April 25, 2010
Well, I’ve put off writing this as long as possible. After I handed in my last assignments for class, I haven’t wanted to do anything that includes sitting around and actually thinking. It is so great to be in London and not be tied down with class and homework. Not that there ever was very much work to begin with, but now it just feels like vacation. These last couple days have been quite interesting. A lot of thing have happened that I didn’t expect, but overall it’s been good. Italy was canceled. I was a bit worried about catching my flight coming home after arriving back in London from Florence. If that makes any sense. I would have only had like three hours to switch airports, check my bags and do security. They are recommending you show up at least four-five hours early for your flight over here. It is still a bit crazy because of the volcano, but we’ve been having a great time in London. And, Viv and I found something to do during our down time… we are going to Edinburgh! Isn’t that awesome that I can just up and go to Scotland for the weekend if I want? It is so easy to travel here, never mind the volcano. Now, I just have to figure out how to pay for it… the train ride was relatively cheap and we will be staying with a few of Viv’s cousins along the way so it should be a pretty stress-free trip. I hope.
Okay, so Wednesday and Thursday were pretty much filled with studying, paper writing, and homework. The last of it for a while at least. My history final went well. Oh, on Wednesday, Viv, Hal and I went to an exhibit at the V&A filled with Grace Kelly’s dresses. It was really great to relax and walk around the gallery after all the craziness at the flat of everyone packing and frantically studying. So many dresses, purses, and hats. They even had a nice video showing on a wall with some highlights from her life. Well worth my four pounds! On Thursday, we had a last minute meeting with our advisers. They fed us sandwiches and we talked about flying out, traveling around Europe after, and cleaning up the flats. Luckily, because of the volcano, our landlords are letting us stay in our rooms until Wednesday April 28 to rebook flights and such. And we are taking full advantage of that.
And then on Thursday night, it hit me. Everyone was packing up and leaving and I got really sad. Part of me is super excited to come home and see everyone. But then the other half is in disbelief. I never want to leave London and I can’t imagine how this semester flew by so quickly. There are so many little things I will miss. Seriously, best semester ever. I hadn’t really had time to think about all this until Thursday night, because of that stupid volcano and exams. I just don’t really know what to think anymore. I’m going to enjoy my last days in London and Edinburgh. And get on that flight excited to come home. Even if I’m bawling the whole way there.
So, things got better on Friday. I had no plans except finishing a stupid art paper that I’d left for the last minute. But it was St. George’s Day here. It is like England’s, not Britain’s, national holiday – their 4th of July. They have parades and concerts and everyone sits outside pubs and drinks all day. It is great. Viv and I headed over to Spitalfields Market, again, to see this big show they had going on there. Everyone was dressed up in red and white and had the English flag hanging over their shoulders. This one really enthusiastic family was even dressed up as a bunch of knights! So, they planned to do this jousting tournament, but then the horse’s hair started to bother my eyes and we were lured away by the craft market, so we didn’t stick around for very long. It was fun to just see everyone dressed up, drinking beer, and having a good time.
After Spitalfields, we hit up Petticoat for a bit, but then headed across town to Trafalgar Square to see what was going on there. Supposedly, there was to be a big music festival going on, but when we got there… nothing. Turns out, we were a day early and the music was happening on Saturday. We missed the parade too, which happened earlier that morning. Way to go Kel and Viv…always planning ahead. We found a cheap shoe store and then a few books stores and were happy. There was also a Graphic Art Fair going on at Somerset House, right on the River Thames, so Viv and I walked through that. Once again, another great exhibit. After that, I went home to finish my stinking paper and then went to bed early, exhausted as always.
Saturday… I didn’t do anything. I went for a run in Hyde Park. Viv and I went to King’s Cross Station to buy our tickets to Edinburgh and I went shopping at Primark. I’m going to miss Primark. Pound shirts and absolute craziness… Walmart just isn’t the same. And after a day of nothing, we have a lot planned for today. Spitalfields again, it has become our Sunday morning ritual, followed by another art show and maybe a musical tonight. If we can find cheap tickets at the discount ticket office!
Back soon, I mean it this time.
Kelly
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