It all started when I almost got run over by a car, but I need to provide some context first. We had just arrived and checked in at the National Royal Hotel. I had not gotten much sleep on the plane, just 30 minutes here or there, so I was drowsy to the point of loopiness after our eight-hour flight across lands and seas. Shawn (our professor) took us to a market very close to our hotel. At the market, I was determined to get in and out so I could settle into my hotel room properly. I popped in for the essentials of tampons, toothpaste, a shampoo bar, an umbrella, prosecco, and some sushi for dinner. Throughout my shopping, I noticed how overwhelmed I was feeling. I didn’t know where anything was. I was trying to find brands I was familiar with. All while converting euros to dollars in my head. I felt extremely self-conscious of my naivety to the city and just felt in the way of everyone around me. As I left the store, I checked both ways before crossing the alley street. When a group of girls crossed the street in front of me I went with them, only to have a car zoom down the alley as I was halfway across. The driver came to a very abrupt stop a foot before colliding with me. I almost dropped all my groceries right there but I just huffed and finished crossing. The driver stuck his head out and yelled “You should apologize you f**kin b*tch!!”. The girls in front of me both gave him the finger and so I said “Piss off.” They laughed and we just kept walking. I was wide awake after that.
I was shaken but in one piece when I got back to my hotel room. I put all my clothes and belongings up in my armoire and vanity. I took a nice long hot shower and changed into fresh clothes. I lay in my super comfy twin bed (which I’m pretty sure the mattress and comforter are stuffed with feathers from cupid wings and the fat of baby whales or something stupidly cushy) thinking my first day in London can’t end like this. I know that I can do this study abroad thing. I don’t want to be scared of the city or being in another country. I’m a smart independent stylish woman and a rugby lad for crying out loud, if anyone can live in London it’s me. So I made spontaneous plans cause that’s how non-male son Skochs role. *bicep emoji*. I looked at events and shows that were playing that night, and low and behold my favorite musical (besides Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: The Musical) was playing at the Lyric Theatre. Which is only three tube stops from my hotel. (Have I ever been on a London tube before? No, but f**k it, we ball). My roommate and amazing personal stylist Christina helped me choose an outfit that gave the energy of a glamorous 1920s palm reader. I made it to the Russell Square tube station and went in. I knew it was in Leicester Square, but confirmed with a very pleasant English gentleman, and made it. Navigating the tubes was easier than I thought, but that first time COMPLETELY by myself was super stressful. It was raining heavily but I went through Chinatown to the theatre fairly dry.
The show was absolutely breathtaking and completely changed my strained but happy first impressions of London. There are no words to express the depth of emotion that comes to my heart upon recounting the memory of this particular showing of Hadestown. Seeing the beauty of that production cured any doubt or anxiety I had about being here. The diversity of the cast told this story in a completely new light. It was fantastic and the singing was phenomenal. Because of my complicated history with Hadestown, seeing the show on my own after all this time healed wounds in my soul I hadn’t realized were still open. I felt rejuvenated with a new sense of person and felt a peculiar peace. If this is the art that can be found in London, I know I am in the right place. I made friends with someone named Kristy at the show, and we went for pints after. They live near Wales and are also visiting London. We went to The White Stallion Pub and conversed for a few hours, which was so nice. We talked in depth about what our homes are like and what it was like to be nonbinary queer people on our sides of the Atlantic Ocean. We talked about the call we both have to art and theatre. We laughed about the concerning systems of education for both the UK and US universities. We went our separate ways at the tube. It was all in all a very wonderful first experience of London. Much more has happened since that first day in London, and I am excited to show my girlfriend, best friend (you know who you are Leah), and my family these Google slides I am putting together full of pictures.
Last observations of London: The streets are clean for such a large city. The people are stylish, expressive, and diverse. Londoners keep more to themselves than Americans do for sure. Something I was curious about is the lack of a homeless population concerning the scale of London, like where are they? No one screams oi governa’ across the street. No monocles or top hats yet. Everything is expensive. The friendliest people you meet are always behind the bar. Americans are so loud compared to English folk. American fashion is basic. I think the age 21 restriction on alcohol in the US is one of the reasons we have so many alcoholics at home. Every English person has a Hogwarts house, no one has let me down yet. The wanted posters on London buildings are terrifying and ominous. I love pigeons. No matter how many walls at the tube I run into, I still can’t find platform 9 3/4. I think Londoners are just as confused with their walking on the left side of sidewalks as we are. I’m still looking for Diagon Alley, my hands hurt from tapping all the bricks and they keep threatening me with this “looney bin” thing. People in London walk with such a purpose that I think they all look like secret celebrities. Found the Tardis and went on a adventure through time and space, check in for next blog post. Every building in London looks like a work of art and even the ones under construction look like unveiled pieces of art as they’re draped and covered in tarps.
Theatre in London U of A 