The week following my last post, I spent working on an essay for my Reading & Writing Poetry course - which I received the grade for just this afternoon actually, and am not terribly happy with. The professor for the course meets with each student to discuss the essays, which allows for a bit of clarification on the student's part and a bit more understanding on her's, and I find that very helpful. Fortunately, for this course, there's a bit of room for improvement as students get the option to turn in a second essay and she uses the higher of the two scores, along with the exam score, for the final grade. However, now that I've been hit in the face with how strict the grading really is in this country, I'm a little terrified for the outcomes of my other two modules, as I only get one shot at the essay grade. My dear GPA, I apologize for the harm this year will bring to you - you've been so good to me these last few years. Sigh.
I have found it to be a major struggle to put forth my best efforts in school - for various reasons. First of all, I did not consider that living in a foreign country would feel like a vacation even after two months in. While I attend classes and do a bit of studying, as well as make my deadlines for meetings and essays, school tends to be on my mind much less than future travels and adventures. Even last week, as I woke planning to start research and outlines, I found it more important to soak up the Autumn sun and gallivant about town to watch the buskers, browse the markets, and marvel through the gates at St. Augustine's Abbey.
Also, due to the approaching winter and daylight savings, the light of day is gone by 4:30 in the afternoon - and it often never gets very light to begin with. This, accompanied by a warm bed and book of my choosing, makes it nearly impossible to want to do anything but be lazy and lie down for bed at impossibly early hours. I hope to snap out of this but am afraid that, unless something sparks my interest enough, my best performance won't come until the Spring. Hopefully in time for exams!
As I mentioned, there are a select few things that will get me out of bed with my full attention. Take, for example, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. After learning that England does not do midnight showings, Leigh Anne and I booked tickets for the following morning's (Friday, November 19) first show. Up and in town by 9 a.m., we were some of the first outside the cinema's doors. It was quite an experience just standing in the lobby - an entire wall of candies to choose from on one side, ice-cream, cotton candy, and chocolate on the other... sweet or salted popcorn, hot drinks or cold, and just about everything in between. Fortunately, Leigh Anne's become an expert at making puppy chow and brought that instead so we were able to proceed straight into the theater, where we were greeted by a lady who walked us to our amazing seats, right in the center. We were floored that we, along with about ten other people, were the only ones to show up. Apparently the British are better about waiting things like this out than Americans. As the movie ended and the credits rolled, I was already ready to see it again.
At 4 a.m. the next morning, after a Skype date with Demetri that lasted until 2 a.m., I easily hopped out of bed for another piece of excitement... London! My mom's best friend from her elementary and high school days now lives in Munich, but planned to see a rugby match in London for her husband's birthday and invited me along. Although the match didn't start until two-thirty and they planned to leave somewhat early on Sunday, I decided to make a weekend of it and arrive early Saturday and leave late on Sunday. I began getting ready just before I left, writing down the names of a few tube stations that I might want to hop off at while in the city and quite wisely packing only my point-and-shoot camera, coach tickets, and a few pieces of fruit. Visits into London are starting to seem best when there's no plan in mind, everything always seems to work out perfectly.
The coach made its way into London a little after seven in the morning and the beauty of its skyline nearly moved me to tears (cheesy, but true.) I had been talking with a guy on the coach who grew up in the city's outskirts and seemed totally unmoved by the picture perfect scene just outside the window... the golden glow of Big Ben and Houses of Parliament, the changing lights of the London Eye, and a slow sunrise that made it all come to life. I thought about it then, how taken for granted hometowns are. I wish I could find the beauty in moments like those everyday, no matter where, because it seems that those are what make life worth living.
After finding my way to the nearest Underground station, I hopped a tube to Westminster as I wanted to continue taking in that scene before beginning my day. I was able to walk along the River Thames and watch electric lights fade as daylight grew stronger. For awhile, it was almost surreal that I was in London. Aside from an occasional jogger or taxi, the streets were rather quiet and empty. I had the town to myself for awhile. Big Ben chimed eight and things began to get a little busier.
I made my way to Westminster Abbey and spent a few moments pondering the idea that such intricate architecture could be built so long ago. I do this almost daily here. I then stumbled upon St. Margaret's Church which was surrounded by the Field of Remembrance, full of thousands of remembrance poppies for those lost in the armed forces. This was a rather moving part of my day as well - seeing so much red, knowing there were more than I could possibly count. Just across the road, a war protest was set up, with loads of signs and pitched tents. Unfortunately, I believe that I left before any sort of action took place.
I continued to wander about, hoping that I'd end up in a place that sounded at least somewhat familiar. I decided to follow the signs towards St. James' Park and proceeded to spend about thirty minutes in one small area talking to and laughing at the curious, chubby squirrels. Perhaps a solo trip wasn't the best idea for my social life? Although a few people did join me and we all got our fill of amusement watching them chase each other and, eventually, bully the pigeons.
From there, I followed a path that led me to Trafalgar Square and passed through to end up at the British Cavalry. I watched the guards march for a few moments, and joined the other, obviously tourist, people getting pictures with the soldiers. I ended up passing by several monuments dedicated to WWII, eventually got to the British Ministry of Defence building, and then ended back up where I'd started.
I crossed over the bridge to the London Eye and after passing about three shops that taunted me with breakfasty smells, caved and tried a "Wonder Waffle," a very popular treat in that area of London. I've had a lack of strawberries and blueberries, two of my favorite fruits, while here... and certainly got my fill.
I continued walking along the opposite side of the River Thames in hopes of seeing Tower Bridge. I'd learned that due to work on the Underground during the weekend, no tube stations near it were operating, but I never reached it... next time! Instead, I made my way to Waterloo Station and boarded a train to meet my mom's friend, Shari, and her family in Twickenham. Having only met Shari once, when I was a few months old, I was quite excited. My mom has not been in touch with her for nearly twenty years, but told me loads of stories as I was growing up about their shenanigans - and there I was, on my way to hang out with her in a different country. Funny how things work out.
I met Shari at the station and we greeted with a hug instead of words... such a great feeling! The family and their friends were the most lovely, lively, and hilarious bunch of British I've spent time with thus far. I cannot get over how welcoming people are here. It was noon, and because the rugby match did not start until 2:30, there was plenty of time for drinking beforehand... of which there was much. The group drank from noon until bedtime and were sure to keep a drink in my hand at all times. Shari and I were able to share stories and laugh about a certain few that mom had forgotten to share. The party, most of whom had rugby shirts on (I know for next time the appropriate attire), made our way to the stadium. The atmosphere of a rugby match is very comparable to a football game in the states... lots of drinking, cheering, chanting, and celebrating, all within a similar type of stadium. England won over Samoa and by the end of the game, I understood most of what was happening on the field.
We returned to the hotel pub for dinner and drinks, where I learned even more British slang, laughed over stories, surprised mom with a phone call from Shari, was invited to Stratford-upon-Avon (!) and began to think that maybe the solution to my sleeping issue is alcohol. I slept like a rock!
The next day, we said our goodbyes and I joined Shari's family for a quick trip into London since they had to buy a suitcase before catching their flight back to Germany. I am now on a mission to convince mom to visit so we can travel to Munich! I'm so grateful to have met everyone, it was a wonderful experience all around!
After they left, I visited a few more well-known areas of London that I had not yet seen. I worked my way down Regent and Oxford Streets (full of big-name companies like Burberry, Seven for All Mankind, H&M, etc.) and saw a bit of Piccadilly Circus. I am happy to report I got the majority of my holiday shopping done in those couple of hours!
I accidentally ended up in Leicester Square, where the red carpet is rolled out for many movie premieres. There were lots of cinemas and restaurants surrounding the area and I sat down for a hot chocolate and listened to a few buskers before making my next move - which ended up being Hyde Park.
Finally, I headed back to where the whole weekend began, because I wanted to see London lit up at night. I attempted to take a few pictures (click here for pictures) of the main attractions and realized I hadn't eaten during the day, so carefully inspected each food booth along the river... all sorts of food was offered, and I can safely say that one of my favorite smells now is that of roasted chestnuts which were available just about everywhere. The idea of getting something nutritious battled around in my head, and I decided on a chocolate cupcake with white chocolate icing. As I walked back along the riverside, I saw an empty bench with an amazing view. I thought, "I want to sit on that bench and eat this unhealthy cupcake and enjoy every minute." So I did.
I have no idea how long I sat on that bench overlooking the River Thames, savoring every bite of that cupcake, but I do know that the thought of how lucky I am to be here ran through my mind again and again. I have been thankful for many things in my life, and I have tried to take time out to just appreciate the moment before, but my time on that bench was seriously different. I am the kind of girl who needs plans, who makes lists and freaks out when things go astray. I am the kind of girl who insists it is brains and personality that matter but stands in front of the mirror before bed and convinces herself the diet has to start in the morning. I am the kind of girl who cannot go places alone because she worries about what everyone else will think of her not having any friends by her side. It was in that small amount of time that I laughed at myself and realized I'm not really that girl after all. I was perfectly happy, not worried about time or things I hadn't made it to, not counting calories, enjoying the place to myself, unconcerned with the thoughts of anyone else.
I love traveling with other people and sharing amazing moments in equally amazing places, but there is something about being seated in a place like London alone for awhile, surrounded by all kinds of movement from everyone else, and realizing that you're perfectly content, that there's nowhere else you'd rather be and nothing else you'd rather be doing, and that nothing needs to be said and that there's no use in trying to describe it afterward, as I am to you, because those moments are for you and you alone and no one else could feel the same even if they tried.
The trip had to end shortly thereafter, and I couldn't help but think that I had just handled one of the world's biggest cities on my own and had learned from it - even if I can't explain in words. I guess it's more like a feeling, one of growing up.
Well, there you have it, deep thoughts and life lessons provided by Aly Hess. I hope you are healthy, happy, learning and growing, wherever you are...
xo,
Aly
P.S. I know it's extremely cliche to use a song to describe life's best moments, but I couldn't help thinking about this one during the whole trip and how it relates to not only this weekend, but this entire experience - perfectly fitting and my favorite artist. I can't resist:
"Learning to Fly"
Tom Petty
Tom Petty
I started out, down a dirty road
Started out, all alone
The sun went down as I crossed the hill
The town lit up, and the world got still
I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
The good old days may not return
The rocks might melt, and the sea may burn
I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
Some say life will beat you down
It'll break your heart and steal your crown
So, I started out for God knows where
I guess I'll know when I get there
I'm learning to fly, around the clouds
What goes up, must come down
I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
What goes up, must come down
I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
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