It's a Break We Need

The week of March 18-23 was bittersweet for most of us here in London. Bitter because we packed up our rooms at the hostel we've been living in for two months and said goodbye to the friends we all had made, and sweet because we were about to begin our 10-day (which ended up only being 9) Coach Tour around the United Kingdom. 

To start off the week we had the pleasure of seeing Shakespeare's Winter's Tale preformed in Kingston by an all-male company on Tuesday night. First time I've ever seen a play acted out entirely by men, and I must admit, it wasn't much of a  distraction at all! Now you must remember that in Shakespeare's day everything would have been conducted in this manner as well, because women were not allowed to perform on stage. So it was eye-opening to watch a Shakespearian play acted out as it would have been in his day. On the other hand, it was three hours long! Yeah, I wasn't aware of this going into the theatre, and when it was 10:30 and the show had yet to end...well let's just say me eyes were beginning to glaze over. 

We left for our Coach Tour early Friday morning, but on Thursday night most of us went to an 8:00 p.m. (or 20:00 military time, because that's what the British use) showing of....The Hunger Games! Yes, even across the pond most of us couldn't resist the "next big craze". I think with the exception of a few students everyone in our group has read all three of the books. Not to mention that most of our conversations revolve around Hunger Game topics... who would actually survive in The Games, what character is each person, etc. It can get intense. Verdict on the movie? It's the same one I always have. The book is ALWAYS better. Nothing will ever compare or satisfy me. Now if I hadn't read the books (it's a stretch, I know) I would have thought it was a great movie. In the end I'm sure I'll end up buying all the movies.

Ok, off on The Coach Tour!

I can promise you, we did not look this happy after 9 days of sitting on a bus. 

Our first stop on the tour was Stratford-Upon-Avon. Ring any bells? Well for those of with no bells ringing, this is the home of Shakespeare. He was born in Stratford and lived there his whole life. He would commute from here to London, which is quite a journey during the 1600s. Upon our arrival in Stratford we visited Holy Trinity Church where his body lay. 

Boat names inspired by Shakespearian women (which perhaps are too small for you to read).

And William Shakespeare's grave.

Gah, it was really weird to be standing right in front of his grave like that. It was surreal. And I know that under all that concrete just lies the bones and dust of his body, but my mind thinks about the time when he was alive. And when he stood exactly where I stood hundreds of years ago, because that was his church where he attended services. And at one point his voice echoed and rang out amongst those four walls. It's a weird feeling. 

Later that night we saw another one of Shakespeare's plays, Twelfth Night. For those of you who don't know, She's the Man with Amanda Bynes is a modern day version of Twelfth Night. That was also weird; to be in Stratford watching one of Shakespeare's own works was craaaazy. 

That afternoon we went to Mary Arden's Farm, which is a working Tudor farm. Who is Mary Arden you ask? Well, she just happens to be Shakespeare's mummy. We saw sheep, horses, pigs, chickens, ducks, owls, and it was awesome. 

A cute little sheep

HAHAHA!

Ducky

Apothecary Room inside the Arden home

People were REALLY small back then.

Izzy the Barn Owl

Brennon, a European Owl

Yes, I held Brennon! He was a heavy little bird!

Needless to say, I'm all Shakespeare'd out.

Saturday morning we departed from Stratford and began our journey to York, but first we made a couple of stops. First, we stopped at Kenilworth Castle, where I enjoyed a game of tag with my friends on the castle grounds. The castle was basically in ruins, and the sun was shining so beautifully. It was really stunning. 

Kenilworth Castle

The castle garden.

Next, we made a short stop in Coventry, which was demolished in WWII from bombing. 

The Coventry Cathedral

Jenna, Lindsay, Anna and myself inside the ruins of the cathedral.

Our last stop before York was Stamford, which is a Medieval town. We were supposed to walk around the city and get a look at the architecture, you know stuff along those lines. Well, there was a carnival in town. So after taking a much needed bathroom break, we spent the rest of our time in Stamford eating carnival food (it's better in Texas), relaxing on the grass, eating ice cream (it's better in England), and, of course, I rode a carnival ride! Normally I stay away from carnival rides; they creep me out and scare me. BUT I couldn't pass up an opportunity to ride a creepy, scary, carnival ride in England! Did it, gave me a headache, yes I screamed the entire time, and now I never have to do it again. 

I have just given you a lot to process and read, so I'll leave you to it. Stay tuned for more though, because I've only just begun!

Gardens, Shows, Music and Time

I'm back! I know it's been a few weeks since I've written. It's like the past two months have been this trek up a mountain, and before I knew it everything snowballed. Momentum caught me unprepared! So let me catch you up.

After Paris, we had a week filled with all kinds of treats. I tagged along with Natural History class to Kew Gardens. Apparently it's older than America, and even though that's hard for me to fathom it's true. Being in Kew Gardens was a breath of fresh air. Literally and figuratively. It's located on the outskirts of London so we were away from the noise and hustle an bustle. All the flowers weren't quite in bloom yet, but it was still gorgeous, green and colorful.

At the top of the Rhizotron and Xstrata Treetop Walkway

The Japanese Garden

Syon Vista 

Swan love!

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights were busy! Hay Fever first, then Phantom of the Opera, concluded by the London Symphony Orchestra. Hay Fever is a comedy of embarrassment set in the 1920s about a dysfunctional and neurotic family. I absolutely loved it. The costume and stage design was gorgeous, and I was laughing the whole time. With Phantom I had no idea what to expect. I had seen the movie, but that felt like ages ago. And the show blew me away! The costume and stage design was so complex and intricate, the music was, well, spectacular. I mean there's a reason the show has been running continuously for over 25 years. But the voices were UNREAL. Singing is definitely something I wish the Lord had blessed me with. But He didn't, so I'll just have to settle with being envious of all the singers. The London Symphony Orchestra was great. Ok, well the symphony really isn't my thing, but I couldn't pass up an opportunity to hear and see one of the leading orchestra's in the world. What I was so amazed by was the conductor. The man who conducted the orchestra that night, Robin Ticciati, is under age 30! That is impressive. He is so young to have been standing before a packed audience conducting the LSO. 

Taken with the handy iPhone.

On Friday we went to Greenwich, which is a part of London, but also the home of the Prime Meridian and the Beginning of Time! It's where the Royal Observatory is located. I'll go ahead and tell you...Yes, I stood in two places at once! The Eastern and Western Hemispheres. 

Yep, that's the Prime Meridian Line!

Harrison's Fourth Timekeeper. One of the most important watches, because it solved the Longitude Problem. What that problem was, I can't say. 

View of The Queen's House from the Royal Observatory...where Anne of Denmark would stay.

I've gotten to the point where I feel like my brain is on overload with all the information and history. It's never ending! 

Foreign Affairs

This past weekend was the first time, since being in Europe, that I have felt like a foreigner. But before we go there, I'll give you a look into Hampton Court Palace, the home of the infamous Henry VIII. He's the one who broke away from the Pope, had eight wives and composed Greensleeves (a Christmas tune). 

Hampton Court Palace

Doubt these antlers adorned the walls when Henry was alive, but what do I know. 

Favorite part of HCP...the gardens. 

It was cool to see Hampton Court Palace, but the most beautiful part were the gardens in the back. It was like you see in movies with the perfectly symmetrical and sprawling garden situated in the back. 

The Great Vine. It's set some world record. 

It's really old.

So Whitney, Anna and I left straight from HCP to catch a train to Paris. We had friends from HPU going to Paris for a class. Our train was delayed about an hour and half, but we finally arrived around 10 on Friday. It was like the movies, people rushing around everywhere and then suddenly you see a face you recognize! Our friend, Jacee, and Dr. Carpenter met us at the train station, and it was so great to see them! We were reunited with our friends for just a short amount of time, and yes, we stayed up late both Friday and Saturday night talking and catching up. 

I mentioned earlier that I felt like a foreigner for the first time on this trip. Why? First, in France the language is French which I know absolutely none. Second, Paris is very different than London. And after experiencing another European city I kind feel like London is home. Paris is dirty, there is graffiti everywhere, it kind of smells, the people are a little hostile and I do not like their Metro system. I mean I had people giving me dirty looks on the Metro, and one guy even pushed me because he thought I was standing in his way. It was quite an experience. 

See what I mean about graffiti?

I did see Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower! Both of which I was not disappointed in! Beautiful, they were beautiful. 

Notre Dame

The Eiffel Tower, in all its glory!

HPU at the Eiffel Tower

Whitney and I woke up very early on Sunday morning to catch our train back to London (home). I had the privilege of sitting next to the most adorable English family on our way back. There was a mum and dad and four kids, two big sisters and two little brothers. Jimmy was 2 1/2, and he had me laughing the whole time! I know his age because at one point his mum asked him how old he was and he replied, "I'm 4 1/2." They all started laughing and saying, "No, Jimmy. You are 2 1/2." 

"I'm 4 1/2. I'm 4 1/2." You must imagine all of this being said in the most adorable English accent and with a few pieces of candy in the mouth (Jimmy was chewing some candy his mum had given him). Dad was quizzing his girls on The Titanic and caring for Jimmy (the baby brother), and Mum was passing out various snacks.  They were a lovely family, and that has really been the only time I've been able to see an English family. Not many kids in the city. 

So in conclusion, London > Paris. I love London. I'll be going to Barcelona later on. What shall I expect? 

Let's see the sights

Since I last blogged, I have ridden the London Eye, spent a day in Oxford, England, saw Wicked and sat in the most uncomfortable chair I've ever had the pleasure to sit in. Oh, and did I mention I was sitting in the chair while watching an opera? 

Ok, so I saw Wicked last Thursday night. Everyone was so excited for the show. I mean everyone dressed up for it...I didn't, but everyone else did. We had great seats. Probably the best seats we've had at any theatre production so far. Each song that was sung was punctuated by the deafening applause of the audience and the shrilling screams of the group of girls sitting behind our group. I had little knowledge of the play before going. The extent of my knowledge was Kristin Chenowith and Popular. Ultimately, it was an entertaining show. 

We had another day trip on Friday, and we went to Oxford! I was really super excited for this trip, really excited. I've always wanted to study at Oxford University. I mean I'm spending a semester studying in London, so I think I did alright. But Oxford is just Oxford. I think my absolute favorite part of the day was seeing a group of Oxford men walk by our group wearing their exam dress, which consists of a suit, black robes and a carnation pinned to the chest. 

Our tour guide was rocking the sandals & socks look.

Favorite mode of transportation 

I forgot the name of this building...it was something Camera.... 

Oxford University!! 1 of like a million different campuses :)

Dining Hall of Trinity College

Trinity College Rowing Graffiti 

And more

self-explanatory 

I have to give a shout-out to my dear friend, Makenzie! I told her I would think of her while I was in Oxford. Makenzie, I was thinking of you all day! 

A group of us rode the London Eye on Saturday evening around dusk. It was beautiful. But first we went to Kensington Gardens on another beautiful afternoon...so I was able to see more sun!!

The pond at Kensington Gardens

Anna and I

Now, for the London Eye. 

Lindsay, me, Anna and Jenna

St. James Park and Buckingham Palace

Big Ben and Parliament

worth it

I told you I would let you know whether Primrose Hill or the London Eye was better. Well, let's just say you must do both if you come to London. And if you have a fear of heights don't let that stop you. 

Went to the opera last night and saw The Tales of Hoffman. Good thing we had subtitles or else I would not have had a clue what was being said! It was really long, like three and a half hours, and the chairs were terribly uncomfortable. Also, it was meant to be a comedy and it kind of failed, in my opinion anyway. 

Monday night I was doing homework and happened to look out my window, and I saw the most beautiful sky! I wish I could have been able to see the rest of the sunset, but I'll have to wait until I'm home again to see that ;) I'll leave you with a photo of what I saw.