Theater in London

If you study abroad in London, you’re in luck because it has one of the best theater scenes ever. While you’re here, even if you aren’t a theater buff, take the time to explore some of London’s best theaters and theater companies. To save you time, I’ll lay out where to go for great theater, and what to expect.

The West End: This is the “Broadway” of London. It has the mainstream musicals, such as “Mamma Mia”, “Shrek”, “Les Miserables”, etc. But it also houses very successful new musicals, revivals, and plays. These are big theaters that have high budgets for their shows – you will get a spectacle!

The West End

The Young Vic: This theater houses new works and has a very cool crowd. I just saw a production of “Three Sisters” here that completely made me rethink how I saw Chekov! The Young Vic has a very young vibe, and with tickets so cheap, it won’t make a dent in your savings to go.

The Young Vic

The Old Vic: The elder to the Young Vic, the Old Vic also produces high quality and low cost theater. The Old Vic prides itself on producing and showcasing some of the best talent in the world. Also, Kevin Spacey is the artistic director – I’m still hoping to see him there one day!

The Old Vic

Shakespeare’s Globe: The Globe is a “Shakespeare only” performance space. They crank out multiple high quality Shakespearian productions a year. The Globe is probably one of the most famous theaters in London, so I suggest you go!! It is only five pounds to stand in “the yard” (which is the floor space) and a bit more money to sit in the actual seats. But, I think everyone should experience standing in the yard. You can be first row for five pounds! Go when it's warm and not rainy though - the theater doesn't have a roof!

The Globe

Royal Court Theater: This theater prides itself on producing new works. There is always an interesting new show that’s never been seen before here, so I suggest you go before it becomes successful!

The Royal Court Theater

I hope you take the opportunity in London to see the AMAZING theater it has to offer. NYU often offers discount tickets to shows, and if you take any theater classes you are able to see shows almost every week!  Seeing shows has been one of my favorite experiences while in London. 

Tips for Weekend Trips!

Many students at NYU study abroad take the opportunity of living in another country to travel on weekends! Especially living in a city like London, I have tons of access to nearby European countries. Many of us take weekend trips (since we mostly have 3 day weekends) which are really fun, but also take preparation! (No matter how last minute the trip is!) So I am giving you a guide to the perfect weekend trip while abroad. Heeeerrree we go.

1. Have credit on your phone. Sometimes I go weeks without topping up my vodaphone. While traveling, make sure you are reachable!

2. Travel with friends. This may seem obvious (most people wouldn't go alone) but it really is important to travel with a group of friends that you trust! If something were to happen, you want to know that they would take care of you. 

3. Have a plan. Although it may be fun to go to a new country without any plans holding you back, the truth is you're only in this country for 2 days. Make the most of it and see things that you may never get the chance to see again!

4. Map out the boring stuff. Already know how to get from the airport/bus station/train station to your hostel. The time it takes to figure out where you're going is time wasted not exploring the city!

5. Have enough money. Do not travel with a small amount of money in your bank account. Not only will you want to be able to enjoy yourself while there, if there's an emergency you should have enough money for an expensive cab ride, etc. 

6. Tell everyone where you're going! Let people know (especially your parents) where you'll be for the weekend!

7. HAVE FUN!

I'm going to Amsterdam this weekend. I'll post about it next week! 

Venturing outside of the NYU London Campus

So, although the NYU campus is located in an amazing neighborhood in the city of London (right near Russell Square – beautiful!), it is very important to go see the other (just as awesome) neighborhoods in London! Here are some that I have gone to, or want to go to!

1.    Notting Hill – been to this one. Definitely check it out! Beautiful residential neighborhood, but if you go on Saturday, you can go to the Portobello Market!

2. Shoreditch – have been meaning to make it here! I hear it’s a very young, artistic neighborhood with great bars, clubs, and art galleries. (I hear Old Street and Curtain Road are especially fun)

3. Soho – really cool, hip area. Much like the Soho in New York! Greek and Brewer street have amazing boutiques, and there are tons of restaurants and bars. While you’re there, you can also check out a performance at the Soho Theatre!

Soho, London

4.   Camden – Haven’t been to Camden yet, but this is where you want to go to see a band play (you’ll probably go to Electric Ballroom or Underworld) but the Camden markets are also supposed to be amazing on the weekends!

Camden, London

5. Covent Garden – SUCH a cool hip neighborhood located only 20 minutes walk away from campus! Covent Garden houses “Neal’s Yard” which is a fun quirky square painted neon colors. There are tons of yoga studios, restaurants, and amazing shopping here.

Neal's Yard in Covent Garden, London

6. Brick Lane – home to the Brick Lane markets and tons of amazing vintage shops.

7. Brighton - Because, who the hell doesn't love a beach day? Haven't been yet, but I would love to see Brighton Beach before leaving London. 

Budgeting in London

So as we all know, London is expensive. Think New York expensive times two, because the dollar is like half the value of the pounds. So, assuming not everyone reading this has a money tree or large stock in the Apple company, budgeting tips are extremely helpful when you’re in London!

Tip #1: You can’t do everything. I know this one sucks, because of course studying in London is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and you want to be able to experience everything. And although you’ll want to travel every weekend to another country or eat a different cuisine every night, you just can’t do it. Say no to that weekend trip you don’t need to take, or that amazing vintage dress, or to going on the London eye for the 3^rd time. You need to save money to eat – you’ll come to London again, it’s not going anywhere!

Tip #2: Have a budget. This one is hard to keep to, since things will naturally pop up that you’ll want to do, but try to stay on a budget every week. Put aside money for basic needs like groceries and tube money, and then have a bit of extra money for fun.

Tip #3: Take advantage of NYU trips and activities. NYU offers SO MANY great daytrips and activities for FREE! Take advantage of them, and you get have amazing experiences without the cost! (Like the London eye, west end shows, tours of famous places in London etc)

Tip #4: RESEARCH before buying flights for travel. I cannot express to you how important this is. Being lazy and booking the first flight will not pay off. Use skyscanner.com and hostelworld.com to find the best deals, and you’ll save money in the end to spend on souvenirs!

Tip #5: Eat Ramen. A lot of Ramen.

Hope these tips help! I’m trying to remind myself to use them J

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!