Cold showers and crowds

Oh my goodness! We're about to tar and feather a 3rd floor girl for leaving the hot water running all night on Sunday. Because of that mistake, we've all had cold showers for the past two days. Today's was like ice! Ugh.

Aside from the painful showers, my past several days have been great (suprise, suprise). On Sunday I went with Maike, Elise, and Andrew to Camden Market, which is a giant outdoor market held every weekend not too far from campus. There were more shops than I had imagined, and even more people. Some of the stores were pretty typical, others were really outrageous. For example, one store was actually a rave in front, and goth-style clothing in the back. There was also a shop called @pussycat that had stuffed kitties all over the walls and floor. By stuffed kitties, I do not mean they were in the teddy bear tradition - we're talking taxidermy, my friends. Ewww.

As we were walking back to the school, we came upon an old church with a sign in front advertising afternoon tea. Each of us had tea and homemade shortbread in the church yard as our first official tea in London. It was served by two little old British ladies who explained it's a fundraiser they've been doing on Sunday afternoons for the last 15 years! Unfortunately, because cold weather is due here shortly, they will probably only serve tea for the next two weeks.

Yesterday was by far my coolest day in London so far. I went with a group of 10 friends to the Notting Hill Carnivale, the largest festival in all of Europe. A million and a half people attended! There was such tremendous energy in the crowds. The festival featured a day-long parade that was just amazing - very reminiscent of a Mardi Gras. There was also a ton of loud music, great food, and some street performers.

Our group ended up breaking off into two smaller groups, which was fortunate, for we ended up in a "giganti-crowd," as Maike would say. Along the parade route at one point, it was so crowded that at times, we didn't even have to walk. We were propelled forward by the people pushing behind us. My friend Robi was holding onto my purse strap from behind to keep track of me ( short girl in a huge crowd...), but let go. Then, I felt someone grab ahold of my belt in the same fashion. Assuming it was Robi, I turned around to discover a blushing British man who'd apparently thought me to be someone else!

Also, while we were in the crowd a British man turned to ask Robi and I for directions to the nearest tube station. When we responded with a "heck if I know," he said, "Oh, you're Americans. Sorry. Well, how are you enjoying the carnivale?" We told him we were having a good time, and he said, "Of course you are. You Americans love everything!"

All in all, it was a fantastic afternoon, and I have great pictures. We did walk continually for six hours, though, and my feet are still upset about that today.
I hope all is well at home!