Hey all,
I am currently on a train to Edinburgh, Scotland! I apologize for the lack of post in the last couple of days. I have been to London a good amount of times, but I used a friends camera (it is more light weight than my gigantic boulder that I own). I will hopefully have those pictures from that camera after this weekend and I'll have them up. As for now, I'll be in Scotland for the next few days. I should have plenty of pictures from there as well!
Being on this planet for 21 years has been an invigorating experience. I am grateful for all those around me. Their help has been immense in my growth. If you are reading this blog, you are most likely one of those people. So I say to you: Thanks!
Much much much love,
Chris
Friday, July 31, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
London Calling Again
So, I went into London again and went to this building immediately.
The Tate Modern is a new addition London and was created within the past ten years. It used to be an old power station and famous architects Herzog and deMueron (the firm that designed the Beijing Olympic stadium aka the birdsnest) did renovations.
Inside is a GIANT room called the turbine hall. Now it acts as a lobby to the museum. I was unfortunately not allowed to take photos inside but...
Ha! I couldn't help but sneak this one. This is a famous Liechtenstein that I was very excited to see in person.
-----
Afterwards I dropped by Buckinham Palace again. There was less people there so I was able to take a better picture through the gate. Note the guards. Across from the Palace is St. James park.
This acts as a "bridge" of sorts between the Palace and the Houses of Parliment. At the end of the park is the Churchill War Museum, a museum of Churchill's leadership during WWII and the actual bunker in which he and his cabinet ruled. In 1940, the threat of a German attack on the British Islands were great. The German "luftwaffe" began bombing London repeatedly. This killed thousands. Because of the constant barrage of bombs, Churchill and his War Cabinet had to find shelter in a bunker.
This is Churchill's office and bedroom. They have made it look exactly as it would of in 1945. Churchill only slept here three times however, as he wanted to be viewed as a confident leader. Therefore, he slept on the surface most nights.
I'll be in London MANY times this week. I'll be sure to have more pictures. Cheers!
Chris
The Tate Modern is a new addition London and was created within the past ten years. It used to be an old power station and famous architects Herzog and deMueron (the firm that designed the Beijing Olympic stadium aka the birdsnest) did renovations.
Inside is a GIANT room called the turbine hall. Now it acts as a lobby to the museum. I was unfortunately not allowed to take photos inside but...
Ha! I couldn't help but sneak this one. This is a famous Liechtenstein that I was very excited to see in person.
-----
Afterwards I dropped by Buckinham Palace again. There was less people there so I was able to take a better picture through the gate. Note the guards. Across from the Palace is St. James park.
This acts as a "bridge" of sorts between the Palace and the Houses of Parliment. At the end of the park is the Churchill War Museum, a museum of Churchill's leadership during WWII and the actual bunker in which he and his cabinet ruled. In 1940, the threat of a German attack on the British Islands were great. The German "luftwaffe" began bombing London repeatedly. This killed thousands. Because of the constant barrage of bombs, Churchill and his War Cabinet had to find shelter in a bunker.
This is Churchill's office and bedroom. They have made it look exactly as it would of in 1945. Churchill only slept here three times however, as he wanted to be viewed as a confident leader. Therefore, he slept on the surface most nights.
I'll be in London MANY times this week. I'll be sure to have more pictures. Cheers!
Chris
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Seaside Memories
Today consisted of a trip to the seaside and a pilgramige to the home of a literary master. We traveled about 2 hours south to the town of Seaford, there we had a picnic on the VERY rocky beach. Thankfully, the weather was terrific.
With the idea that "you only live once" firmly in my mind, I took a refreshing dip in the frigid waters of the England Channel with a few other adventurous souls. I didn't have my camera for obvious reasons, but I'm sure there is photo documentation somewhere. I did not stay in for too long for two reasons 1) it was damn cold and 2) I wanted to do something....
A huge cliff in the distance. I immediately wanted to climb to the top of it. So I set off.
It was very windy and there were no rails. I actually very much appreciated this.
Finally, I reached the top. I began to contemplate about life, the universe, and everything. ahhhhhhh
So goes my trip to the coast.
Right after, we ventured to Monk's House, a 18th century cottage owned by Virginia Woolf and her husband Leonard Woolf. It was FANTASTIC and I can easily see how someone can right such beautiful things in this context.
Unfortunately, with WWII looming, Virginia committed suicide nearby in a river. In the garden behind the house lies a tree where her ashes are buried.
This upcoming week, I'll be headed to London. You'll get more from there!
Chris
With the idea that "you only live once" firmly in my mind, I took a refreshing dip in the frigid waters of the England Channel with a few other adventurous souls. I didn't have my camera for obvious reasons, but I'm sure there is photo documentation somewhere. I did not stay in for too long for two reasons 1) it was damn cold and 2) I wanted to do something....
A huge cliff in the distance. I immediately wanted to climb to the top of it. So I set off.
It was very windy and there were no rails. I actually very much appreciated this.
Finally, I reached the top. I began to contemplate about life, the universe, and everything. ahhhhhhh
So goes my trip to the coast.
Right after, we ventured to Monk's House, a 18th century cottage owned by Virginia Woolf and her husband Leonard Woolf. It was FANTASTIC and I can easily see how someone can right such beautiful things in this context.
Unfortunately, with WWII looming, Virginia committed suicide nearby in a river. In the garden behind the house lies a tree where her ashes are buried.
This upcoming week, I'll be headed to London. You'll get more from there!
Chris
Thursday, July 23, 2009
The Aliens Have Landed
Hey all,
Yesterday was another eventful trip to the England countryside. Let's just jump right in it.
First we stopped by Jane Austen's "cottage." Though I am not in the Jane Austen class, it was nice to see the dwelling of a great literary figure.
Down the road from Jane's home, was another estate called the Great Chatwick Estate. The house and grounds were nice, but the most notable things were the sheep! I am so used to cows, seeing a large herd of sheep is a nice change. They are sort of cute too.
We then went off to Stourhead Gardens which were, as you can see, remarkable. I appreciate the limit of the urban areas in England. The amount of vast and beautiful parks is great and the countless walks one could do is fantastic!
Then last but not least, Stonehenge. I have always thought of Stonehenge as being in the middle of nowhere but this was actually next to a busy highway! You could only walk around it, but it was cool seeing the iconic ruins.
Anyway, that's another day here in England! I am just showing you the highlights - I don't think pictures of classes and homework would be as intriguing. I will update after this weekend and hopefully have many more great photos!
Cheers!
Yesterday was another eventful trip to the England countryside. Let's just jump right in it.
First we stopped by Jane Austen's "cottage." Though I am not in the Jane Austen class, it was nice to see the dwelling of a great literary figure.
Down the road from Jane's home, was another estate called the Great Chatwick Estate. The house and grounds were nice, but the most notable things were the sheep! I am so used to cows, seeing a large herd of sheep is a nice change. They are sort of cute too.
We then went off to Stourhead Gardens which were, as you can see, remarkable. I appreciate the limit of the urban areas in England. The amount of vast and beautiful parks is great and the countless walks one could do is fantastic!
Then last but not least, Stonehenge. I have always thought of Stonehenge as being in the middle of nowhere but this was actually next to a busy highway! You could only walk around it, but it was cool seeing the iconic ruins.
Anyway, that's another day here in England! I am just showing you the highlights - I don't think pictures of classes and homework would be as intriguing. I will update after this weekend and hopefully have many more great photos!
Cheers!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
All the World's a Stage
Hello blog-readers.
Yesterday we took a small trip to London to check out the neighborhood Bloomsbury and to watch a production of As You Like It at the Globe Theater. Here's a snippet of the day!
Though a seemingly regular row of homes, these houses near Gordon Square were home to many of the great thinkers of the early 20th century including Bernard Shaw, Virginia Woolf, and John Maynard Keynes (whose home is pictured here).
St. Paul's Cathedral is located right across the river from the Globe. It is massive. Unfortunately, they do not allow pictures to be taken inside, but I took plenty outside!
This last picture is taken looking down Fleet Street. I noticed no demon barbers.
The production of "As You Like It" was amazing. I am always impressed on how Shakespeare, a man who lived 400 years ago, can make a large group laugh.
The current Globe is a reconstruction of the original Globe (which existed a few hundred feet away). They built it to historical specifications and it was honestly a terrific theater venue.
Alas, another good day. I'll leave you with another shot of St. Pauls and the Thames. Cheers!
Chris
Yesterday we took a small trip to London to check out the neighborhood Bloomsbury and to watch a production of As You Like It at the Globe Theater. Here's a snippet of the day!
Though a seemingly regular row of homes, these houses near Gordon Square were home to many of the great thinkers of the early 20th century including Bernard Shaw, Virginia Woolf, and John Maynard Keynes (whose home is pictured here).
St. Paul's Cathedral is located right across the river from the Globe. It is massive. Unfortunately, they do not allow pictures to be taken inside, but I took plenty outside!
This last picture is taken looking down Fleet Street. I noticed no demon barbers.
The production of "As You Like It" was amazing. I am always impressed on how Shakespeare, a man who lived 400 years ago, can make a large group laugh.
The current Globe is a reconstruction of the original Globe (which existed a few hundred feet away). They built it to historical specifications and it was honestly a terrific theater venue.
Alas, another good day. I'll leave you with another shot of St. Pauls and the Thames. Cheers!
Chris
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Trip to London Town
Hello Folks,
Yesterday, I took my first trip to London. It's about an hour and a half long bus ride from Oxford. Fortunately, the bus tickets are not expensive and British transportation is easy. I've had a comment on how I have not been in many of pictures. I am aware of that, and there are two factors that contribute to that:
1) I don't like pointing my own camera at myself
2) Not many other people know how to use my camera.
But do not be alarmed! Many other lovely folks with me here in England have been taking pictures. They have them on Facebook and I will be able to have copies. And for your purposes, here is one now:
That would be the Houses of Parliment (with Big Ben) and The London Eye. It was a nice cold and rainy day.
Personally, maybe due to my adventures in many other urban areas like NYC, I did not feel London is a big city at all geographically. However, I don't think I've been somewhere where there are so many terrific things to see in such a small area! Here are just a few.
This is Queen Victoria's statue near Buckingham Palace. We happened to get there during the changing of the Guard so it was PACKED.
This is the main lobby of the Victoria and Albert museum. This place was terrific and reminded me a lot of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC except without the mummies and artifacts (all those are in the British Museum).
Westminster Abbey. We did not go inside because it was already closed. Unfortunately, I hear they do not allow pictures to be taken which is very sad news. I definitely plan on going in later in the trip though!
Big Ben and the London Eye. I am quite fond of this picture.
The London Eye. The line was very long to get on and it was expensive. If I am in the mood, I'll go on it another time. It is of course huge, but I hear the one in Dallas is bigger. I doubt it has as good of a view though :P
Piccadilly Circus. The most advertising I saw in London. Note the essential red Double-Decker Bus.
Some lively street musicians with dancing near Oxford Street.
All in all, as with many other things in England, London was quite the experience. I plan on going back many times during the trip! I'll leave you with a VERY late 10 pm sunset from my ride back.
Chris
Yesterday, I took my first trip to London. It's about an hour and a half long bus ride from Oxford. Fortunately, the bus tickets are not expensive and British transportation is easy. I've had a comment on how I have not been in many of pictures. I am aware of that, and there are two factors that contribute to that:
1) I don't like pointing my own camera at myself
2) Not many other people know how to use my camera.
But do not be alarmed! Many other lovely folks with me here in England have been taking pictures. They have them on Facebook and I will be able to have copies. And for your purposes, here is one now:
That would be the Houses of Parliment (with Big Ben) and The London Eye. It was a nice cold and rainy day.
Personally, maybe due to my adventures in many other urban areas like NYC, I did not feel London is a big city at all geographically. However, I don't think I've been somewhere where there are so many terrific things to see in such a small area! Here are just a few.
This is Queen Victoria's statue near Buckingham Palace. We happened to get there during the changing of the Guard so it was PACKED.
This is the main lobby of the Victoria and Albert museum. This place was terrific and reminded me a lot of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC except without the mummies and artifacts (all those are in the British Museum).
Westminster Abbey. We did not go inside because it was already closed. Unfortunately, I hear they do not allow pictures to be taken which is very sad news. I definitely plan on going in later in the trip though!
Big Ben and the London Eye. I am quite fond of this picture.
The London Eye. The line was very long to get on and it was expensive. If I am in the mood, I'll go on it another time. It is of course huge, but I hear the one in Dallas is bigger. I doubt it has as good of a view though :P
Piccadilly Circus. The most advertising I saw in London. Note the essential red Double-Decker Bus.
Some lively street musicians with dancing near Oxford Street.
All in all, as with many other things in England, London was quite the experience. I plan on going back many times during the trip! I'll leave you with a VERY late 10 pm sunset from my ride back.
Chris
Friday, July 17, 2009
As the Roman's Do...
Hey all,
I had another great trip today. We went to the town of Bath, about two hours east of Oxford. The site of a Ancient Roman Bath, Bath is also home to various sites notable in 19th century England. This also used to be Jane Austen's stomping grounds.
The Ancient Roman Bath's were pretty remarkable in that I did not realize how extensive the Roman ruins were in the British Isle. Used as a temple in which to worship the Goddess Minerva, these baths were fed from a natural hot spring. Currently, it wouldn't be a good idea to go in these baths as they are fed with lead-lined piping. The Romans just didn't know any better! Here are some pics:
The bath.
Me!
Roman Drain. They liked their drains.
Ruins
Bath Abbey lies next to the Roman Baths. It is a GIANT church that was of course beautifully built.
The Abbey's Interior (there was a lecture being given at the time)
Tomorrow I will be heading off to London! That will be a slew of new and promising pictures! Cheers!
Chris
PS. If you want to see this pictures in full quality, click them!
I had another great trip today. We went to the town of Bath, about two hours east of Oxford. The site of a Ancient Roman Bath, Bath is also home to various sites notable in 19th century England. This also used to be Jane Austen's stomping grounds.
The Ancient Roman Bath's were pretty remarkable in that I did not realize how extensive the Roman ruins were in the British Isle. Used as a temple in which to worship the Goddess Minerva, these baths were fed from a natural hot spring. Currently, it wouldn't be a good idea to go in these baths as they are fed with lead-lined piping. The Romans just didn't know any better! Here are some pics:
The bath.
Me!
Roman Drain. They liked their drains.
Ruins
Bath Abbey lies next to the Roman Baths. It is a GIANT church that was of course beautifully built.
The Abbey's Interior (there was a lecture being given at the time)
Tomorrow I will be heading off to London! That will be a slew of new and promising pictures! Cheers!
Chris
PS. If you want to see this pictures in full quality, click them!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Et tu, Brute?
Two more days and two more excellent experiences....
Blenheim palace is the birthplace of Winston Churchill and currently the home of a duke. As you can see, it's huge.
I'm pretty sure the grounds were about the size of UT campus. Most likely bigger!
Luckily, it was a beautiful day.
Built in the early 18th century, the Palace remains one of the largest homes in England.
The English countryside on the way to Stratford-upon-Avon. The birthplace of William Shakespeare.
William Shakespeare himself!
This is me in the Royal Shakespeare Company's theater. We saw a performance of Julius Caesar, and it was very well done. I will be seeing four more plays when I am here!! Next, I will be going to Bath. I'll definitely have pictures for you from there soon! Hope everyone is well.
Chris
Blenheim palace is the birthplace of Winston Churchill and currently the home of a duke. As you can see, it's huge.
I'm pretty sure the grounds were about the size of UT campus. Most likely bigger!
Luckily, it was a beautiful day.
Built in the early 18th century, the Palace remains one of the largest homes in England.
The English countryside on the way to Stratford-upon-Avon. The birthplace of William Shakespeare.
William Shakespeare himself!
This is me in the Royal Shakespeare Company's theater. We saw a performance of Julius Caesar, and it was very well done. I will be seeing four more plays when I am here!! Next, I will be going to Bath. I'll definitely have pictures for you from there soon! Hope everyone is well.
Chris
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Land Before Time
Another good day. Today, we predominately went to Oxford Natural History Musuem, but we also stopped by a local pub with some famous past customers....
Thought a seemingly regular pub in actually, the Eagle and Child is noteworthy because CS Lewis and JRR Tolkein used to be frequent customers. They met every week to discuss they're work. Inside are brief accounts of their patronage.
Built in the 1850s, amongst a heated debate between theology and science, the Natural History museum stands to be an imposing structure outside...
...and in. Inside, there are MANY animal skeletons and various collections of natural specimens. Very cool.
Rawr.
Tomorrow, I'm headed off to Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's town of birth, to see a production of Julius Caesar. Sure to be good!
Chris
Thought a seemingly regular pub in actually, the Eagle and Child is noteworthy because CS Lewis and JRR Tolkein used to be frequent customers. They met every week to discuss they're work. Inside are brief accounts of their patronage.
Built in the 1850s, amongst a heated debate between theology and science, the Natural History museum stands to be an imposing structure outside...
...and in. Inside, there are MANY animal skeletons and various collections of natural specimens. Very cool.
Rawr.
Tomorrow, I'm headed off to Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's town of birth, to see a production of Julius Caesar. Sure to be good!
Chris
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