Kensington Palace

     Today we went to Kensington Palace, a working Royal residence located in Kensington Gardens.  Inside are items from the Royal Collection.  It was really something to see.  You go through the Palace at your own pace, which is nice. Then when you are done, you can continue to explore the gardens (which connect to Hyde Park, another beautiful location).


     If you haven't noticed yet, I like to take pictures.  Here are some from the Palace and Gardens:

Photo Diary

     These posts are a bit random because my typical day is unplanned or spontaneous to an extent.  Sometimes I will set out with a goal of getting one place, and end up somewhere I never expected, and enjoying myself.  Here is what I've done over the past few days:

Around the city there are these pieces of artwork  based on a telephone booth.  Everyone can paint or decorate theirs anyway they want.  I thought the message on this one was simple, but powerful.

What is London without Harry Potter?  This is the Millennium  Bridge over the  River Thames.  It is a walking bridge that was destroyed in the Harry Potter movies by Death Eaters.

Here is Saint Paul Cathedral, as seen from the Millennium Bridge.

I had the opportunity to go and see "The Taming of the Shrew" at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.  It was an experience to remember.  However, a word to the wise: spring for the pricier seats that have a place to sit.  For £5 (about $8), you will be in the courtyard standing for the 2 hour plus show. There is also no roof, so since it is in London, it is better to be safe with the seats that are under cover in case it is raining.

The set of the production was simple and effective.

The seats the smart people were sitting in (at The Globe).

This week I've seen a few plays.  For the class I am taking, we went to The Old Vic (seen above) to see "Democracy."  No comment on this play...mainly because I am still trying to figure out what it was about.

Today I visited the Wellcome Collection.  It has some science exhibits for people who are curious about how things work.  In the medicine section, I found this display on a program done with children who have a long term illness.  While they are in the hospital, each time they are poked with a needle, or tested, they are given a special-shaped bead to keep track of what they've been through.  It is known as Bravery Beads, and is like a tangible diary.  The beaded heart necklaces are sold in order to raise money for the program.

The children's hospital near my home takes part in this program, so it caught my attention.  I was also wearing my necklace at the time, and added it to the photo (on top of the table; as it was originally packaged is shown in the drawer).

I am more adventuresome within the confines of my room, than I am at a pub or a restaurant.   Today I made myself British Strawberries and Cream.  Again, the recipe is in the name (cream on top of strawberries).  Apparently it is popular over here.  I liked it, and will make it again with the remaining cream and berries I have, but I am not sure I get what the big fuss is about.  I would much sooner dip my fruit in chocolate than in cream.

The third...not exactly sure if you could call it a play...I've seen this week was at The Roundhouse.  We saw "The Dark Side of Love."  Again, not exactly sure what was going on.  It is a dreamlike performance done by teenagers.  It is said to be based on some of Shakespeare's works, but the script was not quite his words. It was the most interesting role of the audience I think I've ever seen.  We were walking around to the actors who were stationed around the room.  We could move in any direction we wanted to, and it had the atmosphere of a haunted house.  Then we were corralled into a  center circle where the remainder of the performance continued to happen around us.  It was well done, but a bit unnerving and bewildering.

I have found more Disney Stores and Build-A-Bear Workshops in London, than I think there is all over New England. And they are also beautifully decorated. Some times it feels like I'm in Disney World.

Charleston House and Brighton Trip

     My program offered a few excursions that we had the opportunity to take part in.  On Saturday, we visited Charleston House, and the City of Brighton.

Charleston House.

The gardens.

     Charleston House was the meeting place for the Bloomsbury Group, a group of artists and intellectuals.  It is located in East Sussex, and is open to the public.  The interior is decorated and painted in an atypical fashion.  The group was ahead of their time, and their artwork demonstrates that.

     This was the first time I really got a chance to see some of the English countryside.

     Then we were off to Brighton.  The City of Brighton is on the water, so I also had the chance of seeing the English Channel.  The place is known for their fishing, and their fish and chips are some of the freshest you can find in England.  There is also the Royal Pavilion and the Brighton Pier, which are beautiful sites to behold.

The English Channel

The Royal Pavilion

Brighton Pier

     It was a nice change of pace to get outside of London and visit some places I never would have thought to go myself.

Photo Diary

Here it is!  The Silver Techradrachm of Lysimachos I did a research project on this past Fall.  It is at the British Museum, and this time the exhibition was open when I went.

There is an awesome toy store called "Hamleys," which has about six floors of different sorts of toys.  The Lego section was quite interesting, so I took a couple of photos.

Isn't that neat?

This one almost looks real!

And to think, I have trouble putting together the sets labeled "3 and up."

This has got to be the coolest looking Apple Store on the face of the planet.

Flags over the street.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

     Last night my class went to go see "Sweeney Todd" at the Adelphi Theatre.  It was amazing!  I had previously seen one rendition, and coming off of the movie which I adore, I was less than impressed.  This is not only much like the original script, but also similar to the movie (which made me very happy).  

     Sweeney Todd is played by Michael Ball, (one of Britain's most-loved musical theater stars), while Mrs. Lovett is played by Imelda Staunton, (best known in America for her role as Professor Umbridge in the Harry Potter movies).  The show will run until September 22nd.


     If you are unfamiliar with the story:


     Sweeney Todd was wrongfully sentenced to life in prison by a corrupt judge.  This judge had his eye on Todd's wife, and needed him out of the picture.  Todd escapes from jail over a decade later, and is rescued at sea by a young sailor named Anthony.  When they arrive in London they go their separate ways.  Todd is determined to seek revenge on the judge who ruined his life, and stole his wife and baby daughter.  He returns to his old place, to find that an unsuccessful meat pie maker, Mrs. Lovett, has kept it just the way he had left it. 


     He reopens his old barber business, and the audience discovers that Mrs. Lovett has been in love with Todd all of these years, while his wife poisoned herself and his daughter was adopted by the man who sent him away.


     Meanwhile, Anthony falls in love with Todd's daughter, Johanna, who is under lock and key and not to see anyone outside of the house.  Anthony plans to run away with her, but needs Todd's help in getting her away.  What could have been a nice and easy plan, has a monkey wrench thrown into the mix when the judge learns of the scheme.  He locks Johanna away in an insane asylum and vows to never go near Todd's establishment.


     All the while, Todd has decided to slice the throats of some of his costumers until he can get his blade into the judge, and Mrs. Lovett disposes of the bodies by baking them into her pies and serving them to her oblivious customers.  Business has never been better for either of them.  But does Todd get what he wants in the end?  And does Mrs. Lovett ever get Mr. Todd?


     This was really good.  I'd give it an 8.5 out of a 10.  I just love how the shows here are much more affordable than in New York (which I've never actually been to see one on Broadway).  And then you can go to the Stage Door and meet the actors from the show.  Needless to say, I was very happy to meet Imelda and the rest of the ensemble.  The actor who played Anthony actually spent a while speaking with a few of us.

     Next week I am seeing three plays, only one for my class.  More on that later.

Why I Like London

     I have decided to start a running list of why I like London so far.  It is in no order, and I will continue to add to it as my stay continues.

• The public transportation system.  It is not only thorough, but (for the most part), easy to figure out.  Almost anywhere you want to get to within Central London, either a bus or a train can get you within a five to ten minute walk.  If only it was a bit more affordable, it would be perfect.
• Leicester Square.  When there is an event with celebrities, it is my favorite place in London.  Any other day of the year, it is a beautiful plaza to walk around.
• Covent Garden.  Here there are a great many street performers, and surely anyone can find something to their taste.  There is also the London Transportation Museum and other exhibitions that can be seen, most free of charge.  Which brings me to my last point for now:
• The Museums.  Not only are there some of the best, biggest, and most thorough collections and exhibitions on display here, but most of them are free.  There is always a suggested donation, but those who are unable to pay it are not denied the experience of going to the museum.

Photo Diary

Here's more of what I've been up to lately:

M&M World is a blast!  Four floors, full of statues such as this one.  You couldn't get this guard to move either...

The Beatles, M&M style.

I love Leicester Square.  It is just so beautiful (and relaxing without all of the screaming and pushing fans of a premiere).

Londoners are a bit excited for the Olympics.  There is less than 43 days, 1 hour, 54 minutes, and 12 seconds to go before they officially start!  But who's counting?

Thankfully this didn't fall down when I walked across it.

The Tower of London.

I told you I love this bridge, did I not?

The Amazing Spider-Man Premiere

     I had a REALLY good day yesterday.  I arrived in Leicester Square around 8 am.  At which point, there were less than a handful of people waiting for the Amazing Spider-Man premiere.  After all, the celebrities were not expected to arrive for another ten hours or so.

     It was a great deal of fun.  It didn't rain, I read my entire book for my class, and I spoke with someone who lives in London.  I also got made fun of for being an American (that's the last time I get McDonald's after telling someone I'm from the US!).

     The event itself was great; SO much better than last time.  For one thing, I got to SEE something yesterday.  I was in the front where I didn't even have to fight to have my book signed by the celebrities (so I am easily spotted in photos taken of the night).  It was amazing, especially since I got to see Emma Stone and Spider-Man himself up close (REALLY close).

     During the evening I was also interviewed by Nick Grimshaw of BBC Radio, but have yet to find it online.

     This day had nothing to do with my education (with the exception that I did all of my homework there), but was an experience I will not soon forget (and something worthy of being crossed off of my bucket list).  I am hoping that the Dark Knight Rises will be a similarly successful experience, as I would really like to meet Anne Hathaway...but that's a while from now.

Exploring English Food

     While in London, I might as well dive into the British culture as best as I can. The easiest way for me to do that, is to try their favorite dishes.


     I have been to a few local pubs, but still find myself timid to ask what the bloody hell their menu says in English. My first night out, my friend ordered a Knickerbocker Glory without the slightest idea it was your average ice cream sundae. I'm not that brave yet.


     So I've been trying simple recipes in the safety of my own room. Here are the two breakfasts I have tried:

Crumpets.  One with jam, and one with butter.

     A crumpet is a round griddle cake, which has been compared to our pancake.  Had I not looked that up, I never would have known that.  Basically a crumpet is an English English Muffin.  It tastes just like one, is prepared much in the same way, and looks an awful lot like one (except their nooks and crannies are on the top, instead of in the middle).  I don't care what it is compared to, crumpets are delicious, and have become my average breakfast.

Beans on Toast.  Okay.  Even I'll admit, that this name has nothing to hide.

     Beans on toast can be eaten as a breakfast or a snack, and is surprisingly amazing.  In case you couldn't guess the recipe, it is:

1. baked beans
2. toast

     The baked beans in England are in a simple tomato sauce, and quite tasty on their own.  They do not need any extra ingredients, as most canned beans do in America.  They are simple, but delicious.  And if you like the beans by themselves, and you like toast, you would enjoy beans on toast.