Fernando’s Blog

Hey everyone,

For my last London journal entry we had to reflect on our entire time here in London and choose one place that was our most favorite. Having done and seen so much, this is a hard one to tackle…

My most favorite place here in London has to be London’s South Bank, specifically down near the National Theatre…

I have walked down the South Bank more times than I can count. Yet, every time I took that stroll I always felt like I was in London.

Walking from the Globe Theatre to the National Theatre gives you a breath taking view of “postcard” London–the London Eye, Big Ben, Parliament, the London Aquarium, the National Theatre–as you hear the waves of the River Thames crash against the sand. Down by the water, London seems so serene, so peaceful in comparison with the elbow to elbow human traffic of Oxford Street. Nothing compares to sitting on a bench hearing double decker buses drive on the Waterloo Bridge, watching artists make the entire English continent out of sand, skipping rocks on the Thames…

As I write this entry I keep remembering images in my 8th grade history book. Images of London. Images I thought I would never see. A world that only existed in my imagination…

I love nature. I have always grown up with a backyard full of trees, brush, deer, ect. Because of this, I love a nature that extends beyond parks and back yards(Kensington Gardens, St. James Park). Never have I had the chance to live near any body of water within walking distance. Being free from the ball and chain of my gas ($3.30 per gallon!?!?) thirsty automobile never felt so good. I feel that my choice in “favorite place” reflects this subconscious desire to be by the water. To be near something vast…

After four months of studying/living here in London my outlook has changed. London is much more than Oxford Street, Paper night club, Harrods and a pub (probably a Wetherspoons) @ every street corner…New York is my home-London is where I lived…

Fernando Alfonso, III

Hey everyone,

If you can remember, back in January/February me and my friends Derek and Alex took a little trip to Kensington Gardens to visit not only Prince Albert’s memorial but my dear friend Peter Pan…

For our London journal class (administered/graded/assigned by the amazing Jen. H) we are assigned weekly topics to write about. These topics reflect on our experiences here in London and what we’ve been up to. For journal #5 we had to have a conversation with someone from the past who is memorialized by a sculpture here in London…

Fernando: “Why hello there! What’s your name??”

Peter Pan: “Hi! I’m Peter Pan! I love hanging out in Kensington Gardens. When I’m not in Neverland I’m here hanging out with the squirrels.”

Fern: “How old are you Peter?”

PP: “I’m not one day over 106. How old do you think I look?”

Fern: “You look like you’re 12…”

PP: “Well…you’re right! My author, J.M. Barrie, starred me in his first book, “The Little White Bird” back in 1902. I guess I got some good genes!”

Fern: “Never heard of it. Who’s this J.M. Barrie fellow?”

PP: “Mr. Barrie was a Scottish novelist responsible for the book The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up starring….me! A lot of people think Peter Pan was always a kids story. In reality, The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up (Peter Pan) was actually a novel! The book was first published in 1911 by HarperCollins.”

Fern: “That’s pretty cool. How’d you feel about acting in all those movies?”

PP: “I loved it! The Disney movie “Peter Pan” (1953) was a lot of fun to do. $4,000,000 to make the film always sounded like a lot to me In the end, the film was a smash hit! I was a little sad when Steven Spielberg didn’t ask me to star in Hook but I think Robin Williams did an excellent job. Julia Roberts (Tinker Bell) and Dustin Hoffman (Captain Hook) didn’t do too shabby.”

Fern: “Hey! just remembered! A few weeks ago I was in Disney Paris and got a chance to ride “Peter Pan’s Flight.” It was a really nice ride. Have you been on it?”

PP: “No, I never have I couldn’t meet the height requirements.”

Fern: “That’s alright. How long have you been here in the garden for?”

PP: “I was erected in 1912.”

Fern: “Are you the only Peter Pan statue???”

PP: “No! Absolutely not! You can find me in:

• Liverpool, England
• Brussels, Belgium
• Camden, New Jersey
• Perth, Western Australia
• Australia; Toronto, Canada
• Bowring Park in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada”

Fern: “WOW! That’s impressive! Well Peter, it has been a pleasure chatting with you my friend. Take care!”

PP: “You to! Have a great time in London!”

Here’s a pic of Peter:

More soon everyone!

____Fern