Stratford-upon-Avon and Kenilworth Castle

Photos of Stratford:

Shakespeare's birthplace

THE room where Shakespeare was birthed oooooh

River Avon

This was the spot of Shakespeare's actual house. A man bought it as a holiday house and was eventually so fed up with the constant tourists that he had it torn down...

Photos of Kenilworth Castle:

It was windy as you can see... 

First week in London

I have been here just a week and already so much has happened. I feel like I have gone from a really confused and timid student to a real London commuter! Everything about being here has been amazing. I love London even more than I thought I would. There's so much to see and do in this city!

I had CAPA orientation, have gone on a sightseeing tour of London, started my first week of classes and am headed to Bath tomorrow. It's been a very busy, but wonderful week. I was so nervous to ride the buses and the tube the first 2 days, but it was also really cool to finally be commuting in London. I felt a little bit like this (I've also been to this station!)....



Here are some highlights of the sites I've visited as well. Now I know it looks like I'm wearing the same thing every day, but my orange coat is just so perfect for walking around London. It's decently warmer and is long enough that it covers my pant pockets, so nothing can be easily stolen from them.

            

           VA Museum

VA Museum

Shakespeare's Globe

Tower of London

Wobbly/Harry Potter bridge

Changing of the Guard 

View from my window

Big Ben & Parliment

Buckingham Palace

St. Paul's Cathedral

CAPA Afternoon Tea Reception @ Regency Hotel

Pub near my homestay

View of the London Eye

London Bridge

As you can see from some of the pictures, it's actually been great weather here! Usually around 70 degrees and clear sunny skies. It hasn't rained yet, just sprinkled for a few minutes one day. This weather is kind of difficult. It's kind of like the time of year in Arizona when it's really hot under the sun, but then move into the shade and it's freezing. Except here it's just the sun moving out of or behind a cloud every 5 minutes. It also can be either really cold or really warm down in the tube stations depending on the time of day and the amount of people. I usually end up leaving my coat on and sweating though when it gets warm because I hate taking it on and off...

There are more photos on my Flicker page! You can also follow along on my blog through CAPA (which is more coherently written...) which goes up every Monday morning. There'll be a lot more details of my first impressions of London there, but I just wanted to update since I haven't had the chance to until today! More to come!

-Emily

*Sings* It's the Final Countdoooown!!

So I leave in a week. It's become very real. I've found out both my home stay details and internship placement. I also have my visa and passport back safely. And after checking off what seemed like a million items on the to do/buy list, I feel like I am pretty much ready!

I have now been spending my days deciding exactly what to pack and what to leave behind. Can you tell from the last picture that the pile of clothes has been cut almost in half? Probably not...

In the last two weeks I have been buying so much stuff! Today alone I received my backpack and new tennis shoes in the mail (they have memory form; it's like walking on clouds). And I finally have a new laptop--a Macbook Air--it's perfect for what I need and I have been wanting to make the switch from Windows for a while now wooooo!! Granted, it's not the most ideal time to switch, but I managed to write this blog post using it, so I think I'll fare okay.

My Mom and I are also working on my Regency costume for the Jane Austen Festival in Bath happening in about three weeks.

I plan to only be in Bath for the one day. I'll be eating a Regency breakfast, participating in the world record attempt for the most people dressed in Regency costume in one place (500+), along with the costume parade and some site seeing.

Here's a little sneak peek photo for you guys :)

I am super excited to be going to this festival. When I took a class on Jane Austen last semester, I never imagined that I would be able to experience the books in this way, with hundreds of other Austen lovers! (I also just really love wearing costumes okay?) It's also going to be my first "big trip", so I'm a little nervous about taking the train, getting to Bath on time, and getting to and around the festival, but hopefully it will all go smoothly!

I'm also really excited to share (though most already know) that along with my personal blog here, I've been selected as CAPA's Official Blogger in London for Fall 2014!! My posts will be up every Monday throughout the semester starting from September 8th on the CAPA World Blog. I am getting a grant and an "explorer fund", so technically, this will be the first time I've ever been paid to write! It's a huge honor and a responsibility I don't take lightly. Click the picture to see the introduction post on the website!

Well, that's all for now. The next time I post, I will be in or on my way to LONDON! Ahhhhh!!

-Emily