Yeah, they ARE much bigger than 14"

David St. Hubbins: I do not, for one, think that the problem was that the band was down. I think that the problem *may* have been, that there was a Stonehenge monument on the stage that was in danger of being *crushed* by a *dwarf*. Alright? That tended to understate the hugeness of the object.
Ian Faith: I really think you're just making much too big a thing out of it.
Derek Smalls: Making a big thing out of it would have been a good idea.

So, now that my brain fart is over I can I can rejoice in completing one of my lifelong dreams of seeing Stonehenge. It was every bit as impressive as I imagined. The smell and feel of the fresh air breeze added a wonderful sensation while viewing these outstanding objects.

See, here is proof!


After Stonehenge I went to Salisbury to visit the Cathedral and wander the town. Tuesday is market day, so it was interesting to compare the quaint Salisbury market with that of Camden Town market from yesterday. As with anywhere else, the differences can be great whether between burrow or city.

Long bus ride home and time for some homework.

Murphy, Karen (Producer), & Reiner, Rob (Director). (1984). This is Spinal Tap
[Motion picture]. United States: Embassy Pictures Corporation.

Is anyone else's head going to hit the keyboard?

Just got back from Wicked which was amazing! So tired, but so worth it. I noticed quite a difference between Central London and the Bloomsbury district that we are staying in. There is a distinct lack of fashionable women in their cute dresses the girls and I keep trying to find. (Camden Market seems best btw). I'm assuming this difference comes from the much more dense tourist population that exists around Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, etc.

This is my favorite photo of the day by the way. It's of a courtyard at Westminster Abbey
I must say.


I had a memorable experience with a waitress coined by Nate as "The Sandwich Nazi". I've never been so scared in all my life as a restaurant patron. She actually yelled at me for putting my fingers on a sandwich she served me that was the wrong order. Literally, "You put your fingers on it!". The ironic part is I watched her grab all our utensils and put them back to be recycled by the next patron. Also, the glasses we were served still had the ice cube in it from the previous patron. Fingers crossed and downing Airborne. :)

Here are some more of my favorite photos from the day. You can see The London Eye in the background of the first. I took a photo of London (see Parliament at the Thames River banks) to the right atop The London Eye.

Coach tour=busy day!

Incredibly jammed packed day as usual. :) We had another great tour hosted by Hugh (of yesterday's Historical walking tour) on a coach. The tour of Central London included St. Paul's Cathedral, a walk by the Thames with a nice view of the Parliament, Tower Bridge, Piccadilly Circus and much more. The highlight was definitely seeing the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace.




The latter half of the day I shopped around Camden Market which was one of the key things I wanted to do while I was here. I found a nice mascot which I call, "Ms. Penny". Here is a pic of her touring Camden Market.

London, wonderful London

I'm hear after a very pleasant flight. For those of you that know me I am terrified of flying, so you know it was a really wonderful flight; baggage at the end is always a plus ;).

My flat mates are awesome and I feel really lucky to have met such wonderful people right from the start. We go out in groups often so I haven't had a chance to meet any of the locals which I'm looking forward to doing. The itenerary for class is fantastic and I'm so excited that I get to go to Stonehenge June 30th!!! Although I CANNOT get the Spinal Tap song out of my head. I shall have to wear my t-shirt that shows my insides on the outside (those of you familiar with the film will get that).

Of course my first meal was fish n' chips. Again, those of you who know me know I love to take photos of food. Rest assured the moment was captured in all it's greasy glory! Other than eating the local dishes I've just walked around London, getting my barings and enjoying this beautiful city. I took a historical tour of my neighborhood today which was excellent because I got to see the Ministry of Information which is the model for the Ministry of Truth in Orwell's 1984 (my fav book). My area reminds me of Georgetown, D.C (go figure) which is one of my favorite U.S. cities. I'm staying in the Bloomsbury district of London which is ripe with the same type of brick archetecture and wrought iron fencing.

Of course, well all know the real news...here is a pic of me ruminating the death...

This post is late in coming as, for some reason, I was never contacted about class starting via my university registered email (even though every other piece of mail about the program made it's way to me). No matter, I'm catching up as best I can.

I graduated with my MLIS in May and have been anticipating this wonderful opportunity to meet my passion for media arts for quite a while now. In doing research into the destination countries of England and France I came about a funny little book called Do's and Taboos Around the World (1993). Being very paranoid of embarrassing myself as a typical American I jotted down some interesting items etiquette while abroad. Most are pretty common sense, but let's all see if these are true or not!

England
-We generally say "You're welcome" after a "Thank you". The British answer a "Thank You" with "Thank you".
-User the term "British", not "English"
-Don't be early, but be prompt.
-Chocolate is an appropriate gift when visiting someone, but never white lilies as they symbolize death.
-Do not use conjunctions, slang, etc.
-Do not start a conversation with "What do you do?"

France
-If you know French, don't use it. They just prefer you speak English if you are absolutely proficient. However, it's fine to say greetings, thanks and toasts in French.
-Unlike America, use a light handshake.
-Do not bring roses or chrysanthemums when visiting someone for dinner or the like.

Well, I tried to prepare for the trip as best I can (however, I'm still mortified about missing the chat time and assignments on Blackboard!).

Most of all I'll miss this little guy while I'm gone from my home of Costa Mesa, CA. His name is "Early". My boyfriend and I rescued him just 2 weeks before I left. I hope he's doing well adjusting to his new home as I am overseas. :)


Axtell, R. E., & Parker Pen Company. (1993). Do's and taboos around the world (3rd ed.). New York: Wiley.