Richard III

Of all the theatre performances I’ve been to for my Play Critique class, tonight’s was the one I was most excited about. After a wonderful Indian dinner at a little place near Waterloo, we headed to the Old Vic Theatre to see the production of Shakespeare’s Richard III starring Kevin Spacey and directed by Sam Mendes. I’ll admit I was a bit star-struck. I’ve been going on for days about how amazing Kevin Spacey is, so the opportunity to see a production firsthand promised to be incredible. And it was, well at least for the most part. We arrived on time and were promptly led to our seats, top balcony and as far to the stage as possible. In fact, we were so close to the edge of the stage (except many feet above) that we were seated almost directly behind a lighting scaffold. Though I was warned that our seats were not the best in the house, I had at least expected be able to see. Rather, we spent the first two hours craning our necks and teetering almost dangerously over the balcony railing to catch a glimpse of the action on stage. Richard III is one of Shakespeare’s most intense histories, depicting the story of the madman king who murdered his way to the throne. Kevin Spacey (at least from what we could see) dazzled in the role of the deformed and demented Richard. The performance itself took a modern turn, recalling the 1950s style of Sir Ian McKellan’s turn as the murderous monarch in the 1995 film. Aside from the awful seating arrangements, the only negative thing I can say about the play is the length. At three and a half hours, not even Kevin Spacey can keep things from dragging a bit.

Sophie and I at the Old Vic.

After the performance, Sophie and I headed to Covent Garden to meet up with our visitors form France (Lauren, Loren and Josh!) who are in town for the weekend. We had a quick drink before the pub closed and caught up on the last few weeks of our adventures. I think tomorrow we’re headed out to Hampton Court to see where King Henry VIII lived. Should be a good, but busy weekend :)

Being Shakespeare

I went to see the one man show “Being Shakespeare” at Trafalgar Studios tonight. It was required for my Shakepeare course and is the last play I have to attend alone, which is a nice relief. I was honestly expecting to be rather bored. We have already discussed Shakespeare’s history in my class and the idea of listening to one man talk for two straight hours is a bit off-putting, but I went anyways and actually found it rather enjoyable.

Trafalgar Studios (from far away).

The performance itself (by actor Simon Callow of “Four Weddings and a Funeral” fame) was a great mix of Shakespeare’s life and quotes from his work. As he spoke about Shakespeare’s time working as an actor, he quoted from “As You Like It,” as he discussed Shakespeare’s illness in old age, he quoted “King Lear,” etc. It was a surprisingly entertaining telling of information that I was already familiar with, plus a few interesting facts I was unaware of. All in all, I really enjoyed the performance including the ice cream at intermission. :)

Despite its entertaining appeal, I don’t think the performance did much to sway my opinion on the Shakespearean authorship debate. For those of you who shun all things Shakespeare as dense and overwrought (don’t worry, I was one of you once), the authorship debate is a currently raging disagreement among scholars regarding who the great Shakespeare truly was. Many of us were raised with the tale of the glove maker’s son from Stratford-upon-Avon who rose from actor to writer to theatre owner as all good working class heroes do. However, upon greater study it has been suggested that perhaps William Shakespeare from Stratford was simply the common man whose name happened to sound like the pen name for one of England’s greatest playwrights. These scholars, known as Oxfordians (versus Stratfordians, believe that the true talent behind Shakespeare is a man named Edward de Vere, the 17^th Earl of Oxford. Given Shakespeare’s unparalleled grasp on human interactions, especially among the nobility, it is argued that he must have been a member of Queen Elizabeth’s inner circle to have such knowledge. It is also stated that the settings of many of Shakespeare’s works, in Denmark, Italy, etc. are far too accurate depictions for a middle class man from Stratford to have dreamed up. As an Earl, Edward de Vere would have travelled extensively and would have the first hand knowledge of the inner workings of the Queen’s court. Perhaps the most convincing argument for Oxfordianism is the presence of Shakespeare from Stratford’s signature on legal documents from the time of his life. These signatures suggest that Shakespeare was barely literate, a trait expected of the glove maker’s son in a small village. Edward de Vere, on the other hand, was educated in the Queen’s household and graduated from Cambridge. It is suggested that he wrote under the pen name “Shakespeare” because his coat of arms features a shaking spear and writing was not seen as a respectable profession during his lifetime.

Either way you stand on the debate, it is certainly thought provoking. While I think everyone can agree that Shakespeare’s words, rather than his identity, is his true contribution to literature, it is interesting nonetheless.

If you want to read more about the authorship debate, there are some great articles surrounding it if you search “Shakespeare Authorship Debate.”

cheers,
kate.

Knightsbridge

Katie, Lauren, Michael and I ventured over to Knightsbridge today. The weather was absolutely perfect and walking down Brompton Road gave me the familiar sense of awe that I’ve often experienced in my adventures here. Though largely commercial, Knightsbridge maintains its historic ambiance with small sidewalk cafes and shops woven into perfectly maintained Victorian facades. The beautifully commanding buildings that house the Natural History Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum side by side were our destination for the day. The V&A was commissioned by Queen Victoria and PrinceAlbert (surprise!) as a collection of artifacts, art and design displayed in a building equally as striking as its possessions. It was a goal that more than succeeded. Walking into the museum, visitors are greeted by a grand entrance, topped by an enormous and elaborately decorated dome and hung with a modern glass chandelier. The collections arearranged by wing and include Greek and Roman sculpture, Asian artifacts, architectural models, elaborate silver relics, jewelry, and (my personal favorite) costumes from some of the most famous theater and musical productions in history. The V & A costume wing is one of its most notable collections and includes the costumes from the Broadway production of The Lion King, Mick Jagger and Elton John’s stage outfits, and Juliet’s dress from the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of the classic love story.

Victoria & Albert Museum

The ceramic stairwell inside the V&A.

After a long wander through the museum’s many wings, we headed to another imposing Victorian style building on Brompton Street – Harrods. The luxury department store is seven stories of designer clothes, shoes, luggage, home furnishings and more. It also features 30+ restaurants, from pizza to pate, and a gourmet food market. Needless to say, we walkedinto the store in absolute amazement at the sheer size and the formality of it all. We wandered around and drooled at a few things we knew we could never afford before stumbling upon something we could – the Harrod’s Chocolate Bar. Hidden deep inside the store, it was the best surprise yet. Between the four of us, we split the Harrod’s sundae, which included four scoops of ice cream, a brownie, a cookie, caramel, hot fudge and whipped cream. It was served in a bowl about the size of my head and was daunting, to say the least. Of course we polished it off in no time and left stuffed to the brim with deliciousness.

Harrod's on Brompton Street.

Ice cream sundae!

Harrod’s Chocolate Bar is a definite repeat.

cheers,
kate.

Tate Modern

We ventured out this morning to the Tate Modern Art Museum. After taking the classic tourist pictures by St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Millennium Bridge, we made our way into the converted power station that now serves as London’s center for modern art. Admission is free, which is nice because I’m not sure I would’ve paid to see it.

Entrance to the Tate Modern.

Favorites:

Floating staircase

Giant suspended electrical plug

Jackson Pollock

Mark Rothko exhibit

Not So Favorite:

Dead crows nailed to the wall (yes, real crows)

Giant pile of clay dripped in a corner

White fabric spread on the floor

White rocks arranged in a bullseye

cheers,
kate.

Hats Off to the Royal Ascot!

Today was perhaps my best London experience to date.

Thanks to the recommendations of some savvy Londoners, we snagged some tickets to the Royal Ascot horse races for a day trip outside of the city. Fortunately, we did some research before hand and discovered that the RoyalAscot has a dress code all its own. You remember those crazy hats the women wore to the royal wedding? Think that, but crazier. Feather fascinators (that’s the true technical name), balancing berets and perfectly polished top hats were everywhere, along with some unique creations meant to tease in the spirit of the event.

Royal Ascot hats!

With our own less ambitious headwear we headed to the races by train from London Waterloo station. It was amazing to see all of London turned out in their most posh ensembles for a day of horse racing and general revelry. The train to Ascot took us about an hour to the west of London, in which time I managed to spill coffee on my white dress and sufficiently succumb to the pre-Ascot blues. When we arrived on the packed train platform, the rainy weather did little to cheer me up and I was expecting the very least from this grand event (crazy how a little coffee stain can ruin my day eh?). We joined the crowds and began the slow procession towards the racetrack, dodging the rain and doing our best to avoid the mud. Upon arriving at the track itself, my whole perspective changed. We walked across a road bridge that overlooked the main street of the tiny town of Ascot. Picturesque in classic British style, the pubs and tiny hotels had their doors wide open to the crowds, despite the wine and the friendly, celebratory spirit was too much for my grumpiness. I soon found myself swept up in the spirit of the event (helped by some water to remove my coffee stain) and couldn’t wait to get inside the race enclosure and see what all the fuss was about.

Entrance to the Royal Ascot.

Our tickets were for the Silver Ring, the slightly less posh area reserved for those who weren’t willing to pay an arm and a leg for seats in the Grandstand and didn’t merit an invitation to the Royal Enclosure (where the Queen hangs out!). Within the ring, there are giant tents with a band, places to bet on the races, and loads of food and bar stands. It turns out the Silver Ring is where people go to get all dressed up and then get really, really drunk. Longhorns – think Round Up weekend with top hats and stiletto heels. People-watching was an absolute smash and certainly made for entertainment between the races, the actual day’s entertainment.

Inside the tents.

Despite the rain, we made our way through the mud to the edge of the track and snagged some front row spots right next to a lovely woman named Nora. Nora’s cousin was one of the jockeys racing in the day’s events, though she couldn’t remember his name or the race he was participating in… Nevertheless she loved her new American friends and helped explain some of the technicalities of the races. As the first group came around the bend I snapped a few pictures and before I knew it they were gone again! It was all very exciting, but very quick! We watched the finish of the race on a giant projection screen set up across from the tents and cheered appropriately as the victor was presented with his prize. Of course I knew nothing about the horses or their riders, so I pretty much just cheered no matter who won. A few people in our group placed bets, but after a several consecutive losses they decided to spend their money on drinks instead.

And they're off!

We spent the late afternoon under the cover of the food/drink tent chatting with a group of friendly British women. Our new best friend Nora was no where to be found, but Ann and her friends offered us some free snacks and tried to set us up with their 20 something-year-old sons. Apparently not everyone here hates the young Americans! Katie and Michael swapped email addresses with our lovely hosts and promised to keep in touch.

Katie and Michael with Nora!

Around five we decided to call it a day and headed back to the train. We slugged back through the rain and mud, laughing about the day’s events and hoping Nora would make it home okay.

The train ride reminded us how exhausted we really were and immediately everyone seated fell asleep. I kicked off my shoes and stood barefoot and sopping wet by the doors, counting the stops until we were home.

Queens, horses and crazy hats? Count me in.

I think horse racing is my new favorite sport.

Wearing my feather fascinator at the Royal Ascot!

cheers,
kate.

As You Like It

"All the worlds a stage, and all the men and women merely players."
-William Shakespeare

Tonight I found myself back at the Globe for a performance of Shakespeare’s comedy “As You Like It.” While I didn’t particularly like it, it was a good experience nonetheless. Perhaps if I had been more familiar with the text I would’ve enjoyed it more, but mostly I just found the whole performance rather confusing. Something about a boy dressing up as a girl and convincing the man she is in love with to woo her boyish alter ego? Okay Shakespeare…whatever fits your fancy. Aside from the convoluted plotline, I was rather confused by the Victorian style costuming and the use of an old fashioned camera in many of the scenes. While I agree that Shakespeare’s work has a certain timelessness, I don’t understand why a play performed in an Elizabethan style theater would not be designed in a coordinating style. But again, whatever fits your fancy. Most notable moments include the rain through the open roof of the theater and the official mutiny of my feet after standing for three and a half hours. I’ll probably reflect on this experience with more kindness when the hypothermia wears off and I can walk again…

St. Paul's at night from across the river.

cheers,
kate.

School for Scandal

Due to scheduling conflicts between my two courses, I ended up going to see School for Scandal alone at the Barbican Center. Aside from getting terribly lost trying to get there, I really didn’t mind being on my own. I’ve mastered the underground system and its pretty much common knowledge that I don’t play well in groups, so I enjoyed the opportunity to slip into the London population without an AMERICA sticker on my forehead.

Luckily I gave myself plenty of time to find the place and I arrived just in time for the doors to open.

The Barbican Center is the largest multi-arts venue in Europe, composed of a theater, a cinema, a gallery, an exhibition hall and several restaurants. The actual venue is mostly underground, which is surprising considering how enormous it seems. The Barbican is funded largely by the City of London as part of London’s arts promotion initiatives. So far, I’m a major fan of the focus England has on the arts, though I don’t pay the taxes that pay for them. I just reap the benefits.

Anyways, I got to my seat about 15 minutes before the real show started and thoroughly enjoyed the pre-show entertainment. Before the show started, the actors were all running around the stage, changing costumes and waving signs that stated lines from the show. At one point they actually came out into the audience and sat in empty seats. One of the actors came to sit next to me and we talked about Texas. It was only after he told me he was disappointed with my southern accent that I realized it was the actor who plays Dudley in the Harry Potter movies! I spent the rest of the play a bit star struck and thoroughly enjoyed the performance. School for Scandal was written in 1777 about a group of upper class people who spend their time gossiping and sneering at others. Despite its age, the play echoes some contemporary issues. The director highlighted this by mixing period appropriate costumes and sets with modern pieces, flashy lighting techniques and contemporary music.

Overall, much better than last week’s play. We’ll see what the rest of the class thinks when they go to see it tomorrow.

Worship at Westminster

It was another busy morning as we headed to Westminster Abbey in the rain. We were hoping to cheat the system and not have to pay 16 pounds to see the abbey by going to free worship on Sunday. Though our plan didn’t exactly work out (worship attendees are limited to certain areas of the abbey), it was incredible to experience a service in such a historic place. When the choir started singing I actually got goose bumps. It sounded more like a recording than real life. The service itself was almost entirely choral, with very little spoken worship. I spent most of the time listening to the music and staring in awe at the architecture around me. If a service at Westminster doesn’t convince you of the existence of a higher power, I don’t think anything will.

The west entrance of the abbey.

After the service we spent a bit of time walking around the nave, but the ushers soon hurried us on our way. I wanted to take a picture with one of the priests, but Sophie wouldn’t let me for fear I would embarrass her. So alas, I just took a creepy picture through the gates before we headed back to Thoresby in the rain.

Westminster preist.

Two things I've decided:
1. Westminster is definitely worth the investment to take the actual tour - I'm adding it to my list as we speak.
and 2. I went to church in the cold and rain. I should get good karma (or the Christian equivalent) for that.

Inscription at the worship entrance to Westminster.

cheers,
kate.

Happy Birthday Queen Elizabeth!

Despite a somewhat late night, we all woke up early to head to Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s Birthday celebration. Though the Queen's actual birthday is in April, the tradition is to celebrate it in June because the weather is better for outdoor events. As with all good birthday parties, the royal guard was out in all their livery. We snuck up to the front of the railing and got a pretty good view as the guard marched in. They all looked so spiffy in their bearskin hats and dress uniforms, arms swinging in unison.

Lots of marching.

We also had a great view of the horse guards as they lined up in front of the palace gates. One unfortunate member of the Blues and Royals had some trouble with his horse and was actually thrown to the ground. It was all very dramatic considering the rigid order of the rest of the ceremony, but no sooner was the rider standing up than he was back on his horse and marching into place.

Our view of the Horse Guards.

Soon after, the Queen made her grand appearance in an open top carriage, leading the procession of the royal family out of the gates and towards the ceremony grounds. We weren’t aware when we headed to the parade that the actual event (called the Trooping of the Colours) didn’t take place at Buckingham. So after all our effort, we saw the queen for a second and a half and that was all.

Creepers watching from the palace windows.

We decided not to wait another hour and a half for their return and instead headed to the nearest pub. Yes, at 10:30 a.m. Don’t worry mom, we only had snacks. After a plate of rather interesting nachos (apparently Doritos chips and aged cheddar = nachos), we headed back to the mall to see the Queen and the royal family gather on the balcony. Though we could barely see, it was totally worth it.

The Queen and fam.

I find the whole construct of the monarchy really fascinating. The fact that an entire country honors what is essentially a figurehead with little real political power is just baffling. Plus they are all so glamorous. What’s not to love? (not a real question, let’s not get political here). Following the parade, the news was all about Kate Middleton and how composed she was at the event. I get it, but shouldn't it be all about the Queen on her birthday?

cheers,
kate.

Oxford Circus

Circus is an accurate description. Sophie and I ventured into the shopping area at Oxford Circus today to do some (limited) damage and it was absolute chaos. We spent what seemed like an eternity wandering around the never-ending floors of TopShop and H&M. It never ceases to amaze me how many things they can cram into these stores. As soon as you think you’ve seen everything, you find another room chock full of merchandise. TopShop is so enormous that it has a hair salon, nail parlor and restaurant built inside. It’s insanity.

Neither Sophie nor I found anything in the TopShop madness, but we did find a few things at Zara to make the trip worthwhile. I also put a pair of boots on hold to go pick up tomorrow. Yay!

Everyone in London is super trendy, which seems easy because there are like a million different trends going on here right now. But no matter what I wear I still feel like I stick out. Maybe there’s something inherently American about the way I look? I’ll have to get that fixed soon!

Chicken Soup and Communism

Round two of my theater exposure for the week. I spent the evening with angry communists from the 50s in Arnold Wesker’s “Chicken Soup with Barley” at the Royal Court Theater in Chelsea. Known for its encouragement of young playwrights and edgy material, the Royal Court draws in some of the most controversial work on the London stage.

The Royal Court Theater.

Chicken Soup With Barley centers on a family of Jewish communists in East London before and after the war. Though I’m sure it was revolutionary at the time of its release (1958), I found it rather dull. Watching the disintegration of the family, which I presume was supposed to be a metaphor for the collapse of the communist movement, felt more like watching people yell and cry and make tea for three hours with no greater message.

Needless to say, not my favorite. We’ll see if the class discussion next Tuesday helps to improve my opinion or not.

Introduction to Shakespeare

Today was my first official day of my Shakespeare course. Last night's performance was quite a way to kick it off and we spent most of the session discussing the play. Fortunately and unfortunately, there is only one other student in the course with me. Though this means a lot of lively discussion and adaptable lessons, it also means that it's very obvious if I don't do my homework. Cross another few nights off my social calendar.

If this doesn't make me like Shakespeare, I don't know what will.

Alright Bill, show me what you've got.

Much Ado About Nothing

My feet are about to mutiny.

After a day of running all about, I found myself at the Globe Theater to see a performance of "Much Ado About Nothing" for my Shakespeare course. The Globe sits right on the riverbank, directly across from St. Paul’s and the Millennium Bridge and very close to its original location. Aside from its amazing view, the theater itself is quite remarkable. It’s built as historically accurate as possible with hand carved wood fixtures and replicas of the original decorations. To keep the experience authentic (and cheap) we had groundlings tickets, the standing room only area around the stage. While this seemed like a cool idea at first, it became more painful than interesting as the three and a half hour play progressed.

Inside the Globe Theater.

On a happier note, the play was wonderful. "Much Ado" is perhaps my favorite of Shakespeare’s works (certainly my favorite of the comedies) and I thought it was brilliantly executed by the lead actors. Beatrice and Benedick’s exchanges crackled with wit and chemistry, carrying the complex Elizabethan language with ease. As a hesitant Shakespeare fan, I was not expecting to enjoy the performance as much as I did. It was certainly a great way to kick off the class. Though I don’t think I’ll be kicking anything anytime soon. My feet would probably fall off with any more movement.

cheers,
kate.

Back to School

We woke up early this morning to go see the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Though I don’t really understand the purpose, the pomp is certainly interesting to see. The Queen’s guards wear these awesome bearskin hats. I would totally invest in one to wear to class in the winter.

Awesome bearskin hats. Being tourists.

Anyways, we arrived just after 11 a.m. and the place was alreadypacked for the 11:30 event. We took some tourist snapshots and huddled up to the gate to watch the presentation. At 11:30 on the spot, the marching began and the music picked up. Apparently, the music selection changes and we were treated to an ABBA medley to being the ceremony and a Michael Jackson mix to close. From what I could see through the gates, the guards did a bit of stomping, a bit of shouting and a lot of standing. At some point the guards were changed and the band and retiring officers marched back out through the mall, arms a-swinging in unison. It was very impressive, though again I don’t pretend to understand the significance.

Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.

After a quick trip to the palace, we jumped back on the tube to make it home in time for the first day of classes. I had Play Critique class at 1:30 and I barely made it back in time to grab a quick bite for lunch and then I was off to class. Luckily, this class meets in the basement of Thoresby house, so it takes about five seconds to get there.

The first class session went well. There are only three other students in my class, so any skimming on the reading will be hard to get away with. For the most part today we just introduced ourselves and then learned about the Arts Council, which provides funding for museums and theaters throughout England. Its an interesting concept, one that I plan to take full advantage of considering that it ensures free entry to the museums throughout London. For the rest of the course we'll be attending a variety of plays and discussing their relative merits. Should be interesting!

cheers,
kate.

A Day in the Park

Sophie and I decided to go on a park outing today, despite the grey weather. With a few Thoresby friends in tow, Sophie and I hopped on the tube and made our way to St. James Park. As we passed BuckinghamPalace we were caught up in the crowds, watching a procession leaving the palace gates. As the very kind British woman in front of us explained, it was a celebration of the Salvation Army Band’s 125^th anniversary. Representative bands from all over the world were parading through the mall in front of the palace all decked out in their uniforms. After the procession ended, we made our way across into St. JamesPark.

Salvation Army Band from America!

The ancient trees shade acres of lush lawns and gravel paths lined with benches. We grabbed some beverages at the coffee stand and set off for a stroll through the park on a lovely spring day.

Park adventures!

cheers,
kate.

The British Library

Sophie and I went to the British Library today. We had to register for permission to use the library resources. It’s a very strange process and I’m not entirely sure if I’ll ever use the library, but the archives there are incredible. Within the center of the building is a huge glass case, several stories tall that houses the oldest texts in the collection. The ground floor has a café that looks into the archives, so I may be spending a good deal of time there. I have no idea why, but I absolutely love old books. The way they look and smell and feel, so much sturdier than modern texts. You just know they’re a part of history themselves.

Anyways, I’m rambling. Here’s pictures! These were the only ones I could snag before I saw the “no photography allowed” signs.

The British Library entrance hall. Ooh ahhh.

cheers,
kate.

Classes & Camden

We headed to City University this morning to register for classes. Unfortunately, I can’t just spend the summer wandering around London all day and night, a fact I had forgotten temporarily. Registering for classes with only 12 other students was quite different than registration at UT. No registration times, nowaitlists, no waking up at 8 a.m. only to find out your classes are already closed. It was a nice change. After learning a few things about how the education system works here in the UK, we were able to pick up our syllabi and talk to our professors. British students don’t attend classes in the summer so our classes are just American students, but British lecturers teach our courses, which is pretty cool. I’m enrolled in an Introduction to Shakespeare class and Play Critique. I’m hoping both will count for course credit at home because the schedules and workloads are a bit more demanding than I was anticipating. I don’t know how I’m going to see London from behind all these books I’m supposed to be reading!

After course registration was finished, several of us ventured west of Islington to Camden Town. It’s an area known for its punk youth population and giant street market. Amy Winehouse is a famous resident of the area, if that gives you any sense of the place. The market is housed within the historic Camden stables so the stalls are built up around old brick columns and cobblestone alleys. It’s a pretty cool place. We browsed the markets many offerings, from vintage clothes to antique furniture to red leather combat boots, and then went to a food stall for lunch. As our program direct Daniel told us, “When in doubt, choose the place with the longest line” so we selected a Japanese stand that served something that was supposed to be Teriyaki chicken. Though I was a bit hesitant at first, the food turned out to be pretty good and for the price I really can’t complain.

Cool chandelier in the market.

Boys in Camden market.

My cool Camden hat.

cheers,

kate.

London Scavenger Hunt

As part of our orientation, Arcadia created a scavenger hunt for us to explore London. We were split into groups and given a litof tasks to accomplish at several London landmarks. After a quick pub lunch, we ventured off to find our first location. We were instructed to take the Tube (London Underground) to St. Paul’s Cathedral and find two installationsoutside that honour the Queen. Just aquick trip on the Northern Line and a change at Bank to the Central Line and we were there! St. Paul’s is a stunning building, its dome towering over the Themes river and the surrounding buildings. As we played tourist and snapped some photographs, we came across a statue in front of the main steps commemorating the Queen. Though I never found the second mention (maybe the rest of my group did?) I checked that one off and we set off.

St. Paul's Cathedral Statue of the Queen!

Since it was a beautiful day in London, we were all hesitant to immediately run back underground so we walked across the Millennium Bridge, which features St. Paul’s at one end and the Globe Theater and Tate Modern Museum at the other. The Millennium Bridge is famous in my mind for the scene in Harry Potter 6 where the death eaters destroy the bridge with their black smoke flying tricks. Obviously I relate everything here to Harry Potter whenever possible. To others I’m sure the bridge is notable for its modern architecture or something boring like that (just teasing).

Path to Millennium Bridge!

After trekking across the bridge, we walked along the south shore and gradually made our way to our next few stops. Our day’s adventures included a stop at 10 Downing Street (where Prime Minister David Cameron lives), the National Gallery, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, and Covent Garden. Our final stop landed us in Southbank to find the illusive “giraffe” which turned out to be a trendy restaurant overlooking the river. Though we didn’t stay, Southbank is definitely on my list to explore as well as several of the other venues we hunted for. The day was exhausting, but it was a great way to get our bearings in the big city.

Big Ben

cheers,
kate.

Thoresby

After a good night’s sleep at the Lime Tree, I woke up just in time to have some tea (so British!) and toast before check out. I ran a few errands and then hopped in a taxi and headed to my new home for the summer. Thoresby house is an international residence for students studying abroad with Arcadia’s College of Global Studies. It’s located in the borough of Islington, about half an hour north of central London.

Unfortunately, my taxi driver wasn’t sureexactly how to get here, so we took a bit of a round about route. We passed Buckingham Palace just as the Changing of the Guard ceremony was ending and the mall was absolutely packed with people. As we waited impatiently for them to clear the streets, a bus in front of us stopped next to the Royal Mews (the Queen’s Cavalry stables) and all the horse guards filed on board. They were dressed in their uniforms, complete with knee-high boots and shiny plate armor. As they boarded they all had to remove their hats because they have tall spikes on the top with giant tassels on the end and they couldn’t fit through the bus door. It was pretty cool to see, but the taxi driver was no help in figuring out where they were being bused off to.

The Life Guards, a branch of the Queen's cavalry.

When we finally arrived at Thoresby house the taxi driver promptly kicked me out and sped off. I think he was irritated at having to drive so far away during peak times, but oh well. I hauled my suitcase up the steps and was greeted by Nelson, our Resident Life Assistant for the summer. He graciously welcomed me and helped my get my bags up to my new digs. Unfortunately, there is no lift, so after three flights of stairs I was really grateful Nelson was there to help. Thoresby house has a big central staircase and the rooms are arranged in a square around it. Each floor has a shared lounge and kitchen, as well as bathrooms and showers and the rest of the square is made up of single and double occupancy rooms. They’re pretty basic dorm style. I share with Sophie and we each have a bed, a wardrobe, a desk with some shelves and a fridge. Nothing fancy, but for the next few months it’s home!

Thoresby house.

After settling in we took a trip to the local version of Target and a grocery store to get some supplies for the first few days. Argos, a.k.a. British Target, is a catalog store. Apparently since they are so limited on space in the city they have these types of stores all over. Basically, rather than having rows and rows of shelves with products lined up on them, they have several rows of tables with giant, thick catalogs for customers to look through. When you find the item you want and the color, you write a code down on a list and take it to the cashier. They enter your items and check the stock and then you pay for your items. Approximately eight minutes later your items are pulled from the warehouse, bagged and handed to you, simple as that. Cool concept, though very strange at first. Sophie and I decided on orange sheets for our bed because in the catalog they were described as "burnt orange." How fitting! Hook 'em! :)

cheers,
kate.

Across the Pond At Last!

After taking a rather odd route to get here, I am finally in the land of the Londoners! I arrived around 8 a.m. fresh-faced and beaming. Jokes. Limping along the jet bridge, sleep deprived and disheveled, I made my way through London Gatwick like a pro. After hauling 800 pounds of luggage around the terminals and on and off a train, I caught a cab to the quaintest hotel in London, the Lime Tree. Located in Belgravia, the hotel is just around the corner from Victoria Station and Buckingham Palace, so its the perfectplace to spend my first day. My tiny single room overlooks Ebury Street, which has apparently housed some notable Londoners over the years, including Alfred Tennyson, George Moore, Mozart and Michael Caine. The initial excitement of finally being herewore off quickly and I settled in for a nap around 11 a.m. Despite two alarms set for 1 p.m., I didn’t wake up until nearly 3. No sleep and transcontinental travel makes Kate a dull girl.

My tiny, but perfect room at the LimeTree! :)

After a refreshing, but far too short nap, I decided to grab a coffee at the local shop Costa and venture out into London. All the signs pointed towards Buckingham Palace, so I succumbed to the peer pressure and headed that way. The palace itself is absolutely enormous. Standing outside the gates and peering in, I felt like a bit of a creeper… but that’s nothing new.
I spent the rest of the afternoon reading on a bench in Hyde Park and enjoying the superb people watching available. Now I’m settled back into my hotel enjoying some Indian takeaway for dinner and watching a movie. Day one across the pond: success.

cheers,
kate.