Welcome to London!

Thursday evening I landed in London Gatwick Airport around 8 p.m. My parents and I would be staying with my mom’s friend from college, Jay. I called his house to let them know I landed, and would be heading into town on the train.

I exchanged some euros to pounds, crying internally at the exchange rate, and followed a maze of signs to the Gatwick Express.

The train was surprisingly nice with big plush seats. I couldn’t complain. I arrived in Victoria Station about half an hour later and shuffled along toward the exit with the crowd. I saw my dad beyond the gate craning his head to find me. I worked my way through the turnstile to see Jay and my mom nearby.

It was so great to see them again. After many hugs and an introduction to Jay — who I apparently met when I was younger — we headed outside.

Jay caught a taxi for us. He leaned in the left window of the car to talk to the driver. I thought to myself, he’s getting pretty close if he’s leaning through the window. It wasn’t until I climbed into the back of the cab that I remembered being in England meant the driver sits on the right side.

Wait. I’m in England. I’M IN LONDON.

After a few hours in airports and a plane, I hadn’t really thought about where I was going. I got excited all over again.

The taxi ride was short, and we were inside Jay’s beautiful home within about 15 minutes. We never ended up getting to meet his partner, who was in the hospital sick all weekend. Next time I’m in London.

I put my backpack in what would be my room for the next couple of nights, and settled into the couch. Jay brought my parents and I cheese and wine, both of which were delicious, while he made us dinner.

Even though Greece had given me a week-long break from Italian food, it still wasn’t enough. Jay’s dinner of baked potatoes, asparagus and mushrooms was perfect. I wish I could cook that well — or well at all.

We talked for a little while, but my parents, who were still pretty jet-lagged, headed to bed early. I followed shortly. It had been a long day for me too.

Friday morning we woke up to a wonderful breakfast from Jay.

Coffee, fruit, juice, pastries — all delicious and fresh.

It was a good start to the day. We walked out of his flat, and I saw for the first time where I really was. The rows of apartments were exactly how I pictured England. 

We walked through the quiet street to a “tube” station (the metro for those who aren’t up on British lingo). My dad bought us day passes, and we were on our way!

We started off in Trafalgar Square, which I realized was the location of three of my mom’s pictures. I was able to get two while my parents stretched and prepared for our day of walking. Good thing I was off taking pictures. I didn’t have to be associated with this nonsense:

We crossed the street to take the final one. I kept running back and forth from one side to the other, but couldn’t figure out where she took the picture. I’m convinced she was in the middle of the street. I did my best, and we moved on. 

We walked under Admiralty Arch toward Buckingham Palace.

There were several of mumsie's London pictures I just couldn't decipher.
It was fun making her help me figure it out. Gave her a taste of what she
put me through with her strange pictures. Plus it's just nice to have help!

We had time before the Changing of the Guards, so we took our time walking down The Mall — the road that leads to Buckingham. The red road was lined with trees and Union Jack flags. It was picturesque of castles, queens and London.

St. James Park sprawls to the left of The Mall. We meandered through there for a bit. It was more green than I had seen in weeks. Everything was so vibrant, and despite the other people milling about, peaceful.

We headed up to Buckingham and pushed through crowds. My mom and I found a place up at the gates with a good view just in time. A huge group swarmed in and closed in the space behind us. A few minutes later my dad, who had gone to find coffee, found his way toward us. It turns out the Guard Change wouldn’t be happening. It was only every other day during the off-season, and we were there on the wrong day.

Oh well, I still saw Buckingham.

I snapped a quick picture of the guard and squeezed out of the clueless crowd. 

We walked farther past the palace along several streets. I had no idea where we were but didn’t mind.

We ducked into a small café for coffee and tea. I stuck with cappuccino but promised myself I’d try English tea before I left.

By then, we decided it was time to find a double-decker bus tour. We walked a few more blocks until we found a stop for the appropriately named Big Bus Tour. We climbed to the top level and sat in the sun. We listened to a tour guide through headphones plugged into individual radios on the back of all the seats. Each of the eight channels gave the same pre-recorded information about the city in a different language. I tried to listen in Italian a few times throughout the tour, but I wasn’t really getting anything out of it. I still wish I could be bilingual.

We rode up and down streets all full of incredible architecture. I couldn’t tell you the names of any of the countless styles we passed, but they were all beautiful and different from the last.

It turned out to be a great way to see the city. It was the most "touristy" thing I've done here, but there's no way I would have been able to see even a third of what I did if we were walking. Although it was a little cold on top of the bus, I didn't mind.

Marble Arch.

After about an hour and a half, we got off the bus to find more coffee for my dad. It was a hop on/hop off tour, so we’d just catch the next one with our same ticket. We crossed the with the help of reminders written on every intersection telling us which way to look. I hadn’t really thought about the fact that opposite traffic changes where pedestrians need to look. Although we laughed at the signs, they came in handy.

My dad got his coffee — Starbucks of course — and we split a cookie before getting back on the bus. It was a quick, but much-needed pit stop.

We got back on the bus and continued to explore London. Because we saw each place so quickly as we passed, most of what we saw blurred together for me to create one glorious image of London.I wasn't too concerned about separating them in my mind because we were going to be returning to a lot of the key places the following day. 

But we saw just about everything from on top of that bus. Hyde Park, Green Park, Regents Park. Piccadilly Circus, Madame Tussaud's, Victoria and Albert Museum. The BBC, Royal Courts of Justice, the Bank of England. St. Paul's Cathedral, the London Eye, Parliament. Everything.

Royal Courts of Justice

St. Paul's Cathedral

Bank of England

Royal Exchange

We crossed Tower Bridge and got off the bus at Tower of London around 3 p.m. As luck will have it, my mom also had a few pictures here. When my dad asked me what to do here Thursday night, I said if I made an itinerary it would be roughly based on my mom's pictures. We didn't really focus on that too much Friday, but it worked out pretty well anyway!

We bought some souvenirs and Ben & Jerry's ice cream and walked around outside the Tower of London. I wanted to go inside, but we needed to be heading back by 4:30 p.m. to make our dinner reservation. We decided we'd come back the next day to go inside. If there's on thing I love it's castles. Castles and climbing.

We took the tube to Jay's neighborhood and walked back. We freshened up and fancied up for the evening. We went out with Jay for a nice dinner. I got fried courgettes and that's all, if I recall correctly. I do remember they were absolutely delicious. We got blood orange meringue for dessert. It was very different, but still good. I love blood oranges.

After dinner, Jay escorted us to the theater where we were to go see "The King's Speech." I was so excited to see a play. I haven't in ages. I never saw the movie in its entirety. I sadly fell asleep after the first half (I'll chalk it up to a long day). I enjoyed the play. The set was simple and clean, but very effective and the lead actor was great.

Unfortunately, it looks like the play will close early due to poor ticket sales. Sad.

All in all, it was an excellent first day. Not only as it wonderful to see my parents again, but I was so excited for them to get to see London and for my dad to be in Europe for the first time!

It was also a great change of pace to hear English again. My good friend Nick studied here last spring. He kept telling me I'd need a breath of fresh air and some English by around month three. "Save London for the last month or so. You'll need it." 

I insisted that wouldn't happen to me. He was right, I was wrong. I was overjoyed. Not only was I getting to speak English again, but I got to hear it constantly with an accent. What's not to love? I'll give you this one, Nick.

When the play was over, we walked around for a little bit, but mumsie's feet hurt, and we were pretty exhausted. We headed home and relaxed before going to sleep.

I swear I fall in love with every city I visit.

Siamo Andati al Liceo

Siamo andati al liceo — we went to the high school

Thursday (March 29) Nicoletta took us to an Italian high school so we could practice our speaking skills. We would talk to students in Italian for a little bit and then switch to English so they could practice the language.
We met at the school at 10 a.m. before walking to a bus stop past Piazza della Repubblica. After about half an hour on a bus, we got off to walk the remainder of the way. The area had a very different feel, and it was great to see another part of the city.
There were much more modern buildings with shops lining the streets and apartments stacked on top. The roads were wide and paved as opposed to the narrow cobblestone alleyways in the city center. We walked along the sidewalk out of the busier area and toward greenery. We made our way down a small drive surrounded by tall grass.
When we reached the high school, a teacher met us in the parking lot. As her and Nicoletta talked over their plan for the class, we looked up at the school. It was a plain off-white building with two stories. Italian 17- and 18-year-old boys dangled out of all the open windows, even those that were barred, trying to catch a glimpse of the visitors. Nicoletta had warned us to cover up for these rascals, but it was such a beautiful day none of us really listened. Of the 10 of us, there were only two boys. Most if not all of the girls were in dresses and only half were wearing tights. We got what we asked for — drooling Italian teenage boys. They yelled to us and waved indistinguishable paper signs in our direction.
Nicoletta and the other teacher ushered us inside. As we stood in the hallway, I started to get nervous. I hadn't done anything to prepare for this. Some of my classmates had written some questions down and taken notes. Caitlin and I hadn't done a thing, and we were going to be partners. We stood waiting, and Nicoletta took us two by two into the classroom and sat us with groups of 4-5 Italian students. Caitlin and I were up next. I stood in the doorway scanning the room. It was absolute chaos. People were shuffling around trying to form groups. The scrape of moving chairs and tables barely broke through the loud babel of Italian. Students from other classes were literally trying to climb through the windows into the room. This oughta be fun, I thought to myself.
Caitlin and I got lucky. We were paired with the only three girls in the class and a very nice guy. We started with introductions — names, ages, families. They were all 17 or 18.
We asked them what music they listen to. Marco said he liked Eminem and Linkin Park. We all seemed to agree on our dislike of Justin Bieber. We asked them about their school. It was an agricultural school, which Nicoletta later explained is an alternative high school. They learn all of the basic subjects, but focus on farming skills. We asked them how long they had been studying English. They said since they were 8 or 9. I gulped. They're going to make us look like fools once we switch to English.
The conversation started to drag. We asked them about what kind of pets they had, and we told them the same. Caitlin wanted to say she missed her pets back home. She turned to me and asked how to say "I miss." I incorrectly told her "manche." She kept saying "mi manche," but it didn't seem to be getting across. Marco just stared at us puzzled. He curled on arm under to scratch his armpit and lifted the other to scratch his head. "Monkey?!? Monkey??"
"No! No! Mi manche!"
Everyone was laughing. We called Nicoletta over for help. I was off my a letter. Mi mancha il mio carne. I miss my dog.
We cleared it up with Marco, but the idea of Caitlin having a pet monkey didn't pass quickly. The girls couldn't stop laughing. They leaned over to the next table and got them laughing about it too.
Soon enough it was time to switch to English. Even though we'll feel like idiots for knowing so little, at least this part will be less awkward, right? Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
Their English was very rough. Most Italians who say "My English is terrible," speak it practically fluently. Not the case here. And what made it worse was we had already exhausted all of the simple topics. I'm sure they knew how to ask our names, ages, hobbies and such, but we already covered those topics with our limited Italian. For the most part, they just gave up or were too shy to try.
Claudia put in a lot of effort though. She sat across from me and we talked for a good while. She said she doesn't want to become a farmer but rather a park ranger. She'd like to go to more school after she graduates — provided she can afford it — and eventually move to France. She said she likes Italy, but she doesn't like Italians or Italian law. I'm not sure if something was lost in translation there, but it was really the only thing I got out of it. I wish there wasn't the language barrier so I could have asked her to explain more.
After class was over, the students took us outside to their greenhouses and gardens. We talked to the others as we walked out, and it seemed like Caitlin and I got really lucky. Jess and Kate said their group just kept asking how much they drink and if they smoke. Another group didn't talk at all.
As the rest of the high schoolers just started to goof around and yell obnoxiously, Claudia walked with Caitlin and I. She told us about what they do every day. I asked questions in Italian and she answered in English. It was a good way for us to both practice. She was so nice!
Eventually they had to go back to another class, and it was time for us to head back.
Being such a nice day, we agreed to walk back instead of taking the bus. Nicoletta led us through Cascine Park (an area I had tried unsuccessfully to find earlier in the semester). I wish I had brought my camera. I almost did, but ended up leaving it behind.
The park was beautiful. I definitely have to get there again sometime before I leave. The grass was a rich green color. Full trees shaded many of the long paths. We walked along one in the sun that hugged the Arno. People ran along the paths to our left while others reclined in the sun along the banks of the river to the right. It was absolutely beautiful, and the weather was perfect!
The park seemed to go on forever, but we eventually reached the edge. By that time we were all hot and tired, so we agreed to take the bus the rest of the way back.
It dropped us off near Bethany's place around 1 p.m.
Glenn, Kevin, Bethany, Michelle, Yelena and I set out to grab lunch. We wanted to go to Tijuana's (a mexican restaurant) for lunch, but it was closed. Instead I led the group to the Oil Shoppe, a fantastic sandwich shop on our end of town. After a delicious veggie panino, I said ciao and headed back to the apartment.
I watched some Netflix and finished packing for London! With my backpack nearly bursting at the seams, I walked down the stairs and over to Basilica di Santa Croce to catch a taxi to the airport. The law is that a taxi ride within the city can't cost more than €25. It always costs that much to get to the airport or more if your driver is a bastard who shortchanges you significantly.
I had much better luck with this driver. As soon as I got in, he said it'll be €20 at the end. From what I understood it should always be that much to get from the city center to the airport. He was kind an not at all greedy. One point driver. Then much to my surprise he used his blinkers. Point two! And when we neared the airport where there's a short stretch of road with four lanes, he stayed in his instead of weaving back and forth as if for fun. He even checked blindspots. Point three, point four.
I got out at the airport in complete shock. If I had change, I probably would have even tipped him.
After a good half-hour wait in line, I checked in. I chatted at the terminal with a couple of businessmen from London who had been in Florence just for the day for a quick meeting. Soon enough, I was on my way to London to meet the 'rents!

My Week in Photos

I have a list of excuses for why I've gotten so behind on this blog, but you deserve none of them.
An intense game of catch-up starts now.

4 April 2012  Red Velvet

Last week in class we were practicing writing recipes in Italian. Caitlin translated a recipe for red velvet cake balls. Nicoletta was completely confused as to how something red could be delicious. This was last Wednesday and a few hours before my parents were getting on a plane to London. I immediately called my mom and told her she must bring two boxes of red velvet cake mix. She obliged and threw in a tub of frosting for a bonus 'cause she's great. We finally made the cake balls last night! Suffice to say Erika and Amy were the two rolling them. Red hands were completely worth it. Nicoletta loved them!

3 April 2012  Duomo

My parents came home from Rome in time to get dinner and walk around the city. I wore them out to make sure they slept soundly before heading to Venice Wednesday morning!

2 April 2012  Just a Monday

With my parents off to Rome for a couple of days, I spent the day preparing for an interview. At 9 p.m. I interviewed for editor of the Stater. I didn't get the position, but I'm OK with that. The new editor is more than qualified and will do a terrific job. I can try again in the spring. For now, I'm applying for managing editor instead. Although I would have liked to be editor in the fall, it's more about helping the Stater progress than a title — and I still have a lot of ideas to contribute from another position.

1 April 2012  Welcome to Italy and April

It was a bittersweet day. Sunday started my last month in Italy, but I got to spend the day introducing my parents to this country. We flew into Pisa early that morning, saw the leaning tower, then took a train to Florence. I lead them around Florence and up to Piazzale Michelangelo, where my mom sat in the same place she did 30 years ago. (Photo to come later)

31 March 2012  Tower Bridge

Day 2 in London was just as perfect, even though the weather wasn't. We saw everything from the London Eye, to Buckingham Palace, to Westminster Abbey, to London Parliament and Big Ben, to the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge.

30 March 2012  Trafalgar Square

My first day in London began here in Trafalgar Square. Not a bad way to start. We spent the rest of the day wandering around and seeing the city from the top of a tour bus. Friday night we went to see The King's Speech

29 March 2012  Hello, 'rents!

My parents came to Europe! I'm so excited for both of them. We spent three nights with my mom's friend, Jay. He went to college with her in Ohio and now lives in London. So there's hope for me to move from the midwest to Europe too!