Class until 5 and then the Pitman Painters play at 7:30. I enjoyed the play and it gave me a bit of a new perspective on art I didn't have before. I didn't get back to the flat until 10:30 and then had to work on my Chandra presentation on View from the Bridge for tomorrow. Didn't get to bed until 2am.
I just realized we only have 6 days left in London, and we somehow have to get all of our assignments done.
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Monday, 30 March 2009
3/30/09 tour of Munich
I got up early enough for breakfast, and then headed out to Marienplatz (central square) to go on a New Europe walking tour of the city. Ironically, my tour guide was actually from Scotland, and he was quite outgoing and hilarious.
We learned lots of history about the city, and apparently the name Munich comes from Munchen, the word for monks, since monks founded the city. After the tour we went to a bar where the tour guide knew the owners, which ironically was the Sunset Travel Bar, where my pub crawl had started on Saturday night. I conversed with some other college age kids who were also on the tour, and ate some tasty German stew.
After the tour I went back to the Olympic Park and BMW showroom to get a better look at them during the daytime. I also went to the English Gardens, but the outdoor beer gardens were not open since it was raining out.
I then got on the train back to the airport and headed back to London.
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| From Munich Trip |
We learned lots of history about the city, and apparently the name Munich comes from Munchen, the word for monks, since monks founded the city. After the tour we went to a bar where the tour guide knew the owners, which ironically was the Sunset Travel Bar, where my pub crawl had started on Saturday night. I conversed with some other college age kids who were also on the tour, and ate some tasty German stew.
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| From Munich Trip |
After the tour I went back to the Olympic Park and BMW showroom to get a better look at them during the daytime. I also went to the English Gardens, but the outdoor beer gardens were not open since it was raining out.
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| From Munich Trip |
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| From Munich Trip |
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| From Munich Trip |
I then got on the train back to the airport and headed back to London.
Sunday, 29 March 2009
3/29/09 rainy recovery Sunday
I woke up at 12, and must have slept right through my alarm at 9, completely missing breakfast. I was really dehydrated and felt awful, so I had some water and then stumbled to the shower. I then proceeded to throw up while taking a shower. So I got out, brushed my teeth to get rid of the awful taste, and then proceeded to throw up again right after brushing my teeth, so I had to brush them a 2nd time.
Since it was Sunday basically nothing was open and so I went over to the train station and grabbed some food. I had some god awful carrot smoothie and a Subway tuna sub that I could barely eat any of. I took a nap for 2 hours and then woke up and watched Braveheart downstairs. It was still raining out and starting to get dark, but I figured that I should try and do something, so I took the underground to the Olympic Park and also saw the BMW showroom.
Since it was Sunday basically nothing was open and so I went over to the train station and grabbed some food. I had some god awful carrot smoothie and a Subway tuna sub that I could barely eat any of. I took a nap for 2 hours and then woke up and watched Braveheart downstairs. It was still raining out and starting to get dark, but I figured that I should try and do something, so I took the underground to the Olympic Park and also saw the BMW showroom.
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| From Munich Trip |
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| From Munich Trip |
Saturday, 28 March 2009
3/28/09 Part 2: Hofbrauhaus, Pub Crawl
After Dachau we went back into the city of Munich to grab some food and drink. We went to some random bar (psychorr?) and had a pint, but it was lame there so we left in a hurry. Next we went to the famous Hofbrauhaus where the waiters walk around in traditional German laderhosen (think yodeler) and serve you beer and giant pretzels. I got a liter of dark German beer a sausage w/ sauerkraut, and a big soft pretzel.
After that we went back to the hostel and I got changed before heading out to the starting point for the Insomniac Pub Crawl. I got sort of lost so it took me a while to find it, but it was all good because when I got there they extended the free drinks for another 1/2 hour till 10pm since the stew wasn't ready yet.
There were about 20 people there and I started up some conversation. I talked to two Swiss guys from Zurich and then talked with this group of American military guys who were stationed in northern Germany. The military guys (Gavin is the only name I remember) thought I was awesome and hilarious, so they kept buying me drinks all night. I met tons of random people that I will never remember. I think the pub crawl went to five different venues, but I only remember two of them. One was a big Irish themed pub place. I vaguely remember having tequila shots at the last bar, and that never ends well for me. After that the military guys wanted to go to the Red Light District, but luckily for me there wasn't enough room in their cab (what ever happened to never leave a man behind?).
I followed some random people to the tram stop, but I thought that I took it the wrong direction and so I got off and started walking. I must have looked really lost as a cab driver pulled up and asked if I needed a ride. In retrospect it was probably really stupid to get in, but the cab looked legit (as far as I could tell) and I had no idea where I was. Apparently, I wasn't that far from Hauptbanhoff, as the cab fare was only 4,70 Euros. I stumbled back into my room and passed out. The Pub Crawl only cost 10 Euro and despite not spending anything else, I certainly got a lot of drink. Germany rules.
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| From Munich Trip |
After that we went back to the hostel and I got changed before heading out to the starting point for the Insomniac Pub Crawl. I got sort of lost so it took me a while to find it, but it was all good because when I got there they extended the free drinks for another 1/2 hour till 10pm since the stew wasn't ready yet.
There were about 20 people there and I started up some conversation. I talked to two Swiss guys from Zurich and then talked with this group of American military guys who were stationed in northern Germany. The military guys (Gavin is the only name I remember) thought I was awesome and hilarious, so they kept buying me drinks all night. I met tons of random people that I will never remember. I think the pub crawl went to five different venues, but I only remember two of them. One was a big Irish themed pub place. I vaguely remember having tequila shots at the last bar, and that never ends well for me. After that the military guys wanted to go to the Red Light District, but luckily for me there wasn't enough room in their cab (what ever happened to never leave a man behind?).
I followed some random people to the tram stop, but I thought that I took it the wrong direction and so I got off and started walking. I must have looked really lost as a cab driver pulled up and asked if I needed a ride. In retrospect it was probably really stupid to get in, but the cab looked legit (as far as I could tell) and I had no idea where I was. Apparently, I wasn't that far from Hauptbanhoff, as the cab fare was only 4,70 Euros. I stumbled back into my room and passed out. The Pub Crawl only cost 10 Euro and despite not spending anything else, I certainly got a lot of drink. Germany rules.
3/28/09 Part 1: Dachau
In the morning I went downstairs to get breakfast, and randomly Andrew, Ian, Greg, and Eric were there at my hostel. We headed out by train and then bus to Dachau, the famous concentration camp which all other German concentration camps were modeled after. There was a very large museum that went in depth into all aspects of the historical events of the time period and the workings of the camp, and the medical experiments section in particular really got to me.
There were several of the original buildings still standing, including the living quarters, which were severely cramped. Dachau also holds the only undamaged gas chamber left in the world. It was a very somber but nonetheless important and moving experience. A plaque inside Dachau reads:
“May the example of those who were exterminated here between 1933-1945, because they resisted Nazism, help to unite the living for the defense of peace and freedom and respect for their fellow man.”
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| From Munich Trip |
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| From Munich Trip |
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| From Munich Trip |
There were several of the original buildings still standing, including the living quarters, which were severely cramped. Dachau also holds the only undamaged gas chamber left in the world. It was a very somber but nonetheless important and moving experience. A plaque inside Dachau reads:
“May the example of those who were exterminated here between 1933-1945, because they resisted Nazism, help to unite the living for the defense of peace and freedom and respect for their fellow man.”
Friday, 27 March 2009
3/27/09 flight to Munich
Luckily I started feeling a bit better this morning. My group did our British History presentation on the Camden area of London.
Ironically the group of students I got on the easyBus to the airport with also were on my same flight to Munich. Once I got to Munich, I took the train from the airport to the Hauptbanhoff (central station) and my hostel 4 You Munchen was only a short walk away.
Ironically the group of students I got on the easyBus to the airport with also were on my same flight to Munich. Once I got to Munich, I took the train from the airport to the Hauptbanhoff (central station) and my hostel 4 You Munchen was only a short walk away.
Thursday, 26 March 2009
3/26/09 Pramerica and down with the sickness
Today we went to the offices of Pramerica (Prudential). I was still feeling really sick. We were forced to wear business formal even though all our presenters were in business casual, so I was sweating just sitting there. We had to sit through 2 hours of non-stop presentations and I didn't have any water so I was almost passing out by the end.
This was par for the course this week though, as we have been doing so much crap and haven't had time to do anything else. I have been trying to figure out my class scheduling for next year and also apply for summer internships but I am so overwhelmed at the moment.
When it comes to company tours what ever happened to quality over quantity?
This was par for the course this week though, as we have been doing so much crap and haven't had time to do anything else. I have been trying to figure out my class scheduling for next year and also apply for summer internships but I am so overwhelmed at the moment.
When it comes to company tours what ever happened to quality over quantity?
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
3/25/09 the tempest play
Class during the day and then we went almost an hour by tube to the Richmond theatre to see the production of Shakespeare's The Tempest. The production had an african tribal flavor to it, and was set in the time period of British colonialism. The special effects and acting were very good, and overall the play was enjoyable. However, we didn't get back to the flats until almost midnight.
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
3/24/09 sick and dancing with luthansa play
Still really sick today and feeling like crap. I had to sit through an awfully boring play about some sisters living in the 1930s and overreacting about everything and living pointless lives. I wanted to leave in the worst way but couldn't.
Monday, 23 March 2009
3/23/09 zurich, llyods of london, bbc... long day
Started out the day with presentations by execs from Zurich, the insurance company. They were ok, if moderately boring. It was interesting how they had an emerging risk radar and tried to work with their clients to reduce their risk.
Llyods of London was a huge sprawling multifloor complex where various insurance companies had sectors and did business. It looked similar to a stock trading floor, but for insurance. Seeing such a huge marketplace was quite the experience.
Later in the day we headed to the BBC for a standard tour. It was moderately interesting and walking behind the scenes of their live shows and seeing how the sets are dropped from the ceiling was neat.
Of course the tours took up the entire day for the most part. Not much time to do anything else.
Llyods of London was a huge sprawling multifloor complex where various insurance companies had sectors and did business. It looked similar to a stock trading floor, but for insurance. Seeing such a huge marketplace was quite the experience.
Later in the day we headed to the BBC for a standard tour. It was moderately interesting and walking behind the scenes of their live shows and seeing how the sets are dropped from the ceiling was neat.
Of course the tours took up the entire day for the most part. Not much time to do anything else.
Sunday, 22 March 2009
3/22/09 lazy sunday
Felt kind of sick so I took it easy today and caught up with my photos and updating my journal.
Saturday, 21 March 2009
3/21/09 back from Bath
Left Joey's place in Bath around 9am and took the train back to London Paddington and arrived by 11:30am or so. Took it easy today and caught up on some work.
Friday, 20 March 2009
3/20/09 roman baths, thai food, poonans
We headed out to eat an English breakfast at the Boston Tea Party, which was tasty but the portions were too small and we had to wait forever for the food. Our next stop was the Roman Bath Ruins that the town of Bath is named after and famous for.
Walking around the ruins was like stepping back in time, and seeing how the Romans used the temple to worship and relax was very interesting. The natural springs underneath still feed water up into the pools, and the water is warm to the touch. After the tour we sampled some of the natural spring water in the pump room, and it tasted similar to blood, because of the high iron and other mineral content.
For dinner we went to the Thai restaurant “Shang-Ri-La”, and I had some chicken type thing in sweet and sour sauce, which was tasty. We went back to the apartment and got ready to go out to the club Po Na Na. We headed out, and I was disappointed that Joey's other (and cuter) friends there didn't want to go with us since they all had to leave by 9am for their trip to Oxford.
We danced for a while at the club and then attempted to do karaoke. I chose the song Just Dance by Lada Gaga, and found out that it is really damn hard to attempt to dance while simultaneously singing at the same time, especially while inebriated.
After some more dancing Joey and I needed a break and we randomly sat down next to some girl and some drunk guy started taking his shirt off and dancing in front of us, which was slightly disconcerting. However, the girl sitting next to us said she was from Liverpool and that he was one of her drunk marine friends, and we started a conversation. I found out that she was 25 and has been obsessed with the Spice girls since she was young. She also apparently met her boyfriend on hotornot.com, which surprised me. After a while the conversation got stale so I headed back to the dance floor since the club was closing in like ½ hr (3am?). We left the club and got some Mr. D's, a fast food stand, on the way back.
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| From Bath Trip |
Walking around the ruins was like stepping back in time, and seeing how the Romans used the temple to worship and relax was very interesting. The natural springs underneath still feed water up into the pools, and the water is warm to the touch. After the tour we sampled some of the natural spring water in the pump room, and it tasted similar to blood, because of the high iron and other mineral content.
 |
| From Bath Trip |
For dinner we went to the Thai restaurant “Shang-Ri-La”, and I had some chicken type thing in sweet and sour sauce, which was tasty. We went back to the apartment and got ready to go out to the club Po Na Na. We headed out, and I was disappointed that Joey's other (and cuter) friends there didn't want to go with us since they all had to leave by 9am for their trip to Oxford.
We danced for a while at the club and then attempted to do karaoke. I chose the song Just Dance by Lada Gaga, and found out that it is really damn hard to attempt to dance while simultaneously singing at the same time, especially while inebriated.
After some more dancing Joey and I needed a break and we randomly sat down next to some girl and some drunk guy started taking his shirt off and dancing in front of us, which was slightly disconcerting. However, the girl sitting next to us said she was from Liverpool and that he was one of her drunk marine friends, and we started a conversation. I found out that she was 25 and has been obsessed with the Spice girls since she was young. She also apparently met her boyfriend on hotornot.com, which surprised me. After a while the conversation got stale so I headed back to the dance floor since the club was closing in like ½ hr (3am?). We left the club and got some Mr. D's, a fast food stand, on the way back.
| From Bath Trip |
Thursday, 19 March 2009
3/19/09 Oxford, then Bath
Oxford was ok, we walked around the town and saw some cathedrals and learned some history.
Took train from Oxford to Bath, but apparently we weren't supposed to take the train that went to Reading, and we got bitched at by some train manager that I could barely understand. Eventually we got it sorted out and switched to a train to Bath.
Joey picked us up at the train station and walked us back to his apartment. We met a few of Joey's housemates, and then introduced Joey to the awesomeness that is the British TV show “Skins”. For dinner we went out to an Indian restaurant named Bengal something, and I had lamb curry type stuff, which was good.
Later at night we went to the Huntsman (a local pub), where it was student night with 1.50 pints of Fosters. I though that it was such a great idea, that I had a 2nd one. There were a lot of other people from Joey's study abroad program (which has 55 total) and we talked with them for a while.
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| From Stonehenge, Hampton Court, Oxford |
Took train from Oxford to Bath, but apparently we weren't supposed to take the train that went to Reading, and we got bitched at by some train manager that I could barely understand. Eventually we got it sorted out and switched to a train to Bath.
 |
| From Bath Trip |
Joey picked us up at the train station and walked us back to his apartment. We met a few of Joey's housemates, and then introduced Joey to the awesomeness that is the British TV show “Skins”. For dinner we went out to an Indian restaurant named Bengal something, and I had lamb curry type stuff, which was good.
Later at night we went to the Huntsman (a local pub), where it was student night with 1.50 pints of Fosters. I though that it was such a great idea, that I had a 2nd one. There were a lot of other people from Joey's study abroad program (which has 55 total) and we talked with them for a while.
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