Julius Caesar, Live in London

September 7, 2012August 31, 2013 by ericmistry ♥ 4 Comments

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!

This evening, I saw a production of Julius Caesar that was impressive beyond words. The actors, confident in their skills, made the words radiate pure power through the air. The impassioned monologues, the verbal duels, the air of conspiracy, and the dramatic death of Caesar all were brought to life by the talented actors.

I saw the play in the Noel Coward Theatre, a picturesque locale, as the pictures below may indicate. The grandeur of the theatre added to the atmosphere of the play. I was simply blown away by the quality and sheer addictiveness of the performance. I was literally on the edge of my seat the entire time, the electric atmosphere flying off the stage into the audience. I was also surprised at how relevant and relatable this ancient play still is. The themes and characters are timeless, a point the creative director chose to exploit by setting the costuming and set in a modernish Africa. It seemed to allow the actors a little more freedom to push emotion into the performance and showed how the fallen, martyred leader is a character in all societies. The African setting also opened up a discussion of Shakespeare's role in Africa. The articles within the program (which I bought as a great souvenir) explained how Shakespeare connects well with African culture and that he was one of the only non-African authors preserved in the curriculum in some nations.

I found the play, the venue, and the modern twists on the classic themes all incredible. This experience was yet another unforgettable memory. Hearing these immortalized lines sent shivers down my spine, most of all when Cassius proclaimed, “How many ages hence/ Shall this our lofty scene be acted o'er,/ In states unborn, and accents yet unknown!”

Dressing Up For the Theatre

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Delightful Dessert from The Red Gingham Bakery

September 7, 2012August 31, 2013 by ericmistry ♥ 6 Comments

After my sushi and fresh raspberry lunch, I decided to explore a bit of London. I walked a fair amount until I found the Convent Garden market. It was phenomenal and filled with various food and clothing vendors. The smell of all the delicious food wafting through the air was driving me crazy, so I decided to get myself a little dessert. After walking around the entire market, I decided the treats at The Red Gingham Bakery were my best option.

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The next trouble, after deciding a vendor, was deciding what to get. As you'll see from the picture below, I was presented with a plethora of choices. All of the pastry choices looked amazing, but I ended up going with a peanut butter cake piece served miniature cake style and filled with creamy peanut butter.

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The cake was divine, perfectly soft and not at all dry. The frosting, while rich, was delicate and fluffy as well, holding a peanut butter cup piece on top. As the music and noise of the market swirled around me, I became engrossed in my delicious cake. Thanks to the wonderful, friendly service, and the incredible quality of the cakes, I will definitely be visiting The Red Gingham Bakery's stand again!

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Sushi Lunch in the Park

September 7, 2012August 31, 2013 by ericmistry ♥ 5 Comments

I had sushi again for lunch with a few classmates in a nearby park. Wasabi, the restaurant we picked the sushi up from, was cute and efficient as usual. The sushi was also phenomenal. There is something just so incredibly enjoyable about eating a great meal in the middle of a park on a beautiful day that just makes the world seem awesome.

…and if you factor in the fresh raspberries (picked up from a street vendor en route to the park) that served as the ending note to my meal, the experience is indescribable. Pictures may have to suffice!

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The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, & More!

September 7, 2012August 31, 2013 by ericmistry ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Yesterday we visited the Trafalgar Square area for my Cultures of Empire history class. Though the iconic square was covered in a set-up for celebrating and watching the Paralympics, we could still walk around it and enjoy the sights. It was incredible to see the historical buildings I have read about for years up close and personal. Nelson's Column is an awe-inspiring sight to see, towering overhead and guarded by sculpted lions. The ability to see Whitehall (and Big Ben) directly from the National Gallery's steps is also so impressive to me. It will be a great deal of fun to keep returning to the Trafalgar Square area, as I need to come back to the National Gallery at least weekly for my art history class. It will be interesting to see the square change as the seasons change along with events.

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Kebab Heaven at the Farringdon Grill

September 6, 2012August 31, 2013 by ericmistry ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

After a nice, long run along the Thames today, I returned back to the flat ravenous and craving a large amount of food. My flatmate Tracey and I decided to visit the nearby Farringdon Grill for supper. I had noticed the little spot earlier in the week and was impressed by the quality (and quantity!) of the ready-to-grill kebabs on display, as well as the friendly and detailed explanation of the menu by the young man working there.

So, post-run and post-shower, I found myself deciding what kebab to get. I opted for the large, which allotted me two kebabs in my pita with vegetables and sauce. I opted to try one each of the lamb and the chicken kebabs. They were then grilled right in front of me, with the aroma of the freshly roasting peppers, onions, and marinated meat drifting through the air, further inducing more hunger. The grilled meat and vegetables were then piled into a fresh pita, and further fresh vegetables (cabbage, cucumber, tomato, & lettuce) were added on top with spicy sauce and garlic mayo.

I bit into the massive stuffed pita, and was rewarded with tenderly roasted large pieces of chicken and savory lamb. The marinade had soaked into the meats so perfectly, giving them a juicy, flavor-filled taste. The vegetables helped tone down the intense flavor of the meat, and the pita helped keep it all together for the great meal. The Farringdon Grill provided a hefty meal for a phenomenal price point. It's nice to find a local family-owned restaurant with inexpensive food and friendly service.

The Massive Pita Stuffed With Vegetables & Meat

The Chicken, pre-grilling

The Lamb, pre-grilling

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A City of Old & New

September 5, 2012August 31, 2013 by ericmistry ♥ 1 Comment

This morning, we took a walking tour from the Monument to the Great Fire to just below St. Paul's Cathedral. It was an incredibly interesting walk, with Professor Layton-Jones pointing out various places and structures of historical importance. One thing I began to notice as we walked, however, was the incredible blend of the old and new structures. History doesn't build out from London's center, it builds up and around it. We saw numerous rows of buildings with facades and details from various centuries. It's the historical touches that give London its unique feeling. It is a city lost in time. There are places that look unchanged from their same appearances hundreds of years prior. Their juxtaposition next to modern buildings further highlights it. I feel the stark contrast adds a certain beauty to both the old and the new. London may be lost in time, but that's what makes it beautiful.

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The Little Bits of Home

September 4, 2012August 31, 2013 by ericmistry ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

My post about the Indian food set my mind thinking about what other little details bring me home. I looked for them today. It was somewhat surprising to see how many pieces of home are with me, no matter where I am in the world.

(In no particular order…)

My workout bag: (shampoo, sandals, shoes, socks, shorts, shirt, suits, goggles, iPod, towel, water bottle.) It never changes, and packing it each night is nearly a ritual.
My Uniball ballpoint ink pen. Black ink, 0.7 mm point, these are the only pens I use.
My leather journal/notepad/doodlepad. Though the actual notebook will vary, I have gotten into the habit of always carrying one. It's comforting to have just one nice place to keep my thoughts.
My cup of tea in the morning and at night. Nothing is quite the same as a perfect cup of tea, with just the right amount of milk and sugar. It wakes me up in the morning, and puts me to sleep in the evening.
The feeling of calm that swimming continuously brings to me. Even though I am in a different pool, swimming meters instead of yards, and swimming clockwise instead of counterclockwise, there is a beautiful feeling that rushes over me at a certain point. Swimming becomes effortless, and the water just surrounds me and shuts out all other distractions. It's just me and the pool, no matter where I am.
The joy I find in food. Whether cooking or eating out, I get so much pure enjoyment out of food. I find myself getting surprised by different flavors, discovering new foods, and indulging in the most unique of experiences when I seek out good food.
My pictures. I always have pictures of my friends and loved ones with me, whether digitally on my tablet or physically in my little pouch of photos. I also have a few pictures of Emily and me next to my bed, and it's a great thing to wake up to every morning. It's so comforting to see those moments caught in time, those memories of happiness, laughter, and love eternally perserved with pixels or ink.
Being behind a camera. Though I picked up photography as a more serious hobby beginning last year, I've always loved taking pictures. I love looking for the perfect angle for a shot and finding so much more. Photography has helped me discover hidden things that lay in plain sight, waiting to be found by someone who is truly looking. There are treasures and memories everywhere, and the camera lets me capture it all with the click of a shutter.
My music. Whether its an intense playlist for the gym or my usual mellow music for everywhere else, my music is another thing that keeps me connected to where I am from. Hearing certain songs brings memories and people directly into my mind. It's nice when to hear a bit of home in a faraway land.
Grinnell. Not only am I surrounded by Grinnellians in this program, but Grinnell is constant in other ways. I met with an alumnus, Ed Senn '79, who treated me to a great dinner, Paralympics velodrome experience, and great conversation. I'm also still receiving so many emails from my various Grinnell groups, which is bittersweet in that it makes me miss Grinnell and everyone there, yet it makes me excited about returning for the spring and happy for those who are there now.

The list could go on and on, but that's what immediately springs to mind. London is absolutely amazing and a totally life-defining experience. It's just also nice to notice that I managed to bring a bit of home with me.

Live(ish) From London

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Play: London Road

September 3, 2012August 31, 2013 by ericmistry ♥ 2 Comments

Tonight we saw the play London Road, a verbatim-style play based on interviews with residents of a neighborhood following a series of murders. The victims, all prostitutes, were rather looked down upon by the citizens of the area. The play was incredibly interesting for a variety of reasons. First, the author of the play had to take apart recorded conversations and pick out the important or recurring themes to help craft the story in verbatim. Second, the actors had to reproduce the interviews literally verbatim, with every stutter, pause, and um. Finally, because this was a musical, they also had to sing the lines while not trivializing the subject of the material. It was quite well done, with some intentionally dissonant singing at times helping to emphasize the lack of agreement among the neighbors.

In all, it was a very well done play by some extremely talented actors. I do not expect to ever see anything quite like it again due to its uniqueness and creative approach to the subject. I am still in awe that not only do I get to see such incredible performances, but Grinnell-In-London pays for us to see them.

Flat Group Shot Before the Play

Poster for London Road

Ending Set of London Road, with Flowerpots Abounding

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Churros With Hot Chocolate

September 3, 2012August 31, 2013 by ericmistry ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

This afternoon, while exploring the Camden Market area, I stopped to try some traditional-style churros and hot chocolate. They were quite delicious. The hot chocolate was not your watery cocoa water that Americans associate with hot chocolate. This was literally hot, thick melted chocolate. It. Was also delightfully fun to eat. I would dip the churro, pull it out to let the chocolate cool, then dip it again for a second layer of chocolate before chowing down on it. It was a rich indulgence, but I did extra work in the gym today and walked a few miles extra, so I felt it was well-earned. More food adventures are on the horizon, from Gastropubs, to kebabs, to Indian food, to a further exploration of market food! Stay tuned!

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Bricklane Market

September 3, 2012August 31, 2013 by ericmistry ♥ 4 Comments

Today my flatmates and I ventured over to the area known as Bricklane to visit the Bricklane market. It's open on Sundays only, so this was our first real chance to visit it. We reached the market by taking the tube to Aldgate East station, and then walked about five minutes through an Indian and Bengali neighborhood lined with incredibly-smelling restaurants and little sweet shops. (Both of which I will be returning to soon to try!) It still blows my mind how a quick tube ride and walk can completely transport you to a new world of sights, smells, and sounds. The people that define a neighborhood change from block to block, and the level of diversity is truly astounding.

In any case, we reached one of the indoor markets, and were immediately overwhelmed with a blast of heat and delicious smells. The market reminded me of the Des Moines Downtown Farmer's Market, but placed inside an old warehouse and with Indian/Thai/Chinese food dominating the scene.) There were some great clothing booths and lots of amazing little art stands.

At the market, I managed to accomplish three of my London goals in a matter of minutes.

Buy some quality loose tea. (Great chai from a tea vendor who shared his favorite teashops)
Eat delicious Indian food. (Yum! See next post!)
Find a brown leather bomber jacket. (Not only did I find one, but it fit me like it was made for me, and the vendor gave me a twenty percent discount when I bargained. #winning?)

It was an overwhelming, awesome experience. We didn't manage to make it all around the market areas, but will return soon! As we explored the area, we also found some great street art. Enjoy the pictures below!