Monday, 20 August 2007
The last three days have been a whirlwind of administrative lectures, bus tours, walking tours, and some socializing with the other members of the program. Sunday we all boarded a bus and got to see some of the major sites of London, stopping to take pictures along the way, like proper tourists. The program hired a tour guide, Angie, who will be our leader for all the tours and day trips that are included with the program. She is absolutely wonderful – an incredible wealth of interesting information – and we might all benefit from taking notes while she’s talking much the same as during class! Today, she led us on a more intimate walking tour of the various areas near to the study centre. I left the camera in its case and tried to absorb as much as she had to say. Besides giving us the regular history of the various places, she pointed out a super cheese shop, the best fish and chips, and a some insider’s scoop on other cool things to do and places to go, that may not be in the guide books. We all were intent on actually remembering her tips this time and will share “notes” later!

--- looking down the Thames; Tower Bridge, HMS Northumberland, city hall (round building on right) ---

--- St. Paul's ---

--- Tower of London ---

On a side note, I was thinking the other day, while riding along on a double-decker bus and enjoying the good views of all the varied and interesting architecture that London has to offer, I wished Janine was with me to explain the different styles and eras. London is an incredibly diverse mix of architecture from hundreds of different years – it is quite amazing. Angie, our guide, kept referring to buildings from the 1700’s as “newer.” I asked her a question about a particular building (Janine would be so proud), and turns out she is an architect herself, specializing in restoration consultation! We had a nice chat about that and, of course, I got a chance to brag about my sister. Now I’ll know to ask her more on the other trips.

Classes begin tomorrow and, even more exciting, I am meeting up with a couple guys from the local bike shop to go for a ride in the evening! I can’t wait to finally get out on my bike…