The parade itself started at ten o'clock this morning. Hannah (another girl in the program) and I went to the parade together and we found a pretty good spot on the second or third row alongside the road (we got there early). I turned around just before the parade started and was amazed by the number of people who had filled in the steps behind us. Everyone loves the Queen.
I love parades, so this was so much fun for me. There were probably about five or six marching bands (I lost count) who passed by, and all of them had a bassoonist. That is the first time I've ever seen a marching bassoon, and I was impressed. Those things aren't easy to move around with.
After most of the marching bands had passed, the carriages began to show up. William and Kate were in the first one, and then there were two others with people I, unfortunately, didn't recognize. We then waited for a while longer, and another marching band (this one on horses) began to pass our way. In the middle of the horses was a carriage pulling the Queen and her husband, Prince Philip. Queen Elizabeth is an adorable human being.
After that we decided to leave. Apparently there was a flyover a few hours later, and the Royal family waved from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, but we didn't wait for that. I went to the Natural History Museum instead.
After finals I'm always exhausted, no matter how easy or difficult they've been. So a part of me was tempted to stay inside and be utterly boring. But then I remembered that this was essentially my last day in London, so I decided to visit the museum I was most excited to see.
It was incredibly crowded, but it was a lot of fun being there. It's a very interactive museum, so I only took one picture on my way out (sorry, you'll have to visit yourself one day). It actually made me feel good about the education I've received, because I'd learned a lot of what the museum was saying before. It was wonderful to have a refresher, though, because I haven't exactly felt the need to remember all those facts about rocks and cells and volcanoes.
After the museum I went back to the Centre and chatted with my roommates. This is the last night we'll all be here in this room together because most of them are leaving tomorrow. And it's over, just like that. What a time it's been.
The first marching band
Do you see the bassoon? He's on the front row, third or fourth from the back.
William and Kate
The fanciest guard we saw. This group was right before the Queen's carriage.
And there she is! Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip.
And the hordes of people behind me. . . I've decided that I don't much fancy large crowds like this.
In the Natural History Museum. I know it's a different dinosaur, but all I thought of was Night at the Museum.
And that was today! It's been a lovely experience here in London, and I can't wait to see what Paris and Switzerland bring.
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