This past week we did two of my favorite things that we've done the entire time I've been in England: attending a church service called Evensong at Canterbury Cathedral and going to afternoon tea at Kensington Palace. Canterbury Cathedral is an Anglican church, and Evensong is a musical service that they hold I believe every night, but don't quote me on that.
Before we went to the cathedral for the service, we had quite the adventure. We had the chance to walk around the cathedral, and then we were given some time to explore the shops in Canterbury and find a place to grab some dinner before we returned for the service. I left the cathedral with three of my friends, and just outside the gates we were stopped by this lady who started asking us millions of questions about our clothes and where were from, and then insisted that she needed to take a picture with us. Naturally, we were a little suspicious and were clutching our bags. We finally were able to end the conversation, and walked into a store nearby. We turned around and found that she had FOLLOWED US. We bolted from the store and took off RUNNING down the street with the lady stalking behind us. We darted into a chocolate store, and hid behind a shelf so we wouldn't be near the window. We turned around and an employee offered us a free sample. I mean, if you're hiding from a stalker, why not get some free chocolate in the process? Thankfully we lost her there and we were able to go about our shopping in peace, plus we found a pub with delicious grilled chicken which I had been CRAVING for dinner, so all's well that ends well!
Once we made it back to the cathedral in one piece, we were treated to one of the most jaw-dropping 45 minutes of music I have ever experienced. Attending Evensong was truly an experience that I will never forget. The music was performed by the church's all male choir. They. were. phenomenal. The moment they started singing I literally had to cover my mouth so I wouldn't gasp out loud. It was SO beautiful. I legitimately could not stop smiling/silently freaking out during the entire service, just ask my lovely friend Sarah who had the privilege of sitting next to me! The music was gorgeous, the singing was incredible, and of course because we were in a cathedral, the acoustics were out of this world!!
On Friday afternoon, my friends Sarah, Abby, Olivia, and I went to afternoon tea at Kensington Palace. We got all dolled up before, and decided to eat outside under the canopy because it was a GORGEOUS day. Afternoon tea came with two different types of tea as well as small sandwiches, small pastries, and scones with clotted cream and jam for the four of us to share. It was so relaxing to sip tea and look out into the beautiful gardens. It was so dignified and classy! When we left to walk around the gardens afterward/look for a place to purchase the herbal tea we had just had, we could not stop talking about how relaxed we felt! I totally understand now why afternoon tea is such a cherished British tradition!
I can't believe this is my final week here! I am so grateful for the experiences that I have had here and will always consider London one of my homes!
Before we went to the cathedral for the service, we had quite the adventure. We had the chance to walk around the cathedral, and then we were given some time to explore the shops in Canterbury and find a place to grab some dinner before we returned for the service. I left the cathedral with three of my friends, and just outside the gates we were stopped by this lady who started asking us millions of questions about our clothes and where were from, and then insisted that she needed to take a picture with us. Naturally, we were a little suspicious and were clutching our bags. We finally were able to end the conversation, and walked into a store nearby. We turned around and found that she had FOLLOWED US. We bolted from the store and took off RUNNING down the street with the lady stalking behind us. We darted into a chocolate store, and hid behind a shelf so we wouldn't be near the window. We turned around and an employee offered us a free sample. I mean, if you're hiding from a stalker, why not get some free chocolate in the process? Thankfully we lost her there and we were able to go about our shopping in peace, plus we found a pub with delicious grilled chicken which I had been CRAVING for dinner, so all's well that ends well!
Once we made it back to the cathedral in one piece, we were treated to one of the most jaw-dropping 45 minutes of music I have ever experienced. Attending Evensong was truly an experience that I will never forget. The music was performed by the church's all male choir. They. were. phenomenal. The moment they started singing I literally had to cover my mouth so I wouldn't gasp out loud. It was SO beautiful. I legitimately could not stop smiling/silently freaking out during the entire service, just ask my lovely friend Sarah who had the privilege of sitting next to me! The music was gorgeous, the singing was incredible, and of course because we were in a cathedral, the acoustics were out of this world!!
On Friday afternoon, my friends Sarah, Abby, Olivia, and I went to afternoon tea at Kensington Palace. We got all dolled up before, and decided to eat outside under the canopy because it was a GORGEOUS day. Afternoon tea came with two different types of tea as well as small sandwiches, small pastries, and scones with clotted cream and jam for the four of us to share. It was so relaxing to sip tea and look out into the beautiful gardens. It was so dignified and classy! When we left to walk around the gardens afterward/look for a place to purchase the herbal tea we had just had, we could not stop talking about how relaxed we felt! I totally understand now why afternoon tea is such a cherished British tradition!
I can't believe this is my final week here! I am so grateful for the experiences that I have had here and will always consider London one of my homes!
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