Bruges and Amsterdam

So the Jason Mraz concert was of course awesome. It was held in the Royal Albert Hall, which was so gorgeous. It looked like there should have been an opera going on instead of a concert. I really wanted to meet him after the show since he is going to be in Jersey this week, but no luck. I did meet his opening act, Ingrid Michaelson. She was really good, funny that I had to go to London to hear about a girl from Staten Island.

Cancelled class is always good. And Thursday I went for dinner with my sorority sister’s real sister. She was so sweet and invited me to her house next week to break the fast on Yom Kippur, which I am def going to go to.

Friday we left at 4am. It took a while and driving through France, but we finally arrived in Bruges, Belgium! It was such a nice town. Pretty small considering it’s the second biggest city in Belgium after Brussels. I had a waffle there as required, and French-fries since they really originated in Belgium. But the best thing of course that I ate was chocolate. Every other shop in the city was a chocolate store. It was so good. I of course stocked up. 5 hours later, we were in Amsterdam! It was the craziest city I have ever been to. We had a small walking tour, and then were on our own. I made friends with these girls in the program as well, and we decided to look at the red light district. It was actually really sad seeing these girls in the windows literally for sale like they were just manikins in a store window. And it was so busy there, and there were lines to get into all the shows going on, of people of all ages. It was just really weird to me.

Saturday morning we took a tour of Edam and Volendam. Edam is an adorable little Dutch town. They had a cheese museum and clogs everywhere and it was just so cute. Then we drove and stopped at the infamous Dutch windmills. Volendam was really nice too. It was a port town. There were boats and little shops everywhere. When we got back to Amsterdam we went to see the Anne Frank house. It was really sad being where she was actually hiding. Her diary was actually there on display to be read. I think the saddest part was when you are leaving and there is a picture of her father returning for the first time after the war. When we left there, we wanted to go to the Van Gogh museum, but there wasn’t enough time. I actually really didn’t mind since I’m not the biggest fan of art. We went for dinner at this traditional Dutch restaurant. Now I know why they are not known for their food. It was awful.

Sunday morning, we slept in a little then just walked around the area of our hotel. We then left for the longest bus ride of my life. Door to door, including stops, took 10 hours. It was actually really cool though because we left Holland, drove through Belgium and France, and then crossed the channel into England, so 4 countries in 1 day! I hate though that if you go from one EU country to another you don’t get a stamp in your passport. My passport would have so many stamps in it!

Yesterday was work and class. Nothing special. Then Meaghan and I went to Jewish deli around the corner from our flat so that I could have matzah ball soup on Rosh Hashanah. It was hard not being home for Rosh Hashanah dinner.

Today I didn’t go to work, but rather to temple. It was weird not being in my temple with my rabbi. It was even weirder that they had an organ and a choir. However the weirdest part was when they were talking about God protecting the queen and the royal family. You definitely don’t get that in America! Tonight is our mid-semester meal. I can’t believe it’s mid-semester already! Under 2 months until I am home!

This weekend I go to Scotland. I am definitely looking forward to it. I really need to see someone in a kilt playing a bagpipe. After that, my trip will be complete.

Conference

So Autumn conference was definitely an experience. I now know more about the Liberal Democrats after these 5 days than I probably would have ever else in my life. During conference I helped put on as well as attended some training sessions. These are for party members who are interested in possibly becoming MPs or hold other positions. When I was not doing that if I was still working I would be at the stall. Here is where we got people to sign up and informed them on how to become an approved candidate to run for Parliament. One night there we went to an auction to raise money for the campaign for gender balance. I was bidding, but didn’t actually win anything. I would have bid higher for the personal tour of parliament, but I get a free one J

So when I was not working I was at the beach. Bournemouth is such a cute beach town! I walked along the shore and even put my feet into the English Channel. One day my boss and I both had some time off so we rode the carousel at the pier! I really enjoyed being at conference and it was definitely something I will always remember.

Wednesday when I got home was my roommate Meaghan’s birthday, so of course we went out and celebrated. Although 21 here is definitely not as big of a deal as it is at home. Yesterday I went into Camden. I shopped in the market and they had such cute things. It is only a 5 minute bus ride from me. When I got home I went with some of my flatmates and laid out in the sun at Primrose Hill since it was finally sunny out! Living next door from Primrose Hill and across the street from Regents Park is so convenient and perfect for days like that. They are so pretty always, but especially when the sun is shining.

Today, after having a not so good night, went into Camden again. Then, I just walked around Regents Park. I walked through the rose garden and by the boating lake. It is so funny that in every spare open space there are people playing soccer/ “football.” I loved that in the middle of the park there was a college. Its like someone just dropped it right in the middle of the park.
So I am hoping that now that conference is over, so will my busy work this week. Either way, it will be a fun week. Tuesday I am going to see Jason Mraz in concert! Then Wednesday my class was cancelled. As if that was not going to be a good enough week, I leave Friday to go to Amsterdam and Bruges! I am so excited to see more of Europe, and of course eat chocolate in Belgium.

First week of interning and class

So I managed through my first week of working and going to class. My internship was not what I was expecting. I actually don’t know what I was expecting. The first few days were basically just doing busy work. I did data entry and some envelope stuffing. While this wasn’t the most exciting days, it enabled me to get familiarized with how the party operates.

Classes were alright. The first class was on modern british history. I don’t really understand how history can be modern. It started in 1888 with Jack the Ripper, and by the end of the semester we will be at present day. The second class is called Perspectives on Experiantial Learning Abroad. Basically, it is all about my internship and life here.

The weekends are the best here. On Friday, we went to watch a court case. However, it was where they still wear the old fashioned wigs and robes. I loved that. I wish that everyone still wore those. Later that day we went to dinner at an Italian restaurant. Even though I don’t really like wine, it was just nice that we were able to order it.

Saturday, I went shopping on Bond Street. It was kind of like shopping in New York City. There were all different types of stores, and little stands all along the streets. After shopping, I decided I wanted to take the tour of Buckingham Palace. It was unbelievable inside. The architecture, the paintings, everything. I was able to see what it looks like when it is set up for a state dinner. Everything was spectacular.

Today, I went to the Regents Street festival. It was really cute. There was a ferris wheel and a carousel and street vendors. After that, I rode on the underground a few stops further than necessary so that I could go to Paddington Station. I wanted to go there so that I could get my cousin a Paddington Bear from there.

I am looking forward to this week, mostly because I get to go to conference in Bournemouth on Friday!