Lasting Thoughts on Europe

Paris as seen from the top of the Eiffel Tower

           The experience I have had in Europe this past month has been nothing short of amazing. When people ask me “How is London?” I can’t help but laugh to myself. How am I supposed to describe to someone what has arguably been the best month-long period of my life?

From the people to the culture to the weather to the food to the languages to the cities to the sights to the clubs to pubs to the museums and everything in between, Europe has been far more than I ever could have imagined. It isn’t easy to describe to someone the pure awesomeness of meeting and engaging and making connections with people from New Zealand, Poland, Germany, England and Canada all in the same night. It is impossible to describe the beauty of a boat tour in Amsterdam, or the gardens at Versailles in Paris, or the views on the London Eye.

It’s almost as if being in Europe has opened a door to an entire new part of my brain that I just sort of disregarded before….sort of like going to college for the first time, or falling in love for the first time. From now on, everything I read, think about, discover, purchase, use, do, see, I will think about in a global perspective. Where was that made? What is that culture like? How much did that cost to manufacture in their currency?

I can’t wait to continue to read new books and discover and learn about stories halfway across the world from little Fort Worth, Texas. Even if things that happen over here across the pond don’t affect me directly at home, it’s going to make me a more aware citizen, a more informed citizen, and hopefully a smarter person who is more engaged and in contact with this world. I know that’s a broad statement, but at least I now see how small a deal in the grand scheme of things TCU football is, for example. Something that means so much to me means absolutely nothing to 99.999% of the world and somehow that didn’t even register in my mind until I got here.

I’d be lying if I said I was super excited about this trip in the first place. I mean, I had always wanted to study abroad, but it didn’t seem like it was coming at the right time for me. I didn’t have many expectations and I felt like was sort of doing it just to do it but America was where I really wanted to be. Obviously, I could not have been more incorrect and juvenile in that thought process. Now I am about to be back home to my structured lifestyle again and I will continue to do the things I always do, but now I’ll do them with more purpose, meaning, thought, and a better understanding of the world that I live in. I think this trip has changed my life and I can’t wait to explore the rest of Europe one day.

View of London from atop The London Eye

36 Hours in Camden Town

By Nathan DeWitt and Andrew Brown

36 Hours in Camden Town

              Famous for its alternative culture, live music, colorful pubs and myriad entertainment opportunities, Camden Town is one of London’s most lively neighborhoods, usually occupied by a younger crowd looking for something fresh and different. Prepare your stomachs - you will likely eat and drink until you can no longer stand it; the dining options are simply that numerous and desirable in Camden Town (a.k.a. Camden). You’ll also learn a history lesson or two while perusing the neighborhood, as its beginnings trace to 1791 when it was a residential district. Spending 36 hours in Camden will open your eyes to one of the most amazing and unique neighborhoods in all of Europe.

Friday

8 p.m.

1) Street Shopping

The entrance to the Camden area from the Camden Town tube station includes many different styles of street shops. One of the most famous tourist attractions in London, Camden sells clothes, food, crafts, shoes, and much more to young people from all around the world. The markets are known for cheap prices and quality products. The Inverness Street Market is nestled away from the rest of the bustling markets and stalls, and offers food in four different categories: Mexican, English, Irish, and baked potato. Inverness is known for its continental-style bars and specialist shops, and provides for a nice entrance into the rest of the markets.

10 p.m.

2) Drinks at The Elephant’s Head Pub

After an evening of shopping around the Camden market, the Elephants Head Pub (020 7485 3130; 224 Camden High Street; theelephantsheadpub.co.uk) is the perfect place to stop in for a nightcap. When first walking in, you may initially be off-put by the tattoos and mixed bag of characters, but fear not. The Elephants Head is a hybrid of artistic, modernized style and traditional London pub atmosphere that perfectly reflects the residents and culture of Camden Town itself. The environment has a soothingly cool feeling to it, reinforced by the excellent food, soundtrack, and drink selection. “I love the Elephants Head,” one local said. “The music is always great and the atmosphere is consistently cool. It’s a little peace in the middle of the Camden chaos.” The largest downside of the pub is that it can run a little expensive, especially for travelling artists, musicians, and students. That being said, the Elephants Head is well within reason for one night and would perfectly set the table for the rest of your time in Camden.

Saturday

10 a.m.

3) Breakfast at the Regents Canal Restaurant

After a casual evening at The Elephants Head and a good night of rest at a nearby hotel, walk on over to the Regents Canal and have a nice breakfast at the Regents Canal Restaurant. This restaurant is one of the most unique attractions in all of Europe because of its famous moped seating. As the picture suggests, the restaurant is set up bar-style outside, overlooking the canal under the shady trees, and offers cheaply priced but grandly tasting dining options while sitting on mopeds that are a symbol of transportation in London. One of the great things about the Camden Market restaurant is that it offers food from all over the world that appeals to eaters of all ages and backgrounds.

11 a.m.

4) Exploring the stalls and shopping

The Stables Market is one of the staples of the Camden Market experience. The stalls and tunnels that the market occupies are all part of an old horse hospital. The former Pickfords Stables are filled with food stands and shops that are as unique as the market itself. Chain shops and restaurants are forbidden from opening in this section of the market, creating an individualized and intimate experience that is comparable to the experience of walking through the shopping grounds at a large festival. The food is from all over the world and priced very reasonably. Here a shopper can pick up a fresh, quality Chinese, Italian, Mexican, or Mediterranean meal that ranges anywhere from £3 to £6. The shops of the Stables Market focus primarily on clothes and furniture, but plenty of souvenir shops are at your disposal if you decide that the experience should be shared with friends and family back home.

3 p.m

5) Late lunch at Gilgamesh followed by boat tour on the canal

The Gilgamesh Restaurant (+44 207 428 4922; 3a Chalk Farm Road; www.gilgameshbar.com) is one of the first things visitors see when walking down Camden High Street. At first glance, though it does not appear to fit in with the rest of the Camden Market area. It’s multi-storied, glass structure is quite a sight compared to the much older surroundings, but take a walk inside and you will quickly understand the greatness that is the Gilgamesh. The Pan-Asian Grill opened in 2004 and has a retractable roof and lounge area, and offers a high quality dining experience compared to the street stall food options. Renowned chef Ian Pengelley looks forward to cooking your next Hoba Miso Chilean Seabass or Japanese Fish and Fat Chips. After lunch, make your way back to the Regents Canal and take a waterbus tour of the Camden area for only £8.  

6 p.m.

6) Dinner and drinks at Barfly

Barfly (020 7424 0800; 49 Chalk Farm Road; www.barflyclub.com) is one of Camden’s premiere bars and live music venues. The venue has hosted many high-profile artists, such as Coldplay, Adele, The Strokes, and The Killers. What Barfly is known for, however, is promoting up-and-coming talent and has provided a platform for hundreds of aspiring artists. Stopping here for a few cocktails is the perfect opening act for Koko. Barfly is a great example of the artistic and originative spirit that powers Camden Town. No trip to Camden is complete without a stop at Barfly, and their appetizers are hefty enough to get you through the night with your taste buds satisfied.

11 p.m.

7) KOKO Entertainment Venue

KOKO (+44 870 432 5527; 1a Camden High Street, www.koko.uk.com) is one of the premier entertainment venues in all of Europe, and yes, it’s located right in Camden. Keeping up with the non-traditional style of the Camden neighborhood, KOKO is not your average music venue either. A nice blend of history and modernity, the former Camden Palace Theatre opened in 1900 and has been home to concerts performed by artists such as Coldplay, Lady Gaga, and Kanye West. KOKO is a massive four-story structure with premium sound and lighting amenities. It has had seven different names and many different uses in its 113-year history, including a theatre, cinema, and BBC studio. KOKO is the perfect place to find good drink deals and let loose at the end of a long day of shopping and eating.

Sunday

8 a.m.

8) Breakfast at The Camden Eye followed by any last minute street shopping

Traditional food with a twist: that is the Camden Eye in a nutshell. The pub (020 7267 2622; 2 Kentish Town Road; thecamdeneye.co.uk) sits in the heart of Camden Town and looks out over the entire area, thus the origins of its name. The food is excellent too and offers some of the best fish and chips in the area, as well as a wide range of terrific pizza that is served fresh out of their wood fired pizza oven. And if you haven’t spent all your money or need to find that last-minute souvenir, be sure to stop by the street shops on your way out of Camden Town.

IF YOU GO

One of the nicest hotels in all of London is the Pullman London St. Pancras ((+44) 20/76669000; 100-110 Euston Road; www.pullmanhotels.com), located just a mile from the Camden Markets. Following a £10 million renovation, the four-star hotel starts at £220 per night and offers a pool and massages.

For those on a tighter budget, try the Euston Square Hotel ((+44) 20 7388 4637; 152-156 North Gower Street; www.euston-square-hotel.com), with prices starting at less than £100 per night. The hotel is within walking distance to the markets as well as Kings Cross tube station and offers deals special deals for travelers

KOKO London

By Nathan DeWitt

 The outside of KOKO at night

View of the crowd at KOKO, looking down from the fourth story

I have visited many different types of public places in London: local food establishments, chain stores, British and American bars and pubs, and more. I feel comfortable with the culture in the parts of the city we have explored. The most amazing and jaw-dropping place I have been, however, is KOKO London.

KOKO, formerly known as Camden Palace Theatre, blends a mixture of history and modernity to create one of, if not the, premier live-music venue in the U.K. KOKO is located in the Camden Town neighborhood, and has been open since 1900 when it was a theatre. Between 1913 and 1939, it was a cinema and it was a BBC studio between 1945 and 1972. Since then, it has been a concert venue.

KOKO has a capacity of 1,410 with no seating. It underwent major renovations in 2004 after it was bought by Oliver Bengough and Mint Entertainment. The restoration process lasted more than six months, and included all new technical facilities, producing the best acoustics and lighting in London. The venue has had a total of seven different names in its 113-year history.

The venue is unlike any place I have seen in the U.S., due to its size. Most concerts in America are performed in arenas because concert halls are too small. KOKO, on the other hand, has four stories, with a bar and bathrooms on each floor, and a massive dance floor and stage on the ground, allowing plenty of room for some concerts. Standing on the top floor looking down at everyone was one of the coolest feelings I have experienced here, especially now knowing about the history of the place.

Many world-famous musical artists have performed at KOKO, including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Madonna, Coldplay, Usher, Katy Perry, Kanye West, Lady Gaga, and others. Coldplay chose KOKO as the location to debut their “X&Y” album in 2005.

I strongly recommend KOKO to anyone looking for a fun and eventful night out on the town, as the time we spent here also gave a good measure for comparison to live music venues in the United States and a major difference in U.K. vs. U.S. college-age social culture. 

The Flag of Amsterdam

By Nathan DeWitt

It is impossible not to notice the Flag of Amsterdam when in the city. I found this interesting because most other major cities around the world don't publicize their flags (if they even have one) as much as Amsterdam does. The flag is represented almost everywhere you look.

The flag of Amsterdam is simple. It consists of two black, vertical rectangles surrounding a black rectangle, with three large white "X's" in the middle. Here, the X's are shown on the entrance to a museum. 

The flag is flying here at the bow of this boat in Amsterdam, as is the case with most canal boats in the city. The three X's of the flag have no connection with the popular adult entertainment industry in Amsterdam. 

The X's are portrayed in practically every way possible, especially at souvenir shops. The city doesn't want you to forget it. The colors of the flag are derived primarily from the coat of arms of the city, or the shield in it. 

As you can see, the flag itself or representations of the flag are evident on everyday items, such as plates, cups, pillows, clothing, and car accessories. The meaning of the colors is unclear, although according to the city government, their origin could go back the coat of arms of the Persijn family, which once owned a large tract of land in the city. 

The X's are seen here on a public trashcan in the city. This is common practice for public street items throughout the city. The current design of the flag was adopted on February 5, 1975. The three X's depict the Saint Andrew's Crosses.  

Finally, the X's and red and black are painted onto every pair of clogs that are produced and sold in the city. The symbol that was chosen for Amsterdam over 500 years ago still remains strong today. 

A Weekend in Amsterdam

By Nathan DeWitt

Leaning buildings at water's edge

I spent this past weekend in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Before leaving, I hadn’t ever heard much about Amsterdam or The Netherlands (aside from The Red Light District in the media), and I didn’t do much research on the city before traveling there. I didn’t want to have any preconceived notions about a totally foreign country and city before I explored it for myself.

I wrote my last blog entry on my experience in Paris, and I will start this blog with the principle thought from my time in Amsterdam: it was different than anything I had ever seen or imagined before in a city. I have been to most of the major cities in the United States, and only London and Paris in Europe, but Amsterdam was the first time I had been to a city and experienced multiple “wow” moments. I knew how the museums and tours were going to go, so I’ll discuss some other observations I made.

There were plenty of aspects of this city that made it “different” to me. The clothes the people wear were different from clothes people wear in London and Paris and the US. I never saw a common theme in clothing like I have in these other cities. Same went for the restaurants – they had food I hadn’t seen before, including multiple pancake houses with full menus and any topping you can imagine, frites with different sauces, and much more. There were street dancing teams who clearly made a living off tips from passers-by, and buildings that slanted like we don’t see in the US or even London. There were clogs (wooden shoes) for sale. There were winding rivers and beautiful boats. And yes, there were drugs and prostitutes.

While I won’t dwell on that aspect of the city, it is impossible to spend time in Amsterdam or write about it without mentioning this. There are places on every single street in the city selling drugs legally, and at night when the building’s red lights come on, the prostitutes stand in their windows waiting for business. Seeing all this up-close and in-person for the first time was one of those “wow” moments, and it wasn’t a positive “wow.”

Frankly, it was kind of amazing to me that a city labeled the “drug and sex capital of the world” was so clean, fresh, and beautiful as a whole. Amsterdam is the biggest and most successful city in the country and while its economy may be largely stimulated by tourists, I saw no signs of the Red Light District having negative effects on the rest of the city and its people, history, or beauty.

I strongly recommend anyone to visit Amsterdam, especially Americans who haven’t been outside the country yet. It is a city that you have to visit yourself to truly understand just how different the culture is. 

A Few Hours in Marylebone

Monday, June 3, 2013

By: Nathan DeWitt, Caroline Gregory, Megan Jenkins, Tiana Lewis, LaQuen Nichols, and Madeline Slezak 

From the street, the Conran store doesn’t appear to be much, but customers walk in to find three stories of exquisite European items. Walking through the Conran Store, which can best be described as a non-traditional home goods store, we were intrigued by the variety of beautiful things the store had to offer. With items ranging from living room furniture and kitchen appliances to electronics and a bakery, the Conran is a vibrant British store that is centered around upscale, contemporary design. It is not necessarily a place that a university student could afford, however, just walking around the store is a fun shopping experience.

If you are looking to spend time in Marylebone and kill a few hours roaming around, there are several quaint and unique stores along this street to pop in to. Diptque is an apothecary that specializes in home and personal fragrences ranging from floral and tart to masculine and woody. A few stores down in Daunt Books, a beautiful bookstore that is particularly special because it categorizes its books by their country of origin.

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• The Conran Shop Marylebone
• 55 Marylebone High Street
• W1U 5HS
• Tel: 020 7723 2223
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Daunt Books
• 83 Marylebone High Street, 
• London W1U 4QW. 
• United Kingdom.
• Tel: 020 7224 2295
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London YMCA

By Nathan DeWitt

This picture is taken from the top story of the four-level facility, overlooking the badminton courts and cardio machines. 

       Fitness is an important part of my daily life in the United States and I did not want to give that up for a month while in London. I decided to purchase a one-month student membership to the YMCA on Great Russell Street, just a few blocks from our flat. 
       This was the first YMCA in the world, built in 1844. I was surprised to see how similar this YMCA was to recreation centers and gyms in the US, considering there are  plenty of other things in England that are very different from America. From the badminton courts to the tread mills to the membership sign-up process itself, it was all very much the same as something I am used to seeing at home. It was similar in size and number of weights and machines to the Fort Worth YMCA, as well. 
       The five-story building consists of three courts, a swimming pool, men's and women's locker rooms, pilates rooms, full weight room, cafe, and more. It was recently upgraded to the tune of 2.3 million pounds and is now very nice. I would highly recommend this YMCA to anyone, as the staff and customers are very helpful and friendly.