Andrea in London

Canterbury Town

2007-08-21T21:07:00.000Z

Susan and Niels by the ruins of the castle from the year 1000. the main drag, and view of the cathedral through the shopping streets

Canterbury Town

2007-08-21T21:03:00.000Z

here's an old building next to their picturesque river. the main park is quite nice and close to an old city gate.

Canterbury Cathedral

2007-08-21T21:01:00.000Z

my travel buddies Susan and Niels; old ruins by the cathedral; view of cathedral from other side

Canterbury Cathedral

2007-08-21T20:58:00.000Z

the cathedral and christ church gate -- the gate to get into the cathedral grounds. look at that long queue!

York

2007-05-27T10:48:00.000Z

Here's the great medieval city of York. I would definitely recommend people go there because there's lots to see and do, and it's very old and cool for us North Americans. Here is a gate (there were several gates to get into the city) and the medieval walls (we walked around them for quite awhile). And I'm in an old school room in a museum of old stuff ('looking like a nerd' is what my sister wrote as the caption on her blog).

York Minster

2007-05-27T10:46:00.000Z

Here's York Minster (famous cathedral from the middle ages). We spent lots of time there because it cost a lot of money. Plus we walked up to the roof and got some good views of the city. There is also a picture of me in front of a creepy alley (I like these alleys, makes me really feel like I'm in Europe).

London with my sister

2007-05-27T10:41:00.000Z

We went to Greenwich on a boat tour to see the sites there. It's like we weren't in London anymore, a very different feel (like a small town). There we saw where Greenwich mean time is and stood on the line, saw some maritime museums (boring) and walked to some famous pubs (this is Trafalgar Pub after Nelson, a famous captain who won some wars on the ocean against Spain).
Here's our cozy sleeping arrangements. When my sister saw my room she looked horrified at the smallness and having to stay there for the next 10 days!

London with my sister

2007-05-27T10:37:00.000Z

Here are some photos of when my sister was here at the end of April. On the first day we went to Green Park (by Buckingham Palace) and had some ice cream. Lots of people were around because it was a perfect day. Then there's me with a solider at some place (he was weird and said 'that's number 3' under his breath when I was standing there). Next we are by the Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, where we stopped on our way back from Greenwich.

Great-grandmother's house

2007-05-13T13:23:00.000Z

I spent the day with my aunt on thursday. It was really nice to catch up and see some sites. We went to Camden market and to some used book stores around my place. I went with her to see her grandmother's house (these are the pictures of where she was born, but later she moved to Canada). It's in a nice part of town that is in high demand now. There are 7 flats in this house on 5 floors, two of which are studio flats (so small!) But it's a very nice neighbourhood. All the houses are painted white and some are quite fancy with decorative trim and stuff. We went inside but it's hard to picture what it would have been like because it's been converted to flats.

friends

2007-05-13T13:17:00.000Z

These are my classmates, we are all in the same program except Robyn.
Here we are eating cheap Indian food.
#1 Isabella, Vijaya and Winnie
#2 Vicki, me, Robyn and Kathryn
#3 Dorian trying to look like a thug or asbo, after leaving the pub.
'Twas a fun night!

2007-05-03T21:07:00.000Z

Well it's been just over 2 months since I last updated! Wow how time flies. I finished up classes March 17, then went to Portugal right away for 9 days and then went home for 3 weeks. Portugal was very nice, I need to go back to see more of it. Even though it's such a small country there's so much to see! At home I did lots of school work, but never catching up since I am still doing lots. We have exams in June so I'm revising (studying) for that, and I'm also trying to figure out my dissertation question, and will write an essay of the issues to do so! Fun times! But I did have a fun time last week when my sister visited (I'll post those pictures whenever she puts them up). We went to Greenwich was 'time' was created, saw a show "Blood Brothers", walked around and saw quite a few of the sites (that's what's nice about having a central place to live) and went to York on the weekend. It's a really old city, it was used by the Romans in their height as an army base, then the Vikings were there, then the English. It still has most of it's walls and gates up so it was really cool to see all the old stuff. And the cathedral there is great, a bit expensive but we made good use of our ticket! Too bad I didn't get to see any moors though, I'll do that some other time. Enjoy the photos of Portugal below!

Monastery in Tomar

2007-05-03T21:04:00.000Z

This is an old religious building that we went to on our second day. Like many other things, it's been around for ages. It had many many rooms and different areas and was very interesting. First picture is my parents on a tiled bench (they were always impressed by all the tiling in Portugal) then a picture of the outside of the building, and a picture inside of the church.

Old castle in Sintra

2007-05-03T21:01:00.000Z

We drove up a crazy-scary small road to get to this old Moorish castle. It's from about 900 and it is thought that middle-eastern people first built it. And maybe there were romans there before too on this site. It was pretty cool and very high up and windy so we didn't talk close to the walls. My mom brought Eeyore from her work along (they take him to places and get him in pictures) so he is with us and my dad doesn't want to be seen with him. The last picture is titled "where's Eeyore?". My mom's in an old chapel and he is there as well -- you should be able to see him even though this is a small picture.

Lisbon

2007-05-03T20:58:00.000Z

The first picture is of a very interesting and old neighbourhood called Alfama. Lots of colours and small streets and seems like a tight-knit community. The second is of the main square off the ocean (used to be a trading square). It's surrounded by yellow buildings and looks very stately in a colourful manner.

Obidos

2007-05-03T20:55:00.000Z

This is a small 17th century town that is still walled. The castle isn't really a castle anymore but a fancy place to stay. It's very touristy and the main street is full of tourist shops. It looks and feels old so it's special to us North Americans! And since it was March and not the height of tourist season, it wasn't so busy so was relaxing. The last picture if of a typical street in this part of Portugal.

Algarve - coast pictures

2007-05-03T20:51:00.000Z

This is the southern region of Portugal, on the Atlantic Ocean. It was a nice sunny day, not so warm and the water was freezing! The first is the coast, then me in the ocean, and my dad and I by a castle in the town. It's a resort town but many locals were out. And lots of old British people, but there weren't as many as in other resort towns along the ocean. I look (am) super pale and don't have the good tanning gene like my dad. Oh well!

More Cumberland Lodge

2007-03-01T11:44:00.000Z

This is Sunny and I on the walk to Windsor Castle. Also a group of us on Sunday went for a walk to the pond before heading back to the city

random London pictures

2007-02-26T15:18:00.000Z

Here are some pictures I found online. The second is an aerial of my campus (mid right), followed by city hall (which I have yet to visit) and followed by 2 of Winnie's pictures of snow I found on her blog.

Cumberland Lodge Weekend

2007-02-22T10:22:00.000Z

Last weekend students in my department went on a retreat in Windsor Great Park (used to be the royal family's land but now it's public and the Lodge used to be the park ranger's home but now it's an educational place). It was a very nice place and most of the lectures we had were good. Saturday afternoon we had off and a bunch of us walked into Windsor (took about an hour each way). Luckily it didn't rain until we got back, and we got to go for tea in town! I stayed in a room with Winnie, it was pretty fancy as you can see in the photos below. On Sunday morning we walked around the grounds. It was nice to be in nature as opposed to central London!

The past few weeks I've had something due each week, but now it's done until the end of April!!! So I'm trying to work ahead so I don't have 3 papers to write at the same time. I'm going to Les Miserables tonight with friends and we're really looking forward to it. And tomorrow night I'm going to a traditional Scottish dance with my Scottish friend Ellen from class. Too bad I don't have a plaid skirt. So fun times ahead for me!

walk to Windsor

2007-02-22T10:20:00.000Z

Here is the field we walked through to get to the Statue of King George VI and then to the long path to Windsor Castle (last picture)

Windsor

2007-02-22T10:14:00.000Z

Here is Windsor castle (we didn't go in because we didn't have enough time), me on an old street in Windsor, and deer we saw on the way to Windsor.

Cumberland Lodge

2007-02-22T10:00:00.000Z

Here is the view from our room, dinning hall where we ate, and the lodge itself on the fancy side facing fields. Supposively there's a really fancy room in the tower

Cumberland Lodge

2007-02-22T09:57:00.000Z

Here's a pond on the property, the laneway from the lodge and me in our room by the fancy fireplace

Snow!!

2007-02-08T17:52:00.000Z

It snowed quite a bit (couple inches) here today and caused problems with transportation because of ice and heave snow. I stopped at the park on the way to school to take these photos. And I threw some snowballs which was great! The snow is gone now because it started raining in the afternoon, so it is really slushy outside.
This weekend I'm heading to Cumberland Lodge for a retreat with my department. It is in Great Windsor Park, somewhat close to Windsor castle. I hope to walk around the park on Saturday and take some pictures, and also go to the Royal Chapel on sunday and maybe the Queen will be there!

view of snow from my room

2007-02-08T17:48:00.000Z

Woke up to a winter wonderland and it snowed for a couple more hours after. Slushy heavy snow. But good for snowballs!

Dinner on Saturday

2007-02-08T17:45:00.000Z

Robyn, me, Winnie & Kate. First time I've had 4 people in my small room!

2007-01-30T21:26:00.000Z

Here's a really nice house/property we walked by. It must cost so much money because it's quite a bit of land for being in the city. Very beautiful. And I'm wearing my new jacket I bought, there are lots of sales on these days (I think they must be over by now) to get rid of the winter clothes.

Marx's Grave

2007-01-30T21:21:00.000Z

Robyn and I went to Marx's grave in a cool old cemetery that was like a forest in some places. It took a long time to get there because some of the subway was closed, but we made it eventually. His grave is the biggest in the graveyard, and says on the top "workers of all lands unite" and at the bottom "The philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways. The point however is to change it". Pretty cool quote! Sometime I want to head to the British Library (it's very close) and Robyn says we can read his original manuscripts. I guess he and Lenin worked in that library, so cool!

Almost done week 3!

2007-01-25T13:58:00.000Z

So I'm back in London and so far it's been great. I'm starting two new courses (Gender and European welfare states, and Social Policy: Organisation and Innovation). So far they are very interesting, with good lectures and seminars. I'm also continuing my Social Policy research course which is also very good. Ive been doing a lot of reading to try to get a question for my thesis, which is time-consuming, but so far Ive been staying on top of things.
The first weekend back I went to Kew Gardens (below), and the next weekend I went to a cool market, had really great coffee and bought some tasty (but expensive) cheese. I also bought some jeans, first time in a long time! Luckily I had my friends to help because shopping can be awful. I've integrated two friends, Winnie and Robyn, so we do lots of stuff together.
Last week I handed in a paper that is marked but it doesn't count. I did pretty well on it which is good because I put a lot of work into it. Also I went to a Pantomine - a British Christmas tradition of making a funny play based on a fairy-tale, that includes singing and dancing and audience participation, like booing at the bad-guys, helping them find who stole the money, and stuff like that. It's meant for kids but is fun for all ages! So that was quite enjoyable, although not hoity-toity like the art gallery I went to with class-mates last Friday. It had real famoun art (Van Gosh, Manet, etc) and we free! We'll be heading back sometime, it's 2 mins away from campus.
I'll try to take some pictures this weekend to post since I haven't been keeping up with it. I have pictures of the slides at Tate Modern that I went to before christmas but for some reason they will not load up in right way. Oh well.

Kew Gardens

2007-01-25T13:54:00.000Z

Robyn and I went here one sunny Sunday afternoon. It was nice to get out of the city and into nature, although every few minutes a giant plane flew overhead and made a lot of noise, since we were so close to the airport. So that part made it not so fun. The first picture is of Kew Palace, which isn't open in the winter. There were also a lot of peacocks, and the ones here are on machinery in the compost heap, which is one of the biggest in the UK. Pretty good for a place that is dismal at recycling!

Kew gardens green house

2007-01-25T13:49:00.000Z

This green house was pretty cool, mostly tropical-type trees and plants and not many flowers. I'm standing by one big leany tree, don't know what kind, but it's cool! We walked up some stairs to a balcony that went around the greenhouse for a view from the top. Robyn is posing by some plants and the other picture is the view from the balcony. It was nice to be in the tropics in January in London!

Pudding Race and Asian Food

2006-12-11T18:02:00.000Z

On Sunday we went for lunch close by in a good asian restaurant. It's reasonably priced and very good! In the photo is Kate, Winnie and Robyn. On Saturday we went to Covent Garden for the 26th annual Pudding Race. People got all dressed up, dance around outside in the cold, and carry a pudding while running an ostable course, all for raising money for charity. Fun times in London!
Last week I also went for sushi close to my place and got 50% off as a student. It was very cool, the food was in little dishes and we picked up what we wanted off a conveyor belt that looped the restaurant. The kitchen is in the middle of the restaurant so there's always something to watch.
This week I have lots of work to do before I head home -- write two essays and do lots of readings. But I will visit Tate Modern to go on the slides and will probably do some skating. Then I'll post those pictures.

More Pudding Race

2006-12-11T17:58:00.000Z

Here is a guy trying to get over the obstacle course (he should be carrying a pudding), and another person putting pieces into her pudding.

Update

2006-12-03T13:33:00.000Z

I didn't have any major things due this week so I enjoyed touring around London (went to Westminster Abbey for a special tour and heard the boys/men choir, and went to St Paul's cathedral for a tour). I also started watching The Office and it's so funny! I discoverd the common room in my building which has a tv that I'll use when I'm desperate to watch tv. I also went to a really cheap Indian buffet (only £3) on Thursday night with people from school, and went into a neighbourhood where I've never been. Most neighbourhoods have their own markets and I'd like to check them out sometime.
Last night I went to the East End of London (there's a show made about this area called "east-enders" and it used to make fun of them a lot). We went for really good cheap Indian food and then headed to a bar. There was dancing at the second one, and I was surprised at how badly most people danced! Plus the music was bad, so we didn't stick around for long. Winnie and I took the bus and it was fun to sit on the top at the front. Today I'm doing some work and maybe going to see The DaVinci Code in the cinema room of my building. Depends how much work I get done!

Friday fun

2006-12-03T13:21:00.000Z

Here's Robyn and I at the Canadian High Commission's home. We went for a reception on Friday night for graduate students studying in the UK. Most were from Cambridge, Oxford (our rivals) and the LSE. It was pretty interesting, the serving people kept filling up our drinks and we stood around and talked. The High Commissioner made a speech to try to inspire us graduate students to 'serve Canada' in an exciting career in the public services. And there were other civil servants to ask questions about job options and how to find them. So I should start job searching soon!
The next photo is of me in front of this famous statue/fountain. I forget it's name so someone please tell me! It's by Piccadilly Circus and we walked by on our way to the Canadian pub (the Maple Leaf) after the reception. While walking to the reception I passed close to Buckingham Palace and through St James' park which was beautiful although it was night and raining. I was looking at my map and didn't realize I was really close to a guard for St James' Palace, so it freaked me out when I looked up and he was staring at me! I'll definitely head back to that neighbourhood on a sunny day! It's the poshiest part of London I've been to so far, lots of expensive stores including Porsche.

View from St Paul's

2006-12-03T13:17:00.000Z

Here are photos of the river Thames and the London Eye. The parliament buildings are behind it but I don't know if it's clear enough to see. I didn't know if these would turn out because the sun was setting and it was a bit cloudly, but they aren't bad!

St Paul's

2006-12-03T13:11:00.000Z

I went to this church (it's in the business area and pretty close to my school) on Wednesday for a free tour. It's very pretty inside with lots of gold and paintings and stuff, but I couldn't take photos. We walked up about 300 steps to get good views of London. The first photo is of the city including the new pointy building called "St Mary Axe" and it has a nickname too but I can't remember it. The next photo is the front of St Paul's. I think I posted this before.

View from St Paul's

2006-12-03T13:05:00.000Z

Here is Tate Modern (modern art gallery that is so cool! Their newest art exhibition is 3 metal slides from different levels. I hope to head there next week so stay-tuned for photos!) To the left is the Globe Theatre and Museum (Shakespeare). There are no plays right now but I'll go to one in the summer. It is a round theatre and there are standing places for only £5. The bridge going to Tate Modern is the Millennium Bridge for pedestrians, it's pretty cool and has good views of the river.

The bottom photo is Tower Bridge, I haven't headed there yet but I will soon. One of my friends lives by there and walks by it when going to school.

I have friends!

2006-11-21T23:12:00.000Z

I haven't updated in awhile because I've been very busy with school presentations, reading, essays, etc. Not much fun but I guess that's what I'm here for! So I don't have many exciting pictures. This is one of me and some friends from class. We went to a coffee place and to a pub after class one day (by the way I tried Guinness and love it!) So I made sure we took a picture to prove I have friends. Although I guess this could be a random picture of some other people.... but really, it's not!
One funny story -- I tried on a short jacket at Zara on the weekend, and size large is too small for my shoulders! Guess I'm too muscular and need to stop working out. =)

2006-11-21T23:08:00.000Z

Here is Mansion House where my friend was working. I don't know what it is but I think it's a big fancy place that has a dining hall and stuff like that. I also took a picture of the Royal Exchange. This was in the late afternoon after a big parade that day to welcome a new Lord Mayor (?) which included lots of army dudes who ate at the Mansion House after. That night we had Starbucks and saw fireworks on the Thames, it was pretty cool.

Inside the Temple Church

2006-11-09T13:19:00.000Z

This church was in the DaVinci Code novel (Dan Brown) and it was believed to have once housed the Holy Grail (with the knights). I went here the other day and luckily it was open inside. Here are some pictures of the Knights' effigies. Unfortunately we can't get close but it's still a really cool place. The knights' shields and armour are visible and they were really small people! The Round Church (where the effigies are) is nicer than the gothic part of the church (where the altar is).

CAMBRIDGE

2006-11-05T19:49:00.000Z

Yesterday I went to Cambridge with my friend Yunxiao. We took an express train which meant we were there in 45 mins. It was a very sunny day, kind of cold, but very nice overall. We did lots of site seeing of the university colleges which are styled in traditional English with a court yard and perfect grass that no one can use. It is definitely a different feel that LSE. The town itself is very nice and full of shoppers.

This past week has been good. I went to see a scary play on Monday night called 'A Woman in Black' which is based on a Victorian novel/ghost story. It's been on stage in London since 1989! It was very well done and we had really close (but cheap) seats.

I also did my first presentation at LSE and was very nervous. Everyone is a good presenter here and is at ease, so hopefully I can learn that. I do get to practise 3 times/semester!

This weekend is Guy Fawkes day, or Bonfire day, where the British celebrate a 400-year old act of terrorism - Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the parliament to overthrow the government/monarchy. Didn't seem to be successful but everyone now uses fireworks. So right now (and all weekend at night) I've been hearing fire works! I went to the Thames River briefly after studying at school but couldn't see any from there.

Also, I got my first student haircut! She did an ok job but it took forever (more than 2 hours) plus cost me $10. Hopefully I won't have to do that again!

Tomorrow I will go to a museum with my friend in residence who is from the Netherlands. I haven't been to a museum in awhile so hopefully I don't get too bored! Enjoy the pictures below.

King's college

2006-11-05T19:47:00.000Z

Here is a large college that allows visitors. It is very close to the river and there are cows there too!

River boat ride

2006-11-05T19:41:00.000Z

We rented a canoe (the second time I was in a canoe this year with a beginner.... good thing I survived!) and did our own tour of the River Cam and the backs of the colleges. The old bridge is the supposively the first bridge built using mathematical analysis.

Churches

2006-11-05T19:38:00.000Z

Here are two churches in Cambridge: St John's (side view) and the Round Church.

Trinity College

2006-11-05T19:28:00.000Z

This is an old and very nice/large college. The sign outside says 'no visitors allowed' but everyone we saw inside was a visitor! Also, the grass in each college was PERFECT, so made us think "what's the point of having it if you can't use it?" There is no touching the grass, but I was a rebel and touched the grass (though I didn't stand on it).

2006-10-28T21:02:00.000Z

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.

2006-10-28T20:57:00.000Z

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!

2006-10-28T20:55:00.000Z

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.

2006-10-28T20:51:00.000Z

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.

2006-10-28T20:43:00.000Z

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!

2006-10-28T20:41:00.000Z

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

2006-10-28T20:33:00.000Z

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.

2006-10-28T20:27:00.000Z

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

2006-10-15T22:06:00.000Z

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

2006-10-15T21:59:00.000Z

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

2006-10-15T21:52:00.000Z

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

2006-10-15T21:45:00.000Z

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!

2006-10-15T21:43:00.000Z

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.

2006-10-03T20:28:00.000Z

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

Updated photos

2006-10-03T19:56:00.000Z

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

2006-10-03T19:53:00.000Z

Westminster Abbey, Parliament and Big Ben

2006-10-03T19:47:00.000Z

Canada House and Trafalgar Square

2006-10-03T19:44:00.000Z

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

2006-10-03T19:35:00.000Z

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.

2006-10-01T18:56:00.000Z

The Edinburgh Castle

2006-10-01T18:54:00.000Z

Me on the last day, a very rainy day.

2006-10-01T18:51:00.000Z

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

2006-10-01T18:49:00.000Z

The hero of Scotland, William Wallace

2006-10-01T18:47:00.000Z

I'm a guard at Edinburgh Castle

2006-10-01T18:45:00.000Z

Here's me in downtown Edinburgh

first week in London

2006-10-01T18:00:00.000Z

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