Today I slept in despite my alarm clock and building fire alarm urging me otherwise. Before you all get worried that I slept through a potential fire, the alarm was, in the words of an employee of the place, “experiencing some glitches,” and went off multiple times through the night. But even so, I was so tired this morning from all the walking this week that I may have slept had it been a real fire anyway; who else would defend my photos and books?
I got up around 10 and went to explore the Strand. After seeing a street performer and looking in a few shops, I had lunch at an Italian restaurant called ‘Paradiso e Inferno.’ I am a self-proclaimed Dante nerd, he is the subject of my Thesis at Bellarmine and also who I'm reading or reading about 80% of the time I'm reading. The restaurant had pictures of him all over it, so naturally I would be rather upset if I missed the chance to stop by. It was easily my favorite meal I’ve had in London so far; I can’t recommend this place enough. It is run by an Italian family who was very welcoming and gave great service, they also spoke in Italian the whole time which gave me a chance to practice and refresh my memory. The floor you walk in on is called “Paradiso,” and is full of soothing colors, hanging plants and picturesque windows looking out onto the street. The downstairs is “Inferno,” and is darker colors and really cool lighting. I was seated in Paradiso, which was a relief. Hopefully I can repeat that last sentence when I go off to the great Italian Restaurant in the sky too.
I had Prosciutto e Meloni and Pollo Milanese for my meal, bennissimo. If you are ever in London and want an Italian meal you will remember, this is your place. I took a card from them that says they've had the same chef for the past 40 years. Hurry and try them before they get a new one.
After making my way back to the apartment, Joanna, Blake and I went to a tea at the English Speaking Union’s international Headquarters. It was in Dartmouth House Charles Street near Green Park. It is a beautiful building and we were soon inside and mingling with teachers who are studying at the Globe this summer as well as fellow Oxford-bound students. I had a nice time meeting people I hope to see again at Exeter, and I had my first cup of tea in England. I had my tea with cream and one sugar, which ended up being rather scrumptious. I didn’t think it would take me this long to say that, but now that it’s behind me I need to find some crumpets. No way I’m staying in England for a month and not having crumpets.
One man I met at the tea is a member of Oxford's International Development Department. He was really interesting, a specialist in British Political History. I'm going to need to look him up when I get to school, one of my classes is on that very subject.
After going back to the apartment to rest and bond over our mutual love of Frank Sinatra, the four of us went off to get some diner. We ate at a place right next to the Millennium Bridge called the "Centre Point." We ate downstairs in a room called the Charles Dickens room, which was neat. It had old pictures and a sort of stage curtain in it. We hung out there for a while before heading across the bridge to the Globe to meet some of the people we got to know at the tea earlier. We walked over to "The Anchor," the restaurant next to the Globe, to get drinks and talk with them. They are all very nice and a lot of fun to talked to. We discussed where they went to school in the U.S. and abroad, and the courses they were taking at the Globe.
Their classes sound awesome, since their instructors have them acting out scenes from Shakespeare and teaching them techniques to remember lines that sound fascinating. Most of them are teachers so it will be great for them to take back to their own classrooms. I discussed Politics and Stephen Colbert with one of the teachers, which was sort of a back and forth of the two of us repeating our favorite jokes of his.
We headed out early to catch the Tube before it closed, and on our way home talked about trying to get Richard III tickets for tomorrow night. Hopefully it works out. I will also be seeing Parliament by tour tomorrow. Which I've been looking forward to this whole trip. You'll hear what I thought about it soon. Thanks for reading!
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