May 23rd
The beginning of the day was filled with class. Class isn't too bad... you just want to be out in London or asleep instead. After class I went home to eat. I started talking to Sarah and Justyne in the kitchen about musicals. Tracy and Chelsea contributed a little too, but it isn't really there thing. I love theatre. I love music theatre. I wish I was a better dancer and had the time to devote myself to all of it. I know business is the right path though and I love where I am. Sarah decided to come with me to meet Alli, Delanie, and Amanda at St. Paul's Cathedral. We met at the front steps and then toured the inside. It was beautiful. Like many of the churches, theatres, and museums, you cannot take pictures.
You can take pictures outside! After exploring all of the Cathedral Floor, we took 259 steps to the whispering gallery. It was just a spiral stair case made from wood to get there. The whispering gallery is the perimeter of the dome inside St. Paul's Cathedral. Supposedly, if you whisper on one side of the gallery the sound carries all the way across to the other side. We found this did not work since there were so many sounds reverberating from the ground below. 119 more steps and you are at the stone gallery. This balcony sits at the base of the outside dome. These stairs were a little more difficult to deal with. There was literally a point in time where I kept my elbows in and squatted/ crawled through a space that got smaller and smaller. I am positive I have visited this place in a nightmare before. These stairs were mostly stone and it did not help the growing claustrophobia I had. Reaching the outside was wonderful. We didn't stop there folks. Another 152 steps up and you reach the golden gallery. This is the very top of St. Paul's Cathedral. Delanie claims it is one of Bennedict Cumberbatch's favorite places in London. This last set of stairs was like climbing several ladders. They were small metal spirals that I felt like I was crawling up. Amanda was wonderful to carry on small talk as I tried not focus on making a misstep and falling to my doom. Drastic, I know, but I was altogether 528 steps up.
The view is worth it, and being able to say you climbed all the way up to the top of St. Paul's. I do not know if I would do it again. I do not regret it though. I am proud I made it to the top without having an anxiety attack. The physical exertion was not too bad and the claustrophobia did not bubble over. If you truly hate heights and are trying to be conservative with money, stick with West Minster.
I love this city. Everyday I dream about coming back once I am forced to leave.
Yes, freaked out. I felt more safe outside than I did inside, but it is still a far way down.
After some time on top of the world, we descended to the crypt. My legs were literally shaking and felt slightly light headed by the time I got down there. It is dark and a little creepy. There is interesting stuff in the crypt. Some of the girls bought food or drinks at the small cafe and then we all headed up to the main floor after using the toilets. We had perfect timing for evensong. I would try to explain evensong, but I am not sure I truly understand what it is. I do suggest it! The young choir boys are shockingly good.
Next on our journey was Canary Wharf. George was right. Walking out of this tube station feels like you enter Chicago or some other American city. We were a little early to catch the bus to the theatre. George, Leslie, Audrey, and Cosette happened to be in front of us on the escalator so we waited for them to get dinner while we sat on the wharf. I ran into Pret with Alli and Delanie for dinner back near Borough Market. I had a cheese, ham, and tomato, baked croissant. Thumbs up for Pret. I am not in love with it. It is convenient though and I see no reason to spurn it. People are silly. Sarah and Amanda got fish and chips. Sarah claims haddock is even better than cod, so I guess I'll have to try some more.
Fashion shoot with Delanie. Sarah is such an artist taking the pictures.
Jace's Face in the Space. Photo bombing to a new extreme.
Brooke said the whole feel of the building reminded her of Lemony Snicket. I'll agree with that. It was an interesting black box theatre that we went to see Romeo and Juliet in. I really liked how they utilized a small space. The Rose the other night did a good job with limited space as well. Romeo and Juliet was a nice small scale production. I do not like falling into the habit of writing papers about shows. They make me so critical. I search for something wrong with each production. I believe theatre should be entertaining. I do not enjoy agonizing over analyzing each decision, but it is not bad and I am doing it in the best circumstances possible.
I think it was Jace that let me try Turkish Delight. Narnia, anyone? The candy was good. Think of it as a very gooey or jelly gummy covered in powdered sugar. Mine was lemon. Gummies are not my favorite. However, I would consider buying these again.
The bus ride back to the tube was interesting. A group of young boys were the only other people on the bus. They were giggly and fun at first, but then they started screaming. Not usual joking screams. They let out the most piercing scream they could muster several times. What hooligans. I hope they do not make it a habit.
I really like the song On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons. It accurately describes how I feel when these mini miracles happen; receiving scholarships, making it to London, getting good grades, and so on. Recently we talked about the opposition in all things. I have been affected more greatly by the dips in life during the last semester than before. I think it is because I set a high standard to live up to. When I do not meet my expectations of what my life should be, it is depressing. Feeling down is part of beauty though. Without pain we cannot experience joy. As much as I love the perfect life social media can provide, it is extremely annoying. People still work. They sleep. People even sit around and do nothing for a few hours. Yes, these pictures are incredible. I love love love my time here. However, just like college and life, there are slow times and boring moments. The pictures are not the whole story. They are the highlights and artistic streaks. Embrace your whole life, from moments of nothing to pure adventure. It will all happen, but we choose what to focus on and remember.
I love London.
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