. Its okay. Sometimes a little cry is good to get it out.
When I was all done with that I got on the train and made it back to Liverpool. However I dont know WHY I did because I was planning on going back to Manchester the next day. I guess I felt I needed a bit of a break and get some fresh clothes.
It also turns out that Travis has some friends in Liverpool and was planning on going there to celebrate one of their birthdays. What a coincidence! So Travis was in Liverpool and I met up with him and his friends. He also invited me to go to the Velodrome for a day with him to see the World Cycling Championships. He had an extra ticket and asked me if I wanted to go with him, so I said, WHY NOT?! I didnt know what to expect, but it sounded like it would be a good time. After maybe two hours out, everyone was pretty tired and decided to go home. I caught a cab to Emily's.
This whole time Emily's parents had been visiting so she was staying at their hotel room for the week. So basically I havent seen emily and I was staying in emily's room by myself. Her very nice Liverpudlian roommate Dean noticed that I was by myself, so he invited me out to a party with his friends. I accepted and got to meet a lot of really nice students from LIPA. They were all really nice and very interested in what I was doing, but I ended up having to repeat my story again and again. It got a little repetitive, non the less, it was still a good time and I met some very nice people.
29 March
I got up to shower and catch another train to Manchester. I booked another night at the hostel and while I was doing this I noticed that the person next to me was Phil, one of the guys that was trying to go to Salford. I asked him if he made it to The Smiths things and he said yes. When I got my room number I asked him what room he was in. "101" "Me too!" So low and behold, I walk in the room and I am roommates with Phil, David, and Travis. What a crazy yet funny coincidence. So we all decide that maybe tonight we will try and meet up with each other to head out to a pub. I also learn that Phil and David are planning on going to Liverpool the next night. Me Too! Its amazing how small the world is sometimes, and how things just kind of work out. Its seems that almost all of the friends I made in the hostel I kept in contact with and was able to help each other out in some way, or just hang out once again.
After this amazing realization Travis hurries me off to the Velodrome. It was another rainy day but thats okay because after a short walk past a really cool spikey sculpture thing, a wallmart and a McDonalds, we were indoors all day. The track for the bikers was amazing how steep it was and how quickly they go around. You can stand right at the very edge and they can come up so close to you, you feel their breeze. However when they are going super fast that stay towards the center of the track. It was a great day full of cheering. It was kind of like the Olympics, I cheered for the US, and a little for the British (who were amazing and kept winning gold over and over and over again) and for some reason Travis and I were cheering for the kiwis. We were all over the place. It was just a fun, family friendly environment. Everyone was respectful and interested in what was going on. It was like a wave of cheers constantly going around the dome because each time the bikers came around to your area, thats when you would clap. It was really fun! Travis definitely sparked a new appreciation in me.
After the cycling event, Travis put me on a bus to city centre and went off to meet his friend that lives in town. I was glad to go back to the hostel and have some quiet time. I was able to eat and get a half hour nap in before Travis returned.
We were both really tired so we decided to take it easy and maybe just see a movie. He had met a kiwi in the lobby earlier and she and her friend were also going to see a movie. So we met them at the theatre and decided to see some movie that ended up being horrible, I cant remember the name. They were nice people, one was Welsh and one was Kiwi. They were in Manchester because they were playing underwater hockey. Both Travis nor I had ever heard of this, so they explained that it is just like hockey but with a snorkel and flippers at the bottom of a pool. Amazing. Apparently its really popular in New Zealand and Australia, and other places I guess. Pretty cool. Im always learning about something new.
That night after we all went back to the hostel, and everyone in our room was well asleep, thats when the Irish guys got back and thought that they were whispering, even though they were doing nothing close to it. Phil and David were probably the funniest two friends Ive ever seen. They scolded us several time for not going to see the movie, Horton Hears a Hoot, or something, even though they told us to earlier. They also started making up Cycling songs for Travis, it sounded really good I actually thought it was a real song. They told us many stories and made me laugh so hard I had to put the covers over my head. All of this they had trouble remembering in the morning. Great guys though. haha
March 30
I get up and have to say goodbye to Travis. Its sad because even though we only knew each other for technically a few days, it felt like a few weeks. Its amazing how fast you start to feel close to someone when you are traveling and you are both on your own. So Travis and I parted ways, and I made plans to meet up with the funny Irish in Liverpool later that day.
Before I could actually leave I had plans to go back to my favorite house in Chorlton and sit down to have a cup of tea to get to know Steve and Steve. They are very nice and interesting and I can see myself really getting along with them, on a mature artistic level and to just have fun. It went well but they said that they were going to have tea with another girl too and that they would let me know the next day about if I can move in. It made me a bit nervous and I just hoped that the other girl was really lame. haha
After that I caught a train to Liverpool and spend the rest of the day taking it easy at Emily's. Emily made it home with her parents later that evening and Emily made fish, veggies, and rice. It was really good. We shared our stories of the stuff we all did and it was a nice evening.
After dinner I met up with Phil and David at O'neils. Of all places they chose a fake Irish pub chain to go to... who knows, theyre funny. Anyway they were still a bit tired from the night before so we were all taking it easy. We had fun talking and dancing and did lots of laughing. Before we parted they said that if I ever feel like going to Belfast they would love to show me around. I told them I would probably take them up on that.
31 March
Today I just kind of hung out. I was able to sleep and relax a bit. I walked to the shopping area of Liverpool and went grocery shopping. I made myself a nice salad and sandwhich for a late lunch. After that Emily came home with her parents and invited me out to dinner with them because they were leaving the next day to go to Scotland for a week. We went to a great Mediteranian place. I had salmon and asparagus and we each drank half a bottle of wine. Almost too much for me! It was delicious though. In the States I never cared for fish, but here it is becoming one of my favorite things! Fish and Chips anyone?
After dinner Emily wanted to show me a cool pub that is associated with the Oprah center. It was like walking into a clue board game without the huge hall in the middle. There were so many little rooms I almost got lost coming back from the bathrooms. It was all nice wood with old leather seats and fireplaces. I really expected to see a candlestick, lead pipe, or revolver when I looked around.
While we were there we happened to see some of her friends from LIPA (liverpool institute of performing arts) and we hung out with them for a pint. They were all from all over the world too.
After this I was sooo tired and knew I was going to have to get up early to get on the train again for Manchester. I have discovered that it is actually cheaper by a few quid to take the train and to Manchester and back than to stay in the hostel every night. I needed to get back to Liverpool because I got a call from Steve who said that they would like me to be their roommate and that I should come in to hang out and pay my deposit. I felt like I had won a competition! I was really excited and it is such a relief to have a bit of structure about knowing where I am going to live. Now I can buy a bus pass and everything is going to be so much easier! wheeeeeeeeww...
Now I just need to find a job...
1 April
I got up early to catch the train to meet up with the Steves in Chorlton. It was a lovely visit and I paid my deposit. I am able to move in on the 10th, when the current roommate moves out. Until then though I am still going back and forth between Liverpool and Manchester via train.
I also got a phone call from a guy named Oliver who is the manager of a shop called The Bead Shop. He wanted me to come in the next day to have a trial run at working at the shop. I said sure so I went ahead and booked a night at my favorite hostel.
I had the rest of the day to wander so I took some more CVs around the Chorlton area and handed them out, since I now know that is where I will be staying.
That night I had to stay in an 8 bed room, which I will probably never do again. There were some very nice Germans in there that I probably would have hung out with had I not been so tired. I also met another American that was traveling on her own. We ended up going out to Matt and Phreds for a pint and I learned all about her adventures. She had worked as a janitor in Antarctica for six months on a research base. She didnt make much per hour but she didnt have anything to spend it on while she was there so she was able to save all of it. Now she is using her saved money to travel the world for a year or two. She made it sound very exciting, but I still dont know if I could handle that kind of extreme.
That night in the hostel was horrible. A room with a smelly old man who snored as loud as a train kept everyone tossing and turning. The beds were also harder than I remembered it. The only thing that saved me was an old college trick - MP3 player. Put in those earphones and relax to the melody.
2 March
Today I went to The Bead Shop to meet Oliver and try out the day. I would get paid for it so I had nothing to lose. I met Emma who works there and is very nice. Everyone else there besides her was family, as its a family business. I guess its a pretty big business as there are some heavy duty and serious beaders out there. They all take their beading very seriously. The place is full of all different kinds of beads, all of them are priced differently, and none of them are marked when the customer brings them to you so you can count up the total. So it is actually a pretty hard job. There is also a lot of crafting involved, because a lot of the products they sell they make themselves. SO I feel like im working for mom all over again. haha its ok though, im used to it.
By the end of the day though I was ready to go back to Emily's and destress. I was having a bout of homesickness and just wanted to be alone and quiet for a while. So I took the train back and did just that.
3 March
Today I hung out ALL DAY in my pajamas. Oh and how great it was! It was essential for me to have a day to myself if I wanted to keep my sanity and not be overcome by culture shock stress. I also decided that this upcoming week, before I move into my house in Chorlton, would be a perfect time for me to go on a trip, since I dont really have much to do anyway. So why not Belfast? I had been keeping in touch via text with David and asked him what he thought. He helped me find a cheap way to get there ( on a ferry, here I come sea sickness! ) and is going to hook me up with accomodation. He also offered to be a little bit of a tour guide on the weekend. How nice it is to meet friendly people and later have them come in handy! haha So that is where I am off to tomorrow, top of the mornin. Better go pack!
