You call this art?

Aren't Thursdays glorious?!

The day is already wonderful due to the fact that I have no classes and can explore London even more. But this Thursday was especially amazing- not only did I get to see totally new parts of London, but while URI had a snow day, it was 50 degrees and sunny here! Just look at the view I had today when crossing Lambeth Bridge!

Pretty amazing, right?! I have been here a month, and have only had 2 days of rain. London must really love me, but it really loved me today.

After getting an early start, I got some loose ends tied up, and then met up with a friend to go to the Tate Britain. The older sister of Tate Modern, this museum is filled with art done exclusively by UK artists from 1500 on. Located more toward the west of the city, we had a lovely walk past Parliament and Big Ben. This is the farthest west I have gone on the Thames bank.

The Tate Britain

Inside of the entrance of Tate Britain

So, the Tate Britain was ok. In my opinion, the Tate Modern is way better... and I don't even like modern art! I think the Tate Modern has more in it... whereas the Tate Britain is smaller, and in a sense, more boring. But still, I got my culture on! One of the weirdest pieces was called "Coral Reef". It was a maze of rooms filled with stuff. The artist wanted you to feel as though "You were lost in a world of lost people". Whatever. It was fricken weird. Creaky doors and creepy dark rooms with a TV playing white snow. NO! THIS IS NOT ART! After watching Black Swan last night, I was soooo freaked out that Natalie Portman was just going to jump out and stab me! Seriously though...

And here is some more weird art... The piece below was called "Oak Tree". It was a glass filled with water. The artist says it's an oak tree. If you go on my Facebook, you can see an interview with the artist about this piece. All I know is that this guy is taking something, and whatever he is taking should be avoided at all costs.

"Oak Tree". NO! THIS IS NOT ART! WHY IS THIS HERE?

One of the rooms was dedicated to art and Morse code. Basically, the artist had lights flash on her "art" that would spell out messages in Morse code. Good thing I'm fluent in that...NOT.

Morse Code art

I don't want to knock on anyone that really loves modern art, but seriously. Don't you sometimes think that you can do 90% of the work you see? While you are 2 years old? How much talent does it take to place some fake trees in a row, put a balloon in the middle, and then shine a light on it? How is writing out the first few pages of the script of "Top Gun" on a big piece of paper 'art'? Is it really that difficult to throw paint in random splotches at a canvas?

...ok, maybe I knocked on you a little.

After escaping the Tate Britain, we headed to St. Margret's Church, the "Parliament Church". This is where Winston Churchill was married to his wife, and also where his funeral was held. Right across the street from Parliament and in the shadows of Westminster Abbey, this church is often forgotten. However, it is really gorgeous inside! One of the rules was "No Photography"... but I just 'happened' to forget, and took a couple. Don't say I never did anything for you!

The altar of St. Margret's Church

View of Parliament from St. Margret's Church. I'm in love!

After leaving St. Margret's, my friend and I decided to do what we do best in London- procrastinate. So instead of returning to our flats like good students and diving into our books, we decided to walk around random streets in London for almost 3 hours.

We explored the areas west of Parliament and ended up running into a school for people wishing to enter the clergy, and also a little street of pubs and cafes. Instead of going in to any of them, we took pictures of their signs. Observe why below...

Notice that this is a "Family Run" establishment....

Yes, there is that famous British sense of humor. We also ran into "Strutton Fried Chicken", "Why Not Hairdressers", and other 'interesting' stores. It was so much fun! On our way back to Lambeth Bridge, we ran into this building (pictured below). I am still not sure what it is, but it was in the middle of a ton of old brick apartments. Kinda cool, if I do say so myself. And gutsy- I bet a lot of people didn't want a building like this in the center of one of the oldest parts of London!


After wandering around the west end, we headed back across the bridge and explored Lambeth North (which is located on the South Bank, but more inland). We strolled through Archbishop's Park and then headed into a residential district.

Before we knew it, night was upon us. We headed back to South Bank and returned to the flat. Instead of reading, I cooked myself some DELICIOUS lemon chicken, and then proceeded to collapse into my desk chair.

Although I end each day exhausted, I wouldn't have it any other way. Each day is an adventure. Studying abroad has been one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I am so grateful that I have been given this opportunity, and I intend to get everything I can out of it!

Cheers!