A thousand apologies for not updating for not updating this sooner.
So where do I begin. Let's try this Tarantino style... I just got back from a pub at ISH (International Student House) where Mike, Andrew, Eric (the roomies) and I had a few pints. It's actually a pretty happening place. We went on a tour with Bill the other day and they gave us 2-for-1 coupons so I just had to go back. The biggest shock was the coca cola...it's very very sweet. Just like when you get it in Atlanta. So after a couple Jack and Cokes and a pint of Guinness we decided to call it a night (I know lame but I need my rest for my non-class tomorrow).
Earlier today was by far my favorite walk that Bill took us on. We went to the East End where the working class historically has lived and we visited several markets. I could live there because it's a haggler's dreamland. Anyone who knows me will agree I was definitely in my element. For the most part I was there for the food. I love getting food at little stands or whole in the walls. In my opinion that's what defines a city/region. London definitely represented itself well at these markets. Most of the markets sell clothing and other department store-esqe stuff which typically comes right from the factories. Hence really cheap stuff. I didn't want to go crazy because I wanted to see what each market had to offer. I will be returning though. There were all sorts of food stands which was quite difficult for me to pass up. What I had to indulge in were some fresh spring rolls, spicy lamb pancake rolls, and chicken penang curry. Mmmmm.
I was most most impressed by the market where I got the curry. Interesting how this was the one with the most food. I wonder if there's a correlation...The Up Market (where I got curry) is right in the middle of the curry part of town. It has the largest concentration of curry restaurants in all of London! There were tons of other stuff there...Ethiopian (yum Coop), Morrocan, Mexican, Thai, Indian and so much more.
One market we went to was in the former Jewish district. A lot of Eastern European Jews migrated to London in the early 20th century and they made a tremendous impression on the area. The most lasting were the bagel shops...excuse me, the Beigel shops. I got half a dozen for 1 pound 8 pence!!!!! I love this town
Yesterday Bill took us on a walk of the actually City of London. The originial site the Romans settled and occupied. It was a great tour. We visited the London museum, St. Paul's Cathedral, saw the foundation of an original Roman wall, saw the ending point of the Great Fire of London in 1666, St Bart's Cathedral (where they filmed part of Shakespeare in Love and where Ben Franklin did a lot of his work), and the Old Bailey (V for Vendetta fans anyone?). I wish you could go on the walks with Bill. The knowledge and insight he has into London is absolutely breathtaking. I should start taking notes.
Friday:
Not too much happening...it's the weekend. I did go to a Proms concert with some friends to see the NY Phil play Tchaik 4, Bartok- Miracualous Mandarin and Ravel- Mother Goose Suite. It's funny because I've seen them play more in London then I ever did in the States. They played very well, of course, but I'm still more impressed with the Royal Phil concert the other night. I feel like the Royal Phil took more risks and were more musical. The Horn section just blew me away. Although I though NY had a better brass section as a whole. They blended very well. Tough call but I guess I should just be grateful I can see so many different orchestras live. Next week is BBC and Berlin!
Thursday:
My first day of classes! It finally arrived...after days and days of just practicing and wandering about London I have to return to academia. It was actually kind of nice. My first class was British Pop. Our teacher is incredible! Our first class was spent just listening to music and talking about the origins of pop. She's very knowledgeable about the music industry which is pretty fascinating. Talking about why some bands make it and the social impact of the progression of music. She was definitely involved in the business and is bringing us along for the ride. I'm very excited to see where the class takes us. Our first homework assignment...get some sort of a binder or photo album for when we make our creative notebooks of concert tickets/drawings/whatever. Our one oral presentation of the semester...play a track of any type of music you want and talk about it. Sweeeet. Although there are so many things I could play. I'm leaning towards Youngblood Brass Band or Chris Potter. Well, I have all term to figure it out! Drama and the London Theater was my next (and last) class. Obviously the first day is always a little slow. It was mainly introductions and the teacher asking why were signed up for the class.
Went to see the NY Phil for their first night in town. They played Rite of Spring, Gershiwin Piano Concerto and a new Steve Stucky piece. Technically they were spot on but Rite of Spring was a little tame for my liking. I didn't really feel the virgin getting sacrificed...perhaps just assaulted. I'm an awful person...
The rest of my week--like I said before--was spent practicing and roaming about. I took a trip to the Natural History museum which was pretty sick. Went to the Dinosaur exhibit which really just made me regret not living out my childhood fantasy of being a paleantologist (thank you Jurassic Park). I'll be starting up lessons next week with Paul. I'm very happy I have something to work towards. I also found out German Brass is the artist in residence at Guildhall this year...and seeing as Paul was just hired as the head of the Wind, Brass and Percussion department, we'll see what happens. Things just keep getting better and better here. I'm so happy and grateful for this opportunity. Kids, study abroad. You will NOT regret it.
Tomorrow's agenda:
sleep until I feel like getting up
practice
...
maybe practice again
look for a binder for British Pop
Life is Good, as the saying goes.
Cheers,
O
PS Bassel, I'm still looking for your London fog. No worries
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Notting Hill Carnival!!!
Holy cow this was carnival was incredible!! Mike, Andrew and I hit up the second biggest street carnival in the world (second only to Rio). So apparently this carnival started in the 70’s as a tribute and celebration of the Afro-Caribbean community in London. If I had ever been to a Mardi Gras I could say it was like that but this was pretty much the closest to it.
The shear number of people there was staggering and supposedly we went on the “light” day. The only thing we had on our mind was to get cash and have a good time. The first thing we ran into was a giant bus rigged with huge amps. When we couldn’t feel our hearts because the bass was so loud we knew we were heading in the right direction. As we turned the corner we were met by a long line of police blocking the road. Like the typical pre-mob we gathered around to see what was going on. No worries, there was no looting but the first parade was coming down the street. The costumes and booming Caribbean music just pulled you into the festivities. It was hard not to get into the spirit.
After reading an article in the paper apparently over 5 tons of chicken, 1 ton of Jamaican meat pies, 30,000 corn on the cob, and 25,000 bottles of rum were consumed in the two days!
Many more good times to be had in London. Until then.
O
The shear number of people there was staggering and supposedly we went on the “light” day. The only thing we had on our mind was to get cash and have a good time. The first thing we ran into was a giant bus rigged with huge amps. When we couldn’t feel our hearts because the bass was so loud we knew we were heading in the right direction. As we turned the corner we were met by a long line of police blocking the road. Like the typical pre-mob we gathered around to see what was going on. No worries, there was no looting but the first parade was coming down the street. The costumes and booming Caribbean music just pulled you into the festivities. It was hard not to get into the spirit.
After reading an article in the paper apparently over 5 tons of chicken, 1 ton of Jamaican meat pies, 30,000 corn on the cob, and 25,000 bottles of rum were consumed in the two days!
Many more good times to be had in London. Until then.
O
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Oh me, Oh My, Omar
Bill’s walk
Bill took us on our first walk around London. We started at Westminster and ended up crossing the Tower Bridge…it’s nearly 3 miles and I’m sure we did much more because we went a very roundabout way. To give you a little background, Bill is a history buff and used to teach at the London Centre until he was made director. He’s originally from Canada but knows pretty much everything there is to know about London.
I can’t even begin to recall all the history Bill imparted on us but it was just incredible to see London. The rich history of this city is mind-boggling. Bill’s first question was “When was London first founded?” The answer: Sometime in the 40’s AD by the Romans. Of course the Island was occupied before the Romans arrived. Bill showed us historic landmarks including castles and an original Roman wall, which marks the fortifications they made centuries ago. All of it was fascinating and I can’t wait for more.
Other places of note were the Globe Theater (the original was destroyed and is now actually a parking lot), the Tower Bride and Tower of London. We walked along the southern bank of the Thames where the more artsy and progressive areas of London thrived. There were tons of artisans, musicians, painters, sand-sculptors, etc. along the way.
The highlight of my day was of course giant market in the middle of town. It was enormous! I know some who would be quite jealous of all the free samples I had. There were all types of food there. My first treat was a white chocolate and raspberry muffin. My next purchase was a lamb samosa with a spicy red curry dressing. I’m salivating just thinking about it now. Another great surprise was this cheese (which I can’t remember the name of), which pretty much just melted in my mouth instantly. It was like milk. So rich and flavorful. The pastries, cheeses, mushroom pate, breads, Indian, chipotle, salsa, apple cider ice pops, oh my! I could go on for much longer but I’ll spare you. Next post is on the Notting Hill Carnival I went to today.
I’m off because classes start tomorrow…for pretty much everyone but me. So much time and so little to do.
Tomorrow’s Plans:
Wake up without an alarm
Grocery shopping
Practice
See the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra play Prokofiev- Romeo and Juliet; and Tchaikovsky 5 for 5 pounds.
Til next time.
O
Bill took us on our first walk around London. We started at Westminster and ended up crossing the Tower Bridge…it’s nearly 3 miles and I’m sure we did much more because we went a very roundabout way. To give you a little background, Bill is a history buff and used to teach at the London Centre until he was made director. He’s originally from Canada but knows pretty much everything there is to know about London.
I can’t even begin to recall all the history Bill imparted on us but it was just incredible to see London. The rich history of this city is mind-boggling. Bill’s first question was “When was London first founded?” The answer: Sometime in the 40’s AD by the Romans. Of course the Island was occupied before the Romans arrived. Bill showed us historic landmarks including castles and an original Roman wall, which marks the fortifications they made centuries ago. All of it was fascinating and I can’t wait for more.
Other places of note were the Globe Theater (the original was destroyed and is now actually a parking lot), the Tower Bride and Tower of London. We walked along the southern bank of the Thames where the more artsy and progressive areas of London thrived. There were tons of artisans, musicians, painters, sand-sculptors, etc. along the way.
The highlight of my day was of course giant market in the middle of town. It was enormous! I know some who would be quite jealous of all the free samples I had. There were all types of food there. My first treat was a white chocolate and raspberry muffin. My next purchase was a lamb samosa with a spicy red curry dressing. I’m salivating just thinking about it now. Another great surprise was this cheese (which I can’t remember the name of), which pretty much just melted in my mouth instantly. It was like milk. So rich and flavorful. The pastries, cheeses, mushroom pate, breads, Indian, chipotle, salsa, apple cider ice pops, oh my! I could go on for much longer but I’ll spare you. Next post is on the Notting Hill Carnival I went to today.
I’m off because classes start tomorrow…for pretty much everyone but me. So much time and so little to do.
Tomorrow’s Plans:
Wake up without an alarm
Grocery shopping
Practice
See the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra play Prokofiev- Romeo and Juliet; and Tchaikovsky 5 for 5 pounds.
Til next time.
O
And we're back
Thanks for checking back faithful Omar-stalkers.
Sorry it's been a few days since my last post. So many things to write and so little energy to type it.
I'll start off by say WE GOT A FLAT!!! It was a long 5 days but we signed on a flat on Edgeware road (originally built by the Romans and not far from a popular hanging place--heads that is). So a run-on sentence summary of our flat hunt: we went all over town; up to Abbey Road (yes we walked crosswalk or zebra lines as they call here--albeit a bit quickly because the cars and buses aren't very forgiving), down to south of the River Thames into Brixton where it's predominantly Afro-Carribbean, way up north to Dollis Hill where you'd see the quintessential London town in any movie, but ultimately sorted ourselves in Edgeware. It is a very middle eastern/indian/posh part of London. Lots of ethnic shops and restaurants but once you get off the main drag it's residential. Time for some mango nectar (jealous coop?)...more blogs soon about other adventures the past few days. Pictures are forthcoming
Much Love,
O
Sorry it's been a few days since my last post. So many things to write and so little energy to type it.
I'll start off by say WE GOT A FLAT!!! It was a long 5 days but we signed on a flat on Edgeware road (originally built by the Romans and not far from a popular hanging place--heads that is). So a run-on sentence summary of our flat hunt: we went all over town; up to Abbey Road (yes we walked crosswalk or zebra lines as they call here--albeit a bit quickly because the cars and buses aren't very forgiving), down to south of the River Thames into Brixton where it's predominantly Afro-Carribbean, way up north to Dollis Hill where you'd see the quintessential London town in any movie, but ultimately sorted ourselves in Edgeware. It is a very middle eastern/indian/posh part of London. Lots of ethnic shops and restaurants but once you get off the main drag it's residential. Time for some mango nectar (jealous coop?)...more blogs soon about other adventures the past few days. Pictures are forthcoming
Much Love,
O
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
First Day- Part Deux
Right then... to continue with my first day(I swear I'll get to my second day soon). I won't bore you with details of calling agents and landlords but it was quite an experience trying to understand them. You all know how salespeople are fast talkers always seem to be trying to work you over...well, think the same person with a very thick accent. Andrew, Mike, Eric and I went to view a place and took our first ride on the tube. There were varying degrees of flats--most seemed nice. The highlight of the day was later that evening.
Mike, Andrew and I wanted to do some touristy things but without 60 obnoxious American college kids (sorry people who will probably be my friends soon) so we hopped on the tube. First stop...Buckingham Palace. Needless to say it was pretty incredible. It was just getting dark so the spotlights were up and the sentries on patrol. Pictures will follow soon once I put them on my computer. It was still pretty early so we decided to stop by Parliament and Big Ben (I love living in a place where you can "stop by" historical and world treasures). Right off the tube we heard Big Ben. As we walked up the stairs parliament was right there and looked absolutely stunning against the night sky and next to the the river. Of course all I could think of was V for Vendetta (a little violent thinking on my part but it is a brilliant movie). We took a few steps admiring the building and realized Big Ben was directly above us. Wow. That's about all you can say about it. I can't tell you how many miles we had walked around the London area but it was a pretty awesome first day. I crashed about 10:00, fighting jet lag as best I could all day. Tomorrow (yesterday in actuality) is a new day! High hopes and Goodnight.
O
Mike, Andrew and I wanted to do some touristy things but without 60 obnoxious American college kids (sorry people who will probably be my friends soon) so we hopped on the tube. First stop...Buckingham Palace. Needless to say it was pretty incredible. It was just getting dark so the spotlights were up and the sentries on patrol. Pictures will follow soon once I put them on my computer. It was still pretty early so we decided to stop by Parliament and Big Ben (I love living in a place where you can "stop by" historical and world treasures). Right off the tube we heard Big Ben. As we walked up the stairs parliament was right there and looked absolutely stunning against the night sky and next to the the river. Of course all I could think of was V for Vendetta (a little violent thinking on my part but it is a brilliant movie). We took a few steps admiring the building and realized Big Ben was directly above us. Wow. That's about all you can say about it. I can't tell you how many miles we had walked around the London area but it was a pretty awesome first day. I crashed about 10:00, fighting jet lag as best I could all day. Tomorrow (yesterday in actuality) is a new day! High hopes and Goodnight.
O
Arrival and Such
So this is the first time I've done any blogging so pardon any lack of consistency.
I've made it to London! We got in yesterday morning (about 6:30 London time). It didn't really hit me that I was actually going to be here until much later in the day. The plane was just fine although I was fully expecting to sleep the entire 6 1/2 hour flight. But of course my one weakness being free movies I just had to watch Kung Fu Panda. The realization this was going to be an incredible semester settled in once we were just heading over Ireland. I had been keeping track of our progress via the tv's nestled in the backs of each seat. One of the screens showed a flat world and which parts were in darkness or light. Watching this parabala (good SAT word) slowly drift toward the states we in pretty much in perpetual darkness. Once near Ireland I looked out of my tiny window and saw this sliver light far in the horizon. As we drew near it details of our surroundings started to emerge. Looking as best I could I saw what seemed to be a fractured bed of foam (this being the clouds) and snippets of the ocean thousands of feet below. The sky started to turn all shades of red, pink and orange. I looked back and in all corniness I knew I could look forward to something spectacular.
Once we got in we did the usual claiming the baggage and riding the bus. Of course everyone was jet lagged. We arrived at the hotel but could only drop our things off before going to the London Centre for a mini-orientation. After, Bill--the Director--took us on a walk around the immediate area. Right after we were on our own and thus commenced... The Flat Hunt. Since the Hunt is still going on I must be off. More on my first day in London later. Right then.
O
I've made it to London! We got in yesterday morning (about 6:30 London time). It didn't really hit me that I was actually going to be here until much later in the day. The plane was just fine although I was fully expecting to sleep the entire 6 1/2 hour flight. But of course my one weakness being free movies I just had to watch Kung Fu Panda. The realization this was going to be an incredible semester settled in once we were just heading over Ireland. I had been keeping track of our progress via the tv's nestled in the backs of each seat. One of the screens showed a flat world and which parts were in darkness or light. Watching this parabala (good SAT word) slowly drift toward the states we in pretty much in perpetual darkness. Once near Ireland I looked out of my tiny window and saw this sliver light far in the horizon. As we drew near it details of our surroundings started to emerge. Looking as best I could I saw what seemed to be a fractured bed of foam (this being the clouds) and snippets of the ocean thousands of feet below. The sky started to turn all shades of red, pink and orange. I looked back and in all corniness I knew I could look forward to something spectacular.
Once we got in we did the usual claiming the baggage and riding the bus. Of course everyone was jet lagged. We arrived at the hotel but could only drop our things off before going to the London Centre for a mini-orientation. After, Bill--the Director--took us on a walk around the immediate area. Right after we were on our own and thus commenced... The Flat Hunt. Since the Hunt is still going on I must be off. More on my first day in London later. Right then.
O
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