This week I haven’t seen much of London except a cold Jazz cafe called the Cable Cafe which I might be visiting tonight for some live Jazz. On Monday I studied there for my grammar exam which I passed just yesterday! It was a nice atmosphere where a lot of people just went to sit by themselves and enjoyed a toastie and some tea or coffee. They even had red bush tea! Most people were reading or working but some came to talk and you could hear the whole conversation. A look into their lives and it made me think that we all go through hard times or have questions or things to work out. Luckily, I have been calling friends and made new friends for a good conversation, a hug or really good fun. What is really good fun you say? Dancing and karaoke. I will not show the videos but it really gave me a boost which I needed. I must say I am more capable at dancing than singing but who cares, I dare! I’ve been to all my classes this week which are very interesting and creative. First, I was wondering why I am still studying English?! Creative things are way more mysterious but then I realized it is also quite emotional and sometimes it is nice to do something more rational such as teaching others words or grammar. I like a good mixture of both English and art. I have met interesting people who are from Italy and Portugal. They have been really friendly and welcoming. I hope to see more of them outside of class as well. During class I have seen a lot of documentaries and photographs to inspire us. I will be making a documentary and a photo book and I will do the binding with needle and thread myself. We are being taught how to use tools and in May there will be a pop-up store where we can sell our photo books. Exciting it is! This weekend I will spend time making a two-minute video out of the gaze of someone else. Wish me luck!

My first impression of London is that is it vast and there are sirens going off every minute. London is as big as the province of Utrecht back home in the Netherlands. It has 9 million inhabitants compared to 17 million people living in the whole of the Netherlands. Whether I am in the park or just waiting at a bus stop, someone will speak to me. There is always something to do and to see. We are lucky with the COVID restrictions here. I can go to the cinema and have seen the Matrix. It might be your cup of tea but I would say it is nightmare material. I am looking forward to going to the theatre and seeing Life of Pi or Frozen. Life of Pi is one of my favorite films. The Harry Potter experience is also awaiting me which will be in Watford, very near to London, which is my birthplace.

The first days were hectic finding my way, my accommodation, getting beddings and cookery supplies and not to forget toilet paper. If you are an international student, you will know what I am talking about. We just had the welcome week with here and there some historical facts such as the London bridge being through a lot: it has been destroyed, the pieces left stolen, brought to Arizona to make a new bridge there and who knows when it will be destroyed again. Honestly, the Tower Bridge is much more exciting to look at. It was built in the Victorian time but Queen Victoria just mimicked other bridges from other times which she thought to be beautiful and that is why it looks like a castle. Fun fact: in assassins creed you can climb it. In real life at the top it became a red light district area and that is why they closed it. I still hope there is an opportunity to climb it though or climb St. Pauls Cathedral or another tower with an astonishing view.

Next week my creative classes will start: photography and hopefully documentary. I will keep you updated!

This Saturday I’ll be going to London. I’ll be leaving the Netherlands for five months. It is a thrilling time. I am going to miss all the lovely people here and I hope my plants and cat will get some attention while I’m gone. I have no idea what the adventure will look like but let’s hope that I meet adventurous, nice and intriguing people and have a creative and wonderful time. I’ll be making a documentary and a photo book and the latter will be for sale. I will be posting weekly blogs to keep you updated. Until next time! x Frances