As of today I have been in London for exactly 8 days. It's kind of hard to believe that it was over a week ago that I was dragging my overweight suitcase up the 7 flights of stairs to my apartment. Ah, memories.
In that time, a lot of...a lot has happened. I've been eating & drinking my way around my neighborhood and the Central London area, wandering into huge stores, bonding over a love of cheese with my flatmates, discovering the tube isn't always terrifying and pondering whether or not it's normal for feet here to just constantly hurt. But I've also seen some truly incredible things (and watched a lot of Food Network UK with my flatmates).
One of the big attractions I got to spend quite a bit of time at was the British Museum. It's right around the corner from my apartment (which is wild) & I'm pretty sure it rivals the Met in size and the amount of things there are to look at. This week, my flatmates Paige & Colleen and I attempted the museum twice: our first go was a less than successful venture which included losing one another, a lack of UK phone numbers & the possibility that we all developed shin splints. The saga ended with us all meeting back at our apartment by some stroke of luck and an overwhelming feeling of defeat.
Our second time was much more organized: one of the most popular exhibits at the museum is Ancient Egypt & it's safe to say that we all became a little obsessed with the mummies and the hundreds teeny little artifacts they built, sculpted, and were buried with.
I think the most interesting thing about all of this (besides the fact that the Egyptians were so elaborate with any and all of their ceremonies), is that most of the items in the British Museum were stolen. Essentially, the British Museum is a glorified, beautiful pirate stash from hundreds of countries and cultures. Regardless, I can't wait to spend some of my free time wandering the different rooms. And also eating at the two different food trucks at either entrance.
Another night, our program set up a scavenger hunt in the most beautiful part of London that I had yet to see. We were sent off to wander towards Fleet Street (much safer than this makes it seem) past beautiful architecture and wrought iron gates in order to answer a number of British themed questions for a reward of tea and cake. Although our team (appropriately named "Morris The Dog" after our new Russel Square black lab friend) came in second to last, I still got to take part in a partial tradition.
The consensus on tea from a self proclaimed coffee snob? It's alright, but I was much more impressed by the Cadbury chocolate fingers.
I think my favorite activity this week, though, was the River Thames boat ride that University of Westminster hosted for international students. The boat set off just before sunset, which set the scene for some of the most lovely views I've ever seen: I got to see an in-person panorama of the London Eye on my left, and Big Ben on my right. Then, just as the clouds were turning a lovely purple & orange color, we turned and went towards Tower Bridge. I can't describe just how beautiful it was when the lights popped on, but it was almost like something clicked: this is my new city.
In that time, a lot of...a lot has happened. I've been eating & drinking my way around my neighborhood and the Central London area, wandering into huge stores, bonding over a love of cheese with my flatmates, discovering the tube isn't always terrifying and pondering whether or not it's normal for feet here to just constantly hurt. But I've also seen some truly incredible things (and watched a lot of Food Network UK with my flatmates).
One of the big attractions I got to spend quite a bit of time at was the British Museum. It's right around the corner from my apartment (which is wild) & I'm pretty sure it rivals the Met in size and the amount of things there are to look at. This week, my flatmates Paige & Colleen and I attempted the museum twice: our first go was a less than successful venture which included losing one another, a lack of UK phone numbers & the possibility that we all developed shin splints. The saga ended with us all meeting back at our apartment by some stroke of luck and an overwhelming feeling of defeat.
Our second time was much more organized: one of the most popular exhibits at the museum is Ancient Egypt & it's safe to say that we all became a little obsessed with the mummies and the hundreds teeny little artifacts they built, sculpted, and were buried with.
I think the most interesting thing about all of this (besides the fact that the Egyptians were so elaborate with any and all of their ceremonies), is that most of the items in the British Museum were stolen. Essentially, the British Museum is a glorified, beautiful pirate stash from hundreds of countries and cultures. Regardless, I can't wait to spend some of my free time wandering the different rooms. And also eating at the two different food trucks at either entrance.
Another night, our program set up a scavenger hunt in the most beautiful part of London that I had yet to see. We were sent off to wander towards Fleet Street (much safer than this makes it seem) past beautiful architecture and wrought iron gates in order to answer a number of British themed questions for a reward of tea and cake. Although our team (appropriately named "Morris The Dog" after our new Russel Square black lab friend) came in second to last, I still got to take part in a partial tradition.
The consensus on tea from a self proclaimed coffee snob? It's alright, but I was much more impressed by the Cadbury chocolate fingers.
I think my favorite activity this week, though, was the River Thames boat ride that University of Westminster hosted for international students. The boat set off just before sunset, which set the scene for some of the most lovely views I've ever seen: I got to see an in-person panorama of the London Eye on my left, and Big Ben on my right. Then, just as the clouds were turning a lovely purple & orange color, we turned and went towards Tower Bridge. I can't describe just how beautiful it was when the lights popped on, but it was almost like something clicked: this is my new city.
Amongst all the culture hoopla (I didn't even mention the bar where they played Bohemian Rhapsody & a Grease medley or Camden Market or the polo final where I wore a tartan blazer, ate brie, and pretended to be a lot more posh than I am) it's much too easy to forget that I actually have to attend University while I'm here.
Classes start tomorrow morning (next to the BBC Broadcasting House, mind you) and I'm scared and stressed but still excited to finally get to know some British students when they aren't belting out Taylor Swift songs after maybe one too many pints of cider. But after an apartment family dinner & checking my timetable probably one too many times, I've decided I'm ready. I've always loved the first day of school, after all.
Classes start tomorrow morning (next to the BBC Broadcasting House, mind you) and I'm scared and stressed but still excited to finally get to know some British students when they aren't belting out Taylor Swift songs after maybe one too many pints of cider. But after an apartment family dinner & checking my timetable probably one too many times, I've decided I'm ready. I've always loved the first day of school, after all.