I haven't updated in a couple weeks because I've been pretty busy. First my mom came to visit for her last weekend in the UK. We visited Stonehenge, Salisbury, went on some guided walks of my neighbourhood (there was a festival on) and went to a couple museums too (British and Dickens' house). After my mom left I had to crack open the books and do some work. I guess that's why I'm here after all!

On wednesday we had a meeting for our program to voice our concerns, which was a cool idea. Let's just see if the ideas will be put into action! I met with my supervisor for my thesis that day so she was very helpful. How I just have to narrow down my ideas and do some reading on theories of the social policy process (exciting!)

Friday I went to my friend's residence (photo below) where we ate dinner, played monopoly (London edition) and drank beer. Oh and I got to see Simpsons for the first time in awhile! lots of north americans watching.

Today we went to Chinatown and to an Eid celebration in Trafalgar Square. It's all so close to our places so that's pretty exciting. Tomorrow is a protest to reduce tuition fees and the slogan is "I'm not a cash cow" which is the first protest for my chinese friends.

I'll try to remember to update next weekend but if I forget feel free to email me.

I'm at Canada House (high commission) which is right by Trafalgar Square. It's a pretty nice building and a cool location. The second picture is of Trafalgar Square where the first London Eid (muslim holiday) celebration took place. Lots of people there!

We are in Leicester Square which is in the theatre (and posh) district. It's not far from our place and close to Chinatown too where we had lunch.

Here is my friend Yunxiao and her roommate (and my new friend!) Kate. Yunxiao is in the same program as me. Kate is in statistics and I taught her to 'slack off' this weekend. The next picture is their residence. It's not far from mine and is much smaller and quaint looking.

I'm at one of a few gates in Salisbury that is still locked every night. Supposively Handel first performed in the room above. Salisbury is a medieval town and some buildings were built in 1400 and probably the gate too.







This picture is in the laneway to the stables of an old hotel/restaurant/pub. I dont know what a mantrap is but it looks like a torture device used on men!

here is me visiting Stonehenge, after and before a wet but short rain storm.

here is Stonehenge, it is around 6000 years old and no one knows for sure why it was built. But there is very nice land around it so maybe it was a place of worship. And my theory is that it used to have a roof on it to protect people from the elements while worshipping.

My Mom and I went to the town of Salisbury since it is close to Stonehenge. Here is Salisbury Cathedral. They claim it has the highest spire in England.

Weekend update

My mom came to visit this weekend so we did some sight-seeing. We shopped at Camden Market and close by for groceries. I also showed her around my school (photos are in the last blog) and saw the musical 'The Producers'. It was pretty funny and the audience had a good time.

I'm now in my 3rd of 10 weeks of class, which seems like such a short amount of time. So far the classes are good, there are some interesting readings but also some boring ones. And in each class (I have 3 in total) I have to do presentations. There are some smart people in my class which is good, and it's also good that everyone is so keen! Big difference from York.

That's all the news for now. I should head to bed so I can get up in the morning and continue the reading marathon.
- Andrea

Down the river from Camden Market is this great house with river-front access and tree-house! Along the river are house boats like this one.

Camden Market

This is a really cool market with lots of clothes, jewellery, food, furniture, and really great hats and dr martens (I want some red ones). There are also locks which is unique for central London.

Sites by my place

Down the major road from me is a nice little place called Sicilian Avenue that is so beautiful and looks like a European city. There are quite a few cool little passage ways around with pubs

Right across the street from where I live is a children's only playground (although some day I'll sneak in!). Sometimes when I'm leaving the building I see sheep.... right in the middle of London. Pretty cool!

These are taken from the London Eye. It is a giant ferris-wheel type thing that gives good views of London. The first one is way one down the River Thames, the second in the general direction of where I live and the last one is of the Parliament buildings and the other way down the river.

Here are some pictures of my room. It's small but cozy!

Updated photos

Below are some pictures taken over the last week of places I've visited and of my room and school. Hope you enjoy!

Westminster Abbey, Parliament and Big Ben

Canada House and Trafalgar Square

This is my school on a rainy Saturday. Ususally there are more people hanging around

This is the Temple Church from the DaVinci Code, where the knights templar are buried and it was speculated that the Holy Grail was there at one point too. It was built in the late 1100s so it was cool be see a building that old. Thanks to my Aunt for giving me a DaVinci Code travel journal! I did my own DaVinci Code tour of London on Saturday.

The Edinburgh Castle

Me on the last day, a very rainy day.

The cliffs we walked by up to Arthur's Seat. Feels like the Highlands!

The hero of Scotland, William Wallace

I'm a guard at Edinburgh Castle

Here's me in downtown Edinburgh

first week in London

Well I survived my first week in the UK. I went to Edinburgh right away which is a great city. It's easy to get around and lots of see and do.

Then I did some school 'inductions' (fancy British word for orientation) to get oriented with the graduate school, my department, and my course. The people in my course seem very cool and I'm sure classes will always be interesting.

I'm all settled in my studio apartment. It's very small which means less time spent on cleaning! It's in a great location - I walk to school in 15 mins, walk to trendy parts of town like Covent Gardens in 25, and can easily walk to many tourist places, which I did yesterday. And there are grocery stores and train stations really close. So I'm saving lots of money not having to take the tube!

Last night I went to a Canadian restaurant called 'the Maple Leaf' and had some Canadian food. They even had sloppy joe's! And I had some Molson beer, which I don't know why because I wouldn't drink that at home! But I was with some fellow Canadians so that was fun.

This week I start classes on Tuesday, but Monday I'm heading to the Tate Modern with my friend from Newfoundland. I want to check out a musical this week so I'll see what cheap tickets I can get.

Well that's it for now, here's a picture of me in Edinburgh by Arthur's Seat.

- Andrea