London, day two

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Transcribed from my journal yet again:

7-22-06

We got up early and walked to a cute little French pastry shop. I had something akin to a croissant with yummy fruit inside. Delicious. Then it was off to the Tower of London. It was HUGE. It's strange to think that I was walking where Henry the VIII, Anne Boleyne, even Queen Elizabeth I walked. We saw the crown jewels, the "Bloody Tower", the torture display, and the spot where the beheadings took place (those beheaded there include Anne Boleyn.) Oh! And we watched the ravens. They are BIG boys! I guess they keep them fat to keep them from leaving. Legend has it that if the ravens leave, the tower will fall.

Next was Westminster Abby (Big, beautiful, breathtaking), Big Ben (Really big. We walked out of Westminster station, looked up, and BAM! There was Ben, absolutely towering above us), then Parliament (from afar). We found a little "greasy spoon" type cafe and finally had fish and chips. The fish portion was as big as my forearm. Yowsa.

Let me tell you something I've learned about fish and chips. THEY ARE DELICIOUS.

After that, we went to some random shops, and ended our evening at the Namco Play Station. It had to have been the biggest arcade I have ever seen in my life. Video games, DDR, bumper cars, bowling ally, AND a bar. It was insane. Dinner was at another cute little authentic Italian cafe down the street from the hotel. A pizza hit the spot, and our waiter was fun.

I realized that we have an internet cafe less than a block away, a Ben & Jerrys, Sushi restaurant and an Underground station across the street, and stores all around. And I don't think this place sleeps.

This would seem to be paradise.

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Photos

Outside the Tower of London
Big.

Outside the Tower of London 2
Another portion of the castle...

Inside the Tower of London
Walking brick pathways.

Inside the Tower of London 2
Stained glass in one of the towers.

Raven
Mr. Raven McChunkypants. About as big as a cat.

Wow! Look! A raven!
God, I'm a dork.

Staircase
in one of the towers. Henry the VIII wouldn't have been able to climb it, it was so narrow. (We all know what a fatty he was) I only had a few inches of room on each side myself.

Big Ben
I told you he was big.

The London Eye
Big freaking ferris wheel.

Westminster Abby
Beautiful.

Sky Shot
One of the top parts of the abby.

Fish and chips!
Yes, it tasted as good as it looks.

Fish and chips! (the aftermath)
...I got full.

Into You Tattoo
World renowned for their work. No, mom. I didn't get anything done there.

Best store name ever
Awwww. Maybe this can be Tim's new nickname, instead of Lady Mitchell. (After where our lectures take place, Lady Mitchell Hall. I thought it was clever.)

Dali Museum
Neat sculpture. A big replica of one of his, for all of you who aren't art history majors.