Sunday in the English countryside

Another full day for the group.  First stop....Stonehenge.  Our lovely guide Sarah told us all about the site and the theories behind how the stones got there and why they might have been placed in this location.  After the visit, Sarah polled the group to see what theory we thought was most likely......typical Americans....most supported the 'alien theory.'

From there we were off to Bath (pronounced Baaaaath).  The sun was shining and it was a nice day to tour the city...I would describe it as the ancient equivalent of Las Vegas - What happens in Bath, stays in Bath.  To end the day we toured the amazing remains of one of the Roman Baths.

Home is where?

The Royal National Hotel and Bloomsbury is starting to feel like home.  Yesterday the coach driver told us we were 'home', this morning a student said, 'when I got home last night...' and some of the student rooms clearly indicate that they feel at home!!!!

It's Not All Fun and Games

....just to prove this, I'll tell you that I am headed to the laundromat to do a load of laundry on Saturday afternoon in London.

Houses of Parliament

This morning both groups took a guided tour of the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament).

A Day Outside the City

On Friday the entire CSC group boarded our coach early in the morning for a trip to Oxford for a guided tour of the city and of the Oxford colleges, including Christ's College (now I have the attention of all of the Harry Potter fans).  We then made a stop in Stratford-Upon-Avon to see Shakespeare's birthplace and have some lunch.  I had the most amazing chicken pot pie and pastry at Hobson's Patisserie in Stratford - wow!  We finished the day at Warwick Castle.  All in all a very pleasant day.

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

One of my favorite London activities is catching a production at the Globe Theatre.  This year I saw The Tempest - another amazing production!

We are such stuff
As dreams are made on; and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.
(4.1.156-8), Prospero

Support from the CSC Administration

Dr. Charles Snare, Vice President for Academic Affairs, joined us for a few days in London to better understand the logistics of the London study abroad program.  I am grateful for his interest in and continued support of a program the Justice Studies Department believes strongly in.  He and his lovely wife Karen joined the Education group on Wednesday and were able to experience all of the Thursday adventures with the Justice Studies group.  He then offered to treat all 32 of us to dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant.  The students were willing participants, not only because it was a free meal, but because they are open to new adventures.  The food got mixed reviews but all reported that learning how to order and the process of eating an unfamiliar cuisine was a good experience.  Thanks Charles and Karen for the meal and for your company in London.