Spring Break in lovely.... LONDON!

Unlike most everyone else on this trip, I am spending my spring break in good ole London! No I didn't go to Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, France, Monaco, or any of the other fabulous places around Europe but I decided to stay in my study abroad country. It may sound silly of me to not go to those places as I live so close by, but I believe I made the best choice in staying right in London!

To be honest, I haven't traveled out of London at all during this study abroad program. I figure, I am in London so I need to explore London properly. In doing this I have been to more places around the city, explored outside of the main city, and have been to places beyond the square mile interior of the city that most students of this trip have never set foot in, except for when traveling to international airports.

I believe I am truly getting to know this city properly. These is so much more to this city than Oxford Street, Tower Bridge, Abbey Road, the London Eye, and all the very central, very obvious places to go. I've been out of zone 1, to places like Hackney, Shoreditch, Brixton, Chalk Farm, Camden, Shepherds Bush etc. and I have explore so much more and I can truly say I have really enjoyed ALL London has to offer.

This spring break I also joined a couple meetup groups and clubs in London, went out for drinks with locals as opposed to other students in my program and I had a great time. I also went to an Easter service at a local church and met wonderful people there as well. I joined a running club/boot camp an met locals and new friends who like being active and fit as well. Its a great break because I wake up and walk out my flat, and I literally hop on random buses/trains to see where they go and find neat places outside of the main city.

I feel like I am really living in London and not having a short visit to London/Europe. I'm exploring "real" London, meeting "real" Londoners, and living the "real" London life.  The way I look at it, I have almost a month after classes end to explore/tour Europe and I'd rather get to know London now properly while I have the chance.

Wait... are we not in a city or do you close early because it's fun to annoy me?

First off, please excuse the supercilious title, that's what happens when I am frustrated!

Question: What are the hours of operation in New York City?
Correct answer: Basically, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Logically, NYC operates all day because people are out and about all day. I don't believe anyone contests to this sort of arrangement we have going on.

Another question: What are the hours of operation in London?
Answer: Not open when you need it most.

This is a pet peeve I have with London. Everything closes unnecessarily early! I don't really have much to say on this matter and I cannot understand why it happens but I guess this is just a luxury we have in the US. Do you have any guess as to why this happens?

Finding joy in the demise of the UK economy?!?!?

Yes, on Thursday my British Politics class and I discussed the joys we felt from the UK losing its AAA rating from the Moody agency. For those of you who have no clue what this means lucky for you, you have an expert here who can tell you all about it. (Note: do not rely on my explanation, Google it and yes, Wikipedia is a valid source!)

Basically, countries have credit scores as well. AAA, being the highest rating, is what all countries are shooting to receive from agencies Moody, S&P, and Fitch. This score tells other countries (or BIG TIME investors I guess) that investing in a certain country is prosperous as the economy of that country shows long term stability. Alternatively, the ratings show whether countries' economies are improving and worsening.

BLAH BLAH BLAH this is boring and we are not an Econ majors for a reason. BUT the take away that you should consider is that now, for me to buy fries from the pound sterling menu (at McDonald's, obviously) I only have to give up $1.50 rather than $1.66 that I had to pay back in January. ISN'T THAT GREAT!

Now if that doesn't seem impressive, how about this: My rent has reduced from being $3248 to $3070 because of this event. Now, you should really understand why this is so important to me!!!

My only hope is that the UK economy keeps failing. THIS SOUNDS SO BAD but lets be honest. British prosperity means my demise. But alas, the UK isn't necessarily crumbling to bits because of this loss in ratings. For those of you non-Econ majors, this may not make sense but again, expert here. (And again please note: do not rely on my explanation; you know the drill). With the drop in credit ratings, and currency conversion rates, foreigners, like myself, get really excited and spend more because they can afford more. Exports increase and international spenders start dropping G's (grand$, for the urban language challenged folks out there. May I also add that there will be no grands dropped on my end, let's be honest).

So, that is why we are finding joy in the demise of UK economy. All us study abroad folks are looking at conversion rates daily, taking out money now, and spending money because as we all know, these things are volatile and changing by the hour even. My hope is that the US doesn't do anything silly that makes the economy fail more or causes the country to lose a credit rating from any of the credit agencies.


cheers,
jo xoxo

**Suggestion to future study abroad folks, check the conversion rates daily and make more use of your dollars!