Trip to the Guardian

My time spent abroad was such a life changing experience. Not a day goes by that I don't catch myself day dreaming about Europe or talking about London. Living in such an eventful and exciting city like London, constantly traveling and being on the go, and always having something do really sparked something inside me. Some could call it a thirst for more, which is something I was warned about prior to going abroad -- "The Travel Bug."

Nevertheless, living on my own in a foreign country and traveling to places where little English was spoken really forced me to grow up and become independent. It even forced me to reevaluate many things in my life that I thought were relevant and significant, broadened my interests, and forced me to discover hidden talents I had yet to explore. While I thought I was losing certain interests and skills, in retrospect I was gaining much more. For example, I have found myself losing interest in the trivial less significant things like weight-lifting, partying and what not, and now spend that time traveling around, learning as much as I can, honing in on my journalism and photography skills.

I have come to the realization that a lot of this interest was sparked when while working with YH World (Young Hackney). While interning at YH World, we took a trip the Guardian and we had the opportunity to get advice from some of the star journalist. The Guardian, originally called The Manchester Guardian, was founded by John Edward Taylor in 1821. Today the Guardian is home to over 600 journalists and takes over 3.5 floors in an awesome building next to Kings Cross station. The "we" that were present were the 30-something students from all around the world representing the top universities in higher education. The three things that I took away from the discussion were that:

1. There are a lot of people out there with the same interests trying to find ways to compete against you, some of which were in that very room. Thus, we must constantly find new ways to make ourselves stand out.

2. Times have changed. no longer being the first on the scene of a crime now that technology has improved so even the police have a twitter feed. Instead its about investigating. getting the exclusive and breaking stories.

3. You cant be shy! Must be outgoing and willing to put yourself out there when meeting people. Sometimes all you have is a 1st impression, no second chances. 

Madrid ✈ ✈ ✈

The Best Trip Yet!

First sight of Spain

Throughout my time abroad I have have been to France, Spain, Germany, Hungary, The Czech Republic and various places throughout the United Kingdom. When I was applying for Grinnell-in-London, I had one goal for myself: See all I can, while I can!

In my visit to Madrid alone, I saw so much I do not even know where to begin! Therefore, I think I will split up the trip into three series. First I'll start with markets, museums, clubs?

St. Augustine once said, "the world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." The world has a lot to offer. Traveling is a way for one to learn about the world in its entirety. People are able to learn new languages as well as be immersed in new cultures and religions. 

Grinnell-in-London has allowed me the opportunity to travel abroad and become immersed in a new culture and environment. It has granted me the opportunity to learn from others first hand, as opposed to learning about different cultures and forms of governments via textbooks. Traveling abroad has allowed me grow and increase my level of independence as I approach adulthood.

Celebrating Holidays in London

By "Holiday," I'm not talking "Vacation!"

This year I spent Thanksgiving in London. I have to say, it was rather strange, interesting and different! This actually marks the first time I spent Turkey Day away from home. At least I was able to Skype in to the dinner table to see what I was missing.

Professor Vinter preparing the table

In fact, it just made me miss my family and the wonderful food. While I really enjoyed spending Thanksgiving with the GIL group, thanks to Professor Vinter opening her home to each and every one of us, it just was not quite like home.

Perhaps it was a mixture of the house cat, which most of you know would bother my allergies, the food and me missing Chicago family and friends. However, you can always count on Grace to brighten up everyone's day and keep people smiling. Grace is Professor & Professor Prevost's baby who often cheers everybody up, with her compliments, high-fives and gifts, including coasters and her sippy cup, on various field trips throughout the term.

Professor Prevost & Grace

Needless to say, I am looking forward to spending Christmas at home. Perhaps spending Christmas here would be different that Thanksgiving as it is a holiday and actually celebrated in Europe. It was definitely weird being in a country where most people do not even have a clue as to what Thanksgiving is or when it is celebrating.

However, it is only fair as I was not exactly sure what Guy Fawks Day was, which essentially celebrates the preservation of the British Parliament as Guy Fawks did not succeed in destroying it. To find out more about Guy Fawks Day, click on the link!

It is interesting to me what holidays and celebrities are internationally known. How people do not know about Guy Fawks, Thanksgiving and even Joe Biden, but people do know about President Barack Obama, Kanye West and even less popular artist like Kendrick Lamar or even Rockie Fresh.

Flatmates/Friends: Lorraine & Aniela (Left)
Friends: Claire,  Caitlin & Vilma

Prior to coming abroad, I teased my mom and told her I would go from London to Rio and then straight to Grinnell. Not to be a cliche, but spending Thanksgiving abroad really reminded me of the significance of family and friends, which is what I was most thankful for this year.

Cigar Museum

Teddy admiring some of the oldest cigars in the UK

With time running out, I have decided to take advantage of every opportunity presented to me. See all I can, while I can is still the motto. When my flatmate told me he was going to a cigar museum I thought sounds interesting, despite the fact that I don't smoke cigars. Nevertheless, thought it would be interesting. Needless to say it was!

This free Museum is located at 19 St James's Street. Many of the items on display go back to the time of the shops opening in 1787. Winston Churchill was actually a regular at James J Fox's cigar shop.  In fact they even had the very chair he typically sat in. See the photo below.

I thought it was time well spent as it was another opportunity of a life time. How many people can say they go to sit in "The Sir Winston Churchill Chair?"

Among Sir Winston Churchill other infamous customers are Oscar Wilde, British and Foreign Royalty, various actors and actresses on the  stage, in films, on tv, on the radio, and even musicians, writers and athletes.

Thought this thermostat controlled humidor was cool

The Adventures Continue...

From London ✈ Madrid!

It's crazy how fast time is flying! It seems like just yesterday I was meeting Natalie in London and now here I am visiting her in Madrid. What a better way to spend Thanksgiving than staying up ALL night with friends, skyping family for dinner back at home and packing for Madrid?

It was definitely interesting to celebrate Thanksgiving in a Country where it is not significant or noteworthy. Furthermore, to be in a Country that had its Christmas lights up weeks prior to what we know as Thanksgiving. Definitely has me missing family right about now. Have to say I'm most thankful for my family and friends who are supporting me and ensuring I am having the experience of a life time.

I have to say I am anxiously awaiting all of what Madrid is about to show me. Even though I've only been here for a few hours, I'm already loving it. Everything from the transportation systems to the beautiful architecture of the city. Check for more posts regarding my adventures of Madrid! I will be here until Monday, loads more fun to be had!

Happy belated Turkey-Day! Happy almost Christmas?! It's about that time here in Europe anyways!

A New Addition to YH World

The Newest Intern

If one were to ask me who I am, I'd respond with my name: Gregory H. Brookins Hinton. I'm a 20-year-old African-American male who was raised on the south side of Chicago. While I spent a lot of my childhood moving around as a result of my parents’ career, the one consistent place that I have always called home is Chicago, 93rd & Ashland! 

Fast-forwarding through my life story, I am currently a 3rd year at Grinnell College studying abroad in London, England. While I have only been in London for 3 months, I have quickly begun to pick up on the lively vibes of London; or even Europe as a whole as I just returned from Berlin, Prague & Budapest. All of which were much more live than the great old cornfields of Grinnell, Iowa, which is where my uni is located back in the states. 

In just 3 months of exploring Europe, I have had more fun and learned more than the 3 years back at school. Don't get me wrong, Grinnell is an excellent and academically rigorous liberal arts school which I do not regret attending for one second. However, since being abroad I feel I have learned and been exposed to a lot of different things in a short time-span, things I would never experience back in the U.S.

To give a brief description of the community and vibes of Grinnell, Grinnell is a very liberal place that operates on a self-governing system. It is a community where everyone looks out for one another; in essence we are a campus that governs itself. It is almost culturally shocking to go from Chicago, which is nothing like Grinnell, to such a liberal and caring environment and then over-seas to London, which is closer to that of Chicago than Grinnell.

Just based on my observations, it appears as though people in both Chicago and London are much more conservative and keep to themselves. However, I would say that London is much more conservative than Chicago in all areas ranging from the nightlife-club atmosphere to the work place and especially while using public transportation. I almost get the feeling that no one greets one another, let alone looks in another's direction; instead everyone looks at their shoes or out of the window.

Nevertheless, each and every city has its quarks, some more severe than others. Just like the rest of the world, racial tensions, racism, racial profiling, gang violence, and rude people in general exist all around the globe. While at YH World, I am hoping to present a series of articles comparing my hometown to the wonderful city of London, as well as reporting on various events and significant experiences I encounter here. Here's a link to my first article (the review of Red Velvet which is also posted on my blog).

By: Gregory H. Brookins Hinton

Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens

One aspect of London that has always fascinated me was the use of space. All throughout London people find creative and neat ways to occupy space. London is not filled with housing complexes, instead it has many creative areas where people can go to do all sorts of activities. From what seems like millions of parks and green spaces to the areas of the undergrounds where people are performing, people are constantly outside and doing something. 

Maybe it's because I am coming from America where we do not walk around as much, have great green spaces as such or because I have not acknowledged all of the wonderful of my hometown and taken it for granted. Here in London or the UK or Europe as a whole, there is so much more history behind all of these wonderful spaces.

A little while ago we, as a class, went to Kew Gardens. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew was founded in 1759. Alongside Kew Gardens in London, Kew. As well as being one of London’s top visitor attractions, Kew is also a world leader in plant science and conservation. The mission of Kew Gardens is to discover and describe the world’s plant and fungal diversity, protect the world's plant life for our future, promote the sustainable use of plants and inspire an appreciation of plants and the environment.

Throughout its history, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has made important contributions to increasing the understanding of the plant kingdom with many benefits for mankind. Today it is still first and foremost a scientific institution. With its collections of living and preserved plants, of plant products and botanical information, it forms an encyclopaedia of knowledge about the plant kingdom.

Random Peacock 

Lorraine & I at Kew Gardens