UEA International Student Ambassadors

Beautiful tropical roof garden recently opened at the new Crossrail station in Canary Wharf, and I had a chance to visit it last weekend! The gardens, which have been designed by British firm Foster + Partners, has been designed to reference the area's historical heritage. Below are some of the pictures, but they really don't do justice to it! :) The whole place reminded me of Japan so much, as Tokyo also has a lot of "wild" green spaces in the contemporary city jungle. The new Crossrail station itself is quite impressive as well, another contemporary designer building at London's heart! Have you discovered any new exciting places where you live, or maybe during the travels? You can post your discoveries in comments! :) Lots of love, Ksenia - Russian Students Ambassador

The Dance of the Flyers   After knowing that the Dance of the Flyers will be having presentations in London this next 20 th and 21 st June, many of my friends asked me about it. They didn’t understood how a dance can include a 20 meter pole and ropes.     For starters, let me tell you that this Dance has been considered by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. According to Totonac myth, at least 450 years ago there was a severe drought that brought hunger to the people. The gods were withholding the rain because the people had neglected them. The ceremony was created, to appease the gods and bring back the rains. The ritual consists on the climbing of a 30-meter pole from which four of the five participants then launch themselves tied with ropes to descend to the ground. The fifth remains on top of the pole, dancing and playing a flute and drum. Now, the amazing thing is you don’t have to travel all the way to Mexico to witness this...