Over the first two weeks of school, the most important things I've learned is that the Tube never runs right if you're late, chips are French fries and crisps are chips, theatre isn't always entertaining (especially late on a Monday night) and don't be fooled by London maps, they're deceiving, everything is much closer than it seems.
We started week two with an indoor tour of Westminster Abbey which was absolutely amazing but wish we could have spent more time there. I also wish I could have taken pictures of the inside but of course, I wasn't allowed too. Half of the group didn't appreciate this experience at all, which was frustrating to me, but our prof didn't seem to notice. We had to make it back to AHA and we left slowly, not ready to leave this experience behind. I don't think that I'll spend 15 quid to get in again..
Graphic London had officially started and we began with Hawksmoor, a conspiracy theory book about the life of Nicholas Hawksmoor, a architect who built churches in London and the surrounding area. These churches are known for being a bit eerie, non conventional and unnerving to passerbys. We visited most of his churches during this week and during various other times during the term. They were amazing, and yes, most of them scare the bloody hell out of you, but nothing short of spectacular. I also discovered a large gravestone in remembrance of a bunch of Davidson's behind St George's, which wasn't as exciting..
This is also the week that we saw Midsummer, a modern day play that was absolutely hilarious but in a theatre that was in, well, the ghetto. We ate at the Chicken Cottage that night if it helps give you an idea of the area we were in..
That Friday of week two was jam packed for us, especially considering we don't have Friday classes so we're used to using that day to sleep in. We went to Hampton Court for the day, and while the place was beautiful, the weather was literally freezing. This was a palace that used to be owned by King Henry VIII, Tudor period king, that he used for entertaining his guests and also used for multiple honeymoon's. He had large kitchens that were used to not only cook a large amount of food for him, but also for about 600 people a day that came to visit or stay at the palace. Hampton Court was not in it's usual state because they were filming the next Sherlock Holmes movie so they had props all over the palace. They weren't filming the day we were there though, I wish they would have! After we had walked around the inside of the palace, we walked the grounds that were covered with wonderful gardens and funny shaped trees. We left somewhat early because we were all numb but stayed in London because we went to watch King Lear that night.
While King Lear is supposed to be a very sad and depressing play about insanity, death and sexuality, somehow Erin and I managed to make it a comedy. It was just one of those nights when everything was funny, mainly because Erin had the hiccups and kept making funny noises during the quiet part of the play. We couldn't really understand the actor playing Lear so it made the play that much worse. It was my first play that I didn't like, but had a feeling that it wouldn't be the last.
That weekend we didn't do anything too thrilling, went into Harrow, the neighbouring town and had a few pints. We've been laying low because exhaustion has sunk in. We also realized just how much alcohol costs over here.
In my last blog I forgot to write about meeting Nico and Tom to get my luggage back. Chloe, Leslie and I all meet them at a train station on the opposite side of London at a cheaper restaurant. We all had beer and burgers and deeply enjoyed each others company for the most of the night. So much in fact, we almost missed the last train home! Basically, I am so glad that I had the opportunity to meet this two quality guys, they truly are fantastic and I'm glad that I'll be able to come home with at least two English friends!
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