notre dame

Notre Dame is beautiful from the outside and far away, but close up, it’s breath taking. The detailing in the structures makes you wonder how someone can not only think of that specific design, but also have the knowledge and talent to implement it. Each of the hundreds of faces carved into the archways shows a suffering nearly impossible to carve into rock. The gargoyles that loom overhead look like they might actually come alive at night. Equally amazing is that in a consumer driven world, they still hold mass in the church, and admission is always free.

Notre Dame is covered with gorgeous stained glass windows that look heavenly when the French sunlight shines through. The rich reds, bright blues, and deep purples cast a rainbow across the floors. The ceilings are so high that you strain your neck to look at the detailing on the top. As you circle around the inside of the church, you can examine the exhibits, which are set up throughout, depicting religious sacraments and the history of Notre Dame. In several places, there are rows of tiny burning candles. As I held my tea light to the one next to it I thought of my Papa, knowing that though he passed away last semester I still miss him everyday, and my uncle, who I hope will continue to fight his cancer.

Though I was raised Catholic, I consider myself an atheist. So how was it that I nearly cried near the rows of lights in a church? And why did I choose this spot and this moment to think of my loved ones? Standing there, deciding not to receive communion with my roommates, I wondered about the meaning of religion. Can you reject the idea of a God and still find sanctity and meaning in a church or a mass? As the priest started to sing, I wasn’t surprised to recognize the hymn, because I still know all the prayers I learned more than a decade ago. What I was surprised at was how much it moved me, and how at peace I felt in a place where I didn’t think I would belong. 

Running around Versailles, the Louvre, Champs-Elysees , and the rest of Paris was exciting, but standing in Notre Dame felt cleansing. The ting of my sunburn, the desire for another éclair, the mild wine headache I was nursing, the blisters on my feet, all went away. No number of Syracuse religion classes can explain the torn feeling I had between my anti-religious stance and the comfort I surprisingly felt at a mass.

Not too long after, I was back outside on my way to a river tour of the Seine, yet another pastry shop, and the Eiffel Tower. After everything I did on my five day trip to Paris, I wouldn’t consider Notre Dame my favorite part, but I would say it was the most thought provoking, and something that has made me question myself and my beliefs.

so how was your weekend?

Tuesday morning in a cramped bathroom I threw on mascara, tried to fix my hair, and checked my phone. 11:12 a.m. I had already known I wouldn’t make it to class on time.

“Can you tell our professor I’ll be late,” I texted a classmate. Normally this is when I’d try to think of an excuse to justify my tardiness, which didn’t so poorly mask that I missed my alarm after a rough night; but this time, the next text needed no stretch of the imagination. “I’m still in Paris.”

I think I’ve wanted to go to Paris ever since the first time I saw a picture of the Eiffel Tower at night. Everything about the city—­the lights, the landmarks, the language— drips with romance and beauty. To spend five days there, and for my 20^th birthday, was like living out a fantasy.

In five days we saw and did everything: window shopping down the Champs-Elysees, somberly viewing the tomb of the fallen soldier at L’Arc de Triomphe, eating dinner at a café overlooking the Eiffel Tower, perusing the Moulin Rouge, climbing the steps of Sacre de L’Acour to see the best view of Paris, and everything in between.

When I called home while waiting to go on a river cruise of the Seine, my mom told me how proud she was that I was doing this trip so independently. Though I hadn’t thought about it before, she was right. I can barely find my way to the nearest Target at SU. How is it that I, and three friends from similarly small towns, managed to jet set off to a non-English speaking country with no one to fend for us but ourselves? You just have to make up your mind to do it, and hope you make it back in one piece. I think your 20’s (which I can now say I’m in) are the perfect time for traveling, because you’re mature and educated enough to want to see and appreciate all the historical landmarks, but young enough to run on full throttle, touring all day and raging into the early hours of morning soaking up the nightlife.

Savoring our Parisian dinners for one last time, we began to talk about our favorite parts of Paris. The Opera House, Versailles, sunbathing under the Eiffel Tower, mass at Notre Dame, and sipping wine on the glass pyramids of the Louvre all made the list. So did the food. I don’t need a cheap T-shirt to remind me that J’adore Paris.

I’m writing this as I stare out at the French countryside, which looks a lot like my hometown. I’m alone, having just missed booking a seat on the train my roommates took an hour earlier. I’ll be back in London one minute before my lecture begins. In a little while I’ll need to finish the reading for class, but for now, and at my leisure for the rest of my life, I’m just going to enjoy thinking about this trip and all I was able to see. Studying abroad in Australia might give you a killer tan, but it won’t give you weekend trips to foreign countries whenever you please. If London itself isn’t a big enough incentive to study abroad, then the ability to travel through Europe for a semester definitely makes it worth missing a few football games.

cinq beaux jours à paris

Yesterday I returned to London after spending five beautiful days in Paris, and now my mind is filled with everything I want to say about the trip, but also everything I need to do here in London- as classes and homework and errands have all piled up. So for now, here's the rundown of how I spent my time in Paris, and I'll go into details on all my favorite parts very soon!

Friday:
-left the flat around 5:30 am and arrived in Paris by train around 10 am (Paris time)
-stopped off at the Aloha hostel for about five minutes before doing a
-free, 3-4 hour walking tour through the city (we saw everything!!)
-relaxed on the Champs d'Elysses
-wine at a cafe overlooking the Eiffel Tower
-sat on the side of the glass pyramid of the Louvre, drinking wine and admiring the Eiffel Tower in the distance
- got denied from a French club, so took a taxi home

Saturday:
-breakfast at a French cafe
-saw mass at Notre Dame
-boat tour on the Seine River
-lied down under the Eiffel Tower, took a cat nap in the sun
-lunch at a nearby cafe
-went back to the hostel to freshen up and ate baguette and cheese for dinner
-pub crawl with a group of fellow SU students

Sunday:
-got a quick bite at a pastry shop
-took the train to Versailles and saw the palace and gardens
-went for a walk near the hostel before freshening up
-ate a late, fancy dinner near the Eiffel Tower
-walked to the tower to see it lit up at night

Monday:
-toured the Arc de Triomphe
-window shopped down the Champs d'Elysses
-ate the best eclair ever!
-toured Sacre le Cours and climbed to the top to see the "best view" of Paris
-saw the Moulin Rouge
-ate a quick lunch, got snacks, window shopped
-did some reading for class outdoors at a cafe
-ate a last dinner at a really fun restaurant

Tuesday:
-checked out of the hostel and went to the train station
-ate my last French breakfast at a little cafe
-took the train back to London, and went immediately from the station to class

my favorite london sunday

This article was published in the Daily Orange on September 24th.

If I could only have one day in London, I’d make it last Sunday. I woke up early to go to the Brick Lane and East End markets with a school tour. Both these markets are only open Sundays from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., but it’s worth getting up early for, even after a rough Saturday night. Arriving at the start of the day will offer you the biggest selection, but vendors are more likely to lower prices just before closing. While Notting Hill and the Portobella Markets offer a more famous, posh view of London, the East End will give you something not normally seen by tourists, and it’s less crowded so you can move slowly, taking it all in.

Just a few blocks from the Liverpool tube station, in a back alleyway you wouldn’t know is there, a fairytale flower market was set up. The roads were closed and the streets were filled with fresh orchids and bright sunflowers. Families and couples walked hand-in-hand admiring all the vendors had to offer, while the sun warmed the crisp, cool air. The streets were lined with tiny antique shops and cute little bakeries. I stopped in one store and was greeted by an elegant French woman who sells vintage Chanel and one-of-a-kind jewelry. I wanted to buy everything.

After a quick two hours, I walked over to Brick Lane, which sells clothing, shoes and accessories, both new and used. This part of town is a little bit funkier than most of London and the sound of punk rock music spills out of dimly lit pubs, while teenage girls in bright red lipstick search for something no one else will have. Wandering around this area surrounded by friendly people made me forget I am a tourist.

That night, after putting away all my treasures, I took the tube to the annual Mayor of London’s Thames Festival, on the banks of the Thames River. The area was filled with fair-like vendors offering everything from curry to crepes to artwork. A live band played songs I’ve never heard, and it seemed like everyone in London had come out for the event. The view was absolutely magical with the London Eye and Big Ben lit up in the night sky. In a city as big as London, I expected to feel kind of alone here, but on that Sunday, without any planning, so many of the SU London group met up while walking around. Maybe back at school we wouldn’t hang out, but here in London what Greek house you’re in or major you are doesn’t really matter. We all stood on the Westminster Bridge together, waiting for the fireworks to start. As the display sparked over the river, I thought about how happy I was, being in this city and seeing so many special things all in one day. I don’t know if I’ll ever make it to this once-a-year festival again, or if I’ll be able to find my way back to my favorite French vendor, but I do know that day convinced me that coming to London was the right choice.

paris, here we come!

tomorrow morning at 6 am I am leaving for Paris until Tuesday afternoon, when I will arrive in London about two seconds before class starts. So I won't have computer access until late Tuesday-- but expect blog updates then! I'm so excited!!

turning twenty

Last night I sat at the dining room table trying to finish an article for the DO, while my roommates had the usual “to go out, or not to go out,” debate. Suddenly I realised (British spelling) that midnight would mean my birthday. That settled it. Less than an hour later my article was done, we were dressed up, drinks had been poured, and we were on our way to one of the bars we frequent most, the Walk About. The Walk About was recommended to us by a friend of a friend who spent a few weeks in London and said we had to go and get a snake bite. Obviously, we were intrigued. It’s an Australian chain bar with a really fun, chill, American-music-playing dance floor.

I enjoyed free drinks and good company as I embraced the milestone all college students must go through, the ending of my teen years and entry into my twenties. At midnight, my roommates and some friends in the SU program sang happy birthday and the DJ announced it over the speakers before playing Bruce Springsteen for me. I was now officially Born in the U.S.A. twenty years ago, and life in my 20’s, so far, is pretty good. One more day of classes in London before it’s off to Paris to celebrate. Cheers! 

the token crazy man

Before I left for London, many people warned me that Londoners would hate me for being American. Fellow students, old classmates, neighbors, even people I ran into at the grocery store urged me to try and hide the fact that I am American, and to prepare for people to randomly yell at me, or steer me the wrong way if I asked for directions.

Perhaps it's because of the recent change in political administration, but after three weeks here I have not found, and do not expect to find, any of this to be true. I find Londoners to be extremely polite and helpful. So Monday when I was waiting in line at the post office and a man started shouting about how much he hates Americans, I was shocked. For a minute I thought maybe everything people had said to me was true. As he yelled, "One American in Britain is more than enough!" and "Britain is a great country. We don't need stupid Americans!"; I tried to hide the address on the envelope I was sending.

But then I saw that everyone else in the building, all Brits, were disgusted with this man. He wasn't a summation of British hate for Americans, he was just a crazy guy. Every country has some, and this man is one of theirs. An employee asked him to leave and refused to help him. The man yelled the N word and began cursing as he was ushered out the door. I don't know what other Americans experienced while they were abroad, but I hope they didn't base their ideas that British people are rude off an incident like that. As far as I'm concerned, people here are just as warm, friendly, and polite as at home.

distance is nothing

Today has not been my best day. Despite the fact that I am in an amazing country and taking great classes, I just felt crummy for no real good reason. A bit of homesickness, writer's block, and the fear that I won't have everything ready for graduation in the Spring just freaked me out. I tried to soak in some London culture today during a break in classes, but wound up just roaming the streets, feeling lost. After two hours of walking around, I didn't feel like I saw or learned anything new. I started to wonder what I am supposed to do now. I've already seen all the tourist sites, I've already visited all the recommended areas. All my best friends are at home, and now I am walking around a foreign city in a foreign country feeling alone. Worst of all, I felt guilty for even thinking these thoughts when I know I am so fortunate to be able to come abroad.

But then I got a message from a friend, and I thought of what my day would be like if I felt this stressed at home or at SU. I thought of what she would say to me, and how she'd give me a hug and make me feel better. And then I thought of what everyone else that I care about would do or say to cure my bout of grumpiness, and somehow, even though none of them are here, and I can't call anyone, and I didn't talk to anyone from the U.S., it still made things better. So thanks to all those people. Thank you for being such amazing friends while I was with you that even when I'm not, you still cheer me up.

sorry!

Just wanted to quickly apologize for the recent lack of posts. The Dream Flat has been experiencing Internet difficulties, but I have been writing, and will post more soon. XX

tube troubles

Yesterday afternoon two of my roommates and I took the tube to a different part of town to go on a tour. We went through stations we'd never been through before, and the whole train was very packed. The three of us were getting off onto the platform, when suddenly the doors closed: the two of them out of the train and me still on it. I stood there so confused knocking on the doors. They fell down laughing. How hopeless.

i get college credit for this?

This semester I am taking five classes, one of which is a 500 level interpretation of British film course.  Since I don't know anything about film, I thought it would be interesting and that we would talk about different ways of making films or marketing them, and perhaps watch a few clips. 

Turns out we watch a lot of clips. Say, an entire movie each class. The class is three hours long, so by the time the film is done playing, we have a short while to discuss a few aspects of it and then class is over. How easy is that? And it gets better. As part of our class, we take field trips to various cinemas throughout central London to see recent British films, on the school's tab. My professor even told us to keep the receipts for any popcorn or concessions we bought, and she will try and get us reimbursed. 

Yesterday we went to Odeon Cinema in Leicester Square to see Dorian Gray. The film itself was not enjoyable for me because it was pretty dark, a little graphic, and too scary for my liking. I guess I just prefer rom-com's. The cinema was amazing though. I think just it's sheer size was what made it so great- the building itself was enormous with huge glass windows, and the movie's screen was probably four times the size of a typical U.S. theatre screen. I wish I knew how many people the theatre we were in sits, because it was so big it looked like an opera house. With mounted sculptures on the wall and a huge stage in front of the film's screen, this place could easily be used for plays. Our next cinema excursion is in a couple weeks, but this theatre and this class are both things I highly recommend.

happy birthday mum

Today is mom's (mum's) 50th birthday! Not being able to celebrate with her is a bit sad. I think that's the hardest part about being in London- not being able to see your family and friends whenever you want. But so far, the distance has been bearable because I think of everyone back at home so often. Every day I see something that makes me think of home, or something I know mom would love to see. This keeps her, and the rest of the fam, in my thoughts and makes the distance seem a little less far. So have fun celebrating mom, and know I think of you all the time. XX

a note on this blog

Aside from the brief "About this Blog" section, I haven't really explained my purpose with this blog, so here goes:

I am blessed to have a large, close-knit family, but studying abroad makes it difficult to keep in touch with everyone. I started this blog to let my family and friends know what I'm up to here in London. In doing this, I hope it can be of interest or use to people curious about London or other students planning to study abroad. Also, as a journalism student, blogging makes sure I continue to write while I am here. Going along with this is my involvement with the school paper. Because most of my readers don't go to Syracuse, I want to explain a little what I mean when I post something and say it was for The Daily Orange.

The DO is Syracuse's student-run newspaper, and I think it's safe to say that nearly everyone on campus picks it up. Each week I am writing a 500 word travel column for the opinion section. These articles will be printed in the paper edition and posted on the DO's website, but I will also post them here. They'll be different from my other posts because they are longer and geared toward a student audience, so they talk more about college life. 

my first bar review

This is an article written for The Daily Orange's Thursday, September 17th edition. It is therefore directed at a student audience, so Mom and Dad- don't judge.

If you're going abroad to London, don't schedule class early Wednesday morning unless you like taking tests with a hangover. Tuesday nights at Sports Café are a religion. This two-story bar/club in Piccadilly Circus (similar to NYC's Times Square) is an American staple. Students studying abroad with all different universities, from SU to UNH to Notre Dame, gather here. In class on Tuesday, no one asks where you're going out for the night because after one week in London, everyone already knows.

Sports Café has four bars, a dance stage with disco lights, and more than half a dozen pool tables. Picture Maggie’s, but bigger, nicer, cheaper, and with fewer sorority girls wearing leggings. It’s open until 3 a.m., unlike many pubs in London, which can close as early as midnight. Getting there is easy because it’s less than a five-minute walk from the tube station. Admission is free, drinks are cheap, the music is our own, and the place is busting at the seams with people just like you.

At Sports Cafe, you're more likely to hear a southern accent than a British one. You can wear whatever you want without worrying you look like a sloppy American. With the blaring Top 40 hits, dim lighting, and crowded dance floor, it's like being back at your favorite fraternity party... except not in a dirty basement. There are even beer pong tables conveniently set up a few steps from the bar. After spending every second in a foreign country, it’s refreshing to be at a place that feels so much like home. Other locations include Birmingham, Glasgow, and Leeds, but it hasn’t made it out of the UK yet, so don’t expect to find one in another part of Europe. 

Sports Café is a haven for the poor, penniless student. Some clubs charge $5 for a single shot, but here you can get five shots for $6.50. There’s no cover charge with a student ID, a pint is only $1.50, and a pitcher (a little over four large glasses) is $6. With a cheap bottle of wine to pre-game with (most run around $3-$4), you can have a blackout evening for less than 10 bucks.

 The first Tuesday we were here, I didn’t go to Sports Café because I felt too tired. I sincerely hope I’m not that much of a wimp again. I woke up this morning with my contacts still in and, after taking a lap around the apartment, three questions: how did we get home, why is someone sleeping on the couch, and did I make ravioli? I rushed off to class, too late to fill in the blanks of last night. Taking notes at 9 a.m. in my three-hour lecture on Islam, only one question ran nonstop through my mind. Is it Tuesday yet?

a good morning

Thursday morning I woke up naturally to bright, morning sunshine streaming across my white, fluffy comforter and the pale wooden floors. There have been many days in my life, and I'm sure they'll be many more, when I wake up and know exactly what I'll be doing that day.  The monotonous rhythm of a planned schedule can make your whole day seem like a chore. Knowing you'll be walking to the same places, going to the same classes, talking with the same people, and sitting in the same places, makes  all those things uninteresting.

But waking up in London, especially on a sunny day without the buzz of an alarm, feels like waking up to possibilities. On Thursday I woke up knowing I'd go to class for a few hours, but having no clue what else I would do, where else I would go, who I might meet. Maybe that's something that comes with moving to any city, but it's enjoyable all the same.

down time guilt

Wednesday evening was the first time that all five roommates were home together with no intentions of going out. It was a decently long day for all of us with classes and working out, so retiring to the Dream Flat was homey and welcoming. Peter and Jess got groceries and Colleen baked a cake. We all just watched TV and hung out. Later, we made a fort by flipping over the leather couches and pushing the seats together. A blogworthy night? Maybe not. 

A big pang of guilt comes along with not raging every night, with not touring and discovering every second. But being a student in London still means being a student: going to class, working out, doing homework, making dinner. I'm having trouble coming to terms with that because I didn't realize before that on occasion, I'm going to sit home, watch TV, and go to bed early.  Four months is just too long not to have some relaxation.

directions

Yesterday morning someone asked me for directions. For a minute, I thought maybe I look like I fit in here. Then he walked away (unhelped) and I remembered that I too, was lost.

the dream flat

This is an article published in The Daily Orange, Syracuse University's student-run newspaper, on Friday September 11th. Though it's for a student audience, it gives a good description of my housing situation in London. 

If you're a sophomore in Syracuse looking to escape that cramped four-person "suite" you call home, then September marks the beginning of your off-campus housing search. Having now done the process and lived for some time in both SU and London, I can tell you this: your future "home sweet home" sucks. 

I thought I lucked out with my junior year living arrangement. A front porch, fully furnished and utilities included tricked me into believing I had a great place. I moved in this June to find mice droppings, mold, leaking ceilings, cracked walls and dirty mismatched furniture. A Band-Aid was stuck to the yellowed sides of my shower, water wasn't included in my rent, and I needed quarters for the cobweb-covered washing machine in the basement. This was my reward for weeks of apartment hunting.

In London, you're given a list of recommended landlords and sent on your own if you opt not to do the pre-arranged housing. There are no restrictions to where you can live or whom you live with, though most students don't stray too far from central London. Duncan McGlashan from McGlashans Property Service comes highly recommended by former SU London students, so Jess Solomon, Peter Themistocles, Colleen Brawley, Matt Sisk and I decided to go through him. At noon he showed us three flats, and by 2 p.m. we were already having a celebratory lunch.

No offense to Ben Tupper, who boasts his record as The Daily Orange's highest rated landlord, but he's got nothing on Duncan. Monday, McGlashan invited all his tenants to a local pub for a free dinner and drinks. He passed out shots and even bought a couple bottles of champagne before sending us home.

The Dream Flat, as we affectionately refer to it, is a five-person, two bedroom, two bathroom apartment with a washer and dryer, dishwasher, and garbage compacter. Here, the term fully-furnished means beautiful leather couches, all pots and dishes stocked, bedding provided, and a new TV and DVD player. They even provide an iron, outlet converters, and toilet paper. Utilities-included not only means gas and electric, but also wireless Internet, cable, and a maid service. That's right, once a week someone comes in to clean the whole flat, scrub the toilets, make our beds, and give us fresh towels. With stainless steel appliances and hardwood floors throughout, this place is nicer than my house, as are most student apartments here (the flat we turned down had a balcony, fireplace and indoor hot tub). Since SU London gives all the students a housing stipend, I only pay nine pounds a week out-of-pocket, a lot better than my $540/month rent at Syracuse.

The moral of all this bragging is don't stress about your housing search at SU because no matter what you do, it's not going to be perfect. But go ahead and camp out in front of Campus Hill Apartments anyways, just remember to go through McGlashan if you ever decide to go to London. 

For the article online on The Daily Orange's web site, click here

a stepping stone

London is a great starter city. Before I left for London, when people asked where I wanted to move after college I would say that I definitely didn't want to be in a city. I didn't think I could handle it. Growing up on a farm means having a lot of space and knowing almost every person you see. My town at home doesn't have streetlights or sidewalks.

Cities are crowded and nosy and dirty and you need to use a map or public transport and it is confusing. Syracuse is a city, yes, but being a student at Syracuse University does not mean living in a city. At school, everything is made simple for you. A school bus brings you to class if you live too far away from campus. Everyone is going to the same places and SU cops can always give you a lift. There's no need to navigate or find your way around.

Being a student at SU London means living in a city. It means looking at a map and finding your way around. These are things I didn't think I could handle, but coming to London has been easier than going to NYC. In New York, I am a foreigner to the city, but no one knows that. I'm uncomfortable with the subway and the street signs and the traffic, but my discomfort is unexpected by others. In London, no one expects me to already know the tube or the streets, so I have the chance to learn these things- free of judgement- and challenge myself to find my own way around.

I've been here for a week and a day. In NYC, Boston, or even Syracuse, I would never have the confidence to go from one part of the city to the other alone once it's dark; but last night I took the tube home after a meeting around 8:30, and I was completely fine. I knew when I decided to come here that this semester would mean trying new things, but I never expected to learn so much from the little stuff. Being here now, I realize that for me- a small town, country girl- just making my own way around a city is a new, important, valuable lesson.

a new favorite thing

Sunday was move-in day, which means I finally have a new stomping ground. My flat (more on it later) is in Marylebone, which is in between Regents and Hyde Parks. After unpacking, I finally got to go for my first London run. I think I studied my map for a half-hour before I worked up the courage to try and find the park on my own. Turns out it's really only a 10 minute walk away.

Regents Park has a lot to offer: tennis courts, football (soccer) fields, a track, little cafe's, the Queen's rose garden, the London Zoo, an outdoor theatre with occasional live music/shows, little ponds, and paddle boats for rent. Running through it was cleansing. London is a beautiful, classy city, and it's not as crowded as NYC, but it sometimes makes me feel too suffocated. After living in the country my whole life, one thing I've learned about myself is that I need space- and Regents Park has plenty to offer.

I didn't bring my iPod because I wanted to get the full experience. I saw a lot of new couples with babies, elderly people going for a late-afternoon stroll, and dogs roaming around without a leash. I followed the sound of music playing to the outdoor arena, and caught a few glimpses of a live show. The kind of people who walk in a park on a Sunday afternoon are exactly the kind of people I wanted to see- families and friendly passerby's, all with a smile or a cheerful nod.

Midway through my run, I passed a pretty young, 20-something woman on her mobile trying to pinpoint the location of a friend. As I kept jogging I saw her and the friend (also on the phone trying to describe her location) run into each other, drop down their phones without hanging up, and laugh. They had been right next to each other the whole time. Immediately there were shrieks of, "How are you?" and "You look great!" I smiled to myself knowing that me and my friends would have done the same exact thing. My bought of homesickness ended with the realization that no matter where you go, people are the same.

a little bit of culture

One of the greatest assets of London is all the culture and historical sights the city has to offer. In just one city, in a country smaller than many U.S. states, you can see a dozen tourist attractions in a single (although very busy) day. For most of the week, it seems I haven't been doing much more than running errands, finding a flat, getting lost, and exploring pubs- so when Saturday had no itinerary, the flatmates and I decided to venture out. Within 30 minutes of walking and taking the tube, we were by the River Thames and all the beautiful landmarks the Westminster area has to offer.

Our first stop was to visit the Queen, who as luck would have it, was home (the British flag flies over Buckingham Palace while she's in.) The Palace puts our White House to shame. There are elaborate statues and impeccable gardens throughout the area, which oddly enough has a cobblestone street running right through the front of the castle. From the Palace you can see Big Ben and the London Eye. We walked to these sites through St. James's Park, which was unbelievably picturesque, with swans swimming and Londoners sunning themselves on the grass. The nice thing for me about being in this area was being able to be a tourist without shame. Everyone there has come to see sights, so ogling a map or asking for directions is common.

Big Ben and Westminster Abbey were my favorite of the things we saw. The buildings look so classic and appear magical even on a busy afternoon. The House of Parliament , Guards' Museum, London Eye, and Thames River were all interesting sites and I was happy to see in person the things I've only ever seen pictures of, but I didn't really tour anything or stop at any one place too long (SU puts on cheap tours to these sites, so I'm saving my pounds to go see them thoroughly then.)

The afternoon ended with us getting lost trying to take the bus- a red, double decker- back to the hotel. Despite that minor set-back, I came away feeling accomplished for seeing so much, and grateful because you just don't see all that beauty and history so close together in the States.

little things

Homesickness comes in waves. Every once in awhile I suddenly realize that I can't go home for months. At school, going home is always an option. I'm so used to calling home when I'm walking somewhere around campus or on my way to grab coffee, but I can't just check-in quick here. When conversations with loved ones are so few and far between, the smaller details often get left out and the trivial parts of one another's lives become tiny mysteries, not detrimental to a relationship but adding up to make a kind of space that didn't used to be there. E-mails and Skype calls stick to the basics: what did you do? are you okay? is everyone healthy? So now I know my sister starts a new year at work, but I can't help her decide what to wear. My friends say everything in Syracuse is the same, but I don't know if they ordered cookies at 2am or who they're looking up on Facebook. 

I've had to get around 20 new room keys at my hotel because I keep putting it by my phone and deactivating it, I have four blisters, and last night I ordered sausage pizza at 3am and it was one of the best pizzas I ever had- although we got a super large and it was only 8 tiny slices. I won't remember to tell you those kind of things when we talk again, but it makes me feel less separated to have you know now.

drinking with British boys

Most of the Syracuse program went out to local pubs near the hotel (Shakespere's Head and O'Neils) together Tuesday and Wednesday night, so come last night a fair share decided to stay in. I can order a pizza and watch a movie in America but I can't wander the streets of London or drink a pint of Guiness there, so obviously I did not join them.

After taking a cab to a "bar/club" that wound up only having a dozen or so people drinking casually, my future roommates and I wandered past shops and closed restaurants for blocks. Things were looking pretty grim when we came upon what must have been the theatre district, lit-up by a Dirty Dancing poster and the Lion King musical's venue. When it seemed like our night out was doomed, we turned the corner and found a small but busy pub filled with music, young 20-somethings, AND cheaper pints! 

We were about to settle in to a little table, when we got up the nerve to go talk to some locals. Thank goodness for liquid courage! Our new friends were completely cool with the fact that we know nothing about their country. I expected the Brits to be a bit snotty, cold, and unwilling to give directions or recommend restaurants, but these guys invited our whole group to sit down, bought us a round, and took out a map. They circled all the spots we should see while we're here, then got out our Tube map and showed us how to get there. 

Before we left, they asked how long we were visiting for. "We'll be here until December," we told them. "You're not tourists," one said. "You're residents now."

first impressions

London is beautiful. The people are like the buildings- classic and charming with a sense of style that makes you feel as though you have to be dressed up. Everything is just a little bit fancier, even McDonalds makes fresh deli sandwiches and Pizza Hut has cafe-style outdoor seating. The accents here are adorable, and so far everyone has been very helpful when I've had to ask for directions (which is often) or when I got confused with the currency (one pound coins look so much like nickels to me!)

I feel very guilty for it, but after three days here I still haven't seen any major landmarks. Our days have been filled with orientation activities and trying to find a flat to stay in these next few months. Mix in our jet-lag, the after-effect of going to pubs every night, the fact that we're living out of suitcases and having to dine out for all our meals, and trekking it to Big Ben just hasn't seemed plausible yet. 

Once I move in Sunday, I plan to get started seeing the sights and learning the city. Finding a flat in London was simple. By the first night here it seemed obvious which friends clicked, so getting roommates wasn't hard even though I didn't come over with any of my closest friends. On noon on Wednesday we contacted a highly-recommended landlord, fell in love with the first flat he showed us, checked out a few more places, and by 2 we were enjoying a celebratory lunch. Brilliant!

planes, trains, and automobiles

Deciding to go to London was easy. Getting here was not. Apart from all the preliminary things, like getting my passport and visa and tickets, there was the basic issue of getting to the airport. We drove to the bus station, I took a bus from Albany to New York, had to walk (with all my luggage!!) to a different station, wait, take a bus to Newark- only to find out that it wasn't going to the airport, just Newark. From there I walked around for awhile (still carrying the luggage) until I realized where I was, got a cab, made it to the airport, and waited over four hours to get on the plane. My arms ached halfway through the day. The flight was long and the crowded seats made it hard for me to sleep, so as excited as I was to get here, I nodded off a bit on the bus ride to the hotel- missing my first sights of London. Luckily, my first few British hours aren't characteristic of the trip. After a nap and shower, we were having an orientation dinner and discovering the pubs. Cheers!