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Published: February 28th 2007
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Big Ben at Night
As tourists, we obviously had to take at least one picture in a red phone booth I absolutely cannot believe that I have been here for a month now. I guess time flies when you're having fun. Things are great, I've met a lot of new friends so far. Most are from the US, as that's where everyone on my floor is from. I now have some great friends from California, New York, Boston, Canada, and even new friends from right at home in Wisconsin. One of my flatemates moved out, and I have a new flat mate now from England which is really neat. Hopefully he can help us meet even more English People.
I would now consider myself pretty familiar with this city and think I'm doing a fairly decent job of fitting in. We've mastered the tube and I usually use it a couple times a day. I think I've seen every person imaginable in the underground, from hippies to business men, punk rockers to pregnant women with mohawks--this city is great for people watching. I think its impossible to get bored when their are so many interesting people to look at. The busses have been a little more difficult to figure out, since the routes are slightly more complicated than the underground.
Usually I only use the busses to get home after midnight when the tube is closed, I've memorized the 'N29' night bus, it has saved our lives on many ocasions! Walking in this city is entertainment in itself. Wherever I go, their are interesting stores, restaurants, anything to look at. Now I've become used to "looking right" when I cross the street vs. looking left in the united states. I'm still a little confused what side of the sidewalk people here walk on...some swear by the left, but most stay on the right. I just try to pretend that I know what I'm doing--unless I open my mouth and speak, nobody knows I'm an American, and it's worked out fine so far!
I've been taking advantage of seeing as many plays as I can here and trying to learn as much as I can from them. I've seen some really fantastic productions so far, and some that have been a little painful to sit through. Hopefully seeing all of these great actors and plays will help me in my career. I've gotten a lot of good ideas on techniques, acting styles, and ways to 'play' a scene. I've been
keeping track of everything I see so that I can continue to learn from it, and not feel like I'm wasting my money. (yes mom and dad, I too wonder how I can afford to see them all!) I just keep telling myself it's an investment in my future 😊
Some of my favorite things I've seen lately were Avenue Q (it was absolutely hilarious and a really entertaining time), Twelfth Night (an amazing production by an all-male cast that really put an ensemble aproach to the Shakespeare play, some really fantastic acting by young male actors), Equus (I did a project with this play last year in a class and need to see it. Not to mention it starred Richard Griffiths and Daniel Radcliffe. I was lucky enough to get autographs and pictures at the stage door. Peter Shaffer, the playwright was also there and I got to talk to him and take a picture with him!) I also went on a tour of the Globe Theatre last week.
More than anything, I think this experience is giving me a taste of what my future of living like a poor person will be like. If I am to
try to work in the arts, I know that I will probably be very very poor for a while, and now I know what that's like! London is an expensive place to be. People were serious when they said everything here is twice as expensive as I am used to and I never really believed them. They were right. I had a friend pay $14 for a drink at a bar one night. Some places charge as much as $9 for a beer! I've finally told myself that I can't keep stopping randomly at every coffee shop I see, I can't go to the theatre every single night, I can't waste food, and I can't buy the clothes I see in the store windows. Gee, when I get back to the states things will seem so inexpensive!!
SIDE NOTE: anyone who reads this and wants to send me money is more than welcome to, I take donations--just kidding--(unless you really want to!)
As you can see, London has been treating me very well, and I'm sure it will continue to so so for the next few months. I took a trip to Wales a few weeks ago, I'll
post pictures as soon as I get them. I also have plans to to to Paris in 2 weeks, so I'm sure I'll have lots to talk about. I hope where ever you are reading this you are doing well, and always keeping yourself happy!
geoff
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