Tour Guiding in Manchester!

As a proud northern lad, I have a bit of a gripe with people believing the myth that the only place in the UK worth looking at is London. For this reason, I tend to promise that if anyone is visiting Manchester or Liverpool, I’d show them the local sights, as a free tour guide...

So, on Wednesday and Thursday of this week I went to meet up with a lovely lass called Carol Chen. She’s from Taipei, Taiwan and is currently in the UK after touring Europe. I met her whilst in Barcelona, and she was there the night I first made my offer, which (rather bravely considering the weather) she took me up on.

It was a freezing night in Manchester on Wednesday, and I headed up after work to show her round with absolutely no plan whatsoever on where to go. This was probably a good idea, as with Manchester you can wander round wherever you like and see things. Talk about winging it as a walking tour guide!

We met at St. Peters Square, where there’s currently a massive Christmas Fair on. There’s a few in Manchester at the moment, and I’d got confused and gone to another one, typical of me!
Anyway, when I finally met her and her friends, I decided to show her some of the sights down towards the M.E.N. Arena, which was packed full of music fans and ticket touts as the band Paramore were playing there that night.

Whilst walking down towards the M.E.N. I told her about the local architecture and a brief history of the area and its links back to Roman history. We walked around to the gothic Cathedral, then passed the giant screen where people gather to watch major sports events by the side of the (Manchester Wheel). We then went to the Triangle, where I spoke about the city’s history as a trade hub and the Triangle’s past history as the old Corn and Produce Exchange. In exactly the same area I showed them the Urbis Gallery and across from it the world famous Chetham’s School of Music.

Shortly after this we visited Victoria Station and I spoke for a short while about the history of the North West during the First World War and showed them the war memorial to rail workers who fell during the conflict, which still had the Armistice Day wreath’s there – a powerful experience for anyone appreciating the significance of such an event, even from an eastern culture.

On a slightly less sombre note, we set off via the Printworks entertainment complex and spoke about its more humble days as its name suggests. We walked towards the more arty and alternative heart of Manchester, Afflecks Palace. Though it was now closed as it was after 6PM, the face of the building and local sculptures spoke for themselves. Whilst there we traced our route back towards Picadilly Gardens, with the poetry written onto the pavements as entertainment (now sadly crumbling away) After visiting Picadilly gardens and the historical statues there, we headed down towards Chinatown, where we ended the tour for that night.

My payment for such a cultural tour; dinner at the Taiwu restaurant on Oxford Road. I was pretty much the only person who didn’t speak Mandarin in there. I had some amazing dishes, eaten in a traditional eastern way of chopsticks, rice bowl and a small plate, with a little something called Wuson Tea, all of which I had never had before. Talk about a mutual education!

Thursday's little excursion was just Carol and I, as her friends was resting. As I was in work that day, we just nipped to the Lowry Art Gallery, a stunning building and an even better theatre. I pointed out some architectural comparisons with other buildings, both locally and abroad, and we headed along Salford Quays appreciating the views and inspired local poetry written along the waterfront there.

The gallery was amazing, with the traditional works of Lowry and other exhibitions by Maggie Truding and an intimate photography exhibition by Steven Armand. Both were a visual feast from somewhere I had visited during its opening 10 years ago with a friend of mine, Kev Ratcliffe.

Unfortunately, by the time I’d got back into the city centre via the Metrolink tram system, it was time for me to leave and head home. No fancy dinner that day, though I did buy a few postcards of Lowry’s artwork.

Top Travel Tip; Buying Art

Buying art postcards is a cracking cheap way of making your own framed pieces of art without paying the price of a print. I bought my Lowry pieces for 60p, which is ridiculously cheap when compared to the print price of £35 each.

Rucksacks, Guitars and A Little Musing...

I've kinda neglected the blog since August, but heres another little post to show I still care!

Rucksacks - Some Advice

A few people from facebook/Gapyear.com/etc have asked me for advice on rucksacks; what to buy/not to buy etc.

My advice is this: ask yourself what you'll be using it for...

If your going to be travelling between hostels/cities quite a bit, get a proper hikers backpack like Lowe Alpine or North Face Terra 60. I've gone for this option, I've got a Lowe Alpine 60+15 (cant remember the name now) and it fits me like a glove. When I'm walking with it, it feels like I've not even got anything in it, it fits that well!

If your not going to be travelling that much, go for something with a detachable backpack, like the Berghaus Jalan or something like that. The removable daysack's are all well and good, but they're usually pretty poor quality, not very secure, and when attached to the main pack during travelling, will weigh a hell of a lot more, putting more strain on your lumbar region. I've used one of these before, not my thing belive me.

I'm personally planning on moving around a lot, and want the best possible comfort. With that in mind, I've got a Lowe Alpine 60+15 hikers pack. The +15 is a detachable 'fanny pack' (I cant even write that without smiling) which is mounted on top, belting for putting toiletries in, apart from a bottle of aftershave slipping out and smashing on a tile floor in Barcelona!!! (whole dorm stunk of Gucci Envy, but it was better than piss from the night before!!!)

On the subject of the whole pack on your front thing - I'm indeed doing that. I've got a North Face Vostok pack, its nearly totally waterproof and rugged as hell, its an antarctic expedition pack so it'll do well. Paid £45 for it, but its already paid dividends already as a walking and cycling backpack, as well as carrying my laptop and files to work brilliantly. For that reason, its coming to oz with me, on my front! I know a lot of people don't like it, but it's actually rather comfy, I've been trying it at home, its practical, though I'm not sure how much so for a lady of certain stature!

Instruments

Another thing I've been thinking about is music on the move. I play a lot of string instruments, guitar, bass, mandolin etc - and I've been thinking about playing whilst I'm away. I quite like the amusing thought of playing an asian themed tune in front of the Petronas Towers, or busking on Sydney Harbour Bridge!

I've been racking my brains trying to choose between a mandolin or a guitar, and then found these two bad boys online. On the top, a Martin Backpacker; on the bottom, a Washburn Rover RO10.

The Martin, being a more prestige make, costs around £200, but the Washburn is a snip of that, I've seen them going around £100, with me just missing one for 85 quid brand new at a guitar show last week. You get a case and all sorts with the Rover. I'm a huge fan of Washburn guitars, so I think I'll be getting one of them. They're both the perfect size for strapping to the side of your pack too!!! I'm really looking forward to jamming in one of the hostels, or elsewhere if theres anyone with owt about there.

Musings...

After all that, I've been busy writing and ebaying for the big date in January. I'll sign off with something I wrote a month or so back describing again the 'Australian dream':

A Pre-Holiday Romance

A 'typical backpackers' list to see,

There really is so many things,

On mine theres actually one,

Near a place called Alice Springs,

From London to Kuala Lumpur first,

Then from there flying on to Melbourne,

There's no sight I'll think of worst,

Than a check in't mirror, seeing sunburn,

Northward up towards Darwin,

The home of Croc Dundee,

One sound I'll be sure to take in,

Resides inside a famous House in Sydney

Also out there I'd like to busk,

Upon the Harbour Bridge,

Perhaps for me gullet, some 'roo meat,

Perhaps a snack, I'll keep some in't fridge,

Learn to surf properly on Bondi,

'Pop-up' finally and shout hooray!

Another time near there visiting,

Aussie Corrie, it's Home and Away,

The Red Rock named Uluru,

I'll surely go to see,

Penguin Island too,

Inhabited by more than three,

Then theres also that place Tas,

They call it the land of the Devil,

There I'll not be on't razz,

I'll be keeping it on the level,

I'm after going trekking up mountains,

Into bush by't Grace o' God go I,

Drinking freely from natures fountains,

Forever looking, never questioning why,

Enjoy, I'll sithee soon,

Lee

Thou Shalt Always Muse?

Hi all,

I've begun to write pieces of 'stuff' recently, I like to call it my musings, I'm not labelling it under anything at the moment, but once I've got enough, I might try seeing what I can do with it. This is my first piece I'm banging up on my blog, I hope to do many more both before and after I travel. I was going to give it a silly arty title, but if your of a travelling mindset, I'm sure you'll appreciate the title...

A commentary on my escape





Interesting isn't it? These times of dark recession,
Most folks cant seem to shake their deep dark depression,
Boom or bust, win or lose, passiveness or aggression?
We seem to have found ourselves right here, in a cultural regression.


There are kids on the streets, drinking and fire-lighting,
The weekends drunken 'adults' too, drugged-up, shouting and fighting,
Political 'bigots' are rising, moral conscience is declining,
A 'Racist Peter Kay Lookalike', is the north west remotely inviting?



"Welcome to the Real UK", what is there to be proud of here?
A few literate words from Keats perhaps, maybe a few lines from King Lear?
Some of our kids think the Canadian President is Shakespeare,
But is that really to blame for the menace and fear?


Arrogance and ignorance, the tools of the todays 'yoofs' trade,
I've even heard people 'doubt their kids could use a spade',
Or chisels, saw's or hammers, but then again they've been forbade,
from learning those those things in school, and taking pride in what they've made,


Who's really at fault here though, the parent, teacher, or 'student'?
Maybe it's possibly Catherine Tate, who started the 'Am I Bovvered?' movement?
Perhaps they should have proper role models and teach them to be prudent,
Maths paper from '97 : Education X 3 = kids (with no improvement)



My mate's have just left uni, with their reams of 'impressive degrees',
Not a chance of a job though, so its off to be branded 'Dolies',
Settling into their staple diet, staring into daytime TV's,
Their so called 'god' Jeremy Kyle shouting LOOK AT ME! (without even a please)


See now if you can; the irony in the phrase 'CV',
Those two letters make up the difference, in 'previously' and 'preciously',
Consider how applicable those words are to our lives and family,
When used to describe jobs that provide security and stability.


What's going to happen here, maybe in a year or so?
I'm a pessimist you see, and if it's the worst then I don't want to know,
I'm worried blood will run on the streets, so right now I'm preparing to go,
To the land they call 'down under', and I'm going to take it slow...





Was it worth staying up to write? This is kind of my first jump on writing anything, though my inspirations are up there in the picture, this was inspired by Scroobius Pip in particular, the man who makes poetry and spoken word accessible to dummies like me!


Drop some comments or critiques if you like...

Lee :)

Why Why Why, Australia?

Hi all, first of all sorry for the Tom Jones reference...

I just thought I'd put up a topic asking the big question, which might help us forming our travel cohorts; WHY GO TO AUSTRALIA?

This is a pretty big question, is it complete randomness? Is it some soul searching? Are you looking for love in a faraway place? Pissed off with life in your home country? Seeking some understanding? Gapping university or your career? Are you leaving some heartache?

I'll let you into my story, I'm 24, just come out of a pretty heavy relationship about 12 months ago, was mortgaged up, looking towards engagement and the rest and living with them.

I just felt the need to do something in my life before I settle down, so I left for pastures I knew there was somewhere I wanted to travel, something I needed to see.

I'm leaving a bloody good career here in the UK, I have thought about seeing if I could do the same over in Australia, and I've been messed about by migration agents left right and centre, I decided a working holiday visa would be the best bet, get out there, see the sights and settle if I can.

Back to reasons, I'm heading out to see what I can, mainly for experience, and mainly because theres just something in my heart that yearns for travel and experience. I'm pissed off with my home country, personally think there will be some major political and racial strife this next few years, so if I can get away for a year while it all kicks off, thats a double bonus.

I suppose travelling will give me a new perspective on what's important in my life. I've lived solely for my career and other people for the last 4 years or so, I feel like jumping on the plane will give me some time to take back some time for myself!

I do have this slightly romantic vision of meeting someone out there; be it a fellow traveller, or an aussie, but to be honest I think my mind creates muses in any spare moment I have. It's going to be a massively giant adventure, I cannot wait for the next 6 months to be over already!

I hope that give's anyone looking a bit more perspective into what goes through one's mind to make them wish to travel as I will be doing on the 19th of January 2010...

Lee

My First Post...

Hello Everyone, (not that anyone'll be looking now, I've just started right at the begining)

This is my first post on what I hope to be a great blog charting my journey to Australia and beyond. I've decided to start writing it now so that people I meet on websites like Gapyear.com (great site) and travel mate's I meet will be able to see what's happened from the begining.

As I've put in the 'About me' bit. I've decided to do a bit of travelling for a few reasons really:

At the moment I'm working for a company in Warrington, a town just out of Leigh (twinned with Angers in France and Lake County Illinois apparently...), and have worked my bones off for the past 6 years. I'm 24 now, have worked really hard since I was 18, and to be fair I don't really have a great deal to show for it (I'm shit with money) and also don't have the greatest of memories for it either (missing Christmases with family etc.)

Because of this, I decided thats rather than spend my money on useless shit like DVD's, Real Ale and impressing women (only interested in one-night-stands), I'd spend it on travelling instead.

Now travelling seems like a crazy term to use really, you travel to your local shop for a packet of crisps or a pint of milk, but travelling across the world, hopefully will give me a little more satisfaction. It's been surprisingly cheap too, For 300 of her majesty's english pounds I've managed to book flight via an airline called AirAsia, and those will take me from London Stansted Airport to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, then after a night's stopover there (and photo op at the 'towers') a connecting flight to Melbourne, Australia. From there I've booked another flight to get me to Sydney.

I've booked myself onto a week with a backpackers orientation firm called OzIntro, they seem to do a good deal, saving me loads of effort and sorting out all the boring stuff. Basically they've sorted me out a Visa to work/stay there for 12 months, my tax number so I can work there without being emergency taxed, a Medicare card which gives me free point of service healthcare, and a mobile phone simcard on Vodaphone over there.

As well as that, they're taking me and the rest of the group booked on it for excursions all week, and also booked us into a hostel for our first week too. That takes a huge enormous chunk out of arranging my 'what to do' after I've landed.

I've got 2 people I want to go and visit while I'm out there.

One is a friend who I met via LeighLife.com (a local community website) called Lynn, she lives in Wollongong, and we've spent the last few months attempting to talk over webcam/msn/voice calling with some difficulty! She's an ex-Leyther (the term for people from Leigh) and I'm sure will make an excellent host when I come over. She's been a godsend to me already, talking me through likely jobs I could get and has helped me seperate reality from fantasy in my mind about what to do out there!!!

My other friend I'm hoping to see is an ex colleague of mine called Katie, she's a similar age to me and we met when she came over to work in the UK. She's an australian, and lives out towards Brisbane, which apparently is a VERY popular spot with backpackers. Katie brightened my life up when we worked together, and I can't wait to see her again, I'm sure I'll be infected her free spirited nature and highly contagious smile, if history is anything to go by...

Anyway, thats a brief bit of my plans, I'm hoping to post up here pretty regularly so people can see how I'm doing, what I'm up to, and what thoughts I'm having (on the occasions that I do actually have them...)

Sithee later,

Lee

xx