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Glamorama: London
Reflections on London....
Well, my study abroad experience is wrapping up. I'm finishing a paper on subcultures (punks, Mods, etc), finishing embroidery on a skirt of a bird and lizard, knitting a black scarf with shiny sequins, and designing a twelve piece collection of resortwear for glamourous people.
We have so much work to do, and also packing, in the next week. It's daunting to think about.
For St. Patrick's Day, we will probably go to the Irish pub around the corner that we have come to love, and hanging out with the guys downstairs who have become our friends over the past few months. I have a photo shoot for Styling class all day long, so we will have a late start to the celebrations.
I'm glad I came here, because I have realized a lot of things. I've realized that I need sunshine to be happy, and that I would never be able to live in a place like London. It is dreary and the people that live here are dreary also. I've met some very nice people and some very interesting people, but for the most part I feel like the British are reserved and rude. I also feel like I am constantly on the defensive. I guess this is good because it has made me more aggressive, but it's exhausting. I have to stand up for myself walking down the street so I don't get run into, in businesses so my needs are met (because they don't care about customers too much) and even when I come home against my overly dramatic and b****y roommates.
I've realized that I can't live in a tiny apartment with probably more than three people...nine has been torture. There is no privacy or storage room. I've also realized that I wouldn't want to live in Milan either...although I think it would be a fun place for someone with a lot of money. I could live in Paris, I loved it there. The people were very rude, but I think if you speak French it's not bad. The city is so beautiful and inspiring.
I also loved Amsterdam for it's bohemian atmosphere, and the Southern parts of Italy for the warm weather, lush green hills, and friendly people. I could retire here for sure.
London didn't live up to my expectations, but I think I lost sight of how expensive it is, and I didn't realize the living conditions would be so hard. There are fun places in the city like Soho, Shoreditch, even the area I live in. And there are some great museums like the Victoria and Albert and the Tate Britain and Tate Modern. I'm so glad I came to see all of the amazing sights and the world's best artwork. It's so great to see the world and see how other people live. Going to Paris, Amsterdam, and Italy was especially wonderful. I cannot wait to come back to Europe...Greece, Prague, Vienna...it all waits for me.
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