Fulbright, Friends and Furballs

Last weekend, a former Fulbrighter living in London organized a Jack the Ripper walking tour for any past or current Fulbrighters in the area, and I hosted Jessica and Rebecca at the flat while they were in town for the big meet up. As always, we had a great time catching up with each other.

Saturday morning, we decided to be a bit lazy and have a mini lie-in (aka we slept in and all lounged around). In the afternoon, we popped down to the British Council to talk to a group of candidates applying for Fulbright next year. We sat in a panel with a few Fulbright alumni, and the potential Fulbrighters asked us all sorts of questions about everything from what life is like living in another country to the main differences between the US and UK school systems. It was fun to have the opportunity to share some of our experiences with a whole new crop of Fulbrighters. I felt excited for them all, hoping and wondering who would be chosen, who would be placed and where they might end up. I really do hope a Fulbrighter is placed in the Seattle area next year--I'd love to befriend him or her!

In the afternoon, Rebecca and Jessica and I had a wander through St. James park. We stopped and watched all the furballs running around--the dogs, the ducks, the birds and my favorite...the squirrels. It was a nice sunny afternoon, and it seemed like all God's creatures were out having a playdate in the park. Here's some of my favorite new friends!

Rebecca, Jessica and I 

Despite all the signs warning them not to, lots of crazy people were feeding the animals. 

Burying his nut!

He's having a good winter...

No tail! 

Look at that beady eye! 

The geese were funny and walked right up to you because they thought we all had food.

This crazy guy was letting the bird sit on him...gross!

After the park wander and a tasty hot cocoa, we meandered around some more before heading back up to Trafalgar Square for some photos and to check out the National Gallery.

We stopped to say "Hi-ya" to the Queen 

Trafalgar Square 

The National Gallery

We decided to make some wishes. And we figured our wishes were more likely to come true for two pence!  

Here goes nothing!

A kiss for good luck!

Hmm, what to wish for...?

Lovely Tragalgar Square, quite literally the center of London.

When we left the museum, it was time to hop on the tube and head out to east London for our Jack the Ripper walking tour. But first, a couple more photos in the blue twilight.

We met up with our Fulbright friends for the tour, which was really interesting, very gory, and a little bit spooky, too. After the tour, we all went to a nearby pub for a drink and a good chat. It was so fun to meet a few Fulbright alumni who could share their stories and experiences with us! A fabulous way to round out an excellent afternoon!

Cindy, Karl, myself, Yasmin, Jessica, Rebecca, Matt and Anna.

Doing our best scared faces after the tour