An Inter-Temporal Report

I can't believe how long this has been coming. Sorry! A full report:

So, a few weeks before Christmas, I went on another sightseeing trip. This time to Warwick Castle and then Stratford-upon-Avon. Warwick castle is run by the Madame Toussaud's Corporation, and is VERY well done. Four long buildings surround a central courtyard, and each building is divided into a separate time period. One part follows the War of the Roses (for Lancaster, of course), another the Reformation era (wax figures of all six wives of Henry VIII), turn-of-the-century (Winston Churchill--young!), and then the tower climbing part. All the history was great, but I think my favourite part was climbing the really old towers. Pictures below.

Ok, actually, Blogspot seems unwilling to load pictures at the moment BUT below is a link to all of my pictures from last term, complete with short explanations. Sorry about the extra click, but this way you can access more than just one or two photos.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2021724&l=45acf&id=35702026

Moving on, I got to go home for Christmas. It was blistering and freezing and every other kind of cold, but I maintain there's no place better to spend Christmas than Galena. Three weeks of white Christmas, family, skiing, old friends. I don't seem to have any pictures, but I'm rather certain everyone had an enjoyable holiday.

Since coming back to London, I've settled back into my routine of sightseeing, exploring the city, going out with friends and (occasionally) studying. Last weekend a few friends and I went up to Camden Market in North London. We began in the most popular part of the area, with all of the punk/alternative shops. It felt straight out of pictures of London circa 1960 (except all of the "punks" were about 14). Soon, however, we found ourselves in the yuppie part of Camden. Shope had imported antiques and modern art, along with organic, free-trade coffees and teas. And Gluhwein, for some unknown reason. Then we bussed all the way up to Hampstead because one of the guys with us went to grammar school up in that area. Posh doesn't even begin to describe it. Checking estate agencies told us that even smaller flats are selling for around 2 million GBP. We walked along Hampstead Heath as the sun was setting and caught what really is the best view of London. And, on our way back, got completely lost. Though I'd rather be lost (by which I really mean indifferently wandering) in North London than pretty much anywhere else. We finished the evening by meeting up with more friends and have Thai food off of Covent Garden. Legitimate Thai food that legitimately almost burned off my tongue (England has not done much for my palate, or at least, my ability to stand spicy food).

Then we had inauguration. January 20 marked huge change--for London. The city just went wild. All Americans were allowed into Madame Toussoud's for FREE (usually rather expensive) to see the new Obama exhibit. It was great to see our new President in the fake Oval Office, but I also took pictures with the Julia Roberts statue. And the Queen. haha. Then I watched the actual inauguration (5pm London time) from our building's public tv. A whole group of us watched all of the debates and then stayed up all night for the election together. We finished our little group sessions by seeing the inauguration--and then going to pub-crawling to celebrate some more. Usually one doesn't broadcast one's American-ness in London pubs, but I was in an Obama t-shirt and everywhere we went someone cheered or high-fived us. The city is so full of hope, and, though I was only briefly in the States, I feel like most Americans are, too. It was just an incredible day.

Next weekend I'm spending three days in Dublin with friends (we found a free place to stay!). I promise to take a camera, to try to record the trip. If that link to my Facebook photos really does work, I think that will become SOP, as Blogspot Photos and I have never really gotten along.

Best to all, Cheers!

p.s. As always, anyone interested in coming to London should give me a holler. I'm a decent tour guide, and what I lack in knowledge, I promise to make up for in enthusiasm.