Covent Gardens

Earlier this week we went to Covent Gardens which is a major tourist attraction and a great place to go shopping. I will have to take my mother and Dr. Spicer back when you guys come to visit. Natalie was very disappointed that my mother and I never went. Theres everything from clothing stores, to pubs, to Ben's Cookies and a wonderful Cupcake shop. Reminded me of Jordyn, especially since it was her birthday. Shout-out to you... again! You'll have that bakery in no time.... 

Natalie w/ Ben's Cookie

Nadia w/ Ben's Cookies too

All around London there are these creepy figures that they placed before the olympics. Surprisingly enough people are actually bidding on them going up to the millions! And thats in British Pounds! They're called Wenlock & Mandeville...  

The illusion of the mysterious gold sitting man... Bet you can figure it out...

More shopping for them...

My Favorite Play Yet!

This monday I went to see The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. Like the title and the cover of the program, it resolves around the curious death of Dog. It is a fusion of a first and third person narrative centering around the story of fifteen year old boy. His mannerism closely resembles that of an autistic boy, however it is never disclosed what condition he has or does not have. Never the less, when he stumbles upon the dead dog and is accused of it's death, he is determined to resolve the matters. From this one incident and his curiosity he stumbles upon many other incidences. The play was performed in a black box theatre in the round, similar to the Flanigan Theatre in Grinnell. However, I would have to guess that the National Theatre's budget is much greater than that of the Grinnell theatre's department budget. The stage was equipped with "the works" lights, sounds, projectors. Even my theatre flat-mates could not begin to describe all the special effects used in this play. There was an entire technical team that ensured everything ran smoothly. Needless to say, I was rather surprised when I walked into the black box theatre as I thought it would be just like Grinnell... nothing special with maybe a larger audience. This was definitely my favorite play so far. While it was a dramatic play where many people in the audience teared up at many points, there were also some hilarious moments so funny that people laughed uncontrollably for a while. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has an opportunity to see it. Shout out to Papa, you would have loved it. One of the special effects were trains. These model trains, similar to yours were everywhere in the theatre. Around us, in front of us, on the stage... Definitely caught me by surprise....

The set

Teddy & Luke Treadaway (The leading actor)

Me & Luke Treadaway

Stereotypes

It amazes me each day how easy it is to spot other Americans or how often people ask me where I'm from because of my "accent." It is so different being the foreigner with an accent. But at the same time, it's kind of cool. I love it when the English try to imitate us and put on "American accents" and fail miserably. The other day, we were at a pub and were asked how often we eat Lucky Charms and Twinkies, everyday? twice a day? did we have any with us? I honestly cant remember the last time I had either. But here they are "to die for!" I am also surprised by how expensive pastries and sweets are here. Back at home it's what? a dozen crispy creams for a few dollars? Here its 1 donut for 1 pound+... There's no wonder why the English are much more health conscience, except that everyone here appears to smoke "cancer sticks." The other day I passed a man on the way to school smoking a cigarette. On the way back, a few hours later, he was there smoking a cigarette. Perhaps he never moved? or the logical explanation he couldn't go a few hours before having to smoke another... There are so many cultural differences and stereotypes that I am beginning to both notice and disprove. 

Also, I have to say I was insulted by many of the "stupid american" jokes. We went to a festival the other day where a Magician was counting to three in many languages and upon getting to America claims that we count "1.... um.... um.... oh yeah.... theres another 1.... and um... another 1?" That was just one of the many other inappropriate jokes that were made. Well this picture below just goes to show that ignorance and illiteracy exists all around the world, not just in America. 

Tea and Biscuits

This morning before classes, we had our first legit english breakfast in the flat. What a better way to start the day than with Tea & Biscuits???

Julius Caesar

6 September 2012

Today I saw Julius Caesar with my Intro-to-Shakespeare class. Many of you know, this was the second time I saw it. Originally when I saw it with my mother, I believe we both hated it. However, I might say that that was due to some unfortunate extenuating circumstances. After being lead around on a wild goose chase, my mother and I finally found the Noel Coward theatre which was right around the corner from when we originally began asking for directions... Needless to say, after a 30 minute scavenger hunt we were 5 minutes late and were forced to watch a T.V. monitor in a Bar on the 2 floor until about the second act. Trying to play catch up to an adaptation of a play that I never read was more difficult than coming in to a complex movie more than 2/3rds of the way through. In addition, we were both jet-leg so I "checked my eyes for pin holes" as my Grandfather would say. 

Last week, we were able to make it early/on time. I definitely had a different take on the play. While everyone in the class raved about the play and said it to be their favorite, I thought it was good not necessarily great. I would not say I am biased against Shakespeare,  but I can say that I certainly have a preference for the more modern plays. 

My recommendations to anyone coming to London... Be on time (EARLY) and you will have a better experience. You never know when you will be delayed due to weather conditions or even "man under train," which is what they call a suicide in the underground... Oh also, the seats make a difference! Get the tickets as soon as possible, the earlier the better seats. Originally I was not impressed by the theatre because we were in the back with some seats smaller than coach seats on an airplane... 

Me & Teddy (Photo Cred: Lorraine Blatt)

Noel Coward Theatre/Julius Caesar Set

The javelin

This weekend we took "The Javelin" from the Olympic Games site in East London to King's Cross/St. Pancras. This train travels at about 140 mph and had us there in under 7 minutes... It was also free (yet we paid anyways... like a good law abiding citizen... just to be on the safe side...)

Prom 57: Wagner, Berg, R. Strauss & Ravel

Earlier this week we took a class field trip to Royal Albert's Hall where a traveling orchestra from Germany played. It was a spectacular viewing. Never before had I experienced something like it before. Anyone who knows me knows just how much I love music. Can't go a day without it. It's my go to when happy, sad, nervous, etc. I have no fixed genre of interest, as long as it is not country. Although, since attending Grinnell I have been exposed to some different country artist that aren't so bad. I am always willing to give something new a chance. Prom 57 amazing, a violinist by the name of Frank Peter Zimmermann performed a solo that made me wish I had never given up the violin. The way in which some of these YOUTH musicians played their instruments was pure genius. At times it almost appeared as though it was not a solo but a duet. Needless to say, I am definitely looking forward to going to the ending of the proms this weekend...