I can not believe I have already been here 0ver two weeks . The days go by so fast, all I can do is try to do something new each day. I have not updated this in several days for just that reason. On Tuesday, the art class went to see the Threepenny Opera at the National Theatre. It was hilarious, and surprisingly raunchy. I was most impressed by the diversity and inclusiveness of the show. Actors of all skin colors, heritage, and a particularly talented gentleman in a wheelchair. Love. Oh, and the vocalists blew my mind. I would definitely recommend this while in the city - tickets are only £15. On the following day we were able to tour Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It was an incredible feeling to walk in the footsteps of some of the best athletes in the world. I was very impressed by the sustainability and continued use of the park. All the structures are still being utilized and have a very small ecological footprint. After our tour of the park, we had the rest of the day to ourselves. A friend recommended Laduree, a place in Covent Garden famous for macaroons. So, I headed that way to eat macaroons, walk through markets, and explore the area (which is beautiful).
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7/5/2016 0 Comments Independence Day in London?Monday was the Fourth of July, and I'll admit I felt a little homesick thinking about missing out on traditions back home. Instead of dwelling, we decided to make the most of it. It was a classmates birthday, so we went to the top of the Shard (the tallest building in London) to celebrate. There are several restaurants about halfway up and the view is amazing. While beautiful, the cocktails are outrageously expensive and a little strange. My old fashion came with a leaf and sesame pancake that I was supposed to eat simultaneously. I do, however, think the view is worth it. It is certainly cheaper than paying the £25 to get to the top of the building, and you get a drink. Afterwards, we walked around in search for an open pub. No success. It turns out that almost everything in the city closes around 10-11pm. So, we headed to O'Neils in China Town, where you can find your typical American spending a Friday night, The bar played music from 70's rock to early 00's pop. Overall, a fun way to spend the Fourth in a country that, ironically, we are celebrating our independence from.
*Tea was not thrown in the river 7/2/2016 0 Comments British Summer TimeBritish Summer Time is several week long music festival in Hyde Park. I bought a one day ticket with a classmate to see Jamie xx, Kendrick Lamar, and Florence + the Machine. Hyde Park was beautiful and there was quite a bit to do for such a small venue plenty of food, beer, music, even swings! I was completely impressed by the main stage which was completely covered in leaves and the giant oak trees stood on either side. SO cool. Of course, the music was awesome too. It was great to finally see Florence - and in her hometown. It was an awesome festival and a perfect night for good music and new friends.
7/2/2016 0 Comments The Camden MarketToday I discovered Camden Town, one of my favorite areas of London thus far. The Camden Market is only a short tube ride away from my room and it did not disappoint. Quirky street performers, eccentric shops and artists, paddle boarding, good food, jewelry, books, cameras, clothes, etc., etc.
7/1/2016 0 Comments The British MuseumEarlier this morning, my class and I walked to the British Museum. At a mere fifteen minutes away from our classroom, the museum has one of the best collections in the world. A few highlights include the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles (from ancient Greece), Hoa Hakananai'a (an Easter Island statue), and the entire ancient Egyptian wing. The museum is also one of the largest buildings in Europe, so I was not able to see the entire collection quite yet. The good news: all London museums are free. So I will definitely be back. This visit was an assignment for my art class. While walking through the museum, I had to pick a specific item that interested me and then write a brief (400 word) description/background on it. I chose the Gayer-Anderson cat. It was created sometime around 600BC in ancient Egypt and probably represents the goddess Bastet in some way. I chose the cat because Egyptian history fascinates me and it stood out among the stone carvings surrounding it. After walking around longer than I planned on, I ate at the Museum Tavern across the street with a few classmates. I definitely recommend this combo if you love history and pub food.
6/26/2016 0 Comments Exploring the CityEarlier this morning, I set out with a classmate to get some tourism out of our system. We had yet to see the main sites: Big Ben, the London Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, etc. We walked around the city for hours, and once again I am amazed by the character and history of the land/structures. It is impossible to walk down a street and not pass something of historical significance. Here are a few of the highlights from today:
6/23/2016 0 Comments JFK to LHRGood news: I am writing this from my room in London. Bad news: the trip here did not exactly go smoothly. My flight left at 7:30pm from JFK. Considering the 8hr time change, I took a tylenol PM and sleep on the way as we landed in London just before 8:00am this morning (so weird). This also would have been ideal because, fun fact, flying makes me extremely anxious. Unfortunately, life happens and I couldn't sleep. On the bright side, delta offers free drinks, food, and movies. However, if that wasn't entertaining enough, there were HUGE thunderstorms coming into the UK and our plane was HIT BY LIGHTNING. So, I was certainly never bored; and it is astonishing what planes are built to withstand. When we did, of course, land safely, I then waited 2hrs to pass through customs. From there, central London is only a short Tube ride away! We were able to check into our rooms at the International Hall at 2:00pm, so I dropped off my luggage and walked around the Bloomsbury area for a few hours. Despite the storm, it is so beautiful here. I am in awe of the history that surrounds me, I can't wait to explore the city.
Tip: don't buy a drink at JFK without asking the price. I paid $2o for a bloody mary. |