Posts

A Love Letter to London: Reflecting on my Internship Experience

/in /by

By Leah Gabriella Cardenas

After eight weeks, my time in London and with Paddington Arts has come to an end. 

Though I’m used to being away from home for weeks at a time, being in a different country and at first alone has been an entirely different experience. Especially considering that the last time I left the United States was when I was twelve years old. 

I came to London with little expectations for this internship. I was mostly worried about fitting all the clothes I wanted to bring into just two suitcases. I knew I wanted to explore the city and travel outside of the United Kingdom a little but as for the rest of it, I was trying to be ready for anything.

After eight weeks, I feel that I have done so much more than I could have ever imagined. I learned a lot about London as well as who I am as a person and a writer. 

I have been to eight new cities and three new countries. I have seen three West End shows, aballet, and a Shakespeare play at the Globe Theatre. I have met so many new people, some of which I see becoming lifelong friends. 

This experience has challenged me. I put myself out there when meeting nearly 60 new people. I adjusted to living with five flatmates and just one tiny fridge. I learned to navigate the Tube to work without using my phone and somehow still had 20,000 steps every day. I also spent a lot of time exploring the city by myself. Being here has allowed me to do a lot of self-reflection and grow even more into who I am.

London has been very different from my life in Seattle or Los Angeles. I had never lived so close to the center of such a cosmopolitan city before which is part of the reason I chose to come here. I have now seen an entirely new side of the world. 

While here, I have also written 13 articles including this one. Through Paddington Arts, I have learned about the city in a way I don’t think I would have working anywhere else. I often explored Notting Hill after work. I helped out one time at the nearby food bank run by Jacqui Haynes. I met and interviewed Jama Elmi, a local celebrity known for his colorful suits. I have explored different topics and writing styles, learning what other people like to read and what I’m good at.

Being a youth performing arts organization, Paddington Arts will always be a unique workplace for me, especially as a former dancer. As I continue to grow as a journalist, I hope that what I learned and practiced here will stick with me.

I’m glad I took this leap and decided to go abroad. I’m also immensely grateful to CIEE and Paddington Arts for giving me the opportunity to live and work here. London now has a special place in my heart. These last two months have been filled with memories and lessons I know I will never forget.

Thank you London.

Living Out My Childhood Dreams in Paris

/in /by

By Leah Gabriella Cardenas

For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to visit Paris. My tenth birthday party was Paris themed. In elementary school, I wore shirts with the Eiffel Tower on them all the time. I even had the 2015 American Girl Doll of the Year, Grace, who went to Paris in her story. 

When planning weekend trips during my study abroad in London, I had to make sure that Paris was one of them. So this past weekend, I went to Paris with three of my friends. Here is what we did and what I would recommend. 

My friend and I took the Eurostar early Saturday morning. It was just over two hours from London St. Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord. Once we arrived, we met with our other two friends and left our bags at a hotel as we couldn’t check into our Airbnb until later. 

From there, we headed to lunch. We didn’t realize we’d get off the Metro right by a famous viewpoint of the Eiffel Tower, Place du Trocadéro. When the iconic landmark came into view, my friends and I visibly gasped. I even got a little emotional thinking about how ten-year-old me would have been sobbing had she gotten to see it herself. 

After taking a few pictures, we headed towards the Arc de Triomphe. Along the way, we stopped for lunch at Le Kléber Brasserie. I had a croque monsieur which was better than I thought as they put an extra layer of crispy cheese on top. At the Arc de Triomphe we opted to just admire the outside rather than spending €22 to go inside as well.

Then, we walked all the way to the Musée de l’Orangerie for Monet’s Water Lilies. We weren’t able to get tickets beforehand so we had to get in a longer line. We were told it would be almost an hour wait, however, it ended up being less than twenty minutes.

Tickets were only €11. Once inside, we went straight to the Monet rooms. The murals were even more impressive than I could have imagined. They were so huge and beautiful that I think I could have spent all day looking at them. This is definitely one of the museums in Paris that everyone should visit.

We then walked through the Tuileries Garden and towards the Louvre. We decided not to go inside because of the price (€79) and we were exhausted by then. However, I do hope to eventually go back to Paris and visit the Louvre.

After a short rest at our Airbnb, we got dinner at La Casa di Alfio right by the Eiffel Tower. It was nice as the food came fast and we were able to sit outside. We made our way to the Eiffel Tower and somehow it looked even more impressive at night. We took pictures from on the Pont d’Iéna bridge and then waited for the tower to sparkle at 11pm. I’ve probably seen thousands of videos of the moment but it was even more magical in person.

We eventually headed to the Latin Quarter and tried to get into the famous underground jazz club, Caveau de la Huchette, that was featured in the 2016 film La La Land. We were told it would be a 45 minute wait to even be let in line which we’d then have to wait in for even longer. It was already past midnight so we opted for a much less crowded piano bar down the street. It ended up being a good last minute decision as we immediately got to sit comfortably and listen to live music.

The next day, we woke up bright and early to have breakfast at Cafe de Flore. The famous cafe known for its dark chocolat usually has a line, but we were able to sit right away. All four of us got a croissant. My three friends got dark chocolat with whipped cream while I had a coffee. The service was excellent and the hot chocolate was deliciously rich. I understand the hype now and would go again.

Then, we walked to Shakespeare and Company, a famous English-language bookstore. There are no pictures allowed inside the store so I kept taking mental ones for myself. The interior was eclectic and they have a wide selection of books. I, of course, had to pick up one of their tote bags. Just across the Seine was the Notre Dame Cathedral. We didn’t go inside because of the line, but we spent some time just admiring the outside. 

We wanted to have a little picnic so we stopped by La Grande Epicerie to get a baguette, french butter, jam, and cheese. The four of us also got our own macaron. Then, we took the Metro to the Eiffel Tower and set our mini picnic up right next by the famous monument. I got to live out my “California” by Joni Mitchell moment by sitting in a park in Paris, France. Then, every few minutes I found myself looking up as if I couldn’t believe the Eiffel Tower was truly there.

The next morning, we had to be out of our Airbnb by 11am so we quickly packed and tidied up. After leaving our bags by the train station, we headed to Montmartre for some last minute souvenir shopping. We walked up the many steps toward the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. From the top, we had a gorgeous view of the city of Paris. 

We walked around to shop and see the many live artists. I had to get a postcard and magnet for myself and my mom. We then stopped for lunch at Au Cadet de Gascogne. I had salmon and ratatouille. Now, I understand the Disney movie more as the dish truly is classic and homey.

Soon, it was time to make the one hour trek to the Château de Versailles. Once we finally got there, we first visited the gardens before going inside. We of course saw the chapel and the Hall of Mirrors. One of my friends and I had to take the Eurostar back to London in just three hours, so we were rushing through the palace. I still felt that I got to see the major attractions as well as take in the gorgeous art and architecture.

It took us about an hour and a half to get back to Gare du Nord. I would have definitely bought our Palace of Versailles tickets earlier had I known that only the later, discounted time slots would be available and meant we would have to speed-run our visit. Luckily, our train ride back to London was smooth.

Here are some tips I’ve learned from this weekend. Our Airbnb was nice but it was located in the 19th arrondissement which was pretty far from the major tourist attractions. I would recommend staying somewhere more centrally located so you don’t have to spend as much time on the Metro. However, the Metro day passes are very worth it at only €12.30 per day. Coming from London, I also think the Eurostar is the way to go as it was convenient and fairly fast. You just have to pay a little more but it’s worth it. I’m glad we ended up going to the Palace of Versailles even though we rushed through it. It’s just a little outside of Paris full of beautiful art and history.

Now, I already miss Paris. The city definitely lived up to my childhood dreams if not having exceeded them. I do feel that I need to go again and for a longer period of time. We were able to squeeze in a good amount of sightseeing in just three days, but I know there is so much more to Paris. Still, ten-year-old Leah would be very proud.

The Sun and The Moon at the Saatchi Gallery

/in /by

By Leah Gabriella Cardenas

“The Sun and The Moon: Art Inspired by the Celestial” is an exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery running until the 8th of September. Spanning nine rooms on two floors, the exhibition explores how the two celestial bodies have influenced art across multiple mediums and decades.

Each room focuses on a different aspect of influence. It begins with Dawn, a look into how the Sun and Moon influenced early belief systems. My favorite in this room is Emilie Pugh’s “Helios”. Up close, you can see that Pugh burns paper and puts it in front of gold leaf to get that visual of the Sun.

Moving onto The Rising Sun, the second room focuses on time and seasons. There are several paintings of harvest scenes and sunrises. An interesting piece in this room is Katie Paterson’s “–there lay the Days between–” which is a clock counting every sunrise on Earth since its beginning.

Then, Zenith looks at the Sun when at its peak and its relationship to human bodies. Featured are sun and moon inspired tattoos by Thomas Hooper, a Sussex based artist. Nine black and white photographs of the tattoos hang on the wall. This is just one example of the unique mediums showcased in this exhibition. 

Setting Sun has a focus on transformations. There is a section on tarot showing the significance of the Sun and Moon. Jamie Hewlett’s “La Lune” and “Le Soleil” are also featured. These large recreations of tarot cards were originally made for another Saatchi Gallery exhibition back in 2015. 

The halfway point is “Helios” by Luke Jerram. Jerram is a British installation artist known for large sculptures and projects. He made a reproduction of the Sun using over 400,000 photographs. The room also includes deck chairs and a soundscape so visitors can take the time to take in the details of the Sun’s surface. This was also where many have taken advantage of the unique photo-op with the Sun. 

Moving upstairs is Evening which focuses on the Moon. Suspended in the center of the room is Saad Qureshi’s split moon. I enjoyed Fumie Onuki’s “2025_18″ which used Japanese paper, Nepali paper, and watercolor to show the moon at different points in the sky.

Walking on the Moon veers from the ‘time of day’ theme, taking a look at the cultural impact of space exploration. Showcased in this room are comics and movie posters inspired by the Apollo missions. My personal favorite here was Marcos Kueh’s “Woven Banner: The Virgin’s Voyage – to the Moon” which is based on Chang’e, the goddess of the moon in Chinese mythology. The wide range of pieces in this room reflects the diversity of the entire exhibition.

Next is Midnight which explores the Moon’s influence on folklore and magic. This room features paintings of people worshipping the moon. I thought it was unique that they also have sketches of moon or night-inspired costumes and set designs for different ballets, one being the Royal Ballet’s “Swan Lake”.

The exhibition ends with the Darkest Hours, an immersive installation by teamLab. Visitors are invited into a dark room with hanging lights that create the illusion of light and dark spheres. The lights dim and brighten to the beat of a song. As a conclusion to the exhibition, it allows visitors to think about how they interpret light and therefore the Sun and Moon. 

I enjoyed my visit to “The Sun and The Moon” exhibition. I thought the rooms were well put together thematically. I also loved that there were a range of pieces on display from historical artifacts to modern installations. Standard tickets to the exhibition are £20 and I think it is entirely worth it. Visit the Saatchi Gallery website for more information. 

 

How I Spent a Weekend in Dublin

/in /by

By Leah Gabriella Cardenas

I went to Dublin with two of my friends on the weekend of the World Cup final. Here’s what we managed to do in less than 72 hours and whether it was worth it or not. 

We flew into the Dublin airport on Saturday at around 10 in the morning. From there, we took the Dublin Express bus to the city center. It only cost €10 and took about 30 minutes. Luckily, we were able to check into our hotel early so we left our bags there before heading out for a bite to eat. I would say we arrived in Dublin at a good time considering traffic. 

Mural of “Normal People” by Sally Rooney

After taking a much needed nap, we headed to Trinity College Dublin. I insisted on visiting the Normal People mural, a book and show set in Ireland. It was just right outside the college entrance. We continued walking around the campus admiring the architecture. We did not do the popular Book of Kells experience because there weren’t convenient time slots left when we looked into booking tickets. It also would have cost €26 each which my friends didn’t see as worth it.

From there, we walked down Grafton Street which was filled with stores and restaurants. It had a good mix of souvenir shops and popular retail chains. Eventually, we ended up at St. Stephen’s Green, a public park. There were swans in the small pond and people dancing in one of the gazebos. It was a lovely greenspace right in the middle of the city. Then, we were getting hungry so we ate at a nearby restaurant called Little Dumpling. 

The Temple Bar Pub

The three of us headed back to our hotel to change before going out for the night. We had to stop by the famous The Temple Bar Pub. Its bright lights and red exterior looked especially nice at night. We met up with one of my friend’s friends who is doing the CIEE internship program in Dublin. We walked around the Temple Bar area just enjoying the night life.

We ended the night with a slice of pizza from Bambino. We had seen videos about this place on TikTok so we figured it was worth the long line. I got the ‘Hot Pep’ pizza which had hot honey. I wish I had gotten a second slice because it was truly that good.

The next day, we woke up early to take a day trip out of the city center. First, we stopped by Bread 41, a sourdough bakery, for breakfast. I got a potato danish and pain au chocolat which were both buttery and delicious. 

We took the DART from Pearse Station to Howth. The ticket was only €5.60 including a return and the ride was about 30 minutes long. Upon arriving, we immediately headed to do the Howth Cliff Walk. There were a few different options for the hike, but we decided on the shorter loop which was half through the neighborhood.

Howth Cliff walk

I honestly didn’t expect to be going uphill as much as we did based on videos and articles I saw about the hike. I would still say this was a moderate trail, but do come more prepared than us with lots of water and the proper shoes. The views during the hike made it all worth it though. There were also many places to take a break and admire the ocean view.

Once we made it back down to the main area, we went to Beshoffs of Howth for dinner. We had a nice view of the area from their outdoor seating. There was a mix up with our food but the staff was lovely about it.

My friend had booked us the Howth Cliff Cruise just before sunset. It took us around Dublin Bay. We got to see the cliff we had hiked earlier that day. There were also a few puffins by Ireland’s Eye which was incredible to see so close. It was a lovely way to end the day. 

Molly Malone statue

Then, on Monday, we slept in and just got a quick coffee. This was our last day so we made sure to do all the things that were left on our ‘must see’ list. We visited the Molly Malone statue. For lunch, we had a booking at Masa. Their fish tacos were just what I was craving. I do wish it came with three tacos rather than two because even with a side of chips and guacamole, it did not make me feel full enough. 

We then finished our day walking around River Laffey and saw Ha’penny Bridge. We went into a few vintage shops in the area like Nine Crows and Jenny Vander. Then, it was already time to get our bags from the hotel and head to the airport. 

That night, we flew back to London at 9pm. Though we got to squeeze in a little more sightseeing, I would recommend either requesting a late check-out from your accommodation or getting an earlier flight. After the last two days of exploring, we were tired and wanted to be in bed rather than a plane.

Still, it was an amazing trip. The three of us hadn’t been to Ireland before and it was our first trip out of the United Kingdom since arriving for our internships. It was a memorable experience and I would 100% visit Ireland again.

2026 World Cup Fever

/in /by

By Leah Gabriella Cardenas

This summer, the FIFA World Cup was played all around the United States while I was across the pond for an eight week internship. The first match was the very same day I started packing for London. Now, five weeks into my stay here, the World Cup has come to an end and I have become a bit of a football fan. 

The FIFA World Cup is an international competition between men’s national football teams. It started in 1930 and happens every four years. This year, it was hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

American football is much more popular than soccer in the States. Because the U.S. co-hosted the tournament though, Americans showed up and showed out for the World Cup. Seattle, where I go to college, hosted several games and huge crowds of people gathered around the city to watch each one. Though many Americans have always enjoyed soccer, it seems that an even greater appreciation for the sport has soared back home. 

I personally have never been particularly interested in football. My high school Spanish teacher was Argentinian so during the 2022 World Cup, she’d play Argentina’s matches for us on the projector in class. I also have some friends who are big fans and I’d sometimes watch them play. Still, I came here having very little knowledge of the sport.

At first, the games were a good excuse for us CIEE interns to go out during the week, while also providing a lively atmosphere. But soon, I found myself genuinely invested in each match. I think as a naturally competitive person, it was easy to root for a team even without knowing all the rules of the sport. Obviously being here in London, I began cheering for England. 

England fans are very passionate and it seemed like everyone came out for each match no matter the time. This made for some entertainment outside of what happened on the TV. The first time I went out to watch England play, a guy painted his entire face with the England flag. Then, when England beat Mexico at 4am, fans were wide awake honking and cheering for what seemed like hours afterward. 

Back in Seattle, one of my friends is also a huge England fan. “My dad is from the UK so we always grew up with football on in the house,” said Kirin Yadav. “This year in particular, I felt like I could really get into watching all the games because it’s here in the U.S.” Yadav is a graduate student at the University of Washington. 

However, some of my fellow London CIEE interns had other allegiances during the tournament. A number of them were rooting for Mexico before England knocked them out during the round of 16. 

I watched the England versus Argentina match at a pub near my friends’ flat. It was packed and the TV was small, but all that mattered to us was the atmosphere. Unfortunately, that night, England’s World Cup championship run came to an end. I was sad for the team and the fans. Still, there was the third place play off that Saturday against France. After a ten-goal game, England was awarded third place. 

AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

Then, with the final match this past Sunday, Spain came up on top. I still tuned in for part of the match though I wasn’t cheering for either team in particular. It was quite the watch as a red card was given to Argentina and the game went into extra time. In the end, Spain’s Ferran Torres scored and they became World Cup Champions for the second time ever. 

Now that the World Cup is over, we’ll see if I continue to keep up with football and if more Americans will start supporting Major League Soccer. In four years during the next World Cup, I imagine the competition and energy will be the same if not greater. But for me, there might never be another World Cup as enjoyable as this one because who knows when I’ll be in London again. I’ve also come to witness that no matter the country you root for or live in, World Cup fever is truly contagious.

Meet the Man in the Colorful Suit: Jama Elmi

/in /by

By Leah Gabriella Cardenas

A crowd has formed on Portobello Road and in the center is a man in a hot pink suit and matching hat. That man is Jama Elmi, 55, who has been donning vibrant outfits for the last seven years. Elmi currently works as a model and actor as well as an ambassador for the Rise Together Alliance. 

He traded his once drab clothes for colorful suits when he was working at an Ibis Hotel. Elmi said, “They had their own uniform that was black and gray. I was invisible there, really invisible.” 

But one day, he was on a long train ride when something caught his eye. “My eyes were craving color. I looked to my left, no color. Looked to my right, no color.” said Elmi, “Then, there was this advertisement of a man in a three piece suit. I said to myself ‘Oh my god, what does he have that I don’t?’ A suit. So I made it my mission to get a suit.”

Jama Elmi poses in a pink and gold outfit. Elmi said, “Four years ago, it used to take me an hour and a half to pick an outfit. But now, maybe about 40 seconds, 30 seconds.”

Elmi bought a suit and was quickly noticed by others when out on the street. He eventually went to Shepherd’s Bush to find a tailor after realizing his need for colorful pieces could not be found just anywhere. Every three months, he would return to get two new outfits made. Elmi thinks he now has over 800 different outfits. 

However, with his tailor having switched businesses because of challenges from the COVID-19 lockdown, it’s been over a year since he’s gotten anything new. His 86 year old mother who he cares for has also given him an ultimatum. “If she sees a new outfit, I’m out of the door,” said Elmi.

This craving for color was nothing new for the Somalian. When he was nine years old, Elmi came across a mannequin wearing pink trousers and a Hawaiian shirt. He bought the outfit and wore it to school where he received a lot of attention from his peers. “I just loved color, but then that went to the back of my head and life came onboard,” said Elmi.

After rediscovering color in his clothing, people continued to be drawn to him. As he walks down the street, people in cars honk and wave. Seven years into wearing vibrant outfits, Elmi is known practically wherever he goes. But it’s not just the suits that make people smile, it’s also the conversation that Elmi welcomes. 

Elmi said, “Even if they’re having a bad day, when I cross paths with somebody, I can see their face light up.” His fashion has even helped him in his work. When he was still a support worker, he’d pick his outfits each day for a different resident based on what they liked. 

Not only does it put a smile on other people’s faces, but these interactions give the Harrow Road resident joy too. “It’s like that cartoon, Popeye. When he wants to be strong, he will have a spinach,” said Elmi. “The public is my spinach. The compliments they give me, that is my spinach.”

A close-up of Jama Elmi’s rings and bracelets for the day. “People come up to me and tell me stories,” said Elmi. “It depends on the outfit I’m wearing.”

One of his favorite suits has a map of the world on it. He loves the engagements he gets when wearing it. Elmi said, “When I went to Portobello, people were coming up to me and saying, ‘Oh, my God, I came from there’ and poking me.”

The 55 year old has begun conducting an “investigation” about his outfits and who they attract. “When I put on the red, it’s only the women that come up to me,” said Elmi. Pink surprisingly gets the attention of men, yellow attracts older folks, and young kids love his rainbow suit. 

Elmi said he even once caught the attention of King Charles III. The then prince was apparently in a car trying hard not to let Elmi catch him staring at his vibrant suit. He had been sitting outside of a cafe on Queensway. Elmi recognized the royal just as the traffic light turned green and the car drove away.

However, not everyone starts out as a fan of the vibrant outfits. Elmi said that when he goes shopping for his mother, the Somali community would often tell him not to wear such clothing there. “Because religion wise, I’m not really a strict Muslim, but my mum is. So in Muslim culture, anything that attracts, it’s forbidden. But I love the center of attraction,” said Elmi.

Eventually, they’ve come around to embrace his flamboyant style. The kids go up to him now and ask him for pictures or to be involved in their projects. Elmi said, “I just tell them, just wear what makes you happy.”

Elmi has become a local celebrity over the last seven years. He is now featured in a photography exhibition at The Muse Gallery and is involved in the Notting Hill Carnival. But his goal continues to be spreading joy through his uniquely vibrant outfits. 

Let Jama Elmi be a reminder that everyone could use a little more color in their life.

Hadestown at the Lyric Theatre

/in /by

By Leah Gabriella Cardenas

I saw the award-winning musical Hadestown at the Lyric Theatre on Saturday, July 11th. 

I bought my tickets about five days prior for just £39. There was plenty of availability at a range of prices and views. The show is also running until June 2027.

I arrived right when the doors opened, 45 minutes before showtime. The queue moved fairly quickly and I was inside the theatre within 10 minutes. I immediately got into another queue to purchase a program from the merchandise stand. There were quite a few other merch items from t-shirts to a vinyl of a live recorded performance. 

The Lyric Theatre is located on the busy Shaftesbury Street, near a number of other theaters. Inside, the walls and ceilings are decorated with red velvet, gold accents, and chandeliers. The theatre only seats 938 people so the show felt pretty intimate.

I sat in row F of the Grand Circle section. My seat was in the middle which gave me a great view of the entire stage. However, just a few seats to the left and right of me had extremely obstructed views with poles blocking over half of the stage. It surprised me that the theatre sells those seats at all.

I spoke to the couple sitting next to me who also luckily missed the obstructed view by a few seats. They had not known much about the musical but just wanted to see a West End show and came across Hadestown. I got to give them a little synopsis of the show before it started. 

Photography by Brinkhoff Moegenburg

Hadestown follows the relationship between Hades and Persephone as well as Orpheus and Eurydice. Eurydice voluntarily goes to the underworld because of the harsh weather on the world above that occurs in Persephone’s absence. Orpheus then sets off to get Eurydice back, but Hades won’t let them go that easily. Hermes the messenger god acts as a narrator.

It was first performed in London back in 2018 right before going on Broadway in 2019. Since then, it has won the Tony award for Best Musical and the Grammy award for Best Musical Theater Album. This current West End run started back in February of 2024.

I had never seen the show in full before, but I’ve listened to the soundtrack many times. When it came to the set design, lighting, and costumes though, I truly had no idea what to expect.

Photography by Brinkhoff Moegenburg

The set was almost like a jazz bar which makes sense with the music. The musicians were on both sides of the stage on platforms that created walkways between them and the balcony in the back center. Throughout the show, the worker ensemble would move the tables and chairs around center stage to create new scenes. Then, when Eurydice goes to Hadestown, the sides of the stage where the musicians are moved out, leaving more room in the center and walkways. This also allowed the rotating stage floor in the center to come into greater play. 

The main cast for this day was Marley Fenton as Orpheus, Bethany Antonia as Eurydice, Juan Jackson as Hades, Clive Rowe as Hermes, and Rachel Adedeji as Persephone. Each of their performances were amazing, but Persephone and her voice truly stood out to me. Adedeji also played a great drunk, which was both entertaining and showed part of why Persephone chooses to spend half the year in the underworld. 

Photography by Brinkhoff Moegenburg

During the 20 minute interval, I spoke with a grandmother who came to see the show with her granddaughter. They came about two hours out of London just to see the show. The granddaughter was a huge fan of Hadestown while the grandmother was there to spend time with her. So far, they said their favorite part of the show was the Fates. The Fates act as a conscience, pressuring Eurydice, Orpheus, and even Hades. The granddaughter talked about their harmonies. I also liked the height difference between this cast of the Fates because it made for some dynamic formations and choreography.

Towards the end of the musical, is the recently viral “Wait for Me (Reprise)” which Antonia portrayed Eurydice’s verse more as encouragement than desperation and I liked that. I thought Antonia and Fenton’s characterization of Eurydice and Orpheus, respectively, made the ending even more devastating.

After seeing the full show live, I have come to appreciate the musical even more. The costumes and set made the story come to life. On top of that, this cast was phenomenal and so I raise my cup to them.

Hadestown will be touring the United Kingdom and Ireland in 2027 so if you’re unable to catch them at the Lyric Theatre, check out the tour dates here.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

/in /by

By Leah Gabriella Cardenas

For the summer of 2026, Shakespeare’s comedy play A Midsummer Night’s Dream has returned to the Globe Theatre. 

I attended the 7:30pm show on Tuesday, July 7th. I was given free tickets from CIEE, however, prices typically range from £5 for standing to £88 for seating. 

I had never read or seen the play in full before, but I did know of the premise from excerpts in movies and on social media. In summary, there are several intertwined storylines: four young Athenians lost in the woods, a feuding fairy king and queen, and amateur actors rehearsing a play. 

Though I arrived just after 7pm, I was able to stand at the very front and center. The show started a little bit early with the cast bringing up audience members to do auditions for the play that’s within the actual play. We learned a song, some got to dance, and others performed a short monologue. Shortly after, the show began.

The stage was the first thing I was able to take in. The venue itself is an open-air 360° auditorium, but it was still intimate as it only holds 1,570 audience members. For this production, the stage had four runways where the actors often entered from as well as stairs in the front center. This made the audience feel even more immersed in the story.

Before attending, I wasn’t aware that the show was extremely interactive and not just during the pre-show auditions. There were shoutouts to different audience members when the amateur play’s casting was called. The actors walked through and stood in the yard many times. Audience members were even chosen to actually be in the play, wedding ceremony, and help Puck put the Athenians to sleep. 

Photography by Helen Murray

Though I unfortunately was not chosen to go up onto the stage, I still felt a part of the show. Being in the front, I was ‘the wall’ in the play and got to link arms with one of the actors. There were several times when the actors spoke their lines directly to me with some intense eye contact. I even got spit on, by accident of course, but I figured that would happen at some point. 

A fellow CIEE intern, Josie Jukita also appreciated the ability to participate. Jukita said, “My favorite part was how interactive it was, the fact that so much of the audience was able to get involved. It was well-integrated into the show and made the experience very memorable.”

The set design, costumes, and props matched the play’s eccentricity. The rainbow flowers and other decor ‘magically’ appear during the show as the fairies come out at night. The colorful and atypical costumes by Fly Davis also brought the play’s whimsy to life. Puck the fairy seemed to be wearing a greenscreen suit and donkey Bottom was more like a piñata. The props were equally unique as Puck’s magic was shown with bubbles. All three aspects complimented each other for a colorfully modern take, which I think made it more digestible for the average viewer. 

Photography by Helen Murray

Romaya Weaver who played Helena was my absolute favorite. Her faces were priceless and her raspy voice, whether intentional or not, fit the role well.

My roommate and fellow CIEE intern, Nowal Farah also thought Helena stood out. “I liked the storyline where the girl [Helena] was in love with the guy [Demetrius] that wasn’t interested,” said Farah. “I thought she was very dramatic and I enjoyed her performance.”

Though the entire cast was brilliant, as most took on two roles as well as sang, danced, and acted. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of singing and dancing throughout. The musicians were tucked up in the stage’s balcony but they truly brought the performance to life. Mel Lowe who played Lysander had a beautiful voice. At one point, she snuck in the “Defying Gravity” run. There were more shoutouts to other musicals with the character Bottom wearing Hamilton and Cats t-shirts during the play rehearsals.

Photography by Helen Murray

Overall, seeing a Shakespeare play in a recreation of Shakespeare’s iconic playhouse was an experience I will never forget. I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially with it being my first interactive performance. 

Visit the Shakespeare’s Globe website to get tickets to other performances.

12 Nights Together, Together: Harry Styles’ Record-breaking Wembley Residency

/in /by

By Leah Gabriella Cardenas

Harry Styles released his fourth studio album Kiss All the Time, Disco Occasionally. on March 6, 2026. Leading up to that long-awaited release, the artist announced a residency tour called Together, Together. The tour includes 68 shows in seven different cities over the span of seven months. Styles began his run in London on June 12, the first of 12 total shows at Wembley Stadium.

Also in London, was a pop-up store and fan experience presented by American Express. Located in Borough Yards, fans lined up to take pictures in front of different backdrops and buy exclusive merchandise. I went to the fan experience a few days before my show and only had to wait in line for about 20 minutes. I bought the pop-up store’s exclusive black London jersey.

I went to see Styles in concert on July 3rd, his second-to-last show in London. I purchased my tickets back in January when they initially went on sale, but I know that there were tickets being resold just days before the show. I took the Bakerloo and Metropolitan lines all the way to Wembley Park. Then, I still had to walk about 10 minutes to the stadium entrance.

Weeks before, I had seen videos online of people not being able to get inside the stadium because of the turnstiles. When we finally got to the front of the queue, I made sure the turnstiles were locked before scanning my tickets and trying to get in. It turned out to be no problem at all, but I was anxious about it the whole train ride over.

Once inside the stadium, it was easy to find our seats. We were in section 104 row 10. The view was amazing, though one of the screens was slightly blocked by a speaker and light stand. Still, we were closer to the extended stage than I thought we would be. It was definitely worth the price I paid as at times we got to see Styles really well and not just from the screens.

Shania Twain was the guest artist for London. She went on just before 7pm. Her set was about an hour long, packed with her classic hits. She even did a cover of Styles’ song, “Falling.” Twain’s energy and stage visuals got fans ready for a night full of dancing.

Styles has been known by fans for his thought out pre-show playlist. This time the last song was Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” which inspired one of the songs on Styles’ newest album. Then, came the moment everyone in the stadium had been waiting for, Harry Styles ran out onto the stage.

I’ve seen Styles three times before this, twice during Love on Tour and once during his Los Angeles residency at the Kia Forum. I was interested in seeing the difference in his performance as it had been nearly three years since he was last on tour and four years since I had last seen him. 

The artist started off with “Are You Listening Yet?”, an energetic song that perfectly set the show’s mood. Styles was wearing a navy suit, light yellow button-up, and hot pink tie looking like he came straight from a corporate job. Though the extended stage was massive and included two bridges, he quickly made his way around and then ditched his jacket.

Styles eventually brought out an orchestra to play “Coming Up Roses” and “Fine Line.” The latter used to be played at the end of his shows, but Styles said he was hoping it could signal a new beginning instead of the end to something. The shift in pace and mood felt necessary at this point in the night before the “Disco, Occasionally” vibe could continue with full energy.

Being in Wembley, Styles later recreated Freddie Mercury’s chant, telling the crowd to repeat after him. He then suddenly sang a few lyrics from a song off of his debut album, “Two Ghosts.” I nearly lost it when I recognized the lyrics, however, he just as suddenly left us hanging and moved on to a different song. I could tell that a lot of fans were feeling lots of different emotions after. 

As always, Styles also spent some time interacting with fans. That night, he spoke to two sisters who were dressed as disco balls, silver paint and all. He also spotted Sean McNicholas who does a Harry Styles tribute act. McNicholas’ sign asked Styles to take over his tribute shift, which the artist found amusing.

The night continued with the band moving into the middle of the stage for more danceable songs for which he was joined by dancers Aysia Ianiero and Rubia Serena Veth. Styles then seemingly wrapped up the show with the album opener, “Aperture.” He waved goodbye and expressed so much gratitude for his fans who allow him to keep doing what he loves.

Most of the audience, however, knew that the show was not over yet. Since the beginning of the tour, Styles has been starting his encore with a surprise song. Night 11 got “Boyfriends” from Harry’s House. This song was on repeat when I was sixteen and hearing it live again really took me back. However, I was hoping for something off of his debut album especially after the tease of “Two Ghosts.”

During his second to last song, “Sign of the Times”, a fireworks show lit up the sky above the stadium’s open roof. This was new to me at a Harry Styles show, but it truly added to the emotion of the song and night. Then before leaving the stage, Styles was visibly crying and taking it all in. After that 11th show, he had beaten the previous Wembley record of most consecutive sold out nights. It was truly an accomplishment worth celebrating.

Photography by Anthony Pham

Compared to past shows, Styles’ outfits are more refined, his dancing remains energetic, and the care he has for his fans is evident. Harry Styles was born to perform. Even after taking a long break from the stage to reflect on his artistry, the 32 year old continues to rightfully sell out shows.

A Non-Hiker’s Guide to the Seven Sisters Cliffs

/in /by

By Leah Gabriella Cardenas

Just a few days into being in London, many of my classmates brought up the Seven Sisters Cliffs. As more days passed, I began seeing videos on TikTok with tips for hiking the iconic white chalk cliffs. Eventually, my friends and I decided to make the trip.

Despite going to school in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, I’m not much of a hiker. The most I usually do is a long walk on a well-kept path with the occasional slight incline. So when planning this day trip, I made sure to find an easy and short path where we’d still be able to see the cliffs. Now that I’ve been, here is my non-hiker’s guide to visiting the Seven Sisters in East Sussex. 

I took the Thameslink from London Bridge Station all the way to Brighton because my friends and I thought we might as well visit that area too while we were down in East Sussex. However, if you only want to visit Seven Sisters, take the Southern line all the way to Seaford. From either station, you’ll need to take a bus to the Seven Sisters Country Park Visitor Centre. There’s the 12, 12A, and 12X Coaster service.

Once you arrive make sure to use the toilet and get water or snacks before starting your walk. There are three different options for a relatively easy and short walk to different viewpoints of the cliffs.

The first path takes you to the beach right next to the first cliff. From the visitor centre, make your way towards the Cuckmere Inn on Eastbourne Road. Just before the Cuckmere River, turn left at a wooden gate. From there, walk along the river all the way until you reach the beach. Snap your pictures, look for seashells, and take a rest. To get back, go the exact same way you came.

The second way is a little longer and is the one I took. From the visitor centre, walk towards the Cuckmere Inn on Eastbourne Road. Then, cross the Exceat Bridge and turn left into the inn’s car park. Walk through it to the path entrance which is a wooden gate. After a few minutes, there’ll be a diversion in the path at which you can go three different ways. I’d recommend turning left. This path is a little uneven, however, you’ll get to walk along the Cuckmere River until you reach the beach. Once you get to the beach, you can make a right and walk up a slight hill to the Coastguard Cottages. This viewpoint allows you to see the cliffs peaking out from behind them. Then, if you walk to the other side of the cottages, you’ll see all seven cliffs. You can go back the same way you came or make it a loop by taking the path closest to the cottages. Going this way, you might get to see cattle and sheep. Eventually you’ll end up back at that first diversion in the path. It took my friends and I about 30 minutes both ways excluding time to stop and take pictures.

The last option is part of the Country Park Trail. From the visitor centre cross Eastbourne road and head to the left towards the wooden gate by the bus stop. This path will also take you to the beach and bottom of the first cliff, however, it is less direct. You might pass by cattle, sheep, and horses. This is also the way to start the cliff hike from the visitor centre end so it is likely to be more crowded. If you’re feeling a little adventurous, try to hike up the first cliff to get a different view. Then, go the same way you came to get back.

Though the full 8 kilometer hike from the visitor centre to Beachy Head can take up to six hours, there are plenty of easier ways to enjoy the view. An hour walk there and back is much more realistic for many people. Still, come prepared with water, snacks, sunscreen, and a camera. Check out the Seven Sisters official website for additional information.