Week 6 - More food and fun

There's the restaurant called "Dirty Bones" and it has the London vibes I look for in a restaurant. It reminded me of the bar from How I Met Your Mother in all of the best ways. It's popular for their mac & cheese burger, which I was going to order, but as soon as the waiter asked I knew my heart desired the chicken & waffles. It's my favorite guilty pleasure meal, and this one did not disappoint.

That night I tried to go to this free yoga class I found in Wandsworth, but through a series of unfortunate events with the transportation system, I wasn't able to go. I really needed this class for my emotional health, so I was very sad that I missed it. I decided to wander, and I love this area! I stumbled upon a beautiful park with people playing cricket and tennis. Then, I navigated my way home with the bus system without using my phone!!! I was so proud of myself. I also saw this incredible sunset on the Thames. 

BAKER STREET!!!! Guys, Sherlock is so fun to watch after you've been in London. I watched a few episodes during breakfast/laundry time and wow. They show cool shots of all of these places that I know now, so I was excited to stop by 221B. If you look closely you can see the period appropriate police officer standing by the door. 

You know how there are those facebook videos showing cool restaurants that are usually in areas nowhere near you? Well, my friend Melanie tagged me in one for a place in London and I went!! It's called Blondies Kitchen and it is delightful. This is two cookies with a cookie mousse in between. It knocks you out, but dang it is good. 

I feel like I need to mention that I am actually taking classes while I'm here. It's not all fun and games. Though it is mostly. As evidence of my scholastic growth, I'll include a video of my professor juggling. 

Because writing sonnets is like juggling. 

I finally did make it to my yoga class! Andrew and I went to this charming studio hidden in Piccadilly Circus. It's surprisingly quiet for being in the middle of the busy city. Honestly, this class was amazing. My back felt so relaxed for the next few days. I love yoga. And London. 

Aaaa ah! Aaaa ah! Aaaa a ah ah ah a! 

Les Mis is the first musical I remember listening to/watching. My family had the 10th Anniversary Concert edition and my sister and I ADORED it. I saw a touring production in Dallas about 7 years ago, but I had to see this in the city. My goodness I love this story and the way it is told onstage. 

We got really good seats. I went to the TKTS (it's the discount ticket office) at 3:30pm the day of to get tickets. There was a long line, and I was convinced everyone in front of me was getting tickets for Les Mis. Once I was about 10th in line, I heard an American mom and daughter ask for these tickets and they got 3rd row on the circle, which is fine. I was trying to convince myself it would be fine. When my turn came, I asked for two tickets and the guy said he wasn't sure if they had any left. Then he checked and said they had opened up some good ones and we got SEVENTH row STALLS!!!! When you are this close in a show, you can actually hear the actors live voices, not their voices through the mic and it is really incredible. Plus, we could see facial expressions and the little nuances. All for 45 GBP. 

Olivia and I were happy girls. And then we were really really sad girls, because this show tears you apart. 

I am a changed woman after this show. It's amazing to me how a cast can take a score and story that I am already incredibly familiar with and pull out new themes and relationships. I felt SO connected to these characters. When I connect, I usually cry and I became accustomed to wiping tears every time there was a blackout. My favorites were Jean Valjean, Javert, Marius, Eponine, Fantine, Enjorlas, Gavroche, and the Thenardiers. Yep. That's how talented this cast is. I felt more invested in Valjean's spiritual journey and his selfless acts than I ever have before. He pulled me in during the solilquy and it never stopped. Okay, I'm not really done gushing but I will stop. Here is a video of our cast - One Day More starts at 6:30ish

Everyone was on their feet at the end of this show. 

xoxo

Rebecca