England 2018 (Part 3)

Cardiff Bay

As part of the United Kingdom, we also went to Cardiff and Edinburgh, because traveling to this places is easy and fast, just a train ride away.

Cardiff is, for those who don't know, the place where Dr. Who is film, and where Torchwood is also located. (If you know, you know.)

And what can I say about Edinburgh? Well, it looks like you are walking in giant movie set. I mean, that city is just too unreal. Every single building is an amazing backdrop.

Our Airbnb in Edinburgh (behind the Castle)

Somewhere on a mountain

From the park

Edinburgh Castle

Of course, if you are in Edinburgh and you are a Potterhead, then you must know where to go within the city. And I did go there!

The Train Station

J.K. Rolling wrote Harry Potter here

The real Diagon Alley 

And if you are in Edinburgh, you must take a bus and visit the most mysterious and most famous chapels of them all: Rosslyn Chapel. Yes, the one from "The Da Vince Code." 

Rosslyn Chapel

With its most famous mystery: The Apprentice Pillar.

For Miguel, this was one of the most impressive things he's ever seen. He was in awe the entire time.

England 2018 (Part 4)

For me, no visit to England is complete without going away from the United Kingdom and visiting my favorite city: Amsterdam. This city is far away but you can take the speed bullet, known as Eurostar and in four hours you are there. 

We are happy!

Things to love about Amsterdam? Everything! Just everything! Our Airbnb was just two blocks from the main square and we were just a few minutes from all the bars, stores, and markets. You can see the images and decide what you are looking at. 

This city is just, well, magical in a sense. The canals, the buildings, the people, everything!

Of all the cities I have visited, this one would be the one I would want to retired to. 

England 2018 (Part 5)

Back in England, and specifically in London, there were other things that needed attention before returning home. For example, going to the Victoria & Albert Museum.

There we saw David, as always, naked.

We also saw our friend Frida, who was having her own exhibition. An entire floor dedicated to her.

And then there was time meet up with colleagues who were also in London at the time. First, Carol, my colleague from my teaching days at Bellarmine University and at King's College London. That's right, we both taught classes at King's College London. 

We are so happy to see each other!

Then it was time to have tea at the Oscar Wilde Lounge with my theatre collaborator and friend, Jimmy.

And a visit to one of the most amazing and most magical castles we didn't know about.

Hardly anyone visits this castle because it is not easy to get to it. It takes two trains. But, once there, the trip is worth it because it is the only castle where you are allowed to go INSIDE and visit every single room, garden, and corner of the place. 

England 2018 (Part 6-last part!)

 If you are in London, going to the theatre is a must, especially if you are a theatre artist, like me. And although I promised Miguel we wouldn't do a lot of theatre, we did see four plays (that's not a lot! If by myself or my friend Jimmy, we would see two to three shows per week.)

One play was very short (10 min.) and free. It was also a puppet show so it doesn't count. It was Fantastic though!

We saw a play by The Mischief Theatre Company titled, "The Comedy About the Bank Robbery." Funny, but not as good as their production of "The Play that Goes Wrong."

Our friend Jimmy recommend a new musical, Everyone's Talking about Jaime. So, we went to see it and I loved it so much that I waited to meet the actors and even bought the music and the script. The musical was then turned into a film. It is available now on Prime.

 

We decided to see a second musical, only because the leads in it are famous, it is a traditional musical and it is one of my favorites: The King and I.

And last but not least, we have to attend to my obsession: Harry Potter and The Cursed Child! Talking about 6 hours of great entertainment and magic in one day! The most memorable theatrical experience!

The Majestic Theater, West End, London

Tickets, program, button, and stet shots

And so, my last entry on this travel journey must end with my favorite thing: Harry Potter. And I don't mean the play, but visiting the Warner Brothers "The Making of Harry Potter" lots in Watford, England. Just a train ride away from London. Really, the trip is easy. 

Right at the entrance of the Harry Potter Lots

Pivet Drive

Hogwarts Main Hall Entrance

Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley

The Hogwarts Express

Dumbledore's Office Entrance

The Chess Pieces from the film

There is more I could show, but I think this is enough. Posting this images from our 2018 trip gives me hope that I will be able to travel in 2022. I hope. The pandemic continues and unfortunately, people still believe it isn't real.