I've been reading historical fiction novels by Philippa Gregory lately. Her books are mostly about the English monarchy, primarily the reign of Henry VIII, Bloody Mary, and Virgin Elizabeth. Since July, I've read, "The Other Boyeln Sister," "The Constant Princess," and "The Queen's Fool." I actually read "The Other Boleyn Sister" while in China, and the other two books since I got here...and I'm enjoying the latter two on a whole other level now that I'm living in the same London that Anne Boleyn, Katherine of Aragon, and Queen Mary walked amongst. Katherine of Aragon's residence prior to becoming the Queen of England was the Durham House, which is actually on the Strand a couple of blocks away from my school. I tried to find it on Tuesday, but ended up getting lost. It's so cool though, living in a city with so much history. I mean...Katherine of Aragon lived there in the early 1500s, yet it is still around today.
It's kind of funny because when I lived in Hollywood, I used to watch reality TV and marvel at the fact that everything on TV was physically accessible in my daily life, whereas now that I live in London, I'm amazed that I have that same access with historical sites.
Other than reading historical books, I've been really busy with school. It's currently reading week, which is a week in the middle of term that you get off from classes. At Berkeley, reading week was at the end of term, but in London, it's always in the middle of term. I'm going to Barcelona for reading week, so I have to finish my reading week assignment before I leave.
Since most of you like to look at pictures, I'll post some more from my sightseeing days in London:
This is for Shelly. The tour guide said this is the school that the real Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) goes to.
Just a picture from the bus. See the double-decker red bus that London's famous for? We ride these buses everywhere we go though, so the novelty is lost on us. It's just the way you get from Point A to B here.
London Dungeon. Lorenne and I went a couple days later during a weekday so we didn't have to deal with the queue. I really like London Dungeon. It's really cheesy, but funny. They have exhibits on the Plague, Jack the Ripper, Todd Sweeny, etc. I downloaded the episode of "The Girls Next Door," and Hugh Hefner and his Bunnies went here while in London too.
The Tower of London. It's actually not the original Tower of London, did you know that? The original building burned during the Great Fire which destroyed half of London in the 1666. SO...it had to be rebuilt. It's on the same location, however, and was reconstructed as closely to the original as they could manage. The Tower is supposedly haunted, since it is the site where so many died. Anne Boleyn for one...
There are etchings in the walls of the Tower from prisoners. This is an E with a heart around it, allegedly by one of Queen Elizabeth's lovers who was executed.
View from top of the bus on Tower Bridge. This is what London policecars look like. London policemen do not carry guns. Most Americans don't believe this, but we're the only country that has that big of a problem with gun violence.
I took a river boat cruise along the Thames River. We managed to catch the opening of Tower Bridge. Tower Bridge had to open up to let some big ships through. Imagine if you're the poor bastard stuck on one side of the bridge trying to get to the other and you're in a cab (which are really expensive here) and the meter's running. DUDE, I'd be sooo pissed.
I think this is the current London Bridge...or is it Waterloo? I dunno. There's so many bridges here! Tower Bridge is the fancy one though. The others serve mainly as connectors between North and South London.
Harrod's Department Store. It's the most famous department store in London, but I haven't actually been there yet. It's really quite posh and expensive and there isn't really anything I need in there so far. I usually just go to Selfridge's.
The London Eye. Lorenne and I managed to fit this in on one of the few clear days in London. It's really kind of boring though because it goes so slow.
That's about it! I don't usually carry a camera around with me in London. I'm not Japanese, afterall. But will try to get you some pictures of my real life in London one of these days. Also, the Barcelona trip should result in some great pictures.
I doubt I'll ever fall in love with London, but I am developing a great appreciation for it as a city and center of culture. And living here has definitely affected me and changed my perspective on things. I am homesick for LA, but then I realize that even when I return to LA, my life isn't really there waiting for me. I don't have a job, a home, or a car there anymore. London is more or less my home now.
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