Katie had never been to London, so it was my job to show her around. And even though I brought her places that I have been to, I still saw so many new things along the way!
To make this post (which is going to be long!) more manageable, I will break it up into what we did each day... happy reading!
Day 1: Saturday
In order to meet Katie at Waterloo Station early in the morning, I went for a run at sunrise. Because of my gym membership, I have not taken advantage of pounding the pavement on the streets of London. However, this was a great experience! Early in the morning, almost no one is out. As I ran toward Parliament, Big Ben started to chime its morning greetings to the citizens of London. I couldn't help but smile! Even after 1 month here, I still need to pinch myself and remind myself that I AM LIVING IN LONDON! I continued on to Buckingham Palace, waved to the Queen, and then continued down The Mall to the Strand, and then back over Waterloo Bridge to get to my flat. It was such a pleasant run, and when I calculated the mileage, I was surprised to see that I had run 4 miles! I guess I didn't realize since there was so much to see as I was going!
At 9:30, Mark and I met Katie at Waterloo Station. The plan for the day? Stonehenge.
Yes, I realize that it is a pile of rocks. But how many people can be like, "O yeah, I've been to Stonehenge!"? After a lovely 1.5 hour train ride, we were in Salisbury, one of the oldest Medieval towns in England. After getting off the train, we went to find the Stonehenge tour bus, hopped on, and enjoyed a 30 minute ride to the site. Driving through the English countryside, one can not help but marvel at it's beauty. Endless green fields, rolling hills, and soooo many sheep!
Katie and I on the tour bus! Yeah, that's right, front row on the top of the double decker! (Thanks for getting the best seats ever Mark!)We were all enjoying the ride and chatting when we caught our first glimpse of Stonehenge. There it was! *Commence freak out!* The subject of many a history class, I was finally seeing it with my own eyes. We got off the bus and set out to the site. The bus would pick us up in an hour. Yeah. Apparently they want you to stare at rocks for an hour. But it was so much fun!
Mark, me, and Katie in front of Stonehenge!After taking an obscene amount of pictures, the cold and misty weather finally got to us, so we sought shelter in the gift shop. Never have you seen so many tacky souvenirs. We hung out there for awhile, and then caught the bus back to Salisbury.
Upon our return, we went to a local pub and got some lunch. It is so funny seeing groups of men throwing back 1, 2, or 6 (Yes, one man had 6!) pints of beer at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon. We stuck to sandwiches. After our delicious lunch served to us by the owner himself, we ventured into the town, wandered through a market, and then made our way to Salisbury Cathedral.
Upon our return, we went to a local pub and got some lunch. It is so funny seeing groups of men throwing back 1, 2, or 6 (Yes, one man had 6!) pints of beer at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon. We stuck to sandwiches. After our delicious lunch served to us by the owner himself, we ventured into the town, wandered through a market, and then made our way to Salisbury Cathedral.
Mark, me, and Katie in front of Salisbury CathedralNever have you seen college age kids run around a field, excitingly taking pictures of a medieval church. Until us. Three Catholic kids giddy from a church sporting a 6,200 TON spire! Upon entering the cathedral, we got a big surprise- the original Magna Carta is housed in the Chapter House!! Mr. Haynes would be so proud....
After spending a decent amount of time in the Cathedral, we ventured back into town and came upon a restaurant called "Boston Tea Party". Laughing at the irony, we went in and had tea and coffee. After talking for over an hour, we decided that since it was 6pm, we should probably head back to the station and catch the 6:16pm train to Waterloo.
Upon our return, Katie and I went for a walk on the Strand and through Covent Garden before heading back to the South Bank to go to a pub for dinner. We got some British pie and talked forever! When we finished our dinner, we asked for dessert, only to be told that since it was 10:30, the kitchen was closed! And then the hunt started. We wanted something sweet!
And I am serious about "hunt". We literally tried 10 restaurants, only to find that they were all closing at 11 and therefore would not serve us! After almost giving up hope, we happened upon "Strada", an Italian chain restaurant. I got Strawberry Gelati, and when the check came, I paid in 5p pieces. Yes. £3.95 in 5p pieces. I needed to get rid of them sometime! Might as well do it at 11pm...
Finally, it was time to call it a night after a long but fun day!
Day 2: Sunday
After planning on meeting early again, I went for a sunrise run. This time, I just ran along the South Bank. It's so funny to see this area empty- because there is so much to do here it always seems to be crowded. As Big Ben chimed 8am I turned around. Hearing Big Ben still has not lost its affect on me.
I met Katie at Waterloo Station again, and we headed East on the South Bank. We stopped by Tate Modern to see the famous sunflower seeds, took pictures in front of the Globe Theater, and headed toward Tower Bridge.
After spending a decent amount of time in the Cathedral, we ventured back into town and came upon a restaurant called "Boston Tea Party". Laughing at the irony, we went in and had tea and coffee. After talking for over an hour, we decided that since it was 6pm, we should probably head back to the station and catch the 6:16pm train to Waterloo.
Upon our return, Katie and I went for a walk on the Strand and through Covent Garden before heading back to the South Bank to go to a pub for dinner. We got some British pie and talked forever! When we finished our dinner, we asked for dessert, only to be told that since it was 10:30, the kitchen was closed! And then the hunt started. We wanted something sweet!
And I am serious about "hunt". We literally tried 10 restaurants, only to find that they were all closing at 11 and therefore would not serve us! After almost giving up hope, we happened upon "Strada", an Italian chain restaurant. I got Strawberry Gelati, and when the check came, I paid in 5p pieces. Yes. £3.95 in 5p pieces. I needed to get rid of them sometime! Might as well do it at 11pm...
Finally, it was time to call it a night after a long but fun day!
Day 2: Sunday
After planning on meeting early again, I went for a sunrise run. This time, I just ran along the South Bank. It's so funny to see this area empty- because there is so much to do here it always seems to be crowded. As Big Ben chimed 8am I turned around. Hearing Big Ben still has not lost its affect on me.
I met Katie at Waterloo Station again, and we headed East on the South Bank. We stopped by Tate Modern to see the famous sunflower seeds, took pictures in front of the Globe Theater, and headed toward Tower Bridge.
Katie and I in front of Tower Bridge We crossed the bridge, and then decided to go into the Tower of London. After seeing Traitor's Gate and White Tower, we headed to the Jewel House. After going on the moving sidewalks around the jewels 4 times, we still couldn't get over the fact that these all belonged to the Queen. They were gorgeous. Is it ok if I start wearing a crown everywhere? God, I wish that was acceptable in today's society!
After The Tower, we headed further into The City. We came upon St. Paul's Cathedral, and got to go inside for free since it was Sunday. We didn't get to tour it, and could only stay in the back, but still, you got to see so much. Let me say this right now- Charles and Diana did it right. Westminster Abbey, although GORGEOUS is quite plain inside compared to St. Paul's. Plus, it is more cluttered (Medieval architecture always is) whereas St. Paul's is very open, bright, and clean. I can't wait to go back and take the formal tour!
After The Tower, we headed further into The City. We came upon St. Paul's Cathedral, and got to go inside for free since it was Sunday. We didn't get to tour it, and could only stay in the back, but still, you got to see so much. Let me say this right now- Charles and Diana did it right. Westminster Abbey, although GORGEOUS is quite plain inside compared to St. Paul's. Plus, it is more cluttered (Medieval architecture always is) whereas St. Paul's is very open, bright, and clean. I can't wait to go back and take the formal tour!
Me in front of St. Paul's Cathedral After visiting the Cathedral, we headed toward Fleet Street with the intention of going to tea. However, along the way we stopped in St. Bride's church. This church is where the parents of the first European child born in the US were married. Also, according to legend, the steeple of this church is what inspired the modern tiered wedding cake! After looking in the church, which is a church favored by journalists, we headed down the Strand and decided to have afternoon tea. We stopped in to the Strand Palace Hotel, and enjoyed the traditional English afternoon snack. And fell in love. The portions are perfect, the food is is amazing, and you are so content (not full) after. I am totally doing afternoon tea when I get back to the States (Apartment 430- get ready to block out 1 hour of your day- it's gonna happen!!). After munching on tea sandwiches, scones, and some tiny cakes with our tea, we headed back to the Strand towards Trafalgar Square.
Katie and I enjoying afternoon tea
Today was the celebration of Chinese New Year, and the square was PACKED. We snapped a few pictures and saw a juggling act on a stage put up for the event, and then decided to head to the National Gallery (right on the square) to take in some art. After looking at the big names, the Museum was closing, so we had to leave. By now it was 6pm.
But our day was not over! We planned on going to mass at Westminster Cathedral at 7, so we walked there from the Strand. We got there in time to see the 5:30 mass finish, and the bishop was present! (There was a confirmation at that mass). We waited for our mass to start, and marveled at the beauty surrounding us. Seriously, churches in the US have nothing on the ones here. These make even St. Patrick's look boring!
After mass, it was time to call it a day. But not before we got a picture in front of our boyfriend, Ben!
Katie and I enjoying afternoon tea But our day was not over! We planned on going to mass at Westminster Cathedral at 7, so we walked there from the Strand. We got there in time to see the 5:30 mass finish, and the bishop was present! (There was a confirmation at that mass). We waited for our mass to start, and marveled at the beauty surrounding us. Seriously, churches in the US have nothing on the ones here. These make even St. Patrick's look boring!
After mass, it was time to call it a day. But not before we got a picture in front of our boyfriend, Ben!
And there you go, another successful day! Miles walked? 8. Jacked legs are gonna happen.Day 3: Monday
Because I don't have class, me and Katie met up again for more sight seeing! We met at Westminster Abbey at noon and headed to "The Old Monk" (The place that had that sign I featured in my last blog post!) to get some traditional fish and chips. And they were delicious (Surprise, surprise!)
Katie and I in "The Old Monk" with our Fish and Chips! After lunch we headed towards Buckingham Palace by cutting through St. James's Park. Because it was the middle of the day, there were minimal tourists, and we got to take a picture in front of the Buckingham Palace Gates!
At Buckingham PalaceWe then walked down The Mall to Trafalgar Square, so Katie could see how it looked without thousands of people there! We then went to Leichester Square, and then to Covent Garden, where we stopped for Snog! I think it's safe to say Katie has a new favorite FroYo place!
Snog! We then headed back to Leichester Square, then to Piccadilly Circus, where we went into Fortnum & Mason, the Queen's grocery store. A cup of tea here is £5.50. They have an entire floor dedicated to china. I'm in love. My dad said that I should get a nice tea set to put in my future house that can remind me of my time here... I hope he was serious, because I might need to stop in again and make some purchases!
After avoiding the temptation of buying china, we headed towards Harrods after passing through Wellington Arch.
After avoiding the temptation of buying china, we headed towards Harrods after passing through Wellington Arch.
Me in front of Wellington ArchAfter touring Harrods and Burberry's flagship store, we went toward Hyde Park and then went to Oxford Street to shop at Primark. By the time we were done with that, it was 8:30pm, and time to part ways! It was so sad to have to say goodbye to a friend and a familiar face, but we had sooo much fun!
Miles walked: 7
So besides seeing tons of stuff, we got some serious exercise! I love being a tour guide :)
Cheers!
Miles walked: 7
So besides seeing tons of stuff, we got some serious exercise! I love being a tour guide :)
Cheers!
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