I love the UK!

[theatokos]

I am writing on the train, on my way home from London. I’m sitting in the first class quiet coach. Traveling by train is delightful. Better than car or plane, I think. Britain is an amazing, beautiful country. It is so green! Even London is green! I am sure there are parts that are as urban as any city, but there are so many parks and tree. The University of Roehampton is in greater southwest London. It’s the only uni in London with an actual campus. There are a few small lakes and while the uni is a mish-mash of architecture and planning, there are several spots that are green and secluded. Overall the uni feels like a real, honest-to-god uni, with students of every race and creed and a library that was actually being used. I had really nice accommodations, quiet, and with the best shower I’ve had since I left the US.

I got to go out on Tues night. I took the bus into neighboring Putney. I stood on the edge of the Thames!! I sound like a total tourist, but wow –the Thames is an inspiring river. There is something that feels quite alive about it. So beautiful. That night I went to a movie: I saw Iron Man 2. Such fun! It was sheer brilliant ridiculousness. The plot was quite weak in parts, the science laugh out loud absurd, but who cares? Scarlett Johanson is sex on a stick. And I am not ashamed to say that if Robert Downey Jr/Tony Stark asked me to run away with him, I’d go in a heartbeat. SO HOT. The one thing that annoyed me about the movie was seeing Gwyneth Paltrow and Scarlett Johanson walk around in 4 inch Laboutins. They could barely walk. They minced. It gave them sway backs. So very awkward and actually quite disturbing (they are actually rendered mildly disabled by these shoes). Oh and Mickey Rourke, who is HUGE by the way, was excellent as the baddie, but whoa does he have some wierd fingernails. After the movie I took myself to Wagamama, a Japanese chain, and had noodles and a glass of wine. Then went back to my room and crashed for 10 hours.

As soon as I get home I must nurse. MUST. NURSE. I am in a goodly deal of pain – sharp pinpoints and what feels like internal bruising, as if I’m being pummeled from the inside-out. My breasts are hard as rocks, lumpy, and hot. I am quite surprised that my brief journey away from Bennett –who is nearly 2- has caused me so much discomfort.
*******

And I’m home. Wow, Lampeter is out back of the beyond. So beautiful and wonderful to come to.

Comments

[chiv.livejournal.com]

First Class? I thought you were saving the pennies or is the uni funding your travel?

And Iron Man 2... Black Widow was rather pointless to the plot and only there to introduce the character so she doesn't just suddenly pop up in the Avengers movie. (and the War-Machine thread was crammed in where there was space)
The science alchemy was laughable, but propping up the particle accelerator with Captain America's shield was pure geek-gasm moment.
Pepper was perfectly on form though as the foil to Tony's ego :D

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

The first class was some sort of upgrade. Maybe it was a special?

I completely agree about Black Widow. And I loved the Captain America shield moment.

[bravenewcentury.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you enjoyed London! Wagamamas is heavenly, I love eating there. If you have some free time in the day on another visit I'd really recommend checking out a museum or art gallery- they are mostly free and there is a huge variety of stuff to see (that's what you get for a couple of centuries of conquering other countries and nicking their stuff...). The Natural History Museum is an old favourite of mine (you MUST go there if you take Bennett up to London, it's wonderful for kids), and the V&A has a lot of varied collections and is generally less busy. Then there's the Tate and the Tate Modern, and the National Gallery which is also really great, and then there's extra exhibitions at places like the British Library or the Barbican...

Also I don't know how your train tickets worked out, but if you're going to London on a regular-ish basis and the best ticket options from Wales don't include any kind of city travelcard you might want to get yourself an Oyster card- it's generally a lot cheaper than paying fare by fare with cash.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

I couldn't go into the city proper this trip, but I hope to on my next trip in a month's time. All those museum's are on my list to see! I think I now want to read Peter Ackryod's book London.

My advisers have oyster cards- I need to get one and a student rail pass.

[keypike.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you had such a lovely trip! But also glad you're back - selfishly I missed you, and Adam too, who was noticeably absent from Twitter & FB.

Did I see you write somewhere that you were in Richmond? We have an office there :D

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Awww. Yes! Richmond is a posh neighborhood near Roehampton. It's a beautiful place! I went there for the Breton meal and to walk around. Maybe you need to visit this office??

[easter.livejournal.com]

Mind if I add? I'm Yael's friend!

OMG, I just saw that you live in Lampy! I did part of my undergrad there. Guess you had to do the train from London to Swansea, change in Swansea to go to Carmarthen, then get the bus in Carmarthen -- what a journey!

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Well hi there! Feel free - and I added you back. Lampeter is a wonderful town but the Uni is going to hell in a handbasket. I'm transfering. I heard the uni was better 10 years ago.