Cheers! I am in London for a 4 month stay, finishing up my last semester of graduate school. I’m settling into my flat with my friend and roommate, Jessica, as well as attempting to understand the British ways. Hopefully, soon, I’ll become less of a tourist and more of a resident.
The trip started off with meeting the rest of the Syracuse University kids at the Royal National, where we were staying during a week-long orientation.
Jessica and I at the Royal National
SU had guides for us who were available for questions on getting acclimated to the city and finding a flat. It wasn’t easing finding a flat for the 4 month stay that we will be here for the program, and that was for two people. We came across flat after flat that had 2-3 beds in each bedroom, expecting a dorm-like living style. Apparently, this is common here to share a bedroom with at least one person, if not two others.
Many random and funny things have happened to us since we’ve been here. One funny adventure was in Marble Arts, an Arab area of London. We went with a local guide from SU, Elliott. Outside the place of business we were approaching was a newsstand. Inside were more news magazines and in one corner were cell phone accessories. The store also served as a world travel agency. We proceeded down the stairs and passed a currency exchange agency. We wound up at the end, where there was the estate agency. Very shady.
Jess and I did find what we were looking for in the end- a 2/1, which is located in Whitecastle. The people we are subletting from left a less than tidy place, and we have been busy all week cleaning and getting settled. School started this week. We have been getting better with the tube and busses, but it still isn’t easy. We are still finding our way.
Elliott, mentioned above, and Andy, are two of the members of Idiots of Ants, a comedic group here in the UK. You might have seen their Facebook Wall skit.
Jessica and I didn’t even know until it somehow worked its way in conversation, and we realized it was them. They are fun guys.
Me, Andy, Elliott and Jessica at Shakespeare's Head Pub
Jess and I during the first week in London
We have taken advantage of the school trips so far and have many lined up for this coming week.
One trip was Greenwich, the birth place of King Henry VIII. There was a great market where I bought a bracelet and had lunch. From here, we hit the Royal Observatory, located on the Prime Meridian, zero degrees longitude, the point where all time is measured. The observatory was founded in 1675 by Charles II to find a way to determine longitude at sea. We walked underneath the River Thames, inside Greenwich Foot Tunnel. This runs 1217 feet in length, 33 feet underwater at low tide and 53 at high tide. Coming out the other side the Observatory.
It was so cool to see a camera obscura. I’ve read and studied about them, but had never witnessed one.
http://www.nmm.ac.uk/places/royal-observatory/camera-obscura/
Prime Meridian
The gals- Jess, Hannah, Katy Mae, Kasey and I- at the Royal Observatory on the Prime Meridian in Greenwich.
Photographers dorking out in front of the Camera Obscura sign.
Camera obscura at the Royal Observatory!!!
Inside the Greenwich Foot Tunnel which runs underneath the River Thames.
Friday was the trip to Stonehenge and Salisbury. Stonehenge, built in phases between 3000 and 1000 B.C., includes 500 burial mounds within a three mile radius. The site still functions as an accurate celestial calendar. The stones weigh between 25 and 45 tons and were brought in from 20 miles away before being placed.
Sleeping on the coach ride to Stonehenge and Salisbury- a long day of riding to see the sites.
Kasey, me, Jessica and Hannah at Stonehenge
Stonehenge
Stonehenge
Stonehenge and the moon
Stonehenge
After Stonehenge, we went to Salisbury, a quaint town and toured the Salisbury Cathedral. It was gorgeous to be inside the 13th Century Cathedral and be surrounded in such history and beautiful architecture.
Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral
I lit a candle and said a prayer at the Salisbury Cathedral
One billion year old rock outside Salisbury Cathedral
