Afternoon Tea? Yes, Please!

The day did not start off as well as our group had planned. It was frighteningly cold and grey, with imminent rain clouds to boot. Also, our planned walking tour of Bloomsbury had to be canceled at the last minute; apparently our Blue Badge Guide (who according to rumor looked a lot like Colin Firth) had mistaken the date for our tour. And all of us girls were so excited to meet him!

But the day was certainly not lost. A group of us (seven to be exact) decided that we wouldn’t let the rain deter us from walking through Covent Garden and Soho. We took a stroll through the Covent Garden Market, where we quickly spied a Lush store. Knowing how much my cousins love Lush, I decided to buy them a cute little wrapped package of scented soaps. As for myself, I was able to find a personal skincare favorite of mine- the Greased Lightning zit zapper. I highly recommend this product for the occasional big pimple that anytime you have acne that needs to go away, ASAP (which for me, is unfortunately most of the time).

Our lovely waitress had to keep on taking the same group photo,
with all of our cameras. Thankfully, she was very nice about it.

Our mini-shopping spree was followed by a reservation at the Strand Hotel for afternoon tea. And let me tell you, those Brits have perfected the art of a relaxing afternoon ritual- if it were up to me, I would have afternoon tea everyday (though I doubt my boss would be happy). We ordered two different types of tea, that came along with cream and sugar. We were also given a three-tiered serving table full of finger sandwiches, scones, tarts, and mini-cakes. All in all, it was a delicious and filling meal.

Chinatown, in Soho.

After, tea, we walked some more through Soho, specifically taking a detour through Chinatown. And now we are back in our Bedford flat, getting ready to see Billy Elliott tonight at the West End. More on the play will come with tomorrow’s post; all I know is that I am getting very excited!

Food, Glorious Food

To borrow the words of Oliver Twist in the musical Oliver, “Food, Glorious Food/ That’s all that we live for!” Food was definitely the major highlight of my day today, seeing as how I had the opportunity to dine at not one, but two great London restaurants.

Yummy bowl from Wagamama

The first was just two blocks away from the Study Center, discretely tucked away in the basement of a neighboring building around the corner. Wagamama is apparently a really popular Asian chain in the U.K., so I was excited to try it. I ordered orange-glazed chicken placed on a bed of white rice; as you can see from the pictures, even a quick and fairly cheap meal can get you beautiful plating. Not surprising, it was delicious! I left my plate clean in less than five minutes.

(Surprisingly) Cold beer at the
Marlborough Arms Pub

Yet dinner would not be a disappointment in comparison. Our group headed over to the Marlborough Arms Pub, a quintessentially British pub with thick, green carpet, heavy wood furniture, and 18^th century sporting paintings along the walls. To keep up with the positively English surroundings, we all ordered fish and chips (with peas, of course!) and a pint of ale to wash it down—in other words, brilliant! We finished our meal with a hearty slice of apple pie covered in gooey, warm custard.  

Feel free to salivate J

Beware-- This Exchange Rate Is Racist

99 Great Russell St., the home of FSU's
Study Abroad Program in London

Perhaps I was a little too optimistic about my forthcoming trip; I had incredibly high expectations about the plane ride, my living quarters, my teacher, the people I’d meet, the food I’d eat. And though I have been in the U.K. for less than 24 hours, I can honestly say that my ridiculous expectations have been met in all but one thing… but I’ll get to that later.

The plane ride was long, but that’s only to be expected. And though I failed to get any sleep, my excitement kept me alert while taking the Heathrow Connect from the airport to Paddington Station, and then hailing a taxi to FSU’s Study Center, a mere block away from the British Museum. Yes that’s right, the British Museum is less than five minutes away. And its free. So I can go, whenever I want. Okay, I’ll stop gloating ;)

At the Study Center, I met the other people in my program. This was followed by a quick break to our dorms (three blocks away on Bedford Street), and then a walking tour of the area. I am positively exhausted, but on the other hand I can’t help but be excited. Everyone in my program is so nice, my roommates are awesome, London is amazing, etc., etc., etc.!

What I really want to be doing, right now

My one tiny complaint lies in the currency. Though you tempt me with your colorfulness, you, British pound, are pure evil. Why must you be worth so much more than my trusty friend, the dollar? Not even worth more, but almost worth double! It’s not fair that I exchange $200 for a measly 106 pounds. I am thisclose to throwing a tantrum.

But, alas, I’m just too tired to do much of anything right now. I think its time I join Pigeon, and go to sleep. Hopefully by tomorrow’s post, I will no longer be jetlagged.

An Unintentional Ad for FSU Study Abroad

Thinking about my previous post, I realize I didn’t explain what I would be studying while in Europe. FSU’s Graduate School of Information Science (not the official title, but close enough for now) offers what is called the London Multimedia Program every summer- you spend three weeks learning about Web 2.0 programs and how they can be incorporated into a library setting, with one of the coolest cities in the world as your classroom. Add to that side trips to Oxford and Paris, and honestly who can complain! 

At least Pigeon is ready for this trip

And so several months have passed since I signed up for the classes, and its already time for me to go. I’m sitting at my desk, most of my things packed away into my large, red, formidable suitcase. I have checked off everything on my “To Pack” list, and now I’m just waiting. God knows I’m ready in the physical sense, but am I ready mentally? Well, maybe not for the plane ride (i. e. jetlag L), but I would consider myself positively, absolutely ready for something different… I think I'm ready for an adventure.

A First Blog, and a Second Visit

This being my first blog, and my first blog post, I don’t really know how to start. How does one start a typical blog post? With a thought-provoking question? A catchy quote? A joke? God, I hope it’s not the latter- the only joke I know by heart is, of course, the most vulgar one I’ve ever heard.

Introducing... Pigeon!

Either way, I have become unbearably excited about my upcoming trip to Londontown (yes, I’ve already established a pet name for the city). Of course my excitement has only been building with every new revision to my “Great List,” detailing everything I need to bring/ do while in Europe. And I’ve already chosen my special mascot for the trip- Pigeon, made famous by Mo Willems and his beloved Pigeon series (of which are included Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!, and my personal fav, The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!). I figured that a staple of American children’s literature should have a great time learning about children’s literature across the pond, in ye old Brittania (look, another pet name, this time for the entire country!).

Pigeon looking through my old London scrapbook.
He thinks I did a good job on it.
And yes, he told me so himself.

As a warning, I should say this isn’t the first time I’ve been to London; this isn’t even the first time I’ve studied abroad in London. Back when I was in high school (not that long ago), I spent a month taking “college-level” courses in the greater London area (the beautiful suburban town of Richmond, to be precise), while traipsing about through Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, York, and the like. I collected a ridiculous amount of photos, guide maps, and other random paraphernalia to put together one of my most artistic creations- a scrapbook J That trip was by far one of the best experiences of my life, and it helped me realize my love of travel. Perhaps I should reiterate- I LOVE to travel. And the little traveling I’ve done in my life has taught me that a second visit will always show a different side to a city, revealing a lot more than you expected. So with this in mind, I look to forward to my second visit tot eh great city of London, to learning more about multimedia and libraries, and to experiencing more in general.