And A River Runs Through It

Today I walked along the River Thames. It was my homework assignment this week, so I had to do it! This is the kind of thing I am loving about studying in London. I do have to write a paper about it but...still, it's undeniably awesome. Anyway, I started walking with my flatmates Gwen and Rachel getting off at the Embankment Station and heading East toward Westminster. I am not a walker, I am a stroller. I am a certified lallygagger, especially when I have an excuse to dally and look and think about things (like doing fieldwork for my paper). So Gwen and Rachel ended up waiting for me a lot as I stopped to take pictures and watch the water. But they said they didn't mind cause they're dears. We then got on the tube at the Westminster station and took it to Kensington High Street, or is it High Street Kensington? There's both and I can never keep them straight, well... one of the two! I bought a hat, cause I some how forgot to pack one. It's purple, and adorable! It was only 5 lbs! Rachel and Gwen went back to the flat, but I when back to Westminster station to continue walking.

When I got there I crossed the street to get a closer look at Big Ben. It is BIG. They're not kidding. The sheer enormousness of the clock tower is enough shock a person to silence not to mention the beauty of the houses of Parliament with their arches and carvings. I did run into a rally for stopping the violence in Sri Lanka. It was really interesting, I read later online that there were over 50,000 people there!

I crossed the river on the Westminster bridge and walked past the London Eye and the National Theatre. I passed a lot street performers that were fun to watch and listen to. It started to get late so I crossed the Millennium Bridge to St. Paul's Cathedral and took the tube home - thoroughly tuckered.

Getting into the London Swing

I haven't forgotten about you! I've just been busy seeing this or that and really tired from all the walking. SO much walking, I've got blisters in the making... BUT classes started this week so things have been a bit hectic due to that as well. I went to see my first theatre production at the National Theatre tonight. I saw 'Every Good Boy Deserves Favor' which was very well done and a jolly good show! I went on my first architecture class along the Thames. Got my first glimpse of the London Eye, Tower Bridge and Big Ben (from a distance). Definitely going back for a closer look! This is just a short not to let you know what I've been up to overseas lately. As it is dreadfully late and I am horribly tired (after my pint of Guinness) I am now going to bed. I will post more details and some pictures from the last couple days on the morrow. Cheers!

A walk about

The past two days I've just been getting my bearings in London-the part where I live! Doing regular things like going to the grocery, getting something to eat or just taking a walk to see what's there. I really like my neighborhood, it's got all sorts of shops going north and more flats (apartments) going south. Last night I went to a pub for some grub with my flatmates. We went to "The Prince of Teck" and I got Fish n Chips and tea! They were delish! I even put vinegar on my chips (British style) and really liked it! I'm trying to eat as much truely British food as possible and stay away from US chains like starbucks, KFC and McDonalds (which are all on my street). I was hoping to go down to the cemetery today but I got sucked into a time vortex of trying to figure out my new cell phone...for which I think there is no help whatsoever... I was able to go to the phone shop and "top up" as the say or put more money on my plan but I can't for the life of me find out what my phone number is~ But I've been able to talk to Dad on Skype so I'm not totally cut off from home :)

I'm including some pictures of my garden (through my garden entrance) and some of the neat buildings that I past on way my down one side street or another. We found this stunning little old church on one street and the bell tolled as we walked by, it really made me feel like I was in England. Bells just sound better over here (probably because they are actually bells not recordings of bells on speakers like in the states!)!

I went to the grocery and picked up some breakfast things, some Wheatabix (a British cereal), tea, milk and a newspaper. I helped some foriegners (who didn't speak English) find the Pharmacy to buy a comb. I know I'm settling into a place when I can give someone else directions. I went by the Bakers Oven to grab a sausage roll for lunch and the chap behind the counter was very nice and asked me where I was from and why I was visiting London. Then he asked me if he could have my number because I was, "so beautiful!" But I told him I don't even know my number yet, so I couldn't give it to him (even if I'd wanted to). But it's nice to be asked anyway! We had a nice dinner with our teachers; Sara and Leslie and one of the house managers, Goron. They had all these sandwhiches (which in England are called Bloomers) for us. I had a Brie, grape and cranberry bloomer and a Wensleydale (cheese) and Carrot Chutney bloomer. Which were both very good, as well as some red wine (also good)! We all got to know each other and each teacher gave a little overview of their course and such. Our first class is Tuesday. And we go to see our first play Wednesday night at the National Theatre! Well, I should be getting to bed since I have to be up by ten to go out and get a tour of the neighorhood from Fabio and Goron!

Cheers!