Happy belated Independence Day! I’m writing a little bit later this week so that I could tell you about my 4th of July in London. I hate to break it to you guys, but it was really boring. There was no celebrations, no fireworks and to my disappointment, no sparklers. A couple of other students and I went out to dinner to “celebrate” but that was it.

On the topic of independence, as most of you know, as of the 23rd of June the UK has left the European Union. There are nonviolent protests in the streets with people who feel that leaving the EU was the wrong decision. There are also signs in peoples windows saying to vote to stay. The leave vote won 52%-48% so the vote was very close. Britain has two years to negotiate trading and boarder policies and such. Things are uncertain here. The Prime Minister has chosen to step down by October, even though he was the one to call the vote. Unfortunately it’s hard to give you more information on what they are doing because the negotiations won’t be finished for another 2 years.

On a bit of a brighter note I did have my London Pass this past weekend and was able to see the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, and I even got to go ice-skating with some friends. The Crown Jewels, as well as all of the old armor are all amazingly detailed in every aspect. It’s amazing to see so many pieces of history all in one place. Tower Bridge was fun, and parts of the bridge have glass floors so you can see the Thames beneath you. Ice-skating was fun, and it was the first time skating for a couple of the people who I went with. Westminster Abbey by far was my favorite experience of the weekend. The abbey was beautiful and everything was so detailed. Just being in there was humbling. Not just because of how big and grand everything is, but also because of the fact that you are in the presence of kings and queens and poets. All of these people who have done so much for history and shaped the world today.

Anyway that is all for this week. I’m going on some really cool field trips this week and I can’t wait to tell you guys all about it.

Cheers!