I really wanted to get some kind of "Oktoberfest" celebration in during the month of October since I am so close to the festivities here in England. It was hard to schedule since I had class most weekends, but I managed to find Bierschenke, London's Authentic Munich Beer Hall, and booked a reservation for us on Halloween.
We had beers and brats and watched the Rugby World Cup Final before the band started to play. The food and beer/cider was all really good, though the platter had a lot for the two of us to share. It lasted us the entire game and we were plenty full by the time we left. I really thought we'd dress up in the traditional clothing since it's Halloween, but Dayne had to explain to me that everyone dresses up scary for Halloween here in England. It's not like costumes in America that could be anything (and I saw some REALLY good ones this year!) Part of me wonders if Dayne just didn't want to dress up... but the only people at Bierschenke in costume were the workers, and yes, they were all scary... covered in blood no matter what they were. I was glad we didn't show up in any costume. Afterwards we headed to a pub quiz that was Halloween theme and put on by one of Dayne's co-workers. The two of us on our own team unfortunately didn't win, but I'm sure if I ever attend a pub quiz again either of my siblings will be in attendance. I hope they'd be on my team! The only category I was good at were the songs! You can find out more about what I'm doing for All Hallows Eve on my Master of Theatre for Young Audience blog.
Happy Haunting! I came to London a few days earlier than planned so that I could see my friend Roger and his granddaughter, Anabelle. We had a great two days together spent catching up and visiting some nice neighborhoods and parks to play in. They even accompanied me on my first trip to Hackney City Farm. Anabelle loved showing me her favorite animals and the weather was phenomenal for late October. We had a lot of fun. Thanks for a great visit!
If you don't already know, I'm compiling two blogs about my time here in England. While this one, "Stars in Stripes Living in Blighty" is more about my travels and daily experiences, the other is about my Masters program, Theatre for Young Audiences. There I will post full articles about my classes, productions I see, workshops I attend, etc.
Right now, you can find more information about my MA program, as well as what I thought of seeing "Phantom of the Opera" at Her Majesty's Theatre this past week. You can visit my TYA blog by scrolling up and clicking the "Masters of Theatre for Young Audiences" link under "Jacq-Of-All Trades." Or click here. Love, Jacqui I am so glad I never visited Harrods before I worked at Disney World. Harrods is home to Disney's Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in London, and having just finished my 1,000 years of training at Disney World's Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, the experience was rightfully 1,000x more exciting.
This post will be short as I haven't yet been able to come down from the high you get when visiting a magical place. Harrods itself is massive and magical, and I'll have to cover it in an entirely different blog entry. It took me a good hour of looking around before I finally found the DISNEY STORE and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Each FGIT and Disney Store cast member I spoke to were SO accommodating and wonderful, I felt like I was right back at the happiest place in the world. When I asked if I could sneak a peek of what the Boutique was like, they arranged a special "Fellow Fairy Godmother" time for me to come back and tour it privately. The experience itself, even without a princess or knight being involved, was incredible. There are so many differences between the Florida Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutiques and the one here in Harrods. I won't go into details about the magic Fairy Godmother has bestowed upon the London based FGITs, as that is not the Fairy Godmother way, but I'd be happy to relive the experience for anyone interested in chatting about it. I will say, I was totally impressed with all of the different activities they had for the hour long transformation, and I definitely teared up once or twice. To get an idea of some of what I saw, you can check out the pictures below. If they ever see this, the three Fairy Godmothers who I spoke to were all kind and lovely. I cannot thank them enough for taking the time to speak to me and tell me all about the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Harrods. Thank you for making a wish come true for this former FGIT. -XOXO Jacqui I am going to try to go to as many coffee shops as possible while I'm here. I think you can tell a lot about a place based on the type of coffee shop or cafe it has. I always love the energy of the baristas, the focus of the students working, babble of the friends chatting, and how each coffee shop has a different theme and feeling.
Earlier this week, I was brought to Bermondsey Street Coffee (also known as fuckoffee) by a local who claims it is his favorite spot on his commute to work. While this Brick Lane Coffee spot is a bit more eclectic in theme than my usual tastes, (did you see that name!?) they have a fantastic food menu that is difficult to pass up. Their slogan, "Come Happy, Leave Edgy" totally fits the attitude projected by the design of this establishment, as well as the music that is played over the speakers. However, that doesn't seem to have an effect on the amount of people who visit each day. Not only was I shocked by the numbers that came through in the few hours I spent working on my writing, I noticed a big range in the ages of those who came in for their cuppa or their lunch break. In the few times I've been there, I've thoroughly enjoyed my standard hazelnut latte. One day, I went for a healthier option, being a 2 berry smoothie, that I thought was the perfect balance of sweet and sour. On a colder rainy day, I also tried one of their stews (and I hope I remember the name of it in the future) with bread and butter. It was delightfully filled with thick chunks of meat and vegetables, so I was very pleased and very full after eating it. I also have tried a generous bite of their carrot cake with lemon icing. I surprisingly enjoyed that, too... I don't usually enjoy carrot cake. All of the chairs, tables, and couches are arranged so, at times, you might be sitting knee to knee with the person next to you. That doesn't stop it from being a cozy spot to read, write, listen to music, or chat with your friends. I tried out one of the couches and would have been content taking a nap there, despite all the hustle and bustle around me. Bar-tops line the windows with chairs or stools available for patrons to sit at and work or eat. The interior walls are lined with couches and love seats creating a "U" formation towards the middle of the room, and additional tables are pushed up against the backs of the couches. Basically everyone inside is really close together in proximity, but I had plenty of space to my self where I was situated. I could write an entire article on all of the details the encompass Bermondsey Street Coffee (fuckoffee), and I likely will in the future after I visit again. Everything from the light fixtures to the graffiti art and the government notice in the bathroom is unique to Bermondsey Street Coffee and will keep me coming back for more... I'm intrigued. Before starting my "life admin" day, consisting of picking up my residence card, getting a UK phone number, bank account, rain gear, etc., we got a good start by visiting The Attendent for brunch. My oh my, was it tasty! From the moment I walked in, I felt a really welcoming atmosphere. I appreciated how the owner, Ryan, welcomed us and gave us suggestions on what we should order. We found a seat at the wooden bar along the window and, although it was raining, there was still plenty of light coming in. It was fun to watch everyone walking by, getting their week started. I adore being in the city. All of the table tops are made of wood and pulls the interior design together really well. The colors, materials, and details all match to make the large room feel more cozy. The wall is covered with happy notes from patrons written in various colors of sharpies; I was sure to leave my own note before leaving. I had a hazelnut latte, which I have decided will be my drink of choice each time I try a new coffee shops, and Smashed Avocado & Bacon on Toast. It was topped with fresh cilantro, which is called coriander here. I thought Mama B would have really liked it. The hazelnut latte was also very good. I had to add a spoonful of sugar, but I'm still getting used to everything not being as sugary as it is in America. The next time I am in London, I hope to go to the original "The Attendent" location. It was originally an old Victorian toilet from the 1890s, and has been restored to the espresso and food bar it is today. I know, it sounds mental but the pictures look incredible, and it has been a huge topic in plenty of media outlets around the world. Check it out for yourself, here.
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Hiya!Jacq is a "Made in the Mitten" gal experiencing life & love across the pond. She enjoys the theatre, both onstage and off, traveling, & taking pictures. You might spot her on her way to class or enjoying a hazelnut latte. She hopes to soon find a good spot to do yoga in the city. Follow her adventures as she discovers her favorite places & spaces in Bristol, Bath & beyond! Topics
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