Whew. Arriving in London took it out of me. I was super tired from my long but amazing day with the Dutchies and not all that prepared for immigration. First hold up since my work visa fiasco coming back from Bali last year. I didn't have anything printed out. Well, not nothing. A bus ticket to Lancaster for later this week but that didn't help me much at all. I was grilled by the immigration lady mostly because I was American, but I have to admit that coming in and out of the EU had been so easy that my level of preparedness had dropped significantly. A few tears later she let me in. I think I even rambled on about wanting to see my Grandmother's country..Who knows, rattled and a bit put off by the whole situation I was on a bus to the city center.
Finding my hostel was easy enough. I picked one on recommendation and found it to be a relaxed little pub with a few dorm rooms upstairs. This was a plus and minus. While the people were chill and made for a nice conversation after the days end no on seemed to be touring. Most of the people there were on working holiday visas and busy sorting out jobs and apartments not stalking the Queen.
The first night I SHOPPED! Oh yes I did. London has a reputation for fabulous shopping and I gave in and bought too much for one trip. I stopped by Topshop and bought a great pair of earrings and then found a replacement pair of sandals as well. I will spare you the details of the rest of the trip, but I was whipping out that credit card like I had a job and didn't have to carry the all this crap for the next month. That evening I did something I haven't done in years! I saw a live show. Not just anybody, Local Natives, a band that's only cd has seen me through my travels and is rapidly climbing its way to the most played spot on my ipod! A bit nervous at first to go to a show solo, I got an early start and had a dinner of coffee before entering a popular venue in London, The Shepherd's Green. Grabbing a drink and finding a seat just in time for intermission proved to be the best move I made that day. I spent the time making friends with a guy from Chicago that was by chance sitting next to me, also on his own. Having someone to chat with made it that much better as I caught my first taste of live music since November, 2007 when I saw the Two Gallants in Seattle. Great end to a first day in the UK!
Day two I got an early start and got lost quite a bit in my quest to absorb as much Vitamin D as possible and the fact that the tube is like 5 pounds (8 dollars) a ride.....That being said, I found myself at one point staring at the British National Museum. A bit perplexed at how I got there, but happy to take a gander. All museums in England are free to visit. BEST COUNTRY EVER! I dotted around and caught my share of national treasures. I then pushed on to Camdentown. I visited the market, locks and had a great supper. I then headed back to the hostel and talked with a few girls who were just on a stopover at the end of the trip. Great stories and beer made for a good night.
Day three I basked in the sunshine. Love it! The sunshine made my mad dash to see all of London in one day a way better experience. After a quick breakfast in the park I was off to catch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. From there it was a walk to Westministers Abbey complete with an encounter with an awkwardly large bird. A stop at the London Eye followed up by a trip to the Tate Modern and I was exhausted. After hanging by the water I headed back on the most direct route to the hostel that may have been down Oxford Street. For all the restraint I practiced in Korea saving for this trip I have lapsed back into the shopper that I truly am. I'm okay with that, but no okay with my heavier backpack.
Finding my hostel was easy enough. I picked one on recommendation and found it to be a relaxed little pub with a few dorm rooms upstairs. This was a plus and minus. While the people were chill and made for a nice conversation after the days end no on seemed to be touring. Most of the people there were on working holiday visas and busy sorting out jobs and apartments not stalking the Queen.
The first night I SHOPPED! Oh yes I did. London has a reputation for fabulous shopping and I gave in and bought too much for one trip. I stopped by Topshop and bought a great pair of earrings and then found a replacement pair of sandals as well. I will spare you the details of the rest of the trip, but I was whipping out that credit card like I had a job and didn't have to carry the all this crap for the next month. That evening I did something I haven't done in years! I saw a live show. Not just anybody, Local Natives, a band that's only cd has seen me through my travels and is rapidly climbing its way to the most played spot on my ipod! A bit nervous at first to go to a show solo, I got an early start and had a dinner of coffee before entering a popular venue in London, The Shepherd's Green. Grabbing a drink and finding a seat just in time for intermission proved to be the best move I made that day. I spent the time making friends with a guy from Chicago that was by chance sitting next to me, also on his own. Having someone to chat with made it that much better as I caught my first taste of live music since November, 2007 when I saw the Two Gallants in Seattle. Great end to a first day in the UK!
Day two I got an early start and got lost quite a bit in my quest to absorb as much Vitamin D as possible and the fact that the tube is like 5 pounds (8 dollars) a ride.....That being said, I found myself at one point staring at the British National Museum. A bit perplexed at how I got there, but happy to take a gander. All museums in England are free to visit. BEST COUNTRY EVER! I dotted around and caught my share of national treasures. I then pushed on to Camdentown. I visited the market, locks and had a great supper. I then headed back to the hostel and talked with a few girls who were just on a stopover at the end of the trip. Great stories and beer made for a good night.
British National Musuem
Cutest tourist ever at the British Museum.
Relaxing at Hyde Park
Day three I basked in the sunshine. Love it! The sunshine made my mad dash to see all of London in one day a way better experience. After a quick breakfast in the park I was off to catch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. From there it was a walk to Westministers Abbey complete with an encounter with an awkwardly large bird. A stop at the London Eye followed up by a trip to the Tate Modern and I was exhausted. After hanging by the water I headed back on the most direct route to the hostel that may have been down Oxford Street. For all the restraint I practiced in Korea saving for this trip I have lapsed back into the shopper that I truly am. I'm okay with that, but no okay with my heavier backpack.
Changing of the Guard
Church near Westministers Abbey
Awkward large bird in the park...
London Eye
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