We have it pretty great

It has been an INCREDIBLE week and finally, I have a moment to sit down and update you all now that it is Sunday, although Dirty Dancing is on TV. :) Have I mentioned how badly I miss American television and movies? I am looking forward to returning to Entourage, Brothers and Sisters and Lost when I get home in December.

The week got off to an amazing start on Tuesday, when Devon surprised me with an invitation to a performance of "As You Like It" at the Globe Theater. For those who aren’t theater nerds like myself, it is THE theater to visit. I was absolutely ecstatic. We took the tube being the experienced travelers that we are, and walked along the Thames, passing by the Tate Modern and Parliament. We have had nothing but sunny skies and breathtaking sunsets the past several days, and I hope this amazing weather lasts for a while.

                                                                                          The view of the stage from our incredible seats  
Posing in front of the Globe model

I got chills walking into the Globe-even though the original building was burned down by a fire, Sam Wanamaker reconstructed the theater in 1970, and it is almost identical. We had the best seats in the house, high up above the groundlings, where people can stand and watch for five pounds. Devon and I sat in awe for the entirety of the three hour show, completely enraptured by the beautiful setting and inspiring performances. I miss being in the theater so much every time I see a show, but I am so glad Devon invited me for such a special night out! After the performance, we walked over to Piccadilly Square and met up with our college friends at The Sports Cafe, a glorified American bar that every abroad student goes on College Night Thursdays. It is always nice to see familiar faces and hear "Walking on Broken Glass" with football on the tv screens in the background.

Thursday morning I woke up early at seven to get to the tube by 9:30 for my field trip. My PR class went to....guess....Cadbury World!? We are currently discussing issues and crisis management, and Cadbury is an example of a UK company that has struggled with crisis management following the salmonella crisis. Elizabeth and I took the tube to Marylebone station, where we met our class and took the 2 hour train ride to Birmingham. From there, we took another train to the Cadbury stop-it was a very long day! Cadbury World was the most random and fun place I have been to...we got to taste new products, travel through time in an interactive ride, and watch them make chocolate shoes. I obviously left with a pound of Cadbury Daily Milk. I couldn't possibly pass up the discounted price! Yum.

Alison, Elizabeth and I at our incredible PR field trip

Racing back to London, I barely had time to make a light dinner and get dressed before running out to meet some new British friends at the Imperial College pub, right around the corner from the Crofton. The pub is part of the UK college, and we've enjoyed going there not only because they have a great outdoor seating area, but because there are a lot of friendly British students! Although a pint of Guinness or Fosters is always a good choice at the pubs, I particularly like Bulmer's pear cider. :) It is so interesting to experience the drinking culture here-it is so much more relaxed, as people tend to go out for a pint or a cider after work and stroll home around five.

Around 10:30, Afton called to say she was at the tube station!! She is a close Wake friend who is absolutely brilliant and is studying in Rome before her trek to Tanzania...yes, she is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. She's amazing. We both teared up seeing each other in the tube station. It is such a great feeling to be re-united again, but instead of at Wake, in this wonderful city. I can’t believe how lucky I am that she came to stay.

We woke up bright and early and set out to see the sights, which I could do because I don't have class on Fridays. I felt like a real Londoner, showing her Big Ben, Parliament, and the river before we strolled over to Trafalgar Square and toured the National Gallery. The day flew by, and before we knew it, we were meeting Mike and Zach (two Sigma Pi buddies from Wake Forest) in Piccadilly Square. It felt so nice to be with Wake friends, even if just for the day. The four of us had a blast visiting the Notting Hill market and stopping in for cupcakes at Hummingbird. This is now my second visit, but I couldn't let Afton leave without a red velvet cupcake. I think Mike and Zach loved them just as much.

Afton and I in front of Parliament

My favorite part was the end of the day, when we wandered into Hyde Park with Bulmer's cider and sat out on the lawn next to the Albert Memorial. Laying out and laughing with the three of them, I realized how incredibly happy I am, and how lucky we are to get to experience the freedom and beauty of a foreign country. I think I am developing a love affair with this city....

After a quick nap for me and a run for Afton, we headed out to Brick Lane to meet Javin (another Wake alum) for an authentic Indian meal. Brick Lane is known for having the best Indian food in the city, and we were not disappointed. I tried so many different dishes, including Tikka Masala, Tandoori Butter Chicken (my favorite), naan, and a sweet lassi drink. I now have a mild obsession with Indian...we'll be going back soon.

Devon, as usual, summed up the past week: "we have it pretty good at the moment." I couldn't agree more. I am so glad that I am spending time here in London on the weekends before I start traveling…it is such a diverse, thrilling place and I could not be more shocked that it has been a MONTH. Time is going way to fast and I don't want to miss a thing, so more soon!

Classes end on Thursday and then we have exams next week...two papers due and Billy Elliott on Wednesday, so it looks like another jam packed week for me. Missing you all.