So I'm sitting here debating whether or not to go out tonight. By which I mean do I go to the HobGob and stick around New Cross or join the Americans at Sports Cafe right near Picadilly Circus. I'm not sure how it's happened but at the same time that I'm becoming more British (I said 'whilst' the other day..) I'm also becoming increasingly American. An American bro, to be more specific. It may be my attempt to normalize my life a little bit while I'm here, but I've found myself at 3 am watching college football, going to sports bars and chastising the Brits for not drinking enough beer. But tonight is sort of the night to go to Sports Cafe and hang out with the Americans, so I might find myself caving again. After all, I have to take advantage of every opportunity to play beer pong I can, since the chances are few and far between. Also, I have so far failed on my quest to find red Solo cups here. Once I do find them I've promised my flatmates an American night where we play flip cup and beer pong and all those good ole' fashioned drinking games.
This past week was good-- start of classes lent a little normalcy to my life and I continued to do some of the touristy things that I've been meaning to. When Annie was here we did Buckingham Palace. I honestly wish there was a video of us watching the changing of the guard because we sounded like the most uncultured people I've ever met. For two Penn students it was pretty sad. As we walked up they were playing Star Wars music, which led Annie and I to the conclusion that Star Wars must have adapted the Buckingham Palace music for the movie. "I didn't know that's where this music was from!" It wasn't until the Beatles came on that we realized they were just playing a medley of random music. We also could NOT figure out what was going on with the hats-- some had horns, some had blue feathers, they appeared to be engaged in some sort of "band jam" battle of the hats. We probably should've read up on it before we got there, but that would've taken all the fun out of it. I walked away really wanting to know who designed those hats, 'cause someone had to wake up one day and think, "Oh man, best idea for a hat ever! It'll be bearskin, since bears are super British, and it'll be shaped kind of like a missile of fur." I want to have been at that planning meeting.
I also went to my very first British play on Wednesday, "Enlightenment". It just opened and we went for my London Theatre class. I liked it. Not the finest cinematic masterpiece I've ever seen, but I definitely enjoyed myself. Plus now I can say I've been to a London show!
Then on Saturday I went to Portabello Market with one of the Arcadia kids, Brent. It was fun and while there wasn't a ton of stuff I actually wanted to get it was definitely an experience to have been. We went towards the end of the day which was nice because it wasn't as crowded as I've heard it is in the morning. My only purchase was a pack of plastic hangers, which was pretty lame, but I really needed them so I guess it's nothing to scoff at. Then we tried to find a cute cafe to go to but caved and went to a Cafe Nero since we were both starving and nothing seemed to be serving food.
I kind of don't feel like it's the week right now since I didn't have class today. Plus we went to quiz night at the student union last night (kicked ass at some of the 80's themed questions, failed hardcore on others). It's hard to feel like I'm actually a student when most of my student activities revolve around the SU and its drink specials. I swear, I am going to class though. Even made it to my 9 am on time on Monday which those who know me will admit is super impressive; the amount of times Tricia saw me bolt out at 8:57 running to class last year was pretty embarrassing. Never on time.
Off now to buy a bottle of wine for my flatmate, Ollie, whose birthday commences at midnight tonight. More to come, as this week brings the booking of all of my trips, my second London show, and a potential trip to the London Eye and the aquarium.
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