Happy Halloween!

     Well, the European Studies 2015 kids flew home a few days ago, and today actually marks the two year anniversary of my last night in England when I was on that trip. I remember at that time being amazed at an English Halloween. Where are the kids? Where's the candy? All I seemed to see were adults wearing white make-up on their faces. This year, I'm pleased to say I've seen a more nuanced view of the holiday. 

      Yesterday morning, as Kristin and I rode back from the Saatchi gallery's chanel show, it occurred to us that being Tube stops would be a clever and absurdly simple costume idea! We really enjoyed using our best Tube-lady voices: "This is a circle line train to Cockfosters ... exit here for Ben's cookies." "Please mind the gap between the train and the platform." Our minimal, understated design (lol) caught eyes and was a big hit for how little we actually worked on it. Last night was the Halloween triple pound party over at the Institute, which means that for three pounds you have unlimited beer and wine. Does this sound like a recipe for trouble? It is. All of Duchy House was hungover today.

       So for actual Halloween, we were looking for something a little more low key. The day began with a brave expedition to Borough Market. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful, crisp fall day with sunshine and beautiful light on the Thames. The toasted cheese sandwich we sampled was decadently rich and an utterly unmissable experience.

We walked along the river home, taking our time and a lot of pictures!

As evening approached, I realized that I never wanted to look at an alcoholic beverage ever again, so we decided to approach Halloween with a new tactic: The Lambeth Fire Festival at the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens! They had a fireworks show, a band, food trucks, fire eaters and dancers! Not to mention a HUGE bonfire. I ate a toffee apple and danced to Thriller (Vincent Price went to the Courtauld, did you know that?) and had a lot of fun. 

Walking through the more residential area, we saw children trick or treating and more interesting costumes than just white paint on faces. It turns out, London shows out for Halloween!

Boo to you and you!

The Quest for the Batch

I'll give you the moral first: Where there's a will, there's a way.

A few weeks ago I found out that it was possible to buy ten pound tickets to see Benedict Cumberbatch in the Barbican's soon-to-be-ending production of Hamlet, the fastest sold out show in the history of the London stage. The catch? There are only thirty a night, and everyone crazy Cumberbitch (this is a real term) wants one.

The first step was recruiting a team to stake out with me. The only friend crazy enough to go? The Canadian go-getter Sam Roberts. So, last Wednesday, she and I woke up in the wee hours and stamped over to the Barbican. We arrive at 5 am, with the expectation that waiting in the cold for five hours would ensure us two of the precious tickets.

Fraid not. There were already too many people in line to both staying! Barbican was like, Get thee to a nunnery!

Alright, no big deal. Neither of us acted the fool. We had learned our lesson and simply planned to go again to try and catch "Bendydic Cumbyboo" in a few days. On Saturday night, we went at 2 am, this time with two more friends and improved supplies.

But guess what...

We had failed to acquire tickets TWO TIMES. Wasted bus trips, wasted late nights. Frustration was building, but with it determination... 

On Tuesday night, the time had come. It was our absolute last chance. With a bottle of wine each, coats, sleeping bags (only two), movies and readings, we arrived at the Barbican at 1:45 ...

and we were the 14 and 15 in line!! Meaning, we would be some of the last people to receive tickets nine hours later, when the box office finally opened. 

After nearly freezing to death, having a few good talks, escaping under the shelter when it started to pour and finally being allowed inside at 7am .... WE GOT TICKETS! We had a match with the Batch scheduled for that evening. So I did the only thing I could do--hoptailed it home to sleep most of the day before putting on fancy dress and setting out for the fourth and final time, to the Barbican. 

It was an amazing set and of course The Batch didn't disappoint. Our seats were sort of terrible, but after all the work we'd put into getting them, I couldn't have loved it any more. 

So lucky to live in a city with so many opportunities for adventure!

 The Victors seated on their Gallery level Thrones 

The Rabble clean up pretty well 

Floating

      At the Autumn Ball on Sunday, someone asked me how it was, moving to London, how I was adjusting, etc. I told her that I felt like I'm not sinking, but I'm not quite swimming yet either. I'm sort of floating on the surface. I think that's the best way I can explain how I feel right now.

      I love London. I feel so lucky to be here. I'm so excited about starting class on Thursday morning. But I'm still whirling from this move. Last week was crazy--a social event every night, logisticals to consider (these are constant and everywhere and i'm not sure when 'settling in' will be complete because there's just so much to think about). I've met dozens of people, all MAs, all interesting, highly intelligent people, a lot of them Americans, most of them just as bright-eyed and dazzled as I am. It has been a real relief to get to know the other students in Duchy House, and I feel like our community it already taking shape. Freshers' week was so essential for that, and I had a great time going to different venues across the city and, of course, I loved dressing up. During the day, some of the others would spend the entire daylight hours wandering London, poking their head into shops and museums, tasting and seeing and learning the city. Somehow, though, I think I just need more time.          

I'm trying to take London in doses that I can manage, set little missions for myself and then give myself permission to rest, to try and comprehend this massive change in my life. I know a lot of people would urge me to get out there, don't miss this chance before classes start to get to know the place, and in a way I agree with them. But I just have to sit in this to some extent. Everything has a surreal, dream-like feeling to it, like I'm in a mild state of shock. I need to relax and understand where I am in an emotional way before I can fully take it in. That may sound crazy, but it's the best I've got. I have to float awhile, feel the water, know its depth, its current, before I can start to really swim.
   
 I'm a good swimmer, so I know I'll get it if I'm just slightly patient with myself about it. In meatime, I'm going to keep learning, keep exploring (slowly) and keep forming these new relationships with both these new people and this new city.

That being said, here are a few pictures of my first nearly two weeks in my new home:

 Duchy House, my home for 9 months

 The View from Embankment, just down the street!

 The View from my Bedroom

 My Bed (Which I moved to be by the window)