Surrealism

Devika and I on our first pub crawl!

I write to you from a serene, rainy Sunday afternoon. For the first time in a week and half of arriving, it seems like we are finally getting some proper English weather.

The last few days have been a bit more low-key (if you can even call it that) as we continue to settle into life at Hampstead and enjoy freshers week with no classes. People taking non-Arts-and-Humanities classes start lectures tomorrow, but I've got nothing until October 1. Most of my friends only have one or two classes that start this week though, and we're in the process of planning a couple of day trips for the middle of the week.

So what have I been up to?

Bria and I at an Underground party (everyone dresses as a Tube station)

Wednesday night I joined the British girls on my floor (who I adore to death—they're all so sweet, beautiful, and hilarious!) and went out to a club called Cable to a neon-glow-rave-type-thing. It was kind of strange going to a club, seeing as my perception of clubs mostly comes from Usher and Flo Rida songs, but it was definitely so much more fun than the typical fraternity parties at home. Add that to the list of things that are way more fun in Europe than at home. What more could you want than American pop music and glow sticks?

Getting home was a huge struggle as we tried to navigate London's night bus system while it was about 40 degrees out, but while were waiting for the bus we consumed not one, not two, but FIVE large orders of fries (chips) from this random hole-in-the-wall burger stand with barbecue sauce and ketchup. Good to know my girlfriends here are just like the ones at home—except here we stuff our faces with London Bridge in the background.

Americans at the boat party

Thursday night, our floor dressed up and headed to the Hampstead boat party on the Thames. Floating down the river seeing London's most quintessential sights from a yacht was one of the most surreal experiences I've had here so far. I've had these a lot lately—having to wonder if certain experiences are actually happening. It sounds lame but this trip has been unbelievable so far—I'm having the time of my life.

After spending hours dancing and chatting, Bria, Devika, and I ran, in heels no less, to catch the last tube home (can you believe they stop running at 12?!—even the purple line on the El goes til 1). We got home in record time, and, in true American fashion, whipped up some grilled cheese after midnight. Apparently here they make grilled cheese in the oven? We got some weird looks from the rest of the floor.

I've also gotten a chance to explore a few museums this week. On Wednesday, we went to the Imperial War Museum, which was an amazing place. Besides large war gear just chilling in the entry hall (think tanks, guns, torpedos, mines), they had a great exhibit on secret warfare. After taking 20th Century British Spy Fiction last year, it was awesome learning about the real MI5, MI6, and secret services described in Fleming and La Carre. I learned about their roles in both World Wars and various undercover operations. SO COOL.

There was also an extremely profound Holocaust exhibit that I spent a good deal of time walking through. There was the complete history of the event, survivor testimonies, and a chilling display case of shoes left from victims of Auschwitz. As my grandfather was one of the lawyers at the Nuremberg trials, it was pretty incredible to be able to experience such a moving exhibit.

Hampstead! Yes, where I live (though not this specific building, unfortunately)

Yesterday, I met up with my cousin (or, rather, second cousin?) Diana and her family; so nice to see familiar faces and feel at home. Their house is absolutely beautiful and situated in London's famous Notting Hill area. Even in a city as big as London, they had a shared courtyard with their neighborhood right in their backyard. London is a spectacular paradox in that way; though it's as big as exciting as New York, its also residential, clean, and full of beauty everywhere you turn.

Me and Bash at Portobello market!

After a home made meal of English chicken pie (fantastic), Diana and I headed down to the Portobello market, one of the most famous street markets in London and only a few blocks away from their home. The streets were crowded and stalls sold the most amazing clothes, antiques, produce, and baked goods. It didn't hurt that it was a beautiful day at 65 degrees with sunny clear skies.

The most notable part of the market, though, was probably all of the attention that Diana's labradoodle, Bash, got. We were asked no less than EIGHT times, in the course of an hour, for permission to take pictures of him, mostly from Asian tourists. It was strange.

When we finished up some orange almond cake and good coffee—perhaps the most exciting thing to happen to me thus far, they don't really drink coffee here, and when they do it's pretty horrible—Diana dropped me off at the Victoria and Albert museum.

Victoria & Albert Museum

It's really an incredible place, and I've wanted to explore a museum on my own for a while. It was a great opportunity to do so. Museums here seem so different here, perhaps because they are more spectacular, or maybe because the thousands-of-years-old artifacts actually come from the country you're in, which has so much more history than the U.S. Anyways, I got to see some British fashion from 1700's on, a whole gallery of Raphael (breathtaking), and artifacts from all over the world.

Fashion through the ages at V&A

.....And that's all the excitement around here. This afternoon, we're planning on heading to Camden Town market for a bit and track down a french press to be able to make decent coffee. This morning we made an American breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes, American bacon, and eggs (though the pancake mix, the only small package in the whole grocery store, was pretty horrible—next time we're making our own).

Hopefully this week I'll have some fun day trips to share with all of you. On Friday, I'm leaving for PARIS. Yes, PARIS. I can't wait. Spain was too expensive at this short of notice, so I booked last minute train tickets to France. I'm leaving Friday morning and will be back Monday in time for my first class. How crazy is it that that is possible? An impromptu trip to Paris that will only take a couple of hours in each direction?



I'll be meeting up with Molly (from Seville) and staying with Maddie, another KD who was incredibly nice to let us stay with her and her host mom this weekend. More updates to come—but for now, au revoir!