ParentNet

For the past week I have been settling in and adjusting to my new life in England. Today is my first day of classes so I am not sure how they will go, but of course, I am hoping everything will go smoothly.

Big Ben and The Houses of Parliament

Since I had two weeks with no classes I decided to strap my camera around my neck and do the tourist thing. Saturday I went all out and took a boat tour in the Thames River beginning at Westminster Pier, overlooked by Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

The London Eye

Other noteworthy attractions were the Millennium Wheel (better known as the London Eye), St. Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, the Tower Bridge, and really just too many more to mention! The boat tour was definitely the highlight of my week, and I had a geeky smile on my face for the rest of the day. After the boat tour I walked around for hours taking pictures and navigating through the busy streets of London with my Irish friend Jay. After living in the Upper Peninsula for a couple of years the crowds in London cannot be described as anything less than massive.

Myself and my Irish tour guide Jay

During the week I also visited Hampton Court palace, The York House in Twickenham, and Bushy Park near Kingston. Hampton Court Palace is a royal palace across the river from Kingston. It was lived in by the British royal family up until the 18^th century and I believe was originally lived In by King Henry VIII. The York House in Twickenham is the current headquarters for the London borough of Richmond and contains borough council offices and chamber.

Bushy Park is adjacent to Hampton Court Palace, and is apparently the second largest royal park in the United Kingdom. Unfortunately I didn’t bring my camera with me to the park that day but I was shocked to see groups of as large of 100 deer lying or grazing the park together. You can get 10 feet from them and they will not so much as flinch! I was tempted to try to pet one but luckily I was able to resist the urge. There were also tons of horses, which easily make this park a new favorite spot of mine.

This coming week starts my first week of classes, that along with my luck so far with public transport I am sure there will be many more interesting stories for next week. Cheers!!

Best

Lauren