London Calling

I am sitting in my room, in a house, in London. The sun is out today, and it is shining through my window, but it is still cold. The train goes by, visible between the trees in the garden and beyond. Most of the trees are bare, but the grass everywhere is so green. It hasn't rained yet today, and I'm glad.

I am in London. I don't quite believe it myself.

I've been here for over a week now. I try to go out everyday and see something new. The first day was a jet lag day, so I wandered around the neighborhood and down the Killburn high road. Cailtin came to visit from France, so we spent the rest of the week traveling about. We went to the V&A, which is a wonderful museum. Then we wandered around Camden Town the next day, visiting the various markets and enjoying the sunny and somewhat warmer day. The next day we walked around and saw the London eye, Big Ben, Parliament, Buckingham palace (and we stumbled upon the changing of the guard), and Trafalgar square. We found our way onto Oxford street later that day, and window shopped in amazement. The next day was her last full day in London, so we went to brick lane for some indian food and walked along the Thames, crossing Tower Bridge a few times in the process. It was nice to have a friend there that first week, to help alleviate the stress and culture shock.

Yes, culture shock. Well, perhaps not completely. I think it's just shock in general. Shock of being in London, of realizing it will be my home for 3 months, of being away from everyone I know and love, of being so far from home, and of being on my own in a strange place. London is great, and I am enjoying myself, but I do feel lonely at times. I cried at some point everyday, excluding yesterday, when I just got a bit teary eyed. It'll get better, I know. I just need to remember that I am doing something that I've wanted to do for so long. I am in an amazing city, doing something most can only dream of. I've worked so hard to get to this point. So I am trying to just relax, settles in, and enjoy the ride.

The house I am living in is lovely. I am renting a room from a family: a couple and their two daughters. There are two other lodgers here as well. Breakfast and dinner is included in my rent, and my room is bigger than my room at home! We have dinner together, which is nice. It helps to have people around and to feel some security, since being so far from home can be a challenge. We banter and tease each other and enjoy each other's company, so it is a nice set up. I miss my family, but it is getting better.

This past week has been a series of highs and lows. The grey skies and cold weather have not helped my mood, but I still have gone out everyday. Monday was spent at the British museum, which was amazing. I geeked out over the Assyrian statues and reliefs, but I couldn't help myself. It was so cold and grey that I went straight home afterwards.
The next day I visited the Hunterian Museum, which is the Mutter museum of London. It was great, though I think I prefer the Mutter (except for the fact that the Hunterian is free.) I found my way back to the British museum afterward, and saw some of the collections I had missed the day before.
The sun came out a bit the following day, so I went to Green Park. I walked through the park, over to Buckingham palace, and sat on the ledge around the statue of Queen Victoria. I wrote a letter to my boyfriend, stared around me, and realized I was in London. It hits me every so often. Afterwards, I walked to Hyde Park, then down the road and into Harrods. The food hall was amazing! I didn't buy anything, but I marveled at the products, displays, and atmosphere. The candy section was like a scene from a movie, full of color and fantastical displays. The tea and coffee room was quite tempting, as was the counter selling macarons. I will have a macaron soon, since it has been awhile, and I am so close to Paris, so they must be good here. I went to a few other stores afterwards, since it was still quite cold outside, then made my way back home.
Yesterday it was freezing, but I was determined to visit the Spitalfields antique market. The vendors had some amazing things, and I had to restrain myself. First, because I can't spend too much or I won't be able to pay rent. second, because transporting some items home will be a challenge. So I restrained myself. I bought a small bound book of childrens poems with some great illustrations, and two illustration pages from a childrens book. I love illustrations, and older childrens books often have the best. I bought a gift for Sandra, and a gift for my father. It is a really old thing, like he requested, though older than he may expect. It is more of an artifact than an antique! I treated myself to a coffee and soup for lunch, since I hadn't packed anything and I was so cold after wandering outdoors.

The lows are after I return from my little adventures. I start to feel very lonely and disconnected from everyone, and I sit in my room, shivering and crying. Skype has made things easier, and at any given time I am chatting with my boyfriend, or Caitlin, or my parents, or my sister. I really don't know how I would survive without it. I love being here, but I feel so far away from everyone, and it's difficult. But I know it will get better.

Tonight I am going to the lanch of World Book day in Trafalgar square. There will be authors, performers (including Nick Cave and Rupert Everett) and others doing readings, and it is hosted by Graham Norton. I am going with Lucy, one of the daughters, since her mother is partkaing in world book day. You can read about it here:
http://www.timeout.com/london/books-poetry/event/217658/world-book-night-wbn-launch

I am quite excited! Tomorrow my friend Claire is visiting from the states, and we will enjoy ourselves around town. I am making a quick trip to Berlin from March 14-16, then classes start the next week. Time will be flying by!

Sorry for an all text post, but the next will include pictures and less rambling. Until then, cheers!