First Few Weeks

I'm here! I've started this blog (thanks, Liz) to keep track of, and share, everything I do while I study abroad in London. I'm here practically on my own. Coming over I did not know any of the other students from Ithaca for this semester. I was nervous, but also excited to meet new people and make new friends. 

The first few weeks have been quite hectic. I am living with three other Ithaca College students in a lovely flat in Earl's Court. We found it on the first day of the flat hunt (SUCCESS!) and we have been quite happy here so far. We are the perfect distance from everything and I feel that I will be very happy here for the next few months. 

Classes started last week, and I am very excited for what I am going to learn in all of mine. I am taking Minorities in the UK, British Art and Architecture, Drama in the London Theatre, and Contemporary British Politics. All of these classes have something that deeply interests me AND they have field trips. 

Exciting things that have happened so far:

- Last week I got to go see Antony and Cleopatra at Shakespeare's Globe. It was an amazing performance and an outstanding experience. Going to the theatre reminded me just how rich the culture here is and made me so excited to learn and see more. 

-At the end of the first week I was sitting in my hotel room with nothing to do so I decided to go exploring by myself. I ended up only going to Parliament Square, Westminster, and the area of the Thames around the London Eye but it was still very fun and rewarding. I was very nervous coming to live in a city for the first time on my own and it was very calming for me as I was able to navigate public transport on my own. As much as I wish I had some close friends staying with me, it was very special to be able to have time taking in the history and beauty of London by myself. 

- This past Friday I was able to do something that I have been looking forward to since my older sister Liz studied in London back in the spring of 2011; I got to tour Parliament. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures but it was really cool to be able to see the beautiful architecture and be in a building with so much history and importance. Standing in some of the rooms I felt overwhelmed by the thoughts of all of the people and events the building had seen. Some parts of Parliament that we were able to tour were older than the United States....that's crazy. 

-The most exciting thing that I have done since I got here was when I was reunited with my amazing British bestie, Katie Squire. I took the train and went down to stay with her and her family for the weekend. We went to a family party and out on her cousin's boat to watch an air show. I never thought that I would be interested in planes, but oh my goodness they were extraordinary. There were planes from WWII and later. My favorite part was watching the Red Arrows, they are so majestic. 

Hopefully I will be able to keep up with this, God knows I tend to drop stuff like this after a few posts. This week I am looking forward to seeing my first show in The West End and going on a trip to Stonehenge. 

xoxo

Kaity