Mmmmmm

Alright, so all of these pictures were taken at Boroughs Market. We went this morning and the quality and variety of the foods here were incredible. Olives, cheese, salami, fish, chocolate, bakhlava, hummus, mussles, cakes, candy, bread, and ready made foods including Thai Curry and ostrich burgers filled the street just south of the Thames River. It's actually London's oldest food market created when the Romans first built the London Bridge. Even the simple place where people sell food has rich history. America should be jealous.

Networking on the Thames

So last night! We got invited to a USC Alumni event that Thomas made possible. It was at a restaurant/pub called Riverside, right on the Thames River. A majority of our group went and we all had a great time. The Trojans were very warm and friendly, and we got a feel of what it's like going from America to living in London. I found out almost all of them have jobs different than what they studied for in college. It's weird how you spend four years studying a specific field but end up in a career you never would imagine having. I also found out that if you want to come and live in London, you need to follow the point system so you'll be accepted by the government. Basically, it's a collection of family history, college, grades, degree, and income. Once you pass the threshold, you're allowed to live here and acquire a work permit.

On the way back home, we all got hungry and were craving some comfort food, so what do we do? McDonalds! It's pretty popular here because they're all in the tourist locations and it's also a global business so everyone knows about it. Waiting in line, Carlos and I started speaking in a British accent. I look to my left and see a British girl staring at me, but I thought nothing of it. A minute later her friend came by her, and she started yelling something to her friend along the lines of "WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY DOING, WHAT'S THEIR PROBLEM, I'D LIKE TO HAVE A DISCUSSION WITH THEM." It was funny.

P.S. Carlos got a free glass cup.

Italy, YMCA, and dumplings.

I am going to Italy (in November)! Thomas and I booked our flights 2 days ago, and the itinerary is awfully packed....we arrive on November 18 in Venice, stay a night there, then go to Florence and spend two nights there, and then go to Rome and spend a night there. Were gonna miss class on Wednesday and Thursday but it's worth it. Funny story actually. Jenna and Sara bought their tickets earlier than us, and they booked it on November 18, thinking that that's Thanksgiving weekend, but it's not, lol. But the flight to Venice costs 5 pounds compared to the 45 pounds on Thanksgiving weekend!!! It's so cheap, we couldn't pass it up, so were going that weekend. Round-trip in total was about 50 pounds which is not bad at all.

I finally got the chance to go to the YMCA yesterday. I swam a few laps in the pool, spent some time in the steam room and sauna, and it felt pretty darn good. The locker rooms here are unreal. There are three sets of private shower stalls, a machine to quick-dry your clothes, and a table full of hair dryers. All of the facilities here are brand new because they had it renovated earlier this year. On the way out, I saw a volleyball class taking place and I thought, YESSS finally, a sport! I'll check that out next week.

I discovered a quaint little Korean shop last night near our flats (which Michelle and Leila were extremely excited about). I was starving so I asked the workers what type of food I should get, they directed me to some dumplings and this bigger type of dumpling filled with vegetables. Right next to it was a Thai restaurant and I couldn't help myself, so I picked up some yellow curry to take home, which, by the way, was amazing.

The weather here has been retarded. I wake up freezing, bundle up and go out, and an hour later the sun is out glaring. So then I go home and take a majority of my clothes off and go back out, only to encounter rain. It's kind of like dealing with a girl on her rag, you never know what you're gonna get.

I already ran out of my minutes on my phone here, I have to go "top up" as they call it here. And I need to do this ASAP because I played some scratchers game and came up with three identical lions, which means I won something big, so I need to call the number on the back to find out what. Hm, I could me a millionaire now and not even know it.

cheers

I'll have another Kronenberg.

So Monday was a new day, classes started. So I'm taking four classes here, each one is on a separate day going from Monday thru Thursday. Mondays class is called "Media & Communication for Social Change." I'm actually really looking forward for this class because of learning theory and information that has already happened, we actually get to implement theory to create a project to raise awareness of a social issue. Being a fan of projects, this class was for me because it'll also allow me vent some creativity.

The teacher is Lisa Robinson and she actually works at the BBC. Having many resources, she offered to help up with any sort of contacts we may need, and were taking a tour of the offices in 2 weeks...really looking forward to that. The class size is tiny (6), because most of the people didn't want to schedule a Monday class so they'll have an extra day for travel. Eh, I guess I'll need to make the most out of my 3 day weekends.

After class, a few of us went to Picadilly Circus to visit "Lillywhites", a gigantic sporting goods store with crazy discounts. I got a pair of Adidas shoes, shorts, and a gym bag all for 40 pounds. Saving money, wohoooo! While packing for this trip, I didn't think I'd actually end up going to a gym, but were gonna have so much time here, might as well.

We then headed around Neil's Garden to have a few beers at "The Cross Keys", a pub rich of history and character. The walls are full of art work and pictures, both of past and present London, and the beer here was extremely good. I probably ended up having four pints, with a few shots of Bacardi in between compliments of Thomas. The good, popular beer here is called "Kronenberg", and I decided to give it a shot. It's a bit bitter with a kick: a taste lacking from other beers (I also had Stella Artois, Becks, and Guinness). I don't know if it's the fact that the beer here is extremely cold, or if it's just the feeling of coolness that oozes when you're holding a pint of beer and standing outside and drinking, but I'm really starting to enjoy beer a lot more here with every trip to the pub.

This morning (it's Tuesday), we had our second class, "The Rhetoric of London." It's basically a class that's gonna teach us a lot about London, and the second part of class involves going on various field trips and tours. Today, we took a walk with Angie to St. Pauls Cathedral which is found in the heart of the financial/business district of London. I found the juxtaposition of the buildings extremely fascinating: old, worn out buildings centuries old were standing right next to modern skyscrapers completed only years ago. The old meets the new, the present battling with history to see who will stand victorious in the end. We also visited the location of the first every coffee shop in London. Mmmmm coffeeeeeeeeeeee. Starbucks is everywhere here! And they're all two stories high, and always packed with people. I've already made several trips to grab my Americano here, compliments of the Terzian family :).

Alright, I've got to admit, I've started to say cheers occasionally. People here us it all the time, and it has a pretty loose meaning. You can either say it as a greeting, or as a thank you, or as a goodbye. Sooooooooooooo, CHEERS!

ALAS!

I have finally consumed a plate of Fish and Chips! It was at a restaurant called "Rock and Sole Plaice", where it's supposedly one of the best Fish and Chips places in London. The tables were outside on the sidewalk, making it a very cool atmosphere.

Here is another thing Londoners have that makes them really distinct. The dish originated in the 19th century as food for the working class, since it was just potatoes and fish that were really abundant in the ocean (typically Cod). It later spread all throughout Europe. The place where we ate at also had rich history. It was where the soldiers and other people with higher ranks came to eat during WWII, and it also acted as a checkpoint for meetings in the basement of the restaurant.

The price of the typical Fish and Chips dish I ordered (Cod) was 10 pounds, but this price is for "sit down", which just means dining in. If i were to order "take away", which is take out, it would only cost me 7 pounds. That's a savings of 3 pounds! But the only downside to that is, they don't even put your food in a plate if your taking it out, they just dump it in a newspaper made into the shape of a cone. Can you imagine eating a full meal out of a newspaper?! It's nuts.

Yesterdays weather was also perfect. The sky was clear, the sun was glaring, and there was barely any wind. I literally felt like I was in LA, but a bit disappointed. Everyone had already prepped me for the cold, rainy weather and the fact that it's always cloudy here and gloomy, so I was ready for that. This was just an unexpected curve-ball that I was not ready for because I brought no shorts with me and no pair of sunglasses. Eh, I think its supposed to rain though today, so no worries.

AH, I almost forgot to tell you guys. We all signed up at the local YMCA here, and it's supposedly the first one in the world. Weird huh, you would think YMCA is very American especially with that dreadful "YMCA" song. The place is massive, with three complete floors, and it was just renovated a few months ago with new equipment. It has a big pool, free weights area, treadmills, a basketball court, badminton courts (it's really big here), and several studios where they host classes. I'm thinking of taking Tai Chi, hip-hop class, and a martial arts work out course, all free by the way with our membership. I just need to go buy myself a pair of sneakers and swimming shorts from the local "Lillywhites" which is like Sport Chalet but ten times bigger and with extremely cheap prices (I found a pair of converses for 7 pounds).

Anyways, class starts in 2 hours and I should get up and start getting ready. I'm pretty excited for this class though, it's called "Designing Media and Communication Projects for Social Change". The class size should be small though because most people aren't taking it since it's on a Monday, which means they could stay an extra day out if they're traveling to other countries. Eh, whatever.

Yalla, I'm out.

the Queen is coming! the Queen is coming! no, it's just the guards....

So it was 9:20 AM this morning, and we got a call from one of the girls on the bus that the bus was leaving. Our room looked like a fire drill was taking place. Thomas, Aaron, and I jumped out of our beds, put some clothes on, even rushed to the bathroom, and were outside on the bus in literally 5 minutes. I think my right eye was still asleep once I stepped on the bus.

It drove us around London guided by our cooky tour guide Angie. She's a pretty elderly woman with a bad limp, but boy does she hustle. The highlight of the tour was visiting Buckingham Palace and witnessing the "changing of the guards" which is one of the biggest tourist attractions here in London. Basically, old guards march to the palace and replace the guards that were already on duty. Even though it's not the most elaborate thing, the synchronized marching in uniform with the accompaniment of a marching band reminds me of the lack of solid tradition back in the states. The presence of this march is an indication of the rich history and culture that the country has to offer. Dressing up in superhero costumes and asking for free candy from strangers can't even compare.

"Free Day"

It's 2:30 AM, my head is still pounding from the club, and I have to wake up in 5 hours. So what do I do? I open up my blog and write a new post.

Today was quite the adventure. In the morning, I woke up and walked to a nearby Starbucks, got a cup of coffee, and read the local newspaper. It was refreshing to just be alone and take everything in. Afterwards, I met up with Thomas and we went to buy our cell phones. After much searching around, we settled on the "Skypephone" with the "3 Network".

In that line of shops, there was also a food fair of some sort. They are there every Saturday, and it's a collection of food vendors from distinct backgrounds. I saw falafel and grape stuffed leaves, meats from Brazil, Asian yakitori, and fruits/veggies from the local farms. Thomas and I ended up getting a scallop plate, complete with noodles and vegetables. Oh, it was good.

After resting, we took a trip to Picadilly Square to catch a Manchester United game at a pub. We went with our two other roommates, Manny and Carlos and settled into a bar that was described to us by a local Brit as "a very shitty Americanized bar". Nevertheless, it was one of the few pubs showing the match. We ordered a pitcher of beer and grubbed on some burgers. It felt good to be American for a moment.

At night, all of us went out clubbing. The policy in England is different than America. Here, they can care less if a bunch of girls are walking in, they will rarely give discounts let alone let them go in for free. After bargaining with a few clubs, we settled at a club called "On Anon" where the bouncer let us get in for 7 pounds each (it was Aaron and I with 8 other girls). The music was alright, and the vibe wasn't anything special. I just got home maybe 30 minutes ago, so it's time for me to get some rest before the tour coach of London tomorrow morning.

In the meantime, cheers!

Pictures taken on walking tour

My legs are killing me

Success is mine! It is now 8 AM, and I went to bed last night at 11 PM, so I'm definitely feeling refreshed and ready to tackle this day. Yesterday was long, long, long. We first had orientation for probably 4 hours, but got lots of useful information about London and what-not. Then we had an hour break for lunch, where a couple of us went to a Thai Restaurant. By the way, right after orientation when we stepped outside, it was pouring rain! I was like, AHHH, London is finally welcoming me into his wet, cold arms.

After lunch, we went on a 2 and a half hour walking tour, which really opened up my eyes to the rest of nearby London. We visited Covent Garden and encountered an area FILLED with shops, restaurants, and cafes. There was also a stream of street performers at "The Piazza and Central Market" which reminded me of 3rd St. Promenade. And guys, there are actual shops for men and men only. In America, if the men are lucky, there would be a measly corner of a store dedicated to mens clothing, but over here, mens fashion is very strong and present (making me a happy camper :).

After this long walk, we went finally found time to go cell phone shopping. After encountering ridiculous rates at a store called "Carphone Warehouse", a few of us visited a store for the "3 Network" where we found a very reasonable rate for a phone/plan, so were going to visit the store soon to purchase the phone.

After resting for half an hour at our flats, we were rushed to "Spaccanapoli Pizzeria" where we dined on exquisite pizza. This wasn't the typical Dominos pizza covered in heavy cheesy and typical toppings. The pizzas were long and thin, with extremely fresh toppings. It's nice going to dinners with the group because it allows people that haven't really gotten to know each other a chance to interact. This socializing strengthens the group and makes for a very comfortable trip. After dinner, Thomas (my roommate) and I went to a shop called "Sainsbury's" and picked up some drinks and headed home after for an early sleep.

Overall, it was a very productive day, and I'll do some more exploring today. Wahooo!

First Day

The time is now 6:40 AM and I probably slept for a total of 2 hours. Being really jetlagged, I thought I would just knock out and sleep like a baby, but that was obviously not the case. Our apartment, or "flat" as they call it here, is located right on the street. And we learned that it's an extremely busy street the hard way. While I was trying to sleep, I heard cars drive by, a trash collector, several police sirens, and last but not least, drunk people walking back from the pubs. This noisy concoction lasted the entire night, making me toss and turn all the while giving me flashbacks of the flight to London.

On the bus ride from Heathrow to our apartments, I noticed all the buildings and how unique they all were. Every single building was oozing with character, the walls were wearing away from the weather, the roofs had tiles missing, and bushes and trees covered all four sides. This was completely refreshing when you live in America and see the epitome of suburbia and capitalism with rows of identical buildings covered in advertisements. This place has character, and I'll be sure to savor it.

The weather the first day was excellent. It wasn't too gloomy, and the temperature was probably in the mid 70's. The sun even came out for a few hours. Within a couple hours of landing, we all went to a local pub for a reception but on by ACCENT, the company hosting us and other student travelers. The finger foods at the pub was terrible, an assortment of fried sausages, quiches, and foreign things I only consumed because of my hunger. I also had a glass of Guinness. It was cold, smooth, and the perfect welcome drink to London.

One thing I noticed about this place, everyone is dressed up! At the pubs, all the men are wearing slacks and dress shirts, making my t-shirt and jeans the ultimate tourist indicator. I should keep this in mind when going out, the last thing I want is another Brit saying something like "there goes a bloody American."

The "flat" is pretty nice. I'm sleeping in a triple bedroom, with two other roommates. There is also another room with 2 guys. The flat is the "guys" flat, since there are a total of 5 of us on the trip, as opposed to the 11 girls. There are two bathrooms which saved us (5 guys using one bathroom can get pretty ugly). Heaters galore! At every corner of the place, there are those antiquated heaters that are stuck to walls, I guess we'll be needing them soon enough.

Alright, orientation and a walking tour starts in 2 hours, so I'll keep this thing updated. So far, I'm having a great time, and it's only the beginning.

Departing from America

Sometime between August 19 and 20, 2009.

I am currently writing this on Microsoft Word because the wireless internet promised by AA.com is nowhere to be found (I'll later copy+paste). After finishing my second cup of coffee (which, for some reason, always tastes great on flights), I found it fitting to write the first entry of many blog entries during my escapades in London, and Europe overall.

Upon arriving at LAX, I was quick to find my fellow Trojans who are also traveling with me to London. For those who do not know yet, I’ll be studying Communication in London for the Fall semester (August 19 – December 13). Anyways, I previously knew nobody on this program, so I took that risky leap as a lone soldier that has yet to meet his fellow troops during this 4 month adventure. Everyone seems nice and friendly, and we chatted quite a bit at the terminal before the flight.

I’m not going to lie, I am a bit cranky. Those Advil PMs certainly did not help in my failed attempt at getting some shut-eye. After all, the flight is a whopping 10.5 hours. The chairs are so uncomfortable, and it does not help sitting in the last row right in front of the bathroom. I’d say at an average of every 3 minutes, I hear the toilet flushing which makes me unintentionally wonder what kind of feces are being pushed down the plastic cylinder. I say unintentionally because no one would ever want to wonder such a thing, but the boredom and the fact that everyone else around me is asleep produces this odd curiosity. So the top area of the chair has a leather head piece which can be pushed upwards on both the left and right sides, causing a make-shift support for my head to lean on. But it sucked. Just picture me, in a duration of 4 hours, tossing my head left and right as if I’m nodding a solid “no” to a girl asking me to go see the sequel to Sex and the City. This torturous nodding was accompanied by shifting of body weight and helpless drowsiness caused by the Advil PM. I did not sleep, instead watched other people peacefully sleep. Oh, the joys of airplane rides.

On a much lighter note, the food wasn’t that bad. I had a chicken-pasta combo for dinner, accompanied with a bread roll, four pieces of lettuce making the salad, two whole crackers, a triangle of cheddar cheese, and a random oatmeal granola bar (dessert?). They also served a “light breakfast” as professed by the attendant over the P.A. A croissant that tasted like cardboard and a strawberry jam was consumed just minutes ago.

The captain just told us to put the seatbelts back on and to prepare for landing. I’m in London fellas, and ready to start this amazing journey that will hopefully be embedded in my brain as a series of sweet memories I will one day tell my children. Until next time, bye bye! (I would try and say something more clever, like “arrivederci” or “adios” but they speak English in London =/.)