Cecilia & Andy: Viva La Vida

Song of the Day: Viva la Vida by Coldplay

Everyone fresh up with the song of the day "Viva La Vida" after simple breakfast. This is a song by the British alternative rock band Coldplay. The song won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year at the 51st Grammy Awards in 2009. When I was studying ESL back in China, my first British instructor shared this song with me, and it became the first impression of British culture of me. The song is quite inspiring, ”Viva la Viva” means “Long live life “in Spanish. As the lyrics says, “I used to rule the world, I used to roll the dice”, It sends a message of taking control of your own life, and I want to share this positive feelings with teammates and inspiring everyone to start a fresh and lively day. 

 

After a brief summary of today’s activity, we were heading to our first destination, the Canada House next to Trafalgar Square. We took some detours on the way, since this is the first time Andy and I visit London and it is we are still trying to get used to the underground.it s also a busy Monday morning, and trains are delay. I actually felt pressure when lead the team to find right way; time is shortage I want not let team still wait for me to figure out at the platform. We get the Canada House about 20 minutes late than schedule. We used our photo ID to sign in and pass through the security entrance. After that, we were invited to have some drinks and snacks, and we all enjoyed the time. During the meeting with Douglas Scott Proundfoot, the Canadian ambassador of London, we discussed the topics of Political and public affair between Canada, the UK and in terms of global trade and business. He also talks about his job and his contributions. What is more, he told us about how the low Canadian dollar affected his life and what he is doing to build a good global image of Canada. After the long discussion with him, Douglas showed us the BC room and we took a group photo at the stairs. After bit more showing tour downstairs and the Thanks from us, we ended this friendly meeting.

After the lunch, we were heading to Shoreditch for a two hours and half walking tour. On the way to Liverpool Street Station, Jack get on the train alone before the team, and I realized it was my mistake, I let the team wait for the next train as that one has the same terminal station as my Google Map showed to me. Actually both of the trains work. I was a little bit worried and let people trying to contact him and tell him to get off at the right station. But then we heard that Robin has quickly told him which station are we going before the door shutting. Suddenly, this little accident brought laughter and smiling faces on the train after we thought that people are tired after a long Moring. Thanks to Jack that he figures it out and get back to team quickly.

We meet our tour guide Ben Slow at a little square besides Old Spitalfieds Market.it start showering and getting cold, but everyone still follow the tour guide and continue our journey. Ben led us to Brick Lane and we stopped and talked about the first street art by Stik on the doorway. Starting from this art, Ben told us about the history of Shoreditch, about how unsafe and poor this area used to be, about Jack the Ripper, about how gentrification and regeneration influence this area, and make Shoreditch become such a high expense and creative hub nowadays. We follow Ben walking around this area and sometimes stop in front of a street art or graffiti wall and listen to him about how these walls has been evolving and listen to the story of how so many street artist come and quick add another fresh piece of art into Shoredicth and leave. It continues raining, and we sometime standing in the wind and rain at the corner of the street, people have difficulty listen to Ben in that weather condition, but still as a team leader, who does more observation and pay more attention of the team. We are actually impressed by how everyone persist in continue the journey and how trying they are to try to follow and get involved in the activity, even though we have three broken umbrellas already.

We call of the day after the tour due to the weather around 4pm after a brief day summary of Robin. It must be memorable day, for everyone, because of the weather, because of the colorful walls, or because of any worries and laughter through the day.

Our journal will continue. Viva La Vida!

 

Cecilia is perusing a Bachelors of Business Administration and Andy is fulfilling a Tourism Management Diploma at Capilano University. They are currently participating on the 2016 London Field School.