So, I took myself off yesterday evening- just as I was getting ready to leave, someone came around with a packet of Maltesers, snaffled from the office manager's desk; she'd ordered them for our regular Friday snacks, but the office was quite empty because of the Tube strike, so she hadn't bothered putting them out. He'd kindly stepped in, and after distributing some, left the rest of the bag with me, saying I'd appreciate them most! I decided they might be handy, and popped them in my case.
Left slightly later, and got a slightly later Stansted Express, than usual- the flight was later than the usual one I get, and Easyjet closes the gate later than Ryanair. The train was less packed than I'm used to, and I got a seat this time. We went slowly for a while- the driver apologised, saying we were stuck behind a slower train. Dunno what happened to that train- maybe they zapped it out of existence- but after a bit, we took off like a rocket! Felt quite unsafe, actually, with the uneven track and the train lurching from side to side.
As we approached the airport, the driver apologised for arriving about 10 minutes late. You what?! We got there in 55mins or so! Now, I know the posters advertise a journey time of 47 minutes, but honestly, since I started back with them this year, I've never known them to do the trip in under an hour. Maybe it's the time I go at?
In Stansted, I had time to go to the loo, making sure to go to one NOT in the main departure lounge, which is crazy. The gate turned out to be one where you get off at the first stop of the transit.. which turns out to be much posher than the second stop. As I waited to board, an announcement made it very clear that handbags were to be placed within trolley bags- a daft policy, and unnecessary, as handbags can be put under the seat and trolley bags overhead, so one isn't taking space from the other. This is also a policy that Ryanair gave up on years ago.
I dozed for most of the flight, which was only 40 mins long, so that by the time the trolley got to us in row 12, the 10 minute warning of landing had just been made, and the people either side of me were the last to be served! Anyway, it made a nice change not to have to wait for baggage- although, as of next month, Ryanair is ending their free gate check policy, so I'll be getting priority, to bring my hand luggage on board, and this will be more common for me.
So, once I was through the slow queue for passport control, I was essentially free. To observe some curious art exhibits in the airport! Apparently, you can buy them:
More photos here. A cheap and fast train into town made me very jealous- there's nothing like that in my usual airports! And on the decently short walk to the hotel, I passed pretty much every stereotype of Amsterdam: bikes (yes, it's a free-for-all), canals, massage parlours, head shops ..
Google Maps directed me around the back, which I ignored- when I got there, I discovered it was because of roadworks on Amstel. Although a bit dusty, it's perfectly passable, and anyway I can't find the rear entrance. Yay, the hotel has a lift! And although it's a complicated building, a combination of several, I've seen worse. A bigger room than typical for Amsterdam. I put the Do Not Disturb on the door, since I wasn't planning on being up for breakfast- ridiculously expensive, as usual. As supper, those Maltesers proved handy.
Woke late and decided to start with the sachet of hot chocolate they'd provided- unfortunately, I couldn't get the kettle they also provided to work! So I just gave up on that and meandered out for brunch. Where I was defeated by the tyranny of the sheer choice of restaurants around here! With every second one a steakhouse, of course I ended up in one, although I wasn't ready for a steak - El Rancho Steakhouse has a chicken satay, so I picked that. It was delish.. as was the sauvignon blanc I had with it. And yes, the chocolate bombe does not disappoint.
Along the way, I passed the most spectacular building:
Would you credit it, it's a cinema- the Pathé Tuschinkski, reputed to be one of the most beautiful in the world. And in the Netherlands, they sensibly don't dub films, so if it's in your native language, you're sorted! Unfortunately, the good stuff wasn't on till later. Instead, it being a lovely, sunny evening (unlike the soggy day I believe they had in London), I meandered off to explore. On my travels, I came across an enormous orange cat, sat on the counter of a gift shop. Is that the same one I met years ago in Dampkring, or is there a family of them? Found the Leonidas shop, joined the long queue and purchased, then took myself back to the hotel for a while.
It's only a five minute walk from the hotel to the cinema, where unfortunately an event was taking place in the main lobby and we had to enter by the crowded side- which isn't ornate in the slightest. She remarked that I was lucky to get a single seat- I think they reserve most of them for couples. Anyway, our seats were comfy - although this film is long enough that my bum was complaining long before the end.
I'd chosen BlacKkKlansman, which I've had in view for a while. It's the true story of a black police officer that decided to infiltrate the KKK. Of course, when they want to meet him in person, he has to get a white officer to impersonate him. One of their colleagues had a familiar look - sure enough, he's Steve Buscemi's brother, Mike. Harry Belafonte shows up as a speaker at a black rally. Directed by Spike Lee, it has the same production team as the excellent Get Out.
Well, the story is undoubtedly fascinating, and the climax is very tense. There are several moments of hilarity, as the characters consider what an absurd situation they're in. Being a Spike Lee film, it's very political- it opens with a white supremacist (Alec Baldwin in yet another cameo) shooting a promotional video, and we're left in no doubt what an idiot he is, as we're shown him stumbling over his lines. The subject of white police officers persecuting innocent black people frequently comes up, which is still, of course, a bone of contention today. And at the end, we get plenty of footage of modern day white supremacists, as well as Trump's speech, where he apparently defended them. The implication is clear - nothing has changed.
So, enjoyable and relevant. Unfortunately, every now and again, it goes cartoonishly over the top. And near the end, where we cut from a KKK ceremony where they're chanting about white power to a black meeting where they're chanting about black power, I wasn't sure whether their differences were being contrasted, or their similarities compared. Perhaps both - our hero has little time for the more extreme elements of black power, and hatred of whites. A good film, but not as clever as it thinks it is.
Ooh, but on the way out, we left through the main lobby!
Two U2 concerts- and doubtless some steak- over the next couple of days. Flying back Tuesday lunchtime, taking the whole day off, naturally, and that evening I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for The Height of the Storm, at Wyndham's. Booked through What's on Stage.
On Wednesday, I'm with Let's Do This for another Turkish meal - this time at Sofra. It'll also be the first time since June I'll have met Mary!
On Thursday, film again - already booked though, because they were already selling out. It's part of the London Film Festival at the BFI - Be Natural is the story of Alice Guy - Blaché, the first female filmmaker, and is narrated by Jodie Foster. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, again.
On the 15th, back with North London Friends for The Wild Duck, by Ibsen, at the Almeida. I wasn't in time to get one of their tickets, so booked my own - what the hey.
On the 16th, comedy with Ahir Shah at Soho Theatre.
On the 17th, a real dose of nostalgia - Mayerling ballet, at the Opera House. My favourite ballet, this was also the last event we attended here with the Man with the Hat. And the second last event ever. At least it'll be less evocative since, for once, I'm sitting facing full-on! He always had us in the slips, so I haven't faced the Opera House stage since I started with his groups! I'd watch it blindfolded just to have him back again, though. We miss you, MwtH.
On the 18th - why, I'm off to Manchester. For U2, unsurprisingly. Yes, I get busier around now as they come around these parts. Taking the train that evening - it was the cheapest, and so much handier than having to make my way to and from airports and watch what I pack! I should arrive walking distance from my hotel, Roomzzz Corn Exchange, which itself is walking distance from the venue, the Manchester Arena. And right beside the shopping centre, apparently! That could be handy.. if only to buy provisions, as this is an aparthotel, so I can cater for myself.
The concerts themselves are on the 19th and 20th. Ironically, the English concerts are the only ones whose tickets are being posted to me - and would you believe it, what with booking them in January and moving in June, I completely forgot to make the connection. So I forgot to update my address with TM. Just remembered last weekend, by which time it seems they'd already been posted. I've contacted my old flatmates, but the only response I got was from one who's also moved out - happily, TM says, if I contact them that week, they'll void the old tickets and issue new ones that I can pick up at the box office. There's always some palaver on a U2 tour, and this isn't the first time I've had to pick up my tickets in Manchester!! Outside of England, they're all e-tickets..
I take the train back on the 21st. Better not leave it too late, as I've actually booked for the Smithfield & Clerkenwell Walk: Guts & Glory, with Walking in London - but more specifically, with Katie of Look Up London! Excellent - I was booked for this in July, but she had to cancel. She's one of the best around. Should be close enough to me, too, and it doesn't start too early. And it being a Funzing event (like all of Walking in London's) I scoured my old Funzing discount codes, and discovered that Funzing_Fb20 seems to be working again - for all of them I've recently booked! So, a 20% discount - better than any recently offered on their Facebook page.
On the 22nd, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club for Buddha Babies, again at Soho Theatre. Naturally, not advertised on their Meetup group - they have advertised an event this weekend, but of course, I'm out of the country.
On the 23rd & 24th, I don't have to travel so far to see U2 - they're playing the O2 in London. These tickets, I got my address changed in time for, it seems - they're also being posted. Helen is going on the 23rd.. sat in the corporate box, poshly! Nah, I'd rather be closer and sweatier, thanks!
The 25th is my colleague's last day before he quits for a new life in Stockholm - we're headed out that night. Amazing that I still had that day free when we arranged it!
On the 26th, I fly to Belfast. Yep, U2 again. Told ya. Staying in the Crescent Townhouse, walking distance from the SSE Arena, where the concerts take place on the 27th and 28th. On the 29th, I'm taking the train down to my mother for a week - makes more sense than jetting back and forth to her!
On the 5th of next month, I'm back up to Dublin. U2 again, dont'cha know? Staying in the Clayton again, which is a hop, skip and jump from the 3Arena in Dublin, where there are concerts on the 5th and 6th. Would you believe, not even I could swing a ticket for the 5th - well, I'll just rock up on the day, and hopefully I can get something at the box office. I have heard of such things happening. I've had stranger things happen!
On the 7th, I fly back to London (BA) - purely so I can work on the 8th, before flying back to Dublin that night! Was supposed to be Cityjet, but they've now ended their flight schedule after this month - so now I'm going Ryanair. Same hotel, same venue, same band - on the 9th and 10th. I fly back on the 11th, exhausted, and finished with U2 concerts for the year!
On the 12th, I've decided to treat myself to a performance of Macbeth, at the Wanamaker Playhouse.
On the 13th, we have our monthly team outing - might only be the two of us, but hey!
On the 14th, back with UITCS at last for Love Lies Bleeding, at the Print Room at the Coronet. Got my ticket from London Theatre Direct.
On the 15th, I'm going to try the Seven Deadly Sins Pub Naughty History Tour. Walking in London again, so discounted again! Then I'm back to Ireland again for the weekend.
On the 19th, News of the Strange, from the Crick Crack Club, at Soho Theatre. Not advertised on their Meetup group, of course.
On the 20th, back with UITCS for Pinter at the Pinter - Pinter plays at the Pinter Theatre. Two long ones on this occasion - this is Programme Four: Moonlight & Night School.
On the 21st, back at last with The London Jazz Meetup, who are off to the London Jazz Festival for a concert by the Faraj Suleiman Quartet at King's Place. UK premiere, apparently!
On the 22nd, with UITCS at the Garrick for Don Quixote. The only cheap tickets left for this were terrible, so I went a bit upmarket. A bit - I'm still behind a pillar!
On the 23rd, I'm on a Paranormal Activity Tour - ooh! Now, for this one, we get ghost-hunting equipment, which could make it interesting - I don't fancy the dowsing rods, myself, but we'll see. Walking in London, again. Discounted, again. And this was after my loyalty discount - so I got it at better than half price! which is good, considering the price.
On the 24th, I'm off on my own to see A Small Place, at the Gate.
On the 25th, back at last to Winter Wonderland! That evening, I'm off to Cirque Berserk - an annual tradition for me. The latest show is the cheapest, so that's the one I booked.
And on the 26th of next month, I'm back with UITCS for Programme Three of Pinter at the Pinter - Landscape / A Kind of Alaska / Monologue.
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