Week 4: Settling In

Now that I am entering my fourth week of classes, I realized that it has been quite some time since I updated this blog. Now with actual work to do, I am less inclined to sit at my computer and produce an additional piece of writing. However, I have also realized that this is a great opportunity to procrastinate completing readings, problem sets, and essays. As a result, I could bore with a summary of the classes I am taking or complain about the paper I need to write on the validity of the Realist and NeoRealist argument in the wake of the proliferation of International Organizations; instead, I’ll try to focus on the more interesting aspects of my time abroad.

Stonehenge and Bath: Two weeks ago, I went on a LSE General Course trip to Stonehenge and Bath. The highlights of the trip included seeing Stonehenge and drinking really old dirt tasting water from a spring in Bath. I appreciated Stonehenge in that it is famous but to be honest I expected quite a bit more than I actually saw. It wasn’t really that big and had too many tourists around. And of course, the site’s gift shop provided anyone with a mere 10 pounds the ability to recreate Stonehenge in their own living room. I imagine that Stonehenge might have been cool at some point, but I would have been equally satisfied with a nice picture of the site. Similarly, Bath, a city located in Southwest England, had architectural and historical merit, but was plague swarms of tourists crowding the streets. We went to the Roman Bath Museum in the center of the city. The museum was interesting in that it provided historical context for the baths of Bath but it was difficult to understand the man speaking on the headset.

Roman Bath

Stonehenge

In addition to Stonehenge and Bath, I have seen a few really cool places in London-

Covent Garden: Covent Garden is actually right around the corner from my dorm. It is a combination open air market shopping area. In fact, in My Fair Lady and Pygmalion, Eliza Doolittle sold flowers in Covent Garden Market before meeting Henry Higgins. In addition to the convenience of having great shopping right by my dorm, the area is a great place to just hang out. Last weekend, I went with a friend to the market to have lunch. Throughout our meal of nachos and wine (classy I know!) we were priveleged to a magic show, classical music from violinists, and a musical review from a singer. Sitting eating lunch allowed me to really appreciate being in London.

Camden Town: This past weekend, I went to another open air market called Camden Town. Camden Town is in northwest London and is about a 20 minute Tube Ride from my dorm. The area had all different type of stores including fashionable clothing and very strange gothic clothing with spikes, etc. Much of the market reminded me of the holiday markets in Union Square and Grand Central. There are also all different types of food- one could eat a falafel for lunch and later have a crepe for dessert complimented by hot apple cider. The only thing I bought was a small poster of the Thames with Big Ben in the background.

Ice Bar:Lastly, there is a really cool bar in London that is made entirely out of ice. Last week, for my friend’s 21st birthday we went there to celebrate. All of the walls and tables are made out of ice. Also, the glasses are made out of ice. Everyone wears a black parka and gloves to keep warm in the room. Because it is so cold, you are only allowed to stay in the bar for 40 minutes.

For now, I am back to studying. I hope to write again soon.

LSE Library