The Cherry Orchard

Last Night I went to see Anton Checkhov's The Cherry Orchard at the Old Vic Theatre. Ethan Hawke starred in this new version of the play by Tom Stoppard as part of The Bridge Project which is a cooperative effort between North American and U.K. Theatres. I have always had a lot of respect for Ethan Hawke as an actor and so it was fun to get to see him up close. I was impressed at the fluidity by which he said his lines and the rest of cast was strong as well. The play is a sort of social commentary on the decline of the Russian aristocracy at the end of the 19th century. At one point bright lights appeared on stage and armed guards in the distance to underscore that a passing beggar was actually an escapee of a labor prison.

The Old Vic was a great. It had three levels and balconies with a large glass chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The stage and lighting were not glamorous or spectacular. It was just good acting and play writing. And of course Ethan Hawke.

Here is a link to The Old Vic

http://www.oldvictheatre.com/whatson.php?id=47

Oxford

Oxford (Christ's Church)



Window in Christ's Church in Honour of St. Catherine


Tea in Burton-on-the-Water



Today I visited one of Europe's oldest university towns, Oxford. The town where Thomas Becket was murdered and where Radiohead played their first show. I actually listened to In Rainbows on the way back and remembered just how good of an album it is. We stopped off in a small town called Burton-on-the-water to have tea with scones and cream. It was my first time away from London in almost a month and it was nice to get away.

My New Euro Kicks!

We live in a global society and in a consumer culture everything is available everywhere all of the time. One can get Campers in Orlando by buying them online. Still, buying online is not the same as going in the store, trying them on and making the decision.On my way to Harrods Department store, which is absolutely amazing, I came across a Camper store. They are Spanish made shoes with funky designs supposedly made from sustainable materials. I just think that they have a cool look so I bought a pair. They are my sweet new Euro kickers!

Westminster Abbey

This past Friday I went to evensong at Westminster Abbey. It really was awe inspiring to be in a magnificent cathedral hearing a service in a church that his been so important to history and to the history of the church. I think it was when I looked up to see the height of the ceiling was when I was most taken. Oh yeah, I got into trouble taking this picture, which I felt really bad about.

Neal's Yard Dairy

As I was walking through Covent Garden yesterday I stumbled into this cheese shop and realized that it was the one that David, the library director, had recommended. Immediately this young woman behind the counter started handing me pieces of Goat's Cheese to try. Before I could even accept I was given two or three sample of marvelous cheese. Triple Creams, Hard Cheeses, Soft Cheeses, Aged Cheeses, Sheep's Milk Cheese, Real Cheddar from just south of here in Cornwall. Needless to say if you like cheese and you are in London then visit Neal's Yard.

A Good Cup of Coffee

This mornings Americana at a nice little one owner place called Wild & Wood. They have a great looking Goat Cheese Quiche that I want to try as well.

Princi is this amazing Italina Bakery with great coffee.

A Cappucino from a chain called Cafe Costa (notice the cocoa is in the shape of coffee beans)


I know, I know the British are famous for drinking tea but I have found that there is some really great coffee in London. There is something about a great Latte or Cappucino that just sooths, takes the edge off and starts my day right. Today I went to this local place called Wild & Wood and had a great Americana. I think as the weather turns cool and then cold, cups of coffee and good books are going to be the things that I turn to.

My Favourite Pub in London

The Princess Louise was featured on a tour and in the Time Out that I read on Pubs in the Bloomsbury neighborhood. This particular pub was an ornate interior of partitions made of intricately carved wood and colourful glass. It might not make the best use of space but it gives the pub an intimate feel. It is very close to The British Museum and London University and so is frequented by locals, professors and graduate students. It is a tied house meaning that it can only serve the product of one brewery. In this case the lack of variety is not a bad thing since they serve Samuel Smiths from Tadcaster, York. I have always loved their Oatmeal Stout and Nut Brown Ale. At the Pub they have Organic Cider and a great Bitter that is under two pounds per pint.

St-Martin-in-the-Fields

The Church of St. Martin in the Fields once actually stood in a Field between the citizens of London and the citizens of Westminster but now it is in the heart of the city. It sits adjacent to The National Portrait Gallery on Trafalgar Square. It is world famous for great music. On Friday at 1pm they have free concerts and this past friday I went to hear an Opera concert. For me there is something so relaxing to step in from the busy city to hear music in a church. There were many classical works sung by a young Irish opera singer who was accompanied by a Spanish pianist. I would like to go back to St. Martin in the Fields for more great classical music.

Vespa

Maybe it's that we are having such nice July weather here in London but I have seen so many Vespa's around. Traffic is so busy here in the city that I would think it dangerous. I mean everyone was worried about safety when I got my Vespa in Orlando and London seems far busier and the streets are far more confusing. Even so it makes me want a Vespa to wip around London on.

Somerset House

The Spiral Staircase at Somerset House


Manet


Woman arranging flowers at the Somerset House


The Courtyard at the Somerset House

Today I visited The Somerset House on the Embankment of The Thames. I entered from the Thames side, passed through a cafe' area into a magnificent courtyard. On the other side of the courtyard was the building that houses the collection of paintings. There are several galleries and four floors with a winding staircase leading to each floor. I saw originals by Peter Paul Rubens, Modigliani, Botticelli, Manet, Renoir, Van Gogh and Seurat to name a few. One of the most notable is A Bar at the Folies-Bergère by Manet.It really is a charming place and the collection doesn't take all day to see. It is free on Mondays and so I plan to return.

British Library

People studying in the British Library

The Stacks of Rare Books behind glass

The entrance to the British Library

As I understand it the Library of Congress gets a copy of most things published in the U.S. and so while it is one of the most important libraries in American it does not have a copy of everything. By law anything published in the UK must submit at least one copy to the British Library and so they have everything published in the UK. In addition it is a really incredibly, clean airy modern building with tons of rare books and a museum. The British Library is currently one of the most important libraries in the world. I was stunned to see things like an early copy of the Magna Carta and the original pages on which John Lennon composed the song yesterday. Even though it is one of the Beatles most popular songs it has always been one of my favourite.

Iconic Red Phone Booths

There are a ton of little cliche' things that make London unique. Red double decker buses, the Tower, Big Ben and of course those red phone booths that are on the street everywhere catching your eye. This morning alone I saw a key chain with red phone booths, postcards with red phone booths and other various souvenirs of red phone booths. Ironically the phone booths are a thing of the past because I have yet to see anyone using one of them in a day and age when everyone has a wireless device. So the question is then, should the city of London leaves these things on the street? In all likeliness the red phone booths will stay but will be unused icons of a great city with a wealth of tradition.

The British Museum

I visited the British Museum for a few hours this morning. I didn't get to the late European artifacts and things but I did see some really interesting Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Roman and Early British items. The museum is huge and crowded like the rest of the city. Even so there is a large open atrium in the middle that is well designed and gave me a feeling of peace. I just stood there in the center on the 3rd floor and looked down below and the people eating lunch or walking across the marble floor. There is a nice restaurant in The British Museum and maybe I'll get a chance to eat there while in London.

IT Intern

This is the computer lab in the FSU London Study Centre Library. There are two other labs like this one.


This is David, The Library Directory and Ginger the Library Intern




It's my second day on the job. I am working from 12-9 in the tiny little library. I can tell that I am going to learn a great deal from working on the IT side of things. I am working on updating the web page using dream weaver to create and maintain PHP files. I am also trouble shooting laptop wireless connectivity issues. I am excited about getting this opportunity and If I can get a grasp of the job and find a way to make an impact here I think my time in London will be a success.