Thanksgiving feast with Corn Island

When you think Thanksgiving you probably think along the lines of turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce. But, as you know, Thanksgiving is an American holiday and since I was abroad I missed that traditional holiday.

To make up for this, my friends and I decided to celebrate in a new way. We hopped on a (really small) airplane in Managua and flew to Corn Island after making a stop on Nica’s Caribbean coast in Bluefields.

The Corn Islands (both Big and Little) are islands just a short boat or plane ride off the coast of Nicaragua in the beautiful Caribbean sea. Not too many people know about them yet, so it’s a great way to have that relaxing Caribbean vacation without all of the congestion of tourism that has flooded much of the rest of the Caribbean.

Some of our activities included a boat tour around the island, tubing, a trip to Little Corn, and renting a golf cart to take a tour of the island on our own. On Big Corn, the only cars on the road are really taxis for tourists like us, and on Little Corn there aren’t even cars since everyone just walks everywhere. So, our golf cart ride was a big treat, even when it got stuck in the mud and flooring it meant that it might move.

The tour book described Corn Island as, “the perfect vacation spot where you can sway in a hammock, read books, walk white sand beaches, enjoy spectacular sunsets and snorkel in clear turquoise waters" I’d have to say, they weren’t lying.

The best part of each day was definitely the sunsets. So if you want to lay out on a hammock under a little hut looking out at a pink and purple sunset while sipping a pina coloda to end each day, maybe next year for spring break, Corn Island is the getaway you’ve been looking for!

- Jenn Zocco '10

party-time in Londontown!

So, if you’re thinking about studying abroad in London, you’re probably wondering where the best party spots are and how you get there. Well, if you like

live music, good beer, and friendly Londoners

than I have some perfect spots for you to check out.

My favorite spot to go was in Camden Town, which is the home to Camden Market, a fabulous marketplace that has everything you could want at great prices. Souvenirs, vintage clothes, new trends, jewelry, accessories, shoes, and other awesome stuff.

The pub I went to was called the Camden Lock Tavern. The Lock Tavern serves a variety of beers, wines and spirits as well as traditional English dishes. They have 2 bars one which has a more modern feel and the other which boasts a more traditional one. DJ's and bands play sets during the week. While I was there I saw two awesome bands The Wild Wolves and Frederick Stanley Star. When it was nice out, you could go to the sun terrace and or the cobbled beer garden.

Right across the street from the Lock Tavern is Proud, which is a club and bar that was created in an old horse stable! Each stable has a private sitting room that you can rent out and then the largest stable houses the bar. There is also a huge dance floor and the environment is really relaxed and friendly.

Also, Picadilly Circus has tons of bars and clubs, one in particular being Zoo Bar, which is always a good time. If you are looking for a classy night out try going to The Gardening Club in Covent Garden. Covent Garden is a really nice area where you can find shops, markets, and good food.

Right on Baker Street, where Regents is located, you will find tons of pubs including the Metropolitan Bar and The Volunteer. These bars are in walking distance to Regents and are always crowded. The bars in London do close early though, around 12 or 1, but then all the clubs open so you just hop on the bus and go wherever you want.

Of course there is the Absolut Ice Bar, which is a bar where everything is made completely out of ice, even the furniture. You can only be in there for a designated period of time and you have to wear these sort of Eskimo suits, but it is definitely somewhere any study abroad student should go.

The subway system or the Tube, which is the primary source of travel, is super easy to understand and very clean. But, it does close at 12:30, so start to use the bus system. The buses run all night and go all over London to every destination. You just find out what stop you need to get on and off and your all set.

If you end up studying in Londontown, trust me, you’ll find tons of great places and will discover your favorite spots.

-Leigh Blickley '10