New Years Eve in England
- Margaret Raabe
- Dec 31, 2017
- 4 min read
Happy New Years Eve! As 2017 comes to an end..honestly that is okay. A lot has gone on this past year that wasn't great and I am ready to start fresh again. However, on the other hand I am blessed for every moment I was given this past year.
I am grateful for my education, my school and friends. I am grateful for my job and all the gifts God gives me everyday, but how could I go without acknowledging the incredible gift I am currently indulging in. I know I am less then half way through, but I am so grateful and humbled by the ability, support and guidance I have gotten to be able to be here. So thank you to all the people who supported me through Lens for a Lending Hand, those who supported me in preparation for this trip, for those scholarship givers at Bellarmine, and most of all my parents; thank you for all you have done for me.
Enough of that mushy stuff.
This morning I was not late getting up, tada! We went down to breakfast and met our class in the lobby to head out to see the Natural Portrait Museum. This time, thank goodness, we didn't ride a bus, we look the tube due to the short commute. Once we arrived at the NPM, we were free to look around and then explore the area until 4 o'clock.
The museum itself was huge, and mostly filled with paintings and sculptures. I look a few pictures (see below), but not being a museum gal, I began to make alternative plans.
Before we left the hotel, our professor and our class decided to make today's meeting time at 6 o'clock. This became a problem for me because I was going to go to mass then. It donned on me that there was probably a church near by that I could go too since we have so much time now.
So that is what I did. I told Amelia and Erin where I was going and set off for the 10 minute walk to Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Mass started at 11:30 and I arrive about 11:15. It was kind of in the middle of the street and once I walked in, there was a bit of construction that lead me to be a bit concerned. A man then handed me a program and I walked in and sat down near the front. This church was small but beautiful. The homily was a letter from the Arch Bishop of Westminster which was cool to hear and the priest ended up being from California. The only thing that threw me off was that the lay at this church go up and kneel at the alter to receive communion which was very different to me.
Anyway, after mass I headed into a coffee shop I saw on the way in in hopes for WiFi to find Amelia and Erin. The shop was called Covent Garden Grind and was super trendy and kinda pink. I got up to the counter and couldn't resist. They had something called a Espresso Martini. I asked the cashier if it was good and he said he didn't drink so he asked another worker who said it was really good and really popular. I couldn't resist. (mouse over to see more pictures)
It wasn't bad! I ended up interrupting his reading and having a conversation with the VERY British guy next to me about New Years Eve plans. Once I got my WiFi all worked out I went to meet Amelia and Erin at a Crepe place. It was in the middle of a really cute shopping area were we experienced street performers that did tightropes, music, Italian opera singing, needle standing and so on. We shopped around for a while before we ran into another cute little shopping area that was Christmas-like. It was an adorable little place were we all bought something. (Mouse over the picture to see the gallery of pictures from there)
A couple shops later, we got back on the tube to meet our class at the Shard. Once we found them, got our tickets and headed to the top. Well, pictures speak louder then words. (Mouse over the picture to see the gallery of pictures from The Shard)
We kinda camped out on the floor by the window, took some pictures, had a celebratory New Years Eve in London Champagne and took it all in for a while.
Once we left, we headed back for the hotel, stopped to head at the Kings Arms Pub and Restaurant and went to class. Class was short, so now we are back at the hotel room, doing some homework before midnight rolls around. We plan to play cards or something in the room later and then walked down to a good viewing spot with other CCSA people to see the firework show! I'll let y'all know how it goes!
See ya in 2018!
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