ducey

Last night I walked down Abbey Lane...that's right, the real Abbey Lane. I met up with some BUNAC guys that I met at orientation and some of their friends at a pub. It was really good to sit and laugh with people. It's funny being in a place where you know no one. Even the people you do know you don't know very well, but just a night at a pub with strangers becomes the highlight of your week. And even though you drink a beer and laugh together, you still go your seperate ways at the end of the night, unknowing what will come of the next day. I guess I'm learning this about living in a big city.
Today I met the same guys (Andy and Trace) at the Bunac office. Since we are all unemployed, (and awaiting return calls from potential employers) we had the afternoon free. I hadn't been to the British museum yet and wanted to go, they came along. I'm still amazed at the ability of beautiful architecture to take my breath away. I was wandering through the Ancient Greece and Rome section and turned a corner to find myself standing in awe of a smaller version of the Parthenon. Perhaps it was the lighting that was strategically placed by museum workers to highlight the marble, or the neirid statues with dresses that seem to be blowing in the wind. Whatever it was I couldn't help but stand there, staring, with my mouth wide open. The same sensation came over me the other day when I was walking up the steps to the Millenium Bridge, preparing to cross the Thames and saw St. Peter's Cathedral. Two years ago when I was in London the cathedral was under construction, cleaning the black pollution stains. While part of the building is still covered, the front has been restored and is gleaming white. Again, I lost my breath and couldn't will my legs to move. There are so many things to look at here, so much to experience. There are moments when I realize that this is my life right now. That I'm not just on vacation for a few days. Those moments happen often, when I'm riding the underground, or walking down the street and catch a glimpse of Hyde Park or the river.
Tonight we went out for fish and chips. Some girls in the hostel are having a "girl's dinner" and several people wanted to flee the sound of the squealing "sorority house." So, we ventured to a pub not far away and officially inducted ourselves into London with a big plate of greasy fried food, my stomach is very full.