Friday, April 15, 2011
Life After Centre is Going MIA
Life after Centre will be out of business for the next two weeks or so. Its just going to be so busy that I can't justify spending much time working on my blog. I leave for Paris this morning and studying for finals begins when I get back. Wish me luck. Hopefully the next time you see this I will have completed all of my college work. Until then, sit back, relax and enjoy the weather for me. Until I go stateside again...
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Why Study Abroad in the UK ?
I believe a better question to pose after watching the video is why not? Here you have all of the essentials: royalty, the English countryside, rail, the Thames, Big Ben, and of course Corgis!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Join Me @ Goodreads!
In my time in London I have bought many things. However, my preference seems to be for books! London has some great bookstores. For used books SKOOB in Bloomsbury is hard to beat. For new books I like Foyles near the Charing Cross tube station. You can spend hours in there! Floors upon floors of books. Its a kind of nerdtopia. My English classes have saddled me down with a lot of reading but when I get home I plan on reading my London finds. I found a great website called GoodReads where you can join in book discussions and create your own virtual bookshelf with the stuff you have read. I am also the moderator for a group called Centre College Reads, for current and former students, faculty, and staff. So when you get spare time, head on over to the website and join me!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Stonehenge, Old Sarum, and Salisbury
The Centre program is nice enough to take us out for excursions at least once a week. This past weekend we hopped a bus to Stonehenge, Old Sarum, and Salisbury.
1.) Stonehenge
The stones are over 5,000 years old and no one knows quite how they got there. Nonetheless, this mysterious circle of stones attracts visitors from around the world. You can't actually touch them anymore, but it is a cool sight to see!
2.) Old Sarum
Old Sarum is the original site of the town of Salisbury. Now it is little more than ruins, but its fun to see where it all started. My classmates and I took part in a great Centre tradition, by spelling out the college name in a photo. We are obviously gunning for photo of the week on the college website. Here we are at Old Sarum:
3.) Finally we visited the town of Salisbury and saw the gorgeous old Cathedral. The church also houses an original copy of the Magna Carta. The town is a treat and cool market is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
1.) Stonehenge
The stones are over 5,000 years old and no one knows quite how they got there. Nonetheless, this mysterious circle of stones attracts visitors from around the world. You can't actually touch them anymore, but it is a cool sight to see!
2.) Old Sarum
Old Sarum is the original site of the town of Salisbury. Now it is little more than ruins, but its fun to see where it all started. My classmates and I took part in a great Centre tradition, by spelling out the college name in a photo. We are obviously gunning for photo of the week on the college website. Here we are at Old Sarum:
Why I Love Centre
It's Greek Week!
Back at Centre the Greek community is taking part in a week long tradition known as Greek Week. Greek Week is a common occurrence at colleges across the country, but its special at Centre. The theme this year is old school Nickelodeon. I am a member of Alpha Delta Pi and I just wanted to give a shout out to my fabulous sorority sisters! We took home the Greek Week trophy last year and we are working to keep it at the Pi house this year. Even though I am not there to help out with the festivities, I want to wish them all the best from London! Let them hear you ROAR ladies!
Back at Centre the Greek community is taking part in a week long tradition known as Greek Week. Greek Week is a common occurrence at colleges across the country, but its special at Centre. The theme this year is old school Nickelodeon. I am a member of Alpha Delta Pi and I just wanted to give a shout out to my fabulous sorority sisters! We took home the Greek Week trophy last year and we are working to keep it at the Pi house this year. Even though I am not there to help out with the festivities, I want to wish them all the best from London! Let them hear you ROAR ladies!
London Quirks
Every city has little things that makes it unque, for better or worse. Here are the quirky bits and pieces I have picked out in London so far. These things make London, London.
1.) London is NOT a British City, It IS A World City.
Walk down the street and its likely that you will hear more than English, a lot more. London is a city of immigrants and tourists. A sizeable portion of the population was born outside of the country. Popular languages other than English include Polish, French, Spanish, and a variety of Indian Languages.
2.) The Tube
Mind the gap... between you and your next destination. In my class on the Economics of London we spend a considerable time talking about the importance of public transportation. The Tube is the primary means of transport around the city. The bus system is okay and the roads are a nightmare. Plus petrol (gas for you Americans) costs over 8 dollars a gallon. The Tube is easy to navigate and mostly runs on time.
3.) Smoking
Growing up in Kentucky I thought that we had more smokers than anyone. False. Walk the streets of London and you will see scores of people lighting up. The good news is that smoking has been banned in restaurants and all other manners of public places.
4.) Shopping
One thing I miss about America is the ability to get in my car, drive to one store, and come out with everything I need. You just can't do that here. Walmart, Target, Kmart, etc type stores do not exist. So you have to go to multiple places to get the essentials. Likewise stores don't stay open late.
5.) Clothing
London is one those places where you can wear anything, and I do mean anything ,and no one will give you a second look.
6.) Food , by any other name...
Lots of food items have different names here. For example
Chips= french fries
Crisps= potato chips
Biscuit= cookie
aubergine= eggplant
prawn= shrimp
rocket= arugula
1.) London is NOT a British City, It IS A World City.
Walk down the street and its likely that you will hear more than English, a lot more. London is a city of immigrants and tourists. A sizeable portion of the population was born outside of the country. Popular languages other than English include Polish, French, Spanish, and a variety of Indian Languages.
2.) The Tube
Mind the gap... between you and your next destination. In my class on the Economics of London we spend a considerable time talking about the importance of public transportation. The Tube is the primary means of transport around the city. The bus system is okay and the roads are a nightmare. Plus petrol (gas for you Americans) costs over 8 dollars a gallon. The Tube is easy to navigate and mostly runs on time.
3.) Smoking
Growing up in Kentucky I thought that we had more smokers than anyone. False. Walk the streets of London and you will see scores of people lighting up. The good news is that smoking has been banned in restaurants and all other manners of public places.
4.) Shopping
One thing I miss about America is the ability to get in my car, drive to one store, and come out with everything I need. You just can't do that here. Walmart, Target, Kmart, etc type stores do not exist. So you have to go to multiple places to get the essentials. Likewise stores don't stay open late.
5.) Clothing
London is one those places where you can wear anything, and I do mean anything ,and no one will give you a second look.
6.) Food , by any other name...
Lots of food items have different names here. For example
Chips= french fries
Crisps= potato chips
Biscuit= cookie
aubergine= eggplant
prawn= shrimp
rocket= arugula
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Food in London
Once upon a time London was a place with a reputation for bad food. I am happy to report that a culinary revolution of sorts has taken place. There is good food to be had in the capital city! Here is a list of some of best eats that I have enjoyed on my trip.
The Royal Albert Pub
This charming pub is popular with the locals and members of Parliament. For a formal meal you can head upstairs from the bar into the carvery. They serve a traditional roast with all the fixings including Yorkshire Pudding and a selection of 3 meats. Included in the meal is dessert and tea. Its delicious and the service is good. Prepare to dread the walk back after eating all that food!
Nando's
Nando's is a chicken chain resturant that is located throughout the city. This is not a fast food restaurant, more like casual dining with a Portugese twist. They are famous for their Peri-Peri sauce which comes on most of the chicken they serve. It's awesome and a bit firey, but if you like a little spice this place is a winner. It is also relatively cheap by London standards. A regular meal will set you back about 13 pounds.
The Wallace Restaurant at the Wallace Collection
You cannot go to London without doing tea. My program directors scheduled a group meal for us at the Wallace Collection so we could take part in this British tradition. The Wallace Collection is formidible private collection of some of the finest works of western art. All the better is that it is located in what was once the posh residence of Sir Richard Wallace. It provides the perfect setting for an afternoon tea. The food was excellent, especially the scones! It was a pricey adventure at 20 pounds a person, but it was a delightful experience.
Wagamama Noodle Bar
This is another ubiquitous chain in London. This is a pan-Asian restaurant that serves up a wide variety of noodles and other typically Asian treats. My friends and I were in walking in the City on Friday night, desperately search for a restaurant that was open and not completely packed when we ran into this place. Its a fun atmosphere with bench seating and all the tea you can drink.
There are definitely more treats to be found in London. This post is just a quick sample. There will be many of posts on this topic! Enjoy and don't let the drool hit your keyboard.
The Royal Albert Pub
This charming pub is popular with the locals and members of Parliament. For a formal meal you can head upstairs from the bar into the carvery. They serve a traditional roast with all the fixings including Yorkshire Pudding and a selection of 3 meats. Included in the meal is dessert and tea. Its delicious and the service is good. Prepare to dread the walk back after eating all that food!
Nando's
Nando's is a chicken chain resturant that is located throughout the city. This is not a fast food restaurant, more like casual dining with a Portugese twist. They are famous for their Peri-Peri sauce which comes on most of the chicken they serve. It's awesome and a bit firey, but if you like a little spice this place is a winner. It is also relatively cheap by London standards. A regular meal will set you back about 13 pounds.
The Wallace Restaurant at the Wallace Collection
You cannot go to London without doing tea. My program directors scheduled a group meal for us at the Wallace Collection so we could take part in this British tradition. The Wallace Collection is formidible private collection of some of the finest works of western art. All the better is that it is located in what was once the posh residence of Sir Richard Wallace. It provides the perfect setting for an afternoon tea. The food was excellent, especially the scones! It was a pricey adventure at 20 pounds a person, but it was a delightful experience.
Wagamama Noodle Bar
This is another ubiquitous chain in London. This is a pan-Asian restaurant that serves up a wide variety of noodles and other typically Asian treats. My friends and I were in walking in the City on Friday night, desperately search for a restaurant that was open and not completely packed when we ran into this place. Its a fun atmosphere with bench seating and all the tea you can drink.
There are definitely more treats to be found in London. This post is just a quick sample. There will be many of posts on this topic! Enjoy and don't let the drool hit your keyboard.
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