Well, it's official. It's a Friday night and I am lying on my bed. I have a glass of wine, I'm wearing a bathrobe and listening to the new Radiohead album, and I fully intend to crack open a short stories collection by Tennessee Williams once I finish writing this entry.
I'm settling in here, and I'm worried that my comfortability will lead to me not fully experiencing London. Take tonight, for example. I haven't been to the students' union yet, which is really the only way for us to meet other British students, since we only have Americans in our classes. Everyone is there tonight, but I just wanted to have some time to myself. I can't help if I feel that way, right?
I'm trying to make up for it by actually doing something with my alone time. Just being able to do what I want without having to take other people's feelings into consideration or compromising somehow is a new experience for me. But it's really exhilarating and liberating. Last Saturday I went to the British Museum, then wandered around towards the National Gallery and found the Victoria Embankment Gardens. It was absolutely beautiful. And now that my Dad sent me his camera (thanks, Dad! <3), I can show you! Alone time is the best.
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| The view out my window on a beautiful Saturday |
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| Blue skies at the British Museum |
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| My new favorite: The Victoria Embankment Gardens |
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| Victoria Embankment Gardens |
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| The Thames is right behind this. Beautiful. |
This past weekend I finally ventured outside of London and took a pretty ridiculous trip to the land of Connor's ancestors, Wales. Despite many jokes about Connor's heritage and the worst museum I've ever been to, Wales is definitely Middle Earth-status beauty. We took a cool tour of Cardiff Castle, too. Unfortunately I don't understand the settings on this camera, and obviously the flash went off on the picture I took about three seconds after the man told us that we should under no circumstances take any pictures with flash. Great one, Emily.
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| THE KEEP. |
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| Illegal flash picture :( Of a lion! :) |
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| Inside the grounds of Cardiff Castle. Love the crane in the back. |
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| Pretty piazza thingie in a park! |
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| Really, Wales? This is your proud heritage? Kabuto? |
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| Even Welsh people play Guess Who! |
I've realized how comfortable I am here lately because I don't think about where I'm walking anymore. When I'm rushing to work in the morning, I no longer smile at "It's All Greek," wondering if they sell food or merchandise, and I've even stopped glancing both ways nine times before I cross the street like a crazy person to avoid getting hit by a bus driving on the left hand side. I know which streets are one way, and I know when to look, and I know which walk signals are burnt out, so I shouldn't wait for them to turn. It's nice, but I'm not going to let myself get complacent and feel too comfortable. I don't want the opportunity of being here to slip by. I wish there was a cheap thrills blog for London.
<3 Em
illegal pictures are the best ones to take. if you plan on going to italy while your over on that side of the world you should plan on sneaking some pics of David as well as the sistine chapel. it does take some skill though - there are guards watching you! I'm glad you're having such a great time! all your pictures are so pretty!
ReplyDeletei'm enjoying your blog greatly. and i love your illegal lion picture. we're getting good at this, no? ;p
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