I got up bright and early to report to Normand Park in the borough of Fulham, where we kicked off our "Focus on the Crocus" bulb-planting campaign. We were positioned right near a fitness center, so kids coming in and out from swimming lessons helped us plant about 1,000 bulbs.
It was SO. MUCH. FUN. Being on a university campus, I spend a lot of time with 20-somethings (who are great), but it was so nice to be able to hang out with kids and help them get their hands dirty.
We also raised nearly 80 GBP for the PolioPlus campaign, and the Rotarians spoke to the parents about the campaign while we planted. When the croci pop up in February, the purple will hopefully be a reminder of Rotary's efforts to eradicate polio thus far. Here are a few snapshots courtesy of Nat:
After the event, a few of the other volunteers and I grabbed lunch at a lovely vegetarian restaurant in Fulham, and I headed back to Islington. But there wasn't much downtime, because another of the Ambassadorial Scholars invited us to Battersea Park to watch the fireworks for Bonfire Night.
Bonfire Night, or Guy Fawkes Night, was actually Friday, but I wasn't feeling well so I wasn't really up for it. No matter, because Saturday was spectacular. Kara and I met up with Angela, the scholar, and some of her friends from Westminster University, and watched the giant bonfire and some really great fireworks. The fireworks were timed to pop music, and everyone was singing and drinking mulled wine and just having a great time. Check out how big this fire was:
We were pretty fired up (pun intended) after the show, so we migrated to Covent Garden for much-needed food and drink. We ended up at a bar called Freud (after Sigmund himself) and met up with some more Westminster people. After that, around midnight, we headed to Fabric, one of the largest nightclubs in London.
I haven't been dancing in some time, so Fabric was the perfect way to end the night. Or enter the morning. I finally got back to my room at 5 a.m. for some much-needed shut-eye.
It was a weekend filled with wonderful new people and all the fun we could possibly pack in. I am so exhausted, but so happy!
I hope all of you had a great weekend, too!
Love,
Jess
Those children are absolutely adorable and it looks like you had so much fun! If/When you come back to the states, expect to make guest visits to my classroom to read to my babies. You're an amazing person - volunteering during your European adventure? You have a heart of gold.
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