Hey guys!
So it's 5:30 AM London time and I'm getting ready to go to Victoria Station with Daisy and Jackie as we begin our completely awsome spring break travels!! I'm so excited and a little nervous but I know we're going to have an amazing time! Our 9 hour bus/ferry ride to Paris leaves in exactly 2 hours so I don't have much time to write this but we will be there for 3 days and then it is off to Brussels for 2 days and then we will be going to Amsterdam for 2 days as well! I can promise LOTS of pictures for facebook!
love,
al
Monday, March 30, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Ange and Liv come to London and the good times continued! (Stella Stella and more Stella!)
So an update is definitely in order as I have not written in about three weeks now I think.
On the 6th I picked up Liv and Ange at Heathrow for their 8 days London. John joined me on the tube ride since it took about an hour and a half to get there (the airport is in the boonies!!). I pretty much ran into Liv's arms the minute I saw here since I have been anticipating their arrival since I got to London. After the girls got their Oyster cards and picked up their luggage we headed back on the tube to Highgate so they could get situated in my impossibly long room. We vowed to spend as less time as possible in their since it is incredibly cramped (I'm pretty sure my room started swallowing our stuff midweek due to all of our stuff being in such a small space).
We headed back on the tube after some chill time in the dorm and we went to Green Park and then I escorted them to Buckingham Palace where we had some serious photo ops (it was gorgeous that day!).
Afterwards we walked around and went to a bar called 'Bag O Nails' for their first legal UK drink! Of course we documented this as well and enjoyed the bar scene until we headed back on the tube to grab dinner. They were starting to feel the jet lag by this time and I was exausted from the day so we went to a small but amazing Thai place near the dorm and pretty much ate in silence...too tired to speak haha.
After druging back to my room we passed out immidietly...at 9:30 pm.
Saturday we slept in a litte and by noon we were up and heading out to Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill, easily my favorite outdoor marketplace in all of London. Saturdays are the best time to go here because not only do street vendors sell antiques and food but also beautiful jewelry and clothing and yes, football jerseys. We basically spent all day here trying on shoes and Ange and Liv both bought Manchester United jerseys which I was happy about since that is my favourite football team. We tried on impossibly expensive shoes and passed by every type of store imaginabe ranging from vintage stores to rock and roll t-shirts and after all the walking, famished we went to Subway to grab sandwiches and get back on the tube to head back home.
That night me, Liv, and Ange, along with the rest of my housemates went to Camden Town to World's End. This was my friends first real night out in London and I was really exited to introduce them to the nightlife scene since the night before we had passed out so early. We got all dressed up and after a few drinking games in the common room with everyone else we were ready to go. It was a really good night despite a few drunken stupors but we rolled in around 3:30 am!
Sunday the girls slept in again (they took my bed and I slept on the floor...something we alternated throughout the week) and I got some classwork done since I had two papers due that week which I had already started but I was still strapped for time since our days were spent being touristy and the nights spent being adventurous. it was a relaxing day and that night we went to Oxford Circus to see the shopping scene.
The rest of the week was easily the most fun and the most hectic of my time in London so far. Along with getting work done I was having a blast with Ange and Liv, and I was incredibly happy they were finally here since I had been missing Pittsburgh for some time now. Since Tuesdays I have no class we went to South London to see Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, The London Eye, and Westminster Abbey which was absolutely beautiful. The best part about the day was easily the Tower of London! We went on a tour led by one of the beefeaters and it was definitely a highlight to the trip. Seeing pictures of the historical jail where so many prominent people had been held was nothing to actually being there and seeing it in person. We went inside the church where Anne Boleyn was buried and the house where Sir Walter Raliegh was held for some time. We also saw some of the torture chambers and went inside the White Tower which, once held prisoners now is a museum for artillary, armour, and other weaponry. Across from the White Tower is the building where the Crown Jewels and the largest diamond in the world are kept and it was the most breathtaking display I have ever seen (especially Queen Elizabeth I's crown and scepter). The museum also featured a video of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday was spent going to bars, exploring more of London and of course, Thursday night we all went to O'Neills for some quality live music. Friday we woke up late and went shopping again at Oxford Circus before meeting up with Daisy and Jackie at a bar near campus so we could grab drinks and celebrate Ange and Liv's last night in London. We first went to a bar called Shakespeare's Head for dinner and the another place called The Cock for some cheap drinks and a fun scene. By 11 we caught the tube home so the girls could start packing and we were in bed by 1 am since we had to get up at 7; their flight was at 12:30 and we definitely didn't want to risk being late!
Saturday morning we woke up on time (yay!) and we got on the tube for the long ride back to Heathrow. The week went by so fast and I wished they could have stayed longer but I was also thankful I got to see them at all. After they checked in and dropped off their luggage we had a few minutes before they needed to go through security and I got really nostalgic. We said our final goodbyes and we hugged and they left. I headed back on the tube for what seemed forever, got back to the dorm, and truthfully, my room had never looked bigger with only my things in it then, and subsequently, it looked very lonely. I ended up passing out for a six hour nap!
That night I just hung out in the dorm with my mates. Sunday my friend Charlie who was visiting his boyfriend who is also studying abroad in Israel had a layover in Heathrow and extended his visit to the UK so we could meet up for brunch and then we decided to go to Harrods; one of the best places to shop in all of London. Even though we definitely couldn't afford anything we had a great time looking at all the designer clothing and after discovering the champagne bar Charlie offered to pay for two flutes of very sweet champagne. I was absolutely lovely watching shoppers go by and sipping champagne.
Last week nothing too exciting happened...mostly just doing more classwork and celebrating St. Patrick's Day on Tuesday for which we all went to Sports Bar. John invited hs friend Margeret who lives in a different dorm but who goes to Carnegie Mellon which was an awsome suprise since CMU is less than a mile away from Chatham. We had a great time seeing who we knew and reminiscing about greek sing and carnival and just Pittsburgh in general. It was a total highlight to the night since we were at sports bar and there was the usual array of creepy guys haha. I also went to Hampstead Heath one of the largest parks in London with a friend from class. It's all on a hill and the view of the city from the top is breathtaking. It wasn't bad that the weather has been amazing! i actually wore sandals the other day!
This is the last week of lectures so everyone has checked out mentally but I think I can make it through the week. I have two more papers to write and then three exams to study for by the end of April. My dad and sister are coming to visit in a few weeks as well so I cannot wait to see them! I defintely plan on taking them on the Tower of London tour and most of the museums. Sadly my sister is 16 so she's not old enough to drink but the pubs also serve food so she'll still be allowed inside at least.
Finally, a week from today, Daisy, Jackie and I are going to Paris for spring break!!! Woo I am so excited! haha.
I'll write again soon!
love,
al
On the 6th I picked up Liv and Ange at Heathrow for their 8 days London. John joined me on the tube ride since it took about an hour and a half to get there (the airport is in the boonies!!). I pretty much ran into Liv's arms the minute I saw here since I have been anticipating their arrival since I got to London. After the girls got their Oyster cards and picked up their luggage we headed back on the tube to Highgate so they could get situated in my impossibly long room. We vowed to spend as less time as possible in their since it is incredibly cramped (I'm pretty sure my room started swallowing our stuff midweek due to all of our stuff being in such a small space).
We headed back on the tube after some chill time in the dorm and we went to Green Park and then I escorted them to Buckingham Palace where we had some serious photo ops (it was gorgeous that day!).
Afterwards we walked around and went to a bar called 'Bag O Nails' for their first legal UK drink! Of course we documented this as well and enjoyed the bar scene until we headed back on the tube to grab dinner. They were starting to feel the jet lag by this time and I was exausted from the day so we went to a small but amazing Thai place near the dorm and pretty much ate in silence...too tired to speak haha.
After druging back to my room we passed out immidietly...at 9:30 pm.
Saturday we slept in a litte and by noon we were up and heading out to Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill, easily my favorite outdoor marketplace in all of London. Saturdays are the best time to go here because not only do street vendors sell antiques and food but also beautiful jewelry and clothing and yes, football jerseys. We basically spent all day here trying on shoes and Ange and Liv both bought Manchester United jerseys which I was happy about since that is my favourite football team. We tried on impossibly expensive shoes and passed by every type of store imaginabe ranging from vintage stores to rock and roll t-shirts and after all the walking, famished we went to Subway to grab sandwiches and get back on the tube to head back home.
That night me, Liv, and Ange, along with the rest of my housemates went to Camden Town to World's End. This was my friends first real night out in London and I was really exited to introduce them to the nightlife scene since the night before we had passed out so early. We got all dressed up and after a few drinking games in the common room with everyone else we were ready to go. It was a really good night despite a few drunken stupors but we rolled in around 3:30 am!
Sunday the girls slept in again (they took my bed and I slept on the floor...something we alternated throughout the week) and I got some classwork done since I had two papers due that week which I had already started but I was still strapped for time since our days were spent being touristy and the nights spent being adventurous. it was a relaxing day and that night we went to Oxford Circus to see the shopping scene.
The rest of the week was easily the most fun and the most hectic of my time in London so far. Along with getting work done I was having a blast with Ange and Liv, and I was incredibly happy they were finally here since I had been missing Pittsburgh for some time now. Since Tuesdays I have no class we went to South London to see Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, The London Eye, and Westminster Abbey which was absolutely beautiful. The best part about the day was easily the Tower of London! We went on a tour led by one of the beefeaters and it was definitely a highlight to the trip. Seeing pictures of the historical jail where so many prominent people had been held was nothing to actually being there and seeing it in person. We went inside the church where Anne Boleyn was buried and the house where Sir Walter Raliegh was held for some time. We also saw some of the torture chambers and went inside the White Tower which, once held prisoners now is a museum for artillary, armour, and other weaponry. Across from the White Tower is the building where the Crown Jewels and the largest diamond in the world are kept and it was the most breathtaking display I have ever seen (especially Queen Elizabeth I's crown and scepter). The museum also featured a video of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday was spent going to bars, exploring more of London and of course, Thursday night we all went to O'Neills for some quality live music. Friday we woke up late and went shopping again at Oxford Circus before meeting up with Daisy and Jackie at a bar near campus so we could grab drinks and celebrate Ange and Liv's last night in London. We first went to a bar called Shakespeare's Head for dinner and the another place called The Cock for some cheap drinks and a fun scene. By 11 we caught the tube home so the girls could start packing and we were in bed by 1 am since we had to get up at 7; their flight was at 12:30 and we definitely didn't want to risk being late!
Saturday morning we woke up on time (yay!) and we got on the tube for the long ride back to Heathrow. The week went by so fast and I wished they could have stayed longer but I was also thankful I got to see them at all. After they checked in and dropped off their luggage we had a few minutes before they needed to go through security and I got really nostalgic. We said our final goodbyes and we hugged and they left. I headed back on the tube for what seemed forever, got back to the dorm, and truthfully, my room had never looked bigger with only my things in it then, and subsequently, it looked very lonely. I ended up passing out for a six hour nap!
That night I just hung out in the dorm with my mates. Sunday my friend Charlie who was visiting his boyfriend who is also studying abroad in Israel had a layover in Heathrow and extended his visit to the UK so we could meet up for brunch and then we decided to go to Harrods; one of the best places to shop in all of London. Even though we definitely couldn't afford anything we had a great time looking at all the designer clothing and after discovering the champagne bar Charlie offered to pay for two flutes of very sweet champagne. I was absolutely lovely watching shoppers go by and sipping champagne.
Last week nothing too exciting happened...mostly just doing more classwork and celebrating St. Patrick's Day on Tuesday for which we all went to Sports Bar. John invited hs friend Margeret who lives in a different dorm but who goes to Carnegie Mellon which was an awsome suprise since CMU is less than a mile away from Chatham. We had a great time seeing who we knew and reminiscing about greek sing and carnival and just Pittsburgh in general. It was a total highlight to the night since we were at sports bar and there was the usual array of creepy guys haha. I also went to Hampstead Heath one of the largest parks in London with a friend from class. It's all on a hill and the view of the city from the top is breathtaking. It wasn't bad that the weather has been amazing! i actually wore sandals the other day!
This is the last week of lectures so everyone has checked out mentally but I think I can make it through the week. I have two more papers to write and then three exams to study for by the end of April. My dad and sister are coming to visit in a few weeks as well so I cannot wait to see them! I defintely plan on taking them on the Tower of London tour and most of the museums. Sadly my sister is 16 so she's not old enough to drink but the pubs also serve food so she'll still be allowed inside at least.
Finally, a week from today, Daisy, Jackie and I are going to Paris for spring break!!! Woo I am so excited! haha.
I'll write again soon!
love,
al
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
The U2 Concert, Raz's Birthday, and the Week from Hell
Hey guys,
So Jackie and I decided to be studious last Friday night before I was meeting another friend for coffee so we headed to Regent campus library to get some work done. On the way out of the dorm we ran into Ann, one of our housemates from Denmark who told us about some secret gig U2 had to play on the roof of the BBC building later that night. The BBC building is right next to our campus so we were a little skeptical but nonetheless we headed off to get some real work done.
On our way our a few hours later the streets of central London were completely packed and of course we could hear U2 from several blocks away. We pretty much ran to center campus and we both got to witness our first U2 concert. We only caught the last two songs (Vertigo and Beautiful Day) but it was probably one of the coolest things I have ever seen in my life! Just seeing Bono and The Edge in person was definitely a highlight to my week!
Afterward, me, James, Mette, Ann, and Catherine went to get burgers and watch the France vs. Wales rugby game (Wales was annihilated sadly). Following that we all met up with the rest of our mates at Worlds End in Camden for some good hipster fun (drinking). Around 2 we were all pretty tired and headed home. I almost fell asleep on the bus...haha.
Saturday was Raz's birthday so we went to this new bar, Bar 101 on Tottenham Court Road in central London. It was a pretty sweet venue, the music was great, the bartenders were cool, and there were different levels for dancing, and just hanging out. Pre-bar we did the usual at the house; beer pong and drinking games. On the tube Raz was pretty tipsy already and was hanging on one of the overhead bars on the train and subsequently lost his balance and fell causing some prime facebook shots. When we got off he couldn't find his hat and ended up sitting down on the escalator and refused to get off until we found it (thankfully we did before we reached the top). The rest of the night was pretty fun, just dancing and meeting people before we left around 2. It was surprisingly cold when we left so my bed had never been so nice to come back to.
Sunday was spent doing work and laying around in my trainers and trackies (sneakers and sweats). I already knew I had a ton to get through before the week was out so I figured I might as well have started early.
Monday morning I went to my British Economics class and afterwards, wandered around Oxford Circus with Robin and helped him find a gift for a friend who was turning 23...I suggested video games and copious amounts of alcohol. When I got back to the dorm I took a short nap...and ended up waking up at 10 PM!! Luckily the nap had energized me so much I ended up working on another paper until about 3...another quirck to being a college student.
Today and yesterday were pretty much the same, just doing work and awaiting Liv and Ange's arrival from the States! I am so exited for them to get here! I just need to get through tomorrow and then I will be going to Heathrow Friday morning to pick them up!
It's about 4 in the morning now, so I need some sleep before my 10 am lecture and then of course, there will be morning paper writing to do.
love,
al
So Jackie and I decided to be studious last Friday night before I was meeting another friend for coffee so we headed to Regent campus library to get some work done. On the way out of the dorm we ran into Ann, one of our housemates from Denmark who told us about some secret gig U2 had to play on the roof of the BBC building later that night. The BBC building is right next to our campus so we were a little skeptical but nonetheless we headed off to get some real work done.
On our way our a few hours later the streets of central London were completely packed and of course we could hear U2 from several blocks away. We pretty much ran to center campus and we both got to witness our first U2 concert. We only caught the last two songs (Vertigo and Beautiful Day) but it was probably one of the coolest things I have ever seen in my life! Just seeing Bono and The Edge in person was definitely a highlight to my week!
Afterward, me, James, Mette, Ann, and Catherine went to get burgers and watch the France vs. Wales rugby game (Wales was annihilated sadly). Following that we all met up with the rest of our mates at Worlds End in Camden for some good hipster fun (drinking). Around 2 we were all pretty tired and headed home. I almost fell asleep on the bus...haha.
Saturday was Raz's birthday so we went to this new bar, Bar 101 on Tottenham Court Road in central London. It was a pretty sweet venue, the music was great, the bartenders were cool, and there were different levels for dancing, and just hanging out. Pre-bar we did the usual at the house; beer pong and drinking games. On the tube Raz was pretty tipsy already and was hanging on one of the overhead bars on the train and subsequently lost his balance and fell causing some prime facebook shots. When we got off he couldn't find his hat and ended up sitting down on the escalator and refused to get off until we found it (thankfully we did before we reached the top). The rest of the night was pretty fun, just dancing and meeting people before we left around 2. It was surprisingly cold when we left so my bed had never been so nice to come back to.
Sunday was spent doing work and laying around in my trainers and trackies (sneakers and sweats). I already knew I had a ton to get through before the week was out so I figured I might as well have started early.
Monday morning I went to my British Economics class and afterwards, wandered around Oxford Circus with Robin and helped him find a gift for a friend who was turning 23...I suggested video games and copious amounts of alcohol. When I got back to the dorm I took a short nap...and ended up waking up at 10 PM!! Luckily the nap had energized me so much I ended up working on another paper until about 3...another quirck to being a college student.
Today and yesterday were pretty much the same, just doing work and awaiting Liv and Ange's arrival from the States! I am so exited for them to get here! I just need to get through tomorrow and then I will be going to Heathrow Friday morning to pick them up!
It's about 4 in the morning now, so I need some sleep before my 10 am lecture and then of course, there will be morning paper writing to do.
love,
al
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