business travel – Drew and Jen go to London

Presents!

Jen — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 21:56:43 +0000

Drew brought me presents from Helsinki, Finland! Yes, it does seem a little childish to be excited about coloring books, but I can’t think of a better thing to do than color after a Sunday lunch at the pub. (I was never one to be wild.)

And don’t they go nicely with these lovelies from Jane?

Apparently Drew took a walk on the frozen Baltic sea…

It really is breathtaking.

And he is a way better photographer than me to start with!

www.drewandjengotolondon.com

Nice to Meet You, Harrogate!

Jen — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 21:27:49 +0000

I arrived to Harrogate late on Wednesday night because I had a meeting out of the office that morning. When I got to the The Balmoral hotel I decided that I needed to stay in Harrogate for a long time.

It took a lot of effort to leave this room for dinner (and even more effort to climb out of bed for breakfast the next morning). But because I did venture out with my colleagues, I got to enjoy some of Harrogate’s charm. Chinese restaurant in a bath house?! Why not?

A pint of local ale at Hales Bar, the oldest pub in Harrogate? Yes, indeed.

A short pause at Bettys Tea Room… Maybe next time.

We had a lovely dinner at Le Jardin. The food and the staff were absolutely lovely. It couldn’t have been better.

I also found Harrogate’s sense of humor.

Unfortunately, there was no time for the spa. Don’t worry Harrogate, I’m coming back for you.

www.drewandjengotolondon.com

Times Like These

Jen — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:50:52 +0000

I am so glad to be home, even after a wonderful experience in Cardiff.

It was especially nice to come home for a big date with my hero (that would be Drew). From Dave Grohl to me, to you:

‘Itâ€s times like these you learn to live again
Itâ€s times like these you give and give again
Itâ€s times like these you learn to love again
Itâ€s times like these time and time again’

I am thankful, I am grateful, and I am full. More on that story tomorrow.

www.drewandjengotolondon.com

Roll On Weekend

Jen — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 22:28:19 +0000

I am deliriously tired but I am thankful to be so. I can’t wait to tell you about my new top secret assignment in my super secret line of work. As a ‘Scientist’.

Actually, it CAN wait. This hotel bed is calling my name and morning is far too near. Until tomorrow…

www.drewandjengotolondon.com

Dinner in Wales

Jen — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 11:48:55 +0000

I haven’t yet been to Torchwood headquarters, but I did find the Carousel in Cardiff.

It has been grey, with the constant threat of rain, but the green of the hills is such a welcome sight. I really look forward to coming back to Cardiff on my own time. And have dinner with The Dales–I know they are here somewhere… (I am so tired that I am making up a song in my head about dinner with The Dales somewhere else in Wales.) Now that you are singing a song, too, “goodnight John Boy”.

www.drewandjengotolondon.com

Dr Who, Where Are You?

Jen — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 23:25:32 +0000

Taylor is going to be disappointed to hear that I’ll be in Cardiff all week for businessâ€“and that my business is not co-starring in an episode of Dr Who. I’ve only stood outside the Tardis, I’m afraid.

I’ll do what I can to get noticed while I am there. You never know when The Doctor might need my help–or when Captain Jack might know a smart girl when he sees her… After all, I am pretty important these daysâ€“being a Clinical Research Scientist and all.

So, um… Leave your message at the beep.

Beep.

www.drewandjengotolondon.com

Man, Are My Arms Tired…

Jen — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 20:01:57 +0000

Singapore Airlines, business class? Yes.

“Ms. Huddleston, would you like Champagne or orange juice before take-off?” Yes. Yes I would.

“Ms. Huddleston, would you like some swag to make your journey comfortable and enjoyable?” Yes. I would. (Are you sensing a pattern?)

Yes.

I will put my feet up until dinner time, thank you.

“Ms. Huddleston, would you like help converting your…” I am going to stop you right there. Yes.

Singapore is, in my estimation, not entirely unlike a tropical suburb of New York City. Food stalls, open air markets, late shop hours, high rises, international travellers, posh looking locals… Check. The theatre district isnâ€t comparable, though there are museums, historic bits, seaside, riverside, tours, and the like. On second thought, if ~~New York City~~ London (?) and some efficient tropical Swiss or German metropolis met on a hot summer night for drinks and one thing lead to another… Perhaps Singapore is the long lost love child of such a pairing. I thank you to remember that most of the world is still very new to me.

Without a doubt I enjoyed a Singapore Sling at Raffles hotel, suggestion courtesy of my tour guide Sian, who poses as my colleague for quite a few hours each week. (What can I say? Iâ€ve got people.)

Sian also serves as a reliable source for advice on such things as Cantonese vs Japanese cuisine and UK vs Sinagpore sun. There is a big difference, you know.

Meetings are better poolside.

English is the national language. Signage is not on shortage. The city is spotless. I am at ease. Even in my bikini (well, thatâ€s what Iâ€m telling you, anyway). Yes, I brought sunscreen.

For more photos, visit the Huddleston flickr album.

www.drewandjengotolondon.com

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Jen — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:29:34 +0000

I am not leaving anymore. I’ve been back a while now.

But I was in Esbjerg, Denmark recently. Â I have the proof in my passport.

I traveled with my colleague Sian. She’s the one who taught me about the waffles. The ones that you warm on top of your tea… Does anyone have any snacks?

And I have photos of Esbjergmin case you don’t believe me. But you do because I am pretty honest as a habit.

My hotel room seemed alright to me. Â It had a bedroom, office, and living room.

There was also a lounge.

If only you could see my green tights in the bathroom mirror… Â “I can hear you, love!”

I flooded the bathroom floor taking a shower without a curtain or divider of any kind. Â If you know, would you tell me how this works?!

I have been assured, though, that it wasn’t suite as business friendly as most… I’ll let you know when I have something to compare it to.

And what is this?

On our last night we had a nice dinner to make up for the fact that we skipped lunch.

Maybe those are curly fries in the background – and maybe they are carrot sticks. I really can’t say. What happens in Esbjerg…

It was such a small place that when we left, we received handwritten boarding passes.

And then we had to put on these suits.

And board a helicopter.

Ok. Maybe that last part stretches the truth a bit. But there were people in suits getting on helicopters headed, we think, to the oil rigs just off shore. I wonder if they got KitKats on their flights.