Sorry for the extremely long wait for an update, but we have been so busy lately I haven't found much time to write a post. Now I have so much to cover it may take more than one post to get fully updated!
Last Monday was our trip to Greenwich. We took a boat cruise down the Thames, which was incredible. Even though we didn't really see anything new, it was really interesting to see it all from a new perspective, especially since the boat captain added some colorful commentary for each landmark as we cruised by. It was especially cool to see the tower bridge from the river!
Tower Bridge from the River
Approaching Greenwich
Greenwich is one of those places that is so overwhelmingly incredible that it is hard to process it’s real. The buildings were so beautiful and grand that when I look back at my pictures they almost look computer generated. It is incredible to think that Placentia Palace, which is now the Royal Naval College, has been standing since the time of Henry VIII and is still one of the most breathtaking buildings I have ever seen. I am very jealous of those who go to school there every day. That ‘campus’ makes Colgate look extremely quaint and unimpressive.
Royal Naval College
Another View of the College
From behind the College
We visited the Queens House, which now holds portraits and busts of several famous players in British history, including James I, Elizabeth I and Lord Nelson. I must admit to feeling very awed and self- important seeing so many busts and portraits of my dear ancestor Lord Nelson, though I am glad there isn’t much family resemblance.
The Queen's House
Resident BA and British Hero, Admiral Horatio Nelson
We trekked up to the Greenwich observatory, which was at the stop of a deceivingly tall hill. It provided some amazing views of London. We also got to stand in both hemispheres! Who doesn’t enjoy being at the center of the world?
Royal Observatory
View of the College from the Observatory
For once, I am at the center of the world
After taking some photos from the observatory we went to the Maritime Museum. I was looking forward to seeing more Nelson memorabilia, but the section that contains it was closed off.
Outside of the Maritime Museum
That night we went to see Vernon God Little. The show was a musical about a boy who is wrongly convicted in a school shooting. Despite the heavy topic, it was hilarious. It was the first play we have seen so far that I really enjoyed. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a play in London.
On Tuesday I woke up feeling terrible and had to opt out of morning classes. For dinner the night before we stopped in a hole in the wall Kabab place across from the theatre. Turns out that wasn’t the greatest idea, as it resulted in Liz and I both getting food poisoning. We spent the day in bed, but both felt a lot better after our recovery day. We went bowling that evening with John, Kevin and Dan at a place at the end of our street. It was probably one of the more hilarious things we have done so far. The bowling alley is designed to make you feel like you are in the USA, but seems to have been designed by someone who has never been there. Every element of the bowling alley came from a different era in US history, but not in a way that worked in its favor. The couches were 60s, the lamp shades 20’s, the waitress outfits 50’s, the wall décor 70’s, etc, etc. All of the food was ‘American’, aka American beer, Burgers and French fries. It was one huge misinterpretation of American stereotypes. The best part of all was watching the British patrons attempt to bowl. The group next to us didn’t even know how to properly hold the ball. They tried observing us for tips and eventually just had John explain it to them. Then John went on to break the bowling alley's high score by only bowling a 211. Overall, it was very fun and an eye opening experience as to how the UK sees American culture. I never thought of bowling as an American thing, but now I’ve learned better.
No comments:
Post a Comment