First Day in London!

Hello from London!

After a long flight, I have finally arrived in the United Kingdom! The flight was uneventful, which is the way it should be. When we landed, I had little trouble getting through immigration and collecting my baggage. The London Underground is relatively simple to figure out though I did have to ask an official to ensure I was getting on the correct train. However, not too much later, I arrived at my stop and my hotel. For those of you that have spent little time in Europe; things here are much smaller. A single room is about the size of a normal bathroom in the United States. However, I do not need much room so I ditched my bags and immediately went out. Because it took me a little longer than expected to get to my hotel, I opted out of going to the Tower of London today. Instead, I literally walked around nearly the entire city starting from the Houses of Parliament to Hyde Park. These stops included, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Harrods, and finally, Hyde Park. Here are a few shots from today!

Big Ben

Westminster Abbey

Parliament

Buckingham Palace

 Queen Victoria Memorial

Duke of Wellington Arch

Harrods

Peter Pan

There are a few things that struck me from my first day in London. FIrst, London is very easy to navigate, even if you are alone. The Parliament Houses, are some of the most stunning sights in London, even in the rain. Buckingham Palace was crowded but it was interesting to see where the Queen lives and operates. The flag was flying above Buckingham Palace, and I believe that meant that the Queen was inside. I did not go inside Westminster Abbey because the visiting hours were over but that is on my list to complete within the next couple days. Walking about the edge of Hyde Park, I stumbled upon the high fashion shopping district shared by Chelsea and Kensington. This includes the luxurious Harrod's Department Store. I, of course, went in to browse. For those of you that aren't familiar with Harrods, think of it as a higher priced Neiman Marcus. I looked at a rack of clothes that were 50% off. However, they were Oscar De Larenta so the fashions were still priced around 850 British Pounds. After leaving Harrods, I decided to roam around Hyde Park, which I did often the last time I was here. I specifically wanted to see the statue of Peter Pan, the boy who never wanted to grow up. Walking in the rain was quite nice as I searched for this statue. After finding it, I sat on a park bench and watched the residents of London walk by. It is very easy to identify fellow Americans so I'm sure I stick out like a sore thumb.

After a long day of traveling and walking around London,  I eventually made my way back to my hotel. I opted for a small Chinese restaurant near my hotel for dinner. It was cheap and fantastic. I had soup and an entrée for about 12 British pounds. Tomorrow, I am planning on going to the Tower of London first, then to the British Museum to explore. I am considering dinner and shopping at Covent Garden as well. Can't wait to see what tomorrow holds!!

AL

LONDON BOUND!!!

Hello everyone!

The day has finally arrived! In about twenty minutes, my ride to Dulles will be here and take me to the airport! I am so looking forward to this trip and can't wait to see what tomorrow and the days after contain. I hope to learn an immense amount while taking in the European culture. First stop: London for three days. After that, I am taking a side-trip to Paris to meet up with that European viking, Emmie Derback. My Shakespeare program begins on June 26th for a further week in London and then the final week in Stratford-upon-Avon where Shakespeare was born. Further details on everything will be in the next post. However, once I get to London tomorrow morning, I plan on ditching my bags at hotel and going out to explore immediately. I'll decide on the plane ride what I want to do first. Regardless, I can't wait to get to London!

Until next time from London! Gimme that Buckingham Palace!

AL

A Day on the Tidal Basin

Hello Everyone!

DC weather is insane! The first few days I was here, we were treated to 97 degree weather. Today, however, was about 70, cloudy and very windy. It made for a perfect day to walk by the Tidal Basin in DC. Here is home to the Jefferson Memorial which is currently under slight construction. Many of you know Thomas Jefferson as the the Third President of the United States. He is also the author of the Declaration of Independence, a Founding Father, and the founder of the University of Virginia. He famously wrote the phrase, "life, liberty and pursuit of happiness". As a history major, I feel it necessary to point out that Jefferson praised the idea that all men are created equal. Indeed though, he had over a 100 slaves working on Monticello. So perhaps he meant that only white male landowners who could vote were created equal?  Regardless, Jefferson contributed greatly to the ideology that America claims today. He also succeeded in expanding America by acquiring the Louisiana Purchase from Napoleon in 1803. In my opinion, he deserves to have a monument that bears his name and I was honored to visit it today.

I also swung by the Holocaust Museum for a bit to view their new exhibit on the power of Nazi Propaganda. It is this college student's belief, that if the media retains their right to print whatever they like, our democracy will remain safe. I quite enjoyed myself today and look forward to tomorrow! Here is a quote I wrote down from the Jefferson Memorial:

"It is comfortable to see that the standard of reason at length erected after so many ages during which the human mind has been held in vassalage by kings, priests and nobles; and it is honorable for us to have produced the first legislature who has had the courage to declare that the reason of men may be trusted to the formation of his own opinions" ----Thomas Jefferson 1786

Thank you, Mr. Jefferson, for the formation of our democracy.

AL

FDR Memorial...By Accident

Hello Everyone!

Today was quite the adventure in DC! My objective had been to visit the Jefferson Memorial by the Tidal Basin in downtown Washington. In the last few months, the Smithsonian Metro stop has been moved from the National Mall to 12th & Independence which is about four blocks from the original location. Thinking that access to Jefferson Memorial was near the Lincoln, I headed in that direction. This turned out to certainly be the way to the Jefferson, if you want to walk the roundabout way. However, this took me to the FDR Memorial which I have enjoyed many times before. Nevertheless, on a nice sunny day in Washington, it looked especially spectacular.

The Memorial serves as a reminder of the great things that FDR accomplished. Most of which, includes the Depression as depicted in the picture above. His words inspired America as he is the president who said, over 60 years ago, that he looked forward to a world based on four essentials freedoms. These include, Freedom of Speech, the Freedom to worship God in your own way, the Freedom from want and need, and finally, to be Free from Fear. I sat in the shade and wrote down some things that struck me as I looked around. I pondered what it must have been like to be alive during the Depression and how people faced each day. How many people thought the American government couldn't do anything for them or thought their government didn't care enough to help them? What was it like to be financially secure and then be reduced to an apple seller? The leadership that FDR showed the nation during these trying times, is truly inspiring. Needless to say, I quite enjoyed myself. Due to time constraints, I abandoned my quest for the Jefferson Memorial but walked by it to get to the Metro. Tomorrow, my plan is to head back to the Tidal Basin area and possibly swing by the Holocaust Museum. Mr. Jefferson, I am looking forward to meeting you tomorrow! I'll end with a quote from FDR which I found particularly moving.

"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little"

Does anyone out there think America has lived by these immortal words of FDR since he spoke them?

AL

Back to Georgetown!

Hello from Washington!

Ok so I've been here for almost a day and the heat is unbelievable. However, Vanessa and I are not letting that stop us! We have been all over Georgetown in the last day and it has been so great so far. The entire city is bustling with excitement and summer love which makes it very interesting. One thing I love about DC is simply the energy of the city ,which, at times can make a person proud to be an American. One of my favorite songs is Iris DeMent's "Wasteland of the Free" which essentially outlines some of America's downfall. However, walking around Washington, there is almost always someone protesting these downfalls and pushing for change which is always nice to see.

Living in the wasteland of the free...

We got preachers dealing in politics and diamond mines
and their speech is growing increasingly unkind
They say they are Christ's disciples
but they don't look like Jesus to me
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

We got politicians running races on corporate cash
Now don't tell me they don't turn around and kiss them peoples' ass
You may call me old-fashioned
but that don't fit my picture of a true democracy
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

We got CEO's making two hundred times the workers' pay
but they'll fight like hell against raising the minimum wage
and If you don't like it, mister, they'll ship your job
to some third-world country 'cross the sea
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

Living in the wasteland of the free
where the poor have now become the enemy
Let's blame our troubles on the weak ones
Sounds like some kind of Hitler remedy
Living in the wasteland of the free

We got little kids with guns fighting inner city wars
So what do we do, we put these little kids behind prison doors
and we call ourselves the advanced civilization
that sounds like crap to me
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

We got high-school kids running 'round in Calvin Klein and Guess
who cannot pass a sixth-grade reading test
but if you ask them, they can tell you
the name of every crotch on MTV
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

We kill for oil, then we throw a party when we win
Some guy refuses to fight, and we call that the sin
but he's standing up for what he believes in
and that seems pretty damned American to me
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

Living in the wasteland of the free
where the poor have now become the enemy
Let's blame our troubles on the weak ones
Sounds like some kind of Hitler remedy
Living in the wasteland of the free

While we sit gloating in our greatness
justice is sinking to the bottom of the sea
Living in the wasteland of the free
Living in the wasteland of the free
Living in the wasteland of the free

 

Washington is the perfect city for an idealistic person such as myself and I'm really happy to be back at Georgetown! Looking forward to seeing my DC family as well!!! Early hello to Ann McClure, Fran and Hume McClure, Frank, Carrie and Meredith Lee and Wayne Smith! Can't wait to see you all!!

Huntington, West Virginia...Marshall University!

Hello from Huntington!

After a relatively quick drive down I-64, I arrived in Huntington. The town is small but quite nice. It is clearly obvious that this town remains involved with the coal industry. In the center of town is Marshall University where my good friends, Ryanne Milligan and Katy Schad, attend school and play volleyball. Because we were treated to a monsoon this evening, Schad drove me through campus so I could get a feel for it. Marshall's football program is unfortunately famous for the tragic plane crash from the 70s that inspired the hit movie, "We Are Marshall". Nonetheless, they have resurrected the program to national prominence for the Thundering Herd athletic department. Marshall seems to me to be a very nice place to attend school and I am glad that I decided to stop here for the evening before driving on to Washington tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing Vanessa Dorismond and everyone at Georgetown and the surrounding area!

Hoya Saxa!

AL

Night before Departure...First step, packing!

Ok so the time has finally come! After a month of working at Ann Taylor, I am off on vacation. First stop, Huntington, WV followed by Washington, DC. My final destination will be the United Kingdom with a small side trip to Paris, France. Needless to say, I am quite excited! After a week of exploring London and Paris on my own, I will join a group of Georgetown students to study Shakespeare in the very place where it originated! What an honor that will be. Anyone who is reading this blog knows that I am very passionate about Shakespeare, so this will hopefully be an unforgettable experience! However, I will get to my European travels later on. Right now, I am focused on packing a suitcase that must be 50 pounds or less which is quite a challenge for me. Additionally, I am trying to plan out my ten days or so in Washington. Since I do live in DC for most of the year, I have an excellent grasp on what I want to do while I'm there. The most important thing I want to do is to visit the Jefferson Memorial. I have lived in DC for two years and have yet to visit it! I also hope to spend time with friends as there are plenty of people there that I know very well! However, first stop is Huntington to spend time with an old teammate of mine, Katy Schad. I have my suitcase relatively packed, new CDs burned for the trip, and my road map to get me there.

As I pack, here is what I'm listening to on this fine Wednesday evening:

1. She Holds a Key - Gavin DeGraw
2. Sunset Blvd. - Tyler Hilton
3. Postcard from Paris - The Band Perry
4. The Last Song - The All-American Rejects
5. You and Me - Penny & The Quarters
6. Who's to Say - Vanessa Carlton
7. Here Comes a Regular - The Replacements
8. Coffee and Cigarettes - Michelle Featherstone
9. Always Love - Nada Surf
10. Song to Woody - Bob Dylan
11. World Spins Madly On - The Weepies
12. Apologies - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
13. Crazy Love - Michael Buble
14. There You Are - Carolyn Arends
15. Wasteland of the Free - Iris DeMent
16. The Times They Are a Changin' - Bob Dylan
17. Both Sides Now - Joni Mitchell
18. Sweet Baby James - James Taylor
19. Morning Morgantown - Joni Mitchell

Until next time, from DC! Gimme that Georgetown University!

AL