Travelsmartplanet

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If you have strong calf muscles, it is definitely worth the 100’s of winding steps to the Whispering Gallery. Not only does it give you a great view of the cathedral below, but you can learn the whisper secret. You can ask one of the guides up there to tell you where to sit to try it out. Don’t give up, it’s delightful when you can make the hundreds-year-old magic work.

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A chance to “dress up” as Prince Albert in Kensington Palace, London.

Tags: Britain, British, city, City Pass, costume, dress-up, England, Europe, garden, Great Britain, History, Kensington, Kensington Palace, London, London City Pass, monarchy, palace, photo, Prince, Prince Albert, public, royal, royal family, royalty, sights, sightseeing, tour, tourist, Trafalgar, travel, Travel blogger, UK, uniform

She was quite the catch.

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Diana’s gowns are displayed in Kensington Palace with descriptions of where she wore them. She was much taller than we thought.

Tags: Britain, British, city, City Pass, designer dress, designer gown, Diana, display, dressing the part, England, Europe, evening gown, family photo, fashion, fashionista, garden, gown, Great Britain, History, Kensington, Kensington Palace, Lady Di, London, London City Pass, monarchy, palace, Prince, Prince Harry, Prince William, Princess, Princess Diana, Princess of Wales, royal, royal family, royalty, sights, sightseeing, stylist, tour, tourist, Trafalgar, travel, Travel blogger, UK, wardrobe

Photo op at Queen Victoria’s desk in Kensington Palace. On the desk are her diary notes from the day when she became Queen in this very Palace.

Tags: Britain, British, city, City Pass, desk, diary, England, Europe, garden, Great Britain, History, Kensington, Kensington Palace, King, London, London City Pass, monarchy, palace, pass, Prince, Prince Harry, Prince William, Princess, public, queen, Queen Victoria, royal, royal family, royalty, sights, sightseeing, tour, tourist, Trafalgar, travel, Travel blogger, UK

Loved loved loved the wallpaper drawings of Princess Diana in Kensington Palace where she lived. Her sons now live here with their families. This wall is hidden in a little hallway near the public bathroom.

Tags: Britain, British, Diana, drawing, England, Europe, garden, Great Britain, hallway, History, Kensington, Kensington Palace, London, monarchy, palace, Prince, Prince Harry, Prince William, Princess, Princess Diana, public, royal, royal family, royalty, sights, sightseeing, tour, tourist, Trafalgar, travel, Travel blogger, UK, wallpaper, whimsical

Picture yourself walking around in this gown. Queen Victoria did. She was much smaller than we think.

Tags: British, CostSaver, display, England, Europe, exhibit, garden, gown, Great Britain, History, Kensington, Kensington Palace, London, monarchy, palace, queen, Queen Victoria, royal, royalty, sights, sightseeing, tour, tourist, Trafalgar, travel, travelblogger, UK

Diana walked through these gates and in these gardens, and her gowns are displayed in an exhibit here. Oh yes, and famous Queen Victoria lived here too. Diana walked through these gates and in these gardens, and her gowns are displayed in an exhibit here. Oh yes, and famous Queen Victoria lived here too. Princes William and Harry have come back to live here – with memories of their Mom and Dad surrounding them.

Tags: Britain, castle, display, Europe, exhibit, exhibition, famous, garden, gate, gated, gown, Great Britain, Kensington, Kensington Palace, King, London, memory, palace, Prince, Prince Harry, Prince William, Princess, Princess Diana, queen, Queen Victoria, royal, royals, royalty, sights, sightseeing, tour, tourist, Trafalgar, travelblogger, U.K.

City cruises are part of the London City Pass. Nice to get off our feet and relax on the Thames and pass famous landmarks.

Tags: boat tour, city, City Pass, cruise, Europe, Great Britain, landmark, London, river, sights, sightseeing, St Paul's Cathedral, Thames, Thames River, tour, tourist, Trafalgar, travel, travelblogger, UK, water view

It’s special when we can get to view a play which was honored with a Tony nomination and garnered a Pulitzer Prize.  Glengarry Glen Ross, now playing at the Mainline Theatre (produced by Acts to Grind Theatre), shows off David Mamet’s ability to write profound dialogue.

This story highlights the cynical, difficult, pushy life of real estate salesmen in Chicago. I was not surprised to learn that the play is also often referred to as “Death of a Fuckin’ Salesman”, because it is notorious for its use of profanity. That hardly resonates in today’s foul language world – on the other hand, today’s politically correct society would flinch at the prejudice shown against East Indians and Polish people.

Mamet’s characters are drawn down and dirty as lying, backstabbing, double-dealing tricksters willing to toss out ethical principles to justify their work. Yet they really are passionate about selling, and especially enjoy the nitty gritty details of closing a deal.  One of Mamet’s goal in writing this play was to highlight the plight of so many people who go about their lives performing regular jobs yet often having to endure indignities while doing so.

Actor Zag Dorison (Shelly Levene) does an amazing job of making you feel his nervousness and despair; we twitch and pull on our lapels right along with him. Dorison, commenting on his character, “This play will always be relevant. There will always be those who exploit others and are out
for a buck at the expense of someone’s savings and dignity. Although the character of Shelly Levene is down on his luck, he believes that
it’s just a streak that will break; he had been a shark and wants to be one again. It is interesting that in spite of this, the audience still
sympathizes with him when his whole world comes crashing down upon him.”

Michael Aronovitch (George Aaronow),  Izak Benrobi (Ricky Roma) and Jake Caceres (Dave Moss) have all been cast well for their parts, and they make their distinctive personalities apparent. Bryan Libero (John Williamson) really makes you dislike him while the company man, Olivier Ross-Parent (Blake/Baylen) is properly detestable.  Davyn Ryall (James Lingk) does well as the meek patsy trying to get his money back.

Be prepared for Mamet’s long soliliquys for each of them – with the other salesmen there mostly as an audience for their rants.  Since this is a small theatre, you too feel as though you are right next to them in the room. Be careful though because as Levene says, these guys are so manipulative, they know how to sell you something you didn’t even want.

Location: MainLine Theatre, 3997 St-Laurent, 2nd floor
Dates: Presented in English: Wed-Sat Nov 7-10, 14, 15, 16, 17, at 8pm. Sun matinees Nov 11, 18, at 2 pm
Tickets: (Prices include taxes and service charge) $22 general admission; $20 Seniors; $18 Students
Tel: 514 849-3378
e-mail: boxoffice@montrealfringe.ca
www.mainlinetheatre.ca/en/spectacles/glengarry-glen-ross
youtu.be/kQOG32GINho
NOTE: mature language. Recommended ages 14+

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