Denmark; Spring Semester 2013: April 2013

Friday after class, Jules and I went to her house for dinner before her host dad drove us to the airport and then we were off to London! This blog will consist mostly of pictures, but here's the overview. We got in Friday night around 10 and then took the train to Casey Capuano (my friend from St. Lawrence, Taylor's twin sister who has been studying abroad there this semester). We dropped off our stuff, met her friends, and then went to a bar in Shoreditch. Met a 35 year old guy whose life goal was to be an actor in LA. Good luck dude. Saturday morning, we went to a famous cafe called The Breakfast Club for coffee and french toast. Julia and I split off from Casey and met up with our friend Andrew from school and covered a majority of the tourist destinations; Trafalgar Square, The National Gallery, the London Eye, Westminster, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Green Park. Then, we went home, got ready, and went out to a club called Mahiki (Rihanna's favorite club in London, lol). On Sunday, I went to Camden Town with Casey and Julia went to see an Arsenal game at Emirates stadium. Monday, Julia and I met with Andrew again for more touristy things while Casey took her first final exam; Tower of London, Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Millenium Bridge, Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, St. Paul's Cathedral, and Hyde Park. That night, I met up with another St. Lawrence student studying in London, Elena, and we went to the Pheonix Theatre to see Once the Musical! LOVE IT. Sweet story, innovative set, beautiful music, this song, I was hooked. After the musical, we ate cinnabons in Piccadilly Square and then went back home. Tuesday was our last day and we couldn't have asked for better weather. It was also Casey's last day of finals so to celebrate, we all went to Hummingbird Bakery and ate cupcakes in the sun. Then we went to Primrose Hill which has one of the best views of London. It was seriously the perfect day. We walked to Camden again for lunch and then I walked up and down Oxford Street, attempted to shop, but gave up after 2 minutes in Primark (think 5 floors, each the size of a super walmart. oh, and 30+ people in line at every cash register. deaded). So I got a Ben's Cookie instead (because when in London, right?) and then we went back to Camden.. again.. for drinks on the lake. Julia went to another soccer game, but I went with Casey and her friends and when they left, Casey and I went to an Irish pub, talked with the bartenders for a bit, and then made our way back home, stopping at King's Cross Station (down the street from her dorm) and found Platform 9 3/4 from Harry Potter. (Gabriella and Fredster, I hope you're reading this!) We decided it was better to just not sleep at all since we got home at 2 am and had to leave to catch the train to the airport at 3:30. Woof. Anyway. It was a great five days in London. I really loved the city for all of its history, beauty, and diversity. So much different than Copenhagen in so many ways. It reminded me a bit of NYC in term of the fast paced/hectic atmosphere, but classier and with more character.. if that makes sense. I loved it, but I'm still obsessed with Copenhagen (and Denmark in general). It's like, I've been living in Denmark for 4 months and it already feels like home, but I don't think I could ever really call London (or NYC for that matter) home. Maybe after years of living there, but I felt the same way about Rome; loved everything about the city, but it's just not for me.. not manageable. Casey and my other friends on the London program feel the same way.. they've really only gotten a taste of the city, whereas I feel like this is home. Everytime I travel somewhere, my eyes are opened to so many new things and I can't even begin to put into words how grateful and humbled I am to have had so many wonderful experiences (and have so many to come), but by the end of my travels, I'm always ready to be home. As soon as I step into Copenhagen Airport and hear that horridly beautiful language that I've come to love, I feel like I'm where I belong again. I could not have made a better decision in choosing to study in Denmark and everyday I am amazed at how fortunate I am to be where I am today. Again, I could go on forever, but it really doesn't translate the way I want it to on this type of forum, so I'll save it for home. Anyway. Enjoy the pics! Cheers, mate.