TGIT- thank god its thursday!! I love having three day weekends there's less of a rush to get all of those little things done. It's been a pretty calm week over here ...kind of winding down from my trip to Florence but I did book a couple of trips this week. In October I am now going to Galway for a long weekend and GREECE! for a week..i'll be flying into Athens spending a day there- flying to Crete spending 5 days there flying back to Athens spending another day there and then flying back to London for Halloween. I found an all inclusive resort in Crete that is close to the airport and a big city and it's completely affordable me, Lauren, and our flatmate Emily are staying in a bungalo!
Interesting cultural divide I noticed this week: on Monday night I saw a play called Punk Rock by Simon Stephens with my theatre class. The preview read that the play dealt with violence within a school and sure enough the play ended with a school shooting. In our class discussion a few days later, we found that all of the American audience saw the ending coming some from the moment they read the preview. However, the British audience were entirely shocked and never thought it would happen. After Columbine and Virginia Tech, American students have come to associate school violence and misfit teenagers with guns and shootings. British students have not gone through these experiences and the overly cautious security that our schools went through after Columbine. Guns are also a lot harder to obtain in England, so the chances of a school shooting occuring are a lot slimmer.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to a weekend in London- Friday I think I'm going to a Blues Bar and Saturday I think I'm going to a 'posh' club! I'll be sure to update again at the end of the weekend!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
SIX.
FIRENZE!!
Florence, Italy may be the most beautiful city I've ever been to. Granted, I haven't been to many and I'm sure I'll say that about almost everywhere I go this semester but for now: it's number one.
Let's start from the very beginning of the trip. Our flight was scheduled to take off at 6:30 am so we called the shuttle company the night before and asked to be picked up at 3:45 am (yii
ikes) ...naturally they don't show until 4:30 and Lauren and I don't stop scolding our driver and glaring at him until he shaved off 20 minutes from the drive by risking all of our lives- hey, we had a plane to catch! It was way too much stress before sunrise, but it was all worth it. I was a little frustrated that I couldn't sleep on the flight but I'm so glad I didn't because flying over the alps was one of the most breathtaking sites. Our plane landed in pisa and from there we caught the train to florence. As Lauren, Mike and I were riding through the countryside I realized that- wow. I am actually in Italy right now. Whenever I've though about being able to travel throughout Europe it always seemed so distant and unattainable- and there I was living it out!
Once we arrived, we walked through Florence to our friends apartment where we dropped our bags, borrowed a map, and just started wandering. First order of business - food. We ate at a very small family restaurant and I had delicious risoto with vegetables and pino grigio. To bring the meal to a close we finished with cappaccino and tiramisu. I am not exaggerating when I say the tiramisu was so good it brought tears to Lauren's eyes. It could have also been the lack of sleep but we'll stick with the tiramisu for the sake of a good story.
After lunch we ventured to the Ponte Vecchio - the view from the bridge was absolutely stunning. We crossed and found ourselves in a lovely area with artists and great shopping. This is also where I had my first gelato - by recommendation of the woman working I had coconut chocolate gelato- delicious.
During our meandering about Florence we stumbled upon a carousel- and naturally Lauren and I dished up a euro fifty to ride- worth every cent. Because now I can say I rode a carousel in the middle of Florence.
Dinner that night was the highlight of my trip. We went to a very very small pizzaria reccommended by our friend Evan who spent last summer in Florence. There were only two men who were working - one making the pizza in front of you and the oth
er taking your order. Only the man making pizza spoke a tiny bit of english- which was enough for us to have a laugh or two with him when we sat down. The three of us ordered two pies and he joked that one was for Lauren and Mike and the other was just for me- I'll try not to read into why he chose me to have a whole pizza for myself...maybe he could just see me drooling. When he brought our pizzas to the table he placed the first one down in front of Lauren and Mike and then placed a heart shaped pizza in front of me! It was literally the best pizza I've ever had.
Obviously we had to follow pizza up with gelato- this time I had a scoop of nutella and a scoop of pistacio- probably the most phenomenal combination ever thought up.
Saturday we spend at the leather market where I bargained and got an italian leather purse, fulfilling my need to buy something authentic to keep from italy. We spent most of the day there and wandering about some more.
Saturday was Marissa's birthday- one of my friends studying in Florence- so a few of her friends had a room reserved at their favorite restaurant and we only had to pay for our entrees - the endelss wine and cheesecake dessert were on the house! The owner even brought over a bottle of champagne for Marissa!
After dinner we headed to the opening of a club where Marissa's friends reserved a VIP table- lucky life huh? It was quiet the experience. I also learned that italian men are much more forward than british men- yet not as forward as the albanians. You literally have to yell NO! in their faces and give them a death stare to get them to leave you alone!
All in all, Marissa had a fabulous birthday and I couldn't have asked for a better trip to Florence. I saw a ton of friends, ate the best food of my life, and learned a few key italian words.
Well, now I'm safe and back in my flat and have to face the music tomorrow back at school. Not that the music is all that bad because it's playing in London!
CIAO!!
Florence, Italy may be the most beautiful city I've ever been to. Granted, I haven't been to many and I'm sure I'll say that about almost everywhere I go this semester but for now: it's number one.
Let's start from the very beginning of the trip. Our flight was scheduled to take off at 6:30 am so we called the shuttle company the night before and asked to be picked up at 3:45 am (yii
ikes) ...naturally they don't show until 4:30 and Lauren and I don't stop scolding our driver and glaring at him until he shaved off 20 minutes from the drive by risking all of our lives- hey, we had a plane to catch! It was way too much stress before sunrise, but it was all worth it. I was a little frustrated that I couldn't sleep on the flight but I'm so glad I didn't because flying over the alps was one of the most breathtaking sites. Our plane landed in pisa and from there we caught the train to florence. As Lauren, Mike and I were riding through the countryside I realized that- wow. I am actually in Italy right now. Whenever I've though about being able to travel throughout Europe it always seemed so distant and unattainable- and there I was living it out!Once we arrived, we walked through Florence to our friends apartment where we dropped our bags, borrowed a map, and just started wandering. First order of business - food. We ate at a very small family restaurant and I had delicious risoto with vegetables and pino grigio. To bring the meal to a close we finished with cappaccino and tiramisu. I am not exaggerating when I say the tiramisu was so good it brought tears to Lauren's eyes. It could have also been the lack of sleep but we'll stick with the tiramisu for the sake of a good story.
After lunch we ventured to the Ponte Vecchio - the view from the bridge was absolutely stunning. We crossed and found ourselves in a lovely area with artists and great shopping. This is also where I had my first gelato - by recommendation of the woman working I had coconut chocolate gelato- delicious.
During our meandering about Florence we stumbled upon a carousel- and naturally Lauren and I dished up a euro fifty to ride- worth every cent. Because now I can say I rode a carousel in the middle of Florence.
Dinner that night was the highlight of my trip. We went to a very very small pizzaria reccommended by our friend Evan who spent last summer in Florence. There were only two men who were working - one making the pizza in front of you and the oth
er taking your order. Only the man making pizza spoke a tiny bit of english- which was enough for us to have a laugh or two with him when we sat down. The three of us ordered two pies and he joked that one was for Lauren and Mike and the other was just for me- I'll try not to read into why he chose me to have a whole pizza for myself...maybe he could just see me drooling. When he brought our pizzas to the table he placed the first one down in front of Lauren and Mike and then placed a heart shaped pizza in front of me! It was literally the best pizza I've ever had.Obviously we had to follow pizza up with gelato- this time I had a scoop of nutella and a scoop of pistacio- probably the most phenomenal combination ever thought up.
Saturday we spend at the leather market where I bargained and got an italian leather purse, fulfilling my need to buy something authentic to keep from italy. We spent most of the day there and wandering about some more.
Saturday was Marissa's birthday- one of my friends studying in Florence- so a few of her friends had a room reserved at their favorite restaurant and we only had to pay for our entrees - the endelss wine and cheesecake dessert were on the house! The owner even brought over a bottle of champagne for Marissa!
After dinner we headed to the opening of a club where Marissa's friends reserved a VIP table- lucky life huh? It was quiet the experience. I also learned that italian men are much more forward than british men- yet not as forward as the albanians. You literally have to yell NO! in their faces and give them a death stare to get them to leave you alone!
All in all, Marissa had a fabulous birthday and I couldn't have asked for a better trip to Florence. I saw a ton of friends, ate the best food of my life, and learned a few key italian words.
Well, now I'm safe and back in my flat and have to face the music tomorrow back at school. Not that the music is all that bad because it's playing in London!
CIAO!!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
FIVE.
So in t minus 8 hours I will be sitting on a plane on my way to Florence, Italy! I can't even begin to describe how excited I am to sit in a cafe having cappuccino and having authentic pizza and my first gelato. I can't think of a better place for my first big trip out of London- I get to visit good friends and see an absolutely beautiful city.
Fingers crossed that all goes well, aside from my foot injury which happened a few days ago- not really sure what is wrong maybe a stress fracture? All I know is it is no fun to walk- minor detail that I'm sure I can get past!
Oh- I did laundry!! I had a little help from Lauren and it took all day but it's done!! Our washing machine is a crazy contraption that is also a dryer and it doesn't ever dry in one cycle but I'm just happy because I have clean underwear for Florence!
I'll be sure to post all about Florence and include some pictures when I get back on Sunday!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
FOUR
Well, I had my first minor crisis since getting to London. Yesterday the bank called my house saying they thought there was fraud on my account, which my mom then took care of by clarifying that I am abroad. However, today my credit card was frozen for the same reason...presenting quiet an issue when I tried to book a flight to get to Oktoberfest and my card was declined! I called the bank and it has been taken care of - but it freaked me out for a minute or two there. Hopefully thats the last of my banking troubles but who knows with all this travelling I'm planning on doing!
This past weekend I started to explore a little more outside of the area I live and go to school in. I made a trip down to the tower of London, London Bridge, and I walked to the top of Tower Bridge. I love the old area of London down by the Thames river you can just tell that there is so much history there it's incredible. After the siteseeing we made a trip to the oldest pub in London- Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. It was definitely the coolest pub I've been in...it had a bunch of different levels and went about two floors underground. Its been preserved so well and being inside makes you feel like you're living in the times it was built in.
On Saturday I ventured out to Oxford and got to see the university, the castle, and the cathedral. It's amazing how old and beautiful all of those buildings and I can't even imagine going to school there - it seriously is Hogwarts.
Last night I went to Shakespeare's Globe theatre and was a "groundling" for the play 'As You Like It.' The play is a comedy and was definitely the most fun I've had seeing a Shakespeare play. The humor translated to the audience even though it was in olde english and the actors did such a great job of setting the scene since there are very few props and no backdrops or visuals.
Today I went with my English Architecture class to Westminster Abbey and the Banquet Hall. Westminster Abbey is the most decadent building I have ever been in. It blows my mind to think of all the time and money that has gone into creating it. I saw site such as Sir Issac Newton's tomb, Queen Elizabeth I and Mary I's tombs, where Winston Churchill was buried, and King Henry VII's tomb. It was almost eerie how close you can be to some of the most infamous and influential people in history. The Banquet Hall is this amazing building that was commissioned by King James I to host some of his parties and it's still rented out today for weddings parties and performances- obviously for a ridiculous price. It's also the place that Charles I was beheaded- so that was a little creepy.
I've finally started making food in my flat instead of eating out all the time so I can start saving my spending money for when I go on all these trips. Today I made sweet potato fries- delicious.
Still haven't mustered up the courage to try and figure out the washing machine- I can see this becoming a problem. I'll keep you all updated on this situation.
I hope everyone back home is doing well - I miss you all!
This past weekend I started to explore a little more outside of the area I live and go to school in. I made a trip down to the tower of London, London Bridge, and I walked to the top of Tower Bridge. I love the old area of London down by the Thames river you can just tell that there is so much history there it's incredible. After the siteseeing we made a trip to the oldest pub in London- Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. It was definitely the coolest pub I've been in...it had a bunch of different levels and went about two floors underground. Its been preserved so well and being inside makes you feel like you're living in the times it was built in.
On Saturday I ventured out to Oxford and got to see the university, the castle, and the cathedral. It's amazing how old and beautiful all of those buildings and I can't even imagine going to school there - it seriously is Hogwarts.
Last night I went to Shakespeare's Globe theatre and was a "groundling" for the play 'As You Like It.' The play is a comedy and was definitely the most fun I've had seeing a Shakespeare play. The humor translated to the audience even though it was in olde english and the actors did such a great job of setting the scene since there are very few props and no backdrops or visuals.
Today I went with my English Architecture class to Westminster Abbey and the Banquet Hall. Westminster Abbey is the most decadent building I have ever been in. It blows my mind to think of all the time and money that has gone into creating it. I saw site such as Sir Issac Newton's tomb, Queen Elizabeth I and Mary I's tombs, where Winston Churchill was buried, and King Henry VII's tomb. It was almost eerie how close you can be to some of the most infamous and influential people in history. The Banquet Hall is this amazing building that was commissioned by King James I to host some of his parties and it's still rented out today for weddings parties and performances- obviously for a ridiculous price. It's also the place that Charles I was beheaded- so that was a little creepy.
I've finally started making food in my flat instead of eating out all the time so I can start saving my spending money for when I go on all these trips. Today I made sweet potato fries- delicious.
Still haven't mustered up the courage to try and figure out the washing machine- I can see this becoming a problem. I'll keep you all updated on this situation.
I hope everyone back home is doing well - I miss you all!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
THREE.
So, it's been a week since I arrived in London and although it feels like I've been here for months there's still so much more for me to see! I've gotten a handle on the Underground but I'm still learning the whole bus system. "Time Out London" is officially my favorite magazine and if anyone ever comes to London pick up a copy of it as soon as possible- it's a life saver. Basically it lists all of the events and things to do or see in London in the upcoming week and it comes out on Wednesdays so it gives you time to plan out your weekend - the Brits know how to plan ahead!
Some of the highlights over the past couple of days have been:
Rockabilly Club
Saturday night at midnight this small venue turns into a Rockabilly club. I have to admit I was very skeptical about going to this but it ended up exceeding my expectations so much. Since it starts at midnight you have time to go to pubs or bars in the area until closing and then venture over the the club. At first, the club was not too lively but sure enough around 1:30 it became packed with a combination of all sorts of people my favorites were the guys dressed in 50's outfits. We danced into the am and I had my first ride on a London bus back to our flat.
Richmond Park
On Sunday, a few friends and I trekked out to the very south west edge of London to the area known as Richmond. If I had to compare Richmond to somew
here in the US it would be Cambridge, Mass. except its much better. It's the sort of area that really makes you feel like you're on the set of a movie with its cobblestone streets and boutiques and local pubs. We made our way over to Richmond park with a bag full of picnic supplies and set ourselves down in front of a small pond and enjoyed cous cous hummus naan and of course some rosé! It was almost too good to be true - but it was real! It was such a fun beautiful day and the perfect way to spend a Sunday.
Monday was the first day of classes- and although it didn't go all that smoothly I got through it! After revising my schedule my classes are now: London Theatre- Shock of the New, Marketing, Writers in Exile, and English Architecture. My architecture class alternates between a lecture and a visit to a historic building in London every other week, so this Monday I will be visiting Westminster Abbey! My theatre class also involves visits and the first one is to see 'As You Like It' at the Globe Theatre. I'd say my classes aren't looking to shabby this semester.
On Wednesday after class I went to Camdentown with a few friends to see what its infamous markets are all about. Now I understand the hype- it was incredible. it was just row after row after row of vendors selling clothes and bags and shoes and souvenirs all for good prices by London standards. As if all of the shopping wasn't enough there's an entire section dedicated to just stands with food from every culture you can think of...that definitely was not my last visit to Camdentown!
Regent's College doesn't have classes on Fridays so my weekend now starts at Thursday at 11 am. Rough, right? So yesterday after class I ventured down Baker Street into Oxford Circus and did a little shopping - it was
clearly out of necessity because I need to keep up with the London fashion! Thursday night myself and 9 other people from my building went to a pub in Piccadilly Circus called O'Neill's- so much fun. It was three floors the first was just strictly a bar, the second was a bar and a dj, and the third was a bar and a live band. We ended up on the third floor dancing to covers of the killers, kings of leon, lynard skynard, and tons of others. We had so so much fun and we met a lot of new people there!
Things to look forward to: trip to Buckingham palace, 'As You Like It', Westminster Abbey, Oktoberfest, and hopefully a visit to Florence!
Some of the highlights over the past couple of days have been:
Rockabilly Club
Saturday night at midnight this small venue turns into a Rockabilly club. I have to admit I was very skeptical about going to this but it ended up exceeding my expectations so much. Since it starts at midnight you have time to go to pubs or bars in the area until closing and then venture over the the club. At first, the club was not too lively but sure enough around 1:30 it became packed with a combination of all sorts of people my favorites were the guys dressed in 50's outfits. We danced into the am and I had my first ride on a London bus back to our flat.
Richmond Park
On Sunday, a few friends and I trekked out to the very south west edge of London to the area known as Richmond. If I had to compare Richmond to somew
here in the US it would be Cambridge, Mass. except its much better. It's the sort of area that really makes you feel like you're on the set of a movie with its cobblestone streets and boutiques and local pubs. We made our way over to Richmond park with a bag full of picnic supplies and set ourselves down in front of a small pond and enjoyed cous cous hummus naan and of course some rosé! It was almost too good to be true - but it was real! It was such a fun beautiful day and the perfect way to spend a Sunday.Monday was the first day of classes- and although it didn't go all that smoothly I got through it! After revising my schedule my classes are now: London Theatre- Shock of the New, Marketing, Writers in Exile, and English Architecture. My architecture class alternates between a lecture and a visit to a historic building in London every other week, so this Monday I will be visiting Westminster Abbey! My theatre class also involves visits and the first one is to see 'As You Like It' at the Globe Theatre. I'd say my classes aren't looking to shabby this semester.
On Wednesday after class I went to Camdentown with a few friends to see what its infamous markets are all about. Now I understand the hype- it was incredible. it was just row after row after row of vendors selling clothes and bags and shoes and souvenirs all for good prices by London standards. As if all of the shopping wasn't enough there's an entire section dedicated to just stands with food from every culture you can think of...that definitely was not my last visit to Camdentown!
Regent's College doesn't have classes on Fridays so my weekend now starts at Thursday at 11 am. Rough, right? So yesterday after class I ventured down Baker Street into Oxford Circus and did a little shopping - it was
clearly out of necessity because I need to keep up with the London fashion! Thursday night myself and 9 other people from my building went to a pub in Piccadilly Circus called O'Neill's- so much fun. It was three floors the first was just strictly a bar, the second was a bar and a dj, and the third was a bar and a live band. We ended up on the third floor dancing to covers of the killers, kings of leon, lynard skynard, and tons of others. We had so so much fun and we met a lot of new people there!Things to look forward to: trip to Buckingham palace, 'As You Like It', Westminster Abbey, Oktoberfest, and hopefully a visit to Florence!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
TWO
Well, I've touched down just fine over here in London and I have to say thank god for the British or my transition could have been quiet disastrous! I don't advise anyone to try to ride the London Underground from Heathrow airport to Regents Park with three bags of luggage on their first trip to the UK...there's a reason its called the Underground....and there are no lifts- only stairs. Needless to say, myself along with two of my friends Lin and Lauren looked like pathetic Americans about two hours into landing and needed the help of countless Brits to carry our luggage up the stairs. After a lot of blisters and sweat, we made it to Regents College and checked in. We were transported to our flats! and met our RA Solvi who's from Iceland. I'm living in a six person flat but there have only been four of us so far. Its great everyone is in a double with their own bathroom and we have a large living room and fully equipped kitchen complete with the coffee pot and bottle opener.
I didn't have much opportunity to explore London until today because of orientation events but today I ventured to Harrods (!!) and a few other stores. It was glorious and I now know where all of my money is going. SHOPPING. The neighborhood I live in is extremely close to a tube station which is convenient and we are in a sort of little india street - there are approximately 15 indian restaurants in a matter of two blocks....there's one right outside my window actually. There's also a pub on our corner which is a hot spot (along with every other pub) for business men after work which is fun to people watch from our window.
Classes start Monday which I'm looking forward to- its exhausting to fill an entire day without actually having anything to do!
Until next time,
CHEERS!
I didn't have much opportunity to explore London until today because of orientation events but today I ventured to Harrods (!!) and a few other stores. It was glorious and I now know where all of my money is going. SHOPPING. The neighborhood I live in is extremely close to a tube station which is convenient and we are in a sort of little india street - there are approximately 15 indian restaurants in a matter of two blocks....there's one right outside my window actually. There's also a pub on our corner which is a hot spot (along with every other pub) for business men after work which is fun to people watch from our window.
Classes start Monday which I'm looking forward to- its exhausting to fill an entire day without actually having anything to do!
Until next time,
CHEERS!
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