Feeling Ever More British. Sherlock Holmes and The Beatles to say the least.

John Lennon

ATTENTION! It is completely mandatory to listen to this in the background as you read this post;

Let this post be all that your attention is focused on. If you don't then you are totally Yoko-ing your life. So just let it be.

Before coming to London I had caught what many would call the "British Bug" in which I began to love and devour all things English. Such things included practicing my British accent, brushing up on the Royal Family, cultivating a love for pubs, pandering to political correctness, enhancing my obsession with pets, yearning to ramble in the countryside, feeling uncomfortable when people talk about their emotions, reading a newspaper, and watching Downton Abbey.

But there's one more British Bug that cannot be squashed no matter how big your boot is. And in fact it's not just one bug but 4 big British Beatles! Indeed, perhaps one form of British culture that seems to have spread as a world culture would be that of The Beatles. I really don't have to say how monumental they are because if you're any type a decent human than you will know how big of deal it was for to visit The Beatles store on Baker st. Nevertheless, despite such awesomeness happening it is still but only one British Bug that was caught and added to my creepy-crawly collection this week.

This time I shall take you on a day-by-day journey;

MONDAY

First, class happened. That is all.

After class was much more exciting as I FINALLY got to see Big Ben and the London Eye. Two iconic London attractions that I had to wait 14 days to see. Anyhow, it has happened and here be the awesomeness displayed;

The Eye keeping watch on London

The Eye keeping watch on us.

Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, and iconic gray English skies. 

Behold the Majesty.

One thing that is dutiful to mention here is to remind everyone that right here by this clock is where one of the greatest and grandest battles of human history took place. It was nothing less than a battle between good and evil that was daringly took upon, bravely fought, and desperately won. And although photos of this battle are rare, I was fortunately able to track down one that I think paints the picture. Here it is;

(A moment of silence please for those who lost their lives protecting us from the Phantom Heartless)

  

The group and I then treated ourselves to a "Rain Forest Cafe London" that I could not have been more anxious to try. It was my first time and it was nothing but good and expensive; just what I expected.

A sign; as so many restaurants have.

Contemplating how she's going to kill me in my sleep, Jean looks into the camera thoughtfully. 

Another picture of Jean (now she really is going to kill me).

Gruel, but very delicious gruel.

I shared a table with this Elephant. He picked up the check for us, paid in ivory.

Later after all the conundrum did the lot of us travel to the famous Gielgud Theater where even more famous people performed in a production of The Audience; an obviously British play about Queen Elizabeth II and her interaction with many of UK's Prime Ministers.

The famous people included, but were not limited to Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth (famous for The Queen and Hitchcock) and Nathaniel Parker (famous for Stardust and The Haunted Mansion). It was amazing to see these two live and what's more I got to meet them after the show and Helen even signed my ticket! Here they are!

Although it is candid and blurry, it still is Helen Mirren in the flesh!

This was a pic I took of Jean and Nathaniel. This gave me the opportunity to crack jokes and make Nathaniel laugh. Level up! 

  

Tuesday

Tuesday morning started with an extended and very taxing trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum. It's basically a museum of culture and relics from the Victorian age that included artifacts from naked sculptors to Islamic prayer rugs. It felt very much like the Metropolitan museum in New York in comparison to size and grandeur. Here's the evidence!

Naked statue from the waist up naturally.

Nothing but hugeness.

After many long hours of that the group and I set off to purchase Les Mis tickets that we'll be seeing in June and then we set off to Baker Street where the British Bugs really began biting as we visited The Beatles store and the Sherlock Holmes museum. It just doesn't get more British than that now, does it? We spent many hours here.

Still smelled like pipe tobacco.

It took a little investigating to find this :D

No caption has worth to this picture.

Or this one...

Alas, the night then ended with a dinner at Byron's with awesome milkshakes and a good night's rest.

Wednesday

So much has already happened and it's only Wednesday. Beautiful.

However, much less happened this day because we as a group were just exhausted and needed a day to stick around, get stuff done, and relax. First we did have class, then went home, and later watched Star Trek at the girl's flat for those who hadn't seen it yet. A very nice day indeed.

Thursday

Wednesday didn't seem to cure me from exhaustion as I slept in till forever and stayed in my flat doing homework, but I did manage to go running through Hyde Park in the morning, something I've been wanting to do since I got here. And not only was I rewarded with health to the navel and marrow to the bones, but also came across a most iconic statue; none other than the original Peter Pan that started it all. Running was never so rewarding.

The boy who would not grow up.

Now later that night I got to see the funniest show I have ever seen in my entire life. I have never laughed so hard in such a long time. This show was called One Man, Two Guvnors about a bumbly British man who tries to make more money by taking on two jobs with two guvnors and all the nonsensical mischief involved. I knew I would laugh, but I wasn't expecting so much after having seen the original (One Servant, Two Masters) at BYU and having read the script in advance. But alas, it left me with enough laughter to last me for years.

Happiness.

Friday

Time to get all religious on y'all. The greatest and grandest of Cathedrals in England was visited by your's truly early Friday morning. St. Paul's Cathedral was massive and captivating. Unfortunately pictures were not allowed inside, so I'm happy to report that I kept the law and left pictures untaken. But I did get to journey to the top of the outside of the dome and witness the outside.

And while it is not the same place at all, I couldn't help but sing "The Bells of Notre Dame" the whole way through.

After the Cathedral it was the girl's turn to go where they all wanted to go from the beginning; shopping! At first I didn't care to go, but I went along and I'm glad I did. They took me to a place called Primark where I was able to get some nice stuff. So yeah, I actually went shopping on a vacation....doesn't happen much.

I bought some humans. These girls were in the discount section.

Later that night I got to see a highly anticipated show. I would say that it was everything that I hoped for, but I would by lying. I am sad to report that The Lion King in London was a flop. It's the second time I've seen it and the second time I've gone away disappointed. But this one was particularly sad. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and say they just had an off night, but it certainly was 98 bucks I would love to have back.

Saturday

Don't worry guys, we're almost there! Just hang with me. This Saturday was refreshingly fresh as I spent the morning doing a ton of homework to make sure I wouldn't have to deal with any of it next week. So I stayed in my flat and dealt with that until I had to head to what has become one of my most favorite spots in London; The Shakespeare Globe Theater! Better be one of my favorite, it's only the whole reason I'm here!

Anyway, this time around I got to see A Midsummer's Night Dream and after having been blown away with The Tempest I went in with high expectations and they did not disappoint.

It must be said that this play has special meaning to me as it was the first the play I had ever been a part of and spring boarded me into my acting and drama life. So I basically spewed nostalgia the whole time in seeing the play the got me started be performed in the most professional and authentic Shakespeare venue that I could ask for. An unbelievable experience.

Sunday

Today is Sunday. I sit here this Sunday writing my blog and just trying to hold in my anticipation for what awaits me tomorrow; for on the morrow I will board a plane and be on my way to Ireland! And that's what awaits me in the morning. So now you know that next week's blog will be all about the green country and my adventures there.

But as I say goodbye to you today, and await the time that I can share my life with you some more, I do so as I wear John Lennon's glasses in respect to the man who once gave peace a chance. Tomorrow is Memorial Day and although I reside in Europe right now I will do my best to remember the peace and freedoms that I enjoy in America that were given to me by those who gave their lives for it. And though we may be parted there is a chance that I will see. There will be an answer; Let it be.

Tomorrow I will be feeling strangely patriotic for my country as I stay in Ireland and I encourage you all to take the name "Memorial" Day to heart. See you all next week!

With country pride,

                             -Lancaster Spear