Exploration

When class ended Thursday, I set out on a little exploration in search of Hard Rock Cafe. Well turns out that Hard Rock Cafe is SUPER far away from the ND building and the whole thing was kind of a nightmare. However, along the way I stumbled upon some great London treasures.

First up was Burlington Arcade, it opened back in 1815 and its been going ever since. This is not your typical American arcade, there are no flashing lights of coin-operated video games in sight. Instead this place is a glass-roofed, Regency-style passage and is lined with exclusive shops and boutiques and lit by wrought-iron lamps. Luxury items such as jewelry and designer cashmeres are sold here and it is home to the Beadles, London's representative of Britain's oldest police force.

Next up was Fortnum & Mason. Founded in 1707, this deluxe provider of fancy food is still to this day grocer to the Queen. When I first read about this place in my guide book, I thought to myself 'what is the big deal about a grocery store?' Well let me tell you, this place is 4 stories of food heaven. With its plush carpeting and mahogany wood-work, the building itself is impressive and then you see the food, from the finest coffees and chocolates, to the best cuts of meat and the most expensive bunch of bananas I'd ever seen. This unassuming food market charmed me right in to buying a few souvenir....I mean its not everyday you can say you and the queen share the same taste in chocolate treats ;)

My final stop on this adventure of a day was Piccadilly Circus. Again to American minds this name brings up much different images than the London reality. Its not an actually circus at all. The only animals are people, and the occasional dog walking about. What Times Square is to New York, Piccadilly circus is to London. It is the traffic hub of London, and the doorway to "theaterland". Here I found myself exhausted from a full day of class and city exploration, thus promptly hopping on the tube to venture the rest of the way home.