London Study Tour: Day Two

Day Two: Sunday, March 24

A scene of Trafalgar Square from my evening stroll with friends

8am-9am: Breakfast at the hotel 
Breakfast was actually delicious. Like it seriously was one of my trip highlights. Every day there was a HUGE buffet with muffins, chocolate croissants, breads, toast, bacon, eggs, cereals, fruits, teas, coffees, hot cocoa, etc. Even though it became harder and harder to get up early, we all made it to breakfast every day (none of us wanted to miss out on an awesome free meal).

9:15am: Depart for Museum Visit 

10am-12pm: Group Visit: Fashion and the Expression of Personality 
Our first visit of the trip was at a museum where we examined how fashion has been a mode of self-expression and a reflection of changing societal values/norms. It was very interesting to consider the concept of beauty and the ideal body, and the way that people used (and continue to use) clothes to reflect status, values, identity, etc. One of the main themes that we talked about was the need to carefully balance being part of a group while also being an individual.

After the tour was over, we had about 40 minutes to explore the museum on our own. Our guide had mentioned that there was a part of the museum where we could try on clothes from different time periods. Christie, Hannah and I went on a mission to find it! And...

...WE DID!

And so did the boys

I think this is what I want to wear to my wedding

12pm: Depart for Lunch

12:30-1:30pm: Fish and chips for lunch at Rock and Sole Plaice

1:30pm: Depart for afternoon lecture 

2pm-4pm: Group Visit: Psychologist, Founder, and Director of Practically Positive 

We met with a positive psychologist who works with businesses to help increase wellbeing and productivity in the workplace. We did a series of interactive activities that were meant to get us talking and thinking about our strengths in school, the things that we feel are most important to us to feel good and get things done, and how we relate to others. 

4pm: Rest of evening on own. 

I went off with Ilana, Helen, and Evan in search of some excitement, glad to have some time to ourselves. Ilana was planning to surprise her younger brother who was in London on a school trip and had no idea that Ilana was also there. We took her to a meeting place (designated by her brother's teacher) and watched them being reunited! It was quite adorable. 

While we waited, we explored a market 

Then, Evan, Helen and I continued on our way. I managed to get us to Trafalgar Square and from there to St. James' Park.

With a GIANT lion

From Trafalgar Square down to Big Ben in the distance

We walked past the Cavalry Museum and some national building where the funkiest looking gaurds were walking around. I wish I had taken a video because it was hilarious. Their outfits were the most impractical guarding attire (primarily because of their weird boots that came halfway up their thighs, which made walking normally impossible).

The picture above (on the right) is of Evan "photo-bombing" the guard. What makes it even more hilarious is that Evan is being "photo-bombed" by some random lady. 

 We then walked in the direction of the park. Several things happened along the way that left us in hysterics.

For starters, Evan wanted to take a picture where it looked like he was "holding" the London Eye (which is the giant Ferris Wheel in the background). This was the result of his attempt.  

The park was really beautiful and FULL of birds. We had fun trying to communicate with them.

Yeah... I don't really know

Here, Evan is reading the descriptions of all of the water fowl. He is also attempting to impersonate one of them.

View when I turned around 

We had a very nice conversation

We walked up to Buckingham Palace, looked around a bit, and then Helen went off to meet up with some friends from her home university. Evan and I decided to go to the bank of the Thames to find somewhere to eat.

Westminster Abbey and Big Ben by night

We ate at an awesome restaurant that I had gone to with Emily this summer. Here is Evan with our delicious food 

After dinner we slowly started making our way back to a Tube station to find our way home. As we crossed the bridge, there was a street musician playing quite beautifully. We stopped to listen, look out over the water, and reflect on just how lucky we are to have these experiences. There we were, another wonderful evening in another beautiful city with its own culture, own opportunities, and many things to discover.

More walking and another view of the river at night

On the millennium bridge