Blogs from Southwark, Greater London, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Yesterday was my last day in London for awhile as I depart henceforth to Espana! Ay de mi que fabuloso, you might being saying to yourself. Maybe not. Regardless— Yesterday I went to the Tate Modern Art Museum and I can honestly say that it’s one of the most stimulating and beautifully presented collections I’ve seen while here. The space itself is reminiscent of an enormous warehouse, the entrance has a high ceiling tangled with intersecting metal supports. The walls of each floor offer a depiction of a timeline including artists and movements to contextualize the material and remind one of chronology. The place is all clean lines with personality instead of coolness and clever touches. In return for my coat at the coat check, I got a small metal tile with a number. How cool ... read more

I forgot to add our trip to the Imperial War Museum. Milo couldn't move in till 6 pm, we had some time to kill and took the tube over to super big guns, and air planes, submarines, and even trenches!! We both agreed our 30 minute trip could of been extended for a couple hours. Miles then also said that. "Now that is the way to do a museum." ...we are a little different.... read more

2/27/11- Today I was to excited to sleep, knowing I was attending my first football match in Europe. However after waking up at 630 and not being able to get back to sleep till 730 I woke up at 10. I showered and went in to the kitchen for breakfast. I made 2 eggs, 2 hash browns, 4 strips of bacon, a piece of toast, and baked beans. (customary for English breakfasts) It was a great breakfast, but I was off to the stadium. I rode the tube there taking the jubilee line but had to switch to hit upton park. As soon as I switched trains I noticed a different atmosphere. Everyone was wearing West Ham United colors and seemed excited about the upcoming event. I marched to the stadium side by side with ... read more

Day 2- The 27th, My second day in London and after almost 2 days of being awake I got some much needed rest. I slept very well in my quaint flat, but maybe that has something to do with how tired I was. I got up a little early and walked the area around the Mclaren House.(where I live) Im only about ten minutes from the Thames river and London eye. I am also very close to waterloo, Southwark, and elephant & castle tube stations so going place is very convenient. At ten o’clock I had to head to the ISA office which is just off Oxford Street. Anyone who has been to London knows about Oxford Street and its vast amounts of stores. At the office we went over orientation and rules and then had ... read more

Day 10-Today I went to Stratford upon Avon, it was awful because I had to wake at 7 am to make it to the tube station at 740. It didn’t help that my flat-mates through a flat party with around 70 people in attendance. I enjoyed it while I was still up but then as I was trying to fall asleep, it was a little to loud so I ended up staying up til 5 am. However, I made it to the tube station and fell asleep on the bus ride there. I could go on for days about the sites I saw at Stratford-upon-Avon, and it had double meaning for me since I am taking a Shakespeare class. It was interesting to see where the playwright grew up, went to school, and now where his ... read more

Day 12- This was the first time I experience the British heath care. I woke up feeling terrible, I could barely swallow. During the night I woke up several times soaked in sweat. I decided it was necessary to visit the doctor. I emailed my ISA advisor and she told me to call some places to see if they would take me. 3 places said no and when I was just about to break down she called and told me to go to one just down the street. I had to go to school and print something off first. This was not very fun since the computers took forever to start up and then I couldn’t figure out how to get the document to print. Finally, it worked but I was exhausted. I made my way ... read more

Day 1- On my plane ride here all I could do was imagine what London was going to be like, how it would impact my life after this semester was over. I kept looking at the screen that said how long until we would touch down. My excitement was finally fulfilled when I arrived in London Heathrow International airport. My only worry at this point was if I would find my program director. I opened the door just past customs and saw Maria waving here big red sign in the air. We greeted with a hug and she got me settled into a seat and handed me a big packet full of goodies and my first taste of London tea. I sat there for the better part of the next hour sipping my tea and examining ... read more