I have a bit of catching up to do, since the past few days have been quite crazy, so I'll break this post down into three neat little sections.
WEDNESDAY, 6 JULY:
Class today was informative again, discussing further the events leading up to WWI. I love that all of this is new to me. No sarcasm there, I'm serious; if this was a repetition of things I already knew, I wouldn't enjoy class as much as I do (not to say school is my favorite thing ever...but still, it's interesting here).
After class we heading to the Imperial War Museum and saw some eye-opening exhibits. First and foremost, missiles are SO HUGE. I never anticipated them being so large; for some reason, in my head, they were much smaller. The tanks and planes and guns and subs were all pretty cool, since I've never seen anything like that before (not that I can recall, anyway).
But then we got to the Holocaust Exhibit. It took every effort not to cry. I've learned about the Holocaust over and over, but seeing the pictures...the model of Auschwitz...the pile of shoes taken from gassed Jews...it all made me sick. Literally ill. Men, women, and children massacred like cattle, shot into pits, tortured and starved. I cannot for the life of me figure out how the rest of the world was oblivious to that sort of horror. I just can't understand it. People on the home front, disconnected from the war, sure; but Allied soldiers in Germany, they have no excuse in my opinion. I know they didn't have the convenience of internet and television to give instant news, but still. I can't fathom it. It disgusts me that such an atrocity could take place without any notice.
On to happier things, before I start crying/yelling...
Wednesday night, Kalen and Tiffany and I hopped over to the Queen's Arms Pub on the corner of our street and FINALLY got fish and chips! It was absolutely delicious and totally worth it. The owner of the pub recognized us as "the Americans that live down the way" (since MSU puts up students in the same flats every year) and told us we were welcome to make his pub our second home. Free wi-fi, great cider, and a great pub atmosphere...definitely going to be our second home, sir.
THURSDAY, 7 JULY:
Class was a movie today, Joyeux Noel. It was about the Christmas Truce of 1914, where some of the soldiers on the front called a truce just for Christmas Eve and all hung out together. It was the craziest thing I've ever seen, and also a true story (except for the glorified bits that Hollywood threw in just for fun). Unfortunately, everyone who participated in that fraternization was punished, and none of them lived to see the end of the war. After Magee told us that, I was super angry. Here was a chance for peace--clearly, all sides were capable of tolerating each other--and the leaders could not let it be. WWI was such a strange war... Nobody knew what they were fighting for, they just knew they had to go and be slaughtered for their country. I can't wrap my head around that. Maybe because I'm not really patriotic, I don't know.
Then we had a free afternoon to wander wherever we wanted (alliteration much?). Tiffany, Kalen, and I headed down to Piccadilly Circus to do some souvenir shopping (Lillywhite's and Cool Brittania!) and just to check out the hubbub down there. We had a great time buying presents for everyone! The guy at the register was pretty shocked that I spent £100 on things that weren't for me, lol. But it was worth it!
And that night, we celebrated the end of the first school week with class, following the customs of the city. We headed to our pub for some tequila sunrise(s) and then went back to the flat to play some games and have a good time. The four of us--me, Tiffany, Kalen, and Kristine--had a splendid night.
FRIDAY, 8 JULY:
Our first full free day of the trip! We woke up a little later than expected to find a man entering the room to check the fire alarm. While it was a little disconcerting, he did indeed check the alarm (woke me up a bit) and then left.
Tiffany, Kalen, and I headed out for a day in the southwest side of town, visiting the National Portrait Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Both were spectacular sights; we spent longer there than anywhere else so far. We couldn't take pictures at the Gallery, but we got to see paintings from as far back as the Tudors and as recent as Will & Harry (who looks absolutely dashing in oil paint, let me tell you!). We joked around about how weird it would be for them to come to the museum...talk about a family history lesson! No need for photo albums, just build a museum, yes?
The V&A was pretty awesome as well. We saw plenty of marble statues, which never cease to amaze me; I cannot for the life of me figure out how they make everything so intricate and so beautiful. It blows my mind. How can you make a hair braid out of MARBLE?! We also saw a lot of "typical" English furnishings (lots of gold, intense draperies, big dresses and wigs, etc.) which are always fun for me, really.
In between the museums, we wandered to Harrod's, which is an ENORMOUS department store specializing in all things entirely unaffordable. Everyone says you have to see it once, though, so we did. They had a chocolate/tea/pastry shop that reminded me of a posh Willy Wonka; we got three truffles--coffee mint, Bailey's, and white Russian--and they were delightful! I'm always a sucker for chocolate, though. But this was particularly good chocolate! We grabbed lunch at a French cafe (Patisserie Valerie) and I had a ham and cheese croissant. I'm not a ham person, but for some reason I really like it here (I've eaten it probably 3 times already!).
And then, thoroughly worn out, we took the tube home and then to Regent's, where we're uploading pictures and blogging and catching up on homework. Heading home in a few, where I can hopefully catch up on emails and reading...
Like I told Facebook...I don't think I want to come home. I love it here. So, so much. I miss you all, but this is home now. My place. I have no idea why.
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