Tag: Unexpected Awesomeness

Classy Coffee Class and The V&A

Classy Coffee Class and The V&A

by ericmistry ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Today for my Cultures of Empire class, we met in a rather fun setting, a Belgian-style coffeehouse/bakery! We spent the first half of the class discussing the reading over some coffee, tea, and breads with spreads. It was a wonderfully different way to start our day, and the location made it easy to stroll over to the V&A (the Victoria and Albert Museum) one block away for the second half of class. We spent the second half of class looking at some archival pieces, prints from the Exhibition of 1851, which we had read about for class and spent the previous hour discussing. It was incredible to hold these antique, yet perfectly-preserved documents and study their details and ideas firsthand. The archive room is amazing, and I cannot wait to do some preliminary research on my free days for my potential MAP. Enjoy the pictures below!

 

A Quali-Tea Way to Start Class

 

Claire Cares for Coffee

 

A Unique Classroom Setting

 

The Archived Collection Cover

 

Detail From a Print

 

The Class Studies the Prints Firsthand

 

Greenwich and Great Times

Greenwich and Great Times

by ericmistry ♥ 2 Comments

Today we visited Greenwich for my History of London course. We examined the area and explored its roles in the the various stages of history, from its major scientific significance to its role in WWII defense and failsafes. After climbing the large hill, we were treated to some of the spectacular views you see below. The area also featured a beautiful rose garden and an old wall still set for WWII land defense. It really makes the history come to life seeing it in such a context. Though the view has undoubtedly changed over the years, the impressiveness has not faded one bit.

After exploring Greenwich, I went home and met my friend Grace and her friend Lauren, both of whom are visiting London. We went to the British Museum and explored all around. It was a great day.

The Prime Meridian!

Rose Garden

Grace and I

 

Lunch Thali at Malabar Junction

Lunch Thali at Malabar Junction

by ericmistry ♥ 1 Comment

Today, after a long workout session with a personal trainer at the Y, I walked down the street to Malabar Junction, an Indian restaurant a few doors down from the teaching site. I opted for a Thali, which is a collection of dishes served in small portions in little bowls on a larger tray.

This Thali included: a masala dosa (pancake stuffed with potato), avial (vegetables cooked with coconut, cumin, & spices), rasam (a blend of peppers, tomatoes, tamarind, & spices), sambar (curry of lentils and vegetables in tamarind), curried green banana, Malabar chicken curry, Kerala fish curry, poori, basmati rice, yogurt, pickled mango, and payasam (vermicelli cooked in cardamom milk with raisins and cashews.

It was absolutely delicious and a wonderful treat to indulge in. I really enjoyed the broad range of dishes that getting a Thali allowed for. Malabar Junction also presented it so beautifully and with wonderful service (including a hot towel at the end of the meal!). I shall be returning for more!

 

Stratford-Upon-Avon (Day 2)

Stratford-Upon-Avon (Day 2)

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On this day, I started out with an exhilarating and long run out into the countryside with my roommate-for-the-weekend, Arthur. We enjoyed the crisp, clear air and the fog rolling over the river and fields as the sun rose. We made it back to the bed and breakfast in time for an amazing English breakfast. We enjoyed ham, eggs, sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms, toast, tea, yogurt, cereal, more tea, jam, and more. It was probably a very good thing we went on a run.

Post-breakfast, a group of ten of us decided to rent some boats from a nearby dock we had seen the previous night. We lucked out, as they had a boat that could seat all ten of us. We hopped in and began a merry rowing adventure. It was absolutely gorgeous as we rode (and rowed) along the riverbank. It was such great company, and we even sprang into singing a few rounds of “Row, row, row your boat…” (Which induced a passing English boat to wonder aloud, “What on earth are those Americans singing?!?”) It was an amazingly fun experience, one I will not be forgetting. After rowing, we had lunch and bought cheese from a nearby market.

Later that day, we saw an outstanding production of Richard III. It was action-packed and had an extremely-talented actor playing Richard III himself. After a short break for a walk around and a deliciously spicy Thai dinner, we came back to the theatre to see A Comedy of Errors. It was my favorite Shakespeare play of the three we saw this weekend, but they were all so impressive. It was absolutely amazing to be treated to three shows in Shakespeare’s hometown. I will never forget it. Enjoy the pictures (and video of our merry round-singing) below.

The Curious Incident of the Dog of Nighttime

The Curious Incident of the Dog of Nighttime

by ericmistry ♥ 1 Comment

Last night, we saw a phenomenal staging of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. It was a deeply moving adaptation of the famous novel by Mark Haddon. The story follows Christopher, a fifteen-year-old with a strong case of Asperger's Syndrome, and his quest to figure out who killed Wellington, the dog who lived next door.

This was hands down the best play we have seen so far. The actor portraying Christopher truly became the character; every last detail was perfect, from his reactions to his dictation patterns, to the true confusion in his eyes. The staging was also amazing. We were sitting around the stage, looking down, which added a sense of intimacy to the production, letting us enter Christopher's mind. The stage was also made of highly adaptable platforms, which raise and lowered to form different locations. Between the moving stage pieces and an incredible set of speakers and projectors, the stage became houses, a tube station, a classroom, outer space, and even Christopher's mind.

 

We were all riveted by the performance, becoming emotionally involved and totally immersed in Christopher's struggles to comprehend a world that makes little sense to him, a world full of confusing metaphors, emotions, crowded stations, and the color yellow, which he despises. Little details made the theatre and performance perfect, like the prime numbered seats being labeled, and an occasional break of the fourth wall. Incredible, emotional, and totally unforgettable, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime was superb beyond expectations.

 

The River Thames Festival: A Night of Good Food, Good Fun, & Good Fireworks

The River Thames Festival: A Night of Good Food, Good Fun, & Good Fireworks

by ericmistry ♥ 1 Comment

Last night, a large group of we Grinnell-In-Londoners adventured down to the banks of the River Thames for the Lord Mayor's River Thames Festival. It was a wonderful atmosphere, taking place from sunset until late at night. We enjoyed some great food, saw an incredible parade, walked around, and watched one of the most impressive fireworks displays I have ever seen.

 

 

 

 

Of the various options available, the fish and chips called out the most strongly to our group, as both Teddy and I are on quests to find London's greatest fish and chips. The fish and chips we had at the festival were freshly fried and hot, slathered in delicious vinegar, and just the perfect food to eat while watching the sun descend over the River Thames. While delicious, the fish and chips did not stand out in any particular way to win the honor of best fish and chips. We did enjoy our feast, and as the pictures below may indicate, we are already major fans of the iconic British dish.

Teddy, Joe, & Greg Enjoying Food & Fun

Next, we headed back to the streets to watch the parade. The crowds were enormous, but we managed to get a great spot streetside to watch the elaborate floats, incredible dancers, and outrageous costumes go by. Check out the crowd and some choice parade pictures below!

 

 

 

 

Post-parade, we persisted in plodding around until we procured some paella. (Awesome alliteration, eh?) In any case, we found a great Spanish stand selling paella, which Teddy and I split. It was intensely flavorful, the result of cooking in that massive pan for so long, and the chicken practically fell off the bone, infused with flavor and so delicious. Claire opted to get an incredible chorizo and chicken wrap from the same stand, an excellent choice which she so graciously let me try. The chorizo was so powerful and scrumptious, its inherent smokiness leaching into the chicken and giving it a spicy touch as well.

 

Teddy Displays Our Choice

 

Quality Assured

My Half Serving of Paella

Chorizo & Chicken

Happiness and Silliness

After our second snack of the night, we had to kill a little time before the fireworks. A few of us decided to go down a slide attached to the outside of a temporary lighthouse. It was presumably intended for little kids, but the majority of slide-riders were our age or older. We felt incredibly mature and dignified… Kind of.

 

Finally, the forays of fireworks flew into the skies, an incredible sight to behold. Some boats in the river were loaded up with fireworks, and they lit the sky beautifully. They made the riverbank, packed with thousands, glow as if it were day, and left our ears ringing and hearts pounding. It was an amazing sight to behold, and seemed a perfect cap to the atmosphere of happiness and celebration. I managed to get some pretty nice shots of the fireworks, so enjoy them below!

 

 

 

 

Another Pleasant Day

Another Pleasant Day

by ericmistry ♥ 1 Comment

Today was another ordinary, exciting day here in London. It was routine, but routine in this city is rife with little surprises and twists. I slept in pretty late today, as we've been really busy this week and I was pretty exhausted. I woke up, had breakfast, and went to the YMCA to work out.

On that note, I am, as of a few days ago, an OFFICIAL student member with full access to all classes and facilities! There are a huge range of classes, and I'm starting out next week with a free session with a trainer, as well as yoga and kettlebell classes. In addition, I am training on Thursdays and Sundays with the swim club, and on Tuesday evenings with a triathlon/distance swimming group. Between the classes, clubs, and my regular training regimen (including exhilarating runs on the Thames, which is surreal to think is real life), I should get in even better shape! Check out my fancy new YMCA card below!

Beautifully Blue YMCA Card

 

The YMCA was followed by a trip to the British Museum to study and explore. It was immense and totally mind-bogglingly amazing. Highlight of the day? A carved crystal skull from South America. Originally thought to be an exquisite Aztec specimen, it was proved a fake by microscopic analysis that showed use of tools that post-dated by the Aztecs by a few hundred years. Fake or not, it was a beautiful specimen, and brought to mind Indiana Jones and that adventuresome theme song. (Which, incidentally, is my alarm clock song…)

Cue the Indiana Jones Theme…

After puttering around the British Museum for a fair amount of time, I made my way down the street to Mr. Brainwash's art exhibition. This was the exhibition I visited earlier in my adventuring. Mr. Brainwash, I learned after some research, was a prominent follower of the famed graffiti artist, Banksy, and part of the film Exit Through The Gift Shop. The show, with its playful twists on classic pieces, was amusing and thought-provoking as before.

John & Yoko, With a New Message

I returned home on the bus (which I actually love riding) and cooked a supper of Carribean-style rice and beans. It was extremely filling and so very flavorful! I'm learning so much more about cooking and manipulating different types of food. It's an adventure within this big London adventure.

After dinner, we went to the Last Night of the Proms, broadcast in 3D to a nearby cinema. It was a beautiful production, filled with amazing music and a uniquely British style of patriotism. The 3D was quite nicely done and the production was incredible for being streamed live. The music was spectacular, especially two younger virtuosos, one on the violin and the other a terrific tenor opera singer. The enthusiasm and patriotism were infectious, leaving me humming Rule, Brittania all the way home.

Even the Cinemas Are Gorgeous

 

I came home and Skyped my parents and Emily. It was so nice to just chat for awhile and be reminded of all the treasures that lie back home. And now, onward to sleep!

 

Julius Caesar, Live in London

Julius Caesar, Live in London

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sushi Lunch in the Park

Sushi Lunch in the Park

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!

 

 

 

Indian Food and More at the Bricklane Market

Indian Food and More at the Bricklane Market

by ericmistry ♥ 1 Comment

We went to Bricklane Market today and it was an amazing experience. (Read more about it in the previous post!) One of the tougher choices of the day was what to eat… There were about twenty different food stands, with each one serving mouth-wateringly good food. In the end, I chose to get a steamed pork bun and some Indian food. It was a great choice. I started with the steamed bun.

 

 

It was one of the most interesting eating experiences of my life. It wasn't complex, it wasn't served on a fancy plate, but this simple steamed bun was one of the best things I had ever eaten. Fresh from a woven basket into a napkin, it was still extremely hot to the touch. I waited a minute to dig in, and was greeted by the amazing taste and smell of the pork as the the air pocket inside was pierced, and the pork-infused steam rolled out from within. I added some sweet chili sauce and some soy sauce to the now-open bun, and let the flavors soak into the pork and bun a little. It was a delightful treat to eat it. The pork was juicy and deeply flavorful and almost melted with the bun with every bite. It was so very simple, but so utterly delicious.

 

Next came the Indian food. I opted for a variety plate, which included two curries, a dish with chickpeas, some mint and yogurt sauce, and rice. Chutneys were on the side for added flavor. (Or, if you prefer, flavour.) The dishes were so hot and intensely flavorful, delivering the tastes and culinary experience that only Indian food can. They all melded together and released the most fantastic smells into the air. Eating this dish of Indian food, surrounded by the noise and chaos of the busting market, I felt oddly calm and at home. These dishes are the same as the ones my family makes, and the strange little bit of comfort and home each bite delivered made the dish all the more satisfying. Food is about more than just taste, it is about experiences, memories, the stuff of life itself. It's a universal factor of the human race. We all have our own foods that, no matter where we are in the world, will always bring us home. Enjoy the pictures below.