Archive for month: August, 2015

Our new London pals, Stonehenge, Oxford University and Windsor Castle! 
  

  
We went out for a night on the town to discover some night life and possibly get some insight on the city. Luckily for us we met some life long friends in a pub not far from our hotel. Simon and Matt! They were so welcoming and generous, gave us the whole London experience. Some of us are planning on coming back later in the years to visit them and reconnect as we did this week! I’m honestly considering moving here after my bachelors at CI and possibly achieving a masters in London. Stonehenge was massive in person but not as large as I expected from photos or by Taylor’s presentation in class. I remember specifically how clean and cold the air felt when I was walking around the circle viewing it from behind the ropes. Questions of how it got here and how it’s even still standing filled my head. To say the least I’m so glad I got to see it in person and view it’s extravagance. Not to mention all the other brilliant sites we’ve seen in such a short amount of time. Even though some days were smoother than others in the sense of sleep deprive meant. But like Dr. J said, “DONT NAP!” And he was right, when you do it hits you like a ton of bricks. Windsor castle is truly incredible from the inside out. From the large exterior of walls, moats and gardens. To the detailed artistic qualities in the inside differing from the paintings, wall fixtures, chandeliers and everything! And I must say I want one of those chandeliers in my own house. The tour that we went on for all of these places this day was not to long but I was a little sad time was cut short at these places. But we still got the affect we wanted. Oxford University home of the brilliant minded and celebrities whom attended it! The campus is clearly the largest I’ve ever been on in comparison to UCLA for example. The buildings in its own right were the stars of the show. To imagine getting to enter those buildings for a lecture is just incredible. Unfortunately we didn’t get to enter the buildings due to time restraints but we did get to view the street and shops around it. It was like a zoo, so many people in such a “small” area. I put small in quotations because it was not small in dimensions clearly but due to all the people being around it felt like a little town in LA. Needless to say another amazing day with a fun night with our classmates and London mates! 

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Arriving in LondonI had to really tell myself I’m actually here in the UK! First getting on the metro was a struggle to say the least. I should have packed lighter as Dr. J instructed but I did need all my shoes, and my jeans and my shirts. Oh and room for souvenirs, but to say the least dragging a big suitcase through a hectic metro station in London is not a cake walk. But walking through the metro, seeing the buildings, pubs, street venders and people all around us was truly breathtaking. At that point I decided I’m going to move here. Thus after we arrived at the hotel sleep deprived, shaken from the heavy turbulence and ecstatic for the new adventures to come. Already understanding how much travel can bring people together from just a short amount of time, everyone offering to help and love one another is a great feeling and amazing to witness. Walking into the hotel room and setting our luggage down made it very clear and real AGAIN, as if I didn’t get it before, that we had made it. The hotel rooms are beautiful and very modern, with cloudy shower glass you can change with a button and make it clear to energy efficient toilets and lights! Our first night we stepped out on the town and got some drinks at The Anchor which is the oldest pub in London! Apparently Shakespeare even went there for drinks after his creative writing days! The atmosphere is simply mind changing and the air is so clean and refreshing. So far so good, already bonding with our group and moving forward with our adventure! 

August  3, 2015
101 freeway Los Angeles

     Finally back in the the states after a very long plane ride. Luckily, I was able to sleep for most of the trip. Over the past week I have learned a lot about architecture, culture, and navigating. Before we left Dr. Jenkins taught us how to travel on the underground,  yet actually using the underground proved to be difficult. Although getting lost was part of the experience and it allowed me to see buildings and people that I otherwise  wouldn’t have. I also learned how difficult it is to blend in with a culture. My thinking was that we both spoke English and it would be reletively simple to communicate, but this wasn’t the case.  I found myself struggling to understand some of the residents, but again it was part of the experience. Finally I learned about all of the architecture and history in London, which easy my favorite part. The majority of building were much older and more intricate than the buildings in California. Being able to look at a building and know when it was built and how it was built was pretty amazing. Also I learned that the buildings that were built with red brick were most likely built after a fire because the brick was cheap and they needed to fill the empty space. Furthermore, various buildings were effected by the construction of the underground because the foundations would sink. Overall the trip to London was a great success and I am walking away from this experience with a greater appreciation for cultural  differences, architecture, and navigating a city. Thank you Dr. Jenkins for making it all happen.

-Colton