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Trafalgar Square
The first place we set our feet in the heart of London. I survived my first night in the hostel. Before this whole trip, every one of my friends told me watch the movie Hostel where guys are being mutilated and killed by crazies, but Richard and I have spoiled ourselves by staying in such a nice hostel for out first hostel experience. When I woke up at around 8am, there was hot water in the shower, it was clean, very weak water pressure. I was laughing in the shower because it has one of those shower heads that detaches so it becomes almost handheld, but the water comes out so softly I had to hold it like a microphone about an inch from my face. We got dressed, put our daypacks together and we headed out for our first day in London.
It took me a while to realize it, and I still think Richard doesn't, but we couldn't have had a better day in London weatherwise. Usually London is overcast and rainy, but it was sunny, with cool breezes, not that humid, and not a cloud in the sky. Being the master travelers we are with no public transportation system we can't decode, we walked up the street to
My Watch In London Is Big Ben
Big Ben in all its glory. It proved useful because both of us didn't bring watches or cell phones on the trip. a bus stop and took the bus to Trafalgar Square. I am glad we took the bus because not only was it a convenient and cheap way to get around, but we got to look out the window and see the streets of London. So many small specialty stores, ethnic restaurants, and high end boutiques. We got off at the square, took some photos of the statues and fountains and caught site of Big Ben sticking out of the skyline to the south so walked that direction.
One note to make; if you ever want to be immortalized, live and work in London. They have hundreds, probably thousands of statues and plaques of people who did things like "Engineered the Public Water System". Some don't even say what the person did.
Anyways, we stopped to eat luch at a deli. Even though people here speak English, I still can't understand most of what they say. I ordered an Italian Tuna sandwich, which was tuna with green olives in it, but I couldn't understand the guy when he "allegedly" asked if it was for here or to go. So he got kind of bent out of shape when Richard
The London Eye
Me walking under the London Eye. The line was either too long or we were too impatient, you decide what the reason was for us not going on it. ordered his for sit-down and I "allegedly" asked for mine to go. The portions here are smaller than what we are used to, it was like those PB&J sandwiches you would get in preschool with the crust cut off. It wasn't bad, but for the price, we were left salivating for more.
We followed the hordes of other tourists, I actually felt a connection to mobs of Asians I usually get annoyed by in New York and Disneyland, to Big Ben and the Pariament Building. Took some photos, then crossed the bridge over the Thames and walked past the Eye, which is a huge ferris wheel. We pretty much just walked along the Thames on our way to Tower Bridge and the British War Experience (which we ended up not going into because it just looked like a military wax museum). The walk was far, probably a couple miles or in Richard and mine's terms, 5 bridges. It was just neat walking the streets. Weird street performers, like a person painted gold (I think he was dressed up like the wizard from the Lord of the Rings) who stands still for spare change. So much history. Strange to realize
Tower Bridge
We chose to cross the Thames in style. some streets and buildings have been here for hundreds and hundreds of years. You walk along this path overlooking the Thames and then bam, on your left is the Shakespeare Globe Theatre or some statue or building that looks like Henry VIII had it built. We crossed over Tower Bridge and headed back to where we started on the other pathway that runs along the river.
I am no longer worried about dying from a car hitting us, but from getting trampled by joggers. We must have seen hundreds of joggers out in this city. Some solo, some in pairs, some in trios. It was crazy. Being Americans, Richard and I asked "Its Tuesday at 11am, don't these people work?". I speculated these joggers are all pick-pocket theifs disguised as joggers. After more miles walked, we came back to Big Ben, walked a bit to see Westminster Abbey, and then caught a double-decker bus back to the hostel. We did all of this by 4pm, or 8am Arizona time. Richard took a nap and I relaxed in the awesome courtyard the hostel has and drank a beer. I decided to do some laundry, I feel like I am back
Taking A Breather In The Park
It was a busy day for us in Parliament so we needed to recuperate in the neighboring park. at the dorms where I have to keep track of how long the cycle is running so my clothes won't be sitting in there, waiting for someone to steal them. No trust I have. We are pretty worn out from all our urban hiking, but we'll probably go to bar nearby tonight. I talked to a girl originally from Hong Kong going to school in New York City while I was hanging out in the courtyard, so she might come with. I am kind of bummed, but yet excited to go Rome tomorrow. Bummed because London is a really happening and cool city, so I'd like to stay longer.
Here's my take: if you live in New York City, you might not think London is that much different or spectacular, because the two really aren't that much different, but being from Arizona, it was a new experience and am happy to say I have been to London and it was great.
Have fun,
Matt
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Mom
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Big City News
I am so glad you are enjoying London. You are absolutely going to LOVE Rome. Have fun and be safe. Love, Mom