Month: April 2016

A HP Fanatic’s Guide to England

On By EmilyinEarnestIn College, Harry Potter, London, Travel, University5 Comments

I love Harry Potter.

It’s a fact about myself that I don’t hide or try to shy away from. Yes, I’ve read all the books about a million times. Yes, I’m 22 years old and still mourning my lost Hogwarts letter (you notice I say “lost” because I’m still convinced it was a postal error). Yes, I own all of the book on tape versions of the stories (shout out to Jim Dale, bless your heart).

This love affair with the classic English series was one of the many reasons why in the Fall of 2013 I decided to study abroad in London, UK. And, as you might have guessed, I used this opportunity to visit all of the available sets and Harry Potter related locations I could.

Now, here is a compilation of some of the best places in England to get your Potter fix…

1. Oxford, UK

While most of the other locations are in London, and thus easily accessible to anyone living in the city, this one’s a bit out of the way.

That being said, this site is also amazing. Stepping into Oxford, and onto the grounds of the University of Oxford, is like stepping back in time. The school looks like a castle, with vast green lawns and cobblestone walkways.

Most importantly, however, many scenes from the Harry Potter movies were filmed here. The stairway inside the building was used in both the Sorcerer’s Stone and the Chamber of Secrets. The Great Hall was modeled after their own dining hall (which incidentally you can eat in if you’re so inclined). AND you can walk in the very courtyard that Moody turned Malfoy into a twitchy little ferret!

2. King’s Cross Station, London

You’re lying if you say you’ve never fantasized about slipping through the barrier between platforms 9 and 10 in King’s Cross Station. I know I certainly have. In the spirit of kindness towards people who actually have to catch trains at these two stations, however, they have set up a place for Potter fans to congregate, without clogging up the platforms.

The station itself has set up a Harry Potter area, with a Platform 9 3/4 sign and cart complete with owl cage and trunk sticking halfway out of the wall. With these props in place, it has become the perfect place to snag your super fan “Off to Hogwarts” profile picture. The site even has a Harry Potter gift shop right next door, and a team of workers who will snap your photo (but you have to pay for their photo of you, your friend with an iPhone is free!).

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3. Leadenhall Market, London

Situated unassumingly off a London side street is Leadenhall Market, a covered shopping area that most people would assume is utterly unremarkable.

But they would be wrong! This market was the filming location for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The Leaky Cauldron was set up right where an optician’s office now lies. While it is a muggle shopping center, it is also extremely beautiful in and of itself and well worth the visit.

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4. Millennium Bridge, London

Situated on the Thames, very close the the Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, is the Millennium Bridge. Remarkable in and it’s own right, with modern architecture and a gorgeous view of St. Paul’s Cathedral, it is part of a key scene in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

In the scene we see the Death Eaters (who can now apparently fly in dark blurs ??) making a show of strength in London and destroying the bridge. Obviously they’ve rebuilt since the aftermath.

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5. Warner Brother’s Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter, Leavesden

About an hour outside of London lies the Warner Brother’s Studios, which holds the holy grail of Harry Potter paraphernalia. Here, for thirty-five pounds, you can experience pure wizarding bliss as you explore the many sets and props from all eight of the movies.

This includes the Great Hall, the Ministry of Magic, the Gryffindor Common Room, the Weasley’s Kitchen and many many more. Not only that, but outside you have the opportunity to walk up and knock on the front door of number 4 Privet Drive (but be warned, the Dursleys do not like unwelcome guests).

The studio tour is without a doubt the best of the various locations and experiences in London for a Harry Potter fan. If you ever have the opportunity to go TAKE IT. You won’t regret it.

Just remember though, whether you’re reading the books, watching the movies or visiting these HP locations, your love of all things Harry Potter will stay with you…. always.

The Power of Words – An Ode to Donald Trump

On By EmilyinEarnestIn Donald Trump, Politics, UncategorizedLeave a comment

When I was growing up, I heard a lot of presidential quotes. My dad, a history buff in the highest degree, used to quote this president or that whenever trying to instill some desirable trait or quality in my brothers and I. As such, I learned to respect and admire the people who had taken it upon themselves to lead our nation. These men were honest, wise and intelligent. They spoke their views and defended their values with an eloquence that I could only aspire to.

And it made an impact on me; those words inspired me.

While the lectures on morality, confidence and every other positive quality were tedious to my juvenile self (as a kid I would have much rather been running around doing something destructive), they stuck with me. It made me realize that not only are our presidents leaders of the nation for the four to eight years they serve, but they are also the people we look up to for standards of behavior, for wisdom and for the direction our nation will move in.

Along this same line, a number of very concerning things have been happening in the presidential race today. I see candidates, and one in particular, spewing hatred and bigotry to the public. Words can be an insidious poison, they sit heavy in people’s minds once heard and spread, shading all other thoughts and opinions. The ramifications of such negativity being publicly shared and broadcasted by someone who has the potential to be a leader of our nation is frightening.

Donald Trump is one such candidate. I have been shocked and many times disgusted by the statements this presidential contender has made. He seems to make a point to be crude and insensitive. I make a sincere effort not to judge people when their political views are contrary to mine, and thus have been curious as to why people support Trump. Many times the answer is his “honesty.” While I understand their point of view, as politics has become a corrupt and two-faced business, with career politicians doing and saying anything just to stay in office, I must object.

Donald Trump is not an honest man. Donald Trump is a businessman. He capitalizes on people’s fears and misgivings and fuels the fire, inciting violence and hatred towards people of differing races, genders and ideals and using it for his own gain.

Returning to my main point, however, when a president (or in this case a presidential candidate) speaks, the public listens. And they continue to listen down the line. In light of this I thought I would juxtapose some quotes from past United States Presidents, on varying subjects, to quotes from the Donald himself. A man’s character is revealed by his words, and Mr. Trump’s words paint a very dark picture.

 

  1. George Washington – 1st President of the United States

“Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.”

Trump: “I will build a great wall – and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me – and I’ll build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words.”

  1. Abraham Lincoln – 16th President of the United States

“I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends.”

Trump: “When someone crosses you, my advice is ‘Get Even!’ That is not typical advice, but it is real life advice. If you do not get even, you are just a schmuck! When people wrong you, go after those people because it is a good feeling and because other people will see you doing it. I love getting even. I get screwed all the time. I go after people, and you know what? People do not play around with me as much as they do with others. They know that if they do, they are in for a big fight”

  1. Theodore Roosevelt – 26th President of the United States

“Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

Trump: “My IQ is one of the highest — and you all know it! Please don’t feel so stupid or insecure; it’s not your fault.”

  1. Ronald Reagan – 40th President of the United States

“We are forever indebted to those who have given their lives that we might be free.”

Trump: “He’s not a war hero. He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.” (In reference to former prisoner of war John McCain, held prisoner in Vietnam for more than five years)

  1. Franklin D. Roosevelt – 32nd President of the United States

“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.”

Trump: “The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.”

  1. Eleanor Roosevelt – First Lady of the United States

“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people”

Trump: “If I were running The View I’d fire Rosie (O’Donnell). I mean, I’d look her right in that fat, ugly face of hers, I’d say, ‘Rosie, you’re fired.”

“Arianna Huffington is unattractive both inside and out. I fully understand why her former husband left her for a man – he made a good decision.”

“Look at that face! Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president? I mean, she’s a woman, and I’m not supposed to say bad things, but really, folks, come on. Are we serious?” (In reference to Carly Fiorina, former presidential candidate)

  1. Jimmy Carter – 39th President of the United States

“We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.”

Trump: “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending the best. They’re not sending you, they’re sending people that have lots of problems and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. … And some, I assume, are good people.”

  1. John F. Kennedy – 35th President of the United States

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”

Trump: “The other thing with the terrorists is you have to take out their families, when you get these terrorists, you have to take out their families. They care about their lives, don’t kid yourself. When they say they don’t care about their lives, you have to take out their families”

  1. Harry S. Truman – 33rd President of the United States

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”

Trump: “People love me. And you know what, I have been very successful. Everybody loves me.”

  1. Emma Lazarus, quoted on the Statue of Liberty

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

Trump: “Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.”

London Clubs: Top Four

On By EmilyinEarnestIn Clubbing, College, London, Travel, University2 Comments

Hello all!

So, I’ve sent out my Working Holiday Visa application to the Irish Consulate in New York about two weeks ago and am still waiting to hear back. In the meantime I decided I’d write a bit about my other international experience: studying abroad in London.

My sophomore year (Fall 2013) I journeyed to the land of tea, double decker busses and endless pubs, the one and only London, England. One thing that struck me the most was the significant difference between the nightlife of Storrs, Connecticut, and that of London, England.

I had become accustomed to paying to go to a shitty bar with lackluster beer, or, even more often, would end up in the basement of some disgusting frat house, trying to avoid getting groped by the many-handed masses (side note, never touch the walls of a frat house, they sweat).

But in London, there were clubs. Places with dancing and good drinks and atmosphere.

So here it is, my top four list for clubs in London..

  1. KOKO

What is it? If you’re looking for good atmosphere with a mix of live music and DJs, this is the place to go. KOKO is a refurbished opera house which boasts a large dance floor and stage, where you can see both local and famous bands and musical acts playing almost every night of the week. The different floors all look down onto the dance floor and boast multiple bars and a considerable ratio of comfy couches for when you’ve been dancing too long in heels. Not to mention the rooftop bar which provides some amazing nighttime views.

Where is it? Camden, off of Camden High Street, if you take the tube to Mornington Crescent (Northern Line) it’ll be right outside.

How expensive is it? It’s pretty variable, I’ve seen it as low as 5 pounds and as high as 30, but it depends on what bands/acts are on that night. Definitely check out their website to look up ticket prices.

2.  Proud

What is it? This is an unconventional club, if I do say so myself. A 19th century hospital for horses (no I’m not joking), now each refurbished “stable” is available for private rent. There’s a dance floor, multiple live band shows, and themed nights where many of the different stables have a different activity inside them (when we were there there was karaoke in one stable). Top it all off with the rooftop bar, reasonably priced drinks (cider or beer bottles for four pounds), and a hot tub (at least there was when I was there) and this place makes for one fun night out.

Where is it? Once again, Camden, right across from the famed shopping area the Camden Market. The closest tube stop would be Camden Town, then it’s a eight minute walk straight down the street.

How expensive is it? The drinks are relatively inexpensive, which is rare in London. Depending on what bands are playing, cover is variable, if you time it right it can be as low as three pounds though!

3. ROXY

What is it? This was one of my favorite clubs while I was in London. Nestled underground down a side road off Tottenham Court, the ROXY boasts a more hip and chill vibe then most clubs. Smaller, with a dance floor and bar area, the ROXY has a distinctly young fan base (mostly college kids), with drink deals and relatively low entrance costs (especially if you join their email list). Here you’ll find a DJ six nights of the week, with each night having a different musical theme.

Where is it? Right off of Tottenham Court Road Station (Central and Northern lines), down Rathbone Place and on the right.

How expensive is it? Very reasonable, especially for students. Showing your student card or adding yourself to the email list can get you in for 3-7 pounds. Then there’s drink deals for happy hour which means half price cocktails, reduced price pitchers and two for one beers. Bottoms up!

4. Cargo

What is it? Hidden beneath a railway, surrounded by some impressive graffiti lies Cargo, a bar and club in the heart of Shoreditch. With its large dance floor and multi-room layout, Cargo is the perfect place to hit up on a pub crawl or with a big group of friends. If it gets to crowded on the dance floor, Cargo has the added bonus of an outside beer garden, filled with tons of seating areas and heat lamps (which are prime during the winter months).

Where is it? This club is right in the heart of Shoreditch, however, the easiest way to get there is by bus, as there isn’t a tube stop in the immediate vicinity. Lines 55, 35, 47 and 243 will all get you quite close.

How expensive is it? Fridays and Saturdays can have covers around 10-15 pounds, but student nights on Tuesdays offer free admission and some pretty sweet drink deals. So, if you’re willing to suffer a Wednesday hangover, this may be the place for you.

 

Those were my favorites, but the city is chock full of cool and quirky places to grab a drink and dance. If you’ve ever been to these or have a few favorites of your own, comment!

P.S. In the spirit of clubbing here is an embarrassing photo of me enjoying a pitcher of Pimms by myself (shameful I know)!

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