Sunday, January 16, 2011

Here's to abolishing the term "Lazy Sunday"

It's official. It has been two weeks since I have been on US soil. And I couldn't be happier.

Yesterday was less jam packed then usual, hence the lack of a post. I enjoyed a nice Saturday with friends at Camden Market. Now, if you have ever been to/heard of Camden Market, you know that it is a maze of vendors that seems to go on for miles. Seriously, you can spend an entire day there and not even see every stall. It's INSANE! Filled with arts and crafts stalls, vintage shops, book sellers, and cheap clothing, it is a shopaholics heaven! Luckily, being the frugal girl I am, I have some self control. But even Camden Market was nearly too much for me. I made one purchase. Yes, one. My dad would be so proud! After haggling with a vendor, I got a really nice red coat down from £65 to £40. Score! Now I have something to wear besides my shapeless winter coat or raincoat. I can look cute for once here!

After scoping out the deals at Camden, we decided to look for restaurants in the Notting Hill area. A huge fan of Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, I was anything but hesitant- even after being informed that restaurants up that way are a little pricey. We walked to the Tube, only to find out that basically every possible route to Notting Hill was shut down. Bummer. Luckily, Covent Garden and Leichester Square were still on the table. Or so we thought.

Since coming to London, it has been hard to keep track of what day it is. With the lack of classes, who really cares?! All I know is, I am gonna get my explorin' on! However, this did not work to our advantage yesterday. Covent Garden and Leichester Square are by far the most populated parts of London, seeing as the latter is London's equivalent to NYC's Times Square. Now, factor in Saturday night at 7pm. Fail.

After wandering around and being told by numerous restaurants that the wait time would be 45 minutes to and hour, we finally stumbled upon Carluccio's. (Side note- right across from Snog! WIN! Sorry I am so obsessed with this place) A nice Italian restaurant, I got yet ANOTHER AMAZING DISH! 13 days and counting...

Today on the other hand, was a "Rachael" day. Meaning, I barely had any other social contact. For me, this is actually OK. I do like having alone time. I used this time to my advantage. I woke up early to the sun shining, got ready, and made my way to St. Patrick's Church, basically 30 seconds from my dorm. Mass was... interesting.

The church was on the second floor. They print out all the readings and prayers for the mass, and you pick it up as you walk in. Their hymnals didn't have music- just words, so no one sang, because no one knew the tune. Everyone wore jeans. I was wearing khakis, a nice button down shirt, and my new coat with my shiny black ballet flats. They looked at me like I was crazy. Then, the priest comes in. Anddddd......

He was American, and just got to England last week. Figures, I go to London to attend my first mass, looking forward to hearing all the prayers I have heard all my life spoken in an accent. And I was let down. Boo! I have decided that from now on, even though St. Patrick's takes literally 30 seconds to get to, I am going to do the 45 minute walk to Westminster Cathedral. From what I have heard, it is totally worth it. O, and Tony Blair (the old Prime Minister) goes there every Sunday morning. BONUS!

After, I went to our dungeon gym to continue training for my impending triathlon following my return to the US. Then, at around 3, I decided that it was complete rubbish for me to stay in my room all day. Braving the now stormy looking London weather, I ventured out on my own. Leaving my maps and London guide books at home, I only brought my wallet and camera. Not having an idea where I was headed, I went wherever the wind blew me... literally!

I ended up walking along South Bank towards Parliament. What I planned on being a 30 minute walk led to a 2.5 hour long walk, totaling over 4 miles. I got some great day/nighttime pictures, and those below are some of my favorites. Also, I got into a "black and white" phase, and also experimented with more grainy looking pictures. I love how they came out- kinda gave the photos a vintage vibe, a la the opening scene of Phantom of the Opera.... feel free to look through- my Facebook page has even more if you are interested! (*cough, cough* 93 pictures *cough, cough*)

...Hey! At least it is not the 153 I had originally!

When walking back to my flat after my little adventure, I reflected on my time here thus far. I know in every post, I say how much I love London. And I mean it. Walking along the South Bank, the smell of Belgian waffles would hit me, only to be replaced seconds later by that of hot dogs and roasted peanuts. Children and adults burst into laughter, and locals and tourists alike marvel at the sights around them. (It's hard not to) Street performers, human statues, and clowns making balloon animals could be found every 10 feet. People from every culture, crammed into the pubs and restaurants lining the Thames, enjoying each other's company. People still perusing the book market despite the harsh English weather. To me, this city is unlike any I have ever known. I hate to say it like this, since I think only crazy people talk like this, but this city has this energy. An inescapable energy. You can't NOT love this city. There is something for everyone here. After all, as Dr. Samuel Johnson once said, "To be tired of London is to be tired of life". I for one, know I will NEVER be bored in London.

I only hope I get to experience everything here before my time is up....

Cheers!


Parliament at dusk, with some statue in the front. Yeah, I forget what it was for...

The National Theater (which is right outside my dorm) lit up at night. Each night, the colors change.


Book Market under Waterloo Bridge- you can literally find any book here, in multiple languages!

Parliament and Big Ben at night...the love affair continues!

Big Ben and the London Eye... I have a problem.

Part of Westminster Abbey facing Parliament. I'm pretty sure that is "The Lady Chapel". The architecture is exquisite!

My attempt at an artsy photo. Lamp in foreground, Parliament and Big Ben in the background


View of the London Eye from directly under it

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