Simply Living (London)

My goal since I returned to the city from Brighton has been to make the most of my time here in London. Not in a broad sense, with the word 'London' representing abroad in general, but the actual city of London. I am so excited that the next few months will bring travels to Oktoberfest in Munich, Sensation for Halloween in Copenhagen, a fall break in Italy, and perhaps a weekend here or there in Ireland or Amsterdam. However, this city itself has SO much to offer culturally that I did not even realize until now. In order to explain how I have been doing this, I am going to work backwards from now until what I did this past Sunday. Today, my British Political Institutions class went to the Houses of Parliament for a tour. Being the major political nerd... correction... British political nerd that I am, I was in complete awe of everything I saw from the flying buttresses of the ceilings to the insignificant titles of even the smallest of frescoes in the halls. I wish I could explain everything about the building that made me giggle like a five year old, but unfortunately I have the memory of a goldfish (not a goat...) and there would be far too many to document without convincing you that reading my blog really is a waste of your valuable time. However, just know that the building pictured here has been around since 1100.

That's over 900 years ago people. That is OLD. And since I've read a lot of books about the Tudors, Lancasters, Yorks, Boleyns, etc. I was pretty giddy at the sight of the major political figures since Henry VII... being Henry VII himself and Queen Elizabeth of York followed by Henry VIII with his biddies Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour and onto all of the more recent, less interesting people like... the present Queen Elizabeth (though she is the definition of precious in her defense). I also really liked the lobby outside of the House of Commons where there were statues of Margaret Thatcher and Winston Churchill. Wow... I really am a loser. Any way, my point is that I love how much history there is in England. I can go to a sushi restaurant with a conveyor belt of sushi, edamame and seaweed salad in Picadilly Circus one night and be wandering the same halls that King Charles wandered on the day he was sentenced to death the next. Now that is what studying abroad is all about. Can't believe I'm going to be working in that building almost every day in a few weeks...

Yesterday, my British Television Studies class (I know, these classes have really creative names) was in a live audience for the discussion show The Wright Stuff hosted by Matthew Wright. It was the first time I've ever been in the audience of a show so I was in complete awe of everything around me, similar to my reaction to Parliament. The guests were two people who I couldn't catch and the man who wrote Rocky Horror Picture Show, which was.... awesome! He may have been the gayest straight man I've ever seen... if he isn't gay... which he must be because he was wearing a pink V-neck t-shirt and I'm pretty sure that most straight men don't even know where to find a pink V-neck t-shirt. However, he was hilarious and definitely added a little flavor to the show. Afterward, the host Matthew Wright spoke with us and answered our questions about his career and The Wright Stuff. I personally asked him how he manages to balance humor and substance in his show since he does frequently make witty or sarcastic remarks despite the quite serious nature of some of the topics on the show. He explained that it's really hit or miss and that you simply have to learn over time what is appropriate to make fun of or embellish and what is better off left alone. After Mr. Wright spoke with us, the director of the show took us into the gallery where all of the production, editing and directing work is done. By the end of our time at The Wright Stuff, I realized that I am genuinely fascinated by the broadcasting world and definitely need to think more seriously about pursuing a career in it. I have been quite hesitant in the past because I was not sure if I would really like the seemingly superficial world of media from that side of the camera. However, after speaking with the cast and crew of the show, it became clear to me that 'Hollywood', in a broader sense (not the city), does not have to make you who you are unless you don't have an idea of who you are before you enter 'Hollywood'. Mr. Wright was in fact in print journalism for many years before he entered the broadcasting business and I think that in itself, the fact that a humble route can be taken to stardom, is motivation enough for me.

Sunday's adventure had to have been the most inadvertently influential that I have to share with you today. I was given the honor and privilege of taking Albert to his FIRST... yes very absolute first.... in his entire 20 years of existence... parade. I personally think I've been in at least 15 parades from 4th of July's to Wake Forest Dance Team events, so to me it was completely mortifying that anyone could have grown up in America, especially the south, without witnessing a parade. However, it is true. Albert's first parade was this past Sunday and what a mighty extravagant parade it was. The overall event was the mayor's Thames River Festival, a few day long festival of food, shopping, and river-loving that takes place annually in the heart of London. I loved the Thames enough already simply because of the history that literally and figuratively surrounds the body of water. Yet, add food and shopping and I've found a little piece of heaven on Earth. Before witnessing the parade, Albert and I indulged in some of the eclectic foods that were offered. I for one had a Greek flatbread pizza with lamb (proud, dad?) filled with Greek yogurt and salad and folded into a sort of wrap. It. Was. Incredible. Albert however decided to have a pork roast sandwich... followed by a Louisiana Sausage sandwich... followed by fudge, which he also made me eat (he forced me, I swear it). After barely digesting, we found the Thames Festival parade as it made its final loop from across the Blackfriars Bridge to its finishing line behind the National Theater. As you can see in the pictures, this was no ordinary parade.

The costumes were out of this world with feathers, sequins, and lace in places I didn't think embellishments could be worn. There were people ranging from the age of 4 to 80 playing drums, dancing, and screaming at the top of their lungs as they made their way through the crowds. Also, since it was a 'night parade', everything was lit up with lively neon lights that left me wanting to cut off my tee and dance to Pat Benatar.... or some house music.... take your pick. After the parade was finished, we made our way to the banks of the Thames and stood packed like sardines to wait for the fireworks show. Within minutes, the cool, dark sky became a pyrotechnic feast as bright bullets of fire propelled above us from the river and exploded into the most unique patterns, sizes, and colors I have ever seen. It was when I was standing there, surrounded by friends and Londoners along the Thames, my favorite place in the city, that it finally hit me that I'm here. As chills ran up my arms and down my spine I couldn't help but bear the widest grin. The sheer artistry, skill, and overall miraculousness of the fireworks bursting above me like gilded paint being flung onto a black canvas was what I needed to realize that this, my being in London, is probably the most amazing thing that I will ever do. It made me realize that I owe it to myself to do everything I possibly can to take this city and this hemisphere by storm and completely liquidate England and Europe of even the smallest of valuable lessons and experiences it could possibly provide.