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Published: January 28th 2013
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The outside of Windsor Castle Hello again, everyone!
So last Thursday and yesterday (Sunday) were both milestones for me; Thursday marked my first full week in the UK, Sunday marked my first full week in my new home in the halls here. Yay!! I survived a week! The rest will all be a piece of cake.
On Saturday, as I mentioned in my last entry, there was a trip to Windsor Castle and Eton, put on by the organizers of the British Life and Culture class that I'll be taking while in school here.
The castle was BEAUTIFUL! I loved it. The insides were gorgeous, and though we couldn't take pictures (photography isn't allowed inside) I took maybe 100 photos of just the outside itself. I loved it! I also got postcards so I have some picture representation of the inside rooms/ state apartments. It was astounding to imagine that this gorgeous, historical castle is still in use today; that people still work and live there! Of course, the Queen goes there on weekends. From what I was told, I think she was there when we were! The flag was flying, anyway, so I assume that she was there.
One of my
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My super adorable salt and pepper shakers!! They're bulldogs, for those of you who can't tell favorite parts of the whole experience was seeing Queen Mary's dollhouse. It is incredible. Earlier this month I had the good fortune to be taken to a miniatures museum in Tucson, AZ, and this dollhouse simply dwarved even the most amazing works I saw at that museum (excuse the lame attempt at a pun). The craftsmanship and attention to detail was so amazing that I could have stood there looking at for well over an hour without losing interest. Sadly, however, there were many other things to see, so I didn't stand there for more than fifteen minutes (at most). Again, as with the rest of the coolest things there, photography wasn't allowed, so I can't prove I was there, or share the splendor, but the memory is fantastic.
Another part of the fun was the chapel at Winsdor Castle, St. George's Chapel. It is simply beautiful, is sutble splendor and a huge pipe organ that made me want to cry at its beauty. While I was visiting, and organist was playing it and I must have turned green with envy for being able to play an instrument that beautiful and that sonorous. However the thing that usually interests
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St. George's Chapel most people about this particular site is that King Henry VIII is buried there. One of my friends, whom is obsessed with him, told me that when she saw his grave, she had a moment with him. It's understandable. A place like that, with (the remains of ) people with that kind of notoriety can inspire moments that touch the soul.
Moving on, however, to the rest of the trip; after touring the castle and the grounds, my UK bestie and I decided to explore the town a bit. We both bought salt and pepper shakers, though I think mine are really adorable (see picture) and we also got to see a coffee shop housed in a crooked house. It reminded me of the Weasley's home, The Burrow (from the Harry Potter series). I don't have any pictures of it, but I'll ask my friend to send me her picture, and I'll upload it when I do.
After that, nothing much happened; we got onto the bus and both fell asleep on the hour-long ride back home to Kingston. The bus was notable; we got a double decker tour bus for the ride home!!! It was super exciting,
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The Round Tower, surrounded by its beautiful, fairy tale-esque garden and my bestie and I sat on the top level :D
Anyway; you're probable wondering about the "a lot of Shopping" bit in the title. That is simply because during this first week, there have been a lot of starting up costs for living here. For instance, I need simple pots and pans to use while I'm here in order to cook food; as well as food itself, not to mention a bunch of little things that are necessary for everyday, comfortable living, and that are not easily carried in a suitcase. Cups, plates, cutlery, pots, pans, a blanket to supplement my not-so-warm duvet (but hey, I won't complain; I got it for free from the residence halls), hangers for my closet, etc. etc. In order to aquire all this, I (and my UK bestie) went on about one or two shopping trips per day so that we wouldn't have to carry it all home in one go.
One thing about the carrying aspect of shopping: as an American, I never quite realized how much I rely on my car and how much easier it makes life. Shopping back home means going out, getting what you need, and when you have too much to carry, you go out to the parking lot, stuff it all in your car, and then continue shopping. Getting it all home is just as easy; you drive home and make a couple of trips from your car to your living room.
Here, however, you have to work! No more lazy driving around! No more glutting yourself on the fancy wares and such in shops! You have to carry ALL of it home, and your own two hands, arms, and maybe your back (if you were smart enough to bring a backpack), are all you have to take all your fancy new things home with you. And not only do you need to be able to carry it all, you have to make sure you can make it home with it all, be it walking or by bus, or by underground.
Overall, in just my first week, I've learned so many things, and seen many things, too. Who knows what I'll learn in the 18 more weeks to come?
Until next time
<3 Kelsey
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