Around the World...Eventually

Central Park views of NYC

Taking a trip down memory lane to that time I took a short cruise down the Rhine

The last day in London was anything but dull as EMU explored Herrods, fresh markets off of Liverpool, and the offices of Al Jazeera in the Shard. Offering a similar experience to that of the Ka De We in Berlin, Herrods felt like my home away from home. Despite not being able to afford most items on any of the six floors, Herrods is a must see when in London. For lunch, we took a quick ride on the Tube over towards where The Breakfast Club from my earlier post is located. A brief Italian lunch fueled our visit to the Shard for a meeting with Al Jazeera staff members. Despite my peers not knowing what business casual is, or how to behave in the of the most culturally relevant buildings in London, the meeting at the Shard went quite smoothly, all things considered. It was interesting that the staff retains the attitude of not being influenced by Qatar's interests at all.

Shop til ya drop

Despite being a short day outside of the hostel, the study abroad group managed to see quite a few areas of London. Just in time for my 21st birthday, I got my letter from Hogwarts and headed to Platform 9&¾ to catch the next train. The letter may have been 10 years late, but I hear nontraditional students still have a great time at Hogwarts. After few issues with the bloody Oyster Cards, we hopped on the tube and explored The British Museum. While much of the collection was essentially stolen, it was still truly unbelievable all the history and culture that one building can hold. Next I reveled at the pure size of St. Paul's Cathedral. The architecture is remarkably beautiful. The day ended at Buckingham Palace and surrounding gardens. The rain couldn't keep me from admiring all the beauty of nature and palaces around me. It's time for me sign off as I'm being dealt into the next game of UNO at the Generator Hostel. Goodnight London!

Day 5 in London was full of England’s finest as we explored London’s high tea scene, wandered the labyrinth of Bricklane and Spittlefields Markets, and saw a Bollywood infused Midsummer’s Night Dream. The morning started with a brunch fueled by Bucksfizz at The Breakfast Club in Shoreditch. The food was phenomenal and the wait staff was equally delicious. A spread of pancakes, sausage, streaky bacon, and fried eggs also helped make this one of my favorite meals during my time here in London. After an extra stumbly tube ride back to the hostel, we loaded bank onto the tube with the rest of the class to Spittlefield Market. A short ways away, we happened upon the Bricklane Market. Full of artisans and vendors, this market quickly became my favorite part of the class thus far. Around every corner I heard a new language and saw a rainbow of colors. Though I emptied my wallet, I was filled with priceless experiences after visiting these amazing markets. After a short stop back at the hostel, we gussied up and headed to high tea off Sloane Square. I immediately felt at home. The atmosphere was like that of a more posh and laid back 5th Ave. Housing my favorite stores and several new ones I can’t wait to explore, Sloane Square is where I’d like to have a summer home in future years. The Globe Theater had the opposite atmosphere of Sloane Square. Standing in the yard allowed me to imagine being a member of the lower middle class during Shakespeare’s theater reign. That is until the tones of Bollywood seeped onto the stage. This completely revitalized Midsummer’s Night Dream was an exciting end to the evening. Stay tuned for upcoming posts about the last couple days in London.

Art.

Today was a full day as the EMU students traveled from Windsor Castle to Bath to Stonehenge. In laymen's terms, we saw a ton of rocks piled in different formations meant to last longer than anything in the States ever will. At Windsor Castle, I was immediately impressed upon arrival. The beauty of the Castle was remarkable. In the State Apartments, the grandeur was almost overwhelming. Because of this, my favorite room was the Lantern Room- a forest green room with an impressive domed center. The Queen's rooms were all extremely ornate, as one would expect from the Queen from a long royal line. Bath was by far one of the most beautiful cities I have seen in Europe. From its quaint shops and market place to the beautiful river rushing through the center, Bath was a historical landmark with modern twists at every corner. Despite getting lost on its winding roads, I enjoyed our time spent in Bath. Stonehenge was a strange experience. The question of why is one that will never be answered with regards to this odd formation. The wind couldn't keep us from walking around the whole formation. All in all, it was a fantastic day in The City and surrounding countryside.

Selfie at Stonehenge (as one does when at Stonehenge)

Today was a full day for the students of EMU's London Abroad Program as we explored the inner workings of the London College of Communication and Spectrum Radio. Traveling across London to these two unique locations also gave us a glimpse of the diversity in London neighborhoods as we meandered the streets on the way to the Spectre Radio studios. Our morning began with a 10:30 meeting with Simon Hind of the London College of Communication. Professor Hind discussed the variances in public and private media, as well as the influences that political biases play in British media. Our time at the College ended with a tour of the facilities. As we walked into the Spectrum Radio Studios, the diversity of the organization shone through. The messages that the network provides to listeners is varied and extremely informative. The impact that radio still has in England is truly impressive.

Welcome to tonight's edition of BBC World News.

Everything is bigger in The City

Are you really in London if you don't have fish and chips?

Tonight I spent the evening wandering through the bustling streets of London, full of fish and chips and lacking my much needed full 8 hours. The drizzling rain and speeding traffic could not distract me from the beauty found in London. The diversity in the city is astounding. I shouldn't be surprised at all the cultures that have found their home in London, but being surrounded by different languages, cuisine, and mannerisms makes London the amazing city it is. Much of the day is a blur as I drifted in and out of sleep on planes, the Tube, and the hotel room, but the skyline above will stay in my memory long after I leave London.

Stay tuned as I prepare for London and all the adventures to follow.