Weekend Trip to Hastings

Often the best part about the first week of classes is the first weekend, when everybody re-learns the value of free time and futilely attempts to regain the summer mindset in the two days between syllabus week and the actual beginning of school. Interestingly enough my first weekend of the year in London was spent two hours outside the city and with fellow BCers. Now the "weekend" here doesn't mean as much as it does back home, partly because there is so little class and partly because really nobody cares that much about school until finals, which aren't until June.

My dorm organized a pub crawl for Friday night, introducing us to more places to drop three pounds for a pint, but still with potential for a good time. The first bar overlooked the River Thames to central London, lights outlining the city skyline...very cool. It's amazing how quickly I forget what it's like to be an illegal drinker back home. That is definitely something I could do without, and if everything goes according to plan the next time I go home it won't be an issue.

The weekend trip, sponsored by our parents and the large discrepancy between BC and London tuition, took a group of about 20 to the site of the Battle of Hastings, about two hours south of London. It was nice to get out of the city and breathe some fresh country air. There's something ot be said for being able to walk down a street and not have to play human dodgeball.

The British lost the Battle of Hastings to the French, yet the town was celebrating its anniversary this past weekend with a parade and the largest bonfire I've ever seen. Locals carried torches and dressed up in dark and gloomy costumes. The whole scene was very cool...especially while sipping a European 40 (closer to a 32) of San Miguel on the street.

Parades, beach bonfires, free food, and a hotel room that was showing the PGA tournament in San Francisco...couldn't ask for more.

I'm playing for the basketball team at LSE, except I don't have a jumpshot and I'm out of shape, so it doesn't look like I'll be representing American sports very well...we'll see how that goes.

Quick shout out to Will Goodson for inviting me over for a Sunday Roast that capped off a very nice weekend, and to people in Boston and from SF...I hope things are going well.

Here are some pics from the weekend:


First stop of the pub crawl, looking across the river
















Another pub picture
















Bodiam Castle
















Town of Hastings















Castle Ruins















BC Group to Hastings