Starting a bit late...

So, I am officially 4 weeks into my research project in London, and I have decided that rather than writing long journal entries every day, typing them in a blog that people can read is much more efficient. Today is Friday, June 2oth, so I guess I will give a summary of things so far. First of all, my time in London is being spent researching the Parthenon Sculptures at the British Museum. This collection has been deemed highly political over the course of its existence in the UK, as there have been multiple requests by the Greek government for their repatriation. The sculptures are made of marble, and are often referred to as the Elgin Marbles, as they were taken from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin (an English ambassador to the Ottoman Empire) in the early 1800s. Parliament bought the Marbles from Elgin for the British Museum - and they have remained there ever since...

Anyways, the collection is phenominal, and I have been surprised to find that they truly do have a home here in London. The British Museum has gone to great lengths to create an interactive exhibit that demonstrates the value of the sculptures as Greek antiquities, but also as major pieces of cultural heritage which were critical to the Museum's beginnings and the history of art. I have been working in the museum primarily, and LOVE being there. I usually spend my days in the library, and help the Ancient Greek and Roman department with research and exhibits when they require an extra hand. In the evenings I like to visit the exhibits when the museum is closed to the public, and then take the Underground home to my room in Tufnell Park.

This week I had my first visit to the University of Cambridge, which was PHENOMINAL! Harvard and Darmouth, and the US ivies have NOTHING on Cambridge! I had the opportunity to meet with my academic advisor, Professor Mary Beard, who is a wonderful woman. She is currently working on the finishing touches on a book on Pompeii, and as a special surprise to my summer, has invited me to Greece. I had not originally planned on going to Greece, but instead spend a few weekend visiting France, Germany, and Spain... however I could not pass up the opportunity and spent a good chunk of my savings on a plane ticket! :)

LONDON has been amazing... every weekend, and evening I look forward to exploring the amazing gardens, museums, and palaces. And the food and the shopping... simply wonderful! The majoirty of the major sight-seeing locations I have already seen at this point, and have been exploring the smaller centers of town where you can find great shopping deals and wonderful fresh markets! I have become quite close with a girl my age who works at the B&B I am living in. Her name is Teena and she lives across the street, but helps her father at the B&B during the day. She and I are going to The Taste of London tomorrow, and I am so excited as there will be many wonderful chefs there, and a few celebrities from the FoodNetwork. I have also gotten tickets to go to Wimbledon, which will be a treat, and am hoping to organize a few other major events before I leave on July 21st.

I will try to keep the more exciting stories posted for you all - hope you enjoy!! <3