Bucket List!

London Bucket List!

I have been in London for about a month now, and am finally settled into school, the dorms, etc. So now I have started making my London Bucket list! Although I have a larger bucket list for all of the countries I will be seeing later this semester, I thought I’d focus on my current bucket list for London and what I have and haven’t done yet!

1.  Go to the Globe

I have done this one twice! It was probably the biggest thing on my list. I am a Dramatic Literature major so it is a basic right of passage to see your first show at the Globe theater. This semester I have seen two shows there so far – “As You Like It” and “Twelfth Night”. Once I stood in the "yard", the other time I was sitting in the top row. It was the most amazing experience!

2.    Eat Indian food – Done!!!

3. Eat fish and chips – Done!! 

      4. Visit Big Ben – I have seen Big Ben from afar, but I haven’t gotten up close yet. 

      5. Go to Notting Hill and visit the Portobello Market – I did this last weekend! The Portobello Market is a huge antique market on Saturdays in Notting Hill. It has old Rugby Balls, compasses, cricket sets, vintage china, etc. It is really fun to walk around if you have a Saturday free! Also, while you’re there, you can see the bookshop that the bookshop from the movie Notting Hill was based off of!

      6. See a West End production – I have done this a few times now! I have seen War Horse, Billy Elliot, and Sweeney Todd with my Modern Drama class. In West End theaters, they sell ice cream in the aisles during interval, AND some theaters have little binoculars attached to your seat that you can rent for a pound. How funny is that?

      7. Go to Abbey Road and take a Beatles picture – touristy, I know, but I want to do it anyway.

      8. See St. Paul’s Cathedral – Did this on the way to the Globe theater! They are very close to each other. Such a beautiful landmark!

      9. See Buckingham Palace (Will and Kate 4eva)

     10.     See Stonehenge (This Sunday with NYU!)

     11. Go thrifting in the Camden Road Markets (a very young, cool area)

     12. Go to the Brick Lane Markets

     13.  The London eye!! (Going with NYU in November)

     14.  See the Harry Potter Studios!! (Also an NYU sponsored trip!)

     15. Explore the music scene in London – Have started doing this. Go to the Water Rats Theater Bar – live bands every night! Saw a great British band recently called Dance a la Plage.

     16. Get a British accent. (Just kidding kind of).

the globe!

Portobello Road

St. Paul's Cathedral!

Notting Hill

Food, Glorious Food!

Let’s face it. London has not necessarily always been known for its cuisine. However, once arriving and living in London, I am slowly but surely learning that not only is food in London delicious, but there are a few specific dishes that are out of this world! For example, just last week I had my first encounter with the famous dish of Fish and Chips. Fish and Chips is a dish with fried fish (usually cod) and thick french fries (or as Londoners say, chips). I went to the most amazing restaurant called the Rock and Sole Plaice. It was DELICIOUS! It was an extremely heavy dish (however I did get the large portion) but I was practically licking the plate by the end.

Another food in London that is extraordinary is the Indian food. I must say, I think it is the best Indian food I’ve ever had (and I’ve lived in New York City most of my life). My personal favorite place to eat Indian food in London is called Punjab. In fact, it is right down the street from “Rock and Sole Plaice”! On my first night in London I ate chicken tika marsala there (and buttered nan mmmm), and I have become addicted. It is pricey for a broke college student, but when I manage to stay below my budget for the week, I allow myself a delicious meal there.

So, don’t be afraid to try the cuisine! Every great city has something to offer, and I was completely and pleasantly surprised! London has GREAT food, and I can’t wait to try more!

I was more enthused about this than I look. It was so yummy!

The Rock and Sole Plaice! 

Best Indian food ever!

Punjab! It is located right next to an awesome Astrology store in Covent Garden!

Art in London!

Hey All! So I would just like to preface this post with the fact that I am not a fine arts girl. I love fine art, but I know absolutely nothing about it. So I thought, hey, I'm in a new city, why not learn about something new that I'm interested in? Thus, I talked to my roomies who are art history majors, and am now dedicating some of my time to exploring the amazing fine arts museums in London. However, my first experience to kick off this new interest of mine, was an extremely interesting and unique one, which perfectly encapsulates how much fun London can be if you throw yourself into something different, new, and uncomfortable. My first experience was going to a free art show in the Soho area - it was an art show by Mr. Brainwash.

For those of you who do not know who Mr. Brainwash is, he is the protege of Banksy (the anonymous street artist). His work is mainly meant for street art, but he has created works to be put in a gallery, such as prints, paintings, sculptures, etc. I would not usually be inclined to go to this sort of show, but I figured I'd check it out with my roommates. Not only was it completely rewarding from an arts major perspective, but on a personal note, I got to actually meet the famed artist and he signed my posters! This is just one little example of how opening up your mind while abroad can be completely rewarding - if I hadn't tried something new, I wouldn't have met a famous artist and shared an experience with my friends that will last forever! I am going to MAKE myself visit the art museums in London for the rest of the semester - seeing this art show got me hooked! For those of you studying in London soon, the major museums are The Tate, White Cube, The National Gallery, and the London Museum. The first two are modern art museums, the second two classical. I hope that everyone takes advantage of the art scene, even if you've never been interested before!

I forgot to introduce myself!

I completely forgot to introduce myself to you guys before telling you all about my trip! My name is Hannah Klein and I am a Dramatic Literature student at NYU in CAS. I came to London to immerse myself in the theater culture. I have been studying theater all my life in New York City (my parents were both in the theater), and have heard over and over again that London is the most amazing place to see plays, write, etc. I am a complete theater nerd, so be prepared to see a lot about plays, the arts, and a few favorite book shop/coffee spots.

I am writing this blog because (a) I want to be able to have a digital log of my time here in London (or at least the highlights) and (b) I want to help everyone who reads my blog have the best time ever while studying abroad by giving them travel tips, study tips, food tips - whatever comes up! A helping hand is always comforting when planning a major trip - especially a trip of a lifetime/opportunity of a lifetime like this one! I personally feel so lucky that NYU offers so many study abroad sites and gives us the opportunity to have so many new opportunities. I, for one, plan on taking advantage of these opportunities as much as I can, and plan on telling you guys all about them (either to encourage or warn you).

So far London has been completely amazing. I love the people here and even though the weather is COLD, I am enjoying breaking in my new sweaters in early September. I actually am about to make a post about the art culture in London right now SO STAY TUNED!