4 Plays in 9 Days

One of the things I wanted to do most while I was here was go to plays and musicals. I have definitely gotten my wish. I have been to 4 plays in 9 days. That's one basically every other day. Last Friday I went to see Matilda the Musical, Tuesday was Othello, Thursday was Henry V and then The Mousetrap this Saturday. More details on each show will follow chronologically throughout this post.

A lot has happened since I last posted. We will start with little odds and ends of everyday life.

Our first laundry trip. 2 hours and $6 later...

First trip to Harrods

The most beautiful dollhouse

Harrods at nighttime all lit up

My first macaroon

My little FHE family. Our first activity to the John Wesley Museum

Grave of William Blake

My favorite number in my favorite color

Seeing the London Chamber Orchestra

My first time eating fish and chips. Poppies in Camden Market

Our second FHE to the Natural History Museum

Peter Pan statue in Hyde Park. "The world is made of faith, and trust and pixie dust."

This is where I go to church, but we are switching buildings next week

Last week we got to go to St. Paul's Cathedral. We walked from The Monument, a memorial for the Great London Fire, to St. Paul's. We got a tour of the cathedral and then climbed the 500+ stairs to the very top of the dome to get the most breathtaking view of the city. We were lucky to have a relatively clear day. A couple of us went to the Earl of Sandwich and ate lunch on the stairs of St. Paul's while we got attacked by the surrounding pigeons. 

The Monument

The back side of St. Paul's

St. Paul's Cathedral

These stairs in St. Paul's are the stairs that come from the Divination Tower in Harry Potter

My wonderful roommates this semester who I love with all my heart: Molly & Lindsey

The view from the top of St. Paul's

Walking down the death stairs at St. Paul's

Eating lunch on the stairs of St. Paul's

Last Saturday we got up at 6:30 am to try and get tickets to see the play Coriolanus. We were too far back in the line so we switched and got in the line for 5 pound Matilda the Musical tickets. We froze and were outside for 3 hours, but it was definitely worth it. I want to buy that soundtrack now and was blown away by the talent; especially all the little kids. I would definitely go again and recommend it to anyone who is thinking about going to see it. We wore red ribbons in our hair because Matilda does in the movie. Unfortunately she didn't in the play.

Up WAY too early

Trying to keep warm. Naturally we formed a hug circle.

Waiting for tickets

Matilda the Musical

Inside the theater waiting for the show to start

The amazing stage. All the props and sets were so intricate

Between waiting for tickets and actually going to the show we went to Camden Market. It is a huge open air market that could be explored for days. We got lost in the maze of shops and the yummy smells of all the street food. We didn't buy anything, but we didn't even get halfway through it all. It is such a fun environment and I can't wait to go back again.

Last week we went to our first castle. Bodiam Castle. The outside wall is very preserved but the inside is mostly ruins. We didn't have much time, but we got to climb to the top of a tower and see some beautiful scenery. We then headed to Canterbury. We went first to more ruins, this time of St. Augustine's Abbey. Next we got to visit Canterbury cathedral. The home of the archbishop of England. It was rainy and cold that night and we were all very tired when it was all over. Our bus then got stuck in traffic, tried to go over some forbidden bridge and had to back out of alleyways. We were back pretty late and done with being around people. 

St. Augustine Abbey ruins

Canterbury Cathedral

A choir practicing Handel's Messiah in Canterbury Cathedral

 The place where Thomas a'Beckett was murdered by Henry II's knights

The single candle always lit in remembrance of Beckett

Early this week we got to go to one of the wonders of the world. STONEHENGE. Never in a million years did I think I would see this structure in person. It was breathtaking. Right after that we headed to the city of Bath. We went to the Jane Austen museum which was a bit of a let down. They had a lot of awesome information, but not many cool artifacts. We did get to dress up in costumes of the era and write with quill pens. Our last stop was to see the Roman Baths. The water was gross, but the baths were used to clean themselves, social events and business deals back in the day. The architecture and engineering of it all was absolutely amazing. They had saunas, cold baths and the works back then. The rest of the day we got to explore and we learned just how beautiful the city of Bath is. It was one of my favorite days of the trip so far.

Getting excited waiting for the tram to Stonehenge

In all its glory

Jane Austen museum in Bath

Dressing up in the official garb of the age

Writing with a quill and ink. It is a lot harder than it looks. 

The Roman Baths

We got to drink the water and it was disgusting. Tasted like iron and rotten eggs. 

The Royal Crescent. The 30 most expensive houses in England

A cute, hidden market in Bath

Exploring the streets of Bath with these lovely ladies

On Thursday we went to see Henry V. But this wasn't your average Shakespeare play. The one and only Jude Law played Henry V. Although we were in the balcony with seats that made us have to lean over the railing it was an amazing show. We laughed and cried and I stayed awake and interested the whole time. Jude Law is a truly talented actor. Afterward we headed to the stage door and 40 minutes later Jude Law came out and we got to meet him. I only managed to say "good show" but he did say "thanks for coming" and signed my ticket. It was fun to get all giddy and excited and say hello.

Before the show

So excited to meet Jude Law!

Right before he walked over to sign my ticket

Tickets signed by Jude Law

On Friday we got to go to Hampton Court. Henry VIII and William I both lived here. We got to wear robes and walk around in the freezing cold from room to room to room. The gardens were huge and beautiful but we were too cold to stay out too long. The trains were closed down because someone died on the track so we had to find an alternate route home. 

Gates to Hampton Court

Hampton Court outside

All dressed up in our robes

Playing a medieval game

Beautiful ceiling art

In the gardens at Hampton Court

This weekend was all about Chinese New Year. They do it big here in London. On Saturday we got up in the morning to get tickets to Les Mis but they were sold out so we walked around China Town, got a pastry and watched all the street performers. The sun was actually out which was a plus. We usually don't get to walk around in the mornings and I am really sad we don't because it is a great environment. 

We went home, got ready for the day then went to see a matinee of the play The Mousetrap. It is the longest running show in London, which is definitely saying something. It is based off the murder mystery book written by Agatha Christie. It was a really great show and I loved going to a matinee because afterward we went to China Town again to get some Chinese food and then to M and M world. I have now been to half the M and M worlds. Vegas and London. Now I just need to go to Paris and New York. 

Show 25504 of The Mousetrap

China Town at night

M & M world: London

Today we continued the Chinese New Year celebration and got up before church to watch the parade and see all the festivities. Tonight we are trying to stream the Superbowl. We will stay how late I can stay up. It started at 11:30 pm our time. 

So crowded! People everywhere in Trafalgar Square. 

Parade Dragon

Happy Chinese New Year!

Year of the horse