The past two weeks have been the two of the quickest weeks
in my life. Not only that, but they also involved some of the best experiences
I’ve ever had. The conclusion of our London program brought us all to the sad
recognition of having one of the best summers yet. But before I get to the talk
of the end, I need to update on all I’ve done since Paris weekend.
After spending most of our time with London touristy things
sprinkled here and there while focusing on our abroad weekends, we finally got
to do all the things on our London checklist that we’d been missing out on. And
I can definitely tell you, London has an absolute infinite amount of things to
do, but we definitely conquered all we could with the time we had left.
Starting on the Monday we got back, my London as Arts
Capital Trip took a trip to this famous art auction called Christies, where we
got to see some of the most famous art work in the world, all for sale in their
auction. From the works they were auctioning on, I decided to go ahead a buy a
Roy Lichtenstein, an Andy Warhol, and an amazing Alexander Mcqueen gown, which
of course would only put a small dent in my wallet…
That night, America played their first game in the World Cup
against Ghana. The American Outlaws, who are the official American soccer team
follower group around the world, threw an American watch party at this pub
called Old Kings Head pub in London not far from our flats. We got to the pub
and it was fully packed with Americans all screaming and chanting for the US to
defy odds and make it out of the group of death, which we now know they did.
The atmosphere was electric and it was great to see US capture their first win
in these World Cup games with some great friends, all the while singing “God Bless
the USA” all the way home..
The next night was one of the most anticipated nights by
most of our group since the trip began. Lauren and another girl in the program
organized a 4 hour river cruise that took us up and down the Thames River on
Tuesday night. It was an amazing time filled with music, dancing, great views,
and even better friends. As our time in London was coming to an end, it was
exactly the thing we all needed to fully enjoy some of the time we had left as
a group.
If you asked Lauren and I what has been our favorite thing
since being in London, then we are most likely to say the food, because we
never seem to not find amazing food wherever we looked. This included four
little stands located in a Church courtyard that opened for lunch every single
day right outside our flats. Included in these stands was a falafel wrap
station, where you could get a generously sized falafel wrap for 3 pounds along
with countless falafel samples the guy willingly gave out. The wrap was
delicious, as just the picture is making my mouth water wanting to go back for
another.
That next day, a group of us did something after class a
little out of the ordinary. We went willingly to a bar that was 23 degrees
Fahrenheit inside. Paying for a ticket to IceBar London gives you entry into a
forty minute session at a bar completely constructed out of Ice. The ticket
includes getting to wear one of the eskimo capes and gloves, along with a free
refreshment of your choosing. Although freezing, it was definitely an experience
unlike any other.
On that Friday, my Arts Capital class went to the Royal
Academy, and I got my first experience at what became my favorite art museum
yet. The Academy was featuring a summer exhibition that included works from not
only famous artists, but also regular citizens that were chosen. The exhibition
was amazing as it showed such a variety of work, that everyone was able to find
something that they loved.
That night, most of the group ventured their way off to
numerous locations for the last weekend we had left, but as we had gone to
Paris last weekend, we decided to stay. Regardless, I didn’t want to waste my
last Friday in London just sitting around. So after grabbing another delicious
Indian dinner of 3 different types of curry from the weekend food market right
by our flats that we’ve come to love. Chris Bondi and I found online a free
comedy show to go to. After being hesitant of what we were about to see on the
way there, we were pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed ourselves. The
comedians were absolutely hilarious, and we were shown that a good time is
never hard to find in a place like London.
Waking up early the next day, Lauren and I finally did the
classic touristy London thing to do and go on the London Eye. The advantage to
going this late in our program is that we were able to see and point out all
the places that we knew and we were able to see just how much London had become
another home since our time being there.
After, we made our way over to one of my favorite parts of
London: Camden. Camden is a London borough and practically the whole little
town is a huge market. Featuring everything from clothes to home decorations to
amazing food vendors, this market literally has it all. Also located in Camden
is the number 1 fish and chips restaurant, and Lauren and I finally got to try
the English delicacy, which is one of my favorite dishes in the states. Poppies
was unbeatable though, and I’m not sure I’m going to be able to eat it in the
states without the painful reminder that it’s just not the same.
Coming back from Camden, we decided to take a final walk
around central London and get some last pics at some classic sites, which you
will probably recognize. That night we decided to participate in another pub
crawl around a part of London we hadn’t really experience: the younger, trendy
Shoreditch. What’s awesome about these pub crawls is that it takes you to these
random, little hole in the wall places that you would never think to go to, but
turn out being awesome times.
The next day Lauren and I slept in a little, but then
decided to treat ourselves to a good breakfast, and we went to a place called
My Old Dutch, where they serve these huge, very thin pancakes with about any
topping you could imagine. Lauren got a berry compote one, and I got a smoked
ham, sautéed apple, and cinnamon one. Delicious as always.
After, we took the train and ventured off to Windsor Castle,
where we had high tea with the Queen herself (well, we wish). But I did get to
get this pretty awesome selfie with a guard (bucket list, check!). We also
explored the little towns surrounding Windsor, and then made our way back to
Conway Hall to rest up for our last week in London, while also enjoying the US
game at the Old Kings Head pub once again.
On Monday, I started the day early as I normally do and went
on a run. I decided to go off of my normal London route though and use this run
as a site seeing tour. I ended up running to the Tower of London (where I got
another guard selfie!), the Shard, the Gherkin, and the oldest church in
London. Definitely a more enjoyable run than your average one.
Next, I got to visit the awesome Victoria and Albert museum
and see an exhibition there I had been highly anticipating: Italian Fashion.
The exhibition housed amazing clothes from every century since the start of the
fashion world and illustrated just how Italy influenced it all. Here are a
couple of my favorite pieces, including a suit worn by my man JFK. Next, I
ventured off to another market (can you tell I like markets?), the Covent
Garden Market, and got to enjoy one last cookie at the absolutely fantastic
Ben’s Cookies. YUM. After that, for our last British Moral Philosophy class our
teacher decided to treat us by taking us all to a local pub and buying the
first round of drinks for everyone (what a guy…).
The next day was the final day in the program, and after
enjoying some amazing views from my normal run route, Lauren and I had a picnic
in St. James Park while studying for our final later that day.
Most of the group left extremely early the next morning, but
with my fam coming to meet me and London to make our way to Barcelona, I had a
full day in England to do as I pleased. I got up early and made my way to
Wimbledon to see if I could get in and watch a match or two. After waiting an
extremely long four hours, I finally got a grounds ticket and got to go in to
watch a few matches and eat Strawberries and Cream on the famous Aorangi
Terrace. Going to the Wimbledon championships was something I never dreamed of
actually getting to do, and was well worth every minute I had to spend waiting.
I met my family that night, and after finally enjoying one last
English delicacy, a full English breakfast, we jetted off to Barcelona for a
week. Currently sitting on our terrace here, writing this, experiencing new
adventures to fill you in on in a weeks time.
One last London Cheers,
Elyse
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