Free-for-All

Recently, it has just seemed like there is so much for me to do in London without spending very much money at all. I think that is what I will miss the most in Provo. Thursday, we tried to go to the Banqueting House (Charles I was killed nearby), but it was closed for a government function so we went to the Cabinet War Rooms instead. These actually cost money, but it was so worth it to see the place where England ran their WWII homefront operations. Especially if you are a history nut like me, it was really exciting. That night, though, we had so much fun. We went to Covent Garden to see them light up their Christmas tree, and they had performances from Stomp and G4 (this Il-Divo-esque male quartet that I'd seen earlier in the semester in Hyde Park). It was such a blast, and it was the kind of thing that would never be free anywhere else. Friday, we braved the freezing cold South Bank to browse through the used book market (very free/freezing),and then went inside the National Theatre to look at a set design contest and a jewelry exhibit. They were both just unique and fun and made me wish I had a ton of money to buy all that jewelry! Afterwards, we went to a free string quartet concert at St. Martin's in the Field, where I heard the most amazing Shostakovich piece ever. Saturday, I went back to Portobello Road. It feels so weird to go back and compare my impressions from that first day that I went! Also, we saw a matinee of Les Mis (most definitely NOT free, but half-price for students) which was just amazing and strongly recommended to anyone that goes to London.