I Think This Bus is Going North...

Wednesday, May 19th

      Today, after class of course, we had "group games". Basically, the entirety of those studying abroad from Florida were required to meet in the middle of Hyde Park to engage on European-themed group games. Everyone was dreading said activities but they ended up being hysterical. Water balloon tosses became fights, the field became a soccer match and the limbo became more of a dance contest than anything. The teams were broken up into 4 and named after the Houses in Harry Potter. As authentically English as we could get! After this, the girls left to shop on Oxford Street. We only made it through Primark, where things are incredibly cheap and the lines terribly long. Such amazing finds! I'll look very out of place in Gainesville with my Euro look but happy to be so fashionable!

    Tonight was Avenue Q. Prior to, however, we revisited our favorite burger joint, Byrons, where we have become regulars. Avenue Q was absolutely hysterical. I met heaps of Americans who were also studying abroad, which was exciting. Glad that my people are finally travelling! After we waited for the cast, we headed out on the town. After a few failed bars, we were sought out by one of the street vendors. He promised to get us in a local club for cheap then told us his life story of how he journeyed from California to find peace. Robby, Leah and I followed him to the club, full of apprehension after his suggestion that London was a place of peace. After a sketchy pound exchange, we walked into this super Euro bar, full of blinding lights and searing techno. The characters in there were a point of much laughter: an old woman in the corner, the Turkish man nearly frozen in a gargoyle crouch on the stairs, the group of "gangsters" trying to communicate with us through the plexi-glass. We were surrounded by some of the gems of London! After the club closed, we ate what is sure to be the worst pizza I've ever encountered and pretended to be as British as we could. I remember thinking that mine was the finest British accent on this side of the pond. We got on the wrong bus and drove for nearly an hour until we realized just how unfamiliar the stops were. Thus, began my first experience in London's elite cab service. It takes 3 years to become a certified driver and extensive training-- so they really are amazing. Plus, they look straight out of a war movie from the 1930's. Figured we'd seal the night with the classiest mode of transport one can find.