This and That

Well, I don't want to say I haven't done a lot recently, because I have, but maybe I'm getting used to seeing incredible things all the time. There are plenty of things I've been to and seen that I know I have to do or see again, so luckily I have time. I counted up the things I've done on my bucket list and I'm at 14/32 which is pretty impressive considering I've also done a bunch that wasn't on my list.

I'm going to highlight some of the things I did on my list. (and finally use some of the pictures I've taken!)

Houses of Parliament

Yes, we saw Big Ben and these things on the first day, but we didn't really get time to just walk around this area. The other day we decided to go to south bank and the Imperial War Museum. After making the trip we found out that it is unfortunately closed until July. Instead we decided to just take a walk. We walked from the Westminster to the Globe! Then, after discovering that the tube stations were closed for rail maintenance, we walked all the way back! It was A LOT of walking, but the scenery wasn't bad at all. (We got to see the London Eye up close.)

Tower of London

Yesterday, we attended an Anglican Church service in the chapel of St Peter at the Tower of London. The building was very cool (built in 1516, don't mind the city cranes in the back) and the choir was beautiful. Jane and Tim are experts at all this, they knew that it would be a good experience but that if you go to the church service you also get into the Tower for free. So instead of us all having to pay 14 pounds, we got in for free! We got to see the crown jewels and the armor of King Henry VIII in the White Tower built in the early 1000's (as well as the grass patch where some of his wives were beheaded). We also saw a changing of the Guard ceremony.

Trafalgar Square

Sunday evening there was a London Symphony Orchestra concert for free in Trafalgar Square. Here's a quick look from where we were sitting.

Luckily we made it when we did because it filled up SO fast, they closed the square off right after we got in. The Orchestra played for an hour and a half and even did this cool thing where they had the audience "play" along with them by putting "sheet music" up on the big screen and having everyone jingle their keys to create a rhythm that went along with Masks from Romeo and Juliet by Sergei Prokofiev.

(that is Nelson's Column, the LSO was under the white tent, incase it rained)

Bonus, on our way back from the concert, we found the TARDIS.

~Jamie

Bloody Awesome!

Squeamish people, look away now.

Today was our first trip to the Globe Theatre to see the blood filled revenge play Titus Andronicus. The only thing I kept hearing about this production was that it was causing the audience members to faint. I'm sure you can see why.

There was so much theatrical blood used in this show, I began to wonder strange things about it. Like, what does it taste like? (Multiple actors spit it out of their mouths) Does it stain? (Being on the front row, we were in the splash zone) Is it sticky? Hard to wash out of hair? Fragranced?

But I digress. 

Being in the globe was INCREDIBLE. Unfortunately because of designer rights, they wouldn't let us take any pictures (the one above is a media shot), but it was as beautiful and perfect as I imagined it to be. We got to the theatre early to line up because we were groundlings. All that means is that we didn't have seats, but rather stood in the pit between the stage and the bleachers. My guess is that the blood is gruesome, but standing for three hours and locking your knees will cause people to pass out too! Back in Shakespeare's day, you could be a groundling for a pence. Now-a-days it's the cool way to be right in the middle of the action.

The actors used the pit playing space many times. You really have to watch out for yourself when you stand down there. I almost got hit with sword sheaths, fake blood, spit, dead birds, and props various. I wouldn't have changed my spot for a seat though!

At one of the most brutal parts of the show, (pictured here)

just as Lavinia spits out a river of blood to signify her tongue had been cut out, the girl next to me went down like a domino. Sure enough, the ushers on the side put her feet up on the stage to elevate her feet, wheeled her a wheel chair, and as soon as she regained consciousness they took her outside. The actors just kept on the whole time.

Reading the play makes people wonder how such an incredible playwright like Shakespeare could have written such a mindlessly bloody play. To those people, I wish you could all have seen this production. (I'll admit, when I read it there were parts I thought were ridiculous and funny.) It seemed like they knew this full well because they played up the funny bits so you REALLY laughed, but suddenly would turn it all upside down and you were gasping in horror. 

I laughed so hard I snorted, I cried, I stood in the most horrific shock, the only thing I didn't do was pass out. It was the easiest three standing hours of my life. (I wonder if I'll feel that was during Antony and Cleopatra...)

~Jamie

The First Five

Well, I made it. And by not writing about my adventures every day, they have piled up. I keep telling my roommates that I feel like I'm on a one week vacation and I have to get EVERYTHING done as soon as possible. Of course that's not the case, but by treating it as such, I've seen and done bunches!

My first day (after sleeping for three hours on the plane ride because my neighbor decided to watch Anchorman 2 and was laughing the whole time), I arrived at LHR at 6:30 am to meet Tim and get my Oyster Card to ride the tube. I felt so ignorant on the train. I sat down and put my HUGE suitcase right in front of me before realizing ten minutes later I was supposed to put it by the door. Luckily with it being so early and not having to travel through the heart of London, no one was really on the train but me and a few businessmen. I got off at Gloucester Station as Tim told me, met up with Jane, and Mandy took me to the flat. 

I was the first roommate to check in so after unpacking and taking the bed of my choice (the top bunk obvs), I knew I needed to find something to do before jet lag hit me full force. Luckily, I didn't have to think too hard since I had made a list. ;) 

Kensington Gardens is literally right across the street to the north of our flat. I thought I would take a quick stroll for an hour tops before going back to the flat, but every time I walked towards something, something else would appear on the horizon and I knew I HAD to see that next. Eventually I ended up at the Italian Gardens, found a bench, and wrote in my journal. I then walked to Hyde Park, just south of Kensington Gardens, to visit the Princess of Wales Fountain. Long story short, I ended up walking around the parks for two and a half hours. 

When I went back to the flat, both Abby and Amanda were unpacking. When they finished, we went out to get lunch at Sandwich world and ate in the park (Kensington Gardens). Basically, Amanda and I stayed at the park until 5 to keep active and avoid feeling the exhaustion. At five we had a meeting with our RA and then Tim and Jane took us on a walking tour of Westminster. We saw the Houses of Parliament, the London eye, Westminster Abbey, Green and St. James Royal Parks, and even Buckingham Palace. We ended our trip at Fortnum and Mason. It was very fun, but too much walking when you're jet lagged!

Our second day, after sleeping 12 hours) Amanda and I went grocery shopping and then to brunch on our way to Little Venice for Canalway Cavalcade. I got some ice cream and flake (which tastes like whipped cream to me) and we saw all the decorated boats (we even watched a bit of a boat maneuvering competition.) Eventually, we made our way down to the more carnival side of the festival and watched a mime, who was great fun.

Monday we spent the whole day at Kew Gardens. I didn't know if it would be a long visit since I didn't know how large it was or how much there would be to do or see. Let me tell you. There is PLENTY to do and MORE THAN PLENTY to see. We spent two hours alone in the Kew Palace area. The whole place was incredible, especially for a flower lover like me!

Yesterday was our first day of class. We spent the whole class talking about contemporary drama since we had our first show today. Once class was over, Lizzie, Emma, Kaleigh and I went on a Sherlock geek round. We basically started at 221B Baker Street and took the circle line around London stopping at famous filming locations for the show including their version of 221B and St. Barts Hospital. We even saw the Sherlock phone booth where fans left messages to Sherlock and John and even Moriarty. It was mainly for after season 2, but since the release of season 3, most of the messages were funny quotes.

Today's adventures started with a trip to the Phoenix theatre to get student priced day tickets to Once (basically to get the cheapest seats for the night performance you go to the theatre the day of). The lady kindly informed us that they don't do student tickets, but we could get tickets for the near to back row of the balcony for 20 pounds. OR after apologizing that the front row was sold out, she told us we could get sixth row tickets for 25 pounds.

So, with our sixth row tickets in hand, we headed back through the tube to our first performance of the day. We attended The Believers at The Tricycle Theatre. It was a short 70 minute show with no intermission and we got to do a talk back with the actors afterwards. It was a pretty scary show. I read a review right before we went in that it was the scariest show since Woman in Black opened. We get to discuss it in class tomorrow, which I'm excited for because it was indeed scary, but it also didn't make a ton of sense.

After a short dinner break back at the flat, we headed back to the Phoenix for Once. We were a tad late for the pre-show, which was practically just an Irish rock concert and AWESOME (they also sold drinks on the stage / set bar)! The whole thing was just beautiful. All of the actors were fantastic including Arthur Darvil (naturally). I think Once may be my favorite musical I've ever seen live. I've been such a cheapskate this week, but as soon as the show was over (and I was almost done crying), I knew I had to buy a shirt or something. I ended up with a scarf. And I love it.

Heaven knows how many hours I spent on public transportation today. I'm exhausted! Class in the morning means bed for me now!

I'll try to keep up better.

~Jamie

1 Day to Go: The Iconic Image

Wow. I can't believe it's here. Tomorrow I leave for London! I have my commencement tonight and my flight tomorrow. It's really all happening quite quickly even though it didn't feel like it would 17 days ago. It's only the beginning though!

When you think of Paris, you think of the Eiffel Tower. When you think of London, you think of the clock tower and Big Ben. It's just a fact of life. Okay so if you've actually been to these places I suspect you may think of something different, but most of us live off what's on the shirts and bags and other merchandise they sell this side of the pond. I saved this one for the last day because it's the "iconic image" of London.

18/18: Elizabeth Tower / Big Ben & The Palace of Westminster / Houses of Parliament

While Big Ben is the name of the Bell, it's sometimes used as a nick name for the tower as well.

(If you see the London Eye in the background and wonder why on earth it wasn't on the countdown, just remember I like free things...)

Really, I could go on and on about the history of Westminster in general, but I'm content thinking about seeing it on Saturday <3

So, with that, I leave you! See you in London! (Or possibly the airport...)

~Jamie

2 Days to Go: Run Forrest, Run!

That's right folks, 2 days until I leave for London and today is almost over! I feel so unprepared even though I know I'm as prepared as I can be at this point. Anyway, today's post came as near the end as I could put it so I could change my mind if I chickened out.

17/18: Fulham Palace Parkrun 5k

Ever since I was in High School, I thought it would be a good habit to get into running. I thought I would like it and be good at it. I've been pretty much wrong about that. I even bought some nice Nike shoes to encourage me to go running. That didn't work too well. I have pretty crappy endurance. So, last year I made a goal to run a 5k. I didn't give myself a date to finish it by, but to run an official 5k and work up to a half marathon in Disneyland. I don't know about half marathons, but I thought I could make 5ks my thing. I even bought an app to help motivate me. It's called Zombies, Run! and it combines your music playlist with a story and zombie sounds (to help you run faster obviously). I have used it a wimpy 3 times. I know, I know. (It's a great app though, and I recommend it!) So what in the world is possessing me to put this on my countdown if I'm not really good at running? Well, for one thing, it's free. All you have to do is register online and bring your paper with your barcode so you can get an official time!

It happens every Saturday at 9am in Bishop's Park with an average of 150 runners every weekend! (so, low stress) Some people are competitive and run it to break records. I will obviously not be doing that. I wanted to sign up for a Disney run this fall, but alas, I don't have the money. I have to spend it on London stuff. (I'm not mad about that ;)

~Jamie

3 Days to Go: What Have I Done...

Well, I messed it up this time folks. Remember that night when I was exhausted from work and decided to change my post to Trafalgar Square because I "forgot" to put it on the countdown? Well, I must have been delusional because that was what today's post was supposed to be about. Yes, that's right, I have nothing to write about today except places I've already written about.

16/18: What I missed in Trafalgar Square and Little Venice

One of the reasons I was going to write about Trafalgar Square wasn't necessarily just for the art museum. Another thing I meant to write about was Nelson's Column. A 170 foot tall monument to one eyes, one armed, Admiral Horatio Nelson who died defeating Napoleon in the battle of Trafalgar. 

And did I mention there are four lion statues you can climb on...

I'm not going to lie though, I got that column mixed up with THIS column-

THIS column is THE Monument. THE monument to THE Great Fire of London in 1666. This column is 202 feet tall AND you can climb to the 311 steps to the top and look out over the city.

As far as Little Venice goes, I left out a HUGE thing! I love how stupid I was when I posted that picture and said that was all. (I don't love it, I love that I got a second chance to highlight the main reason I put it on my countdown!) 

Canalway Cavalcade. 

Every year Little Venice is home to festival called Canalway Cavalcade. And the dates? May 3rd-5th. Our first weekend, THIS WEEKEND. The festival has a pageant of boats, bands, trade stalls, competitions, dancers, food, everything a good festival has! AND it's my favorite word. FREE.

Aren't you glad I fixed my mistake? I sure am!

~Jamie

4 Days to Go: Going North: Part 2

This is part 2 of my travels outside my program abroad. This one is less certain since we don't have tickets, but plan on paying for and taking a bus while there. Nevertheless, I will try my best and will be sad if it doesn't happen.

This little (probably day) trip will happen on our "long weekend". Basically, there is a Monday where we don't have class nor a show to see and the Friday event is in the morning so we get three and a half days instead of two for a weekend. It's like a vacation from school, so I knew we HAD to do something spectacular. This is my choice.

15/18: Cardiff, Wales

Cardiff claims to have the largest concentration of Castles in the world, so there are plenty of historical sites to see. 

Then there's beautiful Cardiff Bay,

 next to which is Roald Dohl Pass with the Wales Millennium Center, a center for theaters, restaurants, shops, and museums.

 The pictures could go on forever, but here is why I wanted to go in the first place (before I found out about the castles).

Okay, so, I like Doctor Who. The Doctor Who Experience is more than a museum of tons of sets, props, and costumes, it's actually an experience. You go through an actual story and "adventure" before they let you into the interactive museum and (eventually) shop. I haven't done any research on the story (I like surprises), but just going to the exhibition that may close in 2017 is on my life bucket list, not just my Study Abroad to do list.

I think Cardiff is an all around wonderful choice for a quick holiday ;)

~Jamie