Course Induction, Kirkgate Markets, City Walk, and Headingly!

On Wednesday I had my course induction which was basically an orientation.  We walked there and it was actually sunny out! I absolutely love Leeds every building looks historic, I just love walking around because all of the buildings are so fun to look at, each one seems different to me! After induction me and four other American girls went together and got lunch from a little sandwich place called brods. I got a bacon, brie (thinking of you Bailey Katz!!) and fruit chutney melt, and it was delicious!! Every time we go out to eat I try to get something that sounds good, but I have not had before.  This sandwich was a great choice! I also saw that they had ginger beer so I tried one of those, but it was a miss.  It was way too gingery tasting and left a strange aftertaste-I was not a fan, but at least I tried it!

I believe this was the hospital, but if it was not it was just a building next to the hospital that I do not know the name of. I just loved the architecture!

I loved the design of this hotel, it looked so historic.  There are a fair amount of "Victoria" named places, I need to figure out the history behind the name!

My brie, bacon, and fruit chutney (similar to jelly) melt. nom nom nom

Ginger beer. Pretty bottle and label on the outside, not so good inside.

Later that night I went with my flatmate Ariana who is from Barcelona and some other international students to watch the Barcelona-Real Madrid football game! It was so much fun!

On our walk back we got a little lost and ended up on a street that reminded me of Privet Drive! So obviously I took a picture!!

On Thursday my friend Stasia and I decided to explore Leeds so we went to the largest indoor market in Europe, Kirkgate Markets.  It was filled with fresh meat, fish, produce, and little food stalls.  I had my first fish and chips! It was delicious.  Afterwards we wandered up and down Brigate, a street that is closed off to traffic and is lined with shops.  I loved every minute of it! There were some street performers, and tons of people! We want to go back on the weekend when there will be more street performers.  

Brigate 

Arcades=little indoor malls.  This one had all of the very expensive fashion

Brigate Again

Fish & Chips!

Today (Saturday) we had a guided city walk that we went on which was very interesting and informative! I had already explored a good amount of Leeds at other times, but the guide gave us lots of background information on Leeds and tips about the city!

Leeds Town Hall-designed by Cuthbert Brodrick and built in 1858 it is primarily used for concerts and civic functions today.  There are four lions in front of it (you can see two in this picture) and there is a legend that every night at midnight the lions stand up and stretch then sit back down in a different position.  

City Square-lots of pretty statues, but I was listening to our guide so I didn't get better pictures!

Something interesting our guide told us was that the first moving film was created in Leeds. Louis Le Prince created the first moving picture on paper film in 1888.  His film was of a bridge in Leeds.  However on his way to present his idea to Americans in New York he mysteriously disappeared and was never found.  Eight years later the idea showed up in Hollywood.  I thought this was such an interesting story!

The Kirkgate Markets-filled with fresh meat, fish, and produce!

Leeds Met has two main campuses-City and Headingly.  Headingly is about a 15 minute taxi ride from the city, and is much more spread out and green and absolutely gorgeous.  Since it was sunny today we decided to head up there for the afternoon after we finished with our tour! We walked around, then went to a little pub and had lunch!

The Headingly Campus.  

The library (it was so sunny I had to squint)

More Headingly

I am starting to plan more traveling adventures! There is an organization that plans trips around the UK for students for decent prices.  I am going with them to Edinburgh February 18-19th.  I am also planning a trip for Spring Break, which is 2 weeks long! More to come on that later!  Tomorrow we are headed up to York for the day which I have heard is gorgeous.  It is forecasted to snow but we are praying it doesn't!

-G