where the light is: live in durham

someone link me a wiki how to page on unblurring photos...

I apologise for the cringe-worthy John Mayer blog title reference.
I couldn't help myself! I've listened to more John Mayer here than I have the last ten months in New Zealand, and I do not have a proper explanation as to why.
But nonetheless, its still a great album from Mr Douche Bag of the Century.

As promised, here are some pictures taken with R's DSLR camera of the Lumiere Light Festival in Durham. Last night was my second visit to the festival, and it was considerably better the second time around. Most likely because I was comforted by the fact I wasn't wrestling with my mediocre camera, and hiking between forests and hills.
I'm pleased to report there's no more jet lag, and I am now fully synced with UK standard time.

some magical structure that combined oil, water, and fire

Although most of the exhibitions were moving (therefore taking well timed photographs were a challenge) and illuminated against an unfortunately foggy backdrop, the pictures still managed to capture the night's atmosphere rather well.
Although they turned out a bit blurry because *insert hipster explanation here*, I'm still pleased with its turn out.

The via duct

This festival is reputed to be the largest light festival in the whole of UK, so I'm fortunate enough to be staying in Durham while it takes place. Apparently this festival only runs bi-annually, so coming to the UK this year has proved to be a good life decision making moment on my part as well. Despite the cold winds and desperate need for hot chocolate while trekking through town for two to three hours, the festival was worth it. A total of 75,000 visitors came to Durham according to the BBC, so it's flattering to know that I'm one of those 75,000 visitors that have had the pleasure of enjoying the artwork.

The number of people that attended the festival contributed to the atmosphere of the festival tremendously. It was truly a lovely night, and although the weather was not kind to us, the spirit of the festival and pre-Christmas buzz was something that too, got me excited about the upcoming snowy Christmas ahead. Initially I was quite puzzled by the hype about Christmas, seeing as it was only the middle of November when I arrived to the UK.

Also, celebrating Christmas was never an integral part of my childhood.
Chinese New Year was definitely a more prominent holiday, and Christmas (apart from the religious association and obligatory church visit), usually meant Boxing Day Sales.
I'm incredibly lucky to be spending Christmas in the UK this summer, and experience something that in my 18 years of life have never had the pleasure of experiencing before. Not to mention that in Japan, Christmas is hardly acknolwedged as a holiday.

the "cloisters"

inside Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral is where they shot and filmed most of Harry Potter. I've yet to fan-girl my way through the site because of all the construction work that has been going on around it, but seeing the transformation to the outside and inside of the cathedral was truly spectacular. We stood in line for a good hour or so just waiting to get inside the cathedral and see the revolving ball of fire located in the "cloisters" (note: this is about the third new English word I've learned this week to add to my vocabulary. Going to be throwing this word around when I'm back in New Zealand)

moving pictures were projected onto the cathedral

R and I, along with a couple of his friends walked around town for two and a half hours, and by the time we came back, I was seriously craving a cup of hot chocolate. 

Unfortunately here in Durham, shops close around 5pm, and the only available place that was open was Tesco Express. It's like a 7 Eleven convenient store, except it's called Tesco Express. God, I need to get a literary award for analogies already, seriously.

I have compiled a huge list of things I want to do while I'm in London next week to visit a friend I met in Japan. Along with that lists of things to do and see, I've also made a to-buy list :D
According to the adverts here on TV, I can adopt a snow leopard at the WWW shop in London. I think I might adopt three of them and ship them back to New Zealand.

a snowglobe in Market Square!

Hope you all enjoyed the photos! I'll be sure to upload them up to Facebook when the internet is more stable. I was planning to take some more post-card/desktop background worthy photos but Mother Nature doesn't want to cooperate with me today. It's raining, and I did not bring a raincoat with me from Kiwiland.
I'm enjoying emailing everyone back home, and talking to friends and family on Skype each morning. Thank you so much for keeping in touch still, even though I am currently living 12 hours away from you, a 30 hour plane ride away and several annoying transits in between.

Nothing is more terrifying than dozing off whilst waiting in transit. #firstworldproblems
Waiting for six hours in Singapore Changi Airport, I dozed off and fell asleep (on the floor), and nearly missed my flight to Heathrow.
I had to beg the boarding staff to let me on board the A380 (which is this hugiant, gorgeous plane that I had the pleasure of traveling in)
Though it was obvious they did not need much persuasion, I think they took pity on me.
Especially because I was super panicky and frantic, to the extent of even offering to pay my way on board the plane.
Logically speaking- my luggage was already on the plane, and if they did not let me on board, I highly doubt they would bother fishing our one piece of luggage out of the hundreds that were in there. So maybe they didn't need much persuasion after all.

...Yes, you may have the movie rights to that story.


All my love always,

April