30.1.2018 -
A few days have passed since Paris. On Friday I mostly relaxed - that night I went to a Shabbat Friday Night Dinner (FND) for Jewish students in London, just across the park from me. Thankfully it was nearby, so I was able to walk to there and back (since I don’t use cars or public transportation on the Jewish Sabbath). Since I wanted to take a walk in Kensington Gardens anyway during the day, I scoped out the place and went around the park on the way back in case the gardens were closed later (which they were!)
Even while knowing where I was going, walking over I had a little adventure… Even though I knew how to walk back without cutting through the park, I hadn’t yet gone to there from my apartment without the cut through. On the way there that night, I turned down a road that said “Private,” but I seen other people exiting through there so assumed it was fine. I was half right. As I was walking down it, it curved to the left, but also continued straight, through some car barriers with room for pedestrians (or so I thought). I was getting dark at this point, so I decided to go straight. I hadn’t made it five steps before a guard (who I hadn’t seen before) yelled “stay right there!” I froze. Hands up. Said something along the lines of “Okay!!” He had this huge gun - you never see guns in Britain. Another man, also dressed all in black with a matching gun, joined him. Our conversation went something like this (as you can imagine, I remember the scenario pretty clearly):
“Stay right there!”
“Okay!!”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m just trying to get to the other side of the park”
“Bayswater, Queensway?”
“Yes..”
“Follow the road as it curves, take a right, and follow it down”
“Thank you!!”
As I’m sure you can imagine, I was scared shitless. I’m sure that, with my American accent and flowered dress, helped me look completely lost. Like I was. Turns out, I had been trying to walk right up the driveway to Kensington Palace. At night. Sometimes, being an ignorant American (and sounding like one) has its perks.
The pace they directed me to was actually the road with almost all of the embassy buildings. Even with my detour, I made it there in great time! Dinner was nice - I saw some familiar faces from last week, and had the second surprising conversation of the night. This one was very different from the first, and abridged went it went something like this:
Boy my age sits down next to me
“I heard your American accent, it was nice to hear something familiar. I’m Rafi T---”
“Oh, cool. Ruth Oshlag. Are you studying abroad here?”
“Yes, from UConn. How about you?”
“Temple University, Philadelphia. Though I’m originally from Pittsburgh”
“My sister went to Carnegie Mellon University!”
“My brother went there!”
“What’s your brother’s name?”
“Nathan”
“No, your other brother”
At this point all I could think was how did he know I had another brother? Turns out, our siblings used to date, and he knew him through his sister. Scary small world…
The rest of the night was still fun after, though no more odd connections. Someone was heading my way, so I had a walking buddy afterwards. Shabbat on Saturday I slept in and took a walk in Kensington Gardens. There were swans! As relaxed as you please, just paddling around the pond and posing for photos. The water, gardens and entire landscape are gorgeous. Much more manicured and planned than Central Park, which isn’t a better or worse thing, just different.
I walked around and explored until dusk, and then got ready for Julius Caesar at the Bridge Theater - What an amazing production! The seating is set in a circle, with a large open floor space in the middle. I had a Mob (standing) ticket and the stage rises out of the floor, changing throughout the production. The ushers push and carrel you throughout the production at the stage changes - you could get stepped on by the actors if you’re not careful! I got to see Michelle Fairley, who plays Catelyn Stark in Game of Thrones. I was so close, I can tell you she wears a size 37 shoe. She’s absolutely amazing and intense in person, and even though the show was spectacular on its own getting to see her performance was wild.
Sunday was a lazy day, with a bit of work, but I did go to the Punjab, a delicious Punjabi restaurant, with my flat! In class Monday and Tuesday we took field trips to the Arsenal Stadium, Abbey Road Studios (whoohoo The Beatles!, and Covent Garden -> I love getting to see the city! I tried to find a Muffin Shop or Bakery on Drury Lane, but no luck.
A little time passed between when I started this entry and now! (31/1/18) -- I planned a quick (super quick!) trip to Ireland, so now I’m actually writing from a coffee shop in Dublin! I’m traveling on my own, and I’m excited to how it feels different to being with friends. So far it’s been nice, very independent and a bit freeing. I have a tour later, and some ideas for exploring. Tomorrow is sightseeing in Belfast -> I’ll be sure to write about both 😃
Best!
-Ruth xoxo
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