Day 16: Boat Trip & Cinema

Monday, 19/August/2013

Every Monday EF offers you to go on the boat trip along the Thames. On my first Monday in London I gladly didn't join the trip because it was raning horribly and everyone returned like a drowned rat, haha. But I really wanted to do the boat trip so I joined it this Monday. We had an awesome weather by the way and it only costs 6 Pounds.

Before the trip I met Daria and we went to (my new favorite healthy restaurant) Tossed. I got a yummi breakfast sandwich and muesli. Then we went to Starbucks at Waterloo East, drank coffee and searched for cinemas because we planned on watching a movie in the evening.

At 13:30 I went to the EF court yard to go together with A LOT of other people and some EF staff members to the boat Pier on the Thames opposite London Eye. The trip was fun and I took nice pictures and learned some things about different buildings. Our guide who talked was a funny guy and made some cool jokes,  haha!

This is a (rather awkward) picture of me in front of the Tower Bridge :)

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The Shard

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In the evening Daria and me went to Sheperd's Bush with the Central Line. We didin't have to search long for the cinema and we bought two tickets for Percy Jackson at the self service ticket machines. The cinema at Wetfields had a big selection of sweets, ice cream, popcorn (of course) and chips/nachos! It was really cool and Daria and me got each a little box filled with jelly sweets and chocolate bites. In the cinema we were almost alone! Only 5 more people sat with us in that big movie hall.
Finally the film started and I absolutely loved it. And Daria did as well. I mean I'm pretty used to watching DVD's in the original language but it's nothing compared to watching a movie in the cinema in its original language! I love going to the cinema more than anything but watching a movie in its original language is definitely another experience. It gives the movie something real and strong believeable touch.

Many cities have cinemas that offer movies in English! Just go and look them up if you'd like to watch a movie like that. ;)

After all I really enjoyed it.

Goodnight everyone! Laila xoxo

Day 6: Covent Garden with class and Oxford street shopping spree

Friday, 09/August/2013

Today instead of our first 2 classes we went to Covent Garden with our teacher! We got divided in little groups to walk around and fill out a paper with questions he gave us earlier! We made a little stop at a candy shop which offered the most amazing selection of candy. So great!

Before returning to our meeting point we allowed ourselves each a cappuccion at Starbucks near Covent Garden. Really relaxing!

After returning to school I had my last lesson in Hatfields. It was a Lecture Lesson and I've been a bit sceptical because I've never had a Lecture Lesson before and I thought it's gonna be boring. ABSOLUTELY WRONG! It was AMAZING! A man called David Malone who is a passionate traveller told us everything he knows about cheap traveling all around the world. He also has a great blog but I have to put the link on here later because I currently can't remember it. I took loads of notes and i really appreciate his work and his kindness to share his experience with us. Here's the link to his (amazing) blog:

OUT OF THE DOOR . com

Guess what me and Louisa did after school? Right! We went shopping, haha. After our shopping spree (if you're a girl you have to visit the Victoria's Secret shop in New Bond Street! It's one of the most beautiful stores ever. In the basement you'll find Victoria's Secret's affiliated company "Pink" for a lower budget.), we went to the little park in front of London Eye to meet some people who are also studying at EF. There were people from Russia, Turkey, France and Germany and it was really funny. And London Eye looks amazing by night.

Goodnight everyone! Laila xx

Day 5: Portobello Road and London Eye

Thursday, 08/August/2013

Eventful day today! I feel like i did soo much! School ended at 12 o'clock for me so I went to find a little restaurant called "Tossed" ! I'm really happy i went there, they offer yummi, healthy food (wraps, salads, mixed boxes, smoothies etc.).  I went to their store near Southwark station but they have many other stores in London. Just check out their website! (tosseduk.com). I got the so called "mighty mexcian". Really good and afterwards i was sooo full because of the brown rice. For my way to London Bridge i also got a smoothie.

From London Bridge i took the Northern Line to Bank and then changed to the Central Line and got off at Notting Hill Gate. From there i only had to walk a few meters to arrive the the beautiful Porotobello Road. The road starts with small shops with cheap clothing (but so,e things are cool!).

Look at that little guy in one of the display windows! He also had a friend who looked exactly like him realxing one meter next to him! Really Really cute:

Me and Portbello Road ;)

There were people with an amazing collection of old cameras! I was thinking about buying one but they were about 30 Pound.. :/

The people in Portobello Road were amazing! Everyone was kind and I even got a compliment on my shoes! Or the other time is was just a "Hi" by some random people which i replied with a smile. "Thanks for smiling!". I also had a interesting conversation with a street-seller who told me about Alexander McQueen who already apperently visited him to sign one of his skull heads which were for sale. I really enjoyed my time there.

At 7pm i returned back to school to join the excursion to London Eye by night! B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L! Have a look:

Me and Louisa on the ground again in front of London's famous Big Ben! <3

Goodnight everyone! Laila xx

Day 2: First Day Of School

Monday, 05/August/2013

Today i got up at 6am to get ready for school even though we were expected to be there at 8:30. But I've always been an early bird. Ecspecially on a exciting day like first day of school! I mean how often do we have that anymore? The last time i had a first day at school was in 5th grade when I left elementary school to continue my education.

So, at 8:30 me and my room mate Jade from France arrived at school (after we walked twice the way because, well it was our first day and we had no idea how to get to school, haha). We were welcomed by Fraser Davis, the executive director of EF who is really nice!

At school we completet a form to find the best SPIN classes for us (It's just like an intensifection course) and we did a speaking assessment with EF teachers. They were asking us questions to which we replied and it felt like an ordinary conversation.

After the welcome talk at Hatfields (an add on house/lecture hall to the EF school less than 5 minutes away) a EF staff member showed us a bit around. The River Thames is located really really near our school! It was amazing how short we had to walk to finally get to see Big Ben, the Pariament and London Eye!

Before we had to return to Hatfields to get our timetable for the next week, we had some free time. I spent that time with Jade and we went to see the Picadilly Circus.

Goodnight everyone! Laila xx