There's No Place Like London (Last Days & Going Home)

I am writing this last post from the comfort of my own home, but I couldn't just leave off without writing about my last days.
The last day we really did anything was Wednesday. Mandy, Catherine, and I went to the British Museum and the most noteworthy artifact we saw was the Rosetta Stone. Pretty nifty, right?
After the museum, on the way back to the Tube, we stopped in the cutest store. I literally wanted one of everything.
That afternoon we made our way to Hampstead Heath park which is like a forest in some areas. We had a lovely, wandering walk and found great places to read for a while.
That night we went to Nando's for the last time. All in all it was a very bittersweet day.
The next morning we had a group traditional English breakfast, before I went back to pack. 
Packing to get home was an ordeal. I had my fingers crossed that my bag would not be overweight, but it was highly unlikely that I would be that lucky. When I got to the airport I was very surprised that it was actually fine. (I was a very lucky girl.) The entire way home I would not sleep on the plane or in the car. I refused to have jet lag. It worked pretty well and I'm mostly over the six hour time difference.
This is the point where I talk about what I've gotten out of this experience. Take notes (or not.)
This wasn't my first time abroad. I've been with my parents, and with an organized, structured and highly monitored student group as well. This was different. Way different. Aside from the occasional play or class, my time was my own to do what I wished. I had to do more for myself than I've really had to do before, even with a year of college behind me. I booked plane tickets separate from the program and bought train tickets. I made hotel reservations. I navigated completely new cities on foot. I learned a lot.
Basically, everyone grows up in increments. Mostly you're growing in inches, but occasionally you get a mile long growth spurt. It aches a bit while you go through it, but it's the good kind of growing pains. Even with occasional bouts of anxiety over if I could manage all of my plans on my own, I enjoyed this growth spurt. I'll be waiting in silent anticipation for the next one.

Cheers,
Cis

Crossroads...Or is it Crossing Roads? (Day Twenty-eight)

As things are winding down, I definitely have a lot less to say (and less pictures too.) I felt like my oral report today went well and I have finished preparing for the one due tomorrow.
Today was a very special day. It was actually pretty magical.
Today I went to Abbey Road. Be jealous, and if you are not, you should be.
I feel bad that I have so little to say, so I will probably only post one more time. A summary of my feelings from this time spent in London. It will be insightful, I promise.

Cheers,
Cis

Tourist Time (Day Twenty-seven)

I'm going to be pretty brief. Day 26 passed by mostly uneventfully, but I did finish my notes for my English oral report.
Today I was a total tourist. I saw the changing of the guard in front of Buckingham Palace, along with a crowd of other people. I was so happy that it didn't rain on us, but I have no idea what happened to the 60% chance of rain. I was actually very surprised at some of the military band's musical selections. I thought that they would just play marches (which I can totally appreciate being a former band geek.)
After the changing of the guard, I went to Westminster Abbey. It's crazy to think about people still going to services there, but I bet it's pretty awe-inspiring.
Tonight we saw our last play of the program, Children's Children. I was not a big fan, but I did enjoy some of the content in the character's lines. Not a total bust, but not the best either. I do wish our last play could have been better. A grand finale of sorts.
Tomorrow my first oral report awaits me. I'm definitely not on holiday at the moment.

Cheers,
Cis

I Feel Smarter (Day Twenty-five)

Today was one of those really lovely days. (Even though I had to run for my first train and missed that time slot.) One of those days that inspire you to make new goals and make you want more for your life. Today I visited Oxford.
The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, recognized in 1231. It was just so inspiring to be around so much academia.
The first thing we did was visit the Bodleian Library, which was great. It's always an experience to immerse yourself in so much history. The library is the main research library of the University of Oxford and it is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. In Britain, it is second in size only to the British Library.
The exhibit currently showing at the library was Dickens and his World. I'm going to be honest and say that the only Dickens I have read are A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations. I really did enjoy both books, especially Great Expectations. Seeing his world really put things into perspective for me in that it makes his stories make that much more sense.
We took a stop to take pictures at the Rhodes House and the Oxford University Press (the largest university press in the world, publishing its first book in 1478)
All in all the day was pretty great.

Cheers,
Cis

90% Chance (Days Twenty-two, Twenty-three, and Twenty-four)

I am going to brush over 22 and 23 because not a lot happened. I saw Henry V in the Globe Theatre, which was very cool, and got a tour of the reconstructed Elizabethan theatre as well. I saw The Collaborators at the National (it's a must-see involving Stalin and a playwright switching roles.) Otherwise, those two days were pretty much uneventful.
Today, I went to Brighton...It was wonderful.
The very first thing we did was a tour of the Royal Pavilion, which was basically a pleasure palace. We couldn't take pictures inside, but the whole thing was Indian and Chinese inspired. It was done in a "Chinoiserie" style. Apparantly people can get married there. I wouldn't, but you can.
After the palace, we went to the pier and took in all of the lovely sea air. There was a 90% chance of rain, but it barely rained for ten minutes. Of course we were on the beach for those ten minutes.
We had an afternoon tea in a cute shop called Cocoa. It was a great end to our time in Brighton.
Tomorrow, Oxford.

Cheers,
Cis

Dublin (Days Eighteen, Nineteen, Twenty and Twenty-One)

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My side-trip to Dublin, Ireland.

It was amazing.

I have wanted to go to Ireland for a while now. It probably has a bit to do with a paper I wrote for my senior AP Lit class on Spenser’s The Faerie Queene and politics between Ireland and England during that time, and a lot more to do with the fact that I have read way to many fantasy fiction books involving faeries in Ireland. Don’t judge me.

In less than 72 hours, I got to do just about everything that I wanted to do. Being a bit of a time-management freak made the trip a success.

Before we even got completely settled into our hotel (the charmingly repurposed Georgian architecture that is Harrington Hall) we went to see the birthplace of George Bernard Shaw who wrote Pygmalion, the inspiration for My Fair Lady. Dublin is full of little plaques like the one we saw. We also managed to get to the one for Oscar Wilde, and they have them for W.B. Yeats and Bram Stoker. It’s astounding how these cities hold so much literary history.

We thought that we would end up terribly lost and confused trying to navigate Dublin’s bus system, but it turns out that we didn’t need it at all. If you’re willing, everywhere in Dublin is within walking distance. If you’re not willing to make the trek, cabs are easy to find. I am proud to say that we only used a cab once (aside from the one back to the airport.)

St. Patrick’s Cathedral was, of course, awe-inspiring. To our surprise, Jonathan Swift was buried there. Dublin Castle was very stately and our guide was great, even though it was his first week.

You can’t talk about Dublin without talking about Guinness. I went on the storehouse tour and got a tiny sample of that vile tasting beer. Everybody loves it in Ireland. I will never understand. Guinness was started by Arthur Guinness, who bought a brewery in 1759. The beer they make is really stout or some such thing as that. I can’t honestly say that I care much because I’m not a drinker and if were I wouldn’t never submit my poor body to that.

I went to Trinity College. I didn’t get to see a lot, because we went later in the day but I just love old universities. They just have that thing about them. That “je ne sais quoi.”

The absolute best part was our day trip to the Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs were beautiful (they were featured in Harry Potter.) The Dolman stone (which is 5,800 years old) was a really great thing to get to see. We also went to Galway on this trip. The entire countryside was lush and green and dotted with cottages and towers and castles. Basically beautiful.

I am so happy that I chose to go to Ireland. When I’m old(er) I want a house on their gold coast, but first I need a million dollars.

Cheers,

Cis

All the Cute Boys Read (Day Seventeen)

First of all, I am completely aware of the fact that I did not blog about Day Sixteen. That is because Day Sixteen mainly consisted of sleep and laundry.
Moving on. Today was a very leisurely day for Mandy and I. In fact, our first appointment of the day was not until 2pm. And by appointment, I do mean appointment. Last night I made a reservation to have a traditional afternoon tea. What you get with this are, basically, as many pots of tea as you can drink, finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and fancies (cupcakes and bite-sized cakes.)
Tea was absolutely terrific. I am totally going to submit my friends to the chore of having at least one afternoon tea with me when I get home. (And that's if I don't make it a mandatory regular thing.)
After our Terrific Tea, we stayed in the Covent Garden area which has great brand name shops as well as some more obscure ones. I generally tend to fall in love with everything I see in these little obscure shops, but I refrain from buying everything in sight.
In the courtyard areas outside of the shops there was a magician (who was a bit creepy) and a man on a really tall unicycle juggling. We stood around a little while before we moved on.
Today I got to check off something on my personal London list. I bought a Hard Rock Cafe t-shirt. I was so excited to get it because I am a bit of a small-time collector. Currently, I have ones from Orlando, Memphis, New york, and Athens. I have actually also been to Hard Rock Cafes in Paris and Tokyo as well.
I feel the need to explain the title of my post. There are literally always smartly dressed, cute boys on the Tube. They are almost always reading some intense-looking book.
I won't be blogging while I'm in Dublin, because I can only have one 22lb. carry-on. So, you will have to wait for days 18, 19, and 20.
I will be coming back on day 21 so maybe a new post then.

Cheers,
Cis