Glow Sticks and Spotted Dick

This morning, feeling rather ambitious, Katy and I set an early alarm and headed out for the theater to get student rush tickets. Waking up early paid off and we left the box office with tickets to see (probably the most magical show in the entire universe) We Will Rock You. This show holds a special place in my heart because my sister, who also studied abroad in London, had an actual obsession with the male lead. I’m sorry to report that I am also in love with Galileo, star of the show and man of my dreams. We Will Rock You, in all of its cheesy glory, cannot really be described in terms of the “typical musical”. No! This is a rock concert for tourists, complete with glow sticks and strobe lights. Galileo, part pop star part badass, brought the crowd to their feet screaming for encores and autographs. An actual old woman in front of me was shooting up the rock and roll hand- the one with two fingers raised and an outstretched arm. It truly was fantastic. God bless Freddie Mercury.

This morning, after our ticket purchase but before the magical musical, we hit our guidebook and read that Camden Market is a really cool town a few tube stops away. Katy, a fellow lanky person like myself, thought it would be a good idea to walk it instead. The first hour of the walk was fantastic! Ambling through Regents Park we saw amazing gardens and some pretty cool fountains. However, after we left the park and entered Camden we were in for a pretty big shock. It was a strange town with crazy punk people loitering on the dirty streets. We walked around a bit and saw no markets and no cool tourist traps so we decided to leave. We walked home too. Because it was such a long walk we stopped off at a little grocery store for a pick me up and saw something that really should only belong in X rated stores and brothels. A pastry called, I kid you not, A Spotted Dick. I think I’m going to end the blog on that note. Again, British people eat cakes called spotted dicks. Goodnight!

Hamil-ondon

Last night, for non-Colgaters, it appeared to be a seemingly ordinary Wednesday, however, for those who frequent the one stoplight town-- Hamilton, New York know that it was actually so much more. Last night Colgate came to London. A bunch of my friends who are doing a Prague study abroad trip came over to experience the high prices, confusing streets and overall wildly fun city that we’re inhabiting for the next few months. The fifteen of us went to a club called Walkabout in Leicester Square. The club, located in an old church, played a blend of ridiculous 80’s pop and current top 40’s. I think we showed the Britt’s some pretty fantastic new dance moves. Only way to describe it: frat-tastic.

Today I am doing a walking tour of the Tower of London for my architecture class. Should be pretty cool.

A Change of Pace

After class this morning (which consisted of reading poetry on the steps of the British Museum and then exploring inside) I ate a quick English breakfast for lunch with Noah and Justin that then gave me some energy to work out for the first time at the gym I joined. Invigorated and feeling rather adventurous, I decided to explore Bloomsbury. Even though I have been living in this neighborhood for a few days I am constantly getting lost and discovering new places. Today I found a really cute outdoor café next to Russell Park where I ordered a steaming cup of tea, cracked open the book I am reading for my novel class and just chilled. I was shocked at how many business people were popping in for quick cups of tea and relaxing outside. As much as I love New York City and miss its fantastic grid system, I really appreciate the toned down pace and less tense lifestyle. It was refreshing to see people take some time out from their day to unwind and just sit.

Tonight Kaela and I are going to Brick Lane to get some authentic Indian food. I will keep you posted.

Ps- Sorry if this blog is turning more into a food critique than an account of my travels!

Curried Goat And Red Stripe

Too much curried goat and Red Stripe means only one thing—the Notting Hill Caribbean Carnival! The Carnival is the world’s second largest street party (Europe’s biggest) and this year over 100,000 people came!! It was pretty much the most out of control thing I have ever witnessed! There were people dancing in the streets and drinking Red Stripe like it was water! Being the shameless, American tourists that we are- we obviously joined them. Noah, Brendan and I got swept up into the crowd and found ourselves in the parade down Portabella Street behind some pretty fantastic dance troupes! Tuckered out from all the dancing, we decided it was time to try the local food! We sampled a bunch of random things like curried goat, jerk chicken, rice, peas and beans and plantains. The chicken was delicious but I think it will be the first and last time I will ever eat curried goat ….

We were at the carnival for three hours before we had to run to our orientation meeting at our professor’s house. Navigating through the tube with all the partiers was very entertaining.

one of the greatest days ever.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notting_Hill_Carnival

Overall… I was more than a “tad bit” lost

Last night a bunch of Colgate kids went out “pubbing”. We started at a place called “Friend of the Hand” which is a very traditional English pub that had a large group of rowdy Englishmen outside. We all had a pint (I had a New Castle) and some dinner. My dinner, probably the most typical English thing in the entire world, consisted of: eggs, peas and bacon (it looked like a ham steak-- disgusting)! After eating, we went outside to finish our pints (god bless the no open-container rule) and socialized with the English folk. They were hilarious and so excited that we were all studying in London. When we ran out of things to talk about with our new buddies we decided to change pubs. Next stop on our pub tour was The Crown. For those who know Colgate- it looks like the outside of Slices on a Friday night. English guys were singing “pub songs” and double fisting beer! It really felt like I was at Disney world. Even though we were pretty jet lagged it was a fantastic night and great introduction to English culture!

This morning I thought it would be fun to walk around London by myself. First stop- Oxford Street- home to Top Shop (Top Shop is like a cooler H&M) but I didn’t buy anything, I’m saving my Pounds for food! From Oxford I wandered down Regent Street, Carnaby Street, Bond Street, New Bond Street… and then before I knew it, it was already 1:30 and I was STARVING! Not wanting to feel like a tourist I picked up a yogurt and roll and ate in Hyde Park! It was SO nice out today and sitting in the park with a fantastic view of The Marble Arch, for the first time, made me realize how happy I am to be studying in London. This glorious sentiment soon faded, however, as I managed to get myself ridiculously lost for the next three hours. Even though I felt totally lost I managed to take in some fantastic sights like: Trafalgar Square, the Mayfair area (home of the rich and famous), Piccadilly Circus, and loads of other little ally ways. In the end I didn’t get home until after 4! I was too nervous to try the tube and too cheap to take a taxi, all in all, making me the most tired person EVER! Although, during my walk I came to several conclusions
1. British grocery stores are fantastic!
2. God bless the NYC grid system and blast you London!
3. I managed to get really lost in a city where I spoke the language…


Anyways, despite the sore feet, today was a lot of fun. I think this will be the only time in my life when I can walk around with no agenda, no homework and no overall responsibilities.

Touch Down

Disclaimer- if this post makes no sense it is because my Tylenol Simply Sleep is still running strong.

Anyways, two sleeping pills, one three- hour flight delay, four flights of stairs climbed to my new flat and a delicious “Full English Breakfast” later I’ve decided it’s time to nap. My flat, in Bloomsbury, the heart of London, is amazingly nice although it is a four- flight walk up. I am living in a triple with a huge living room, walk in closet and really modern kitchen- thanks Camp Colgate!

After I landed Noah, Peter and I dropped our bags off in the flat and immediately set out to discover our new neighborhood. I’m not gonna lie—crossing the street is actually impossible! I feel like such a tourist- like the kind in Time Square with fanny packs and cameras that I usually laugh at.... but I honestly stood at the crosswalk for so long looking pretty confused and I think people were laughing at me… and then my pride got the better of me and I darted blindly into the road- and hey, I’m still alive to write this post! Anyways, back to the original story! So, I got off the plane and of course I was starving because I can never figure out how many meals I’ve had with the time zones constantly changing. My philosophy is each new time zone deserves a new meal! Hmm… SO Noah, Peter and I are wandering around Russell Square looking for a breakfast place that’s not too expensive and we wander into this little hole in the wall place that advertised “English Breakfasts”. We sit down and this gruff, old English guy takes our order. I think he was repulsed when I asked for ketchup with my eggs- must be an American thing. Anyways, the ketchup here is seriously the strangest thing I’ve ever had. It is sort of like watery tomato sauce but it really grew on me. The food was delicious (sans the initial ketchup shock) and the waiter warmed up to us in the end despite his initial taciturn demeanor. Overall, for just 4 lbs I had a cappuccino, “egg scrambler” and a little introduction to my new life as a faux Britt!!

We are hitting the pubs tonight- gotta rep Colgate!

Ps- I have a cell phone now!

Country code: 01144
Cell #: 7758480204

Things I Hope Never To Do Again: PACK

I don’t know how I did it… but I managed the unmanageable! I squeezed five months worth of clothing, shoes, jackets and cosmetics into two suitcases! And mind you...this is no small feat. I am a chronic and unabashed over-packer (perhaps my hatred of doing laundry fuels this) but hey, first step is admitting I have a problem, right?

So, overall I only had three tantrums and one nervous breakdown trying to eliminate clothing from the growing pile on my floor. It was resolved through slightly hostile negotiation; however, I am pleased to say that all of the sweaters in question are going to be joining me in London.

Next step- navigate through Heathrow airport and find a Cinabon stand.

Ps- RIP red Brooklyn hoodie. London won’t know how cool you are (were).

Movin Out

I'm excited. I think I will fit in.

Lord I was Born A Ramblin’ (wo) Man

Hi Everyone!

Well, looks like I have fallen prey to my generation’s stereotype…I have decided to start a blog! I am going to be studying abroad in London for the next five months and hopefully this blog will help me stay in touch with all of you!

Cheerio! (when in Rome...)
Brooke

PS- If you ever find yourself wanting to cross the Atlantic Ocean… come visit me!