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Published: November 30th 2008
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Where to begin?
There was sheer excitement on Wednesday evening at the castle, the night before we would all be heading off to the U.K., or the "Uk", as Gabe called it. It was a late night for all, and our room woke up at 7, doing some last minute packing and organizing of the area. We hurried down to breakfast, turned in our keys, and before we knew it, we were off on the bus to Airport Weeze (yes, Weeze) to begin our journey. The flight was awful, at least for me: we were tossed around like potatoes in the pithy little airplane, but we landed safely, and the lot of us rejoiced in finally being able to understand the airport signs.
After going through customs and passport control, we got on another bus, which would take us on a 2-hour ride until we would get to our destination, Russell Square. On our way, we passed Kings Cross, where the infamous Platform 9 3/4 resides (Nancy, that's for you! We didn't get a picture of it yet, but we're coming back to London, so be warned, everybody!). When we arrived at the hotel, we all wanted nothing more than
to sleep. However, at the same time, London, in all its glitz and size, beckoned. I had plans: I was going to see Chris and Andrew, two of the most amazing people ever, and Alysia was to accompany. However, as we sat munching our sandwiches, prior to meeting the guys, I noticed that Alysia's eyelids were a bit on the droopy side, so I gave her a pass. We were all really tired.
I met up with Chris and Andrew, and the pair brought me back to their adorable flat, and cooked me dinner and made me tea. The time was spent talking in various accents, devouring delicious peanut butter (Sainsbury's....mmmm), and watching episodes of 30 Rock. Great time spent with great people. I had to be on my way, however, so they escorted me to the Tube station, and a half hour later, I was in my bed at the hotel. I literally collapsed, thinking about all the wonderful things I would be doing tomorrow.
However, I was less than satisfied with what happened the following day. I was in a group that went to the modern buildings in London. Firstly, I am not the biggest fan of modern
The Gap
Mind it! art. Secondly, I'd never been to London. I wanted to see the staples: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, House of Parliament, etc. So, with all his gusto, Chester Lee could not convince me that the buildings we were looking at, which resembled giant eggs, were the most beautiful structures in London.
Determined to see what I had missed, I took the Tube with Ashley to Green Park, and happened upon other Emersonians queuing up in front of the palace. The coolest part? The Queen was in residence, and we saw her. Well, from a distance. There was some photoshoot going on in the inner courtyard, and there she was, head to foot in light purple. Apparently people saw Charles too. Apparently.
After our foray at Buckingham palace, which did NOT include funny photos with the guards (blast), Monty and I foraged for food at a little stand in the park. The food wasn't that bad, and we turned the corner to encounter Big Ben. Very cool.
The second half of the day, we went to the British Museum, which would have been interesting if the tour guide knew what he was doing. They make the mistake of bringing Dutch tour guides
to Britain. Can we not just have BRITISH tour guides? Anyway, the Rosetta Stone was in residence at the Museum, which was super cool, and after seeing that, the lot of us booked it back to the hotel to get ready for the opera we would be seeing that night. Elektra by Strauss? Meh. It was far too dissonant for most of us, and there was not break in the music. Just sung dialogue. No big aria where the singer shows their stuff. It was a 2 hour opera that seemed like an entire night.
Monty and I peaced from the group so I could see the West End, which was really cool: we also wanted to check on tickets for a show at Kevin Spacey's theater in London, The Old Vic. Apparently, students get 12 pound tickets. Sweet! With that precious info, we headed back to the hotel, and Alysia and I stayed up talking about our day until we both hit the pillow.
The second day was most definitely my favorite. It started with a tour of the Handel House Museum - real manuscripts of Messiah, Giulio, etc. Awesome. Along with a pretty pricey harpsichord. And a spinet.
I'd never seen one of those before: what weird instruments! Afterwards, we meandered along the streets until we happened upon Hyde Park, which is about half the size of Central Park. This was followed by a brief encounter in Harrods, which if any of you don't know, is A MILLION square feet. It's huge. Gabe, Kelsey, Noel and I happened upon a floor of PIANOS. They sell pianos at Harrods. And not just any pianos. These are made by Porcshe, Steinway, etc. Unbelievable amounts of money reside on that floor.
After that rather traumatizing experience, we headed to our meeting place in Trafalgar Square, went briefly to the Tate Modern, and then Monty, Taylor, Alysia, Lindsey, Christine and I saw Round and Round the Garden at The Old Vic. A show I'd never heard of, and so delightful to watch.
Alysia and I headed back, mainly because we seemed to be the only two who were tired. The next day proved to be a day of many landmarks. It started with a mass, in which Chris sang. The choir sounded beautiful, and it was a chance for my friends to hear him sing. We congratulated him afterwards, then headed over
to Shakespeare's Globe Theater! We took the tour, and Alysia, Monty and I were floored. It was cool to be in a place founded by like, the Great Great Great Grandfather of our profession. We weren't allowed to go on the stage, but I did touch it, and bought myself a Billy Shakespeare ornament.
After this, we headed to THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET. Well, just to Fleet Street actually, because Sweeney Todd doesn't actually exist. It was such a disgusting night, however, that we barely stayed on the street for longer than two minutes. Slightly disappointed, yet we managed to pass the church pictured many a time in "Mary Poppins" as the Bird Lady's lair. Oddly eerie, but beautiful.
So, now it was Sunday, and our excursions were starting to get very long in the tooth, mainly because the teachers we were with were trying to cram so much into every day. However, Monday was a respite day, because it was the day I would be seeing "August: Osage County", a play I had gotten tickets to for Christmas. The events of the day were not as bad as other events: we took a walking tour of Leiscester
London by Night
London Eye. Big Ben. Oh yes! :) Square, Soho, and Piccadilly Circus, stopping at landmarks where famous events in theater and music occurred: we saw the place where Hendrix played his last live show, and where the Beatles recorded "Hey Jude." The Beatles fans among us (of which I am one), had a mini freak out.
Alysia and I rushed back to the hotel after this tour, with barely any time to freshen up, had a quick dinner with the whole group, then we went to witness the beauty of "August: Osage County." I won't say anything about the show, for the fear that some of you might see it. It's definitely the best piece of theater I have ever seen, no questions whatsoever. Everything about it is perfect! The cast, the writing, the stage direction, the set...perfection. Everyone needs to see it before they die.
Our final day in London was too stressful to be enjoyed. We went to the British Library, which was endlessly awesome: original Bach, Beethoven, Mozart manuscripts, Beatles manuscripts, illuminated texts from the 1000s...but we were all too concerned about our travel plans that our group leader let us out early. Kelsey, Alysia and I met up for a quick lunch at
Handel Manuscript
Julius Ceasar. So cool. Pizza Hut (just a quick side note: Pizza Hut is CLASSY here. Full on sit-down restaurant), then we took the tube to Heathrow, boarded our flight to Ireland, and by 9 PM, we were in another country.
Ireland's blog will come tomorrow. London simply drained me. I think London is on par with Paris, though. It's one of those places that's just got something special about it. And the accents are always fun to mimic.
Love you.
Me
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Mr. Nice Guy
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Little Miss Busy Bee
You did all that in TWO days??!! Holy Moses no wonder you were tired. You showed great restraint in not making offcolor "Big Ben" jokes, which is strictly prohibited within city limits. Tis a shame ye didn't visit the Tower of London because you missed the Crown Jewels. (no joking about that either! or the tower, or the bridge, or the tube. Alright the bridge is okay if you can. That Gurkin building is just begging for rude comments. ) Oh hey! Can you bring me back a souvenir giant head sculpture? I want to set up a nativity scene on our front lawn and if I wrap it in swaddling clothes it would make a great baby Jesus. Thanks. TO-DO List for Ireland - Pint of Guinness - Clontarf or Middleton Irish Whiskey- straight up. Sooooooo smooth. Dear Pierre, I am not encouraging your child to drink. I firmly insist she spit it into the spitoon.