Friday, June 13, 2014
Friday the thirteenth! My final day in London on this sabbatical! Sad! Today was a complete whirlwind of a day and I found myself taking photos of places I visited simply to remember where I went today. I did a lot and was able to revisit most of my favorite spots here in London. I pushed myself, but I’m grateful I did.
I started the day with finals. I feel pretty confident, there were only a couple surprises. I wish I could have remembered all the names of the playwrights and a few other details, but overall I am content. I guess I will see how I faired when grades are posted (fingers crossed).
It would be my last visit to the Oscar Wilde classroom. I took a picture of the Oscar Wilde portrait on the wall from the view of my regular seat. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve glanced or studied this picture in the past six weeks. There is something about his eyes and the expression on his face. He even looks witty, with a slight smile, long, slender nose, and heavy eyes.
I ran to Sainsbury’s after class to pick up a few souvenir items. I’ve just become accustomed to where everything is in this store so it seems almost unfair that I’m leaving. Grocery stores are a part of life that grow onto you, no matter where you are. Highlight was when I found a Coca-Cola with my name on it.
After dropping things off at the flat I was off to the Globe. The weather was gorgeous so I was able to get some great photos while walking across the Millennium Bridge. St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Shard, the Tate, and a variety of other sights I am surely to miss.
From the Globe it was a walk to the Borough Market for one last lunch. On the way I made a stop, as we usually did, at the original sight of the Globe Theatre. It still held amazement for me. The feeling is unique at this sight, I wish I could explain it.
At the Borough I got a sangria and chicken wrap for lunch. The swarms of people during lunchtime, that originally seemed kind of bothersome to me, where welcomed with a smile and a new found comfort. I felt like I knew the place, surprisingly enough.
I visited Southwark Cathedral. There was a fee to take pictures so I didn’t take any, even though I should’ve snuck a few. Saw the tomb for Shakespeare’s brother and the Shakespeare window. The Shakespeare stained-glass window is really clever, there are depictions of his plays and they all melt into this majestically beautiful art piece of glass and metal.
From the cathedral it was off to the National Gallery. It was here where Jen took me on a very quick highlights tour that made this massive museum accomplishable in my timeframe. I was lucky to have such a guide! Surrounded by masterpieces, I became full of gratitude.
I saw works by Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Monet, Picasso, and many others I am unfortunately forgetting at the moment. Being able to see these works in person is something of finding the last piece of a puzzle you have been working on for many years. Through pictures in books I have been able to “appreciate” works of art. However, I now know I haven’t completely been able to comprehended their magnitude, nor begun to actually understand artworks. I feel now I can actually appreciate, compared to “appreciate” them. Sorry, getting a bit too philosophical… Moving on--
A little ways up the street and I was in Piccadilly Circus. Here I was able to finish my souvenir shopping, thank goodness. I took one last look around as I walked down to the tube and took in as much as I could. It was a dash back to the flat to drop off the goodies I just purchased. Then I was off again, this time to Primark.
Now is the time I should mention that I haven’t really packed for my journey tomorrow. Meaning, all these things I’m purchasing aren’t relatively being taken into consideration. This isn’t that crucial of a detail now, however at some point (tonight or tomorrow) I’m sure it will come up again.
Back to Primark. Here’s my theory: If you took a clothing store and placed it in the middle of a tube station, during rush hour, you may have hit the level of insanity this store possesses. I love it, truly, I do, however having worked retail myself, there is a level of empathy I have for employees who seem to have Black Friday every day. I got some good stuff, then it was time for another stroll through the parks to the flat.
I have previously gone on, at great length, about Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, so I won’t go too much into detail now. However, saying good-bye to these parks on this stroll was as sentimental to me as if I was saying farewell to my summer romance. This place, Kensington Gardens in particular, was where I fell in love with London. It was where I found much needed peace, peace I hadn’t seen in years. It nourished my soul, gave me new breathe, and allowed me to reflect. Out of everything, this is what I will miss the most.
Back at the flat it was packing central, not for me, yet. I haven’t seen so much stuff scattered everywhere in a room. The tone of the flat was mixed with excitement, anticipation, anxiety, and sadness. I will admit the fact I’m leaving still hasn’t set in. If I ignore it, then it’s not real.
With the last night in London my roommate Christian, his girlfriend Carson, her roommate Megan, and I all went to take pictures at Big Ben. This would complete my hectic day, but it would give me one last time to see Big Ben, Westminster, and the Thames. It was a fairly good time, but a little frantic.
When we returned the flat was mostly asleep. We stayed up a while, chatted, and watched as others filtered through. Seeing how others were enjoying their last night in London was pretty comical. It was a good way for me to say my good-byes.
I started the day with finals. I feel pretty confident, there were only a couple surprises. I wish I could have remembered all the names of the playwrights and a few other details, but overall I am content. I guess I will see how I faired when grades are posted (fingers crossed).
It would be my last visit to the Oscar Wilde classroom. I took a picture of the Oscar Wilde portrait on the wall from the view of my regular seat. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve glanced or studied this picture in the past six weeks. There is something about his eyes and the expression on his face. He even looks witty, with a slight smile, long, slender nose, and heavy eyes.
I ran to Sainsbury’s after class to pick up a few souvenir items. I’ve just become accustomed to where everything is in this store so it seems almost unfair that I’m leaving. Grocery stores are a part of life that grow onto you, no matter where you are. Highlight was when I found a Coca-Cola with my name on it.
After dropping things off at the flat I was off to the Globe. The weather was gorgeous so I was able to get some great photos while walking across the Millennium Bridge. St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Shard, the Tate, and a variety of other sights I am surely to miss.
From the Globe it was a walk to the Borough Market for one last lunch. On the way I made a stop, as we usually did, at the original sight of the Globe Theatre. It still held amazement for me. The feeling is unique at this sight, I wish I could explain it.
At the Borough I got a sangria and chicken wrap for lunch. The swarms of people during lunchtime, that originally seemed kind of bothersome to me, where welcomed with a smile and a new found comfort. I felt like I knew the place, surprisingly enough.
I visited Southwark Cathedral. There was a fee to take pictures so I didn’t take any, even though I should’ve snuck a few. Saw the tomb for Shakespeare’s brother and the Shakespeare window. The Shakespeare stained-glass window is really clever, there are depictions of his plays and they all melt into this majestically beautiful art piece of glass and metal.
From the cathedral it was off to the National Gallery. It was here where Jen took me on a very quick highlights tour that made this massive museum accomplishable in my timeframe. I was lucky to have such a guide! Surrounded by masterpieces, I became full of gratitude.
I saw works by Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Monet, Picasso, and many others I am unfortunately forgetting at the moment. Being able to see these works in person is something of finding the last piece of a puzzle you have been working on for many years. Through pictures in books I have been able to “appreciate” works of art. However, I now know I haven’t completely been able to comprehended their magnitude, nor begun to actually understand artworks. I feel now I can actually appreciate, compared to “appreciate” them. Sorry, getting a bit too philosophical… Moving on--
A little ways up the street and I was in Piccadilly Circus. Here I was able to finish my souvenir shopping, thank goodness. I took one last look around as I walked down to the tube and took in as much as I could. It was a dash back to the flat to drop off the goodies I just purchased. Then I was off again, this time to Primark.
Now is the time I should mention that I haven’t really packed for my journey tomorrow. Meaning, all these things I’m purchasing aren’t relatively being taken into consideration. This isn’t that crucial of a detail now, however at some point (tonight or tomorrow) I’m sure it will come up again.
Back to Primark. Here’s my theory: If you took a clothing store and placed it in the middle of a tube station, during rush hour, you may have hit the level of insanity this store possesses. I love it, truly, I do, however having worked retail myself, there is a level of empathy I have for employees who seem to have Black Friday every day. I got some good stuff, then it was time for another stroll through the parks to the flat.
I have previously gone on, at great length, about Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, so I won’t go too much into detail now. However, saying good-bye to these parks on this stroll was as sentimental to me as if I was saying farewell to my summer romance. This place, Kensington Gardens in particular, was where I fell in love with London. It was where I found much needed peace, peace I hadn’t seen in years. It nourished my soul, gave me new breathe, and allowed me to reflect. Out of everything, this is what I will miss the most.
Back at the flat it was packing central, not for me, yet. I haven’t seen so much stuff scattered everywhere in a room. The tone of the flat was mixed with excitement, anticipation, anxiety, and sadness. I will admit the fact I’m leaving still hasn’t set in. If I ignore it, then it’s not real.
With the last night in London my roommate Christian, his girlfriend Carson, her roommate Megan, and I all went to take pictures at Big Ben. This would complete my hectic day, but it would give me one last time to see Big Ben, Westminster, and the Thames. It was a fairly good time, but a little frantic.
When we returned the flat was mostly asleep. We stayed up a while, chatted, and watched as others filtered through. Seeing how others were enjoying their last night in London was pretty comical. It was a good way for me to say my good-byes.