On London
By Clare Froehlich
Before going to London, I was familiar with the basics of the city. I was expecting to drink tea, visit landmarks, hear British accents and ride on an iconic red double-decker bus during my visit. Thankfully, I had the chance to do all of this and so much more. It seems surreal now that I actually visited another country and was immersed in a new culture for two weeks. I look back on the photos of my trip and the memories play back like a movie.
One of the first characteristics of London I discovered was the pride of diversity. London was filled with British natives, immigrants and tourists. The streets were filled with authentic restaurants, stores and areas dedicated to countless cultures. It seemed like a perfect combination of every lifestyle across the world. I later learned that not every area in England agrees with the politics of accepting so many migrants. I had read about Brexit in the news, but I got to hear personal stories and opinions about it. This was interesting to hear about because I never knew how simple traveling from country to country was in Europe. Traveling to Europe in the midst of the Brexit debate was an interesting occasion.
Some of my favorite memories (and photos) were the ones involving castles or palaces. Being able to see the inside of Windsor Castle was absolutely amazing. I’ve seen several movies and shows about royalty, and being able to experience it first-hand taught me about the culture and history of England. I learned about the line of succession, coat of arms, wedding traditions and so many more interesting facts about the British royal culture. I now have a more in-depth understanding of British royalty’s significance. It’s more than just dramatic characters in a television show or celebrities in a news article. Those are real, important people that have a life-long obligation.
Now, I notice so many television shows and movies that take place in London. As I watch the characters board the tube, ride the London Eye or drive across the Tower Bridge, I can’t help but say, “Hey! I’ve been there!” I get a sense of excitement when I see the familiar buildings of London in media. I wish I could ride around the London Eye again, seeing the beautiful city glowing at night. I wish I could take another elevator to the top of the Tower Bridge and hold my breath as I walk across the glass floor. I wish I could stroll through Hyde Park again, watching the dogs run around in the grass. There are so many unique places around the city that are truly “London.”
I also found the transportation of London to be fascinating. I could never imagine my life without the ability to drive myself around. In London, driving a personal car is a rare occurrence. Public transportation is a major advantage to the people of London. Since I don’t like visiting large cities, I had never experienced public transportation like I did on our study abroad. The first time we went to the underground station, I was definitely overwhelmed. There were so many people rushing around, a constant feeling of being hurried and loud sounds at every turn. Basically, the tube is an anxious person’s worst nightmare. I quickly got over this feeling, however, when I realized how convenient and safe the transportation was. Being back in Murray, I wish there was convenient transportation so I wouldn’t have to drive myself everywhere!
Being able to experience these landmarks in London gave me a desire for more travel. I want to go to places like these all over the world. Our trip to London was my first exposure to real travel. Now, visiting more places around the world doesn’t seem so hard. I could visit the Eiffel Tower, the Sydney Opera House, the Great Wall of China or Machu Picchu. It seems like more of a reality. All it takes is a plane ride, a lot of money and a sense of adventure.
