Culture Shock Blown Out Of Proportion

I may have left the UK, but news about the sale of Harrods followed me home

Everyone gave me advice before I came back to the United States last Friday. They told me to remember which side of the road cars drive on and that money is green, among other differences. When I first took a step outside of Boston’s Logan Airport, the first thing that hit me was the lovely spring New England humidity. Sure, the license plates on the cars in the parking lot looked different from the EU’s long rectangular ones, but after a few minutes, I no longer felt like a stranger in my own country.

When I drove for the first time in four months the next day, it all came rushing back. It was faster than relearning how to ride a bicycle, in fact. Another good thing was my BlackBerry internet service. Compared to the brutally slow crawling browser I experienced in London, my internet seemed lightning fast.

It’s strange coming home. I feel as though I never left the country, yet I find myself replacing words like “take-out” with “take-away.” Getting readjusted back to Eastern Standard Time seems like it’s a task that will go on forever. I’ve been waking up at 7:30 each morning, grumpier than ever.

I’m not longing to go back to London just yet. The comforts of home are a sweet sensation after four months of living in a foreign country. Even meeting with new bosses and setting up my summer internship has felt refreshing. Driving is now liberating, even at 25 miles per hour on a busy street.

This is my last entry on this travel blog. Thank you to all of my very supportive readers, including my friends and family. Who knew how many people would be living vicariously through me by the end of my abroad experience.

Last Day In London, Last Minute Sightseeing

The tribute to Harry Potter is hard to find and unimpressive

From the minute I woke up Thursday morning, there was a frenzy in the air. Everyone had an agenda of what they had to see before they leave. For me, it was the infamous Platform 9 3/4 from the Harry Potter series and Abbey Road.

We started off trying to find Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross. It turns out that it is a very unimpressive cart pushed into the wall and it’s not between platforms 9 and 10. If you walk straight down the platform toward platforms 9 and 10, you don’t turn left and keep walking straight. The monument is then on the left. It’s worth the dorky tourist picture, but shouldn’t be priority.

Somehow, with four girls, it’s not a huge surprise we ended up next at Harrods.While it wasn’t on the agenda for the day, any trip to Harrods is a welcome exception. Next thing I knew, I was standing in front of a counter of fluffy pink cupcakes and sparkly whoopie pies. I couldn’t resist the temptation of the rocky road cupcake, which is marshmallows and chocolate on top, with a mix of chocolate and vanilla cake. It was delectable.

After perusing the restaturants inside the store, we determined that lunch was a bit too pricey, so we ventured across the street and wandered into the Harrods dine in and to-go. YO! Sushi was calling my name and once again, I gave in and had California and spicy tuna hand rolls. While I’d heard YO! Sushi was one of the best sushi places in London, I wasn’t terribly impressed. The spices were a bit much on the spicy tuna and they weren’t held together tightly.

After lunch, my friends and I had to each pick up a different last minute item. This took us to Marble Arch and then to St. Christopher’s Place.  It is a quaint collection of boutiques that are by Bond Street Station and Selfridges. The area is a bit hard to find, since it is down an alleyway. We decided to stop at The Lamb and Flag for a quick drink. Sitting outside, removed from the chaos of Oxford Street in semi-warm weather was a great way to toast to the end of the semester.

My last stop, which was planned, was Abbey Road. I took the 139 bus from Marble Arch directly to Abbey Road Studios. I spent a grand total of five minutes, taking pictures of the building, the graffiti and the crosswalk. It was the last sight to see out of so many in London. Strange to say, but it was the last hurrah.

Second To Last Day Is Last Hurrah For Travel Within The UK

Windsor Castle is about a 40 minute train ride from Central London

Last week, I began to think about places that I would regret not seeing once I leave the UK. I thought about London and realized that I’d done everything the guide books have to offer.

Then, I watched a show called “Time Team” on Youtube, where a bunch of archaeologists dig up historical sites to find lost buildings. After watching an episode where the team uncovers a large building on the grounds of Windsor Castle, it suddenly clicked–that was where I really, truly wanted to spend one of my precious last days abroad.

ON THE WAY THERE

My friend and I took a train out of Paddington to Slough. We didn’t realize when we bought our First Best Western tickets to Windsor/Eton Central, that we’d have to transfer. The first leg of our trip was about 30 minutes. At Slough, there’s a platform dedicated to Windsor/Eton Central. The ride is less than 10 minutes. Our off peak return ticket was a very reasonable £8.50.

As we approached Windsor Castle, we could see the massive gray stone structure rising from the distance, becoming larger and larger. Suddenly, it was right in front of us, imposing as ever. We walked to the admissions, where as students, we paid a hefty £14.50.

It’s a strange concept to pay to see someone’s home. Although Queen Elizabeth was not at home, it was strange to think that on weekends, fanny-pack wearing tourists are in one part of the building and the monarch of the UK is in another. The security is extremely tight, so you don’t forget that it’s in use by the royal family. My watch, which almost never sets off metal detectors in the airport , set off the one at Windsor Castle.

INSIDE THE CASTLE

One of the first things we saw upon entering the castle was the changing of the guard. While they don’t wear the large bear skin hats and red coats, the guards stand completely frozen.

My friend and I hit up St. George’s Chapel first, where numerous royal monarchs are buried. It is a small and  typical looking Gothic cathedral. At this point, almost all Gothic cathedrals look the same, since I’ve seen so many. After viewing the various helms of the Order of the Knights of the Garter, we saw the Queen  Mother’s simple tomb.

On our way out of the chapel, we noticed the Albert Memorial Chapel, which is intricately decorated. It is what I’d imagine most Gothic cathedrals looked like when they were first built, with various colors and paintings.

Next, we walked to Queen Mary’s doll house. Unfortunately, we got mixed up with a group of schoolchildren who were about seven years of age. We were pushed and prodded by guards to move along the outside of the doll house, since the children were clogging up the room. The doll house was a present from Queen Mary to her grandmother, Victoria. It is a beautiful miniature display of Buckingham Palace, which we will not be here to tour during the summer.

The most impressive part of the castle is next door to the room with the doll house: the state rooms. I didn’t think the grand staircase was so grand until I saw the two knights on horseback that greet all visitors, royal and non-royal. I looked up to see a giant chandelier hanging from what looked like a very old ceiling.

Once I saw the display cases filled with treasures captured from distant lands, I knew I was in for a different sort of experience. As my friend pointed out, most castles and palaces that we’ve toured are uninhabited and are typically decorated like they would’ve been hundreds of years ago. It is clear that Windsor Palace is decorated to impress anyone who walks through the doors, even today.

The rooms that we saw are clearly used for ceremonies, especially for the Knights of the Garter. St. George’s hall, although newly renovated after a fire, still has the old feel of a grand hall. The room next door is one of the most impressive I’ve seen yet. It literally glows with gold and sparkles with crystal.

OUTSIDE THE CASTLE

The boys who attend Eton College are easily picked out on the street

My friend and I decided that while we were in Windsor, we’d have to go see Eton College, where Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry all attended school. When you see the fees, it’s apparent that only the super-wealthy are able to attend.

We had a difficult time finding the school. We had to cross a bridge over the Thames and then walk down a long street. Once we saw yet another Gothic Cathedral, we knew we were in the right place. The tours are £6.50, but we were too late. Instead, we peaked through gateways to view Henry VI’s masterpiece.

The school boys are truly something to see. A long jacket with tails and a white bow-tie with pinstripe dress pants is not the typical school uniform by any means. It looked like they were wearing a tuxedo and off to a formal function, but instead, they carried folders and books.

We then found a J.D. Wetherspoon pub, The King and Castle, nearby for lunch. Knowing the chain was a bonus because we knew burgers were a safe bet. My cravings for burgers were a clear sign of my red meat deprivation. We gobbled them down and headed back to London.

“M” Is For Monday and Museums

The Tate Modern is a short walk along the Thames from Westminster Abbey and Parliament

On Monday, I decided it was time to finish of my quest to see every major museum in London. My first mission: sell back my books to Blackwells. I got an entire 30 percent back, which may be better than the SU bookstore. It’s strange to walk into a London bookshop and have them ask, “Are you from Syracuse University?”

After celebrating gaining £10.98, I took the 24 bus to Pimlico and to the Tate Britain. The gallery was smaller than the other museums, but it had some interesting paintings. The surrealist works and Nicholas Hilliard’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth I were intriguing. The modern works, like the ones in the Tate’s counterpart, were utterly bizarre.

I then walked along the Thames toward Westminster. I admired Big Ben’s gold-encrusted clock tower and Parliament, for what must be the 15th time. As an expert navigator of that area, I knew I could take the district line from Westminster to South Kensington to reach the Science Museum.

Since it’s a science museum, there were plenty of screaming children to be found, but also a lot of cool inventions, like Stephenson’s Rocket. There is an entire two floors devoted to medical history, including psychology, where there aren’t as many children.

If you’re coming with friends, you’ll undoubtedly want to join the elementary schoolchildren in touching and playing with all of the devices in the Launchpad. There’s the required science museum IMAX theatre, but even better, there is an entire hall filled with simulation rides.

I spent a while at the Science Museum, but I wouldn’t recommend making it a priority. If you have the time, then check it out. I’ve now reached the point where my list of museums is impressive:

• Tate Modern
• Tate Britain
• British Museum
• Victoria and Albert Museum
• National Gallery
• National Portrait Gallery
• Natural History Museum
• Science Museum

The question is: will I visit a museum anytime in the near future? That’s a definite, absolute and profound “no.” I am glad that I’ve gotten to experience all of the collections of art, inventions and historic words, but I’m all set for quite a while.

Making The Most Out Of The Last Weekend

Selfridges has some of the best store windows that Oxford Street has to offer

In a city where you can eat spotted dick or look in the window of Selfridges and find Fendi kabobs, it’s hard to be bored. During my last weekend in London, I found myself grappling for ways to keep myself entertained, since I’ve seen almost everything there is to see.

FRIDAY

Topshop has an amazing sale that’s still going on right now. It’s a bargain hunter’s haven with racks of clothes from under £15 to under £40. Since they also offer a student discount of 10 percent that was extended to 15 percent, I knew it was the perfect time to hit up Oxford Street. I couldn’t have predicted how crazy it actually was.

I could barely slip between crowds of women who pushed aside clothes on the rack like they were on a mission. The lines for the dressing rooms were unbelievable. Although I tried on eight different items, I found myself unhappy with the fit on all of them. I left disappointed.

As I walked back toward my flat, I realized that Selfridges also has a Topshop. They too, were having the enormous sale, but without the raging lunatics.I walked out content with my two purchases.

Later that night, I headed  out to my friends’ flat for a get-together. It’s amazing how London can bring together people who never would’ve met otherwise at Syracuse. As I looked around the room at nearly 50 people, I realized I knew most of them and hadn’t before January.

After, we went to The Social on Little Portland Street.  It is a tiny bar and nightclub. While the DJ was spinning some rockin’ vibes, it was obscenely hot and a bit smelly. The people around us had some wild dance moves. The club closes at 1 a.m., so it was the perfect end to a low key evening.

SATURDAY

It wouldn’t be London if it didn’t pour all day the week before we leave, so on Saturday, there were torrential downpours all day long. This kept my roommates and me inside. We then decided that for dinner, we’d venture to a Turkish restaurant in Marylebone called Ishtar.

This was the second time I tried a brand new cuisine within two weeks, my first being Indian. I know it sounds like it’s out to make you ill, but if it’s executed properly, it’s delicious. There’s nothing weird about chicken in a sauce with rice, I promise.

The decor of the restaurant was modern, despite the ethnic cuisine. The bread and olive oil brought to our table right off the bat was delicious. My roommates and I had a good laugh when I wondered aloud if the bread was someone’s appetizer, since it had been so long since we’d eaten in a proper restaurant. I forgot that bringing bread out first was a standard procedure.

I ordered the chicken beytis, which had a bit of a lamb-like flavor. If I were to guess, the dish was probably prepared in a pan that had already had lamb in it. I’m not a big fan of the farm-like taste of lamb, but still enjoyed my dish. The rice was utter perfection and our wine, the Maccabeau-Vermentino from Cave de Masse, France, was a great pairing.

These cute little guys are raising money to save elephants in the wild

My roommates and I braved the rain afterward to go to the local pub, the Windsor Castle. Just like in Syracuse, sometimes, the weather prevents you from getting motivated enough to have a big night out.

SUNDAY

Once again, the weather prevented me from getting up at a reasonable hour and leaving my flat. After a delicious dinner that I managed to cook myself, shockingly enough, my roommate and I went for a stroll around the block. This brought us to Hyde Park, eventually, where there are adorable cartoon-like elephant statues dotting Speaker’s Corner. We took goofy pictures, of course, and walked until the cold got to us.

It wasn’t the most adventurous weekend, but it was a great way to start wrapping things up.

Too Early To Get Nostalgic, But Not To Reflect

The London Eye makes its rotation on a typical, cloudy day

It’s strange to think that in eight days, the best semester of my life is coming to an end. Sitting in a flat in London is one of the worst ways to write papers. Although I’m done with 3 out of 4, all I can think about is how many possibilities are still out there in this fast-paced city. This isn’t how I normally feel during finals week in Syracuse.

I can safely say that despite a heavy burden around the time of finals, I’ve been able to accomplish almost everything I wanted to before I came abroad. I’m going to revisit some of my earlier posts so that I can evaluate what I said retrospectively. Although it won’t help me in the future, for those of you who plan to go abroad, it may be of use to take my mistakes and use them as a lesson.

PACKING

For the most part, I packed to fit the climate of the semester, but there are a bunch of changes I would make. In terms of outerwear, that dreaded monstrosity of a North Face jacket that every girl at Syracuse seems to have was a good choice. Until about March, I still needed it. If you plan to go to Prague or Germany in the beginning of the semester, a heavy coat is a must.

My unlined raincoat was not as useful as I’d hoped. It doesn’t rain much anymore, although it used to, so if you plan to bring a raincoat, make it a lined trench. My North Face fleece wasn’t a big hit either. The weather seems to go to extremes, with little in between.

The two coats I wore the most turned out to be the ones my family later sent to me: a blazer and a pea coat. Why I went to London, of all places, without a pea coat is absurd. It’s the most commonly worn coat here and it helps you blend in a bit with the locals. The reason why they wear it is because it’s pea coat weather almost all the time.

Moving onto tops: I brought way too many sweatshirts. Four was a waste of space. Had I halved the amount of sweatshirts I brought, I would’ve been able to bring more going out dresses or spring/summer clothing. It doesn’t get hot here in the early spring, but it does get into the mid-to-high 60s, which means summer dresses are acceptable.

I brought enough v-neck T-shirts, but not enough going out tops. I’m so sick of the going out tops I have here, I’m not sure I’d be able to wear them in Syracuse ever again. After wearing them every single week, the routine gets dull.

As far as bottoms, I hit it just right, with multiple pairs of jeans and leggings. Skinny jeans are popular all over Europe, so not only do you blend in, but you look fashionable as well. They can go for daytime or for going out at night. They’re an absolute necessity. Leggings are compact and are comfortable on days where you don’t feel like wearing jeans. They are also versatile.

The gardens of Versailles stretch as far as the eye can see

TRIP PLANNING

In order, these were my favorite trips:

• Spring Break (Gran Canaria, Seville, Barcelona)
• Prague
• Paris
• Amsterdam
• Madrid

Looking back on this list, it’s no surprise to see Spring Break as number one, since I’d never flown anywhere except home before. Classier than Acapulco and not as refined as London, Spring Break was the perfect mix of sunbathing and touring Spain. It was more than just a typical college vacation experience. It was a lesson in the variety of cultures and histories that Spain has to offer.

Prague, despite all of the hassle with our flight cancellation, was an entirely new culture I’d never been exposed to before. It was Eastern Europe, but it was a beautiful, dignified city with plenty to see and to do, day and night. It is a must for anyone going abroad. I wouldn’t have gone for more than three days, since it is small, but going during the winter added an extra charm.

As the list goes down from favorite to least favorite, I notice that the common theme is the balance between fun and actual touristy sightseeing. In Amsterdam, there’s not as much to see as it feels like and the scales were tipped more in favor of fun than in tourism. In Madrid, my least favorite city of all, we had one actual day of sightseeing and the rest were a blur, since we slept so late.

The concensus with Madrid seems to be that the people who study abroad there love it. They get engrossed in the culture and the quirks of living in a Spanish speaking city, but for people who are visiting for the weekend, it’s not the most exciting place to visit. I’m glad I went, but I wouldn’t necessarily make it a priority if you’re thinking about going in the future.

SCHOOL TRIPS

The school trips have been absolutely amazing in bringing me to places I would otherwise have to pay a hefty fee to visit. Since they are already included in the program fee, you don’t need to pay any extra money. It’s more about getting up the initiative to take advantage. Many of them leave early in the morning, but if you force yourself to get up, they’re totally worth it. It seems like a waste to backtrack and go on trips that the school already went on, when it’s finals week and you regret that you haven’t been to Greenwich or Bath.

Love London Weekend was an amazing way to see the city and to learn about its history. You can’t really live here without knowing what went on just a few blocks down the street. Sure, Sherlock Holmes’ fictional house is close to where I live, but southeast of me, lived some of the greatest kings England has ever seen.

HOUSING

I’m convinced that I made the right decision to go independent and to arrange my housing beforehand. I have no regrets that I don’t live five minutes from the school because living anywhere with a W1 postal code would make anyone in the UK envious. I’ve explored more and gotten a better grip on the different popualtions that live in the city. I will be posting my full views on housing after I leave London.

OUT AND ABOUT AROUND LONDON

The importance of the local pub is not to be underestimated

I’m truly glad that when there wasn’t a school trip or a trip I planned myself, I got out of my flat and visited places around London. I loved the odd, yet trendy vibe of Camden and fought the crowds on Portobello Road. I’ve seen the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, the Imperial War Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Tate Modern. While I may not be able to look at a museum for a long time, I’m glad I was able to learn and to explore.

It’s one thing to live in London, but another one to know it. Even just walking around in the area we live in has given my roommates and me some perspective. My roommates have even become regulars at a pub. While I don’t suggest becoming too regular, it’s fun to have a place to go, where you know the staff and they know you.

Many bartenders have fascinating stories and in the pubs, the back stories can be even better. If you want to do something that’s truly cultural to London, ditching the club and walking to the pub is your best bet. You can go clubbing in New York City, but can you go to a pub, meet your neighbors, greet your bartenders by name and have them know your drink of choice? Doubtful.

CLASSES

Kim Cattrall signs autographs after a Tuesday night performance of "Private Lives"

Except for Communications Law For Journalists and the Psychology of Conflict and Cooperation, the rest of my classes were not required. I took them because they’re unique to London. My Presentational Speaking professor trains actors in the West End and in my Contemporary British Theatre class, we see a show every single week. In my Islam and the West class, we even visited a mosque.

These aren’t experiences that I could have in Syracuse. While the theatre in London isn’t as expensive as Broadway, it’s tough to figure out which shows to see on your own. Some of the better shows I’ve seen with my class are the ones that no Americans have even heard of. They’re often newer plays, ones I wouldn’t find on my own. This is a class I highly recommend.

I don’t wish that I’d taken fewer classes or wish that I’d gone for classes with less work. I’m better at taking exams than writing papers, but unfortunately, in London, each class gravitates more toward assigning final papers.

I don’t think that I’ve prioritized travel over school or school over travel. I think when it’s time to buckle down, most students in London realize they have to stop looking up flights and open up Microsoft Word. It’s hard to feel out in the beginning how classes will progress. In Syracuse, when it’s ferociously snowing outside, you know you’re more likely to stay in and do your reading. Here, there’s better things to do, but it’s an internal battle of self discipline to get work done.

While I’m a bit relieved to go home to see my clothes and my food and my friends again, I know it’s going to be a tough readjustment. I feel as though I’ve taken advantage of every opportunity. My abroad motto was carpe diem, which is appropriate, because you never know when you’re going to be able to get back to the Canary Islands or go to a seven-story club in Madrid. Every morning, it’s about what you can do during your abroad semester that you can’t do during a typical semester at Syracuse.

Bath’s Sunshine Perfect Escape From London’s Clouds

The iconic Roman baths, filled with prehistoric rainwater

Anyone who’s ever seen me in the morning knows that I’m your typical bleary-eyed, nonverbal, grumpy night owl. So when the e-mail came with information for Bath and told us we had to be at Faraday House by 8:30 a.m., I was far from pleased.

As I charged past people in business suits down the Tube escalators with my roommates, since we were running late, I kept in mind that I’d wanted to go to Bath since I’d arrived in London. We arrived on time, luckily, and boarded the bus with our fellow students.

Nearly three hours and one nap later, we were in the countryside. Bath is surrounded by picturesque rolling green hills. The River Avon winds its way through the city and on both sides of  its banks, people sat sunbathing. One of the first buildings we noticed was the abbey.

I’m a bit of a David Starkey fan. He’s a broadcaster and a historian whose interests lay in the British monarchy. When I was watching his series, Monarchy, on youtube, I learned that King Edgard, the first king of all of England was crowned in Bath Abbey during the Dark Ages.

We weren’t there to visit the abbey. Quite frankly, I’ve seen so many cathedrals and abbeys at this point in my abroad experience, they’re all starting to look the same. We were there to visit the Roman baths that are so important to this small city, they gave the city its name.

THE ROMAN BATHS

It was amazing to me that this popular attraction is still standing after thousands of years. The water in the largest pool, the Great Bath,  has an odd green color. We were told not to touch the water because it’s “quite dirty.” A slight sulfuric smell is in the air, but it’s barely noticeable.

A terrace, later built for visitors, contains statues of great Roman emperors overlooking the Great Bath. Caesar and Constantine I are among the greats you’re able to see while overlooking the murky water.

Through several windows, you’re able to view the Sacred Spring, where hot water is still bubbling up from underground. At 46 degrees Celsius or 114.8 degrees Farenheit, the  steam is visible. The tour then takes you underground, to where the ruins of an ancient temple have been uncovered. The facade and steps are still intact today, far beneath the street level of the city today.

Still, the water is rushing under your feet and the steam is rising up in the air. It almost feels like you’re spelunking. (That’s cave exploring for those of you who don’t know). The Roman engineering work is astounding. The drains that take the overflow from the baths also served to drain the baths for cleaning purposes. Furthermore, they were big enough so that maintenance workers could climb into them.

After you emerge from underground, you’re able to walk around the Great Bath. This takes you to semi-circular pools, which were used for healing and immersion therapy. The tour also leads you to the saunas. The tiles stacked to heat the floor reminded me of similar baths at Masada.

There is a frigidarium, where there was cold water used to cool down the body after a hot bath. People now throw coins, instead of ancient curses, into the bath for good luck.

In the maze of changing rooms, saunas and various pools, the Roman baths are one archeological find I’m glad I saw during my time in the UK.

THE CITY OF BATH

The Pulteney Bridge is smaller and not as crowded as the Ponte Vecchio

Soon after exiting the Baths, my friends and I determined that we were more than ready for lunch. Professor Thames told us about a “pub on a hill with cheap deals.” After walking up Milsom Street, which was pointed out to us on our map as “shopping,” we finally found The Beaunash, which has 2-for-7.50 meal deals.

The food was a step up from traditional pub food, which means there were real hamburgers! There were also pasta dishes and a few international style selections, as well. If you order two entrees and split them between two people, it’s a 4 pound lunch, which is an unbeatable deal.

We then walked over the Pulteney Bridge, which is the Ponte Vecchio of Bath. What I mean is that it’s one of the only bridges in the world lined with shops on both sides. Luckily, this bridge is more underwhelming and is lined with cute cafes and boutiques.

We walked along the river and on the side opposite to the Abbey and the baths, we found a garden maze. This kept us amused for a while, trying to find our way to the mosaicked middle. We sat for a few minutes taking in the view of the historic city.

We walked back toward our meeting point by the cathedral, since my friends had remembered a sign saying “authentic Italian ice cream.” On a fairly warm day, this offer was enticing. In the square with the baths and the Abbey, there is a small ice cream shop, although not the Italian one, it hit the spot. We each got a cone and sat on benches to watch a man play a guitar and sing in the square. Between the sun and the entertainment, everyone was fully relaxed, nearly forgetting that finals are putting on enough pressure to crack our skulls.

My friends and I then wandered into the indoor markets of Bath, which are tiny. One had an A.C. Moore type setup with crafty items for sale and another had pashminas and handbags. It wasn’t terribly impressive.

Around 3:30, it was time to go. I decided to take a train back from Bath, since I had tickets to see “Wicked” that evening. London traffic is unpredictable, so I couldn’t risk running late. It isn’t cheap at around 20 pounds on First Great Western. It took only an hour and a half, versus nearly three on the bus.

I made it back to London with enough time to eat dinner before one of the best Broadway musicals I’ve ever seen. For one entire day, I didn’t think about the work I had to do or the stress of getting home. It was a perfect escape and last trip outside of London.

Campus Controversies Shed Negative Light On Media

Photo Credit: The Guardian

Syracuse University is now making international headlines with some students protesting commencement speaker, Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan Chase. While it may not trump the volcanic ash cloud or the debates in London, this story is one of the most talked about among SU students.  From across the pond, it’s hard to gage exactly how I feel about about Dimon’s speech, but I’m certain that the media’s treatment of the story has been inherently biased.

The story is the classic archetypal battle between idealistic college students and bureaucracy. Although it has been  decades since there has been a commencement speaker from the business arena, more than 1,100 students have signed an online petition, asking the university to rescind Dimon’s invitation.

Some students say that Dimon is a good choice, highlighting his accomplishments in the banking industry and his handling of JP Morgan Chase before and during the recession. However, other students are outraged by the link between JP Morgan Chase’s $30 million donation and the choice of Dimon for a commencement speaker the same year. They say that they are concerned and protested the university’s choice on April 17.

What is truly shocking is the treatment of students who are interviewed by major media outlets. Several broadcast anchors and reporters added in their two cents, which paints a picture of uninformed, ungrateful college students who don’t have anything better to do this spring semester. It is embarrassing to call myself both a student of Syracuse University and a member of the media.

Take this Fox News interview for example: senior Audra Coulombe is trying to explain how students were upset by the speaker selection process, when anchor, Martha Maccallum interrupts her to say, “You’re not getting at the heart of what it is that is so offensive about him. What is so offensive about this man–Jamie Dimon–to you?”

The tone Maccallum uses is condescending and defensive. While I do agree that Coulombe was a bit long-winded for a short time allotment, there’s a much more pleasant and neutral way to get to the point.  The use of the word “offensive,” not once, but twice shows Maccallum’s own disgust at the student’s viewpoint. She could’ve asked, “What is your argument against Dimon as a person?”

In a poorly produced CNBC piece, the commentators at least wait until the end before they begin their bashing. On the show, “Squawk Box,” Mike Huckman’s attempts to defend the students, by stating that protesting is better than “the alternative on a university campus, which is apathy.” Anchor Becky Quick, who calls the protests “ridiculous,”  and the students “uninformed,” turns her nose up at the progressive and sometimes, blissfully naive ideas college students are known for.

While it is much more appropriate to let opinions loose on a show featuring commentary, this story is not meant to glorify the intelligence and life experience of the anchors and reporters, while putting down the heartfelt pleas of the students.

It disturbs me to think that back home in the US, people may be looking at Syracuse University as an ultra-expensive breeding ground for pointless dissension. As someone who plans to work in the broadcast news industry, I’m embarrassed by the callous disregard for professionalism during the interviewing process.

There’s a right way to do things and a wrong way to do things and when it comes to the coverage of Jamie Dimon, I certainly have a negative bias.

Beach Fun In Brighton Brightens Gloomy Weekend

The town of Brighton bought the Royal Pavilion from Queen Victoria

Mother Nature is shaking her fist at all of us polluters, litterers and non-energy conservationists once again. The eruption of the volcano Eyjafjallajokull in Iceland left many SU students stranded in London for the weekend, when many had planned trips to Istanbul and other European destinations.

Although I hadn’t planned to leave, the stress of the  dust (or ash cloud) resulting in Thursday’s airline cancellations hadn’t settled. My parents were able to fly to Barcelona Thursday, but by Friday morning, they were reconsidering their European adventure. With a family vacation at stake, my temper was about to erupt almost as much as the volcano.

Despite beautiful weather, the overall mood was cloudy among all of us students. That’s why a trip to the beach in Brighton was ideal.

THE PAVILION

Brighton’s biggest attraction, and possibly the most unusual, is the Royal Pavilion. Once a farmhouse, this spot was revamped by King George IV while he served as the regent. His father, George III suffered bouts of madness and was determined to be unfit to rule. This escape is more than just a beach house: it’s the most imaginative and exotic of all of the royal family’s homes.

It is a mix of Indian and Chinese architecture. At first glance, it looks like a miniature Taj Mahal.  Pictures are forbidden inside the Pavlion, but I was dying to click the shutter button on my camera.

The dragon holding up the dining room chandelier and the Chinese wallpaper and lanterns was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. The lavish carpets and rooms of various optical illusions, using statues and mirrors were magnificent. The music room’s domed ceiling involves a scallop-type design, where the shells get smaller as they get toward the top of the dome. This gives the dome a higher appearance than it actually is.

The royal bedrooms with hidden doors to the toilet and bathroom and large beds were inviting. However, Queen Victoria remarked that it was disappointing that no one could see the beach from the Pavilion. I have to agree.

THE PIER

Brighton’s pier is like Coney Island or I was told, the Jersey Shore, with an English twist. Fish and chips stands dominate the pier. Before you reach any amusement park rides, you’ve already hit about five fish and chips stands. While I’m not a fan of fish, I did eat a vegetable roll and chips. The perfect blend of Chinese and English, almost like the Pavilion.

Although there’s no funnel cake or fried dough, you can find candy floss (cotton candy) and doughnuts. Our tour guide told us to try the doughnuts. To our great pleasure, they were made right in front of our eyes, with no shortage of cinnamon and sugar. At least half a dozen of them later, I was on a sugar high.

The amusement park rides were quite expensive, even during the off season, so we decided to find a rock shop. Brighton rock is a candy that reminds me of peppermint sticks and candy canes. The many flavors include strawberry, daughter and sex maniac.

ALONG THE BEACH

Brighton Pier is composed of the old-fashioned boardwalk delights and souvenir shops

It was relatively cold out, despite the sun. My friends and I decided to walk along the beach. We found an old-fashioned penny arcade, keeping up with the board walk’s nostalgia-inducing amusements. The machines housed creepy puppets and fortune tellers, so we didn’t last more than 30 seconds inside.

Merry-g0-rounds and old ships dot the beach. There were art dealers and jewelry stands, as well. We also saw a degree of X-rated material. There’s a large gay community in Brighton, which doesn’t hide it’s pride. We saw machines dispensing “sexy undies” for a pound.

After picking through postcards, we sat on the beach. There’s no sand in Brighton, only rocks. The pebbles and stones got in our shoes. We wondered how children felt when they were deprived of building sand castles.

With the sun shining and the waves crashing, it was hard to imagine there was volcanic ash thousands of feet high in the atmosphere above us. Even for just a few hours, everyone forgot their troubles and let happy memories of childhood days at the beach carry them away.

London Buses Are Scenic, More Convenient

The top deck of the bus is the most scenic

For the first month I was in London, I took the tube everywhere. It was easy to figure out. Once my daily routine set in, I didn’t think too much about taking the bus home. Then, I was out in Picadilly Circus one night and glanced at my watch. Fear set in as I realized it was past midnight and the tube had closed.

Taxis are very expensive, so taking one home wasn’t an option. I had to figure out the bus. I had already heard the bus was near-impossible to figure out, especially at night. I didn’t have a choice, so with my heart racing and the rain pouring, I ran over to where large groups of people were waiting for the buses.

There were many signposts on both sides of the road, but I chose the right side, just by seeing how many people were standing there. I looked on the long list of stops and searched for “B” for the closest stop to where I live. When the first signpost didn’t have it, I started to panic, but quickly realized that there were about three other signposts to look at.

Finally, I found my stop and the corresponding number and waited for the correct bus. To make sure I was heading the right way, I asked the driver who reassured me that we would be stopping where I wanted to go.

FIGURING OUT WHERE TO GO

The buses aren’t a system that’s easy to figure out, but after some time in London, it comes to you. The easiest way to even begin to figure out the buses is to get familiar with the tube. Many bus routes follow the tube lines. I know, for example, that the 205 runs along Marleybone Road, following the Hammersmith and City and Metropolitan Lines toward King’s Cross.

If you know the direction you need to head in, then you’re able to figure out which side of the street you need to stand on before you even look at the signpost. When you get to the stop, the first thing you should find is a listing of all of the stops in alphabetical order, which tells you if your destination is serviced from the stop where you’re currently standing.

Then, you should find a map that looks like a tube map, which tells you where each number bus goes from that stop. A few buses from the stop you’re at may all go to your final destination. It’s a much easier diagram to figure out.

When the bus actually arrives, you can check the front to see if your destination is on there. If you’re heading toward a major stop like Oxford Circus or Abbey Road, it will be on the front. As the bus drives along, there are many small stops along the way to major stops. I personally found a stop closer to my flat than the tube station stop by riding the bus.

Make sure to hit the stop button before you get there. If you’re on the top deck, you must climb down the stairs before the bus stops, otherwise, the driver won’t wait for you to get off. On the night buses, the drivers will not stop at every single stop, so you must press the button.

Night bus numbers are preceded by the letter “N” and some buses are 24 hours, which will be noted. A special note about night buses: I found out the hard way that they don’t always stop if they see you standing at a stop. When in doubt, flag the bus down like a taxi. It’s not embarrassing, especially when you see other people doing it. Waiting times can often extend to 10 minutes between buses at night, so in the cold and the rain, you don’t want to be left waiting.

THE PLUS SIDE OF BUSES

Sometimes, from your home stop, you’ll have to transfer on the tube to get to popular destinations, like Victoria Station or South Kensington. From near my flat, I can go straight to both destinations on a bus, whereas on the tube, I have to transfer lines. If you’re going to Victoria to board a train, transferring is a pain with luggage involved. That’s why I’m a firm believer in the bus system.

When you’re walking back to your flat, take a glance at the nearest bus stop and see where the lines go. You may be surprised to find that you can get some places directly from right where you live.

The buses are also included on your monthly unlimited Oystercard, so instead of paying for a taxi at night, you’ll be saving money by taking a form of transportation you’ve already paid for.

Another advantage is that it’s a great way to sightsee. The front of the top deck on a double-decker bus provides an incredible view of London. I’m sick of running around like a rat in an underground tunnel, so when I can, I take a bus.

THE DOWNSIDE OF BUSES

Traffic: a horrible word that’s hard to avoid. It’s the biggest drawback to taking the buses. During the day, there isn’t too much, but during rush hour, if you plan to take a bus, leave plenty of time to get to your destination. The congestion is unpredictable and when there are people at every stop, the bus has to sit and wait for everyone to board. Tourists often ask questions, which also prolongs your journey.

Sometimes, buses don’t follow the routes that are laid out for them. I was once on a bus, getting off at the next stop, when the automated voice came on to announce that there was a detour. If you check TFL’s website ahead of time, you’ll probably know not to take certain routes.

It takes a while to figure out the bus system, so if you don’t understand it right when you get to London, don’t panic. The complexity fades away with time, especially as you get to know the city better.