My journey the past two weeks has been an interesting one to say the least. From the highs and lows (quite literally) I dove more into what it means to be a part of London as a city and a culture. In my advertising class, we took a fieldtrip to the popular area of Oxford Street for some shopping (that’s right I got to go shopping for class mom!) Here we rode the tube to Marble Arch and we started looking at the way advertising is used both along Oxford street and in the stores themselves to curate a specific brand and feel. We started at everyone’s favorite buying destination, PRIMARK. This wonderful store cultivates an atmosphere of buying rather than shopping. Everything throughout the store is available in bulk and in some ways, it is a one stop shop. The prices are displayed largely and everywhere throughout the store because the actual merchandise is so cheap! It was a test to leave the place without purchasing anything. Then, down the road and on the other side of the street, you have the opposite condition in Selfridge’s. An experience which is most about the shopping experience, this store sells only the best. From Gucci to Coach to Prada and so on, they have every designer brand, but what they don’t have is their own. It is a unique experience in that they only sell other brands and the store is set up much like a high-end closet or display in most parts with the shoe gallery (I’m not exaggerating that’s what they call it!) being my favorite place in the store.
The next day consisted of another field trip for my architecture survey class to the house of Sir John Soane which is now a museum open to the public located near Lincoln’s Field. The house was…amazing and so interesting! From and architectural standpoint, there were some fascinating elements but even as an outsider of the profession, the house is so interesting in its organization and artifacts. A large portion of the house is a c
ollection of items that Soane collected throughout his life. They are arranged in a portion of the house which is almost catacomb-like in its design, and highlights a sarcophagus from ancient Egypt! The house is fascinating and there are a lot of areas which function like hidden passages or the like. Let’s just say it would be a great setting for the game Clue!
A few days later, I got all dressed up to attend the Royal Opera House’s production of The Sleeping Beauty ballet. Though I am usually not a connoisseur of such things, it was an amazing experience and I am so glad that I attended. The music was amazing (though when is Tchaikovsky not?), and the dancing and costumes and set as well! It was amazing to see a fairytale brought to life in this way, and even something which you know the plot to, there were still surprises and unexpected moments which made it beautiful and entertaining. Plus, I felt so sophisticated to be at a ballet!
Finally, yesterday our architecture survey class went to the Robin Hood Gardens and the Poplar Estate. Now, to those of you unfamiliar with London, like me, you are probably imagining beautiful green gardens and lush vegetation and a wonderful grand house and estate. You would be very wrong. Robin Hood gardens is a social housing project which was designed by the Smithsons. What was once a project with great intentions, has fallen into disrepair and is not long away from demolition. One of the towers is already boarded up and ready for deconstruction while the other side carries a slum-like persona as you explore its constraints. Much in contrast to the surrounding buildings in the area which are all newer and have been repaired, this may be the last time a group of architecture students sees this project while it is still standing.
So, as I said, these past few weeks were a mix of societal experiences from the sophisticated ballet to the slums of the gardens. It is also worth noting that I am getting the hang of the bus system here! In other news, the weather has been warmer but rainier, it is impossible to leave the house without an umbrella right now, and the promise of summer is becoming more tantalizing. I also discovered a cute café very close to my school called St. George’s which is a part of a church! The atmosphere is quaint and contemplative, and the sandwiches are very good, as are the selection of smoothies.
Almost 7 weeks down and I’m about halfway through this semester! Can’t believe how fast everything is going but I am looking forward to Spring break and seeing my parents soon.
Until next time!
Cheers!
