Camden, Ice Cream and History

It has been such a great and fast week here in London. We started classes on Monday, and it is absolutely wonderful to start getting into a regular schedule.

This morning I had a three hour advertising class with a professor that has a heavy Bulgarian accent. He is absolutely hilarious... when I can understand what he is saying.

After my class, Jill, Allie, Kathryn and I went to visit Camden Market and the Museum of London - both two sites that we had to visit for class.

Our first adventure: Camden Market
"I've never felt like such a small town girl," Kathryn said, and that sums up the entire experience quite well.

We walked through an entire lot devoted to clothes (some were cute), and then a lady with a mustache told us to keep walking to find more of the market.

It was intense. This isn't your typical fruit and veggie sort of deal - oh no. We are talking punk fashion. There were a lot of funky spikes everywhere. It was definitely an eye-opener compared to the area where we live.

Second adventure: Ice Cream
We had heard about a restaurant that served delicious ice cream, so this was definitely a top priority - especially after all the spikes and punkness.

We eventually found our way, and we had DELICIOUS ice cream. I am loyal to Dairy Queen, but I can't lie - this place was tasty!

It was all sugar and smiles until... the bill.

Now, in the States we are used to the server bringing us the bill when we are finished with our food. This is definitely not the case here. (We have run into many awkward situations.) After five minutes sitting at the table and debating what is and what isn't the right thing to do (this is our normal routine)... we asked for the bill.

We couldn't split the bill, and each of us did not have the exact monetary amount to cover it. We literally spent over 15 minutes trying to figure out how to pay the bill, who was going to pay who and how much. All the while, I have uncontrollable laughter because our server is just standing behind us, definitely staring (glaring, probably) at us.

I'm guessing her thinking went something like this... "Stupid Americans."

We ended up paying over six pounds in small coins. (I felt like I was five years old again, taking all my pennies to get a candy bar at Casey's...)

Oops...

The most important part: After 10 days, I finally had an explosive laughter in London. It felt so good, and as weird as it sounds, it made me feel like everything was normal despite all the adjustments I have made in the past week and a half.

The Last Adventure: The Museum of London
This was a small but very interesting museum. It had great exhibits on the Great Fire of 1666, Roman London and Medieval London.

My favorite part was a book that was made in remembrance of the 52 people who were killed in the London bombings of 2005. Each person had pages devoted to what their family and friends said about them. It was beautifully sad.


It was certainly a day full of adventure! Tomorrow we are headed four hours north to York. We will be staying in a Bed and Breakfast for the weekend, so I will be sure to write all about when I get back!

Ketchup

Today was my first day where I thought, "Wow. I really miss America."

I made some chicken noodle soup, but it tasted a little harsh (to put it lightly). I am usually very open to new flavors - simply because I love food of any sorts.

But not tonight.

So I went to McDonald's.

I got my comfort meal of chicken nuggets and french fries. I got some ketchup and sat with my friends. And then I tried the ketchup...

"Even the ketchup here is absolutely disgusting!" I said, not very nicely.

"Jenon, are you sure that's not barbecue sauce?" my friend Allie asked.

Shoot.

The good news: The ketchup is the same.

Photographs to Enjoy

Outside The Anchor on my birthday. This is the pub where Tom Cruise shot the last scene of Mission Impossible.

Chocolate truffles at Borough Market. There was a lot of food from around the world - Thankfully, there were free samples!

Just after midnight on our way home -- I am 21!

With my friends Allie, Erin and Kathryn

On our scavenger hunt during Orientation -- we got bonus points for wearing the hat!

"I think London hates my birthday"

The following are the DOs and DON'Ts for celebrating your 21st birthday on a Saturday night in London. Enjoy...

DO plan where you are going before you go somewhere. Research pays off. (This is definitely important when three of the major Tube lines are shut down for the weekend...)

DON'T decide to leave your hotel to get off at a random Tube stop and then find some random place to eat. (You will end up in the world's smallest pub with tiny little stools and tables.)

DO bring guys with you. They will pay for your birthday meal (a chicken sandwich) and your drinks.

DON'T wear high heels. I thankfully wore flats, but two of the girls will be suffering the rest of the week for their decision on Saturday night. Remember, London's cobblestone/brick streets are very unforgiving to your feet.

DO make a special phone call home to your mum and dad. It will (in some small way) make it feel like you are closer to them. (Oh, how I miss the days when Ruth would wake me up in the morning to say "Happy Birthday," and later the parentals would take me on a special shopping trip.)

DON'T take pictures on the Underground platform while waiting for a train. This is what you will hear over the speakers: "Attention passengers on Platform 1, there is no flash photography in the Underground. If this happens again, you will be asked to leave the station immediately." (Ooops!)

DO make a Skype date with your boyfriend so you can have a special chat with him on your special day.

DO wake up early the next morning (even though you got very little sleep) and go to the Hillsong Church in the Dominion Theater. The worship is absolutely amazing, (Hillsong United has put out many hit worship songs) and it is a refreshing reminder of what you are doing in London. (London is very secular, so it was great to go to a place where the people really do want to be there - Very authentic.)

DO give thanks for the wonderful people in your life - whether they are sharing your birthday with you in London or are thinking about you in the U.S. (I am so very blessed.)

21

Yesterday was another full day of Orientation. The morning session included a travel seminar, and we were given the best tips for traveling through Europe. This should be so exciting to go see other countries, but the entire time I felt disheartened by the idea of leaving London every weekend! I would hate to look back on my experience and think that I did not spend enough time getting to know London - and the rest of England.

Yesterday afternoon we were split up in groups for a race/scavenger hunt all around London. It was a blast running down busy streets, racing up and down escalators and seeing so much of London in only three hours time.

Last night we went to the International Student House to hang out. There I saw Rosalie Full - a girl I grew up with in Alton! We played T-ball together, and my Grandma TeBrink taught her piano lessons. I chatted with her for a while, and we both couldn't believe that we ended up at the same place at the same time in London, England.

It was nearing midnight as we were on the Tube headed home for the night, and my new London friends sang happy birthday to me as the clock struck twelve! They are definitely making my day here very special even though I am away from my family and friends!

This morning I got up early and went on a run around Buckingham Palace (a minute's run away) and through Green Park and St. James Park. It was absolutely beautiful, and the entire way I thought of how blessed I am that I get to do this for the next four months! The weather even felt like our fall season back at home - my favorite!

After that a small group of us went on a walking tour from St. Paul's Cathedral to Borough Market. Our stops included the Millennium Bridge, Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe Theater. There are so many details I miss while walking through London, so it was great to have a tour guide to point out the historical significance of everything we saw. (I think London has a monument for every little thing that has ever happened... but it makes for wonderful scenery, I guess.) I was ecstatic when we got to see where Bridget Jones's apartment was shot in the movie Bridget Jones's Diary!

On a side note: My British accent is improving greatly. Throughout the past week I have studied how British people say certain words. Once I start talking with the accent... I can't stop. Yikes! Who knew an accent could be so addicting?

I have had a great start to my 21st year, and I never thought I would get to celebrate in such a wonderful place... It's only been a week, but I know I will always adore London!

Just Another London Day

Yesterday marked a very important day in terms of being a Londoner. It was our first wet and windy day! Our umbrellas were turned inside out and our feet and jeans were soaked.

It was a great, "Welcome to London!" reminder on our fifth day.

Last night I managed to get lost for the first time as well. We were traveling in a large group to the Phoenix Theater where we were seeing the musical Blood Brothers. We traveled through the Underground making the necessary stops, but I swear every Londoner was in the Underground and packed into the rail cars like sardines (which is usually the case).

Whenever you use the Tube you have to show your ticket or Oyster Card both when you enter and exit. We were exiting a busy station when I reached into my handbag and couldn't find my Oyster card! I tried to hurry, scrambling through my bag while trying to look up to see where the group was going.

The whole time I kept thinking, "Oh, no! I lost my Oyster card... and now I will have to pay a huge fine! I can't afford that!!! I can't afford a huge fine in London!!! I wonder if they would notice if I snuck out..."

No worries -- I eventually found my Oyster card in the part of my handbag where I always put it. (Good work, Jenon.)

I ended up losing the group, and unfortunately for me, there were many exits to choose from at this stop. (And before we left, I opted out of reading the directions because I thought, "Oh, we are traveling in a group... I'll be fine. Good work, Jenon.)

I walked out the nearest one and asked three different guys where to find the Phoenix Theater. (Mom, I was fine.) I took off and found my way down the busy street full of theaters.

I eventually found the theater and dodged cars to cross the street to meet up with the group again. My roommate Kathryn said that she could see me from a distance walking down the street. "You looked like a Londoner because you were on a mission and walking so fast!" she said.

I love it when I have "I am a Londoner" moments.

The point is that even though I was "lost", I was never worried. It's just a part of the City Life. (Seriously, Mom, I was fine.)

And, in case you are wondering, I now keep my Oyster card in my coat pocket... easy access unlike the handbag.

The play was great though! The actors were talented and the main actress had an amazing voice.

The only downside to the whole night? I was so tempted to get ice cream during the intermission of the show, but the price was three pounds for two measly bites. Thank you, London...

Photos: The Beginning

Lance Armstrong's training partner (at Maddam Tussaud's)

The London Eye and the River Thames

The Houses of Parliament with the Eye in the background (This is less than a ten minute walk from my room!)

Walking to Vandon from St. James Park Tube station upon our arrival.

Political Happenings

Yesterday - 20/1

In celebration of President Obama's Inauguration, we were able to go through Maddam Tussaud's for free when we showed our American passport. They were displaying their newest star figure -- President Obama. Workers greeted us by saying, "Happy US Day!" and there was a long line to take a picture with Obama's replica. (Yes, I waited in line too... and then got a picture with George W. Bush.) There were reporters everywhere interviewing people about how much they love Obama.

"The Obama Effect" is easy to see in London -- I think people actually like Americans right now. I have to admit, I liked Obama yesterday because he got me into a gaudy tourist attraction for free!

On the tube last night, a man on duty even greeted us by saying, "YES, WE CAN!"

The First 36 Hours

I feel like I have been in London for much longer than 36 hours. We have definitely kept busy! Here are some highlights from yesterday and tonight as I try to pose as a Londoner (but stick out like a sore-thumb American...)

1. Yesterday my roommates and I walked to the main road - Victoria St. - to get some toiletries. We got what we needed and headed out to walk some more. Soon we saw the London Eye in the distance, so we kept walking to check out the scenery. Within a minute or two we were standing in front of Westminster Abbey... then came Parliament... then the River Thames. All three of us were pretty silent, and I'm sure we were all thinking the same thing. "These aren't just pictures in a book anymore... this is the real thing!"

Last night we all gathered for some pizza, took a walk around the neighborhood (have I mentioned how much I LOVE the location??), and then we stopped at a pub where we encountered our first Strongbow experience. Strongbow is an alcoholic cider, and I had heard amazing things about this drink. I wanted to like it so much... but it was...um... okay. Perhaps the half pint will grow on me.

After that a group of us walked back up to the River Thames to see the local sights at night. We came back and had an early night in bed... I slept until 2 am, but then woke up thinking... "This isn't my pillow! What time is it? What time is it at home?".... and on and on. It was definitely a "Oh-I-like-it-here-but-I'm-lonely-on-my-first-night" moment.

Morning came and, thankfully, I was back to loving London! We had a full day of orientation. There was a lot of talking during the morning, but during the afternoon we took a walking tour of London... from the oldest Roman wall built in the 1st century to the Tower of London to Convent Garden to St. James Park. It was rainy and chilly but definitely warmer than Iowa!

London has the best underground in the world. Everyone says it. I am sure this is true (even though this is the only underground system I have ever used...) . I have only been here for 36 hours, but if you told me to go somewhere in the city that I have never heard of before it wouldn't even phase me. I have the London Underground on my side.

Tonight we went to Oxford Street and it was very busy as people were getting off work, etc. It is fun to go somewhere and practice the little things we have learned so far. Such as:

1. Do not talk to people or make eye contact with people while on the Tube. (It is so quiet even though the cars are jam-packed... and we, Americans of course, are obnoxiously loud.)

2. Keep to the right side of escalators otherwise people will get angry. (This means we are all in a panic making sure we are on the right side. Tonight we did get a little brave and walked fast up and down the escalators on the left side. How wild!)

3. Watch out for cars. No bus, car or taxi yields to pedestrians. (Thankfully, I am still alive.)

There is so much more to learn about this fascinating city. I am glad it is only Day 2 because I am trying to take in as much as possible. Tomorrow is fairly free, so a group of us will make our way back to Victoria St. to make some necessary purchases, i.e. a cell phone and food.

P.S. Just a fun tid-bit: There are nicer-looking port-a-potties on the streets of London. And you have to pay to use them. I think this is absolutely hilarious. I hope I never run into any trouble... I can just see it now... I really have to go, but I am trying to reach for change in my handbag... Yikes!

The Arrival

After a long adventure traveling on my first international flight, I have arrived in London! And I am exhausted.

It hit me as our plane flew over Ireland that, indeed, I am crossing the Atlantic to go to London. Yikes.

Once I - along with many other students on the program - arrived in London, we went through Customs and waited for our baggage. I have my small suitcase, but my big suitcase with most of my clothes is M.I.A. More importantly, this suitcase holds all my undergarmets.

Yes, that's right. I am in London with no underwear.

My roommate Jill does not have either of her two bags, so we might go do a little shopping.

Tonight everyone on the program is having pizza, taking a walk of the neighborhood and going for a drink at the local pub.

I am excited to get out and see the sights, and I will start taking pictures to share with everyone. This is such a cute place... it's like Epcot at Disneyworld... only better and real.

Just Days Away From Being a City Girl

I always thought I would go to London because either Prince Harry or Prince William wanted to marry me. (I was pushing more for Prince William. He's smart, less wild and still has the rosy cheeks.) Things didn't turn out that way, but I am still crossing the pond to - what I've heard - is a great place... princes or no princes.

In a couple days I will leave the Midwest to live for four months in a major global city. I am excited to make London my new home, but it hasn't hit me yet that I will be packing my life up in two suitcases and living on my own in a foreign country. It is both nerve-wrecking and liberating at the same time!

I made my decision to study abroad in London last year over spring break. I had been debating between Norway or London for quite some time at that point. My sister student taught in Norway, and since I seem to follow my sister's lead quite often, (Iowa State, AGD, etc.) London would surely be my own experience. A PBS special about London came on as my family flipped through the TV stations, and right there I thought, "London it is!" Plus we all know how I am absolutely fascinated with British accents.

So with that I made the necessary research and plans, and this Saturday I am off to a city that is modern but still rich in history.

I will be going through Central College, and living in the hotel they own called Vandon House. The best part about this place? Buckingham Palace, Parliament, Westminster Abbey and other amazing sights are close in my neighborhood.

I am excited to explore a part of the world... and probably get lost a couple times while doing so. Stay tuned for updates, stories and thoughts from across the pond!