shutterlust's VirtualTourist Home Page

I'm a New Yorker. I joined VT at the beginning of 2005, when I was studying media law in London. I travel to the UK several times throughout the year, on business, for research, visiting friends and shopping! But I'd really like to stretch my travels out away from just New York and London...

My job is to take pictures of food. And then eat it. See my foodie page for more!

My academic interests can be found on my Oxford page.

Hey there, girly girls! First of all, I would just like to say: I LOVE travelling. And I like wandering around on my own. I discover my best "finds" that way and make more friends than if I had brought along a friend, who I would simply stick to rather than trying to meet new people.

There's nothing wrong with travelling alone. However, be CAREFUL!

Ditch the 3-inch heels. Now, you're talking to a girl who grew up wearing heels! The only time I wore anything flat was when I wore my bedroom slippers or my trainers at the gym. I adore heels. They straighten your posture, lift the buttocks and slenderize your legs but you sure as hell can't run in them!

Don't smile too much. They misinterpret this. A lot.

And if someone touches you in a way you just don't like, don't be afraid to make it known.

Oh, and just a heads up, mace IS definitelly illegal in the UK. Don't let your fathers try to send you mace in the mail.

17 March - 14 April 2007. My European Backpacking Adventure

Paris was cold and a bit mucky. The Paris catacombs were the highlight of our visit and a good breaking-in period for my Tory Burch flats.

Rome was crazy crowded as there was some kind of marathon going on during our stay. But the people my brother and I met in the hostel were a great laugh.

Venice was bitterly cold and rainy. There was actually a storm when we arrived, but we made the most of the weather and the millions of tourists flooding the canals. That and the bloody pigeons...

London was my brother's favourite. I suspect it was because I actually knew of good places to take him (to eat, museums to visit, etc) and because we didn't wander around lost like we did in the other cities... (if you know me, you know I hate using maps).

And then I was on my own...

Cambridge was a nice, relaxing break from all my hectic travels with my brother. BTW, Oxford is far nicer. :-)

Brugge was simply sweet. I would consider retiring in Brugge. It has canals and chocolate. I fell in love with Brugge.

Copenhagen was...indescribable. I absolutely loved it. Hands down, one of my top two favourite cities. It has bikes, water, nice, friendly people. It's laid-back, no attitude and the city has some of the nicest, sweetest most hospitable VT members I know. :-) And it has a mermaid...

Hamburg...I don't know if I got a good feeling of the city itself so much as I just had a good time hanging out with my two sweet local Hamburg tour guides, Stefan and Hendrik. Oh, and I rolled and smoked my first cigarette, all of it documented by a very sneaky Hendrik. How much more "Roman Holiday" can you get?!

Budapest was amazing. It was unlike any other city I'd visited. The atmosphere seemed to be that of simple deterioration, just everything crumbling to the ground. But at the same time, this decay didn't seem sad or upsetting, but rather, the city seemed to be glorified in its decay. This will sound cheesy, but I described it to my friend as a city full of hope. And I do think that's true.

Vienna Oh, dear Vienna. I only spent 5 hours with you, but I could tell you are a city worth a serious visit. I am ashamed to say I spent so little time here, but Amsterdam was calling...

Amsterdam...I would live in Amsterdam. I liked Amsterdam a LOT. It has a pretty "young" feel to it and it's so laid-back, which I loved. I could definitely be a 20-something and live in a city like Amsterdam.

The Grand Tour, coming to a close in France This marked the end of my backpacking adventures...