After arriving in London around 7 in the morning and meeting up with Bri in the Gatwick Terminal, we took the train and then Tube to her flat in Canary Wharf (SE London). First thoughts, "Wowza, there are a lot of people here." But I guess that's how you'd feel in any major city when you're trying to go IN the city by train at 8:00 am, on a weekday, with a giant suitcase. Fail.
Our first point of business: The Tower of London. Now if seeing the place where Anne Boleyn and others were beheaded doesn't get you tingly with excitement- I don't know what will. The tours are led by BeefEaters (I really need to look this one up) and while the place is a snazzy 17 pounds to get in (about $25)....it did take up about 3 hours of our day. The crown jewels were AH-mazing. I've heard of people not going into the Tower because "it's only the crown jewels," well let me tell you, they were worth it and I wish I had a picture. If I was the queen and had access to those type of jewels, I think I'd wear my crown all day everyday. I'm sure she can afford a chiropractor to put her neck back in place from carrying all that weight.
Next we walked over to the Tower Bridge. I love this Victorian-era bridge for it's detail but I was really disturbed by the blue color. It's like the ugliest blue was on sale at Lowe's. Oh well, it still looks pretty from far away.
That was about all this jet-legged girl could handle in Day #1. Dinner and then bed for me. Day #2 was sure to be busy.
Wednesday we started our day at Buckingham Palace. And while I did title this "God Save the Queen," I did not see the queen. This day made me appreciate my 5'10" body. I usually hate it...but when 5,000 tourists are all trying to get the same view, it helps to be taller then them. The Changing of the Guard was more ornate than I could have imagined. They had two bands come (which we later found out was not normal) and one played, "Get Me to the Church in Time," no doubt in honor of Kate and William's big engagement news that broke the day before.
Next we walked to Westminster Abbey, which was quite majestic, but not quite worth the 15 pounds. Next time I'll go to a service and avoid the fee. St Margaret's Church and a walk past Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament rounded out our morning.
Our full day took us next to the National Gallery where I got in trouble for taking a photo. Oops. I think Briony and I could have left this off of our tour- I didn't find it any better than the Cincinnati Museum of Art. The Portrait Gallery (as recommended by my friend Aaron) was quite enjoyable. I would recommend this for people like me, who glazed over during British History in college and definitely needed a refresher on who married who and who killed who when it came to the British monarchy.
Lastly it was to Marylebone for the Christmas lighting ceremony. We perused the shops and played in the fake snow before finally heading out for dinner and sleep.
(Photo is taken on the steps of the National Gallery- in the background is Trafalgar Square and Big Ben can also be seen)
Tomorrow: Paris....
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