On Friday we got woken up, like we do every week, by the 3 tests of the fire alarm. Can't they find a different day...h
eck, a differnt time (instead of 830am) to do this? Ah well. It goes off 3 times a row and after that we all just lay in bed. I have this feeling we are all up, but just dont make the motion. Well I got up and got ready for the day. The rest of my roommates went to a synagogue (our out of class assignment was to go to an abbey or synagogue). After they left I wrote some more postcards and made plans with others. We went to lunch around noon, and from there Erica, Maragret, Hailey, Val and I went to St. Pauls Cathedral...Jake went to a used book store to explore and meet up with us later. We went got to St. Pauls, I have been there already so I just walked around the area and explored. I wanted to hopefully mail my postcards and such, but no luck in finding international stamps. That didn't work, so I bought I dress instread. I need to get to the post office today to get that sorted out. We met back up around 230 and took the tube to meet up with Jake at Westminster Abbey.
eck, a differnt time (instead of 830am) to do this? Ah well. It goes off 3 times a row and after that we all just lay in bed. I have this feeling we are all up, but just dont make the motion. Well I got up and got ready for the day. The rest of my roommates went to a synagogue (our out of class assignment was to go to an abbey or synagogue). After they left I wrote some more postcards and made plans with others. We went to lunch around noon, and from there Erica, Maragret, Hailey, Val and I went to St. Pauls Cathedral...Jake went to a used book store to explore and meet up with us later. We went got to St. Pauls, I have been there already so I just walked around the area and explored. I wanted to hopefully mail my postcards and such, but no luck in finding international stamps. That didn't work, so I bought I dress instread. I need to get to the post office today to get that sorted out. We met back up around 230 and took the tube to meet up with Jake at Westminster Abbey. Random story! There is alot of road construction happening around the St. Pauls area, as I was walking back to sit in the courtyard and the road to cross only one lane of traffic open. So it's no secret anymore, everyone jay-walks in London...I--and this older gentlemen next to me are no different. The man was slightly ahead of me and began to walk...there was a bicyclist coming and what does he do to the man? Almost punches him in the face! He puts his fist out to hopefully hit him. Why? Perhaps because the bikes are as demanding as car drivers here...idk. Withing a foot of this man's face no joke. So weird.
We told Jake to meet us at the Westminster station at 3. There are at least 4-5 different entrances/exits at that station. Ha. When we found each other we went across the square, that was full of war protestors, and saw Westminster Abbey. We did not go inside, perhaps a church service is in order, but we did lay on the dead grass outside of it. Just the outside of it was beautiful. We took a rest because by that time it was 430 and we had been on our feet all day and dehydrated.
We told Jake to meet us at the Westminster station at 3. There are at least 4-5 different entrances/exits at that station. Ha. When we found each other we went across the square, that was full of war protestors, and saw Westminster Abbey. We did not go inside, perhaps a church service is in order, but we did lay on the dead grass outside of it. Just the outside of it was beautiful. We took a rest because by that time it was 430 and we had been on our feet all day and dehydrated. After a short rest we went to Trafalgars Square...there are two festivals happening this weekend in London. 1) On Thursday was Canada Day and 2) this weekend is gay-pride celebration. In the square there was a mix of the two, so the people with me who hadn't been there before, didn't get the whole affect. Luckily the National Gallery (on side of the square) was open until 9 that night so we decided to have a look see. One more thing is crossed off my bucket list....I have now seen original Monet, Degras, Reni
or, and van Gogh. If you need to know something not alot of people know...I love impressionism art. I could get lost in it....that is why when I saw the original "The Lily Pond" by Monet my heart stopped for a moment. Here I thought I still had 3 more days (this is a joke. I am NOT dying) Random story of our day--We stopped by a coffee shop because it's still so hot here, and got smoothies. a sticker got on me and I didn't even realize it. I'm rotten in 3 days hehe. So back to Monet....it was wonderful. We also stopped at the Hogarth exhibit, he did multiple paintings to tell story (kinda the beginning of comics)...very good. In the gift shop they had the weirdest things though. They had finget puppets of the famous artists like Monet, DaVinci, van Gogh....but my thought was why? The puppets were definately a funny gift and idea, but Im not about to buy one.
or, and van Gogh. If you need to know something not alot of people know...I love impressionism art. I could get lost in it....that is why when I saw the original "The Lily Pond" by Monet my heart stopped for a moment. Here I thought I still had 3 more days (this is a joke. I am NOT dying) Random story of our day--We stopped by a coffee shop because it's still so hot here, and got smoothies. a sticker got on me and I didn't even realize it. I'm rotten in 3 days hehe. So back to Monet....it was wonderful. We also stopped at the Hogarth exhibit, he did multiple paintings to tell story (kinda the beginning of comics)...very good. In the gift shop they had the weirdest things though. They had finget puppets of the famous artists like Monet, DaVinci, van Gogh....but my thought was why? The puppets were definately a funny gift and idea, but Im not about to buy one.We left and went to find someplace for dinner. We found a random pub Waxy O'Connors. I'm glad I had a drink or else I would have probably exploded at someone. The place was an awesome style (tree house like), feel (fun pub), and music (shake that ass...omg) to it...however, horrible service and in my case...ridiculous pricing made me mad. Vent session start here: Their menu consisted of small plates (not appetizers) and large plates. I wasn't starving so I had a small plate of brushetta. However it took them forever to recognize the group of us and decide to take time to take our orders...and then to figure out where we were sitting (even though we told them about 3 times we would be upstairs). My brushetta, I'm paying 6.45 for it....I'm expecting a plate that is consistent with the price. LIES! It was two small pieces of bread with brushetta and cheese around it/on it. I was so ticked. I could have upgraded to a large plate for 1.50 more and actually gotten a meal. bugga. By that point I needed a drink. The most expensive, but strong, rum and coke I've gotten since I've been here. I'm thankful for that and that Jake shared his french fries with me.
On Saturday I finally got to sleep in a little. a good solid 9 hours. However, I feel like my body has been getting to not getting this much sleep and I was tired until after lunch. Today Erica, Hailey, Val and I wondered around the city again. We started by going to Millenium Bridge. This is my first Harry Potter stop. Woohoo. Luckily we made it across the bridge with no sign or attack by death eaters. hehe We may have taken a few goofy pictures "acting" that the bridge was wobbling because of "death eaters" but it was completely staged. When we reached the other end of the bridge we walked to the Globe Theater. To be honest, if not inside for a tour or play, not that epic...I probably would have walked right past it. I'm sure the inside is cooler, but that will be another day perhaps. We continued down towards Tower Bridge. On the way there we saw what was left of Winchester Palace, the Golden Hinde (an old wood
en ship that has nothing to do with diversity) and alot of random art pieces. One of them looked like a large black egg that was about to start rolling. So I took a picture that looks like I'm pushing it and Val was going to get crushed by it. Very funny. We finally ended up at Tower Bridge. It is HUGE! Not that I thought it would be tiny, but seriously...very cool thing to walk across. Throughout the day the breeze was nice, but also seemed to like my dress skirt. There were a few close calls earlier that day, but when on the bridge, London got a free but quick show. I could have gotten away with it because no one ever people watches at Tower Bridge because...it's Tower Bridge, but my automatic reaction was a loud "WOOOOO!" and then people stop what they are doing. Ah well, it happens to the best of us. Val went to an old toy museum and the rest of us really wanted ice cream. We found frozen yogurt. My new favorite thing. I had strawberries, granola and almonds as toppings....so worth the money. That was like a meal in a cup. We then traveled to the northern part of Camden and found a firework place to prepare for our celebration tomorrow night. I picked up TWO packs of sparklers. Wonderful! We then went grocery shopping (yay for having food again!) and went home. I chilled in my room, had two skype conversations, and then went out with the girls. It was crazy. Between gay pride and meeting two guys from Texas, it was fun. Did not get home until 4AM though....down side.
en ship that has nothing to do with diversity) and alot of random art pieces. One of them looked like a large black egg that was about to start rolling. So I took a picture that looks like I'm pushing it and Val was going to get crushed by it. Very funny. We finally ended up at Tower Bridge. It is HUGE! Not that I thought it would be tiny, but seriously...very cool thing to walk across. Throughout the day the breeze was nice, but also seemed to like my dress skirt. There were a few close calls earlier that day, but when on the bridge, London got a free but quick show. I could have gotten away with it because no one ever people watches at Tower Bridge because...it's Tower Bridge, but my automatic reaction was a loud "WOOOOO!" and then people stop what they are doing. Ah well, it happens to the best of us. Val went to an old toy museum and the rest of us really wanted ice cream. We found frozen yogurt. My new favorite thing. I had strawberries, granola and almonds as toppings....so worth the money. That was like a meal in a cup. We then traveled to the northern part of Camden and found a firework place to prepare for our celebration tomorrow night. I picked up TWO packs of sparklers. Wonderful! We then went grocery shopping (yay for having food again!) and went home. I chilled in my room, had two skype conversations, and then went out with the girls. It was crazy. Between gay pride and meeting two guys from Texas, it was fun. Did not get home until 4AM though....down side.On Sunday, our day of independence from good old England. I slept until 1030 (the roommates were up at 9...ah well). Erica, Lisa (now back from Italy), Val and Hailey traveled to attempt to further our festivities by finding a bakery that specialized in American bakery goods which meant cupcake. Unfortunatley although they were cute and festive, they were also 2.95 per cupcake. The idea was good, but I like my money too much I guess...and so did everyone else. We then wandered around Oxford street stopping in random stores and then made it home aroudn 430. I then had some down time in my room, where all I wanted to do was sleep but did not...if I was going to sleep it 
was going to be a full nights sleep. it was not until 7 that we met up with the others and headed up to Parliament Hill for our all-American picnic. We had hot dogs, chips, grapes, cookies, booze and fireworks. The last two probably dont seem like a good combination but it was fine. I have never been to Hampstead Heath. It is a big park just north of town on a huge hill that overlooked the hill. It was beautiful. It had long meadow-like grass. One side of the hill overlooked the city the other looked over the country. It was a great spot for dinner and festivities. We ate, played with sparklers, and then lit off our fountains....I got worried. None of us knew if it was illegal to set off fireworks in a park. For the second one, I decided to begin to walk home and watched it from afar just incase. I would like to stay for the whole trip, ya know? Over all it was a good night, fun times, and a fantastic night sleep (from 11-9) yyyyyyeeeeeessss!
was going to be a full nights sleep. it was not until 7 that we met up with the others and headed up to Parliament Hill for our all-American picnic. We had hot dogs, chips, grapes, cookies, booze and fireworks. The last two probably dont seem like a good combination but it was fine. I have never been to Hampstead Heath. It is a big park just north of town on a huge hill that overlooked the hill. It was beautiful. It had long meadow-like grass. One side of the hill overlooked the city the other looked over the country. It was a great spot for dinner and festivities. We ate, played with sparklers, and then lit off our fountains....I got worried. None of us knew if it was illegal to set off fireworks in a park. For the second one, I decided to begin to walk home and watched it from afar just incase. I would like to stay for the whole trip, ya know? Over all it was a good night, fun times, and a fantastic night sleep (from 11-9) yyyyyyeeeeeessss!That is all for now. Have a great week, hope you all had a wonderful 4th and will update on Thursday....bring on week 5
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