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I WAS THERE!!!
They really do have the traditional red phone booths, but only in the central area of London. Otherwise, they have more updated versions. I guess the tourist traffic and the expectation of seeing them means that BT has to maintain them. The morning started out with no problems. Doug brought Helen and I to the train station so that I could head south to London and Helen could go see her friend Helen in Leeds. This time on the train, I had a reserved seat and I actually sat in it! (On the first trip, I made it to the end of the train and never actually found my seat, or the car it was in for that matter. I ended up boarding because the train was getting ready to depart and just taking a random seat. Found out later that the train had actually been reorganized and that my car was in fact not present...made me feel a bit better about the whole situation!) Got back to London King's Cross at about 12:30 and set off on the tube to stow my baggage at the
Wake Up! London hostel. It was too early for me to check in so basically I left my luggage in a back room and hoped that I didn't lose my claim ticket while I went sight-seeing.
I headed back to get the tube to Trafalgar Square which is right in the heart of London. Nelson's
column is huge and just walking around the square was an experience. So many people just sort of hanging out in addition to all the tourists. I didn't go to any of the museums near the square, but I look forward to doing that during future trips to London.
After I'd had my fill, I headed south down Whitehall so that I could see Big Ben and Parliament (btw, lil sis, there isn't actually a roundabout close enough that Clark Griswold could have said this to his kids, but I did think of you on my very own "european vacation") and Westminster Abbey. I crossed the Westmister Bridge over the Thames and went to back underground on yet another train. The travelpass I had for the day was wonderful...£4.80 and I could ride all day on the underground or city buses all over central London.
Next stop was London Bridge which was not too exciting, but I can say I've been there. It was originally built by the Romans, and the reason there's a song about London Bridge falling down is because it was bombed and rebuilt so many times that it became kind of a joke. Now,
Buckingham Palace
From Trafalgar Square, you can see Buckingham Palace. I didn't go all the way down since I wouldn't get to see the changing of the guard and I didn't want to have to pay to go in. Next time.... it's built out of plain blasé concrete. From the bridge, I was able to see the HMS Belfast, the Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London. I didn't walk down to see them, but I got the best pics I could!
I headed back across the bridge and headed past Southwark Cathedral along the Southbank into the area called Bankside. I got to see the Globe theatre, Vinopolis, the Golden Hinde, and the pub that was in Bridget Jones' Diary. I crossed the Millenium bridge to see St. Paul's Cathedral (which is HUGE!). The bridge was stable when I crossed it...when it was first opened it was wiggly and they had to close it for repairs. It's a very cool, pedestrian only bridge that has great views of Thames and was the first bridge to be opened over the Thames in over 100 years.
Then, I needed to head back to the London Eye for my flight on the 450-foot tall observation wheel. It was a relatively clear day in London and I could see all the sights listed in my guide. Being in the city on foot, it's hard to realize how big it actually is. When
I went a greater distance, it was underground and when I was walking, I was in a pretty condensed area. Being 450 feet up in the air, I was able to see just how immense the city was. I've never been anywhere to a metropolis as vast. Kansas is neverending, but there's nothing cool to look at...just corn and sunflowers for MILES.
After my flight, I walked along the Thames and saw the beautiful Hungerford bridge that was opened as part of the Millenium Project. The sun was beginning to set and the lights of the city were starting to sparkle. Just walking through the city at dusk was a great experience.
Then I rushed to get back on the tube and go to Piccadilly Circus so that I could be in my seat for "Whose Life is it Anyway?" starring Kim Cattrall. The play was wonderful and I'm very glad I got to see the show. It was weird though to be able to feel the floor shake as
London Bridge
I'm glad it wasn't falling down when I was going across. the trains went from place to place.
I got back to my hostel by about 23:00 and had to finally check into my room. My bags were very lonely in the baggage room. When I put them in, I had to move some other people's bags to make room for mine and now they were the only bags in the room. I then got to have more of the lovely experience of dragging my bags up to the 2nd floor. Now, a bit of knowledge for you...in places other than the US, the entry level floor is ground level and after you go up to the next level, you're on the first floor. So, basically, my room was on what most of you know as the 3rd floor of the hotel.
My room was Lovely with a capital L. I still haven't decided whether it was pink or orange paint on the walls, but it was a bed on which to sleep after a really long day running around London. The bed wasn't v. comfortable, but at that point it just didn't matter. I was completely beat from my travels and it wouldn't be long until I had
View from London Bridge
The large bridge is Tower Bridge, v. pretty and well maintained. In front is the HMS Belfast and on the left bank, you can see the Tower of London. I think the actual tower is right at the edge of the picture. to be up and ready to make my return journey.
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anonymous
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glad to see your having fun
i hope you come home eventually - i have a wedding reception in may of 2006 for you to attend (if you drive to florida). anyways - have a blast! - mandebooks