Friday, May 27, 2011

St Paul's...Concert...Ice Cream

Like usual Casmin and I had a lovely sleep in this morning then prepared ourselves for a great day of Camden Market and St. Paul’s Cathedral.  We did not spend much time at Camden because I already knew what I wanted.  I just needed my floral scarves that I found right away but sadly I was not able to barter with the lady.  She had me trying on every scarf I touched.  Then when I asked if she had deals for multiple she said how I knew she was the cheapest price I would find anywhere.  I could not deny that because I had looked at prices everywhere and knew she was cheaper, that’s why I was there.  So I took my beautiful scarves and headed to the tube with Casmin to hurry and meet Amberly at St. Paul’s.  We got there just as she was walking up so it was perfect timing.  St. Paul’s is so simple but beautiful, I know understand why Princess Diana chose to get married there instead of Westminster where all the other royalty have been married.  Looking up in the dome is so beautiful and amazing to think someone was up there painting it.  The crypt was pretty interesting; I especially loved the skulls above the entrance on the way down.  There was a little chapel down there where we saw a couple practicing for their wedding.  I was sitting down at any opportunity, so Casmin and Amberly could tell that I was hungry.  Luckily there was a CafĂ© in the crypt so I was able to get a muffin and got more energy.  So we continued our adventure up the 259 stairs to the whispering gallery, where you are only allowed to whisper.  No not really it is called that because the walls talk to you, but only if someone is standing exactly opposite of you and talks to the wall.  The sound will carry up the dome and onto the other side.  Of course we tried it.  Amberly said she could hear a word I said but so many other people were in there it was hard to with everyone talking to the walls.  After a couple hundred more stairs we reached the top of St. Paul’s!!   Such a beautiful view of the city!  The many winding staircases and the short ceilings were totally worth it!  The wind was so strong, no wonder Mary Poppins was able to fly with an umbrella; it all makes sense now.  I would have tried it but I didn’t have mine with me at the time.  Pretty much all in all I would say we climbed 1000 stairs because of the way up and down.  Of course we had to sit on the steps of St. Paul like the lady in Mary Poppins feeding the birds, except you aren’t allowed to feed the birds anymore.  We saw some ruins when we were on top so it was time to see what they were.  It was an old church that only had a few walls and spire left after the Blitz.  It was so interesting because it was black and everything too.  You can look around at old buildings here and see the black and stuff on them and know it is from the war and it is so amazing.  We found a great deal on pizza so bought it and prepared it for a picnic in the park.  We met up with Lauren and Holly as well.  When dinner in the park was finished we realized we needed to go get ice cream, we passed the church and some missionaries on the way and they told us we should go to a concert at the church right then.  When they said it was a viola and a harp we were sold, well maybe because there were going to be free cupcakes as well.  The concert was beautiful; it helped me realize that stories are told through music even if there are no words.  I have never seen or heard a harp solo before and I absolutely loved it.  We had cupcakes after then we were happy because the ice cream place was still open.  It was perhaps some of the best ice cream I have ever had!  They had Fererro Rocher!!  It was dreaminess!!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Sleep Sleep Sleep

Well when I got home from the play last night I drank a lot of water and apple juice I don't know if this had anything to do with what happened to me this morning, but at 3am I ended up waking up with a stomach ache and throwing up.  It was not fun.  On the bright side not everyone can say they threw up in London while visiting.  I went back to sleep and was hot and cold all night until I woke up at 8 so I could get ready for my skit in class but when I could barely walk to the door I knew I couldn't go to class.  Luckily I have awesome roommates and casmin went and told our TA and my groupee Carolyn that I couldn't get out of bed.  So while everyone went to class I slept.  Then woke up when they got home and Casmin gave me soda and crackers.  Then fell asleep again and woke up when everyone got home again at 4.  I decided I should do some hw before the play that night.  I really did not want to miss it because it sounded like it was going to be really funny.  So I started to get strength by eating crackers and quickly got ready to go to the play.  I got tired and weak again on the way there but I am so glad I went.  The play was absolutely hilarious!  I loved it.  During scene changes the actors would come out and perform little muscical numbers and it was great!  My favorite was a guy playing bike horns.  Oh the show we saw was One Man Two Guvners.  Pretty much the walk home killed me so I got n baed and Casmin told our TA that I would have to do the hw later.  Casmin was such a doll and took care of me really well.  I am so grateful she is my roommate and friend.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Play After Play

Casmin and I slept in for a lil then got ready to go on a lovely shopping trip to a secret Primark that is not packed full f people like the one on Oxford Street.  That Primark is a swarm and so busy that if you want wait in line to try on clothes you don't even consider it because it is a 40 minute wait and if it isn't you can only take in 8 items and then you have to stand in line again.  Trust me I did it once and I no I did not get back in line.  I joined tons of other people throughout the store changing behind clothes racks and looking in mirrors.  So you can understand our excitement and desire to go to a less known one.  We figured out where we had to go and set off on the tube.  We finally got to the station and started walking but did not see it anywhere.  So we decided where would be best to ask directions a little market store or a pharmacy.  We went with the pharmacy on the whim that the market guy might not speak good English like the ones in the two shops by our flat.
We got directions to just walk down the street, so the walk began only for me to look at my phone and see that we had been on the tube for an hour and only had an hour before our play.  Tube rides just fly by with all the people watching that can happen.  But no fear we found the Primark, well we didn't actually see it but we saw a lady with a Primark bag walking toward us so we asked her about it and she said it was indeed a little further down the street.  Then she started to advertise for them saying how they have tons of great things and she just spent her money there.  Well we didn't want to look stupid and just turn around and walk with her the other way after asking her so we kept walking turned a corner and went down another street.  That street eventually merged into the street we were on and yes we were walking on the opposite side of the street as her but we just hurried to the underground.  We tried to figure out the closest place to get off the tube to get to our play.  Now this is where the real fun began, three maps later we decided we should try Waterloo station looked really close.  Oh boy were we wrong.  We thought it was great at first walking along the river walk, we saw some cute shops and eating places but realized we were going to be late.  You can't be late to a Shakespeare play so the ran began.  Casmin and I ran through the streets of London dodging through school children and other Londoners.  We tried to follow the signs but finally we stopped and asked a couple and we had to go down this street and it was 50 yards.  By this time it was 10 till and no i do not know how far away 50 yards is but we ran it.  Good news is we got there and right as we sat down the play started, which is lucky for Casmin cuz she was sitting right by the teachers.  We saw Much Ado About Nothing and I really enjoyed it.  It is probably one of my favorite Shakespeare plays.  Beatrice and Benedict were so funny in it especially the faces Benedict would pull.  It was really entertaining and a nice relaxer after a good run.  AT least Casmin and I got some exercise in.  After that play ended we headed home to grab a snack and get directions to Legally Blonde.  Then quickly set out on back to where we were pretty much only this time with Megan. 

We bought our tickets at the amazing cheap student price all next to each other in the center and a few rows back with time to spare to grab a quick dinner and snacks.  I went to Paul's Bakery and got a delicious Quiche Lorraine and a cream puff thing.  They were both way good!  
When we got in Legally Blonde the lady sitting next to us was a German actress so she was telling us all the musicals we need to see.  Apparently Jersey Boys should be next on our list so I am going to have to look into that.  Legally Blonde was so cute and fun I loved it!  It was the first play I came out of here feeling really hyper and happy!  We were skipping and singing the songs.  It also made me really want to perform.

We stopped by Mcdonald's on our way home and got McFlurry's because they have British candy in them so they are different.  Then we headed home and it was time for bed.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Day Of Deliciousness

So pretty much we are having the funniest class of my life right now!!  We all split into groups and came up with little comedian skits.  Everyone's was so funny!  Mine was a school setting with a teacher like the one in Charlie Brown, a sleeping girl, two girls passing notes, and I was the hyper girl that was always raising her hand with nothing important to say.  I kept saying that i use math when I shop, i love history, that I love my teacher and then ask her how much longer.  The teacher got frustrated then hits her head on the wall, the sleeping girl woke up and says that if you hit your head against the wall every 2 seconds for 90 years your head will indeed go through the wall.
One of my favorites was the one Casmin was in.  It took place in a restaurant with an engaged couple and their friend sitting at a table.  The couple talks the whole time about their wedding plans and how good they think their friends will be together.  Casmin is the waitress and tries to join in many times and ask to take an order and finally they snap at her and tell her they are waiting for a friend.  The friend finally comes and he and his date pretty much sit quietly the whole time while the couple rambles on and on talking about their wedding.  Meanwhile Casmin keeps trying to get around the table in different spots to try and talk to them.  She finally gets their order and doesn't know where to take it so she cute in between the couple and hands them their food and they look at her then keep talking.  Then she yells for them to enjoy their meal.
After class a huge group of us headed for Hampstead where there is a crepe stand with and actual french guy making the crepes!  I got the french man's favorite which is the Crepe Complete (Ham, Egg and Cheese)  So maybe I also decided it would be best to try their best dessert crepe as well which was amazing!  Best crepe of my life!  I will go back there everyday until I leave!  There are so many options I must try them all! 

Harrod's began to call our name!  We walked around for a little and then decided it was baout time we gave in to the Bacio sundae, which is chocolate and hazelnut gelato with lots of other lovely things.  It was the best decision ever!  Totally worth the money!  Lets just say I decided to make today all about food. 


While at Harrod's I couldn't help but notice the pastries that were unlike traditional Harrod's prices.  I decided to try a few, Brioche, scone and pain au chocolat.  Don't worry I didn't eat the pastries all today I just tried the Brioche.  It was interesting, probably wont get another one.  I thougth it would be an amazing thing but its just round bread.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

10 Things Learned In Ireland

  1. Do not trust the Tourist information desk
  2. Do not believe the Bus/Train Station information desks
  3. Make sure you walk into your hostel not hotel (can't just look for Isaac's because everything on the street might be owned by Isaac)
  4. Make sure that people don't hear you say you are going to grab a random bed (they might hate you and you have to sleep in the same room as them)
  5. Listen to the locals they are nice and willing to help as long as they are not drunk, then they are a little too friendly so beware (you can usually count on the little old ladies)
  6. Eat as much honeycomb ice cream as possible.  it is the best ever and you may not see it again.
  7. If staying in Dublin bring a nose plug.  
  8. Even if the weather says cloudy and no rain don't believe it.  It rains everyday in Ireland.  How else do you think it stays so green?
  9. Do not put on eyeliner in the hall of your hostel.  An older man might think you are hurting yourself and be concerned.
  10. Spend as much time in the countryside as possible, especially by the ocean.