Until Next Time

I can not believe my time in London is already over.  It literally feels like yesterday we were getting ready to board the plane in Chicago and now we are back in the States.  Although it is nice to be home, I can't help but think that we should be back in London.  It is really strange being able to say that I did live in London, and it was absolutely amazing every day.  Due to it being out last days, we wanted to make the most out of it and now I will share with you how we spent them.

We had our final exams this week, and it was very difficult trying to study when you want to enjoy your last week abroad.  I kind of wish that we would have gotten a totally free week, but that's just how the cookie crumbles.  It was also weird having my last days interning at Sporadic Space.  To think I will never be going back there to work and wont be seeing my co-workers three times a week.  I have learned so much from them and am very thankful for the experience and knowledge that they gave me.

This week was a week of lasts.  It was our last classes at Birkbeck.  Our last days interning.  Our last time going to the market on Thursday mornings.  It was definitely a weird feeling thinking about that this is the last time we will walk through these streets or see the hustle and bustle of London.  But will it really be the last?  I sure hope not.

Wednesday night, we had a cookout with everyone from our travel group from Point.  It was nice talking about all of the memories we have made with each other and making plans to all hangout together again.  We also had discussions on what is the first thing we were going to do when back in the States, and most importantly what we were going to eat.  This was also a good time to relax and have brats!  Nothing compares to Wisconsin brats, but still good.

Thursday night a majority of our group went out to the ISH Bar for one last Karaoke night and it did not disappoint.  Everyone knew that we were all leaving very soon and it was a great celebration to us.  Although happy at times, it was also very sad.  We had to say goodbye to several people, because they were leaving the next day.  It was really sad when Taylor and I had to say goodbye to our roommate, Katy.  This really made me realize that we were actually leaving and going home.

The next day was our official last full day in London; so surreal.  Taylor and I started out the morning by going to her internship boss's home and delivering flowers.  We chatted and she made coffee for us, it was very nice.  We then went to go get lunch at a bakery that Taylor went to every time she worked and then sat in the park.  The weather was absolutely perfect.  After eating we made our way to Westfield Mall to get Snog, aka a well-known froyo shop over here.  Mine had strawberries, passion fruit, and Agave sauce; very delicious.

And then it was time to go to the Zoo, which is located in Regent's Park.  The zoo is one of my favorite things to do when home, and we were both very excited.  Everything was there, except for elephants, which was kind of a bummer.  But there were owls, which made up for it.  Compared to the zoo in Milwaukee, there were are a lot of places that you can walk in and be in contact with the animals.  Such as butterflies, birds, lemurs, and goats.  When we were in the lemur section, a lemur almost leaped on a little girl, funny but scary at the same time.  Although the Zoo was not as big as the Milwaukee one, it was very compact, and surprisingly there were not a ton of people there.  Overall, very fun.

After the zoo, the last thing on our agenda for the day was Crystal Palace Park.  One of the only reasons we wanted to go here, was because there are giant dinosaur statues in the park.  While on the tube, we passed the statues and it was really neat.  After getting off the tube and finally finding the dinosaurs, we stopped and took pictures.  I really wish we could have climbed on the statues or even gotten closer to them, but they were surrounded by water and a gate.

 

 

While researching about the dinosaurs, I also found out that there is a maze in the park.  And le me just tell you, the park in itself is a maze, it took us forever to actually find the true Maze.  We made our way through it in a surprisingly short time.  And then is off to go back home and get food, because we both had not eaten since that morning.

Our last night in London consisted of us all packing and worrying about the weight or our suitcases.  After everyone was done, a group of us hung out in our room and played cards.  Since a majority or us had to get up early and make our way to the airport, we all parted ways. 

And then the day came, it was time to go home.  We woke up, grabbed our stuff, and made our way to the bus.  Or course we had to go and get Pret for the last time.  Truly am going to miss their passion pop smoothies among a lot of other things in London.  Then it was time to board the bus and head to the airport.  We all got through security without a hitch and waited for our plane.  We flew out of London at 11am and landed in Chicago around 2pm (six hour time difference).  Then picked up our luggage, found our families, said our goodbyes, and headed home. 

Without a doubt, I can say that studying abroad was the best experience of my life.  I have been given so many great opportunities and experiences that I will remember for a lifetime.  I have met so many great people and I would not have chosen to do anything any differently.  After this trip, I have definitely gotten the travel bug.  I am already thinking about go back to Europe and am even thinking about trips inside the States.  It is true that choosing to travel is one of the best decisions you can make in your life and I am glad that I had this great opportunity so early in my life.

Although this part of my life may be over, that does not mean that I will stop traveling.  The main reason for this blog was to keep all of my friends and family up to date on what I was doing while studying in London.  I have decided that whenever and wherever I travel to next, I will keep up n this blog.  It is a good way to not only remember the experiences I have made, but to also share them with others.  Until next time, Cheers - Heather