Final Post for London Summer 2011

Hello!

Just a quick update to let you all know that I am back in the States, and everything went great! My plane was on-time, my luggage was under 50 pounds, and the landing of the plane was so smooth I didn't realize we were on the ground!

On Thursday, the 11th, I had the opportunity to watch Les Miserables.  It was a perfect ending to my 10 weeks here.  I had the pleasure to see Alfie Boie as Valjean and Mark Laur as Thernardia.  'Twas brilliant.

On Friday, I went to Bath and Stonehenge.  I took a guided bus tour, and sat next to a extremely intelligent boy, about 4 or 5 years old.  He knew everything, including the history of Stonehenge and Bath, as well as why they were important to the UK.  His parents, bless their hearts, saw and took every opportunity to educate him.  It was fantastic to see. :D.

Stonehenge is awe-inspiring.  The sight itself is quite small, but it set in an non-commercial area, so the surroundings are beautiful!  I'd definitely suggest it to anybody!

I didn't spend enough time in Bath, unfortunately, but the time I did spend there was fun!  I went to the Roman Baths, and eventually ended up at Sally Lunn's bun shop.  It is this cute little shop that has been in business since 1690, and serves the best buns.  I had the "Jane Austen Tea" which was tea, a half a bun, raspberry jam, and clotted cream.  Fantastic!!!!!  When I come back to London, I'll be spending at least a weekend in Bath seeing more!

Looking back, this trip was fantastic.  I cannot even begin to explain on how much I've grown and learned whilst over seas.  If you have any questions, please come talk to me,  I have many stories that I couldn't fit into this blog!

 

In between the times :)

Hello!
I have time today to update you on what I've done between the last two posts (sorry this is so out of order), and what is happening in London as of right now.

The Riots.
Yes. big news as of now.  I was sent home early from work today as there were rumors that a few groups of youngsters were roaming around the Isle of Dogs (where my theatre is placed).  Last night a shop was hit just up the street from The Space (my theatre).  We had a show opening tonight, but had to call everybody to let them know that we were closing early.  Most shops throughout London have been closing early, to make sure that their workers get home safely.  Before I went to work, I stopped by one of the local shopping malls.  The inside is completely made of glass, and I was sitting on a bench in the mall reading the newspaper.  I had two maintenance men come up to me and ask for my bench.  They then hauled away all the benches, trash bins, and newspapers stands.  I believe that they were doing that for protective measures.  (i.e. if the shopping mall was hit, the looters couldn't create as much damage.)  The riots aren't actually riots.  More like massive lootings.  The rioters (looters) are aged from about 11 to 26.  Quite young.  They are looting businesses that may have a lot of money. (i.e. jewelry stores.)  The riot originally was a peaceful riot after a man's death, but some have blown it out of proportion (i.e. looting).  However, on the brighter side, and perhaps more interesting??? I hope? I'm safe.  My part of the city hasn't been hit, and I just find it massively interesting that people are destroying their own communities, just because they can....  The transportation is play it by ear.  Last night, as I was traveling home from Phantom of the Opera (amazing btw), we kept getting notices letting us know of stations closing down due to police's advising.  I was able to get home safe.  Busses have been hit (1 or 2 burned), so the busses are trying to re-route, and are concerned for safety of all.  (probably a good thing...)

Now onto what I've been doing between my last two posts.  Sorry if I end up repeating myself (I can't see my old posts whilst writing this, so I'm not exactly sure of what I've covered and what I haven't....)

At the end of July, I came down with a nasty cold.  It took me a few days to get over it, so I didn't do much for a week. womp womp. :( Now I'm recovered and happy as a pea in a pod :).
I went to Westminister Abbey.  Quite a neat place, however, I felt bad as I was stepping on graves.  My favorite grave that I happened to stumble upon was of Aphra Behn.  She (for those who may not know) wrote plays in the 1600s.  What a beast.

I went to the Tate Modern.  I respect modern art, but I still don't understand it.  I did come across the famous "sunflower seed" exhibition.  It's a million porcelain, hand-painted sunflower seeds, put in different designs.  Quite cool.  Whilst wandering around, I found the original site of the Globe.  YOu know I got photos. :D.

I went to the Monument.  It's a monument (thus the title) to the fires of the 1600s.  You can go to the top of this monument (311 steps) and get brilliant photos of the city.  At the end of your treck down the stairs, you get a certificate stating you walked up all the steps.  Quite a beautiful thing :D.  The photo below is of the steps looking down on the steps of the Monument.

I went to Temple Church, created by the Knights of Templar.  Very cool. :) There are a few grave-sights within the church dated to the 1100s.  Very very cool. :)

I think that is all!!!! I'm heading to Bath and Stonehenge on Friday, and on Thursday evening, I'm watching Les Miserables.  I'll let you know if anything else exciting happens over the next few days!!!!

ta-ta!  

Last Two Weeks. wah wah.

Last week here. I really don't want to leave.  These past two weeks I've been quite independent, as my class is over, and most of my friends have left for the States.  (there were two programs, a 8 week program and a 10 week program.)  On Monday, the 1st, I was supposed to go to Bath and Stonehenge, but my trip got cancelled, so I traveled to Brighton.  It was a great day!!! Brighton is a lovely sea-side town.  The day was beautiful, and thus, I got sunburned.  whoops.  On Wednesday the 3rd, I went to see Billy Elliot. and cried.  It was so touching, so many issues about that musical affected me.  And the dancing? Fantastic. 2 thumbs up.  Thursday? Saw Lend me a Tenor.  David originally suggested this one to me, as he has always wanted to do it.  Let's just say it's David through and through.  I laughed so hard, it was so funny! Thanks David!  On Friday I went to Edinburgh.  The Fringe Festival is going on there (it runs until August 27th or so.) (For you non-theatre majors out there, the Fringe is an international theatre festival).  I left King's Cross at 8 am, and arrived in Edinburgh around 12:30.  After finding my hostel, I walked around the city.  I watched a show, which was terrible, wah wah. The Royal Mile (the main street of Edinburgh) was closed to traffic for theatre vendors to pass out fliers, do skits...the like.  There was so many people and activities. Very cool.  That evening I ate haggis!!! (photo above) It's actually very good. A lot like meatloaf, but very fine.  I'd eat it again!
On Saturday, I traveled to Loch Ness.  The highlands are absolutely beautiful.  I highly recommend it to anybody!!!! Loch Ness is gorgeous!!! and no, unfortunately I didn't see Nessie.  She is so good at hiding.  :D.  I also got to see Highland Cattle.  There was a papa and a baby.  Papa was named Hamish and the other Honey (baby).  They liked bananas.  Strange? I think so :D.
On Sunday I visited the Castle of Edinburgh.  A bit of a tourist trap, as all castles were, but I got to see and understand a bit more of Scotland's history.  I also went to The Museum of Childhood.  It was one of the best museums I've been to.  They had so many cool toys from throughout the times displayed.  One of my favorite things was a Sweeney Todd arcade game.  It was the kind where you'd put in a 5 pence, and it'd show something.  Well, this one showed the story of Sweeney.  My camera died, so I couldn't get a photo of it.  wah wah.  You bet I put in a 5p!
Tonight I saw Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre.  As my facebook status says, 'I'd give my first, second, and third born children to call West End's Phantom of the Opera.  The Set changes were amazing!'  The set moved so many different ways, and there were spotlights, quick changes, the whole shebang.  I'd probably have a heart attack if I had to call it, because of safety issues, but it was a joy to watch!
I'll try to post what I've done between my last post and now soon! Cheers :D