Many Steps Later

   Today, I turned in the final draft of my poster for the "Beyond the Arch Poster Presentation"  Overall, I'm happy with it, but mostly I'm just excited to tell people about traveling and studying abroad.  From the moment I set foot in Italy, followed quickly by Switzerland, a pass through Austria and a jump into Germany.... actually the first time I stepped onto an airplane and feel the ground rush away- I knew I was going to be a travel addict.

   I am lucky enough to have family that supports this endeavor wholeheartedly.  Finding all sorts of ways to get the money together, and always being there for when I underestimate my budget.... or something (like my camera disappearing) happens and I need just a little extra cash.  I will always remember what my brother said when he told me why my entire family chipped in to buy me my very own MacBook.

"We know the sacrifices you are making to travel and study abroad again,

and we wanted to make sure that you had the right tools."

   Ok, it might not be an accurate quote (I was a bit overwhelmed after unwrapping 20 layers of bubble wrap)  but it solidified that no matter where I chose to go in my life, my family would be there to support me.  Which is more than I could ever ask for.

   For the month of May in 2012 I spent it in a flat in central London.  It's been 5 months and the experience is just as real today.

   I did a lot in London (but not enough to not go back)  One project that I'm particularly proud of is my Mother's Day gift.  Since I would be in London during Mother's Day, I had to do something special.  I was a bit late, but on May 23rd I sent my mom the following video:  Mother's Day

   Since London, my confidence in my photography and videography skills continue to grow and I have taken every opportunity to thank the people I care about through these mediums.  On September 1st I made the following video for my sister's birthday:  Sarah's Birthday

   I can't wait to see how my skills progress as I continue to grow and experiment.  But I am thankful for the experiences and people around me, that will support me, no matter how far my journey takes me.

Putting it all Together.

So what do you do now that you're home from your wonderful trip to London?

You tell your story.
In any and every way that you have experienced it.  I took pictures, wrote this (and another) blog, kept a handwritten journal... and the final piece is video.  Daily life, wandering and a bit of what I personally went through to get this project to where it is:

The London Experience Video

Cheers till next time!

Be a Tourist!

   You're in London.  Chances are you don't live there- and even if you do, most people avoid the tourist areas for any number of reasons: crowds, pickpockets, crowds, overpriced trinkets you find yourself needing to have... and crowds.  But it's important to be a tourist, even in your own town.  Think about it, there's a reason those places are famous in the first place.

   Take ridiculous pictures of yourself in front of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the horse guards and Buckingham Palace.  And no matter how artistic and beautiful your shots may be, the people listening to your exciting tales always appreciate when you make an appearance on camera.

In front of Big Ben (and the red telephone booth)

   Take it as a challenge to get the odd angle or the little detail that most tourists would skim over.  It'll help you stay sharp when you're working a place that you really wanna be.

Natural History Museum

Sometimes going into the box 

is the only way to get outside of it.

Natural History Museum

England Sports

   What is the world without football, without rugby?  There is no comparison to the United States within the passion that the rest of the world puts into these sports.  Gangs are formed (Green Street Hooligans), and die hard fans stick to their the team they've grown up with through thick and thin- never straying.  And yet, sports is family, is community, is teamwork and respect.

   Another student focused her project on the football community, while I didn't attend any official football matches I did see some unofficial games in the Parks and I did attend a rugby match.

   On a pleasant Sunday afternoon I made the trek back to Twickenham Stadium for the Killik Cup match between England and the Barbarians (the first trek was for the Heineken Cup between Ulster and Leinster).  While I wasn't able to get tickets for the Heineken Cup, I was able to grab good tickets for a great price for the Killik Cup.  So I donned my England jersey and took my seat in the crowd.

   Even if you don't like sports, you will fall in love with the crowd.  In any sport bigger games (like the Heineken Cup) have larger, more rambunctious crowds; while smaller games (the Killik Cup) have more amiable crowds.  Everyone from small children not really paying attention to the game to old men don their teams' colors to cheer them onto victory.  Sunday afternoon I was treated to several successful wave completions and a dominating victory by England.

   My favorite part of the game?  The camaraderie sections developed within themselves in the stands.  Most of the time if there were boos coming from the crowd, it wasn't directed at the players on the field, rather at the section across the stadium who decided that they were not going to be part of the wave.


   Even if you don't know the rules, or any of the teams playing.  Find a sport you think you would enjoy and enjoy a beautiful day cheering a team onto victory.

   England loves its sports.  And if you really wanna feel the spirit of the city put it on your list to go at least once (more than likely you'll get addicted to it and return.)

Weather 101

   You've probably heard that it's always grey and raining in London. And yes, a lot of times the skies are grey and there is an ever present drizzle. But sometimes the skies are blue and Londoners flock from inside like the sun from behind the clouds. Sundresses and sandals emerge from the peacoats and boots and the parks explode with people.

   Most of the time I spent in London was during a heat wave that had even those most pessimistic Londoner in summer clothes. Blue skies pushed us out of the flat into the park for picnic dinners and watching everyone else enjoy the weather.

   However, much like the Ohio weather I'm used to, nothing ever lasts too long. In one day I was in a thin strapped shirt enjoying the sun in the morning. In the afternoon clouds moved in and within the course of 2 hours it has twice rained for about 5 minutes, interrupted again with blue skies and sun.

   So be like a Londoner- be ready for rain at any moment (know where you can take refuge inside/underground/on a bus) but enjoy the sunny days.

London Weather

Safety

London is a city of about 8 million people of all races, morals, and ages. And while it is fair to say that a majority of the people here are respectful, there is also the other side of the coin. There are people all over the world looking to take advantage of someone else, London is no different.

That being said- there are cameras everywhere as well as people who pay attention to what goes on around them. But things happen, so keep track of your bags- and make sure those bags have zippers.

The sight of headphones is omnipresent throughout the city. Now, I'm the type of person that listens to their music so loud that other people (on the other side of the room) can hear it coming out of my headphones. (I know, I know, it's a bad habit I'm working on breaking). Regardless, when I'm wearing my headphones in public I have it turned so I can almost kinda still hear the music. Not only do I consider this courtesy to the people around me sparing them from my very random music collection, it also allows me to still hear what's going on around me. In the tube, I am able to hear if my train got switched to a different platform (which happens quite often); and in the street I am still able to hear the traffic around me.

Make sure you double check your possessions when leaving the tube or a taxi, it is easy to forget important items on the seat.

If something should happen and you need to call the police just remember: 999

Metropolitan Police Website

Market Day

Camden Markets
Petticoat Lane
Brick Lane
Greenwich Market
...just to name the famous.

   For every taste and hobby, there is a market in London just for you.  From crafts to vintage clothing to designer tags there is something for everybody- even just for the window shopper.  The Markets were my favorite weekend activity, as well as a great thing to stumble onto in a random parking lot.  The biggest markets typically happen Saturday and Sunday morning to mid-afternoon, but they are worth rousing yourself from your cozy bed.


Let's start at the top: 
Camden Markets.
   Essential for anyone who calls themselves a lover of art and self-expression, Camden in general is a must see affair.  During the week the shops along the street are open as well as some of the stalls in the market.  And there are still plenty of people wandering the streets, but the weekend is when the town really explodes.
   In the old barn the horse stalls are overflowing with handmade leather journals next to the mass-produced t-shirts.  Not only it is a great little haven for artists it is a great place to find really creative gifts for other people you may be shopping for.
   The people wandering the streets of London in general are a great place to hunt for characters- however Camden is truly the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow if you've been searching for inspiration.  Goth and musicians and painters all call Camden home.

Petticoat Lane:
   If you're in the need to go shopping for clothes or shoes, I recommend wandering around Petticoat Lane for a bit.  The vendors are loud and in your face about their products, yelling over their competition in neighboring booths.  And yet there is a relaxed atmosphere, maybe that's just because it was a cloudy day at the end of a very beautiful week.

Petticoat Lane

Brick Lane:
   Not quite sure if I ever really made it to Brick Lane Markets, however I did find an awesome little collection of vintage shops and a ton of really creative graffiti.

   Which of course, was rewarding in its own right.  And led me to a lot of creative costume solutions.  The vintage shops ranged from well lit, security tagged merchandise to cramped little basements overflowing with well-used clothes and bags.
   Even though I was only window shopping (this visit) I was able to pull costumes for each of the characters I had found on the streets of London.

Moral of the Story:

Don't spend hundreds of dollars and hours of time making costumes, browse the vintage shops on Brick Lane (and other markets) for cheaper solutions.

   Final note about Brick Lane: go for street art.  It is everywhere and part of the atmosphere and the personalities of the shops themselves.  The world is a giant canvas and there are still parts out of Central London that let artists color the world for the enjoyment of others.


Greenwich Market:
   I literally stumbled onto the Greenwich Markets on accident while following a group of locals along the side streets (and after getting lost in a market stuck in the middle of a parking lot).  Tucked behind and between buildings the covered market opens into a crowded collection of booths filled with independent artisans.  Just simple curiosity started conversations explaining who they were and how they did what they did, a community of Londoners making a living by doing what they love.

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   There are markets for every taste, every talent and passion.  Communities who come together for a weekend of catching up and selling whatever they sell.  They gather in parking lots and in horse stalls, bartering and competing for a sale.