Mastering London!

These two days have been evenful ones - the painful part of not being able to update this blog notwithstanding....and the days have been sunny, so my all new Pringles sweater has been worn well! Please to see the pictures...wore a tie too today!

Was feeling a little lost at not being able to get my bearing right: so decided to sort that out. First things first. Started off a little early yesterday - and walked a different route. Straight down Tottenham Court Road, no short cuts. Landed up at Traffalgar, and thereon to The Strand. Far less of our office rush ( we normally walk against the crowd, emerging like rats from rat holes through the Underground tunnels - aah, the joy of walking down through central London, without a commute attached to it!) - and nice, stately buildings on the way through. Got a better perspective too - and before one knew, I was in Aldwych - and well in time for the morning seminar : that on the British Economy. Significantly more focussed, and a nice perspective of the shifting economic policies particularly of the Labour party. The exposition on the Margaret Thatcher era was lucid, and well explained - will be keen to explore that a lot more when we do research on her leadership style later in this course. Still remain zapped, as seemed the Prof, on what the economic arguments were for Britain staying away from the Euro ( though it is not an issue at the moment) apart from any nationalistic feelings.

Ah! We all became rich! The first tranche of our scholarship stipend was paid out. A princely sum of 250 pounds - and our LSE ID cards. Which meant we could spend a bit on getting our cell phones topped up, buy Oyster cards for travel and the like.....aah! the joys of studenthood.

( Incidentally, our status at LSE is interesting - we get all student benefits, but for many purposes are seen to be at the faculty / staff level too). So, got into the fixing of logistics for the Geneva/ Brussels leg of the jouney. Jessica at the STA ( a travel agency for students) was most helpful - hopefully will manage in about 15 pounds per head per night.

My academic supervisor is a Turkish lady - with a delightful accent. Had a longish chat with her, and then was free. Walked across to India House ( right across, and in the same line as Bush House/ Australia House) - Anupam was extremely hospitable, and had a tandoori murga in his wood panelled room. The building is grand - and I think reasonably smartly maintained by embassy standards.

Cold and gusty outside. Must get the overcoat soon. No point in getting caught off guard, should the weather get a lot chillier.

Chillier? How can it be ? For it turned out to a home cooked Biryani night....Tushar, our architect, turned chef for the evening, to churn out a masterpiece....all well and happyfor everyone! our sandwich resources are increasing by the day - have cling flim, a lot more veggies ( so much more expensive than the meats) and now finally some mustard and pepper. Happy times at lunch at School)!

Pace picking up- with project work commencing. Today;s seminar was an excellent one on the social scene in Britain, particularly the changing dynamics of ethnic groups. Stunned that there are just about 8% ethnic by population - though the city of London would make you feel it is 5 times as much!! Pakistani & Bangladeshi ethnic grouos are truly not too well off - the overall suspicion levels are just way too high in the society. See a lot of signs on buses calling up people to join up muslims in britain for peace etc etc. But the Underground bombings have truly shaken up the country.

And Howard ( the Course Director) held an engaging session on presentations, and follies in presentations very effectively. Time well spent.

The afternoon was sunny - and had a lovely walk along the Thames, ( the London Eye is a new addition - we go up there tomorow- is a new addition and adds a new dimension/ incongruity to the landscape) into Westminster amd the parks as I picked up the long awaited overcoat that ol' pal Saugata had thoughtfully left behing for me with his friend.

Was extremely pleased. the highpoint was walkin through St James Park, with the leaves falling off - and squirels the size of rabbits. The Mall, Pall Mall, Piccadilly - the layout is now clear. And oh, accidentally reached St Ermin's Hotel on Caxton street - where we had stayed on our visit to the city nearly a decade ago.