Activities

A comparison between my everyday activities at Williams and in London, just to remind myself how lucky I am NOT to be in Williamstown this year. 

Arts

Williams: A lecture from a well renowned art historian, where only half the class is actually paying attention. Maybe a minute long walk to the WCMA for a full-museum tour in 15 minutes.

London: The National Gallery, the Tate Modern, the British Museum, and impromptu performance art demonstrations involving hundreds of people in Liverpool Street Station or Trafalgar Square. 

Entertainment

W: Mostly YouTube in the library 

L: Shows, movies for 10 pounds, a trip to the BAFTA red carpet to see all the celebs (true story! Saw Brad Pitt, Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet and more). 

Sports

W: A strenuous 10 minute hike to Cole Field in the middle of the cow pastures for a soccer game. Two bleachers. No rowdy behavior or the big bad Campus Security might bust you. 

L: A transportation mess (my bus was overtaken by Italians and consequently shut down) to arrive at a crowded 60,000 person stadium to see the Brazil vs. Italy football match. Unlike the American international friendlies, all the good players are actually present for the games. Excessive chanting and separated seating areas to prevent belligerent violence. Metropolitan Police enforcement at every Tube station within a mile or two of the stadium. 

Leisurely Lunch

W: Sandwiches at Papa Charlie's. See everyone you know walking up and down Spring Street.

L: Tea at the Dorchester. Finger sandwiches, scones, and delicate pastries. See no one under age 45. 

Go Out to Dinner

W: A selection of a few restaurants--Sushi/Thai (yes that is one place), Indian, or bad American food. There is always the dining hall I guess. 

L: A million places to go. The hardest thing to do is choose. 

Weekend Getaway

W: A 2 hour drive up to Middlebury, Vermont to visit friends and watch a basketball game. See cows, trees, snow, and if I have time, make a quick stop at the Apple Barn in Bennington to get my farm culture fix. 

L: A 2 hour plane ride for 2 nights in Stockholm, the Swiss Alps, or any other European destination. See museums, tourist attractions, and eat amazing international food. Get a new stamp on my passport. It doesn't expire for another 7 years but I think I already need new pages.

Long Walk:

W: Anything more than 5 minutes.

L: Anything more than 45 minutes. 

Shopping

There's no point in even writing this comparison.

Nightlife

See shopping

Snow in London!

Reactions to the 20 cm of snow in greater London, the most snow the city has seen in 20 years according to BBC. 

 

"David Brown of Transport of London said the situation was 'exceptional'"

"On the roads, the southern section of M25 has treacherous driving conditions between the M23 and the A3."

"A London Ambulance Service spokesman said it received more than 650 calls between midnight and Monday morning and stressed that it would only respond to 'life-threatening calls' as it was under 'severe pressure'."

"Given the severe weather conditions and the likelihood of worse to come, the School has taken the decision to CANCEL ALL TEACHING for today. Staff are advised to remain at home if they cannot easily get into the School." -my school

Advice to those who do decide to travel: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7864788.stm

Schools (including universities) are cancelled. All Tube lines are severely delayed, or partially/fully suspended. Buses are not running. The city has completely shut down. All from a mere 7 inches of snow. It is a complete joke. 

Also funny...the city has no snow plow.

I got in a cab today and the cab driver was complaining about how he needed to start stocking up on snowballs in his front seat to defend himself from the children. Apparently taxis make great targets.