Here are the links to my albums on Picasa. I haven't figured out if this works, so hopefully it does and you're able to see all of my pictures. I promise to keep taking pictures!
http://picasaweb.google.com/elliefritz/LondonJan1011?authkey=gkc4MzT1eJM&feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/elliefritz/LondonJan1117?authkey=YIHH1D89OBg&feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/elliefritz/LondonJan1723?authkey=GP6TVy4OTZE&feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/elliefritz/LondonJan2428?authkey=TnRpdFkDW_g&feat=directlink
Love from non-icy London,
Ellie
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Some Pictures
The Roman Baths
The Roman Baths...you can see the steam!
Me in front of Stonehenge
Stonehenge!Loving London
I absolutely love London! It's amazing here. So far we've had mainly good weather (knock on wood) and we've been to really great places! We've been really cold here in our flat...turns out our heat wasn't working for a few days...oops!
The campus pub had an inauguration party and there were so many more Brits there than I had expected. When people find out we're from the U.S. they quickly turn the conversation to Obama and politics it seems. They're much more informed here about what's going on in the world and I wish our country could talk politics as easily as people do here. They're more interested in learning individuals' views rather than judging and defending their views which I think is important, especially when it comes to the world's current issues.
This week our field trip was to Bath and Stonehenge. I wasn't too keen on waking up early to look at some rocks. When you think about how long ago Stonehenge was constructed, it has much more appeal. The Roman Baths have been around for a very long time too and even though they're not in use today, it's neat to think how people in the past used these places. People still argue about the purpose of Stonehenge, and we'll never know for sure, but there are many things we'll never know. Some artifacts and other items have been found at the Roman Baths and there's a better picture of how people used the baths and why. Overall, the trip was much more interesting that I had expected, but it was a long day!
Today I toured St. Paul's Cathedral and it was the most gorgeous church I've ever been to. I was disappointed that I couldn't take pictures even though they wouldn't have done it justice. The inside is mainly mosaics and they sparkle in the sunlight. This is the church where Charles and Diana were married. We got to climb up to the Whispering Gallery and then further up to the Stone Gallery. The Whispering Gallery is inside near the dome. The Stone Gallery is outside the dome 53 meters up from the cathedral floor (173 feet) and it has some of the most gorgeous views of London. I did get to take many pictures up there.
In other news...I ran into some trouble with a travel company and my trip to Wales. They had charged me for the weekend and then Lynnsey and I got emails saying there wasn't enough room for us on the trip, but the rest of our friends were going. Fortunately, we were able to figure it all out and the company was really helpful! So I will be going to Wales for an "adventure" weekend where I'll be sea kayaking, coasteering, and hiking. It doesn't really sound like something I'd usually do, but most of my friends are going and how could you pass up an all inclusive trip to the coast in Wales?! We've also booked a flight to Ireland for the last weekend in March. We're looking at Italy for spring break, Scotland, Paris (probably with Mom), maybe Spain (I know someone in Seville that we could stay with) or Germany. It's more expensive than I thought to book trips. We've run into a few problems with the train and coach companies and availability, but for the most part it's working out.
We've met some interesting characters in our adventures around London. Some of my roommates have become good friends with some of the players on the campus football/soccer team. It's nice to be able to ask local people questions, especially when it comes to customs and stuff. One day we went out to lunch and ordered and the waitress brought our bill before we'd been served. They also don't enjoy doing separate checks here which is not fun to figure out when there's 10 people at a meal. Since the pound and 2 pound are coins, we find ourselves paying in change much more than we're used to. I hate carrying around change. Other than that, most things are similar, but there are certain times where we feel dumb for asking questions; we're just Americans though ;)
Get skype so we can chat! Find me under my name! It's free to download and free to chat.
Love from London,
Ellie
The campus pub had an inauguration party and there were so many more Brits there than I had expected. When people find out we're from the U.S. they quickly turn the conversation to Obama and politics it seems. They're much more informed here about what's going on in the world and I wish our country could talk politics as easily as people do here. They're more interested in learning individuals' views rather than judging and defending their views which I think is important, especially when it comes to the world's current issues.
This week our field trip was to Bath and Stonehenge. I wasn't too keen on waking up early to look at some rocks. When you think about how long ago Stonehenge was constructed, it has much more appeal. The Roman Baths have been around for a very long time too and even though they're not in use today, it's neat to think how people in the past used these places. People still argue about the purpose of Stonehenge, and we'll never know for sure, but there are many things we'll never know. Some artifacts and other items have been found at the Roman Baths and there's a better picture of how people used the baths and why. Overall, the trip was much more interesting that I had expected, but it was a long day!
Today I toured St. Paul's Cathedral and it was the most gorgeous church I've ever been to. I was disappointed that I couldn't take pictures even though they wouldn't have done it justice. The inside is mainly mosaics and they sparkle in the sunlight. This is the church where Charles and Diana were married. We got to climb up to the Whispering Gallery and then further up to the Stone Gallery. The Whispering Gallery is inside near the dome. The Stone Gallery is outside the dome 53 meters up from the cathedral floor (173 feet) and it has some of the most gorgeous views of London. I did get to take many pictures up there.
In other news...I ran into some trouble with a travel company and my trip to Wales. They had charged me for the weekend and then Lynnsey and I got emails saying there wasn't enough room for us on the trip, but the rest of our friends were going. Fortunately, we were able to figure it all out and the company was really helpful! So I will be going to Wales for an "adventure" weekend where I'll be sea kayaking, coasteering, and hiking. It doesn't really sound like something I'd usually do, but most of my friends are going and how could you pass up an all inclusive trip to the coast in Wales?! We've also booked a flight to Ireland for the last weekend in March. We're looking at Italy for spring break, Scotland, Paris (probably with Mom), maybe Spain (I know someone in Seville that we could stay with) or Germany. It's more expensive than I thought to book trips. We've run into a few problems with the train and coach companies and availability, but for the most part it's working out.
We've met some interesting characters in our adventures around London. Some of my roommates have become good friends with some of the players on the campus football/soccer team. It's nice to be able to ask local people questions, especially when it comes to customs and stuff. One day we went out to lunch and ordered and the waitress brought our bill before we'd been served. They also don't enjoy doing separate checks here which is not fun to figure out when there's 10 people at a meal. Since the pound and 2 pound are coins, we find ourselves paying in change much more than we're used to. I hate carrying around change. Other than that, most things are similar, but there are certain times where we feel dumb for asking questions; we're just Americans though ;)
Get skype so we can chat! Find me under my name! It's free to download and free to chat.
Love from London,
Ellie
Monday, January 19, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Shopping and socializing!
This weekend was filled with lots of socializing, exploring, and trip planning. Everyone in the program is as excited as I am about meeting new people and getting to know each other which is great. We're all trying to coordinate where we want to go so we can travel together and still see everything we want to see. Hopefully we'll be going to Italy and Greece for spring break. We booked our trip to Wales which is an all inclusive weekend in a lodge on the southwestern coast in a national park. I've seen pictures and I'm sure it will be amazing. Most of my roommates and new friends are going so I'm sure it will be fun no matter what. It's the weekend of February 6.
We've also been exploring the areas around us and we fell upon Harrods which is no more than a 15 minute walk from my flat...if only I could afford something! We also went to Oxford Street which has lots of great shopping. We went to TopShop, H&M, and Primark. I bought some great boots at Primark for 15 pounds! What a steal!
We've mastered the tube for the most part and use our oyster cards (passes) like the locals and rush through the lines. We've learned to stand on the right so we don't get stampeeded by the people in a hurry. The bus is still new and tricky and we've only taken it once.
We go grocery shopping entirely too much (like at least every other day). Tonight Dawn (one of my roommates) and I had chicken breasts and spinach ricotta tortellini. It was fantastic! I might get the hang of this cooking thing!
The weather here has been outstanding; much better than it has been in Saint Louis! I always carry an umbrella though because London is like Springfield and you never know what the weather is going to do! I've only been caught in a downpour once and even though I had my umbrella, I was completely soaked! Despite the random rain, I love it here!
I miss you all!
Love from London,
Ellie
We've also been exploring the areas around us and we fell upon Harrods which is no more than a 15 minute walk from my flat...if only I could afford something! We also went to Oxford Street which has lots of great shopping. We went to TopShop, H&M, and Primark. I bought some great boots at Primark for 15 pounds! What a steal!
We've mastered the tube for the most part and use our oyster cards (passes) like the locals and rush through the lines. We've learned to stand on the right so we don't get stampeeded by the people in a hurry. The bus is still new and tricky and we've only taken it once.
We go grocery shopping entirely too much (like at least every other day). Tonight Dawn (one of my roommates) and I had chicken breasts and spinach ricotta tortellini. It was fantastic! I might get the hang of this cooking thing!
The weather here has been outstanding; much better than it has been in Saint Louis! I always carry an umbrella though because London is like Springfield and you never know what the weather is going to do! I've only been caught in a downpour once and even though I had my umbrella, I was completely soaked! Despite the random rain, I love it here!
I miss you all!
Love from London,
Ellie
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Starting to Adjust
So far my first week has been great! My classes are fun and so far interesting. The course load isn't bad at all. We do quite a bit of reading which is fine with me. For our British Life and Culture class (BLC) we have to write a paper every week reflecting on our fieldtrip and lecture. We went to the Museum of London today. They had a really neat exhibit on the Great Fire of 1666. There were also exhibits on Roman London and Medieval London. Since London's been around so long, I would have thought the museum would have been bigger, but it was very small and we got through it in about an hour and a half taking our time.
I'm going to get a cell phone today so if you get a call from a random number please answer it because it's me! It's only 2 pence (3 cents) to call the U.S. and 20 pence (30 cents) to call here in the U.K. which I find odd! Tonight is cheap pints at the campus pub...1 pound 50 per pint so we're heading over there sometime. I'm making lots of friends and getting to know my roommates very well. We're mastering the tube and the streets successfully. Dad, we went to that Bagatelle place and it was AMAZING. It's less than 2 blocks from the flat and has some of the best french pastries! We had a mini Kings Cake for breakfast on our way to the museum. Yumm!
I miss you all!
Love from London,
Ellie
I'm going to get a cell phone today so if you get a call from a random number please answer it because it's me! It's only 2 pence (3 cents) to call the U.S. and 20 pence (30 cents) to call here in the U.K. which I find odd! Tonight is cheap pints at the campus pub...1 pound 50 per pint so we're heading over there sometime. I'm making lots of friends and getting to know my roommates very well. We're mastering the tube and the streets successfully. Dad, we went to that Bagatelle place and it was AMAZING. It's less than 2 blocks from the flat and has some of the best french pastries! We had a mini Kings Cake for breakfast on our way to the museum. Yumm!
I miss you all!
Love from London,
Ellie
Sunday, January 11, 2009
First Weekend Abroad...
This weekend has been so great! We arrived no problem at Heathrow and made it through customs. The flight was LONG, but I was able to sleep through some of it. I met some girls while waiting for the plane so it made time pass by much faster.
Once we arrived, we found out which flats we'd be living in. I'm living in #13 Manson Place Flat 11. This wasn't one of the flats that was mentioned in the program. There are 8 of us girls in one flat; 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It's more spacious than the other flats with the program. Plus we have wireless and laundry on site! We're also closer to campus which is a huge plus because it's so cold here!
Yesterday, (Saturday) we went to campus and had a fish and chips lunch around 2pm. Then we walked over to the union where we have our classes and listened to one of the local bobbys (police) speak about safety in the area. It's mostly residential here and very wealthy at that so it's very safe. After the orientation there, we had an orientation with our building RA. There are other students here from other study abroad programs, but we haven't met any of them yet. After that we went out to a pub crawl with the rest of the students in the program.
Today, (Sunday) we had a bus tour of London and got to see some really great sites. We saw everything from London Bridge to Buckingham Palace. I'll upload pictures as soon as I can. As a flat we also did some grocery shopping which was quite an experience. Everything is much more expensive here, but I got all of my groceries for around 15 pounds...we also finally got a straightener for my hair! haha!
Classes start tomorrow so it should be interesting. I'll post again soon!
Love from London,
Ellie
Once we arrived, we found out which flats we'd be living in. I'm living in #13 Manson Place Flat 11. This wasn't one of the flats that was mentioned in the program. There are 8 of us girls in one flat; 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It's more spacious than the other flats with the program. Plus we have wireless and laundry on site! We're also closer to campus which is a huge plus because it's so cold here!
Yesterday, (Saturday) we went to campus and had a fish and chips lunch around 2pm. Then we walked over to the union where we have our classes and listened to one of the local bobbys (police) speak about safety in the area. It's mostly residential here and very wealthy at that so it's very safe. After the orientation there, we had an orientation with our building RA. There are other students here from other study abroad programs, but we haven't met any of them yet. After that we went out to a pub crawl with the rest of the students in the program.
Today, (Sunday) we had a bus tour of London and got to see some really great sites. We saw everything from London Bridge to Buckingham Palace. I'll upload pictures as soon as I can. As a flat we also did some grocery shopping which was quite an experience. Everything is much more expensive here, but I got all of my groceries for around 15 pounds...we also finally got a straightener for my hair! haha!
Classes start tomorrow so it should be interesting. I'll post again soon!
Love from London,
Ellie
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Time to leave...
Tomorrow's the day I leave for London. I'm so excited, but really nervous! My flight leaves St. Louis around 3pm then I'll depart from Chicago around 9pm and arrive at 11am local time (5 am St. Louis). Hopefully the jet-lag won't be too bad. I'll post as soon as I get a chance and tell you all about my first experiences in London!
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