NomadGirl Travels

"Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it." ~ George Santayana The gate to Auschwitz I visited Auschwitz-Birkenau this past June as part of a tour of East-Central Europe. It was a somber, thought-provoking, humbling experience. I recommend that everyone visit this former Concentration Camp. We were given headphones that we could program so we could hear the tour guide. At Auschwitz, there were sections where photographs were not allowed - these are where the more personal and disturbing artefacts are displayed. I thought it was interesting that the storage rooms for Jewish and Polish personal items were called "Canada 1" and Canada 2". I am from Canada so found this fact intriguing. They named the storage units after Canada because it is considered a safe haven. The barbed-wire fence enclosing the buildings We went by Rudolf Hess' house, which was surprisingly close to the "showers" and crematorium. A f

I visited the "Harry Potter" film set in Leavesden, UK in July. It was fantastic! I booked the tour through Golden Tours and this included the transfer on a special "Harry Potter" bus from London, plus the entrance fee. I bought a ticket for a butterbeer, which was extra and optional. The bus left London at 9am for entrance at 11am. I actually entered at 10:40am, so it was great! The door to the Chamber of Secrets First you are greeted in a room with eight screens. A short film is shown about the film production and the aftermath showing the film openings. Then in the next room, which is set up as a theatre, a short film is shown where Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint talk about filming. After that the tour starts in the Great Hall. This is one of two large sets. The detail was amazing! Only one table is set up showing how the plates etc were placed. At the far end there are mannequins of the professors in costume showing how they stood t

Years ago I read a book that took place in Saint Patrick's Cathedral. Ever since, I wanted to see the cathedral if I was ever in New York City. The cathedral was closed every time my sister and I walked past, though. I got a photo in front of it earlier in the week. An Advent Wreath hung above the doors, with one candle lit - it was the first week of Advent.  On our last evening in New York, we were walking down 5th Avenue and saw that the doors were open! We went inside. It was beautiful! My sister lit a prayer candle and we walked around. There is so much to look at! The organ in amazing! There was a Nativity scene in the corner - Jesus was not in the manger yet as it was only the first week of Advent. The details on the walls, in the Nave, the Rose Window, (everything!) are amazing and the cathedral is beautiful! There is a lot to look at and take in. I highly recommend it.

One great free thing to do in New York City is visit Central Park. My sister and I were in New York at the beginning of December. The weather was great that day, it had stopped raining and the sun had come out. It was like a beautiful Autumn day...in December! The leaves were still on the trees and were very colourful. We were able to wear our Fall jackets to walk around Central Park. It was the best of both worlds - Fall weather and Christmas decorations! We entered from Central Park South and the first thing you see from that entrance is the famous stone bridge! The Gapstow Bridge is the bridge featured in famous movies about New York, including Home Alone: Lost in New York. We took some photos near the bridge and on it with views of the Plaza Hotel behind us. Gapstow Bridge We then wandered on. We came across Wollman Rink and watched people skating. We said hello to Santa Claus, who was greeting people there and continued on. Wollman Rink We continued on. There is