Prince William lives there? How do I get in?

LONDON/ TWICKENHAM-

Sorry for the delay! Last week at this time I was getting ready to leave, even though I have only been here for about a week I feel like it has been several months. I can’t believe how fast I feel I have adapted to the culture and the cities transportation systems. Not that I had a choice, I can’t tell you the amount of time I have spent looking at bus maps and train maps to make sure I am going to the right place. At first let me just say it was extremely intimidating getting on a bus/subway/train in a completely different country and not knowing exactly where you’re going, but it’s part of the experience. Right? I have only gotten lost twice, so not bad. However, one thing I learned the hard way is that you need to wave the bus down if you want them to stop. Kind of like getting a taxi in New York, you need to be aggressive! Of course, whistling isn’t necessary. Otherwise they will drive right on by even if you are waiting at the bus stop. Normally that wouldn’t be a big deal because they come about every 10 to 15 minutes but when it’s raining and cold outside 10 minutes can seem like an eternity. 

Speaking of weather, that’s one thing I’m having a hard time getting use to. BRRR it’s cold! Now a part of me feels a bit embarrassed to admit that because I am used to -30 to -40 degree temperatures, how could I be cold? But this is why, Minnesota is more of a dry cold you can feel it on your skin and it gives you that tingly feeling. But in England it’s more like a damp cold, so for some reason you feel it inside of you, in your bones. Now, on the plus side I was told that although the rain is normal it is going to get relatively warmer hopefully this week. I’m looking forward to it!

Anyway, enough about the weather! There is so much that I have been up to these past few days I can hardly believe it. I’ll give you a brief update.

On Saturday, I went to Notting Hill with two other girls. It was about a 30 minute bus ride and then two stops on the tube to get there, not bad at all.  We went shopping on Portobello Road. It was insane and I loved every minute of it, I’m definitely going back! There was so much stuff that when you approached the street and looked to either side you would see countless stands of clothes, scarves, hats, shoes, jewelry, tourist stands, antiques, food, etc. It went on for miles and miles, a little overwhelming. It felt like I was at the state fair but everyone was jammed packed together on a single narrow road.  What seemed odd to me though was that there were a few cars attempting to drive through the large crowd. I couldn’t imagine how long it took them to get to the other side.

After that, we went back on the tube into central London. I fell in love with city as soon as I walked up the stairs from the Underground Station and looked around for the first time in complete amazement. There were tons of people, lights, pubs, restaurants, Broadway signs, and big and small modern buildings, mixed in with historical ones. I felt like I was in New York with the exception of double decker buses. We walked around for almost an hour to find somewhere to get Fish n’ Chips for a decent price. Looking at the menus displayed outside of every restaurant we walked by was all pretty expensive but we were determined to find something reasonable. Finally, we saw a pub that was called “Prince of Wales” and decided to go there. My first night out I had Fish n’ Chips and it was pretty good and cheap! For dessert we went to this place called Covent Garden also in central London and got delicious crêpes. 

On Sunday, we went on a tour of Westminster, and saw Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and The London Eye. It was surreal to see it for the first time. I am excited to go to museums and learn more about Europe and its history, I find it so interesting. We also got to see Buckingham Palace, and The Clarence House. However, the royal families weren’t home and we were told that they actually are hardly ever home. I wanted to go inside the palace but it is only open for tourists when the queen is on holiday, which is August and September. Another thing I would love to see is Trooping The Colour. It’s a big parade to celebrate the Queen’s birthday. Even though her actual birthday is in April. They celebrate it in June because the weather is nicer. But that is when you would for sure get a glimpse of Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry.

On Monday, it was student night to get into this club in Richmond. So naturally all of us Americans wanted to go check it out. It was called Oceana and it was amazing! Before we could even get into the club they had five security guards to look through your coat pockets and check to see what was inside our purses, they even had medal detector. Anyway, this club I swear had at least four or five different levels with all different themes. My favorite was the ballroom that had a huge chandelier in the middle of the ceiling and then an extending loft where people could go and dance. It’s hard to explain, but I’ll take pictures next time, as I am sure we will be going again. I even liked it better than the one we went to in London called Oxygen, which pretty much was just two levels and a lot of techno music. The one we were at last night was so much bigger, but very easy to get lost in and the best part was that they played music we actually knew and liked. While at the club it was funny because as soon as these guys found out we were all American they kept chanting USA… USA! Whenever we walked by them haha.

On a side note let me add that for the most part British guys are very friendly and so polite. Every guy I have met always says, “Brittany, you’re from America…. Lovely to meet you!” The accent is adorable. However, we were warned from British girls that all the guys here are “rubbish.”

I had class this morning. It was my history class, or should I say module, called London as a Tourist Destination. It seems pretty interesting. I had to wait 15 minutes for the bus and then walk another 10 minutes to campus. I’ll have to plan better next time because I was late. However, it didn’t matter because all 20 of us were waiting there for over a half hour until we realized that the class was being taught upstairs. Tomorrow I have TV/Video Production and I’m really looking forward to it. I only have class on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays… which means I have four day weekends to travel!

My weekends are about to become very busy and I am so excited for what’s ahead in these next two months. This weekend I am going with the school and other Americans to see Stonehenge, and Bath. Next weekend I am going with a few others to Amsterdam! The last weekend in February I’m going to Scotland. The first weekend in March I’m going to Paris. And then finally Ireland to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!  I’ll have plenty of exciting things to tell you about very soon. So, stay tuned! Cheers!

-Britt