Saturday, January 23rd

Tower of London...One of the best days so far. Anyone who knows me knows how much I am in love with history. I knew that coming to London would be an incredible place to experience this history first hand and walk the streets where commoners walked 800 years ago. Upon arrival, the pavement surrounding the city did not seem like the fairytale historical epicenter I had been expecting. But on this day, a slightly chilly and cloud day, I walked on history. It was one of the most incredible feelings I've ever had.

We started the day a little tired from the party the night the before but excited to find what the day would bring. After a short tube ride, a short ticket line, and a short wait for a tour to begin, we were off inside England's oldest royal residence and fortress since the Norman invasion in 1066. Our tour guide, yeoman as they are called, was excellent at storytelling and walked us through every story the Tower had to offer. He explained the purpose of the Tower, its history, and its many brutal stories of murdered young princes and the beheading of queens of England. Even if you aren't a huge history geek like me, you will just be overwhelmed with the history inside the walls of the Tower. To stand in the place where Henry VIII proposed to Anne Boleyn just 100 feet away from the place she lost her head at Queen of England. We walked through the White Tower, the inner most and oldest of the complex and saw armor and swords plus got completely sick on the winding staircase. Gift shop at the bottom full of amazing trinkets and souvenirs. The Tower is set up as a small town where in the event of an invasion, the royal family would have no need to leave. It looks as if you've stepped back in time.

After seeing the Bloody Tower, Traitor's Gate, Tower Green, and the White Tower, we ventured to see the crown jewels. I have to admit, I assumed that the crown jewels were the Queen's jewelry. Not so...mostly just crowns hence the name crown jewels. Seeing all the crowns and septors, even solid gold table ware and a punch bowl you could bathe in, was amazing. Each doorway you pass through gets thicker and thicker. I only wish they would let you take pictures...the jewels were beautiful. Oh well, something you have to see for yourself.

After the crown jewels, we headed for a walk around the top of the outermost tower. We were able to get the most amazing pictures of Tower Bridge and look through windows that hundreds of years ago, kings and queens of England could have looked out as well. Being in a place that is so old and has so much significance was just amazing. The cool thing is that the yeomen live inside the Tower with their families because they are always on duty to protect the Tower in the event of an attack. The Queen also has the option to stay at the Tower anytime she wishes and there is an armed guard outside the residence at all times just in case the Queen ever does show up. The Brits take their royalty seriously... :)

After spending the day walking on history, we decided we owed ourselves some good food. Cutest pub ever right off of St. Catherine's Docks. Lovely end to a lovely day. :)

just can't seem to catch up...

Saturday, January 16th

British Museum with Adele and Sami. We got to see the Elgin Marbles, the Rosetta Stone, and a ton of other cool ancient things. I took a ton of pictures, specially of swords for Ryan. We ate lunch at a pub down the street from the museum. I finally decided to try a cheese and pickle sandwich...needless to say, not my favorite.

I've decided that one of the hardest parts about being in a new place is that you never know when something is just really different or if something has gone wrong. You want to roll with the punches and try new things, but at a certain point, something is not right. I guess it will just take time to figure out which is which.

Monday, January 18th

Today was my first Architecture Field Trip and we went to visit the Houses of Parliament and the Foreign Office. Adele came with, even though she wasn't in the class...teacher never noticed. I got some great pictures and learned some pretty cool stuff in the process. My favorite tidbit was that when the Houses of Parliament burned down in 1837ish, they were rebuilt by 2 architects, one of them Catholic. They modeled Parliament after Westminster Abbey so the historical look is fake history because the buildings are really only 170 years old. The Catholic architect also designed the throne that the Queen sits on...a Catholic designed the throne that the head of the Anglican Church sits on...haha. Well, I thought it was funny...

We also saw Trafalgar Square on this trip...it really is incredible that you can make a turn and walk two blocks and be in a totally new area of town. We went from business types running around Parliament to artsy types running around the National Gallery...this whole city is just full of surprises t every turn.

Thursday, January 21st

After a lecture-filled day, we had our first IFSA get-together since orientation. Not only did I get lost but I was late. Woohoo for me. :) The first time I've ever seen mexican food in London...apparently mexican is not the thing here. It actually makes me miss El Agave. The Butler people are amazing. They are so intelligent and hospitable and helpful...if anyone is looking for a group to study abroad with, I highly recommend them.

Friday, January 22nd

Oh lord...the Cheeky Little Flat Party...what a night. Flat parties here are like house parties back home. Some IFSA friends were having a party in their flat downstairs and we were all invited. The party got crazy out of control, there was table dancing, whiskey stealing, and fights between the Germans and French (Adele and Markus). You know those nights when you tell yourself "I'm not going to drink tonight...I'm just going to go out and have a good time." and you end up getting twatted and having the best night of your life. That was this night. It wasn't supposed to be so amazing, but it was, which made it even more amazing.