Author: swetland.1

So long, Farewell.

After arriving home from London the way I felt can be simply put in one word: Tired. The flight home all though not terrible since I slept most of the time was a lot to bare after such a packed trip.

A week later after returning and being able to reflect upon my experiences in the great UK, I have realized much about myself and my likes/dislikes. I thought London was a lovely place, also very easy to maneuver, but I kept feeling like I was just in any other city. I felt like the mixture between the old and the new architecture is what ruined the feel of London for me. I enjoyed my time much more when I was away from the hustle and bustle of the city. From Stourhead, Greenwich, Salisbury and the country side I felt like I was truly having an abroad experience when I was in those locations.

What I did love about the trip was any and all free time that we had. I think I learn better and experience more when I am allowed to explore on my own without constraints of other’s time. There were many times I saw something that was intriguing to me, but it was bypassed due to the demand of the group. I also thoroughly enjoyed meeting people on my trip. I did meet a handful of wonderful people that were open to new experiences and friendships and I am so thankful for them.

Overall I would love to return to London one day but with my family or close friends instead. I would have preferred to stay in a more quiet part of town that felt more like the quaint London I had envisioned. I would love to take my family to all the places that made my time abroad wonderful and leave out the pieces that did not. I also would suggest to anyone traveling there to spend more time country side.

London did not capture my heart the way I thought it would, but I got bit by the travel bug again and am already saving for my next experience.

-Adriane

Last day best day! Last post even better day

Just when I thought I was ready to go home I had another great day in London. I started the morning off how any great day starts, by sleeping in. I made my way to Notting Hill for their portabella market which made me immediately regret spending my money anywhere else. There was sooooo much to see and I was on limited funds. I quickly found numerous items for my future self to come back and buy one day. They had fabulous leather trunks full of furs and precious antiques everywhere I looked.  I ended up buying myself a teapot, an old fashion camera for my sister that came in this sick leather case and a scarf from a Scottish store. While there at the markets they also had an endless supply of street food to choose from, I got a German Doner and it was delicious. I also found the best doughnuts this side of the Atlantic.

To continue with my great day we went to a pub that George Orwell frequented at and I had my goodbye meal that of fish and chips! They were good and the atmosphere there was very alive. Next we went to kings cross and got our pictures taken at platform 9 3/4!

 

My my day in pics:

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I’m in love, I’m in love

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The one I got my sister isn’t pictured it’s so cool though. It’s a Kodak and it says United Kingdom on it.

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I’ll dream of you babe!

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An image of the quaint street before we arrived upon the crazy market madness!!

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My younger self is geeking out hard core tonight!

 

Post 3, Day 4

What another great day!! I think today has been my favorite day of the whole trip. I am from a small farm town and grew up on a farm, so I was looking forward to getting to see the country side of England.

Our first stop of the day was Stonehenge which was awe striking when I finally got up close. I love the mystery that is behind it and the secrets of history it holds. I also loved how the land around it is primarily pastures being grazed by herds of sheep. The sheep reminded me of how simple life is and how way back thousands of years ago when stone henge was built the simplistic lifestyle those individuals would have held.

From there we continued on to Stourhead which I think was easily the most beautiful place I have ever been. I am in love with trees, I particularly love trees that wind with giants roots that wrap you up in it and Stourhead had an endless supply. The grottos there with the moss covered imported Italian stone were a beautiful creation as well. My only wish was that more things were in bloom!!

Next we went to the town of Salisbury. I loved the quaintness of the town, more so than the hustle and bustle of London. I enjoyed an afternoon of window shopping and stopping in one too many bakeries. I also found a beautiful tea store and bought myself my very first teacup! (Which was probably a bad idea because I think I want to start collecting them now.) Then after we continued onto the Salisbury cathedral which I think I found even more gorgeous than Saint Paul’s! I loved the spire and the attention to detail and most of all of the stain glass windows!! I give this day a 10/10 even with the four hour total bus ride!

 

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I loved getting to see these sheep up close! I grew up around farm animals and it was wonderful seeing them amongst the rolling hills and so close to the stones!

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This picture still amazes me! I can’t believe I actually got to see the stones in person!

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My favorite winding trees at Stourhead! Absolutely beautiful.

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What I loved about this bridge can’t be seen in this photo. The walkway of the bridge was covered in grass and felt like it was such a unique, but complete part of the landscape.

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Drawing of the bridge!

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A picture of me and the beautiful grotto stones! I loved the feeling of exploring at Stourhead, it felt like an adult playground.

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Salisbury was a gorgeous town! Felt very homey and quaint!

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Best pastry shops I have found in all of England were in Salisbury.

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Salisbury cathedral the attention to detail both inside and out were impeccable!

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My first teacup encompasses one of my favorite things: Disney!!

Post 2, day 3

Yesterday was the first day where I felt peaceful in the rush of the big city of London. To start the day off we visited the British Museum, which has the prettiest architecture on the outside and a marvelous ceiling over the courtyard. Inside I spent the majority of the time looking at the Parthenon. Which I had very strong feelings for surprisingly. I think it’s awful that it’s being held captive here and not in its rightful home in Athens. I read a sign in the museum that said 60% of the Parthenon is being held here in London while the other 40% is being held in Athens. I feel like the lord that took all of the artifacts stole a very important piece of Greek history from the Grecian people.

Later in the day we took the tube to Westminster where I finally got a breif look at Big Ben and Westminster. We then took a very comical boat ride out to Greenwich passing by the exact spot where the mayflower took sail to America. At Greenwich we visited the royal dining hall and the Royal chapel and I must say it was beautiful!! I finished the night in Jamie Oliver’s  restaurant with some friends from the trip. The atmosphere there was amazing and the food was even better. The place had fresh garlic hanging by the kitchen and a beautiful skylight Ceiling. As a table we got a bunch of starters, I had the best dark green mammoth olives I’ve ever had, crab bruschetta, and fried calamari and fish. For my main dish I got the pasta bolognese! I think this will be my favorite meal I had in London.

Some pictures of my day:

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Here is a model of the Parthenon. It is my dream to go to Greece one day and see the remains of this beauty

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I found this quote while walking around the British museum and I found it quite fitting for this trip and adventure I am on in London

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The outside of the British museum is beautiful!

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Me and my new love Ben

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Jamie Oliver’s restaurant will now forever hold a spot in my heart!

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My solid attempt of sketching the courtyard at the British museum

St. Paul’s Cathedral

My favorite part of day two was hands down Saint Paul’s cathedral. I have been to Spain and seen all their famous cathedrals, but I think St. Paul’s is my favorite cathedral I have been to, to date. What I really enjoyed about Saint Paul’s appearance was how everytime I walked to a new side of the church it looked completely different yet similar in style. Upon going inside I was even more in awe of the dome and the rich paintings that detailed it. I decided to go up to the very top, and after approximately a billion steps up to and then down from I can say the view from the highest level was one hundred percent worth it. I can not believe that some poor worker has to climb those stairs everyday just to regulate attendants on the stairs. However it must be cool to be able to see the best view of the city everyday you go to work! You could see literally everything from up there, the eye, Big Ben, and all the fancy skyscrapers. Another thing I thought was very interesting was the martyr exhibit. It was so powerful, yet modern  and it really made me feel the presence of Saint Paul’s cathedral. I thought it was the perfect self reflection piece for its audience.

 

My pics of the day:

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View of whispering gallery

Continue reading St. Paul’s Cathedral →

My Bio :)

study abroad

Hi guy’s! My name is Adriane Swetland, I am a third year English Education major with a Communications minor. I am from a little farm town 40 minutes north of Columbus, called Sparta. I absolutely love traveling and London has been on my list for what seems like ages. I can’t pick something I am most excited for because I think I will love every part of London. I just pray my iPhone photography skills can do it justice!