Tuesday, January 19, 2010


Hello!

It has now been a week since I departed from the states, though it seems infinitely longer, as it feels like I have done a million things. In reality, I have barely scratched the surface of what London and Europe have to offer, and everyday brings new and exciting things to my life across the pond.

Here's a recap of what I've been up to:

1. Visited the Tower of London. As a self-described British history buff, especially regarding the monarchy, I was in nerd heaven. It takes an odd duck to get excited about seeing the Tower Green where Anne Boleyn was beheaded, but I was like an intoxicated MU student presented with a hot box of pokey sticks. That coupled with the crown jewels and the place where they found the bodies of the two princes in the tower and I was in history heaven.
2. Went to a London club, Zoo Bar. It might have been the 5-month-old American music, or the fact that I did my "Single Ladies" dance, but it didn't seem much different than what I'm used to in the states.
3. Partook in a Panoramic Bus Tour of London, where our guide Colin shared with us the many sights of London Town. All it did was make me feel that 3 1/2 months is going to be nowhere near enough time for me to see everything I need to see. Highlights of this tour included: Buckingham Palace, the West End, and the bank where they shoot the inside scenes of Gringotts bank for Harry Potter.
4. Possibly the most awe-inspiring experience I have ever had was attending a service last Sunday morning at Westminister Abbey. For a thousand years people have worshiped there including Charles Darwin and Sir Isaac Newton. I highly recommend going even if you aren't Episcopalian (Anglican), if simply to sample the architecture and hear the choir's voices soaring up among the rafters to the organ music.
5. At the bequest of my dear friend Miss Megan Ogar, I climbed to the top of Primrose Hill which offers not only the best view in London, but is featured in the animated classic "101 Dalmatians," when Pongo and Perdita are performing the twilight bark to alert the dogs of England of their missing puppies fate.
6. I attended the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. A hint if you ever intend to do this: Arrive early, and don't be afraid to use every single pushy, aggressive, obnoxious American stereotype to get pictures of the event. I wasn't afraid or ashamed, and I was victorious.

As you can see, I have been very busy seeing all the sights in my new home. However, yesterday I started classes and next week I will begin my internship, which will hinder my explorations a bit, though I am determined to keep sightseeing during the week. My classes seem very interesting; my professor for my British culture class even took us to the Victoria and Albert museum on the first day of class!

On Friday we are taking our first field trip to Bath and Stonehenge, and further in the future lies something even more exciting. A Harry Potter walking tour. Am I excited? Was that a rhetorical question? Will I finally get to push a cart through platforms 9 and 10? Stay tuned for further installments; I'm off to make a cup of tea.

Cheers!
Allison

2 comments:

  1. So exciting! Dinner tonight?! You forgot about our Indian adventure! Don't worry it's in my blog. And you even put our picture up! How sweet... brought a tear to my eye. lol :) Btw why won't my picture come up as a follower? I mean I know I have a profile picture! Sorry about the worthless post! See you soon!

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