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Don Segberg I'm going to have to put a slow down on entering my blogs here...however, when your fitting in 2 weeks worth of sightseeing into 3 days, well..LOTS to see and tell. I am in the PROCESS of figuring out the picture thing...so soon enough I will add the appropriate pictures to the blog (I will spare you the naked englishmen, THOUGH the pics are floating around.)
My first day in, I made a quick trip through Green Park, only to be forced under the shade of a massive tree b/c of the torrential downpour that came from no where. When the storm subsided, I saw this large black/golden gate with a royal ensignia on it. Buckingham Palace (and yes the queen WAS in...even did some zooming in with my camera and video camera, will go through the evidence later to see if I've caught old mum in her knickers!) Other than to look at it and take a pic...really nothing much but to say you've been there. From there I tried to venture my way down to 10 Downing street and maybe stop in and visit the new Prime Minister...however, much like all my little trips and discoveries, I
got lost and ended up finding the Westminster Abbey. I hate LOOKING like a tourist, so the map stays in my backpack until I've found a little knook where I can look in peace.
The Abbey was unreal. Every 3 feet there is an effigy or a tomb or some sort of marker in rememberance of a historical figure, royal person or corrupt politicial. The architecture was fantastic...you actually find yourself staring up at the ceiling of the Abbey so much your neck hurts. I was taken away by how large it actually is...and as I said...every step you take you are in front of some tomb...remembering that it is still a fairly active cathedral in London, as well as tourist trap. Near the end of one of the halls, in a room, there is a little hidden room that everyone bottlenecks into...and there in her tomb is Mary, Queen of the Scots. Probably the quietest room in the entire place. With all the places you search through, near the end of the tour...you come across Isaac Newtons tomb/effigy (i think effigy) and I was quite glad that Da Vinci Code fans weren't sprawled all over taking photos, trying
to get a pic of the apple...ugh...AMERICANS!! At one point, in the poets section, there was a GAGGLE of old, american ladies...and as they read the names of the poets on the stone floor...they began warning each other NOT to step on Shakespeares grave...or T.E. Laurences Grave. (didn't have the heart to break it to them.
From there I wandered to Trafalgar Square, which was completely taken over for the start of the Tour De France (which had it's first two stages in England...first stage in London today actually!) and from there I made my way down to Liecester Square (pronounced LESTER square, not LIE CHESTER square as I almost caught myself doing) I walked around, took photos and saw a few sites then made my way back to Palmers Lodge. End of Day 1.
Day 2 of touring (after getting back from the Henley Royal Regatta) began with a trip right down into Westminster and after a quick close up pick of Parliament (and big ben) I hopped across the Thames and got on the London Eye. I'm not sure of the exact height it goes too, however, you generally all know that I'm scared of heights
(Elaan knows ALL to clear from our Jasper Ski trip when she and her daughter began swinging...asses!!haha) The london eye is basically a capsule that is surrounded with glasses,except for the floor...and it swings slowly around and takes you above the London skyline. I wanted to brave the heights so I made my way quickly to the west side of the capsule...and everyone else took the middle benches, so my option being relatively safe was out. I did pretty good, got some great shots on both of my cameras...then this 'lovely' little girl (brat) decided to start jumping all around me as we got to the summit of our trip. I think everyone thought I was slightly odd as I tip toed my way from side to side...hugging the middle bench as I basically CRAWLED across the capsule. Just as my luck goes with ferris wheels....the eye was stopped for about 5 minutes when we were at the very top...probably some wheel chair trouble at the bottom...but I survived and have some great shots out of it.
I then ventured down to the Imperial War Museum (another FREE museum!!) and spent around 2 1/2 hours touring there...had a great
Holocaust exhibit that was actually touching and made you feel sick at the same time...humanity sucks people! Makes me want to read Elie Wiesl's 'NIGHT' again. THEN...on my adventure back I made a quick stop at Baker Street (sherlock Holmes anyone!?) and did a FAST little stop in the museum there.
Wow, I'm tired from writing this, can't imagine reading it...sorry to you all!!! Tomorrow starts off nice and early with a trip down to the Tower of London, Globe Theatre, Millenium Bridge, Madame Tussauds wax museum. Then possibly a drink with Sara and a friend of hers back in London....AFTER they've gone to see Justin Timberlake at the O2 (formerly millenium place)
One last thing to add...Jess you are correct and my hostel apparantly IS haunted. Look at the history of it and wonder why I spend all day walking around...I literally crash hard when I lay down in bed. God knows if I heard the children giggling at night...i'd shit! hahahaha (Honestly...who puts a hostel in a former 'Hospital for Incurable Children'!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?)
Anway, look out for pictures soon!
Yours in London,
Don
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