Tuesday: Classes, then Colby and I went down to the Camden Market. I like it a lot better with a lot less people there. We each got some souvenirs and I imagine that, during my 2 days here before I go back to the States (or Freedom, as we've been trying to get that out of our system before we go to Belfast, lest we be shot) I will go back to the Market with my leftover money and buy everything.
Then we went to a theatre and saw Dark Knight. Amazing. I paid a small fortune for the tickets (London is expensive + dollar is worth crap). Can't wait until being back in the States to see it again. Just amazing. Poor, dead Heath, but he really rocked that one.
Then we found this random Thai place for dinner. A moment for an observation: there's some bizarre British conspiracy about not wanting you to leave restaurants. It's like they're needy or something. You basically have to beg them for your check. And then wait 20 more minutes. It's awful. One time, Colby and I just left the money on the table and bolted (we'd been there an hour, we were over it). The waiter CHASED US DOWN IN THE STREET and was not embarrassed at all when we explained that yes, we had paid. Well, anyway, it happened AGAIN at the Thai place.
Wednesday: After classes, I went to the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery. I did each in about an hour, which is probably unfair, but really, there are only so many Fat Baby Jesus Sitting on the Virgin's Lap from the 13th century a person can take. I spend some time in the Impressionist's section, but otherwise I just motored my way through it.
Got back to get ready for our banquet at Middle Temple. It was funny to see everyone dressed up, we looked like kids on Picture Day. We all actually looked pretty nice, except for me and Colby, since her hair dryer had an unfortunate accident (different voltages killed it dead), so we had wet hair. We need to have a funeral for it before we leave.
But yeah, Middle Temple is amazing. So beautiful. Totally worth putting heels on. Ineffecto lasted for an hour, but less well before the speaker began. I'd love to say I was surprised, but I wasn't. I'm looking forward to talking to Griffin and complaining about this man. Food was decent, speaker was somewhat boring, but not terrible. There were evil little women who ran around filling up your wine glass every time you took a sip, so I had fun.
After the dinner, we all went to a pub named George's (George, I found you! In England! What are you doing here?). It was fun, the entire group of us had never really done anything together. I (accidentally) got in this big debate that started with whether you can fault someone for being a cheater to Plato's allegory of the Cave (which someone misquoted) to how I need to go Africa. I then found shallower conversations.
Thursday: Both of my teachers wrapped everything up on Wednesday, so I got to sleep in! Yay! In my hot dorm! Boo! Thursday was basically just trying to find some place comfortable to study (which there is none) and trying to figure out how to study for these damn things. Not the best of days, but there was good company interspersed with all the complaining (by me).
Friday: EXAMS!!!! I feel like I've already written this entry (damn summer program and it's awful deja vu). I then went on a fact finding mission to our hostel for tonight (used to be a police dorm, kinda awesome). Then I went to a pub, to deal with the battling reception at a hostel for an hour. Then about 14 of us went to dinner in Notting Hill (good food, awkward company). Then 4 of us went exploring Soho, the Theatre District (in a futile attempt to stalk HIP, I kid, a little). Then Young's for one last beer. Then bed.
So, here I am. I'm basically just dreading packing up. And having to move 2 blocks for one night. It's awful. Oh well.
So, here's the apology: I'm about to no longer be on my (atrociously expensive but) prepaid wireless. We have officially come to the point in the trip where I run around like an idiot, staying in places for 2-3 nights maximum. My poor laptop will become needy due to disuse and will just be deadweight for the next 11 days.
So anticipate minimal updates, simply for the sake of economy. I can't remember if hostels charge you for computer usage by word (though I think they might), but I'm fairly certain that between paying by the word and those awful British keyboards, I will be grumpy and of few words. For this I am deeply sorry, Gentle Reader. You deserve better of your blogger.
Okay, really, I'm gonna pack now. Updates to follow!
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