My name is Hiren Patel and I have loved traveling ever since I can remember! I have been traveling and going on vacations ever since I was a child. I'm 21 years old and am currently pursuing a degree in Finance, Int'l Business and Legal Studies at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA.

I have finally had the opportunity to travel to study abroad, something I've always wanted to do since I was a little boy (maybe still am) and I will be doing so in company with several friends from Drexel. I will be studying abroad in London at FIE. I will be here for the semester, and therefore we will be attempting to travel as much as possible within the UK as well as Europe. Balancing my studies and this newly acquainted freedom in a foreign country may be hard to juggle, but that will be the ultimate test (along with this calling French fries; chips and calling chips; crisps)

I have never kept a blog or done anything like such, I plan on updating this as much as possible with pictures and stories of our adventure abroad! Hope you guys enjoy ... I will show everything as I see it... "I for an Eye!"
Background Illustrations provided by: http://edison.rutgers.edu/
Posted 4, November, 2010

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”

— Bob Marley

Posted 13, October, 2010

Stockholm, Sweden

This past weekend we (12 of us from the house) took our first trip outside the UK and went to Skvasta aka Stockholm, Sweden! Getting there was a hassle and a half cause we walked to get a train that got us to a bus, that took us to a plane, that took us to another bus, that we walked to our destination. Total trip from Point A to Point B was — 8 hours! It was well worth it, they definitely live up to what they are know for “The Most Beautiful Capital in Europe” if not the world! It was a gorgeous night scene and even during the day just simply beauty! palace 

We lived in what is now know as old city, where the royal palace is located, and by the sea. I learned that Sweden is made up of 30,000 islands and that they you can’t buy liquor bottles on weekends. We walked around the old city, it looked like Florence and Venice, small streets with history and cobblestone paths. A extremely traditional town with town squares and local cafe spots. 

We all ended up splitting up because everyone wanted explore something different so the four of us and Danny and heather ended up going to see Vassu Muesum, then ended up renting bikes for an hour and went around the island we were on! Of course with my luck we were at the top of the mountain w/ about 15 min left before we have to return the bikes and my bikes chain falls off! So I had to walk my bike back and it took me 45 minutes to reach back to the bike rental place. We traveled over 2.5 miles without even realizing how far we had gone! I let the rest of them go so they can hand in there bike on time and they still got there 10 minutes later. It was quite the adventure. Later that night the vegetarians (me, neel, anand, vince and alyssa) went to an Indian buffet (go figure in Sweden) on top of the highest part of Stockholm! Only downside, we had to eat outside in the freezing cold, but the view made up for it! 

Afterwards, we had a 9’o clock reservation at Absolute Ice Bar (the original one) — ABSOLUTEly (no pun intended) amazing time! It was such a great time, chilly without a doubt but definitely fun being there with 11 other people. Then we just bar hopped around old city, and enjoyed the night away. The next morning, we woke up extremely early (9am) to get one more tour of Stockholm, this time by boat, that was 2.5 hours long around the major islands of Sweden. After we came back we went to a restaurant called “Taco Bar” and ate one of the most amazing Mexican meals for fast food! An then we headed back to London, and did that whole 8 hour trip thing! 

We landed around 8ish but we all couldn’t get on the 8:35 bus as after all the selfish people got on, there were 4 seats left, and 5 of us left! Us 4 indian guys and Aaron. So we waited for the next one at 9 and got back 1030 — upon coming home Danny bought us Domino’s Pizza for sacrificing for coming late with Aaron! So free pizza and then just knocked out! I will try upload pictures as soon as possible but no promises. As the end of the term is coming, getting busier with work and less posting as you can tell! Sorry …

~Everything I saw was “I for an Eye”

Posted 7, October, 2010

Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So, love the people who treat you right. Forget about the one’s who don’t. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it. Friends are like balloons; once you let them go, you can get them back. So, I’m going to tie you to my heart so I never lose you.

Posted 7, October, 2010

I don’t pretend to know what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what it is for me; love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person, love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of, love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into a room and smile at you. By you know who you are

Posted 7, October, 2010

Oh Yeahh, Time To Wake Up, Oh Yeah

Those are the exact words I have been hearing all day today, as Neel and Anand have seen the most recent episode of Jersey Shore, and have been imitating it. Definitely entertained by it … from sunrise to sunset! After an early morning class in Shakespeare, where we discussed that in our next class we will be going out to dinner at Indian restaurant (no idea why but whose complaining)! Then we walked around town and got some food, which we brought back and ate! Napped and relaxed before our next class at 5! Afterwards … got out of class at 7 (only us 4) so we can go to the London Eye - since we had an 8:00 time slot to go (pictures above)! 

It was a lot of fun, we messed around and took a lot of photos and enjoyed the scenic night time view of London (which isn’t that lite up for the most part) but we made the best of it! We then walked to a local McDonald’s and got food (Ankit, Neel & Anand did at least). They ran out of veggie patty’s on me and the kitchen was closed so I ate when we came back and grabbed something from Tesco! Most of the house mates were bored with us so we ended up playing “The Game of Things” and drank! Afterwards, everyone split and some when out and other stayed in!

SWEDEN this weekend — 1st trip of the semester, really excited can’t wait! 12 of the 14 house mates are coming so it is going to be fun! 

~Everything I saw was “I for an Eye”

Posted 6, October, 2010

Slacking Hard

For the past week I have been slacking hard with these posts, I have been really bus with school work and have been out quite often and haven’t had the opportunity to update as much! Here are some highlights from this past week:

  • Being wasted last Tuesday, I ended up pee’ing on BMW at 330am, and the owner had just gotten out of the car and walked down a stairwell before he heard a sound, came up the stairs, saw me (which is when I ran for my life) and chased me, but Neel and Anand (also drunk) were around the corner waiting for me, so when they saw me running, i told them to run and we just got onto the first bus that pulled and ran away … what a night!  
  • I went to stay at my cousins house on Friday in Enfield, London (countryside village) which took me 1hr and 30min to get there — ended up going out with them and their boys at these two south Asian places called: SPICERACK & FUNKY BROWNZ, i saw London’s most beautiful Indian girls there, at least the prettiest so far in my time here (and we all know the UK is suppose to have the cutest Indian girls)
  • Last night went to Sports Cafe — got pretty drunk as well! Had a mid-term exam and finished a lot of my work. Made friends with this kalu guy His name Raphael (like the ninja turtle) who popped and locked, we had a dance off, i got him in the first round (no idea what i was doing, i can’t even pop lol) and then he got me second round and third round these 2 Bangladeshis came and ruined everything! 

Every other night, I ended up staying in and doing work and trying to finish as much as I can, because starting this weekend till we get back we have trips planned for each weekend! This weekend is Stockholm, Sweden with the house (12 in total)! Recently bought tickets to soccer game we are going to see next Tuesday, England vs Montenegro at Wembley Stadium for the Euro Cup Qualifying Match! 

Other then that, not much going on, we are going inside the London Eye tonight at 8pm so will have new pictures for my next post! 

Just studying and drinking here, when we aren’t doing one, we are doing the other! 

~Everything I saw was “I for an Eye”