Last Tuesday, I was walking around the city for an assignment when I had to regain my bearings. Thus, I sat down on a bench to do so when I looked up and saw THIS. For those of you who aren't freaking out, this is St. Bartholomew's Hospital, or as I and my fellow Sherlockians like to refer to it--where the Reichenbach Fall occurred. I was so stunned when I realized where I was that all I could do was feebly utter "nope" while staring in disbelief. For those of you who know me, you understand what a big deal this is for me. I had John's exact viewpoint and everything!
These are the remains of Coventry Cathedral, which was bombed in World War II. England kept it ruined as a reminder of what happened during the war. You can't see it, but at the base of the middle window, the words "Father Forgive" are inscribed. I felt some serious chills after reading that.
Anne Hathaway's Cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon. Really cute, and still thatched!
The birthplace of Shakespeare. It's surreal that I've seen this.
A fun window in the house where Shakespeare was born.
Nightlife in Stratford from a coffee shop window.
We attended the Royal Shakespeare Theatre to see Much Ado About Nothing. I am in love with that play. They set it in post-WWI England during Christmas. The costumes were stunning, the sets were detailed and mobile (one even moves up from the bottom of the stage!), and the acting blew me away. What a treat it was! If only I'd thought to buy a program...
This is the front of Westminster Abbey in London, where we attended another Evensong. Although the York one is still my favorite, Westminster has an awe-inspiring interior. I kid you not, my jaw dropped when I stepped inside. If they'd let me take pictures, they'd be up here in a heartbeat.
Here's Dover Castle. It was open for exploration, and every room inside was decorated to recreate how things would have looked in medieval times. This might be my favorite castle that we've been to, simply because it was an ancient castle, completely intact, and fully functioning. None of the castles we've visited previously have had all three of those characteristics. Plus, I really loved all the spiraling staircases that branched into passageways between each floor. Those were cool.
The White Cliffs of Dover. Bucket list item accomplished!
What a stunning view, no? It's from the top of Dover Castle.
Huzzah for silliness! Apparently, my shield was a "newer model" according to the guide.
Two reasons why I like this building (in Canterbury). One, it's an old, leaning bookstore from ye olden days. Two, I might have pinned an image of this on my London/travel Pinterest board.
The magnificent interior of Canterbury Cathedral--probably the largest cathedral I've been in yet.
Okay, these are the lovely ladies I befriended at the OneRepublic concert this Wednesday--Natalie and Charlotte Sanders. They were such dears to me, and they made the whole experience better, if that's even possible.
Ryan Tedder at the OneRepublic concert, which was glorious beyond words. They played all my favorites--even old ones! You know music is good when you feel inspired and energized, right down to your bones. That's how I felt as I listened to the ballads, covers, thumping anthems, and soaring melodies of OneRepublic that night. Every time I listen to those songs now, I feel like they're mine in a way they weren't before. Also, seeing this concert--and hearing the song "I Lived"--made me realize something. I've had (and still have) the freedom to do essentially whatever I want here. Going to the concert of a famous band is something I can do on a whim. And that's completely crazy to me. Infinitely wonderful, but crazy.
This is evidence of how college students can quickly revert to five-year-olds if capes are involved. Apparently, Hannah and I didn't get the memo the picture wasn't a silly one. Dorkiness at its finest, my friends. I love it.
I felt queenly in this picture!
Hampton Court (where we got the capes and explored).
I took a stroll through Hyde Park on Friday evening. I wish cameras could portray exactly what your eye sees; in real life, this pathway was stunning. The picture pleases me anyway, though.
Saturday morning, my friends and I grabbed crepes for breakfast at Portobello Road market (they were divine) and headed off to the National Gallery for an assignment. I still shake my head in awe when I think that my homework involves stuff like that--seeing museums, looking at famous pieces of art, going to see operas and plays, and exploring the city. My life is a dream! Anyway, this picture hangs in the National Gallery. For some reason, it struck a deep chord of familiarity and significance, though I couldn't remember why. I knew I'd seen it before, but not where or how. I'm still puzzling over it...
That same day, we went to the Tate Britain for another assignment when we were roped into a cool project. My friends and I helped make a film! We got inspiration from a piece of art in the gallery, created a story from it, storyboarded (mapped out scenes for) it, made props, donned costumes and makeup, and acted it out. Our scene was the first of many in the film; other people would create the rest of it based off our initial one. Cool, right? I played a girl who died in a fire, hence the flames on my face and the veil. I had so much fun.
I took this shot while walking down The Mall in central London on Saturday. Fall in London is simply lovely.
Though I didn't get much closer than this, I saw Buckingham Palace yesterday! No royalty to be seen--just a bunch of tourists. I gleefully exempt myself from that status because I actually live here. Ha!
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