36 Hours in Notting Hill

Similar to the New York Times, our class did our own "36 Hours" project. My group, consisting of Brinton Munoz, Hayley Girard and I, chose Notting Hill.

Click here: http://36hoursinlondon.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/36-hours-in-notting-hill.html

Lock Bridge Love

I love you.

Locks stain the bridge gold and the love overflows as locks are hooked onto what was once just an average bridge. The rain causes each individual lock to shine and show its individuality.

There is a story behind every lock-from a husband and wife celebrating an anniversary to friends that have been through thick and thin, even to one for a favorite sports team after a big win (Go Kings! Stanley Cup 2014).

I think that is what I love most about it-the fact that every lock has a special kind of love separate from the one next to it. Though I would never be able to know the stories behind each lock, I love the concept that people can take a moment out of their hectic day to show their love for someone.

Amidst all the commotion in the world today, it can be hard to see the love in the world, but this bridge and many around the world symbolize love and the dedication people have for that love to be cherished forever.

For my lock, I wrote my family’s name. Together we have been through thick and thin, sadness and happiness and through it all we are a family and I love that. Whether I put a lock on the bridge or not I know we will always love each other, but that lock, like many other locks, depicts a physical sign of dedication and love I have for my family.

One of my favorite songs by Parachute called Forever and Always gives a good depiction of the love I have for my family and why so many people chose to put a lock on the bridge:

I want you forever, forever and always
Through the good and the bad and the ugly
We'll grow old together, and always remember
Whether happy or sad or whatever
We'll still love each other, forever and always
Forever and always, forever and always

Full lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/parachute/foreverandalways.html

Find more information at: http://lovelocksonline.com/

I Want to Know Have You Ever Seen the Rain?

(The title is a song by: Creedence Clearwater Revival)
Feel free to listen while you look through my listicle:  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu2pVPWGYMQ

Though most hoped for sunny,

The memories were just as funny.

Paris, with the most incredible views,

Put my pictures on cue.

This trip made me realize,

Wearing a raincoat is wise.

From Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower,

The rain is no reason to cower.

So we enjoyed the city we came to see,

And locked our love on the bridge while holding the key.

I just can't wait to see,
What our next adventure will be!

 “Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain."

-Vivian Greene    

TimHotel Balcony Design 

Take a peek outside-it may not be the Eiffel Tower but it was pure beauty as the rain danced on the window.

Near the Le Fumoir Restauraunt in Paris 

Full of rainwater, puddles are avoided by most, but if one looks inside there is a different kind of magnificence.

TimHotel in Paris

Rain is not all puddles of water- taking a closer look, one can see that each individual droplet has its own personality that makes its mark on the blue balcony as it falls from the Paris sky.

Bird’s eye view from The Louvre 

Umbrella’s up! The rain doesn’t stop busy tourists from seeing one of the world’s largest museums.

Walkway adjacent to The Louvre Museum

Mother and daughter cling together and try to stay dry in the rain.

Near the Musée d'Orsay Museum 

Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes-one can learn a lot more about a person than one might think.

Extras:

Me in front of The Louvre 

Some of my beautiful classmates in front of Notre Dame de Paris

London Lovin’ : A Couple that Inspired Me

After a long, beautiful day in Cambridge we got back on the train but since we all couldn’t find seats together so some of us split up. We finally all sat and took a sigh of relief and got ready for the 45 minute train ride ahead. I had the honor and privilege to sit next to a beautiful couple.

I could not tell you their names. I could not tell you how we ended up sitting next to each other. But I can say that it is something I will remember for the rest of my life.

Talking to them made me smile inside and out and one could see just how much they loved each other. They told me they have been married for 47 years…heart melted.

I asked them a lot of questions and found out:

They both studied at Oxford, though they did not meet there. Both became doctors, the husband was a diabetes doctor and the wife was a blood doctor. They both met at the hospital. They have two children and four grandchildren. One of their children lives in East London and the other lives in Cambridge. They were on the train coming back from Cambridge after watching their grandchildren until their mother got home. The joy in their faces depicted the love they had for their family and the blessings they were grateful for. They said they go a couple times a month.

I continued to talk to them about everything from plays to the wife and I’s common fear of birds. I told them I was from California and later asked if they had ever been to “the States.” They said they had been to New York, Boston, and good ol’ California-where I am from. They traveled to San Francisco, Yosemite and near UCLA, which is right where I live. We also talked about the Getty Museum and the incredible views. Having been to the same museum I couldn’t help but wonder if we were there at the same time, have I passed by these beautiful people before? I thought of how I commonly walk by people to get to my next destination, whether on the busy underground or going to my next class at school, maybe if I took more time to get to know others I would be able to see more beauty in other people.

Before we left the train, I had to tell them somehow that they inspired me but the words could not come out of my mouth. So I got out a clean Pret  A Manger napkin and a pen from my purse and began to write (and said something like this):

Your love is truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing your experiences with me. 

I wish you and your beautiful family nothing but the best.

I hope to find a love like yours one day. 

Enjoy J

Such an incredible experience and a reminder to take time to talk to others.

This experience reminded me of one of my favorite songs by Elton John, Your Song:

“I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world”

Though this is not the couple I saw on the train, it is a depiction of their friendship and love that inspired me.

Photo Source: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRQMpXwG9eApL_FYV8gt7kpbMSUISZA9S859U_wC4DU04RFx-jolA

How the Other Half Lives: Being 5, 437 miles away

Being across the world from someone who has known you since before you were born is not an easy thing. But London was calling and I answered. Yes, we have been apart before-last summer being the longest when I took some summer classes in Texas. 

Though I miss her all the time, I think we were both happy to grow as individuals and for people to see us as our own person and not “the twins.” Studying different things, we do not have many classes together which I think helps us excel in our own way. She has the most incredible passion to be an elementary teacher and I could not be a prouder sister. Starting as a chemistry major, I was unsure of what my major should be in college. After exploring multiple options I found one that clicked-strategic communication. So, when I chose to study abroad she was excited for me, that I finally found something I liked to study and not to mention going international with it. 

Starting on this trip I was not really worried about meeting new people or sharing a room because I mean I have pretty much shared everything since the day I was born-a bedroom (sometimes by choice), a birthday, a family, a car, etc. But nothing could have prepared me for the journey I was about to experience.  It is hard to think that I have only been friends with most of these people for just about one week, but you would not know it by the impact they have made in my life. Each and every one of them hold a special place in my study abroad experience and I am so grateful to share this experience with them.

                

Everyone is on the journey called life.

The beautiful musicians that easily brighten people’s day as they rush to their next destination.

The tourists in the park taking plenty of pictures so they can have the perfect one.

 The homeless looking for a fresh start.

The cute couples who are enjoying their time together.

 The busy business people in their daily routine.

The college students studying abroad for the first time.

And a twin who is taking the journey of a lifetime.

London, I Like the Way You Move

Up one street and down the other! Amid the incredible architecture and picturesque scenes, London move in many ways, from red double decker buses to the Tube and the Thames River to the vibrant British flags flowing on almost every street corner. London is constantly moving. But perhaps the movement that is most important is inside of us-what moves us to get up every day and explore the beauty in this city that countless people enjoy!

Hyde Park

The moving clouds in the sky contrast with the grass blowing in the breeze and create a beautiful day. Even though it may seem calm, the park is energized by people talking, exercising, picnics and kids playing.

Across from Buckingham Palace

Bright and cheery British flags blowing in the wind greet the cars that race by.

St. James’s Park

Away from the busy streets the park has its own movement from the erupting fountain to the flying birds, with the London Eye keeping a close watch above the trees.

Thames River

The sky casts on the fast moving river with tour boats and the London Eye in full motion.

Crowd outside the M&M’s World

I am not sure what moves more-the people or the transportation they use. Big crowds like this are very common in London especially during peak hours.

As an extra:

Just another selfie

Cars, buses and water are not the only thing in motion in London. As the wind blew by, it created a perfect look for a photo op!

Come on England!

Three packed floors of excited people anxiously wait to watch their country take on Uruguay in the World Cup match. The walls echo tradition and a sense of home as the England team represents the crowd over 5,000 miles away. The bar area is packed with people ordering drinks. Covered in spilled beer, the wood floors are home to tired feet of eager fans waiting for the game to start.

 The crowd erupts as the British Anthem, God Save the Queen, plays from Brazil with people singing loud and proud as they represent the place they call home. As the game begins, the eyes are peeled to the multiple televisions around the pub. Surround sound speakers and the occasional scream from controversial calls captivate the air as the ball gets passed up and down the field.

When England gets within scoring range, the crowd, with groans and cheers, await to see if the ball was scored. With Uruguay winning 1-0, the battle was on. It was not until about halfway through the second half that England scored and everyone exploded with cheers and happiness. The true England energy  and passion immerses.

 The game continues with its ups and downs, free kicks, corners and goal kicks and unfortunately another goal from Uruguay with just minutes to go. The defeat scattered across the crowd as it was stained with silence. The game ended in a loss for England, with people complaining about the game as they walk down the stairs and outside. It is through these kinds of experiences that depict the pride of England.

Tourist vs. Traveler: An Experience Awaits

From living in Los Angeles to going on service trips in Nicaragua, I have gained insight on what it means to be a traveler, rather than a tourist. In Los Angeles, tourists easily see the Hollywood sign or Santa Monica, however one may be blind to the homeless population or the hectic daily traffic. So yes, they are seeing Los Angeles, but they see the “perfect” surface, whereas a traveler would try to immerse into the community and understand what the county stands for, rather than what stands on the county.

On the service trip, we lived in a convent amongst the small community of Tepeyac. Without famous monuments or attractions we were able to be travelers as we connected with the Nicaraguans by teaching English in their school, helping build, and most importantly establishing relationships that we still keep today. We spoke the language and learned some of their traditions to help us truly see the community.

Daniel J. Boorstin, American journalist and historian, wrote, "The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist exemplifies passivity; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes 'sight-seeing.” This illustrates that one must remain “active” to be a traveler and to truly immerse oneself in the culture.

 One must also respect the culture rather than forcing one’s opinions and expecting the locals to adapt to the tourist’s every need, etc. A traveler would observe and ask or research questions, whereas a tourist could easily be ignorant of a culture, without knowing anything about it.

English journalist, novelist, and essayist Gilbert K. Chesterton, stated "The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see." This shows that one who is narrow-minded tourist can miss things, whereas the traveler can be exposed to more things.

Studying abroad, I aspire to be a traveler and truly immerse into the culture and learn about new ways to live and look at life, be an open book rather than an imprisoned mind that only sees the surface. As I would love to see the typical landmarks such as Big Ben and the London Eye, I also want to venture to places that not many tourists go in order to receive a genuine portrayal of London.

References:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/adventure-collection/traveler-or-a-tourist_b_3568344.html

http://www.quotescover.com/wp-content/uploads/The-traveler-sees-what-he__quotes-by-Gilbert-K.-Chesterton-69.png