Our last days in London were great-- the class really feels comfortable in London and I am so proud of how they are able to get around with ease. The last day or two included a fun birthday dinner for Katie and a class ice cream party and Pictionary tournament with Tudor trivia. We also made final visits to museums--it is always tempting just to pop in on the National Portrait Gallery, Victory and Albert Museum, and National Gallery, as they are free and hold amazing treasures.
Thursday was mostly just travel; we checked out of the Ibis, took the Tube to the airport, found something to eat, and boarded our plane for a smooth nine hour flight back to Seattle. (Claire came home by way of Iceland, where she met up with her family for a few days of exploration.) Everyone arrived home safe and sound.
I am now writing this final post in my home back in Seattle; all is well here, and it has been great to see family again. Final papers are now pouring in online, and it is great to see what the students have created with their research energies and interests. This has been an unforgettable trip, and we now have new friends and memories that will last, and hopefully a deeper interest in Europe and how we are all connected in so many ways.
A reunion plan is in the works for about 3-week from now. In the meantime, enjoy these final photos! Thanks for reading the travel blog!
Katie's 19th birthday in London!
Thomas Cranmer's portrait in the Tudor Room of the National Portrait Gallery. He is holding his Book of Common Prayer, which we also used for worship while visiting churches in London, Cambridge, and Bath. Elizabeth I kept this liturgical book as part of the Elizabethan Settlement (1558-1563), and we're glad she did!
Amber and Jill get things going at our class karaoke night-- Thanks to Thomas for finding the venue and organizing the outing--
Here Thomas sings and looks especially good in his bow tie!
Luke unveils his party shirt; Alex and Brenden applaud in the back ground.
Thomas and Jon lay down a rhyme...
Master Randall and Brenden throw down some hip hop--
Henry VII watches us have fun. Actually... this terra cotta sculpture is something some of us saw in our final days at the Victoria and Albert Museum, which London locals call "the V&A". Henry Tudor thanks us for remembering him...
An open door in the British Library, two blocks from our hotel, where many of our students worked on research papers during the final days of class in London.
Friendly gargoyle at the top of Notre Dame, Paris, who looks forward to welcoming us back again to England and France (Eifel Tower in distance)...
Mike H.
