Category: Europe

Two Very English Weekends

Published on by Elsie BuczkowskiLeave a comment

Weekend in London

I was super excited to have an entire, proper weekend in London after my trip to Munich. A few of my friends were out of town, so I had some alone time to explore my area. For the most part, I tried to get comfortable in my dorm. I was having a lot of trouble feeling relaxed and at home in my room all by myself. It was exposure therapy. And now I have lovely little lamps that make it feel homey. And I have cute prints I got from the Victoria & Albert Museum on my fabric bulletin board. I went with my photography class, but after class was dismissed, I had a walk around by myself. I was so content and in awe that I took no photos of the art. 

Another thing that I’ve been thinking about is my spending habits here. This city is so incredibly expensive, especially the area that I’m in. The only place you can get a pint of beer for less than 9 pounds within walking distance of my dorm is the Metropolitan Bar, a JD Wetherspoons pub. This chain of pubs gets a bad rap in the UK, but I love that place with all my heart. The drinks are half the price of the bar across the street, and the food menu is absolutely massive. I would compare it to something like a Sharis. It’s cosy. There are strange old people there all the time. You sink into the worn booths. But I’m obsessed with the vibe they have curated consistently throughout their many locations. 

Another way we have been spending less money is by cooking at home in our shared dorm kitchens. We’re terrible cooks. But we are determined to get better. 

Last Sunday, we walked around Marylebone and got a little Sunday brunch out. It was perfect and relaxing and exactly what I needed before the week started. 

I’ve also mastered the art of walking in London. The thing that I didn’t understand about London is that there is no designated side of the sidewalk you’re supposed to walk on. People just walk wherever they want, all the time. Once I finally accepted this fact, my life became much easier. Now I walk whatever side of the sidewalk I want to, I look straight ahead at where I want to go, and people (for the most part) will get out of my way! 

Weekend in Canterbury 

This past weekend, we went on a girl’s trip to a small town called Canterbury, a few hours outside of London. It was the perfect calm, walkable small town where we could catch our breath and not always have to be on edge. 

The five of us took a 30-minute train ride to the White Cliffs of Dover on Saturday morning. We got a quick French breakfast and then took a taxi up to the viewpoints. The pictures do not do this place justice. We lounged around in the grass, soaking up the sunshine and staring at the cliffs like it was a riveting film. We didn’t want to leave so bad that we didn’t call our taxi until the last second. 

Back in town after our morning in Dover, we explored the beautiful gardens and canals. The cathedral that Canterbury is famous for did not disappoint either. But the weekend’s main event was our punting tour on Saturday evening. We had so much fun gossiping with our punting guide, Marcus, while he tried to tell us about the rich history of Canterbury. It was so entertaining we seriously considered going back in the morning before we had to catch our bus. 

I woke up at 8:00 am on Sunday so stressed out. I had received an email that said our bus had been straight-up cancelled. Without a refund. Instead, they put us on a different bus that left two hours later than the bus we scheduled and didn’t even take us all the way to Central London, where we departed from. Luckily, I found a train for only £15 more than we paid for the bus. I was worried that a last minute ticket would be ridiculously expensive. I called the bus service, and they kindly gave us a refund. 

I am excited to spend another weekend in London before heading to Paris. I’m extremely proud of myself for finally getting into a groove here. I look forward to sharing all the touristy things Max and I do this weekend when he visits, as well as more about my internship in my next update!

London calling…

Published on by miadervisevicLeave a comment

My first full week in London! This bright and bustling city is filled with passion, art, and history; which inspires me every-time I step outside. The fast paced lifestyle and having so much to do, keeps me wanting more and waiting for the next ‘free’ day, where I can explore more of the city. The markets I’ve explored only keep getting better! From food, to jewelry and clothes, you truly can find anything! There are so many unique items, that are only found in markets and London, to which one cannot have it all.

Portabello market, and Notting Hill, is a charming, yet big market, filled with many different types of things that one can buy. As of now, its my favorite place and market to visit! Notting Hill, known for its pastel and colored houses is a must see, and even if you don’t like ‘tourist attractions,’ its beautiful and cute regardless. I had such an amazing time searching through all the booths with jewelry, clothes, and items, that I lost track of time, and soon found myself needing to go back home before the night started! I found an amazing ring that was also a watch!! While I was with friends, this is a wonderful market that you could take yourself on a solo date too! With so many amazing people, and stalls, one would have company anywhere!

I also visited The National Gallery, which houses amazing paintings and art that is breathtaking to look at! Paintings by Monet, Caravaggio, and Van Gogh, are housed here. I was on my own for this trip, and found solstice in being alone, listening to music, and being swept away by the meticulous details in the paintings. After, I traveled by the train (tube) to Regents Park, where I had a wonderful walk around the park, listening to the rain and birds, and taking a break from the city sounds. While I love the London bustling city, it’s also easy to find a park, or get out of Zone 1 of the city, and find some quiet. London truly has something for everyone.

But don’t worry! I have been going to classes as well! The campus buildings are a maze at City St Georges, but following the signs (admittedly going back and forth) I finally found my classes. I’m very interested and excited for the semester to come! However, something that shocked me while attending one of my classes, was the etiquette some students would show their professors. While some of my classes are with other international students, one of them (Victimology) is with primarily English students. I noticed that in this class specifically, some students would talk to their friends during the lecture, and/or start packing up and leaving around 5 minutes before the class was done, while the professor was still lecturing. It was very interesting and eye-opening to see how those students acted in the class, and how it was different then I was taught/how it is in my classes back in the US. Later that day, I went back to my flat and told my flatmates about it, to which they noticed it as well, and were also shocked. On the other hand, it was only the first day/week of class, to which some might find it a bit more difficult to adjust to a school environment after the summer, or other activities. I am interested to see if it continues to happen as the semester progresses.

In all, my first week here has been absolutely amazing, filled with learning opportunities and adventures. Im excited for the next 2 months to come, and to explore more in (and outside) London, as well as get into the rhythm of going to classes again!

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