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.