Our Erasmus Intensive Program 2014 is going really well.
Since this year’s topic is multiculturalism linked to integration and inclusion, our teachers decided to take us visit the Brick Lane area in East London. It was so exciting since it was our first trip to London all together from Goldsmiths. As we were walking around we saw many Bangladeshi curry houses, restaurants serving spicy dishes; besides food we saw Indian silk shops and other small shops that sold a variety of products and wares, second-hand clothes, furniture, magazines, sweets and lots and lots of other things. This area is also known as Banglatown and in our view it perfectly shows the co-habitation of different cultures within a cosmopolitan city.
Brick Lane is also famous for its graffiti. In fact many of us took pictures of the beautiful graffiti painted on the wall. Many music videos by Just Jack and The Killers are set in Brick Lane.
Our second trip to the city followed a more traditional itinerary. We went downtown by bus, by the way our journey on the typical red double-decker bus was sheer fun!
When we arrived at Westminster we started our tour on foot. We enjoyed Big Ben, the majestic clock of the Palace of Westminster. At the base of the clock there is a Latin inscription in gilt letters: DOMINE SALVAM FAC REGINAM NOSTRAM VICTORIAM PRIMAM, which means “Oh Lord, keep safe Our Queen, Victoria The First”.
Then we had a walk along the Thames. We saw the popular Ferris Wheel known as the London Eye. This huge huge enormous wheel on the South Bank of the river is also called the Millennium Wheel because it was built for the celebration of the XXI century. Because the “Eye” stands so close to the river it has a specially designed base that supports it from one side only, unlike any other Ferris Wheel in the world.
At one o’clock we had lunch in Trafalgar Square, a very wide square. Its name is a commemoration of the Battle of Trafalgar during which Britain won over France and Spain on October 21st 1805.
In the middle of the square we saw Nelson’s Column, guarded by four lion statues. On one side of the square we saw the National Gallery. This square is often used for political demonstrations and for the New Year Celebrations.
After lunch we walked towards Buckingham Palace, the symbol of the British Monarchy. On our way to the palace we saw many squirrels playing on the grass and looking for something to eat. We enjoyed our time in this charming and unique city.
We are going to try to see as much as possible during our stay here.
Italian group students.
READ THE ARTICLE HERE : blog erasmus
All Inclusive 