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 :)

.

The Shard

.

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 15: Camden Market

Sunday, 18/August/2013

Today I got up unusually late! About 11am! But i still and even tho there were some construction works at the subway and overground trains I had to take going on, I managed to arrive at Camden Town (The Rail Replacement Bus Service helped me ;)). I was numbly. There was so much going on on the streets. Little shops at every corner (most of them selling fake stuff but whatever. It's about the atmosphere ;)), a lot of food, many Discount/Outlet Stores (Shoewear, Gap, Aldo) but also H&M, Urban Outfitters (they have special bags that say "Urban Outfitters Camden Town"), etc... ) There are a few different market halls. One for example is called The Stables Market. Near that one you'll find much food and people handing you chicken to try and buy. :) You'll also find a few Vintage stores in there.I'm gonna let my pictures speak for me now:

The famous "Camden Lock" sign. If you see it you'll probably have to turn left to

enter the first market:

.

Inside. It's beautiful!

.

Food court near the Stables market.

.

The Stables Market aka Horse Tunnel Market.

.

There were loads of those giant horse statues around the Stables!

.

    Those guys draw really cool stuff just a few steps after the Camden Market.

They promoted a Battle going on on Friday!

I still gotta tell you a funny story that happened near the red bridge in Camden Town.

Innocently I stood there looking at the water when I suddenly saw three doves flying towards my direction. As they came near I saw that the one in the middle had something in his mouth. They came closer and closer and I realized it was a big, fat rat! The dove tried hard not to lose his good and I was afraid he'd lose it while flying over me. Luckily he didn't. He crossed the road in the middle and despite he was trying really hard he lost the rat on the other side of the road and it landed between all the people standing and walking there!

The scene remembered me of a Criminal Movie because the rat just landed there with a big noise and layed there dead. One woman who didn't pay attention walked over the rat! eww.. haha. But still it was really funny watching that scene.

Also in Camden Town I saw a really talented Busker. I listened to a few songs he covered and gave him all my change.^^ Here's a short cutout of him covering I'm yours by Jason Mraz.

I hope someday I'll to able to buy his album.

Goodnight!! Laila xxx

Day 14: Nothing but school

Saturday, 17/August/2013

Had a long but enjoyable day in school today. Then at 18:50 i first wanted to go to London Eye with some people but then I decided to visit Louisa who was busy packing for her departure on Sunday morning. She's been staying here since two weeks and I'm really gonna miss her because in these 2 weeks I really became fond of her. At her house we ate a lot of candy and sweets that she brought but didn't want to take home again, haha! We said goodbye and I ran to catch my train. I actually just jumped into a train that just arrived and as the doors closed I asked the people around me if this train is even going to Lewisham. Luckily I was on the right train. I came home perfectly in time and had dinner. :)

Goodnight everyone! Laila xx

Day 13: The National Gallery

Friday, 16/August/2013

Due to the request from Raphael (France) we made and excursion to the National Gallery with our General Course! It was great! After having a coffee in a kind of underground vault that was connected to the St. Martin-in-the-Fields church we first went to the National Portrait Gallery. Great pictures. There were Portraits of people that looked like those were photographs but when you took a step near you could see the single strokes of the brush. But also other styles of Portraits were present.

The National Gallery was enchanting. I mean all of those pictures some of them were giant. And just think about all the effort one of those pictures must have taken. I've read a information text where it said that there exist 15 different pictures of the same scene from a different view and the one shown is like "the best one" or something. But imagine this! 15 of those complex pictures! Mad! I personally liked the impresionistic pictures best. Sadly you're not allowed to take pictures in there. But it's great that almost every museum in UK is free. So there's nothing holding you back from seeing those pictures yourself when you'll come to London.

The National Gallery

.

 

This afternoon EF also offered us a information class about studying in the UK which i joined because it's always good to know something about your possibilities. It was really interesting and revealing. I've learned things that were useful regardless where you're studying and some information was really important for studying in the UK. Overall really informative (and we had snacks!)

Laterafter school, I met Louisa and we went to the London Eye together with other people from school and we sat in the park next to the London Eye and talked a bit.



Goodnight everyone! Laila xo

Day 12: M&M World and Street Artist

Thursday, 15/August/2013

Today me and Daria went to the M&M World in Piccadilly Circus. Yummi!! And we saw a great street artist which i filmed with my camera.

For the evening me and Louisa went to my place and ate some ice cream.  :D

Horse  Statue

.

At the M&M world

.

Regent Street

.

Have a good night! Laila xx

Day 11: Schoolday! :)

Wednesday, 14/August/2013

Today I had a long day in school. So here are some pictures of graffiti in Brick Lane that I haven't posted yet. Really good artwork:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodnight everyone! Laila xxx

Day 10: Selfridges & Co

Tuesday, 13/August/2013

I finished school at 15:40 so i went to eat something at "Pret A Manger" (Really good! You'll find it everywhere in London.) near Southwark.

Afterwards me and Louisa met up and went to Selfridges & Co in Oxford Street (linked!) and it was awesome-. Selfridges offers predominantly designer brands but also brands for the ordinary moneybag for example Topshop, Miss Selfridge or American Apparel. And not to forget: The Foodhall. You can find absolutely E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G there! Among other things super delicious cupcakes me and Louisa tried. But also Jelly Beans, loads of candy and chocolate, Fiji and Voss water but also usual groceries. Selfridges also has a giant makeup section with brands like MAC, Bobbi Brown and all you can imagine. I just advise anyone coming to London to at least take a look at every corner of Selfridges. I promise you will find at least one thing (let it be a cupcake or anything) that you like. :) Here are the pictures of  our Selfridges night (opened until 10pm!):

Goodnight guys! Laila xo