Top 10 Things I Love About London:
1) British accents: The novelty never gets old. You hear so many varieties of accents here, mostly from the UK, everywhere you go. Even the computerized voice on the Tube is British. The funniest thing is when you are walking somewhere and you see someone that looks intimidating, and then the second they open their mouth they just seem awesome to you.
2) Tea: I was not a tea fan before I got here, and I didn't have a proper cup of tea until like a month into my study abroad experience. But it is actually really good and perks you up! The British like to put milk in their tea, which makes it creamer and less bitter, so I think I'll probably start adopting that at home too.
3) The Tube: Public transportation is so easy here once you figure out the map. The Tube is the best place to people watch, because you see some real characters. During rush hour it can get a bit mad, but if you use it during an off hour it's kind of fun as long as it's not too hot underground. Plus, I love hearing people ask me to "mind the gap" every day.
4) Architecture: Everything is beautiful here, even grocery stores, because everything is housed in old buildings. There is a lot of modern architecture too, but I love the historic buildings that have detailed molding and big windows the most. There are so many small, winding streets here. In pretty much every neighborhood, if you wander a little you can find a square with benches and trees that is the perfect place to get a little sun.
5) Groceries: Flats are small here and kitchens are even smaller, so you have to buy your groceries for a few days at a time and carry them home. This can be tiring, but you can buy fresh produce and think meal-by-meal instead of planning menus and buying everything under the kitchen sink. It also stops you from snacking as much!
6) Strongbow and Pimms: two British drinks that I am pretty much in love with. Strongbow is a cider that is sweet and kind of zingy. Pimms is a dark gin that is served with a mixer, like lemonade, and fruit. Both should be enjoyed at a pub with your friends, either watching a World Cup game or having fun.
7) Fashion: There are H & M's on every corner here, and people dress like their lives are catwalks. Someone said that the British dress to stand out instead of to fit in, and I think that's absolutely true. Some common trends: lace tights under shorts, dresses and leggings, rompers ("playsuitProxy-Connection: keep-alive
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22), and oxford shoes. People really dress to impress here, and it makes me be more conscious about how I look. No hoodies and sweatpants here- the uniform is skinny jeans, flats, a cute top and a scarf.
8) Free newspapers: The newspaper industry might be "dying" in the US, but here it's thriving. There are at least 6 major national newspapers. There are also free magazines and newspapers given out by the tube stations. They're not good quality, but at least it's good to see people keeping up with current events!
9) British politics: I came over here knowing very little about British politics, and through my internship have become embroiled in the mess that is the coalition government. Learning about Parliament, political issues and British history is really fascinating- in case you were wondering, Winston Churchill is a beast. The whole royalty thing is really intriguing too, like who is in line for the throne and what the Queen has the power to do. I still think our system of government is a lot better, but this one is pretty cool.
10) So much to do: In the past eight weeks, I have been to the Tower of London, Hyde Park, the British Museum, Westminster, Notting Hill, Abbey Road, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Oxford Circus, Soho, the London Eye and more in addition to side trips to Stonehenge, Bath, Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Brighton and Oxford and weekends in Paris and Rome. Can life get any better?
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Oxford and wrapping up London
It's hard to believe that it is my last week in London! It still feels like I just got here, and here I am, completely adjusted to work and life and not ready to go home. Here's what I've been up to since my last post.
On Sunday, MJ, Chrissy and I took the bus to the college town of Oxford. I didn't realize that there is not one "Oxford University": rather, it is a bunch of smaller colleges and universities in one system. The oldest school was founded in 1249, which puts our college system to shame! We spent most of the day wandering around the streets and looking at the beautiful stone buildings. The streets of Oxford lead down to a river, where people lounge on the banks and rent punting boats. We also stumbled into a beautiful rose garden- I was hesitant to go in at first, but luckily MJ made us, and it was absolutely gorgeous.
This week I have been wrapping things up at work and trying to get some of the last minute souvenirs I meant to buy this whole trip. I also finished my 1,500 research paper last night! The whole thing was quite inconvenient because it took up the time we could have been actually exploring the city, but it's over now and I can finally enjoy a school-free summer. I also have to tame the beast that is packing... I'm not quite sure how I got everything over here in the first place!
I will miss London, but I think I am ready for some actual summer relaxation. No doubt I'll be bored in a week without a large, vibrant city to entertain me, but I'm sure I'll figure things out.
On Sunday, MJ, Chrissy and I took the bus to the college town of Oxford. I didn't realize that there is not one "Oxford University": rather, it is a bunch of smaller colleges and universities in one system. The oldest school was founded in 1249, which puts our college system to shame! We spent most of the day wandering around the streets and looking at the beautiful stone buildings. The streets of Oxford lead down to a river, where people lounge on the banks and rent punting boats. We also stumbled into a beautiful rose garden- I was hesitant to go in at first, but luckily MJ made us, and it was absolutely gorgeous.
This week I have been wrapping things up at work and trying to get some of the last minute souvenirs I meant to buy this whole trip. I also finished my 1,500 research paper last night! The whole thing was quite inconvenient because it took up the time we could have been actually exploring the city, but it's over now and I can finally enjoy a school-free summer. I also have to tame the beast that is packing... I'm not quite sure how I got everything over here in the first place!
I will miss London, but I think I am ready for some actual summer relaxation. No doubt I'll be bored in a week without a large, vibrant city to entertain me, but I'm sure I'll figure things out.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Brighton up your day!
Two very great things have happened this weekend so far. First, on Thursday night a bunch of us went to a random karaoke bar near our flat. We were having a lot of fun being silly singing songs like "Man, I Feel Like a Woman". A woman with a cropped blonde haircut and her friend got up to the mic and started singing "Never Had a Dream Come True", a classic 90's tune by S Club 7. Caitlin remarked that she sounded like... and looked like, Jo from S Club 7! It was like my childhood dream come true. She was nice enough to take a photo with us: proof that we met a semi-celebrity in London.
Today, the J-School took us on a trip to Brighton, a cute beach town on the English Channel. Thankfully it was the warmest day of the year so far! We spent all day lying on the rock beach and soaking up the sun. We also enjoyed fish and chips and drinks on the pier. At about 3:45, high tide came in and the rocks washed away to reveal a sandy beach. Even though the water was cold, we jumped in the waves and acted like little kids. IIt finally felt like summer, not just being in alternative reality.
Tomorrow hopefully we're going to Oxford... here's to hoping we find Hugh Grant!
Today, the J-School took us on a trip to Brighton, a cute beach town on the English Channel. Thankfully it was the warmest day of the year so far! We spent all day lying on the rock beach and soaking up the sun. We also enjoyed fish and chips and drinks on the pier. At about 3:45, high tide came in and the rocks washed away to reveal a sandy beach. Even though the water was cold, we jumped in the waves and acted like little kids. IIt finally felt like summer, not just being in alternative reality.
Tomorrow hopefully we're going to Oxford... here's to hoping we find Hugh Grant!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Get ready for this... I actually like business journalism.
This has been a mad week in the British business world, and I got a front row seat.
On Tuesday, the new coalition government announced its emergency budget. When I got into the office, everyone was abuzz. Reporters were looking for TV cords to get the cable up and running, and editors were brainstorming potential stories that could come out of the announcement. And as the eager intern, it was my job to go stand outside the Treasury to get a copy of the media pack for the publication.
I took the tube to Westminster and lined up outside the building half an hour early with the other journalists. I didn't realize that the data wouldn't be released until the moment the speech ended, so I didn't bring reading material or anything. Luckily, it was a beautiful day in London, and I watched the suit-clad businessmen and government workers and the large student tour groups walk by. At 1:30 on the dot, the speech ended. I was let into the Treasury gates, presented my ID and then got my hands on the all-important press pack. It was madness on the tube, as it was just about lunch hour, and every train seemed to away from the station as I got to the right queue. I fought the crowds and made my way back to the office, bringing the budget information to the news editor. Within seconds, copies were being made and the reporters were hard at work.
Even though I got the lowly intern duty of waiting in the sun for the budget materials, I got to make a trip down to the Treasury and enjoy some time away from the computer. I have also gotten to write loads of great stories about how aspects of the budget will affect the industry and how people organize their finances.
Sometimes I think business reporting can be a little dry, but I didn't anticipate how interesting it can be sometimes. Business is so interconnected with politics, and the decisions that companies make affect how regular people live their lives. Plus, you don't actually have to have an economic background to report, you just have to be able to learn as you go. Future Wall Street reporter? Probably not, but you never know.
On Tuesday, the new coalition government announced its emergency budget. When I got into the office, everyone was abuzz. Reporters were looking for TV cords to get the cable up and running, and editors were brainstorming potential stories that could come out of the announcement. And as the eager intern, it was my job to go stand outside the Treasury to get a copy of the media pack for the publication.
I took the tube to Westminster and lined up outside the building half an hour early with the other journalists. I didn't realize that the data wouldn't be released until the moment the speech ended, so I didn't bring reading material or anything. Luckily, it was a beautiful day in London, and I watched the suit-clad businessmen and government workers and the large student tour groups walk by. At 1:30 on the dot, the speech ended. I was let into the Treasury gates, presented my ID and then got my hands on the all-important press pack. It was madness on the tube, as it was just about lunch hour, and every train seemed to away from the station as I got to the right queue. I fought the crowds and made my way back to the office, bringing the budget information to the news editor. Within seconds, copies were being made and the reporters were hard at work.
Even though I got the lowly intern duty of waiting in the sun for the budget materials, I got to make a trip down to the Treasury and enjoy some time away from the computer. I have also gotten to write loads of great stories about how aspects of the budget will affect the industry and how people organize their finances.
Sometimes I think business reporting can be a little dry, but I didn't anticipate how interesting it can be sometimes. Business is so interconnected with politics, and the decisions that companies make affect how regular people live their lives. Plus, you don't actually have to have an economic background to report, you just have to be able to learn as you go. Future Wall Street reporter? Probably not, but you never know.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Tourism, football and musicals= my kind of weekend
It finally hit me that this trip is starting to come to a close, and I am freaking out. On Friday after class, I went with some girls in my program to the London Eye. Before we got to go on the Eye, we saw a 4D movie that showed the city of London in every season. The special effects were awesome, but watching the movie just made us all feel sad that we wouldn't be here to see the snow or the flowers blooming in spring. Then, we started our "flight" in the Eye. The sky was gray and rain was drizzling, but the experience was still amazing. It was a good idea to visit the Eye late into our trip, because we were all able to look over the landscape and point out landmarks like Big Ben, St. Paul's, and the QE2 conference center that we had visited during our trip.
That day and night we watched the USA vs. Slovenia and England vs. Algeria games and local pubs. Both games were definitely disappointments, especially when the USA was robbed of the goal that could have won them the game! Watching the games in pubs is so much fun because we make American friends wherever we go... I love England, but that little taste of home is great. We went out for drinks and dancing as usual, which was a lot of fun. We even met some British guys at a bus stop who treated us to milkshakes... a night can't get much better than that!
Yesterday there was an event at Leicester Square that I couldn't have even dreamed up on my own... West End Live, a free show in the park in which all of the West End musicals presented free performances. It was packed, but getting in wasn't difficult and we could see the musical numbers pretty well. I have loved every show the J-School has treated us to, but getting to see numbers from the shows I didn't have the time or money to see was awesome. We also explored a little bit around Chinatown, and stopped for a photo shoot at the fountain in Trafalgar Square. It has been a very cold weekend in London so we haven't been able to enjoy the weather too much, but hey, it's London.
I think all of us can agree that we're kicking it into high gear now that our time in London is running out. I will probably cry when I have to leave, and will be reminiscing about this summer for a long time, so you may have to bear with me. Or I can just figure out a way to stay and then we won't have this problem? I wish. Oh well, off for another London adventure.
That day and night we watched the USA vs. Slovenia and England vs. Algeria games and local pubs. Both games were definitely disappointments, especially when the USA was robbed of the goal that could have won them the game! Watching the games in pubs is so much fun because we make American friends wherever we go... I love England, but that little taste of home is great. We went out for drinks and dancing as usual, which was a lot of fun. We even met some British guys at a bus stop who treated us to milkshakes... a night can't get much better than that!
Yesterday there was an event at Leicester Square that I couldn't have even dreamed up on my own... West End Live, a free show in the park in which all of the West End musicals presented free performances. It was packed, but getting in wasn't difficult and we could see the musical numbers pretty well. I have loved every show the J-School has treated us to, but getting to see numbers from the shows I didn't have the time or money to see was awesome. We also explored a little bit around Chinatown, and stopped for a photo shoot at the fountain in Trafalgar Square. It has been a very cold weekend in London so we haven't been able to enjoy the weather too much, but hey, it's London.
I think all of us can agree that we're kicking it into high gear now that our time in London is running out. I will probably cry when I have to leave, and will be reminiscing about this summer for a long time, so you may have to bear with me. Or I can just figure out a way to stay and then we won't have this problem? I wish. Oh well, off for another London adventure.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Birthday in London :)
I am officially 20 years old! This was such a great birthday, and I was so excited to spend it in London with so many of my best friends. I can't tell you about today though without telling you about yesterday first.
Yesterday morning, Melissa, Chrissy, Liz and I went to Notting Hill to explore. It was absolutely adorable- I found my future flat, and I think that if I had the means and I ever lived in London I'd want that to be my neighborhood. There were colorful homes lining the streets, and rows and rows of adorable shops and booths. We also found a Mexican cantina, and had our first Mexican food since we'd been here, a welcome taste of home- plus our server looked just like Hugh Grant :)
We were feeling adventurous, so afterwards we decided try to find Abbey Road. We jumped on a city bus (our first double decker bus ride!) and got off at Abbey Road, but we had no idea which crossing was the infamous one depicted on the Beatles' album cover. We walked for about 20 minutes, and then found one that we thought looked pretty close to it, so we decided to take some pictures of us crossing the road like John, Paul, George and Ringo. It turns out, that was definitely the wrong Abbey Road crossing... the correct one was in fact about 30 feet away from us, and there we were stopping traffic and getting strange looks. It was so funny, when we realized our mistake we were laughing so hard we couldn't breathe! We did go to the real Abbey Road crossing and get some pictures. We also ended up people watching for at least half an hour... it was hilarious to see so many tourists stopping traffic and crossing the road awkwardly to imitate the Beatles' strides.
On to today. First, we had a media visit this morning at The Telegraph. Our visit was surprisingly uplifting... the editor who gave us the tour told us that there would definitely be newspapers and jobs for young journalists, we would just have to figure out how to use our technological skills to redefine the industry. Then, we went out and explored Oxford Circus and the Soho neighborhood... I didn't end up buying anything, but I spotted a couple things I might come back to later.
At about 5:30, most of the IU Journalism kids met up at this Portuguese restaurant near the theater for dinner. It was so sweet that everyone came, I felt so loved. I had a great meal and the best sangria I've ever had in my life, and to top it off my roomie bought me dessert :) Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, one of the waiters brought me a little custard topped with a candle and everyone sang to me. I might have teared up just a little bit, it was really sweet! Then, we went to the theater and saw Les Miserables. I had no idea what to expect, and honestly, it was one of the best shows I've ever seen. I don't think I could listen to the music on loop, but the singing was spectacular and it really was an epic play. I was so upset though- apparently Nick Jonas is starring in the same production starting June 21! Missed it by a week!
It has been such a great weekend, I'm kind of sad it's over! On to another week in Londontown :)
Yesterday morning, Melissa, Chrissy, Liz and I went to Notting Hill to explore. It was absolutely adorable- I found my future flat, and I think that if I had the means and I ever lived in London I'd want that to be my neighborhood. There were colorful homes lining the streets, and rows and rows of adorable shops and booths. We also found a Mexican cantina, and had our first Mexican food since we'd been here, a welcome taste of home- plus our server looked just like Hugh Grant :)
We were feeling adventurous, so afterwards we decided try to find Abbey Road. We jumped on a city bus (our first double decker bus ride!) and got off at Abbey Road, but we had no idea which crossing was the infamous one depicted on the Beatles' album cover. We walked for about 20 minutes, and then found one that we thought looked pretty close to it, so we decided to take some pictures of us crossing the road like John, Paul, George and Ringo. It turns out, that was definitely the wrong Abbey Road crossing... the correct one was in fact about 30 feet away from us, and there we were stopping traffic and getting strange looks. It was so funny, when we realized our mistake we were laughing so hard we couldn't breathe! We did go to the real Abbey Road crossing and get some pictures. We also ended up people watching for at least half an hour... it was hilarious to see so many tourists stopping traffic and crossing the road awkwardly to imitate the Beatles' strides.
On to today. First, we had a media visit this morning at The Telegraph. Our visit was surprisingly uplifting... the editor who gave us the tour told us that there would definitely be newspapers and jobs for young journalists, we would just have to figure out how to use our technological skills to redefine the industry. Then, we went out and explored Oxford Circus and the Soho neighborhood... I didn't end up buying anything, but I spotted a couple things I might come back to later.
At about 5:30, most of the IU Journalism kids met up at this Portuguese restaurant near the theater for dinner. It was so sweet that everyone came, I felt so loved. I had a great meal and the best sangria I've ever had in my life, and to top it off my roomie bought me dessert :) Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, one of the waiters brought me a little custard topped with a candle and everyone sang to me. I might have teared up just a little bit, it was really sweet! Then, we went to the theater and saw Les Miserables. I had no idea what to expect, and honestly, it was one of the best shows I've ever seen. I don't think I could listen to the music on loop, but the singing was spectacular and it really was an epic play. I was so upset though- apparently Nick Jonas is starring in the same production starting June 21! Missed it by a week!
It has been such a great weekend, I'm kind of sad it's over! On to another week in Londontown :)
Sunday, June 13, 2010
USA! USA!
This has been quite possibly my favorite weekend in London so far, and it's not even over. I didn't want to forget anything, so here's what has happened so far:
We had a huge group presentation due in class on Friday, and my group's went really well! Even though the instructor is very critical I think he was impressed... I'm sure our grades won't reflect that though, he is a very harsh grader. To celebrate being finished with everything, a bunch of the girls got dressed up and went out. We went to a great pub in Covent Gardens, and then found a Spanish tapas bar/ dance club nearby. It was so much fun to go dance and relieve all of our stress from the week. My feet were killing me at the end of the night because I was wearing pointy-toed heels, but it was so worth it to go out with my best friends in London.
Yesterday was another J-School excursion, this time to Leeds Castle and Canterbury. Leeds Castle was absolutely gorgeous. We had to walk about 15 minutes through these winding paths (and there were animals wandering the grounds, like peacocks!) to get to the castle, which looked like it was straight out of a Disney princess movie. The first floor was decorated with the original owner's things, and the top floor was furnished with the belongings of the last owner, a thoroughly modern Lady. Canterbury was also a cute, but very touristy town. We walked into the city center and saw the medieval church that devoted Catholics used to make their pilgrimages to, and we also went through this attraction that put us in the center of the Canterbury Tales with animatronic figures. It was cute, and I actually learned a lot too.
Last night was the big night, USA v. England in the World Cup! My friends and I wanted to go somewhere where there would be Americans too, so we attempted to go to this American pub called Sports Cafe, but we couldn't get in. We went next door to Planet Hollywood, and watched the game shoulder to shoulder in a room full of England fans! It was kind of intense but so much fun- the England fans yelled so loud and teased us, but we managed to get a few good "USA!" cheers in and met some England fans. We went to Sports Cafe after and ended up meeting some people our age, a first in London.
We had a huge group presentation due in class on Friday, and my group's went really well! Even though the instructor is very critical I think he was impressed... I'm sure our grades won't reflect that though, he is a very harsh grader. To celebrate being finished with everything, a bunch of the girls got dressed up and went out. We went to a great pub in Covent Gardens, and then found a Spanish tapas bar/ dance club nearby. It was so much fun to go dance and relieve all of our stress from the week. My feet were killing me at the end of the night because I was wearing pointy-toed heels, but it was so worth it to go out with my best friends in London.
Yesterday was another J-School excursion, this time to Leeds Castle and Canterbury. Leeds Castle was absolutely gorgeous. We had to walk about 15 minutes through these winding paths (and there were animals wandering the grounds, like peacocks!) to get to the castle, which looked like it was straight out of a Disney princess movie. The first floor was decorated with the original owner's things, and the top floor was furnished with the belongings of the last owner, a thoroughly modern Lady. Canterbury was also a cute, but very touristy town. We walked into the city center and saw the medieval church that devoted Catholics used to make their pilgrimages to, and we also went through this attraction that put us in the center of the Canterbury Tales with animatronic figures. It was cute, and I actually learned a lot too.
Last night was the big night, USA v. England in the World Cup! My friends and I wanted to go somewhere where there would be Americans too, so we attempted to go to this American pub called Sports Cafe, but we couldn't get in. We went next door to Planet Hollywood, and watched the game shoulder to shoulder in a room full of England fans! It was kind of intense but so much fun- the England fans yelled so loud and teased us, but we managed to get a few good "USA!" cheers in and met some England fans. We went to Sports Cafe after and ended up meeting some people our age, a first in London.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Thoughts at the halfway point
As of yesterday, I have been in London for 30 days. I can't even believe it! I remember being terrified before I left, and this trip has ended up absolutely amazing so far just like everyone said it would. I didn't realize how attached I was getting to London until I found myself comparing other cities to this one.
I thought I grew up a lot coming to college, but I feel like this experience will make me even more independent and self-sufficient when I come back. I have been cooking for myself, navigating public transportation, working, doing everything you are supposed to do post-college. Some days I do miss having pre-made food handed to you by an RPS kiosk and not having to clean, but overall I love being able to take care of myself.
I have been surprised at the number of times I've had to defend the US. In class one day, for example, our professor made us watch a documentary about 9/11 and pretty much told us Americans were fools for trusting Bush after 9/11, and our class had to argue back that it was a really scary time and even though he ended up sucking, he was our president.
This trip has also made me think a lot about the future. I can't decide if I like the US or being abroad more, but I do know that I want to live and work in a big city where there's a lot of life. I love how there are so many things to do here! I also know that I have been bitten by the travel bug, and that's not going to go away any time soon. Visiting Paris and Rome just made me think about all of the other places in the world I want to see. If I could afford it, the summer after I graduate college I'd love to go backpacking across Europe and see it all. And hopefully I have either a job that lets me travel or a salary high enough to afford vacations!
That's all the reflections I have for now! I will try to get some photos up soon :)
I thought I grew up a lot coming to college, but I feel like this experience will make me even more independent and self-sufficient when I come back. I have been cooking for myself, navigating public transportation, working, doing everything you are supposed to do post-college. Some days I do miss having pre-made food handed to you by an RPS kiosk and not having to clean, but overall I love being able to take care of myself.
I have been surprised at the number of times I've had to defend the US. In class one day, for example, our professor made us watch a documentary about 9/11 and pretty much told us Americans were fools for trusting Bush after 9/11, and our class had to argue back that it was a really scary time and even though he ended up sucking, he was our president.
This trip has also made me think a lot about the future. I can't decide if I like the US or being abroad more, but I do know that I want to live and work in a big city where there's a lot of life. I love how there are so many things to do here! I also know that I have been bitten by the travel bug, and that's not going to go away any time soon. Visiting Paris and Rome just made me think about all of the other places in the world I want to see. If I could afford it, the summer after I graduate college I'd love to go backpacking across Europe and see it all. And hopefully I have either a job that lets me travel or a salary high enough to afford vacations!
That's all the reflections I have for now! I will try to get some photos up soon :)
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
When in Rome...
All of us have a picture in our minds of what Italy looks like… tiled roofs, Mediterranean-style buildings, twisting streets and alleys, open plazas with fountains. As it turns out, those stereotypes are all actually based on truth. Rome probably one of the most gorgeous places I have ever been in my life. The weather was warm and breezy when I visited this weekend, and it actually felt like a holiday even though we packed so much into our trip.
My group flew out of Heathrow at 6 am and arrived in Rome early enough to have a full day’s worth of adventures. The first of those was finding our hostel, which ended up being an odd basement room in a large, old building. Five beds were crammed into the tiny, funny room, but we were lucky enough to have our own bathroom and the woman who owned the hostel (and who didn’t speak English) brought us breakfast every morning. Then we visited the Museum of the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. There were so many statues dating back to Ancient Rome that it took more than two hours to get through the museum. Then we went to throw coins in the Trevi Fountain, which was my favorite part of Rome. We stayed there for at least half an hour, making wishes and watching a few couples take their wedding photos. Next, we decided to stop by the Coliseum to take a few photos. We were looking for a place to eat dinner, and we stumbled upon a restaurant with a rooftop garden that offered us seating up there with no service charge (in Italy, you have to pay at least £1.50 to eat in a restaurant!). We ended up eating real Italian pizza up there overlooking the Coliseum at sunset, and it was absolutely magical.
The next day, our group first went back to Vatican City to explore the city itself. Everyone I was travelling with was Catholic, so it meant a lot to them to be able to go there. We went inside St. Peter’s Basilica, the gigantic church, and then I hung out and observed while my friends attended mass (it was a very strange experience, but it was educational for sure). Also, all of the popes were buried in these catacombs under the church, so we saw those… kind of creepy, but worth seeing I guess. The highlight of our visit was climbing the 350 steps to the top of the cupola, which is not for the faint of heart (the steps were steep and spiralled!), and seeing the panoramic view of Rome. After leaving Vatican City, we stopped for some quality gelato. That night, we adventured to this beautiful plaza in the center of town that the hostel owner had recommended Proxy-Connection: keep-alive
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r some dinner. The fountain was lit up, street musicians roamed, and the night was buzzing. I ate the absolute best pasta I’ve ever had at this outdoor Italian restaurant, and we split a bottle of Italian wine. Also, because we were students they gave us free lemonciello, which is a liqeur you are supposed to sip to cleanse your palate after dinner. It was insanely sweet and strong, but it definitely quenched our sweet tooths. We also went to an Italian bar, where I had my first, and definitely not my last, Long Island Iced Tea and an awkward, old bartender tried to dance with us. The metro had closed by the time we left, so we made our own way back to the hotel and stopped to look at the monuments lit up on the way back.
The last day, we went to the Coliseum. It felt surreal to be walking among Roman ruins! There were also some really cool exhibits about gladiators and what the site was probably like during Roman times. Our ticket also granted us admission to see the ruins of the Forum and Venus’ Temple. It was amazing to be able to just stroll through the site and look at the history around us. After that, it was time to head back to London. Our journey back was long, as our flight got delayed, and we arrived back at midnight.
It was a whirlwind weekend, but a great one! The group I traveled with was so much fun, and Italy was beautiful. I hope I can get some rest this week!
My group flew out of Heathrow at 6 am and arrived in Rome early enough to have a full day’s worth of adventures. The first of those was finding our hostel, which ended up being an odd basement room in a large, old building. Five beds were crammed into the tiny, funny room, but we were lucky enough to have our own bathroom and the woman who owned the hostel (and who didn’t speak English) brought us breakfast every morning. Then we visited the Museum of the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. There were so many statues dating back to Ancient Rome that it took more than two hours to get through the museum. Then we went to throw coins in the Trevi Fountain, which was my favorite part of Rome. We stayed there for at least half an hour, making wishes and watching a few couples take their wedding photos. Next, we decided to stop by the Coliseum to take a few photos. We were looking for a place to eat dinner, and we stumbled upon a restaurant with a rooftop garden that offered us seating up there with no service charge (in Italy, you have to pay at least £1.50 to eat in a restaurant!). We ended up eating real Italian pizza up there overlooking the Coliseum at sunset, and it was absolutely magical.
The next day, our group first went back to Vatican City to explore the city itself. Everyone I was travelling with was Catholic, so it meant a lot to them to be able to go there. We went inside St. Peter’s Basilica, the gigantic church, and then I hung out and observed while my friends attended mass (it was a very strange experience, but it was educational for sure). Also, all of the popes were buried in these catacombs under the church, so we saw those… kind of creepy, but worth seeing I guess. The highlight of our visit was climbing the 350 steps to the top of the cupola, which is not for the faint of heart (the steps were steep and spiralled!), and seeing the panoramic view of Rome. After leaving Vatican City, we stopped for some quality gelato. That night, we adventured to this beautiful plaza in the center of town that the hostel owner had recommended Proxy-Connection: keep-alive
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r some dinner. The fountain was lit up, street musicians roamed, and the night was buzzing. I ate the absolute best pasta I’ve ever had at this outdoor Italian restaurant, and we split a bottle of Italian wine. Also, because we were students they gave us free lemonciello, which is a liqeur you are supposed to sip to cleanse your palate after dinner. It was insanely sweet and strong, but it definitely quenched our sweet tooths. We also went to an Italian bar, where I had my first, and definitely not my last, Long Island Iced Tea and an awkward, old bartender tried to dance with us. The metro had closed by the time we left, so we made our own way back to the hotel and stopped to look at the monuments lit up on the way back.
The last day, we went to the Coliseum. It felt surreal to be walking among Roman ruins! There were also some really cool exhibits about gladiators and what the site was probably like during Roman times. Our ticket also granted us admission to see the ruins of the Forum and Venus’ Temple. It was amazing to be able to just stroll through the site and look at the history around us. After that, it was time to head back to London. Our journey back was long, as our flight got delayed, and we arrived back at midnight.
It was a whirlwind weekend, but a great one! The group I traveled with was so much fun, and Italy was beautiful. I hope I can get some rest this week!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Paris, je t'aime!
Here is a LONG OVERDUE blog post… thought it would be important to write about Paris before heading off to Rome!
Paris was absolutely amazing. The weather was disgusting and the tour company we used was terrible, but the trip ended up being a lot of fun anyways. I was really excited to be able to put my five years of French to use, even if it was only to order food and ask directions!
On Saturday, we did a guided bus tour of the major sites in Paris like the Bastille, Les Invalides, the Madeline, and L’Opera Garnier. We were supposed to be able to get out of the bus and take photos, but because of our travel delays we zipped by and barely got any pictures. That night, Danielle, Caitlin, Liz and I ate our weight in crepes (FYI, banana and Nutella crepes are heavenly) and then went to the top of the Eiffel Tower. It was sunset as we headed up the elevators, and by the time we made it to the top of the tower it was dark and the city was illuminated with lights. It was absolutely gorgeous.
Sunday our group started off at Montmartre. We hiked the 150 steps to the top of Sacre Coeur, the beautiful white limestone chapel, to see a panoramic view of the city and to explore the winding side streets. We also stopped at the Place du Tertre, the artists’ square, and the Moulin Rouge. Then we went to Notre Dame, which was absolutely beautiful. Gypsies assaulted us for food before we went into the massive church. It was actually my first time in a Catholic church, let alone one so ominous and beautiful. We accidentally got swept into the procession after the service! We had the afternoon free to explore, and we must have walked miles… we stopped at a street market at Bastille and I bartered successfully, we visited the Arc d’Triomphe, and we just explored the city streets.
That night, all ten of the girls on the trip and Lesa ate an extravagant French dinner at a bistro by the Eiffel Tower. It was more than I had ever paid for a meal, but it was so much fun. Our waiter looked and acted just like Steve from Sex and the City, the food was amazing, and we had loud and hilarious conversations.
Monday we visited the Louvre. It was so crowded that we only had time to hit the highlights before the 10 hour bus trip back home.
It was a fun trip, but I still don’t think we have recovered fully. Work was pretty good this week, I got 5 bylines in the latest issue! Also, our bathroom in the flat flooded last night. I was really not happy because I wasn’t feeling wellProxy-Connection: keep-alive
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nd my ankle was swollen and purple, and I really had just wanted to take a nap. Hopefully that will be taken care of soon!
One more day of classes until Rome! I am so excited! Look on my Facebook for photos from Paris and the rest of my trip!
Paris was absolutely amazing. The weather was disgusting and the tour company we used was terrible, but the trip ended up being a lot of fun anyways. I was really excited to be able to put my five years of French to use, even if it was only to order food and ask directions!
On Saturday, we did a guided bus tour of the major sites in Paris like the Bastille, Les Invalides, the Madeline, and L’Opera Garnier. We were supposed to be able to get out of the bus and take photos, but because of our travel delays we zipped by and barely got any pictures. That night, Danielle, Caitlin, Liz and I ate our weight in crepes (FYI, banana and Nutella crepes are heavenly) and then went to the top of the Eiffel Tower. It was sunset as we headed up the elevators, and by the time we made it to the top of the tower it was dark and the city was illuminated with lights. It was absolutely gorgeous.
Sunday our group started off at Montmartre. We hiked the 150 steps to the top of Sacre Coeur, the beautiful white limestone chapel, to see a panoramic view of the city and to explore the winding side streets. We also stopped at the Place du Tertre, the artists’ square, and the Moulin Rouge. Then we went to Notre Dame, which was absolutely beautiful. Gypsies assaulted us for food before we went into the massive church. It was actually my first time in a Catholic church, let alone one so ominous and beautiful. We accidentally got swept into the procession after the service! We had the afternoon free to explore, and we must have walked miles… we stopped at a street market at Bastille and I bartered successfully, we visited the Arc d’Triomphe, and we just explored the city streets.
That night, all ten of the girls on the trip and Lesa ate an extravagant French dinner at a bistro by the Eiffel Tower. It was more than I had ever paid for a meal, but it was so much fun. Our waiter looked and acted just like Steve from Sex and the City, the food was amazing, and we had loud and hilarious conversations.
Monday we visited the Louvre. It was so crowded that we only had time to hit the highlights before the 10 hour bus trip back home.
It was a fun trip, but I still don’t think we have recovered fully. Work was pretty good this week, I got 5 bylines in the latest issue! Also, our bathroom in the flat flooded last night. I was really not happy because I wasn’t feeling wellProxy-Connection: keep-alive
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nd my ankle was swollen and purple, and I really had just wanted to take a nap. Hopefully that will be taken care of soon!
One more day of classes until Rome! I am so excited! Look on my Facebook for photos from Paris and the rest of my trip!
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