Back to America

I've officially been back in America for about two weeks now, and I have experienced a little bit of reverse culture shock!

Initially, it was weird going back to Walmart, and other American-like stores. I've gotten so accustomed to life in London, that life back in America felt so different. Seeing Americans driving on the left side was a little shocking to me all over again as well. I also still call bars the "pub" and standing in lines the "queue". Overall, I do appreciate having all of my "normal" foods again.

I will be forever grateful to have even gotten the experience to travel there and to the opportunity to  become so familiar with the culture on such a personal level.

London is definitely on my travel list again. Highly recommend!

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Week Six!

Week six in London was all about finishing my assignments for both of my courses.

I went to see the play, The Phantom of the Opera, which was fairly good! The rest of the week consisted of me packing my bags and saying my final goodbyes to the beautiful city. Friday, I spent the day at Beauty and Melody Spa, which is located in the Piccadilly area of London. I received a Swedish massage that completely relaxed me. On Saturday I have my 9 hour flight back home, so I need all of the relaxation I can get. It's sad to say goodbye to all of my new friends I met here, but I am happy to get back home to the USA!

Until next time London!

Week Five

Week five was quite eventful for me.

One of the most memorable things though was that I got to visit Bath! Bath was built by the Romans a very long time ago and people still visit this historic site today. The waters were so beautiful and filled with so much history. This same day, I also got to visit the one and only STONEHENGE! I was very excited to visit those rocks, and see what all the hype was about. Even though the day that I visited was very very hot (I almost passed out), it was such a fun experience.

Later in the week, my class visited High Gate Cemetery, in the North West part of London. Though cemeteries are sort of morbid, I got to visit Karl Marx actual grave! The whole cemetery was a beautiful site to see, and I saw lots of other famous writers graves. Towards the end of the week, I went on a boat cruise down London's river. This cruise was very interesting and I got to see all of London's new building developments. I even got to see where Cher lives!

Overall this week was great and I got to experience a lot of England culture.

Karl Marx's actual grace site!

A Queens Head!

A real life Roman bath!

STONEHENGE

Site I saw on the boat cruise!

White Chapel Gallery

The fourth week here in London literally flew by! This week for me was all about catching up on school work, and finishing homework for classes here. (How fun!) Though one of the things I did this week that stood out to me the most, was touring east London, and visiting the White Chapel Gallery. Since my arrival in London, I have visited east London quite a bit, but this time I got to learn more about the literary geniuses that resided in that part of town. I also found a place called "Cereal Killer", which was interesting to me. (East London is where Jack the Ripper, the serial killer, was known to do majority of his killings several years ago.) This restaurant was a place where you could sit and eat a bowl of cereal of your choice. I definitely have to go back there. Going to the art gallery was a lot different than what I expected. Some of the pieces there were actually breathtaking, and I'm not a huge art fan. What surprised me the most was the UK understanding of the United States current political turmoil. One picture that stood out to me in particular, was an upside down US flag that had the words "Out of order" printed on the front of it. I, of course took a picture, and I will insert it down below. There were many other exhibits that were great and powerful. I'll insert a few down below!

Some Graffiti I found interesting 

*Third Week*

The third week started off pretty sad for me.

This was the week the majority of the people I've met while here at Roehampton, would be leaving to travel to different parts of the world or go home. I will be staying for session 2 here at Roehampton. I've grown so attached to many of the people there, so it was a little heart breaking. We all decided as a group to make this last week memorable, so we tried something new everyday! 

First, I went to see the King and I, a fantastic play about a British woman who travels to a foreign country and eventually falls in love with the king. The play brought me to tears at the end. To see it live in action was a memory I will forever treasure. The following day, me and a group of friends went to see Wicked! Wow. What an experience. I've only heard many great things about the play, so I was especially excited to see it performed live! This show also brought me to tears. I also decided to get a tattoo, to commemorate my time here in London. It was a little pricey, but worth every pound. Lol. 

This week was a bitter sweet one, but I am overjoyed with the fact that I got to meet so many great people. Each and everyone of them made my experience here in London, one to remember, and I thank them for that. 

Session 2 in London, here I come!

Just a few of the people I've come to love!

*Second Week*

The second week was more than I expected! Wow, where do I start...

 I had my first official British tea party at a really nice place in central London. I had an assortment of teas, and a really big platter of tea cakes, fresh scones and other different desserts. Overall, it was all so good. I felt very British there. I will insert the pictures down below. Speaking of food, I also ate at one of the most delicious sushi places. It's called Itsu, and it's a chain of restaurants in the UK. The food was fantastic! Also very highly recommended. One night, me and my flat mates (roommates in the states) decided to make a home cooked meal of Chicken Picatta, and it was fantastic. I'll insert a picture below.

Despite the food, I also toured the city of Oxford! I got to see the majority of the Oxford colleges and I even purchased a few sweaters and souvenirs to bring back to the states with me. We toured some more in central London, and I got some great pictures. On a Harry Potter tour, I also got to see Shakespeare globe in person! I've only ever read about it, so to see it in person was incredible. 

Week two ended great!

Picture of the Shard! 

Best sushi ever

Picture I took in Oxford!

~First Week Shenanagains~

Whew! What a week! London has been absolutely fantastic! I've officially been here for a little over a week, and things could not be going better! Though my flight here was a little tricky (I left my laptop at an airport in Scotland), things have been great. I've met a ton of really great individuals who have all helped my journey here be a lot more welcoming. I have traveled all over London so far, and I am sure there is a lot more to explore. 

I have inserted a few pictures here from my first week! I have been to the Buckingham Palace, which is absolutely beautiful! I have been to the Great London Eye as well. I was a little disappointed that the Big Ben is currently under construction, but I still hot to marvel at all of its glory. The food here has been fantastic! A lot better than I expected! I would highly recommend the fish and chips ;) I have an official tea party scheduled for tomorrow and I'm ecstatic about it. 

I'm starting my second week, and I look forward for more to come :)

A delicious brownie with vanilla ice-cream!

Steak with Garlic potatoes and apple Cole slaw! Delicious!

East London!

City of LONDON- Barbican

Tower Hamlets- Spitalfields

Bank of England Museum