Manchester Day 3 – History Tour – Journal & Video

Waking up on Day 3 was the same episode. The doorbell would ring. Julie wouldn’t hear it. I would drag my ass out of bed to tell housekeeping to come back later. Even in the UK, my life was redundant.

My luggage still had not arrived. My accommodation, The Place Hotel, offered no support or solutions either. I was on my third day without clothes and it was beginning to wear on me. Every night before bed I would grab my robe, strip down, load the washer, wash my clothes, shower, wait until the wash cycle was done and hang my clothes overnight to dry. My travel strategy had worked so I wasn’t completely stuck but it was wearing me down.

Julie and I wanted to go for a run. – No running shoes
We wanted to got to a nice dinner. – No blazer
It was raining. – No rain coats

Being a pragmatist, I realized this was not about me. This was about the airlines and their customer service. I was impacted but it was not a conspiracy. The only thing I could control was my temperament and I was not going to let this ruin my days. I put on my best UK stiff upper lip and kept it moving.

We waited for the early rain to pass and hit the streets. It was our first time attempting mass transit and unlike the NYC MTA, the MAN transit system is very very efficient. You know exactly what time the train will arrive and it WILL arrive on time. Tickets are purchased via vending machines and the operation functions on the honor system. If you get caught without a ticket, you will then be fined. I didn’t see anyone abusing the system. But I’m sure there’s an arsehole in every city who is taking a free ride.

At one point, our train broke down. We were stuck in a station for 8-10 minutes. I never heard so many apologies before. The station agents, the conductor, the motorman, were all profusely sorry and embarrassed. Can someone please have them contact KLM/ Delta Airlines?!?! Oh, and let them give a seminar at The Place Hotel too.

This was the most grueling part of the trip but not for the reasons you may think. People were quite calm except for the animated pair across the aisle from us. “Fat boy”, seriously that was name, and his female mate, both University students, were seated to the right of us. Obviously, neither of them had been taught to use their “inside voice.” We got to hear all of their business from the April Fool’s joke Fat Boy’s gran played on him then his mate’s call to her sister up to what they were going to eat for lunch. The whole car, which was crowded, was silent and incredulously stealing glances at them. I was speechless. I couldn’t hear my own thoughts. When the train stopped, I made a beeline for the exit like I was running from bees.

Our first stop

MOSI – The Museum of Science & Industry
From the world’s first industrial city to 24-hour party capital, MOSI takes you on a journey through Manchester’s heritage with sights, sounds and even smells! You can see what it was like to work in a cotton mill during one of the textile demonstrations, experience a 4D theatre or even venture into a Victorian sewer…

MOSI is the only British Museum to make it through to the finals in the prestigious Micheletti Award for excellence in science and industry museums. MOSI’s newest gallery, the Revolution Manchester Gallery, is nominated for its innovation.

Honestly, we were tired and didn’t do as much research as we should have. We unknowingly missed entire exhibits. As I said at the top, we had a late start, we have a concert tonight, Kylie Minogue, and we wanted to get on to the other sites. In retrospect, I regret not having spent more time and doing more research in advance. I definitely want to go back.

Check out the video of the new gallery.

The People’s History Museum
After a £12.5m redevelopment the new and improved People’s History Museum is housed in an iconic new building and magnificently restored historic Edwardian Pump House. There have always been ideas worth fighting for. Join a march through time following Britain’s struggle for democracy over two centuries. Meet the revolutionaries, reformers, workers, voters and citizens who fought the battle for the ballot. Gather amongst their magnificent banners and discover how time off was won (and spent).

Thoughts
If you want to see Manchester, pick up a map or print one online.
Manchester centre city is very easy to get around. On a map it appears very spread out but in reality things are pretty close by. If you are open, you will see the amazing architecture. The city has made great efforts to preserve its history. When compared to London, the city may pale but why must one compare? Every city has its own distinct contribution to make to culture and society.

Throughout this trip, Julie and I have simply not eaten often. We’ve been so focused on moving along, that we would grab a crepe, a sandwich, a muffin and get to stepping. Perhaps that is simply the way I roll and she easily adapted to my fast pace.

I tried to break the cycle. Today we stopped in at a cafe and the service was so bad we left after waiting 25 minutes and not being served our food. The odd thing is when I asked the waiter to either check on the food, or serve us the check, he served us the check. Oh well, based on my experiences in customer service this trip so far, it didn’t seem unusual behavior.

Julie and I arrived back to the hotel where MY SUITCASE HAD ARRIVED. I did a happy dance. Finally, I would have a change of clothes. But I only have one day left. I am determined to wear everything, dammit. I didn’t push to get my suitcase to not unpack it and carry it back home. For the next 36 hours, I intend to change clothes every 8 hours. What the hell, there are worse games to play.

Kylie tonight!!!

Here’s our tour video