Recap Part 1

Since I'm starting this blog a little late, here's a recap:

Thursday

Arrival in London!  I took the train from the airport into the city, and stopped for a bite to eat in Paddington station.  I couldn't figure out why there were no trash cans around to throw away my apple core until the next day, when Amy reminded me about the fear of bombs in the train stations.  Dumb American Moment #1.

After the FSU welcome reception (Subway sandwiches - really), Minnie and I walked around Piccadilly Circus like a couple of zombies, trying to push through the jet lag. 

Friday

The study centre provided a "practical walking tour" of the area to help us get our bearings in the neighborhood.  After a dinner of fish and chips and vinegar, vinegar, vinegar... we saw The Lion King in the West End!  It was great, but honestly, the Broadway production I saw in '06 was better.

Saturday

Our Blue Badge Guide Hugh led us on a walking tour of the Bloomsbury neighborhood (where we are living/studying).  It's home to the British Museum and the University of London, as well as lots of posh homes.  All of the music ed folks attended the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus concert, including Brahms' Requiem, conducted by Lorin Maazel.

Sunday

We began the day with a three-hour bus tour around the major sites, including the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.  Minnie and I went to the Evensong service at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, and then stumbled upon a concert at a church in Knightsbridge.  We were actually looking for Hyde Park, but instead we got the ENTIRE Bach B Minor Mass in one sitting!