Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
It's always a learning experience
How long have I been here? I guess this is only the two week mark, but it seems like longer. I am a firm believer that people learn something new every day, and here in London I learn something new every minute!
Street Smarts
I am still adjusting to the cars on the other side of the road. In fact, I'm not certain that I will ever be totally comfortable with it. It is just so unnatural for me to look right and then look left when crossing a street. Luckily, I haven't been hit by any cars. It doesn't help that on the skinny roads cars just drive right down the middle; that just confuses me even more! The roads are certainly not made to have cars parked on either side and two-way traffic. Margery explained to me that you can tell which roads the Romans built and which roads the English built. Roman roads are straight because they wanted direct lines between their cities to make travel easier, especially when trying to protect an empire. English-built roads are curvy because they simply build around whatever gets in their way.
I love seeing all the cars that are sold here that we don't have in the U.S. It makes me wonder who decides which cars should be imported. Like the Toyota Aygo, why don't we get to have that one? And I think the Nissan Micra is pretty cute. It sounds like they are paying me to advertise for them, but I just like cute little cars. And here, they are everywhere! It's probably a good thing that everyone drives little cars because it allows them to maneuvre through traffic better, which is necessary when everyone drives like their wife is in the hospital about to give birth. Just keeping us on our toes!
Buses
The double-decker buses are another London classic that I am learning about. My Oyster card allows me unlimited access to the Tube and the bus system. The buses are great. There are tons of them and they go everywhere! I was told that the best seat on the bus is the second level, front row, on the left (what would be the driver's side in an American car). From this seat you are up quite high and have a great view. Plus, next to you is the sidewalk, so it's great for people-watching. However, it can be a little bit scary. Every time the bus makes a turn you feel like you are going to slam in the street signs. And when the bus stops, it's possible that your face will smash into the windshield.
The Tube
The Tube is really easy to use. I haven't had any problems knowing where I'm going or what train to take. But, once on the train I have made a few mistakes. The other day I was on the train home and these three teenage boys wanted to get on. Two of them jumped on before the doors closed, but the third smashed into the closing doors and was left at the platform (it was quite funny). But then the two who made it on the train realized that they were actually on the wrong train, which was additionally funny to me, until I realized that I too, was on the wrong train. Most trains have one line and it's hard to make a mistake. But the train to my house splits and one of the trains is a "fast train" which means it only stops at a few stations (not Pinner). I was on a fast train and ended up 3 stops past where I wanted to be and had to hop back on and go back. I also fear that one of these days I will fall asleep or space-out and miss my stop. They don't make announcements at the stops on some trains.
Pubs
Here is what I can say about pubs. They have pretty good food that isn't too expensive and are a good place to hang out with friends. Some of the pubs we have been to have pool tables, but the pool tables are much smaller and the balls come in two different colors rather than stripes and solids. Pubs also don't stay open late. Most of them close around 11 p.m. during the week and maybe 1 p.m. on the weekend. Although, that is in Pinner, I'm sure the pubs in central London stay open much later. We went to a pub in Greenwich last week and saw A Comedy of Errors upstairs in a tiny little theatre. It was a great show and the performers were less than a foot away from me. It was great fun! Why don't we have pubs in The States?
Dubstep
Anyone who knows my family would know that my brother Damian is the dubstep man, and that I stick to the likes of James Taylor and Crosby, Stills, and Nash, but apparently I like dubstep. Who knew? On Friday night my new friends from school wanted to go to a club. I decided that I would go, no matter how apprehensive it made me feel. The plan was to leave the house at 11 p.m., get there by midnight, and then catch the first Tube back in the morning (around 5:30 a.m.). Needless to say, I was concerned. I was also convinced that I was going to hate it, despite my best efforts to be excited. I decided to think of it as a learning experience, if nothing else. But I think this club may have changed my life...
Fabric is an extremely well known club in London, and we happened to go on a big night. Unfortunately, that meant we had to wait in line for hours. Here is a quick rundown on my night.
Street Smarts
I am still adjusting to the cars on the other side of the road. In fact, I'm not certain that I will ever be totally comfortable with it. It is just so unnatural for me to look right and then look left when crossing a street. Luckily, I haven't been hit by any cars. It doesn't help that on the skinny roads cars just drive right down the middle; that just confuses me even more! The roads are certainly not made to have cars parked on either side and two-way traffic. Margery explained to me that you can tell which roads the Romans built and which roads the English built. Roman roads are straight because they wanted direct lines between their cities to make travel easier, especially when trying to protect an empire. English-built roads are curvy because they simply build around whatever gets in their way.
I love seeing all the cars that are sold here that we don't have in the U.S. It makes me wonder who decides which cars should be imported. Like the Toyota Aygo, why don't we get to have that one? And I think the Nissan Micra is pretty cute. It sounds like they are paying me to advertise for them, but I just like cute little cars. And here, they are everywhere! It's probably a good thing that everyone drives little cars because it allows them to maneuvre through traffic better, which is necessary when everyone drives like their wife is in the hospital about to give birth. Just keeping us on our toes!
Buses
The double-decker buses are another London classic that I am learning about. My Oyster card allows me unlimited access to the Tube and the bus system. The buses are great. There are tons of them and they go everywhere! I was told that the best seat on the bus is the second level, front row, on the left (what would be the driver's side in an American car). From this seat you are up quite high and have a great view. Plus, next to you is the sidewalk, so it's great for people-watching. However, it can be a little bit scary. Every time the bus makes a turn you feel like you are going to slam in the street signs. And when the bus stops, it's possible that your face will smash into the windshield.
The Tube
The Tube is really easy to use. I haven't had any problems knowing where I'm going or what train to take. But, once on the train I have made a few mistakes. The other day I was on the train home and these three teenage boys wanted to get on. Two of them jumped on before the doors closed, but the third smashed into the closing doors and was left at the platform (it was quite funny). But then the two who made it on the train realized that they were actually on the wrong train, which was additionally funny to me, until I realized that I too, was on the wrong train. Most trains have one line and it's hard to make a mistake. But the train to my house splits and one of the trains is a "fast train" which means it only stops at a few stations (not Pinner). I was on a fast train and ended up 3 stops past where I wanted to be and had to hop back on and go back. I also fear that one of these days I will fall asleep or space-out and miss my stop. They don't make announcements at the stops on some trains.
Pubs
Here is what I can say about pubs. They have pretty good food that isn't too expensive and are a good place to hang out with friends. Some of the pubs we have been to have pool tables, but the pool tables are much smaller and the balls come in two different colors rather than stripes and solids. Pubs also don't stay open late. Most of them close around 11 p.m. during the week and maybe 1 p.m. on the weekend. Although, that is in Pinner, I'm sure the pubs in central London stay open much later. We went to a pub in Greenwich last week and saw A Comedy of Errors upstairs in a tiny little theatre. It was a great show and the performers were less than a foot away from me. It was great fun! Why don't we have pubs in The States?
Dubstep
Anyone who knows my family would know that my brother Damian is the dubstep man, and that I stick to the likes of James Taylor and Crosby, Stills, and Nash, but apparently I like dubstep. Who knew? On Friday night my new friends from school wanted to go to a club. I decided that I would go, no matter how apprehensive it made me feel. The plan was to leave the house at 11 p.m., get there by midnight, and then catch the first Tube back in the morning (around 5:30 a.m.). Needless to say, I was concerned. I was also convinced that I was going to hate it, despite my best efforts to be excited. I decided to think of it as a learning experience, if nothing else. But I think this club may have changed my life...
Fabric is an extremely well known club in London, and we happened to go on a big night. Unfortunately, that meant we had to wait in line for hours. Here is a quick rundown on my night.
- 12:00 p.m. – Arrived at Fabric and got in line.
- 12:15 – Met drunken man who called me Caterina or California and decided I was "his girl" so he helped get Megan and me further up in the line.
- 12:45 – Met Jarred and Jack who rescued us from drunken man and helped prepare us for what to expect inside the club.
- 1:00 a.m. – Lost all feeling in my face, hands, and toes. Did I mention that it was about 35° F outside?
- 2:30 – Finally made it in the doors.
- 2:30-6 a.m. – Danced the morning away.
- 7:30 – Arrived home safely and as quietly as snowflakes.
- 7:45 – SLEEP.
- 11:15 a.m. – Started my day!
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| Me, Amanda, and Morgan before we left for Fabric |
I think that my ears have stopped ringing now, but they were still ringing when I went to bed last night. I don't think I could explain why the night was so great, but it was pretty epic. Between the people I met in line, the incredibly loud music, the amazing light show, and experiencing something unlike anything I could possibly imagine, it was one of the best nights of my life! One of the great things about a venue like Fabric, or probably any night club, is that there is a sense of freedom. The same way I think about a masquerade, behind a wall of pounding bass and dim lighting where no one knows your name or who you are, it's judgement free! No one cares if you are a good dancer or not. No one is going to see you the next day and give you a weird look because you were yourself instead of the person they want you to be. Plus, it's also a great community event. That sounds weird to say, but it's true. Everyone is there experiencing the same thing together and sharing the joy. So, I have been converted. Little Miss Hanna appreciates dubstep, likes night clubs, can stay up until 8 in the morning, and knows how to have a good time! And it only cost me £11. I also got a free Caspa T-shirt at the end.
Like I said, this is all a learning experience. And one of my greatest goals for my time abroad is to learn about the world, but especially myself. I think I'm off to a great start. Next up, Edinburgh and York.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
In England they Drive on the Left?
Hello readers! I am in fact alive in London, even though my blog would indicate that I got lost somewhere in the Atlantic. People tell you about the double-decker buses (they do exist!) and the Tube, and the cathedrals and the London Eye, but what they fail to tell you is that time moves at a completely different speed! So my apologies for neglecting you.
I will have to take a hiatus from food-blogging because, although my host cooks me great meals, they aren't necessarily something to write home about. But tonight she made mashed potatoes with regular potatoes AND sweet potatoes! As for my host, Margery, she is fantastic. I feel like I have known her for years. She is so easy to talk, we can chat for hours. And every time I mention traveling she starts researching for me and giving me tips and suggestions. She seems to know a thing or two about jet-lag as well. The morning I arrived she dragged me and my housemate Megan out of the house and showed us the little town of Pinner that she lives in. Pinner is in an area called Harrow which is considered to be in Northwest-ish London. Then she took us to a park to go for a walk. And she kept me up until after 8 p.m., so by the time I woke up in the morning I was on London time.
Megan and I had our first adventure on the Tube the very next morning (it's always an adventure). It takes two transfers (if we are lucky) and about an hour and a half (when you factor in possible delays) to get to school. Unlike the New York subway, the Tube is very clean and most people who ride it are nicely dressed reading the newspaper. There are two free newspapers in London, so it's very easy to stay in the know about current events. And what better way to spend a commute! I really don't mind the commute, which comes as a surprise to me. What I don't like, are the delays. It is never as simple as getting on one train and then getting off at your destination. But all the passengers grumble together, it's a bonding experience. Today I had to wait as three trains came and went, before I was able to squeeze onto the fourth one. The first three were quite literally filled to capacity. Then I had to transfer to another train and get off to get back on the same line because the first train was planning to skip my stop. It was quite the ordeal, and all I have to say is, at least it wasn't pouring when I got back. But the trains are great. Coming from Santa Cruz where I probably took the bus twice (?) it is an amazing feeling to be able to get anywhere I want to go for free.
Our second day we made a group trip to Greenwich where I got to straddle the Prime Meridian. It was a beautiful day. Tomorrow I am going back to Greenwich to go to the National Maritime Museum with my history class. Then we are going to see Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors. I am also going to the British Museum in the morning. I have heard that you could spend a week in the British Museum and still not see it all, but I think I have plenty of time. Lucky for me, the British Museum is a 10 minute walk from school.
Last Saturday Margery took Megan and me to St. Albans. There is a cathedral there and we happened to go when they were rehearsing for a concert. It was really great to walk around with beautiful music in the background. There was also a small street fair there and I was longing to buy a whole cheese cart. But I resisted. Margery then took us to a museum about the Romans who had conquered the English and lived in St. Albans for a time. There were some neat artifacts, but we were all disappointed that the Roman dress-up bin was gone.
Today I started my internship with Johnson King PR firm. I think it's going to be a great fit. Since their focus is mostly social media, my first task was to set up a Twitter and a LinkedIn account. Today I worked on a blog post about how social media can be used to plan events. It should be posted on their website at the end of the week. All the people are really friendly and create a great work atmosphere.
I think that brings you up to date. Next time I can tell you about the pubs and the double-decker buses.
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| Riding the Rails |
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| View of the Financial District from Greenwich |
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| St. Albans Cathedral |
Today I started my internship with Johnson King PR firm. I think it's going to be a great fit. Since their focus is mostly social media, my first task was to set up a Twitter and a LinkedIn account. Today I worked on a blog post about how social media can be used to plan events. It should be posted on their website at the end of the week. All the people are really friendly and create a great work atmosphere.
I think that brings you up to date. Next time I can tell you about the pubs and the double-decker buses.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
But first...
In order to start at the very beginning, before I can tell you about my experience abroad in London I must tell you about my adventure in New York. Although I just landed in London two days ago, it already seems like ages ago that I left Brooklyn headed for JFK International Airport.
In truth, at this time last week I was out discovering the inner-workings of the New York subway system and exploring the city for the first time. Upon my arrival, I quickly realized that my trip would be centralized around meal time. Every night I ate something completely different and had the opportunity to try foods I'd never had before. On Friday I ate a sandwich from the corner shop and Vietnamese, on Saturday I ate pizza and mexican (who thought you could get good mexican food in NY?), on Sunday I ate malaysian noodles, on Monday I ate a bagel and homemade pasta with turkey meatballs, on Tuesday I ate West Indian stewed chicken with beans and "peas" (actually rice), on Wednesday I had thai, on Thursday I had more pizza, and on Friday I had a red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting and one big juicy burger. And if I had woken up before noon, I would have had time to eat even more food! I probably would have liked to curl up in a cocoon and turn into a beautiful butterfly, but instead I just kept walking.
It is amazing how much more walking people do in a city like New York, where the car is not the prominent means of transportation. I've never broken in a pair of boots so quickly, but tromping through heaps of snow everywhere I went made the boots quite a necessity. My brand new boots now look well-worn and approximately 3 years old. But they took me everywhere!
The piles of snow did not slow me down though. My brother, Damian took me to as many parts of the city as he could, and when he was at work I went to museums. I saw the statue of liberty from the free Staten Island Ferry; walked through Times Square which looks like daylight even at night; walked around Rockefeller Center (which was fitting since I developed an acute obsession with 30 Rock while I was in town); and walked through many other parts of New York that I had always wanted to see.
Then I got up the courage to take the subway by myself from Brooklyn to Manhattan so that I could go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I had no idea a museum could be so big! I only spent about 3 hours there, and I feel like I hardly saw anything. My favorite part had to be the modern art. It was just fun to look at. And then I got even more bold and rode the subway to the American Museum of Natural History. Not only did I stand nose to nose with a T-Rex, but I also had to make a transfer on the subway. If you go to NY, I would recommend this museum. There is so much there, and the special exhibits all sounded amazing, but I didn't pay the extra money for that. In fact, I skimped and paid under the suggested admission. The AMNH has tons of cool displays about earthquakes, fossils, early humans, and nature. There is something very different about standing next to the true dinosaur models rather than seeing photos on the internet of on TV (or in Jurassic Park). And honestly, one of my favorite parts was the life size model of a blue whale. Animals just shouldn't be that big!
So New York was great! Next time I want to go when it is above freezing and visit Central Park and some of the other outdoor sites that were buried in snow. As for the menu I plan to eat ethiopian food, east indian curry, doughnuts, a pastrami sandwich, more bagels and pizza, and anything else that strikes my fancy. Oh, and I want to get a cup of black tea mixed with coffee, milk, and sugar. I sampled Damian's and it was quite an interesting flavor.
Thank you for bearing with me through my non-abroad post, but now I can move on to London: 2011.
In truth, at this time last week I was out discovering the inner-workings of the New York subway system and exploring the city for the first time. Upon my arrival, I quickly realized that my trip would be centralized around meal time. Every night I ate something completely different and had the opportunity to try foods I'd never had before. On Friday I ate a sandwich from the corner shop and Vietnamese, on Saturday I ate pizza and mexican (who thought you could get good mexican food in NY?), on Sunday I ate malaysian noodles, on Monday I ate a bagel and homemade pasta with turkey meatballs, on Tuesday I ate West Indian stewed chicken with beans and "peas" (actually rice), on Wednesday I had thai, on Thursday I had more pizza, and on Friday I had a red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting and one big juicy burger. And if I had woken up before noon, I would have had time to eat even more food! I probably would have liked to curl up in a cocoon and turn into a beautiful butterfly, but instead I just kept walking.
It is amazing how much more walking people do in a city like New York, where the car is not the prominent means of transportation. I've never broken in a pair of boots so quickly, but tromping through heaps of snow everywhere I went made the boots quite a necessity. My brand new boots now look well-worn and approximately 3 years old. But they took me everywhere!
The piles of snow did not slow me down though. My brother, Damian took me to as many parts of the city as he could, and when he was at work I went to museums. I saw the statue of liberty from the free Staten Island Ferry; walked through Times Square which looks like daylight even at night; walked around Rockefeller Center (which was fitting since I developed an acute obsession with 30 Rock while I was in town); and walked through many other parts of New York that I had always wanted to see.
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| Times Square! |
Then I got up the courage to take the subway by myself from Brooklyn to Manhattan so that I could go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I had no idea a museum could be so big! I only spent about 3 hours there, and I feel like I hardly saw anything. My favorite part had to be the modern art. It was just fun to look at. And then I got even more bold and rode the subway to the American Museum of Natural History. Not only did I stand nose to nose with a T-Rex, but I also had to make a transfer on the subway. If you go to NY, I would recommend this museum. There is so much there, and the special exhibits all sounded amazing, but I didn't pay the extra money for that. In fact, I skimped and paid under the suggested admission. The AMNH has tons of cool displays about earthquakes, fossils, early humans, and nature. There is something very different about standing next to the true dinosaur models rather than seeing photos on the internet of on TV (or in Jurassic Park). And honestly, one of my favorite parts was the life size model of a blue whale. Animals just shouldn't be that big!
So New York was great! Next time I want to go when it is above freezing and visit Central Park and some of the other outdoor sites that were buried in snow. As for the menu I plan to eat ethiopian food, east indian curry, doughnuts, a pastrami sandwich, more bagels and pizza, and anything else that strikes my fancy. Oh, and I want to get a cup of black tea mixed with coffee, milk, and sugar. I sampled Damian's and it was quite an interesting flavor.
Thank you for bearing with me through my non-abroad post, but now I can move on to London: 2011.
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