Dover & Canterbury

We went on our first day trip today. Our first stop was Dover, which is found on the southern coast of the UK, and famous for the white cliffs overlooking the English Channel. Oh, and there's also the Dover Castle, no big deal. Our second stop was Canterbury. To be honest, I had no clue what we would do in Canterbury, because the only thing I associated with the town was Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. Ok, WOW... I was so wrong to think there wouldn't be much to see. The Canterbury Cathedral is there! Ok, even after we arrived and I saw the outside of the cathedral I still had no clue what I was about to learn. So, I'll go ahead and tell you now, the Canterbury Cathedral has been my absolute favorite place to visit since arriving in the UK. 

What amazes me the most about being in Europe is the ridiculous amount of history here!!! We just do not have that in America. I mean we are just over 200 years old as a country. We're young, and I've known that but it has become real to me after living here for just over a week. Our tour guide at the Canterbury Cathedral, Robert, made a comment concerning the issue of simply digging and building in England. He said, "You can't even dig a hole in your garden without city officials showing up telling you that you can't dig there!" Because there's a good chance you'll end up digging up a piece of Roman pavement or something insane like that! 

It was refreshing to finally get outside of the maze London is and see the breathtaking countryside! I have so missed seeing grass, hills and trees. Oh, it was gorgeous! We even saw sheep grazing on the hillsides! I felt like I would see Elizabeth Bennet walking in the distance. Alas, I did not. 

While at Dover we toured the secret wartime tunnels surrounding the castle. It was so interesting to learn the goings-on and ins and outs of the tunnels during WWII. The weather was sunny and clear, perfect for my first time seeing the white cliffs and the English Channel! Unfortunately, we were not able to go inside the castle, but the outside was sprawling and magnificent looking! I can just imagine the view of the countryside when the castle was first built. I would love to go back to Dover in the summer to explore the town (and castle) more!

The stairs at the Canterbury Cathedral are a clear indication of the age it is. Even for me, walking up and down the steps requires a degree of attention one usually doesn't need. They are incredibly smooth from millions of feet shuffling and stepping across them for centuries. Parts of every step are slightly caved in from the weight of time and bodies. There has always been some form of a "church" on the grounds where the cathedral is since 597AD... Yeah, just take that in. Now, most of the cathedral dates back to the 14th century. Some areas are older, some slightly younger. Before it was an Anglican church it was a monastery. We went down into The Crypt, dating back into the 11th century, where we saw faded and worn paintings in one of the chapels. These are the only remnants left of what the walls once looked like, because an archbishop (not sure which one) came along and had the walls stripped bare of the the vibrant paintings stating it was unsuitable for a place of worship. I was in awe of these paintings!! In this same chapel there was a stain glass window that went missing for 600 years after originally being in a chapel in Paris. Fifty or so years ago this wealthy art collector donated it to the chapel...after being missing for about 600 years!!!!! Lastly, in this same chapel, there was pagan art carved into one of the pillars left over from when it was a pagan place of worship. Robert said some believe it to be Aesop's Fables, but no one really knows. It was carved with a hand axe... Um, that was used BEFORE the chisel. Not to mention, it was carved by candlelight. It was so interesting to see this pagan artwork right in next to these faded paintings of biblical stories. I loved it! I learned who Archbishop Thomas Becket was and stood where he was murdered in the cathedral by four knights. If you don't know who Thomas Becket  is look him up. In fact, just go look up the Canterbury Cathedral! There's so much more than I could ever tell you :)

P.S. I apologize for the length of this entry... I couldn't help myself! 

One Week

Well, it's been a week and one day since my arrival in London. I'm beginning to recognize places and feel comfortable where I am. One thing that has been difficult adjusting to is the need to wear a coat just about all the time. It's essential to travel, obviously, because it's cold all the time. I almost don't feel the need to change clothes, because I have my coat on at all times! Alas, you must not worry. I will continue to put clean clothes on everyday. Apart from the coat issue I really have no complaints. 

I enjoyed my Charles Dickens class on Thursday very much. I feel so honored to be studying Dickens and his work in the city which he lived and wrote about 200 years after his birth. It's a privilege! My professor is engaging and laid-back, but this is what I have found to be true of all three of my British professors. Discussion is encouraged, and the attitude is that we all are in a position to learn from each other. 

On Wednesday night we went to the Lyric Theatre to see Lovesong, which was written by Abi Morgan. Morgan also wrote the screenplay for The Iron Lady starring Meryl Streep. It was a modern play with only 4 actors. There was a use of cinema and interpretive dance, and very clever and timely stage set-up. And of course, the show was moving. Mesmerizing is also a great word to describe it. I cried. In fact, most everyone in our group cried! Well, except the boys, naturally. It was very different from Shrek. 

Tomorrow, we are going on our first day-trip! We will be going to Dover and Canterbury!! The "white cliffs of Dover" I am so stoked to see! And who can forget Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. It's going to be an unforgettable day. 

Well, here I am today...at the famous King's Cross Station at Platform 9 3/4!!! Hogwarts here I come! 

The First Week of School

Well, school has finally started for me. I've had two full days of classes so far, and I am still patiently yet excitedly waiting to find what my Charles Dickens class will be like. I'll find out tomorrow morning. I made one class change. I dropped my Islam and the West class to pick up London Theatre, and after having the latter yesterday afternoon, I know I have made the right decision. On Monday we had a 5-hour British Life & Culture class. The first half consisted of walking around London, stopping at specific sights, being lectured to while at the sight and finally taking notes....and it was cold. The second half consisted of our professor, Mr. Rumbelow, showing us slides of London and quickly running through London's 2000-year history. Our walk was with his wife, Mrs. Rumbelow. My Archaeology class met for a brief hour to go over the syllabus. I'm excited to say that in this class we will be using every resource the city offers. We will spend lots of time in The British Museum and The British Library. And London Theatre met yesterday afternoon. Our professor is not actually a professor but a theatre critic. I am very excited for this class, not only because of all that I'll learn, but Ian, our "professor", was very funny and laid-back. Today, I have no classes. In the future I know this day will be used for reading my Dickens books, but today I'll probably ventured out into the city again.

P.S. My tube rally team placed 2nd!

Tube Rally

Today was Tube Rally day (a.k.a. scavenger hunt all of London using the Tube). Even though I feel like we easily walked 10 miles today, we were able to see some of the most famous and beautiful sights in London. It was a very long day! We began at 8 a.m., and my group arrived at the finish line at 3:32 p.m. with 28 minutes to spare. We were given a list of places to go, take pictures in front of and answer questions about specific things we saw. AND 1st, 2nd and 3rd place actually win prize money!! I'll let you know what place my group (the ThunderCats YEAH!) takes :) 

Places we traveled to:

Harrods: So huge! They have literally everything. Personal favorite, the amazing Confectionary Section!

Piccadilly Circus

Trafalgar Square: 188 days until the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics...that's what the Olympic countdown timer said today. So far this has been the most impressive square by far! It's so grand looking! Not to mention the National Portrait Gallery at one end and a beautiful view of Big Ben on the other.

Buckingham Palace: Classic.

Whitehall: I found out today this is the equivalent of the White House to us. It's where the Prime Minister lives.

Westminster Houses of Parliament: Breathtaking architecture! Standing in front of this massive building was overwhelming.

Jubilee Walkway: lots of street performers

Covent Gardens: used to be called "Convent Gardens" because the monks owned it!

British Museum: as I said before, so gigantic! I am so excited to actually spend time walking through all the galleries. 

Royal Court of Justice

St. Paul's Cathedral: this is where the Occupy London protesters are camped out. Witnessed a protester being interviewed by a London television news station. The church is absolutely beautiful, of course.

Here are a few pictures from the day! :)

Standing in front of Buckingham Palace, and yes, the Queen was in the house!

Found this little place today. There's a little bit of home everywhere :)

BIG BEN

Highlight from today:

While rushing onto the Tube (the beeping noise was going off indicating the doors were about to shut), Diana, a girl in our group, squeezed through in the last minute but her purse got caught in the doors!! Remember, this is very dangerous. Naturally Caleb, another group member, begins to pull and try to free her. The words that came from Diana: "Well, this is awkward."  Of course, I'm freaking out, because I know she is stuck, and I can't believe that's what she says! I'm thinking, "No, this is terrifying!" A few seconds later she is free from the doors, perfectly calm, and I'm laughing at her choice to deem the situation awkward. HAHA! I laughed the entire tube ride to our next stop! I'll have to remember that response IF I ever get caught in the tube doors :) 

Great day! Ended with a dinner of Fish & Chips.

home, sweet home

I'M HERE!! :)

It's the beginning of my second day in the new city. Yesterday was a very loooong day. We arrived at Heathrow airport around 10 and met with the larger London group. Rode a bus to our new home for three months and carried my luggage up three flights of stairs...well I only carried half of my things. Three flights is a long way for overweight luggage, so some of the guys were willing to help me. Very grateful for that!

The rest of the day was spent going over the semester, rules, and things to watch for. My major concern is trying not get hit by a car crossing the street! Remember, they drive on the left side of the road, which means now I must remember to look RIGHT before crossing the street. Plus, before a light turns green at a stoplight, they receive a yellow "get ready to go" light, meaning they are quick when it's time to go.

We drove by the British Museum on our way to the home. Gigantic is the first word that comes to mind. Very beautiful. I cannot wait to spend some class time in there!

Let's go!

Hello everyone!

I am excited to share this journey with you, and hopefully give you a taste of what it will be like studying in London for 3 months! 

This has always been a dream of mine, and in roughly 48 hours I will be in the London (which I have come to learn is the largest city in Europe...WOW). I can't even imagine all the wonderful things this city has to offer. But I'll be sure to let you know as I find out! :)

So what classes will I be taking?

Charles Dickens' London...hands down the class I am MOST excited for.

British Life & Culture...this one is a close 2nd.

Islam & the West...really intrigued by this class.

Archaeology & the Ancient Near East...I used to want to be an archaeologist, so this will be fun! 

When I think about living in London for three months I get so overwhelmed just by that thought alone, it's difficult to list expectations I have. I mean, of course, I want to see Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, The British Museum, maybe/hopefully meet the royal family...but I also want to see the "life" part of the city. I want to drink tea, go to the park for an afternoon and get lost in a book, have a favorite place to eat, and interact with true Londoners. 

So I guess I just want to immerse myself in the city. And that's where I'll start for now!

Guess I better get started packing! :)