2 French guys and I went to church.

Ok, so. My life is always interesting. I didn't even have to go to a club all night and get super drunk to have awkward interesting experiences.

Friday I went to see Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and Trafalgar Square. Super touristy, but fun. It was packed and we took a lot of pictures. All of the walking gets exhausting, but its worth it to see these amazing beautiful ancient buildings. It seems like most of these buildings are older than the United States of America. The highlight of Friday was in the evening. A few of us went a comedy club at the Goat Tavern. We went up a flight of sketchy stairs and popped into a room with about 25 chairs and listened to some fantastic comedians. We also drank cider. mmmmm. Cider is basically beer, but tastier. Mine was pear flavored. I was hoping to expand my beer horizons while here, but I think I might have to just become a pro at cider. Awesome!

Saturday was where the interesting and odd events started. Alyssa and I hopped on the Tube and ended up sitting next to two guys. One of them turned to Alyssa and in broken English attempted to ask us what Wembley Stadium was. With the help of a local (who could see it from where they were sitting) we told them that its where they play sports and have concerts and fun stuff like that. Well, this started a conversation about where they're from (France) and what they're doing here (an apprenticeship studying engineering) and how long they'll be here (4 months) and what they were planning on doing in the city (see Big Ben). We tried to help them find their way on the Tube to their final destination, but chitchat distracted us and they missed their stop. So, they hopped off with us while we tried to explain how they could find their way there. Well, they were hoping to hang out with us. (We were on our way to Camden market). So, they joined us. We walked around Camden for awhile. Tried to converse. and they continued following us around. Alyssa and I were wanting to just spend some time looking and walking around, but with 2 awkward French boys following us it kind of made it difficult to enjoy. Also, trying to help someone with their English and understand them and enjoy conversation got tiring. I'm so spoiled. Oh, also. One of the best parts was that both of their names were Pierre. So, they became Pierre 1 and Pierre 2. Pierre 1 had an addiction to coffee and cigarettes and I'm pretty sure other things. He smoked (and rolled his own cigarettes) several times and then had several cups of coffee. So French. They listen to ABBA, Cher, and Linkin Park. Awesome, right? Well, it was one of those days to remember. Even though I didn't purchase anything I still had an interesting day and managed to see yet another awesome aspect of London.

Sunday (today) I went to church. I went because my host mom asked me to go and because today was their international service where she was speaking and because after mass they had international (free!) food. Okay. So. The church was a Catholic church, very ornate and grand. I've never attended a Catholic mass and probably won't again, but this was an interesting experience. I can understand why people go to church and why it is so important to them. It was a pleasant church where everyone seemed kind and caring. A community in which you know you'll be supported. It is overwhelming how beautiful everything in the church was and it would be easy to love every word they tell you. Its easier to believe what someone tells you to. It is comforting to know the answers. It makes life more comprehensive if we know where we are going when we die, why we are here, and that there is something bigger than us. What was more interesting to me though was watching the other people while everything was going on. Children were fussing and everyone generally seemed to be tired and perhaps dozing off. But it all meant something to these people. I have a better understanding of why people love church, but I still will not be attending. I have my beliefs and somehow I have managed to be a good person without the ten commandments guiding my way.

Now, I must continue reading All's Well that Ends Well and read The Pitmen Painters. Even though I would rather curl up in bed (wait, I'm already there) and fall asleep. Also, DAD! I'm watching an old James Bond movie and missing you.



Cheers!
Kaitlin