All of the Activities!

Oh my goodness we did so many things today! It was amazing and exhausting, but I'm the best kind of exhausted because I have memories now.

We woke up earlyish to get to Westminster Abbey before the rush and ended up in the middle of it. We're super awesome at planning. I made us late, though, so I'm definitely partially to blame. Westminster was worth the wait and the money, though. It is such a beautifully awe-inspiring building full of incredible people who have passed away.

It was a little unnerving to be walking across people's graves, but there was nowhere else to step. Photography was not allowed inside the cathedral (which I understand. Pictures aren't allowed in our temples or chapels, either). We did find Poet's Corner, which was my favorite place, and sat under Shakespeare's monument, next to Jane Austen's grave, and across from Handel's. That was thrilling.

I probably should have been less concerned about this because I can be a pretty observant individual (I can also be oblivious, but we're focusing on strengths right now), but there was a sign posted as we were walking into the Abbey that pickpockets are active there, so I was clutching my arm against my bag in case anyone decided that they wanted what was inside. Nothing's missing, so I guess I either shouldn't have worried or my methods worked. My arm was pretty tired by the end, though.

After Westminster we walked through St. James' Park and I fell in love again. Parks are among the best places in the world, I believe, and I especially appreciate them in a big city. St. James' was big and beautiful and it smelled of flowers. There were birds EVERYWHERE (including pelicans and some weird variety that seems to love parks here. I'll include a picture), and tourists. There were so many tourists.

We made our way over to Buckingham Palace and, on the way there we were passed by the Queen's guard (for changing of the guard). We followed the herd of people and took pictures in front of Buckingham palace. We then decided to go get food somewhere. We went back through St. James' and came across some beautiful picturesque buildings and I decided that we were actually on site for a period film and had somehow all missed the memo to wear a corset.

From St. James' we went to Picadilly Circus (we assumed that the food would be quite expensive right next to the tourist attractions). We just popped up out of the tube station and started to wander in search of food. We ended up at this hole-in-the-wall dive of a place with actually pretty good food called The Blue Posts.

The restaurant was run by men with piercings and tattoos and it smelled like urine (and faintly of weed) on the staircase. Actually, from my description I wonder why we decided to eat there in the first place. We were told the five of us could eat upstairs and we sat by table full of French people. Their French was fast and slurred, though, so it was tough for me to understand them (I'm able to understand a lot of the French I hear on the streets, though, which is exciting. Six years of studying the French language were not a waste!). Apparently the bathroom was a total dive, but I wasn't brave enough to venture in. I don't think I'll be visiting that restaurant again, but it was a good experience. I felt gross (like my hands, not my stomach) after leaving, though.

After Picadilly we went to Oxford Circus. Lizzie and Caitlin wanted to go to Liberty (a store where the cheapest item I saw was over 300 pounds) and another store whose name escapes me. We stopped at a place called Oasis and I drooled over a lot of the things there. Because it was the new princess's birthday today Oasis was having a sale where things were 20% off. I got a purse because of it. They were also giving out free gummy bears as part of the celebration. When something big happens in the royal family the whole of London celebrates.

We went to a couple more stores before I hit a wall and wanted to sleep right in the middle of the clothing racks (I didn't, though. That wouldn't be very practical of me). Lizzie and Caitlin still wanted to look around, but the other three of us were done with that particular store. Sarah, Kenna, and I made our way over to a bookstore, Waterstones, I had seen on the way and we found an entire wall full of 80p books. I bought four of them. And then, because I was already purchasing four books it was easy for me to pick up Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier because I love it and it was also a good price. I spent 13 pounds on five books. I'm pleased.

After the bookstore we decided to visit Spitalfields Market. I am so glad we did that and we'll definitely be going back to visit soon. To get to the market you have to go through Brick Lane (at least, you do if you get out at Aldgate East tube station) which is the Bengali center of town. It smelled so good on that street and had a more gritty feel to it than where we're staying. I wouldn't want to live there, but I loved it. I was so excited and a little terrified walking down that street.

We got to the market when people were taking their shops down so we got some killer deals (they mark down their items right at the end). It was such a fun environment and was the perfect way to end our very long day.

We decided to get on the first train heading the right direction and it turned out to be the perfect one! We had a long, but uneventful ride home (aside from the immense entertainment offered by drunks in the car adjacent to ours) and came home and plopped down. We're exhausted, but I wouldn't trade energy for the day we had.

No big deal, it's just the oldest door in Britian. . . Time is so easily traveled here.

In the Chapter House  in Westminster Abbey (photography was legal here, no worries)

It was just so incredible!

There is a carving of Christ above the entrance doors.

This part was largely destroyed during the Nazi bombings of WWII

The view from the courtyard. It is so beautiful here!

Some of the birds in St. James' Park. These are the pelicans, I believe.

From left to right: Sarah, Kenna, Caitlin, Lizzie

This is the willow from The Little Mermaid. Definitively. Or maybe it's that one on the other side. . . It's all magical.

A couple of geese with their baby. The one closest to the camera was eyeing everyone warning them not to get too close. Everyone obliged the glare.

These are the weird birds mentioned above. Upon seeing one for the first time Caitlin yelled, "What the fetch is that thing?!"

Just a river and beautiful trees and, oh yea, a PALACE.

The other side of the bridge, across from the palace.

Aside from the random guy going to take pictures of the flowers I love this picture.

Changing of the guard and some random fellow's eye and nose. We were right on the edge of the sidewalk and one of the guards on a horse said to us (I suppose we were off the sidewalk and onto the road), "Yes that's right; I'm coming towards you. Stay on the pavement, please. They're coming to you, no need to go to them." Thoroughly and politely reprimanded.

Buckingham palace (but I think Kensington is prettier).

Or maybe THAT's the willow from The Little Mermaid. I don't know.

And this is how you know you're no longer in the U.S.A.

Entrance to St. James' Village, I believe

The coolest tube station yet.

Picadilly Circus

I don't actually remember where I took this. Probably Picadilly.

I think this was Picadilly as well

Inside The Blue Posts. The lighting as terrible. It doesn't look like such a terrible place from the pictures.

Sarah and Kenna

Me and Sarah

Kenna got a grilled Brie and Cucumber sandwich and watching her enjoy it was as satisfying as any meal I've ever consumed.

Just Caitlin being smiley and cute

Kenna had fun at this restaurant

Candid stalker photo!

And another.

The window was the prettiest part of the restaurant. Notice the stick-on snowflakes that are still a part of the decor.

These mannequins were my favorite! They are probably the sassiest mannequins you will ever see. Seen in Oasis.

This is (partially) why I bought the purse

Waterstones! Bookstores are my weakness.

Brick Lane. I want to go back for the food.

On the way home. We were a teensy bit slaphappy, but it's all good. The drunks made us look normal.

And that, apparently, is what a Saturday in London looks like. I'm a fan.