In the way of news, we do have some. We got a bicycle! For FREE! And it works!! This is absolutely amazing news, especially here in London where bikes can be fairly expensive and are NEVER found for free. We found the bike on a website call Freecycle which is amazing and a great place for people like us who are just temporarily settling in a place but need a few things to get by. Seth went to pick the bike up from an older man who seemed glad to get rid of it. God truly did provide for us in this instance! Yes, we have a helmet and all safety precautions...don't worry. But here is the bike (that I have now named Spike) in all it's glory whilst resting in our hallway:
The idea behind getting the bike is that hopefully I can ride it at least to and from the British Library. Apparently this is a pretty easy ride (according to some people in our church) that goes down a canal rather than the road. I just don't think I'm quite ready for the road itself yet. Maybe never. Those double decker buses are pretty scary and aggressive!
In other news, last night was pretty eventful. We spent the entire day at the British Library (so studious on a Saturday) and then traveled into the center of the city. A girl in the church was having her birthday party in Covent Gardens at a place called "Roadhouse." Before we went there, we decided to go by my college so that I could take a few pictures of the building. I have been wanting to do this for some time, but during a regular school day it is so crowded I think I would get run over if I stopped somewhere with a camera. So stopping by on a Saturday was the perfect time to get some pictures. They are a little blurry as the lighting in the building isn't the best, but here's a few pictures:
English department wing:
The Chapel:
After leaving the college, we arrived at Covent Garden a bit earlier so that we could explore. It was dark by this point, so I couldn't really take any good pictures, but I definitely plan on visiting there again. For those who don't know what it is, Covent Garden - not a garden at all. It is this big cobblestone block with several covered markets that selling, well, basically everything, and has been since the 17th century. Usually those kind of places are disappointing to me - nothing that great and everything overpriced, but this place was great! I eyed several things that would be excellent Christmas presents for some of my favorite people. They had handwoven everythings, cool leather journals, every kind of decoration you could ever want to put in your house, food markets, herbal soaps and remedies, and so much more (including street performers, as always). I could have spent longer exploring, but they were closing down for the day. Perhaps another time!
Roadhouse is in the main square of Covent Garden and is a somewhat satirical take on an American bar. There was plenty of neon everywhere and pinball machines. For the most part, it was as close to an American bar as you will ever get in London. They took it a little far with these huge neon signs just displaying words like "DRUGS" in huge letters. Seth and I found this pretty funny. The food, also American, was so good though. Seth and I got a "plate for two" with ribs, chicken, salad, fries, and onion rings. So delicious! We missed the fried up taste of the South!
The party was a great time, and after that we decided to take the long walk to the tube station. We walked up Waterloo Bridge and had a look at the city at night. It was absolutely beautiful - here's a few pictures that truly don't capture it, but I tried:
As we were standing on the bridge, I had a sense of purpose while we were here. Was a weird inspiring moment, I suppose. Looking out at the city, I just thought about all the culture and history that has come through it, and knew for that moment that I was in the right place at the right time. I have struggled with being homesick, and wondering if this was the right thing to do. I know in my heart that God willed for us to come here, that this is His purpose, but I suppose I needed that moment to see the city in its beauty - so quiet and peaceful, twinkling with lights, the river still and placid, the hustle of the day gone and forgotten - as a boost to remember all of that.
Our next adventure? St. Paul's. I'll keep you updated! Love and miss all those that love us enough to read this! Peace :)
Just read your latest and felt like I was there too. I know you both struggle at times with homesickness,but you'll be fine & these days together in Europe will make fantastic stories for your grandkids someday. Pappy & I had our 48th anniv. 10/20. Seems like yesterday that we went to Calif & stayed on the mojave near Edwards AF Base, I was 19, Pap 21. Surgery Mon Luv U!
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