(3-7)– Since it’s Saturday, and we don’t really have much work except for a bit of preparation for a midterm, Nicole and I decided that we should go out and do something interesting today/later. The first thing we found was what we thought was a flea market called the Sample Spring. It’s all the way down in Greenwich, kind of near the 02 Stadium. We took a pretty long tube ride out to the place, where we found this little section of tents set up.
It was actually less like a flea market and more like an artisanal one, which wasn’t bad, just unexpected. We were surprised because it was all handmade goods, which were pretty cool and interesting but not worth the price tag for us, at least. We walked through it pretty quick and walked around, where we found this cool entrance to the stadium that you just KNOW I had to have a photoshoot under.
Then, we tried to go out and see the pier or if there was a view of the Thames from where we were. We walked for a bit and finally found it as the sun was starting to set. It was a little cold and we considered turning back before we found a river boat dock, and since they took Oyster card, we decided to ride it. It was such a perfect time for it, too, since the sun was kind of going down and it was a really pretty background as we cruised high speed down the river. There were a couple times where, of course, it smelled a bit (low tide, dirty river, so…) but overall it was a really pleasant time! A little cold, but with some fun sights (some of which were narrated by another passenger who heard us talking) and a chance for me and Nicole to get away from the always crowded flat without “going out,” going out. The only hitch was that we sat for so long that we got distracted and didn’t realize that we had to get off– which lead to us missing the stop, the boat turning around, and us starting back the way we came before finally noticing and getting off halfway back to the start. Annoying, but a fun story!
Afterward, we decided to go out with the other girls to Roxy since we’re starting to hear some concerning news about coronavirus. It was a fun night, although we had some snags– like my nose piercing getting ripped out of my face by Mia’s hair– but we overall spent the night having a good time and spending time together. I don’t think I’ve ever danced so much or gotten tipsy as often as I have on this trip.
(3-8)– Today was mainly devoted to writing the notes for that midterm in Shakespeare, but since Mia’s friend, Mae, is visiting, Laura, Rhyana, Mia, Mae and I all went out to grab Chinese food. There is a place near O’Neills called the Four Seasons which we’ve been thinking about going to, so we stopped by. The service was super good and although I didn’t really love my glass noodles (too soggy and salty for me), the others seemed to really enjoy their meals. A good time and not too expensive for how much food we actually received! As things become more and more uncertain, we try to make the most of our time together, and I’m glad we got to spent the night with everyone, even if I spent a bit of money doing it.
(3-9)– Sunday morning and we decided that we would do something that we’ve been talking about since, like, the third week here. Kew Gardens out in Richmond is having an Orchid Festival celebrating the well known Indonesian flower, so we took the hour or so train ride out that way to go see. I actually bought tickets for about half the group and people cancelled, but a quarter of them came out with me which was good enough! It’s still a little cold, but things are definitely blooming, so we were excited to see what kind of things are visible. When we arrived, we walked in to see beautiful greenhouses and well manicured lawns, water, and in the distance some sculpture and blooming trees.
It all looked really pretty and really expansive, so we weren’t exactly sure where to start. Eventually we started heading over to the greenhouse with the orchids. When we got there we walked into the first section, which only has cactuses and were mildly confused before we walked in a bit further and saw all the displays. It was so beautiful! It reminded me of my mom, since her favorite flower is orchids and she has huge one right on her kitchen counter. The way they have them stretching up huge pillars was really interesting, and they all looked so well cared after that it was almost intoxicating. I was surprised it didn’t smell more strongly, actually. There were so many flowers I thought I would feel like passing out, but it was pretty mild. All I wanted to do the whole time though, was take pictures, since the greenery and the lighting just looked so well together.
We made our way through and eventually came out on the other side. For a while we walked around to see other parts of the Gardens. At the Orangery (a big building that, surprisingly, does not have citrus growing inside) we grabbed food and then we ended up at this other greenhouse called Temperate House which held a lot of Pacific ferns and trees. By then, the sun had started to come out and there was a really pretty sun glare coming through the glass, which warmed up the building. I could have spent all day in there, and it was really cool to see some of the rare trees, like the one in the fourth picture, which is the only known specimen to ever be found on the entire planet.
It was definitely a really cool building, the kind of greenhouse I wish I could work or study in. I was glad we got to go inside before we had to run off!
We also got to go up and see the Tree Walkway, which is just a platform that’s level with the top of the trees and has a good view. It was really cold and Mia got scared of the height, so we didn’t stay for very long, but it was really nice! You could even see the Great Pagoda in the distance, which didn’t actually open until April, unfortunately. Still, a nice view!
I’m really glad we got to see the garden, since we keto putting it off and its a little bit of a hike. I’m starting to get nervous that we won’t be here for very much longer, so I’m trying to do as much as I can before coronavirus sends us home. Kew Gardens would be an awesome place to visit during the summer and it was well worth the fee, so I hope I’m able to come back here someday and see it in it’s full glory.
Ethan Knox 
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