Spring 10 - London

The London Trip

by Kathryn Cesarz

Some news for home on the events of the 15-17 of January weekend London trip. We are now in our third week of classes, have settled in well, and are already reminiscing on the adventures we had in London just over a week ago.

The coaches left for London Friday morning, carrying most of the Harlaxton student body (over one hundred students went on the school-sponsored trip.) The coaches stopped for a lunch break at a big truck stop an hour outside the center of the city. Don't be fooled: the truck stop was a lovely newly constructed establishment boasting a food market, a convenience store, and several restaurants (even Burger King!)

We all arrived at the Royal National Hotel at the heart of London, across from Russell Square. As soon as we arrived at the hotel, we would leave again (the students didn't even step off the bus!) But this time we had tour guides tagging along. The guides guided our drivers on a sightseeing tour that covered all of London one could hope to see. Among the sights were Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, London Tower, the Tower Bridge, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Students later commented that the tour was a great way of deciding which attractions they would want to visit during their free time over the weekend.

Speaking of free time, after the tour, students were free to do whatever they wished until Sunday morning.

The hotel was at a convenient location for students, as it was practically next door to the British Museum (a popular stop for many Harlaxtoners over the weekend) and an Underground station so students could quickly hop on the Tube.

Many students found themselves perplexed by the Tube this weekend. Although many agreed the London Underground is an easy-to-use system, a line of trains was closed and left students getting off at the wrong stations and wandering at street level, out in the cold London rain.

The weather didn't wash us out, though. Students managed to have a great time. Many visited the National Gallery, the Tower of London, and all kinds of pubs and clubs (just for the food and dancing, of course!) Students also attended plays in the world-class theatre district, the West End, where popular choices were "Les Miserables," "Avenue Q," "Hairspray," and "The Phantom of the Opera."

Sunday morning we were all on the coach by 10:00am to get to Hampton Court Palace. There we spent the day exploring its huge rooms filled with priceless tapestries, painted ceilings, and royal history. The clear sky and shining sun made for great weather to wander the spectacular gardens sprawled around the palace.

Upon arriving back at the Manor House Sunday night, over the potatoes and brussel sprouts on our dinner plates, students giddily agreed that the trip to London was a successful one.