London

I’ve been in this country for 8 weeks (which I can’t believe!!) so I guess it was about time I visited the capital. I spent this past Saturday in London on a trip organized by the Dean of students for us internationals. They organized cheap transportation and a themed walking tour of the city for us, for which I chose, feeling obligated as an English major, the Shakespeare and Dickens’ one. Our guide (who was the epitome of what I’d imagine a British tour guide talking about literature to be like—see picture) provided interesting information and told engaging stories. We walked around some of the less explored parts of the city, and while we didn’t really see much that I would have associated with these authors (such as the Globe Theatre!) she did point out and provide some history on places like Bartholomew’s Hospital, a pub both Shakespeare and Dickens’ used to frequent, the old meat market, and more. After the tour, we were free to wander about on our own for the next four hours before we had to meet back at the bus. Alison and I ended up doing a lot of wandering and not so much doing or seeing, but it was still fun. We made our way across the city and meandered along the Thames for awhile just looking around and enjoying the street performers. Then we went into the Tate Modern, which, in addition to the art on the wall, just didn’t have the feeling of a conventional museum as it seemed more like a chaotic warehouse or something. It may have just been the overwhelming mobs of people that made it feel that way, but it definitely contributed to the overall atmosphere of modernism. Between it being so crowded and us being so hungry, we didn’t stay long, but ventured to Borough market where we bought lunch and other delicious goodies. From here we headed back to St. Paul’s Cathedral, where we had begun our adventure and were expected to meet with everyone again. We had hoped to climb the 500 some odd stairs to the top, but they had stopped allowing people up after 4:00. However, we were able to look around the ground level and catch the beginning of the evensong service before boarding the bus back to Norwich. Although we didn’t see nearly as much as hoped, I’m glad I was able to see all o f the main tourist sites when I was there for two days in 2004. I’m looking forward to going back and seeing even more when my mother and sister come to visit and when I go back to meet up with friends. Overall though, it ended up being a good, yet exhausting day. As much as I like London, I’m glad I didn’t go to school there as it was nice to come back “home” to the less chaotic city of Norwich.