I spent the week in London, & it was one of the greatest trips I've taken. Perhaps it was because I was able to speak English naturally (is that the correct word?), but it was a really nice time. I'll tell you now, since I'm back in France, but I did travel alone this trip.
I left La Rochelle Monday afternoon - this was by far the smallest airport I've ever been to - one runway used for landing & take off, one baggage carousel, about 3 baggage check desks, one security line, & customs consisted of 2 men standing at the exit checking passports. I arrived in London 3:30 p.m. local time. England is one hour behind France, & the flight is just over an hour long so it was like I didn't even lose part of my day. I didn't fly into Heathrow so I wasn't right in the city upon landing; rather is was Stansted which is outside, Northeast of London. A family acquaintance currently living in London met me at the airport and saw that I arrived to my hotel. We had to take a train from the airport to Liverpool street (about 1 hour) and take the tube (the underground metro) to Notting Hill where I was staying (about 20 min). I checked into my hotel and we went to a pub close to my hotel. Had the famous 'Fish & Chips' for dinner. I met with him again Tuesday & saw SO MUCH that day. It felt like I saw the whole city of London.
Westminster Abbey
Big Ben
London Eye
Side of Big Ben along Thames River
St Paul's Cathedral
Poor School Kids
Groups of school children EVERYWHERE. All wear uniforms, & some wear these neon vests that I had to laugh about.
Rosetta Stone in British Museum
Piccadilly Circus
Buckingham Palace
Queen was home; all week actually. Changing of the guard only occurs on odd even days during the off season - I did not see it.
Wednesday, I spent the day alone. But it was a good day alone. There are so many people walking around London that you don't know what their story is, so it really wasn't a 'weird' thing. In fact, I had a lot of people come up to ask me questions as to how to get places; then they realized I really wasn't a local. I did a bus tour which I could get on and off anywhere it stopped. I got on close to my hotel, and saw basically everything I saw Tuesday, but from the top of a bus giving my legs a rest. I got off at Buckingham Palace and never got back on. It was about 2:00 so I stopped for lunch, re-fueled & walked around the rest of the afternoon. I debated seeing a show at night because while on the tour I saw so many. But then I told myself I wouldn't; but everytime I'd get on the tube to go somewhere, I'd get off and walk around & somehow still manage to end up in the SAME area EVERYTIME - I figured it meant I was to see a show. So it was about 6:00 & I bought a ticket to see 'The Lion King' at 7:30. This was actually my first 'Broadway' show, if you will, that I saw. I enjoyed it. It let out about 10:00 which meant I had to find my way home. London is a very safe city; in fact I never felt scared, even after being robbed, on the tube or walking around at night alone. I of course couldn't find the tube station but saw a businessman walking so I asked him if he was going to it & of course he was so I followed.
My tour bus
Police Escort
Wonder if it was the Queen?! It was probably a political person or could've been someone royal - per the tour guide.
London Bridge
St Paul's Cathedral (again, but a better picture)
London Bridge
Buckingham Palace Guard
I need to do research on a few things. One being why they were in gray & not red.
Buckingham Palace
an Olympic countdown in Trafalgar Square
Lyceum Theatre
View from my seats; not bad.
This brings me to Thursday - my final day in London. Wandered around again - went to Madame Tusaud's wax museum. & went on the London Eye. By this time it was about 5:00 so I headed back towards my hotel. I had to be up VERY early Friday morning. So Thursday was kind of a low key day. I walked around the area of my hotel for a little before getting myself dinner, but was back by 9.
about as close as I got to meeting the Queen
& about as close as I'll get to meeting President Obama
my other current president (but hopefully not much longer): Nicolas Sarcozy
the London Eye
Holds up to 25 people per car. Takes 30 minutes to go the complete way around & provides great views of the city.
Friday morning - it was a rough one for me. My flight left at 8 a.m. The tube doesn't start until 5 a.m. I had to take a taxi from my hotel to Liverpool street where the train is. Taxi picked me up at 4:30. The train is specifically for the airport, that goes to and from Liverpool Street to the Airport daily. Got to the airport just around 6 and had long lines to wait in! Good thing I got there early! I am not a morning person whatsoever, 4 a.m. is just awful for me. But I made it & enjoyed a relaxing day at home in the sun.
The weather in London couldn't have been more perfect. Everyone I talked to said it's more gray & overcast than sunny - & it was sunny & 60 everyday I was there. I was VERY thankful for that.
I suppose I'll take the month of April off from traveling & actually go to school before Katie & Ashley's arrival at the end of the month for some more excursions! Just to clarify, I haven't missed any class time from my travels (in case you were concerned). April is a little more spent at school & no week long breaks - bummer - so hopefully will fly by as this is my final month here (in France that is...)
Happy Palm Sunday! Very non-religous here; wonder what Easter will be like! I'll be sure to let you know!
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