Yesterday (Monday) I went on a tour of the National Theatre. It was so amazing to go behind the scenes to see the workshops, rehearsal spaces, backstage areas, and stage mechanics of this incredible building. There are three theatres within the NT: the Littleton (a traditional proscenium-arch stage), the Olivier (a thrust-stage, where the audience is 118degrees around the rounded stage), and the Cottsloe (a blackbox theatre, which can be turned into virtually any stage/audience configuration). When we went to see Danton's Death last week, it was in the Olivier Theatre; last night we saw The Habit of Art on the Littleton's stage. I could literally talk for hours about how beautiful the National Theatre is, but I will spare you the details that my theatre-geekiness is obsessing over. Moral of the story: I want to live and breathe this theatre.
Today we went on a walk with my "London: Biography of a City" class, where we explored "The City to the East" aka the 1-square mile that is the actual City of London. The City, as it's called, is the financial center of England, which includes important buildings such as the stock exchange building and the main building for the Bank of England. We saw the home of the Lord Mayor (who is different than the Mayor of London; the Lord Mayor presides over The City only, and the Mayor of London presides over the whole of Greater London), as well as lots of old churches both pre- and post-Blitz era. The highlight of the walk was at the end, when we got to The Monument, a large obelisk that was constructed in memorial of the Great Fire. We climbed up 300-some-odd steps on a spiral staircase to reach the top, and had an amazing view of London. (I'll post a picture of the monument when I'm back on my own computer and have access to pictures)
My Shakespeare teacher told us that there was a well-known study done to monitor what parts of a person's brain was engaged when certain materials are being read or learned by that person. For example, when a person was handed a history textbook, a certain part(s) of the brain would light up on the monitor; when they were then handed a fiction novel, a different part(s) of the brain would light up. This was tested on subject after subject in order to gather actual scientific data. The Fun Fact of the Day is that when a subject was handed Shakespeare to read, the entire brain would light up on the monitor, proving that your whole brain is engaged while reading Shakespeare.
About Me
- kaeline
- The adventure of my lifetime is finally here! I am spending a semester (3 1/2 months) studying in London, United Kingdom. Thanks for reading - I hope to keep my entries short, sweet, and interesting!!
Sunday September 19th: Church and Costco
Friday night turned out to be a pretty fun night out at the pub with some of my AHA classmates. Erin, Krista, and I walked to a pub called O'Neill's (a place that Erin and I had never been to, but one that our other friends were quite familiar with) and before we got in the door we were stopped by some English girls in their early 20s. They had heard our accent as we approached, and immediately wanted to get to know us - so we chatted with them, and once our other friends arrived, we all went inside and hung out together. The pub also had a live band, so it was quite a fun night out indeed.
Yesterday (Saturday) proved to be quite low-key, as Erin and I just slept in pretty late, then went a few blocks into town to meet some of our guy friends for a bit of shopping at the mall. We had a really late lunch, after which Erin and I wandered back toward home. She was starting to feel sick (slowly but surely each person in our program is getting a bit of a cold), so we retreated to our separate rooms, where she slept and I watched TV for the remainder of the evening. I know, so boring.
But TODAY was a very epic Sunday. I got up early (which is why I was fine being boring and having an early Saturday night) in order to go into town for mass at St. Paul's Cathedral. I met up with 4 other girls from my program, none of whom actively practice any specific religion, so it was a very nice to experience the service together. And the cathedral is beautiful - I can't wait for our class "field trip" to St. Paul's in a few weeks, when we can explore even further.
After church, on our tube ride home, we decided we would spend the afternoon locating, traveling to, and shopping at Costco. There are a couple Costcos in the greater London area, all far out in the suburbs, so we picked one to go to that seemed fairly close and easy to get to. It wasn't. After running into difficulty with Tube rail repairs (and closures), limited bus schedules (since it's a Sunday), and traveling out of our "zone" on our travel card, we FINALLY got to Costco, with only 1 hour of shopping time before it closed. As the crow flies, it was only 6 miles away from the house where we started; however, our trip took us 7 hours to get there, shop, and get home. But we stocked up on groceries (as many as we could carry, anyway, since we had to travel back on buses), so it was all worth it.
Today's Quote of the Day comes a conversation about culture, religion, and eduation I had with my host mum Saida: "If you want to help your people, educate them."
Yesterday (Saturday) proved to be quite low-key, as Erin and I just slept in pretty late, then went a few blocks into town to meet some of our guy friends for a bit of shopping at the mall. We had a really late lunch, after which Erin and I wandered back toward home. She was starting to feel sick (slowly but surely each person in our program is getting a bit of a cold), so we retreated to our separate rooms, where she slept and I watched TV for the remainder of the evening. I know, so boring.
But TODAY was a very epic Sunday. I got up early (which is why I was fine being boring and having an early Saturday night) in order to go into town for mass at St. Paul's Cathedral. I met up with 4 other girls from my program, none of whom actively practice any specific religion, so it was a very nice to experience the service together. And the cathedral is beautiful - I can't wait for our class "field trip" to St. Paul's in a few weeks, when we can explore even further.
After church, on our tube ride home, we decided we would spend the afternoon locating, traveling to, and shopping at Costco. There are a couple Costcos in the greater London area, all far out in the suburbs, so we picked one to go to that seemed fairly close and easy to get to. It wasn't. After running into difficulty with Tube rail repairs (and closures), limited bus schedules (since it's a Sunday), and traveling out of our "zone" on our travel card, we FINALLY got to Costco, with only 1 hour of shopping time before it closed. As the crow flies, it was only 6 miles away from the house where we started; however, our trip took us 7 hours to get there, shop, and get home. But we stocked up on groceries (as many as we could carry, anyway, since we had to travel back on buses), so it was all worth it.
Today's Quote of the Day comes a conversation about culture, religion, and eduation I had with my host mum Saida: "If you want to help your people, educate them."
Friday September 17th: No Class on Fridays! Ever!!
Yep, that's right: I will never have class on Fridays. We may have class excursions and things, such as our ramble through Hampstead Heath last week, but we will never have formal classes. This is designed so that we may travel freely on the weekends and have enough time to get to/from places without spending just one day in a location.
Yesterday morning we had a presentation from somebody with the Student Travel Advisory (STA) about plans for weekends and our week-long fall break. I am so excited to get planning! Erin and I are going to travel together for the fall break, but we have no idea where yet; any suggestions?!
Yesterday afternoon, after finishing classes around 2pm, my friend Marrissa (also a Puget Sound theatre major with me) and I decided to go on an adventure. My cousin Kathy gave me this really cool book called 24 Great Walks in London which outlines 24 different mini-adventures around the city, taking one through pockets of history tucked away in the cobblestone streets and old brick buildings. The choice for the day was "Jack the Ripper's Trail" and it was a great choice. We were guided by this book on a 1.5-mile walk around the East End, followed in the footsteps of the notorious serial killer, and witnessed sights such as where this murder took place, or that body was found, etc. It was kind of creepy - but so cool! Marrissa and I are already setting a date for another "24 Walks" adventure next week!
That's about all I have to update on this lazy Friday; tonight Erin and I are going out to a pub in Harrow with a few other friends from the program; they have all been to this one and know the manager and a server or two, but it's a new one for Erin and I. They have a live band playing tonight as well, so it should be fun!
Fun Fact/Quote of the Day: Theatre is so sacred and engrained into the mind of the English, that nobody (from critic to neighbor to spouse) will ever spoil the ending of any play to somebody else. A teacher of mine told us "One of the most closely guarded secrets in London is 'who did it' in The Mousetrap."
Answer to Yesterday's Riddle of the Day: Because they're all "streets" (like Fleet Street).
Yesterday morning we had a presentation from somebody with the Student Travel Advisory (STA) about plans for weekends and our week-long fall break. I am so excited to get planning! Erin and I are going to travel together for the fall break, but we have no idea where yet; any suggestions?!
Yesterday afternoon, after finishing classes around 2pm, my friend Marrissa (also a Puget Sound theatre major with me) and I decided to go on an adventure. My cousin Kathy gave me this really cool book called 24 Great Walks in London which outlines 24 different mini-adventures around the city, taking one through pockets of history tucked away in the cobblestone streets and old brick buildings. The choice for the day was "Jack the Ripper's Trail" and it was a great choice. We were guided by this book on a 1.5-mile walk around the East End, followed in the footsteps of the notorious serial killer, and witnessed sights such as where this murder took place, or that body was found, etc. It was kind of creepy - but so cool! Marrissa and I are already setting a date for another "24 Walks" adventure next week!
That's about all I have to update on this lazy Friday; tonight Erin and I are going out to a pub in Harrow with a few other friends from the program; they have all been to this one and know the manager and a server or two, but it's a new one for Erin and I. They have a live band playing tonight as well, so it should be fun!
Fun Fact/Quote of the Day: Theatre is so sacred and engrained into the mind of the English, that nobody (from critic to neighbor to spouse) will ever spoil the ending of any play to somebody else. A teacher of mine told us "One of the most closely guarded secrets in London is 'who did it' in The Mousetrap."
Answer to Yesterday's Riddle of the Day: Because they're all "streets" (like Fleet Street).
Wednesday September 15th: There is No Such Thing as Theatre Overload
Last night at the National Theatre, I saw a production of Danton's Death. It is a history play, written by Georg Buchner, which takes place during the French Revolution. More accurately, it is set during the Reign of Terror, when Robespierre (a power-hungry tyrant) arrested anybody - including friends and family members - who resisted his power and had them sentenced to death by guillotine. This play specifically looks at the arrest, trial, and execution of Georg Danton and his followers, who were at one point close friends with Robespierre. Anyway, the performance was very well done. I was just in awe at the designs - the set and light design were so simple but so beautiful, and the sound design was fantastic - and the acting was excellent. The copy of the script that we have is a different translation/version than the one we saw performed, so I'm anxious to read my copy and compare the two.
Tonight we went back to Shakespeare's Globe and saw Henry IV: Part 1. Yes, another history play - and yes, I enjoyed this one as well! Actually I was quite taken by the performance. I am familiar with the script, and there are many ways to play the main character Prince Hal (King Henry's first son and heir to the throne) and I was very impressed by this actor. The great comedic character John Falstaff makes his debut in this play, and he appears again in Henry IV: Part 2. Apparently the Queen was so taken by this laughable yet loveable character that she asked Shakespeare to write a play for her in which Falstaff has a love interest, and so The Merry Wives of Windsor was born! (That's the play we saw at the Globe last week.) I can't wait to discuss Henry IV: Part 1 in class tomorrow, and I am anxious to move on to Henry IV: Part 2. Moreover, I can't wait until we SEE Henry IV: Part 2, as the actors were absolutely stunning in Part 1 and they continue their same roles in Part 2.
Earlier today we went to the British Museum with my Britain Today class ... but we only saw a few rooms, and I will be back many many times (did you know the museums are free?!) so I will talk more about that museum at a later date.
Riddle of the Day: Why aren't there any roads in "The City" (the one-square mile block that is actually London)?
Tonight we went back to Shakespeare's Globe and saw Henry IV: Part 1. Yes, another history play - and yes, I enjoyed this one as well! Actually I was quite taken by the performance. I am familiar with the script, and there are many ways to play the main character Prince Hal (King Henry's first son and heir to the throne) and I was very impressed by this actor. The great comedic character John Falstaff makes his debut in this play, and he appears again in Henry IV: Part 2. Apparently the Queen was so taken by this laughable yet loveable character that she asked Shakespeare to write a play for her in which Falstaff has a love interest, and so The Merry Wives of Windsor was born! (That's the play we saw at the Globe last week.) I can't wait to discuss Henry IV: Part 1 in class tomorrow, and I am anxious to move on to Henry IV: Part 2. Moreover, I can't wait until we SEE Henry IV: Part 2, as the actors were absolutely stunning in Part 1 and they continue their same roles in Part 2.
Earlier today we went to the British Museum with my Britain Today class ... but we only saw a few rooms, and I will be back many many times (did you know the museums are free?!) so I will talk more about that museum at a later date.
Riddle of the Day: Why aren't there any roads in "The City" (the one-square mile block that is actually London)?
Tuesday September 14th: So Much is Happening!
When last I blogged, I was spending a quiet Saturday afternoon in the flat - now it seems as though everything is happening all at once! Lots to do, lots to see ... and lots to share!
I am feeling all better now, just a slightly stuffy nose, and on Saturday night I did manage to make it out with some friends. We went to Fabric, apparently the #2 dance club in the world. I have no idea what/where the #1 dance club is, or even what these rankings are based on, but Fabric is apparently #2. It was quite fun actually, and there were three different dance floors all with different themes of music and dancing, so it was a great first Saturday out.
Yesterday I had my first full day of classes - I begin Monday mornings at 9:30 in my Shakespeare class, sit through Britain Today, a weekly meeting, have a break, and then I have my Play class from 4-6pm. Whew! Counting the commute of at least 60 minutes between my flat in Harrow and our school in the Bloomsbury district, I am gone for nearly 12 hours on Mondays. Ah well, it's not like I don't have days like that back in Tacoma...
Today I went to the London Museum with my "London: Biography of a City" - such a cool museum. Yes, I did just say "cool museum" ... which is very odd coming from my, shall we say, non-History-oriented mind. But it was very interesting to watch the progression of the city of London from the Roman Empire all the way through the Great Fire (we're going back later in the term to see Great Fire through present day).
Tonight we're going to see Danton's Death at the National Theatre - I'm so excited to go to another play and another venue!!
Fun Fact of the Day: In Britain, no matter where you go, you cannot be more than 73 miles from the sea.
I am feeling all better now, just a slightly stuffy nose, and on Saturday night I did manage to make it out with some friends. We went to Fabric, apparently the #2 dance club in the world. I have no idea what/where the #1 dance club is, or even what these rankings are based on, but Fabric is apparently #2. It was quite fun actually, and there were three different dance floors all with different themes of music and dancing, so it was a great first Saturday out.
Yesterday I had my first full day of classes - I begin Monday mornings at 9:30 in my Shakespeare class, sit through Britain Today, a weekly meeting, have a break, and then I have my Play class from 4-6pm. Whew! Counting the commute of at least 60 minutes between my flat in Harrow and our school in the Bloomsbury district, I am gone for nearly 12 hours on Mondays. Ah well, it's not like I don't have days like that back in Tacoma...
Today I went to the London Museum with my "London: Biography of a City" - such a cool museum. Yes, I did just say "cool museum" ... which is very odd coming from my, shall we say, non-History-oriented mind. But it was very interesting to watch the progression of the city of London from the Roman Empire all the way through the Great Fire (we're going back later in the term to see Great Fire through present day).
Tonight we're going to see Danton's Death at the National Theatre - I'm so excited to go to another play and another venue!!
Fun Fact of the Day: In Britain, no matter where you go, you cannot be more than 73 miles from the sea.
Saturday September 11th: FINALLY Feeling Better!
It is Saturday afternoon, and after having spent the last 48 hours in the flat (except one school outing), I am FINALLY feeling better! I'm still taking it easy, so I did not join Erin in going to the Thames Festival this afternoon, but hopefully I'll feel up to going out to dinner with everybody tonight!
Yesterday, Martin (our program coordinator) took all 17 of us to Hampstead Heath, a large open-space park in the middle of Greater London, just north of The City. It was BEAUTIFUL there, and we got to see some amazing views of London, including the financial center skyline, the London Eye, and even St. Paul's Cathedral! Because it was a ramble (a "wandering stroll"), we just meandered around to various spots that Martin was familiar with. After walking for 3ish hours, however, we hadn't even come close to seeing the entire park! Perhaps Erin and I will venture back over there when we're up for a relaxing afternoon of wandering around.
Note-worthy experience yesterday: we rode one of those red double-decker buses for the first time! Also, I saw my first "Visitor Centre" sign of the trip ... but, sadly, we didn't actually go to it.
Not much to update other than that; as I said, I've been sitting in the flat for the last couple days. I think I'll spend this afternoon around the flat, and hopefully be all better by tomorrow so I can go into the city!
Fun Fact of the (Yester)Day: "Heath" is a general term for a wild, overgrown piece of land (like a park) ... not quite sure what the connection is to the candy bar.
Not-so-Fun Fact of the Day: Pandora (a free online radio service that I listen to regularly) is not accessible from the UK. Rude.
Note-worthy experience yesterday: we rode one of those red double-decker buses for the first time! Also, I saw my first "Visitor Centre" sign of the trip ... but, sadly, we didn't actually go to it.
Fun Fact of the (Yester)Day: "Heath" is a general term for a wild, overgrown piece of land (like a park) ... not quite sure what the connection is to the candy bar.
Not-so-Fun Fact of the Day: Pandora (a free online radio service that I listen to regularly) is not accessible from the UK. Rude.
Thursday September 9th: More than Just Homesick
I woke up this morning with an awful pain in my throat. Just as I was about to call out and ask my parents to bring me some medicine, I remembered where I was and that they are thousands of miles away :(
It was at this same moment that I realized I drifted off last night without fully setting my alarm - and I only had 10 minutes before I had to be at the Tube station!! I leaped out of bed, got dressed, ate breakfast, and gathered my things in record time. Luckily I made it to The Centre on time - today's schedule began with my first class on Shakespeare. As far as I can tell, my instructor Jean is crazy.
Between classes I ran to the pharmacy and had an experience that is truly the epitome of English hospitality: I had not taken my entire wallet with me, and I was £1 short when the pharmacist rang me up. Seeing my dilemma, instead of instructing me to put one of the medications back, she simply told me "Just bring it by whenever you can - no worries!" These people are truly kind, polite, and trusting.
After my second and last class of the day, London: Biography of a City with Keith Surridge (who apparently works with my host dad!), I went straight back to the flat to get some rest. And this is where I sit now: cozy on my bed, pumped full of decongestants, and looking forward to a long night's rest.
Tomorrow: Our class ramble (apparently, a "wandering stroll") through Hampstead Heath!
This Quote of the Day comes from my London Bio class: Apparently the Australians (derogatorily) think of England as "The only 3rd-world country where you can drink the water."
It was at this same moment that I realized I drifted off last night without fully setting my alarm - and I only had 10 minutes before I had to be at the Tube station!! I leaped out of bed, got dressed, ate breakfast, and gathered my things in record time. Luckily I made it to The Centre on time - today's schedule began with my first class on Shakespeare. As far as I can tell, my instructor Jean is crazy.
Between classes I ran to the pharmacy and had an experience that is truly the epitome of English hospitality: I had not taken my entire wallet with me, and I was £1 short when the pharmacist rang me up. Seeing my dilemma, instead of instructing me to put one of the medications back, she simply told me "Just bring it by whenever you can - no worries!" These people are truly kind, polite, and trusting.
After my second and last class of the day, London: Biography of a City with Keith Surridge (who apparently works with my host dad!), I went straight back to the flat to get some rest. And this is where I sit now: cozy on my bed, pumped full of decongestants, and looking forward to a long night's rest.
Tomorrow: Our class ramble (apparently, a "wandering stroll") through Hampstead Heath!
This Quote of the Day comes from my London Bio class: Apparently the Australians (derogatorily) think of England as "The only 3rd-world country where you can drink the water."
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