Some Closing Thoughts

Having a pretty nostalgic night as we pack our things and get ready to kiss London goodbye tomorrow evening. I thought I would take this lovely opportunity to bore you all with some of my highlights, lowlights, and other observations I don't think I have discussed yet. 

So flying. I still hate flying. I still feel sick. I still get nervous. Medicine still only helps a little. Flights still get delayed for hours, and no matter how cool they make airplanes, altitude sickness still exists. So I'm not looking forward to tomorrow. (If anyone can explain how my 5 hr flight here is an 7 hr flight home I would appreciate that because it makes no sense to me). 

The moments I loved most in relation to taking children's lit and being an education major were:

Harry Potter - as I tiredly tried to explain in the Warner Bros post, I was able to see first hand children's literature and a marketable and lucradive marketplace, which sometimes gets forgotten. I also had my eyes opened the the intricate art that is children's literature from text, to page, to composition, to the big screen. 

The Story Museum - this place got me thinking about learning internationally and interculturally, and how countries separated by the Atlantic can be facing similar problems in literacy. This place was full of information and curiosity!

Some things about London that were funny to me that I still haven't posted:

There are no intersections. Okay there are. But there are a TON of rotaries. And the people love them! So it's funny that they are trying to get rid of the one singular one we have in Middleboro. 

Museums are free! I think that people in America might benefit and like the experience they can get from a museum if they didn't have to pinch their pockets to do so, free learning!

I've never actually seen anyone use a telephone booth. They're just for decoration now I suppose, and some have even been put in for wifi! The 21st century is a funny place. 

The options for take out are mostly boxed and bagged sandwiches, and if you don't like ham or tuna you're out of luck. The seemingly go to sand which take out was tuna and cucumber. How strange to me (plus tuna is gross!)

Now I am on the plane on the way home and looking forward to some (very short) time before the semester starts. I can't believe how real london made everything we studied in class and how fulfilling it was to travel internationally again. Here are some of the last pictures I took. 

You can see my group featured on this FSU Facebook page, and there has even been rumors of us making the FSU website!

https://www.facebook.com/FSUAcademicAffairs

Thank you so much to everyone who followed my blog! It was so motivating to post stuff about and for class and just be chatty with you all while I was over there. It meant so much to me that you all travelled with me through words, especially since I went on this trip with a group of English majors. I hope to get to fill each and every one of you in when I get home. I hope you enjoyed what I wrote as much as I enjoyed posting for you and hopefully, as my grade relies on, Dr. Holloway deemed appropriate for our Children's Literature course. Feel free to comment on my blog and tell her how great of a blogger I am, as it will encourage her grading on a jet lagged mind. LOL JUST KIDDING DR. HOLLOWAY (;

About 5 hours till Boston folks! That's all!

The Last Day (womp womp)

Today we were free to do whatever we wanted so naturally: we slept in. After I spent the day with my roommate Amanda. We started back at the natural portrait gallery so that I could buy a treasury of Paddington books set in London which I love and can't wait to read to kids! Then we visited St. James' park for Amanda's class which was surprisingly beautiful even though it's winter! There were a ton of ducks.

After that we went over to Harrod's to pick up some last minute souvenirs followed by visiting a lovely little place called The Love Shake which I pulled a picture off Pinterest for (where I found it) and it was so cute! The second pic is of the delicious milkshake I had!

We ended our day with fish and chips from the bar Night and Day at the end of the road we live on that we frequented while we were here, and "the last supper" was delicious. This evening we have been packing up our things and estimating what we spent for the duty cards (not so fun when reality hits you in the face lol) but here's an 'after' shot of my grown, fat, luggage. Good thing I have my dad and boyfriend coming to the airport to help move it when I am tired! ;) 

 

Museums and Matilda

We went to the Brittish Museum and the National Portrait Gallery yesterday. They were interesting for sure but it is definitely hard to stay engaged when you do back to back museums.

Seeing the Rosetta Stone was cool though! After that I came home and re packed all the things I had strewn about my room and found I even have extra room in my bags still! (I'm a great packer)!

Later that night we went to see Matilda the Musical and I have to say I was disappointed. We studied the book in Children's Lit so I was looking forward to reliving the story through music. However, the story got lost in an attempt to make it more theatrically pleasing. While I loved the grand set changes and musical numbers, it just wasn't Matilda enough for me to love it. I loved it as a theatre lover but not as a book lover. Here's the cool book covered stage:

Oxford and Jersey Boys

Today we visited Oxford University including The Story Museum, The Bodelian Library, with our one group lunch. I started off with some hot chocolate and a muffin (much better than the coffee):

The exhibits of the story museum were created by asking authors of children's books who their favorite character was when they were a child, and then dressing them up as it in a photograph. In every display of photograph, the room was decorated to look just like the setting of the book, a fun way to introduce kids to different genres and stories without them even knowing! It was a really creative way to introduce literacy which as a future teacher, I am always looking for! Here are some pictures from it (including me being crowned and going through the wardrobe to narnia):

Next we visited The Bear, our one group meal together. I had the fish and chips which disappointingly had bones in it and too much skin for my American taste buds, but was not bad. 

Last, we saw the second largest library in Great Britain, the Bodelian Library at Oxford. It has over 12 million items! Also it is where the hospital scenes in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone were filmed as well as the scenes in the library, as the books date back to some of the first dictionaries, copies of the Magna Carta (that's for you Collin 🙌 go Jay-Z) and even the last transmission of the Titanic before it sank which read something like "Please send assistance, the weather is well" but I can't remember exactly what the woman said now (Wayne Pittsley feel free to correct me, lol).

This is a famous reading room called the Radcliffe Camera:

I don't think I would be able to get any studying done there- it's too pretty and there's way too much to see. 

I ended off the night seeing jersey boys, and had to actually run from our apartments to the theatre to make it in time because our bus was late. After that, to our pleasant surprise, the theatre had upgraded our tickets because they didn't sell very many! I went from the second to last row of the section to just 10 rows from the stage. The show was incredible, and I had never seen it before! I thought they did a lovely job and would love to see it again sometime. It was so fun, we were dancing in our seats by the end! Oh what a night!

Also: today in London there was a major protest by the public bus drivers that was a big deal and caused a lot of traffic and public transit problems. Google it for more information, it is pretty interesting stuff (and exciting to see the process of protest in a foreign country first hand). 

The Globe Theatre and More!

We visited the Globe Theatre (where Shakespeare's plays were famously held) and took a tour. I learned a lot about Shakespeare, for example it was mostly an auditory experience, so the best seats in the house were not in front but behind the actors. Also, the area it was in was known as a red light district so the top floor was often used for prostitution when it was not sold out. The theatre was the best possible recreation of the original, as it had been torn down many times. I was able to learn a lot that I never knew I didn't know, and it was fun!

After I had a chocolate chip twist croissant that was very good! Just look!

Finally, later that night I had dinner and went to see Mamma Mia with my friend and roommate Amanda. As my family knows, this show holds a special place in my heart as it was beloved to my grandmother and just embodies her spirit, enthusiasm and fun-loving nature. We were in the very back of the theatre (the cheap seats, lol) but I still had a blast! The first selfie is in the taxi on the way there because the little black taxis are so darn cute. 

Oh Yeah, Other Things Exist

So I forgot to post what else I did besides Harry Potter because I'm a little obsessed. 

After we went to harrod's which come to find out is just a mall with less doors? I guess it is worth the hype if you're made of money, but I just took a picture and passed on through. 

After that we went to M&M world which was cute and fun, just like the one I have already been to in New York. It's in Piccadilly Circus which looks a lot like Manhattan with the lit up signs! 

Finally to round off everything Harry Potter we visited Kings Cross Station and had our pictures taken at platform 9 and 3/4. 

Tomorrow we are visiting the globe theatre and I have a free afternoon. I'm thinking shopping!? :) 

I also am starting a 3 day run seeing musicals- as London is known for their fabulous theaters. 

Tomorrow I am seeing Mama Mia, a personal fav, in honor of my Nanny as it was her personal favorite musical as well. In Italy I was able to light a candle for her in the duomo and in London I will be her dancing queen. 

Tuesday I am seeing Jersey Boys because I have never seen it before and have been dying to for years, what better place?!

Wednesday my group is going to see Matilda the Musical, as my children's lit class read Matilda this semester. Can't wait to see the fun translation to stage (and love finding new ways to get students more involved with reading). It hasn't hit the U.S. yet but is getting rave reviews in the U.K.

Dickens World, Leeds Castle and Updates

Today we went to Dicken's World and Leeds castle. Dicken's world reminded me a lot of the equivalent to Plymouth Plantation for Victorian England, plus some extra information about Charles Dicken's. It was a recreation of Camden with actors portraying life in Victorian England. We saw home life, school life, life in a debtors jail and even old magic tricks! Even though I was not in the class connected to the Dicken's portions of the trip, it was fun an interactive and more like a theme park (even though the Victorian actor man freaked me out). We ate at a cute American style diner (a lot like Dave's Diner in Middleboro) and I got this delicious coffee milkshake. 

Leeds castle was very different than any of the other castles we visited. The gardens and land surrounding the castle was more beautiful to me than the actual castle as it was filled with water and birds and plant life. There were peacocks and swans, and most famously, black swans! Who knew it wasn't just a movie about ballet? The castle did not disappoint though, and I felt like because it was smaller than Windsor and Buckingham when we toured the inside I was able to see so much more of it than the other castles. However the novelty wasn't as evident as only one king, Henry VIII was ever said to live there. I was able to throw a coin in the water and make a wish, reminding me of my visit to the trevi fountain. The tranquility gave me a lot of time to just sit and reflect on how I can't believe my trip is already half over, and how thankful I am to have taken this opportunity for myself. I have seen more people of nationalities I didn't even know existed, heard languages I couldn't decipher, learned English history that I didn't know I didn't know, and have developed independent travel skills that will help me forever (like being able to figure out the tube and the bus). I am so glad I didn't let anyone or anything talk me out of going on this trip. My only possible regret so far is not convincing someone close to me to come along, as I think having someone with the same interests as me would make it more fun at night. Not to mention just the comfort of traveling with someone you know is nice. However, I have been taking this opportunity to get to know the 17 strangers I embarked with, and am making friends with many of them. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves with its romantic feel, and you can imagine how I got lost in thought just bench sitting and watching the birds. 

Also! Today I bought my first souvenir. When I went to Italy, I bought myself a cameo necklace and a pendant from the Vatican. To continue my collection of international jewlery, I got a hand made chain maille bracelet to represent all the Historical places I have visited (which are often covered in traditional medieval armor) and it even incorporates my favorite color. I thought it was just beautiful and had to have it. 

Some personal updates: 

Our flat is like unnaturally warm at night. I think this is the reason I've been waking up in the middle of the night every night and have not been able to get back to sleep. However, today we are looking into turning down the thermostat and turning off some of the radiators, thank God. Took almost a week but it is time to escape hades and get some rest...because I am beat! All the walking, fresh air, early mornings and lack of sleep is catching up to me, and by the end of the day I struggle to stay awake. 

As for food, I am planning on trying my first official plate of English Fish & Chips tonight for dinner and can't wait. The bread over here is huge! The loaves just are so much bigger than the U.S and the slices come out super big! It's awesome! I do not like the yogurt I got at the grocery store though, it is very chunky and has like flavoring and goo at the bottom that you have to stur in, even though it was dannon brand. It was just strange and not my taste. I'm not really interested in trying much other traditional English food because meat pies just aren't my thing. 

I still am not used to driving on the opposite side of the road, and don't think I will ever get used to it. ITS SO WEIRD. 

There are tons of athletic people in London, runners are everywhere!

...also everyone is skinny which I think is because they give you such little food for the price you pay here, mostly everything seems overpriced. 

The coffee is gross! It's just always bitter and they never give you enough room to add enough milk (cream isn't even really a thing). But I drink it anyway due to exhaustion. 

There is a lot of Indian food in London which surprised me. It's like, everywhere. 

I bought a ticket to see Jersey Boys at Piccadilly theatre on Tuesday and I couldn't be more excited! 

Tomorrow is the big day where we visit Warner Bros Studios to see the Making of Harry Potter Tour and I'm sure that post will be extensive and annoying like this one, so I will go for now!

Windsor Castle, Big Ben, Parliament, and Westminster

OToday was mostly sight seeing, so I'm going to let the pictures speak for themselves. But other than that, I booked tickets to see Jersey Boys (which I have been waiting years to see) next Tuesday and I went to see Covent Garden which reminded me a lot of fanuiel hall and there was a set of string street performers that I was obsessed with (I play violin for those who don't know) which I will also try to post a picture of. Sorry I'm less chatty, for some reason I've been more tired all day today than the rest of the trip combined.

Castle: 

Forgot to mention the coolest part- we were able to see an awesome changing of the guard with a band and everything. And the band played the show tunes from Annie while the change happened and it was such a beautiful moment for me!!!!

Big Ben:

Parliament:

Westminster:

Regretfully it won't let me post a video of the street performance. But take my word it was a cool, gypsy meets classical set of strings. 

Buckingham Palace

Today we saw the changing of the guard and I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little disappointed. The weather did not corporate so they cancelled all of the music and ceremonious aspects of it. Also, due to recent ISIS threats the gates were closed so you couldn't really see anything at all. It was just not the experience I intended to have. Attached is the best picture I could manage of it.

Later we continued a bus tour and saw almost all of the city and got some awesome pictures. By the time we looped back to the palace area the sun had come out and I was able to take a good picture. We had a late lunch at the Hard Rock London, the first ever in the world! They had amazing Beatles artifacts, and I was impressed with the selection of artist sized instruments even though it was by far the smallest Hard Rock I have ever been in (I have been to Philly, NYC, Boston, Washington DC and Rome also). I enjoyed every bite of my chicken sandwich! 

Reflections on Traveling and The First Day

Thoughts on the flight from a jet lagged human being:

Virgin Atlantic's new planes are so awesome and entertainment friendly that they could be mistaken for a modern night club lounge. The flight was good but I was not happy with the delays, but hey, ice happens! I could not get their "free" wifi to work at all other than 1 Facebook post (I know so strange) so hopefully that is better and stronger on the way home, if not, there's still 7 million brand new movies to watch on the android touch screen tvs in each headrest. Amazing!

I actually met some people on the flight from other schools that were traveling to London for an entire semester study abroad. It was so cool to share the quest to come overseas with other people, and talk about our nerves and such. They were super nice and definitely enhanced the study abroad community on the way here. This was important because we spent a lot of extra time together as our 10:10 flight out of boston finally took off at 12:30...pm. As you can imagine I am exhausted. 

...which brings me to my first day here. We couldn't believe all the telephone booths and double decker buses were actually real when we got here! It felt like someone put me on the set of a movie, considering that's the only time I've seen the landscape. The architecture here is old and beautiful but you feel weird admiring it surrounded by the modern hustle and bustle (everyone is rushing. Everywhere. All the time. Slow down people!). I haven't had the chance to do much else besides grab some snack like groceries and an Oyster card (the equivalent to a Charlie Card you Bostonians). But our apartments are cute and nice (see last post) and I think there is a lot more to see, do and enjoy!

Hello From Bedford Place!

Hello from our quaint little apartment! Getting settled and off to buy groceries and such but I thought I would share the initial pictures!