Old faces, new places

I missed a day, I am sorry to all of those who are keeping up. I just didn't feel like writing, I just wasn't in the mood. However, don't fret, because I am back. I have learned a few things about this crazy place since I have written last. Language is my topic for today.

Yesterday the group went to the Globe Theatre or Shakespeare's theatre for those who did not have Mr. Rice as their high school English teacher. On the tour there was a sign with a list of 100 sayings invented by Shakespeare, sayings we say all the time. A few examples include: not sleep a wink, for goodness sake and in a pickle. This is just another random fact that once again let me know their is life outside the good ole' south. 

On a funner note, the British (or at least the one's at the pubs) have no restraint when it comes to speaking. I was flabbergasted by some of the words that they say. Of course, they think it is so cute that these American girls are squeamish about their dirty words. Yesterday we were watching a show on the street, where the performer had a microphone and kept repeating the same choice words. Parents and their children just stood and watched without budging. Later, I ran into the performer at a pub. He asked what I thought of the show, and I told him the language made we feel uncomfortable, and he said Americans say that all of the time but it is typical in Britain. Another boy we met tonight laughed when I said I needed to run to the bathroom, he asked if I was going to take a shower. In Britain the bathroom is referred to as the toilet, however, I was taught not to use that word (thank you mom and Momo) These are just a few examples of the differences in the two cultures. 

Last night we met up with a group a Mariann's friends from Alabama and Auburn. When we told onlookers we were from Alabama, everyone sang to us "Sweet home Alabama." I mean EVERYONE (even Germans). I spent the day today with Hunter visiting museums and eating good food, and tonight I was back with my girls. There was an Everton Futbol game today, people all over the city were excited about it. Unfortunately, they lost, but our new friends gave us their scarves in exchange for taking a picture with them. The scarf is royal blue, so maybe I can start a trend at Rupp Arena!

More touring today, we went to the Kensington Palace, where once again clothing fascinated me. However, these were a little different from the one from those in a museum. Today I was inches away from the gowns that Princess Diana herself donned. We also visit St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London. A large dome is the focal point of the cathedral, decorated by paintings and gold molding. However, one does not have to simply stand on the ground and look at this work of art, one has the option of climbing hundreds of stairs and looking at the masterpiece closer. And of course I decided to climb the hundreds of winding stairs to get a closer look. It was simply breathtaking (pun intended). 

After some more touring, Mariann and I decided to partake in a local tradition in order to learn more about British traditions and decided to visit a pub. We had delicious fish and chips and washed it down with cool, brown liquid (to get the British experience, of course.) 

Hopefully we will experience British culture more in the next few weeks!

When in London...

Mariann and I decided our motto for the trip would be When in London, which goes well with our experiences today. We spent the day visiting typical tourist attractions such as Windsor Castle and the Winston Churchill museum, but tonight we decided to visit the Piccadilly Circus and find discount tickets to a musical. While we love Wicked and The Lion King, we were feeling a little more adventurous and cheap. So we chose a play called La Cage Aux Folles (I still cannot pronounce it correctly), where we heard a brief description from the ticket salesman and decided to give it a try. 

We loved the play, but it was quite an experience. The star of the play was Zaza, a drag queen. Zaza and her (or his) boyfriend owned a transvestite playhouse. When their son became engaged to a girl with conservative parents, Zaza pretended to be a woman. It was hysterical, and the music and dancing was incredible. The drag queens in the play danced better any woman I have ever seen. By the end of the play, the entire audience was clapping and swaying along with the audience. It was a blast. 

 One of our speakers shared this quote from us, which I am finding to be true… "When a man is tired of London he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." Samuel Johnson

 

Falling in Love

Day 2 was again very laidback. We had several guest speakers, one being a London police officer, share advice with us about getting around London and experiencing this culture. The house we are staying at is perfect! I have a room to myself with my own sink. I have a desk and plenty of room for all of my clothes. The only drawback is that my room is up seven flights of stairs! I am in the slave quarters from the 1700's. While I am out of breath every time I walk up the stairs, I know the long trek everyday will be good for me. 

Yesterday we went to the Victoria and Albert Museum, an arts and crafts museum only a few blocks from our house. My favorite part was the fashion section, of course. They had clothing pieces that were hundreds of years old and from all over the world. They also had a collection of clothing that predicted the future of fashion. This was my favorite, now I know what to look for in the next few years. There was also a jewelry wing, with more diamonds in one room than I have ever seen in my life.

Later in the day we went for an evening stroll around Westminster, which is where Big Ben, House of Parliament and Westminster Abbey are located. It was beautiful. I am quickly falling in love with this beautiful and historic city. 

The Beginning

I boarded the plane without any problems or delays. Once I settled in my seat, I pulled out my European travel guide to read more about the places I would see in a few hours. After an hour of reading and a satisfying meal I pulled my complementary eye mask on to hopefully get a little shuteye. However, when I attempted to turn off the spotlight overhead it would not work. I asked the flight attendant if she could help me, after a few minutes of playing with it she gave up. She said that the only way to turn my light off was to turn all of the lights out in the entire plane, which could not be done. So she offered to bring me another eye mask. After another twenty minutes of enduring the glaring light in my face, Alexandra and I had the brilliant idea to cover the light with post it notes. People around us began giving us advice on how to cover it, pulling out sticky tack and paper. Once I semi-figured it out and sat back down in my seat for attempt number two of a nap, I looked up to see sticky tack, paper and post it notes falling onto my head. Alexandra and I were laughing hysterically, while the others in the plane were attempting to sleep. I was the definition of the stupid American.

Once we arrived in London, I settled into my room and took a quick nap, while we waited on the other part of the group. Later in the afternoon, we gathered for a tour of our beautiful neighborhood, Kensington. Our house is located in the chicest part of London. The streets look like they are from a movie, and the houses around us are picturesque. The people are all beautiful and fashionably dressed. We grabbed a burger at Bryson, a local eatery where you can get a "proper burger." Day one was very relaxed and only a taste of what the month has to come.