Closing Time

The trip to London was nice, even though it was short. I left my residence well before the sun rose, since that was the cheaper flight. After an uneventful flight to London, I made it to the hostel. I was slightly confused as to exactly how to get there, but the people I asked were so great and were able to get me to my hostel. I got to there and couldn't go into the room yet, so I dropped my bag and made my way over the subway station. I purchased a day pass and set course for the Imperial War Museum, which was recommended by Stephen. It was an excellent museum full of tanks, planes, and other war related items. Many of the exhibits were very nice, but my I was fairly tired so prevented me from fully enjoying it. Luckily, it was free to get in, so no money lost. After tracking down a local pub and something to eat, it was time for me to head back and crash in my hostel for a while. I took it easy for the rest of the day.
The next day, I went out exploring a bit more and stumbled upon the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. I didn't get the chance to see any of the actual "action" the guards changing, but I got to see people marching in and out. The video I have below is a video from the next day where there was a smaller changing of the guard at the royal stables. Very interesting to see up close and personal.
Other than seeing the changing of the guard, my time in London was spending navigating the subway, which I got good at, going to see museums, going to a few pubs, and plenty of walking. It was a pleasant time and low key enough considering the few weeks of classes to come.
After I got back to Dublin, it was full on crunch time. Projects and essays dominated my time during the weeks. As it happens with every semester, there are a few late nights, but the projects and essay get finished and turned in. The finals are studied for and then finished. On Friday, I had my last final and turned in my last essays and called it a semester. I decided to it was time to go relax at a pub and grab a pint.
A few of us current Champlain abroad students were asked to move to the apartments that the students are going to live in next year, since it would help out Champlain in saving some money on the lease in the apartments we were staying in. My apartment and the RA's apartment moved over. I am actually sitting in the room now and I can say it is a major upgrade. The rooms are cleaner, come fully stocked with dishes, pots, and pans, and the beds are much more comfortable. The rooms are located near Temple Bar, which means they are further from the academic center, but considering it doesn't as cold here compared to Burlington, it shouldn't be a problem. I will be excited to hear what the students think next year.
I head home on Wednesday afternoon and will be very glad to be home. I can't wait to see my family and friends. Chances are this is my last post from Dublin, I have to say this has been a great experience for me. I will have another post when I get home wrapping this whole experience up.

With Peace and Love,
Scott

"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." -Winston Churchill