What, no class??

Ahhhhh class was canceled yesterday! I shouldn't have been this excited....but it means much more free time. Plans for the afternoon included yet another shopping trip during which I scoured the sale racks only to pick up some very trendy yet very cheap items of clothing, visiting the National Gallery and Trafalgar Square. Then we headed over to Shakespeare's Globe to try for tickets to the night's performance of Othello (700 standing tickets--in the front--are released for every performance), but it was sold out so we bought some for Friday and ate gelato instead. On a whim we decided to ride the London Eye, which was worth the money because we got on right before sunset so the massive London skyline was beautiful from all angles.

Personal revelation No. 5: I am usually a compulsive planner, but for some reason the fact that all my plans for visiting things, etc. on this trip are pretty much constantly dynamic is strangely OK with me. I don't know why this is, but I like it. :)

Heard from a rubbish truck (lorrie?) backing up down the street this morning on my way to run in Kensington Gardens. In addition to the normal obnoxious beeping, this thing had a loudspeaker blaring:

"Please stand clear, this vehicle is reversing. Please stand clear, this vehicle is reversing."

I was like, wow....that's intense. That's one thing--they really make sure you know what's going on around you here, especially where transportation is involved. I guess they expect everyone to be completely befuddled, especially on the tube.

"Mind the gap. This train is now departing. Mind the doors, ladies and gentlemen. There is another train just three minutes behind this one. There has been a passenger alarm set off at the next station, so we'll just sit here for a bit, should be moving right along in a few minutes. Please move to the center of the cars, using all available space. The next stop is ______. Change here for the District and Circle Lines. Alight here for (insert any remotely touristy spot). There has been a delay on the northbound Piccadilly Line, due to a train being taken out of service. Mind the very large gap between the train and the platform. Thank you."

Plus, the street literally tells you which way to look for passing vehicles, which I think is either helpful or sad depending on whether its meant for tourists or residents, respectively. Something else that's rather telling: if there's any type of delay--even as insignificant as 3 minutes or so--they feel the need to apologize profusely, coming over the loudspeakers to explain exactly what happened where and when, as if you can understand what's being said over the loudspeakers anyway. This could be due to the fact that everyone's in such a hurry here, and they know those crazy businesspeople will be ticked if they have to wait one more millisecond without an explanation.

Today should be relaxing....I just woke up (it's 10:30--the Cultures class hates us Business kids for not having to be anywhere till 2!) and have no plans for the morning or evening, assuming our prof actually decides to come to class on yet another sunny day. Supposedly the British can't stand to stay inside working when the weather's actually nice (about half the time since we've been here but usually less often), so they "throw a sickie" and everyone's OK with it. They do get an inordinate amount of vacation time--starting with at least 4 weeks a year, not including sick days--so I guess you might as well use your days when its worth it! Anyway, my plan to have no plans will undoubtedly change; there's always something unexpectedly exciting to do or see here.