First off: Shout out to whoever is following me in Russia! It totally made my day when my homepage alerted me that I had a reader in Russia, aka coolest country EVER! (No pun intended...)
Ok, now onto my week! So here we go!
Saturday, March 19:
So today I greeted my second guest from the US- my friend Kayla. After meeting her at Paddington and getting her settled in, we wasted no time- it was off to Notting Hill! First we went to Kensington Gardens, admired Kensington Palace, and walked around the park. We then made our way to Notting Hill, where we walked around, taking in the sights and smells of Portobello Market. I'm not the biggest fan of crowds, but even though it was one of the most crowded places I have ever been in my life, I still had a blast! The area was absolutely gorgeous, and there were so many things to see, including the home of George Orwell! (GAHHHHHH!!!!!)
Kensington Palace, and the Gardens in front of it
Kayla in Kensington Gardens
GEORGE ORWELL'S HOUSE!!!!! AHHHHHHH!!!
Walking to Portobello Market... loving the colors of the houses!
The World Famous Portobello Market!
After finishing up Portobello Market, we set out to find "The Travel Bookshop"- the bookshop Hugh Grant works in in the movie "Notting Hill", also starring Julia Roberts! And we found it! EEEKKKKK!!!!
The Travel Bookshop storefront
Next, we made our way through Hyde Park towards the V&A so Kayla could see my favorite museum. But not before I could snap this awesome picture of the Albert Memorial from Hyde Park! Even though it is March, all the flowers and trees are in full bloom. Isn't it amazing?!
The Albert Memorial from Hyde Park
Unfortunately we arrived at the V&A only an hour before closing, so I quickly showed Kayla the main attractions of the museum. We then headed back out. We walked by Harrod's, Hyde Park, the Wellington Arch, Green Park, Buckingham Palace, and down the Mall. After walking through Admiralty Arch, we walked around Trafalgar Square.
It was too early to head back to the flat, so I decided to show Kayla Leichester Square, Piccadilly Circus, and Covent Garden. After a quick stop at Tesco to get some supplies for the week, it was finally time to head back to the flat. We walked over Waterloo Bridge, and Kayla got her first glimpse of how amazing London looks at night. However, as we reached National Theater, something was different. Some of the side of the theater had more concrete blocks on it- a course of sorts. Turns out Red Bull was sponsoring an event called "Art in Motion", where the next day a bunch of par core athletes from around the world were going to compete for the title of Red Bull Athlete.
Exhausted, we headed back to the flat, promising to catch the competition the next day.
Sunday, March 20:
Today was a busy day. After a late start, I gave Kayla a tour of the east end of the South Bank. After heading over Tower Bridge we headed into the heart of The City. I still hadn't seen a bunch of the buildings in it, so I decided to cross some more things off my list. First off was Llyod's of London. It's kinda an ugly building....
Lloyd's of London
Next up was the Royal Exchange, the Bank of England, and Mansion House. The Bank of England has been central to the British economy since 1694, and the current building was designed by Sir John Soane in 1788. Behind it lie the buildings containing the British Stock Exchange, and also Tower 42- the tallest completed building in London. Too bad the Shard will soon take that title... Mansion House is where the Mayor of the City of London (Not the Mayor of London) lives and entertains. We even found St. Stephen of Walbrook Church, a Wren church with a "practice dome" for St. Paul's. SWEET!
Prominent Buildings in The City
Speaking of Saint Paul's, we headed there next! It is free to get in on Sundays, so I decided this was a good a time as any to show it to Kayla. Turns out, at 3:15 on Sundays they have Evening Song, so we got to attend a mass and hear the choir! It was truly amazing, and I even got to hear prayers sung in German!
After St. Paul's we headed down Fleet Street and then the Strand, all the way to the Strand Palace Hotel, where we had afternoon tea. Then we went to Covent Garden and had Snog. And Kayla wasn't wowed by it. WHAT? Don't worry, she is getting plenty of flack for that opinion... After Snog we headed in for the night.
On our way to my flat, we remembered that the par core championships were happening, so we headed to the National Theater, and caught the last 10 athletes do their thing. We even stayed around for the crowning of the champion. Although a Brit got 1st place, it was the Russian that won "Best Move" that everyone loved. When asked if he had any words for fans, he replied, "...Russia? Um, o wait.... RUSSIA!!!!!" as he put his hands in the air and bowed. Yeah, he didn't speak English....
Monday, March 21:
Today I actually did have class for once- one of my classes rescheduled to my free day! NO! My class started at 4, so I didn't want to waste time. I suggested going to Wimbledon, home of the Tennis Championship, for the day. I LOVE tennis and was a really competitive player in high school, and it has always been my dream to see Centre Court. And today I did.
You can get to Wimbledon by the tube from Waterloo, so we got an early train out. After arriving in Wimbledon, it was a 25 minute walk to the Lawn Tennis Museum and site of the Championship. Needless to say, when it came into view, I freaked out a little.
YAY!
After buying our tickets for the museum, we were guided to a viewing platform for Centre Court! AHHH! I was soooo excited! A friendly security guard who "loves Americans" pointed us in the right direction. He was adorable! As I walked onto the viewing platform, I started taking massive amounts of pictures. The first thing I noticed was that the court looks SO much smaller in real life than it does in TV. Still, I was sooooo excited to be here, where all the tennis greats have played for the last 125 years!
Me in front of Centre Court... being here is a dream come true!
In front of the main entrance to Centre Court... and no, that bright light is not the Sun, but the light of God showing me that I was destined to be here...
Next up was the museum. It was really interesting, and I got to see all the uniforms and racquets of the greats, as well as the Wimbledon trophies. Except for the trophies, the museum was very similar to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport. But still.
As we wrapped up at Wimbledon, we still had some time before we had to head back to London. So we explored the town! It is filled with tons of cute shops and bakeries, as well as a beautiful church atop a hill near the Tennis Museum called St. Mary's.
St. Mary's Church
After stopping for a quick Tesco meal deal, it was time to head back to class. Normally I would be mad that I had this class on a Monday, but that feeling quickly subsided when our Professor held class on the terrace of Somerset House. Instead of listening, I gazed down the Thames in either direction... St. Paul's to the left, and to the right were Big Ben, Parliament, and the London Eye. Life couldn't get any better....
That is, until I got hit with the news that I had to write a 4,000 word essay in order to get my exams changed! O well! That night, I cranked it out, and it was ready to be handed in the next day.
Tuesday, March 22:
Today I had class at 2 in the British Museum due to a teacher's strike at King's. My professor should have been in the strike since she was in the union, but she decided to go to the British Museum to avoid her fellow union members, and give us a lecture at the cafe.
I didn't want to waste any time, so since Kayla likes books I decided to go to the British Library. We took the tube to King's Cross Station, which is nearby. However, I HAD to see Platform 9 and 3/4. After asking the security guard where it was, we found the spot and I HAD to pose for a picture. I don't care how dumb this is, the Harry Potter nerd in me was proud.
Off to Hogwart's... BRB
As we headed out of King's Cross towards the British Library, we came upon St. Pancras International Station. My guidebook had told me to go here, but I ignored it. Seriously, how can a train station be a must see? Um, this is why:
St. Pancras Station
Finally, it was time for the British Library. The books within it used to be in the British Museum, but as both collections expanded, the British library decided to abandon ship and get it's own building. There we got to see 2 original Magna Cartas, a Guttenburg Bible, and Jane Austen's writing table. It was amazing! After we finished exploring what the library had to offer, we had a quick lunch, and then headed to the British Museum.
Entrance to the British Library
Posing with the midget statue at the courtyard of the British Library for Mary....
Kayla couldn't come to class with me, so when I learned, Kayla explored the museum. However, by the time my class was over and I met her, she still hadn't seen the Parthenon Marbles OR the Rosetta Stone because she couldn't find them (but they are in one of the first rooms, haha!), so I had to give her a quick tour...
After that, it was time to eat again, so because Kayla is a fan of hummus, we headed to Hummus Bros., where I got a delicious Vegetable Salad hummus plate covered in Feta Cheese. Delicious! But really, how can you ever go wrong with hummus?
Hummus is Yummus
Today was my long day in classes, so Kayla went to the National Gallery.
After I got out of class and handed in all my exam situation paperwork, I met Kayla and we headed to the Globe Theatre. I still hadn't been, so it was one more thing to check off! We took a tour, and learned about the history of the Globe while sitting in the actual theater! Our tour guide (as well as all the others) are actually actors at the Globe, so they know pretty much everything! After hearing that they are putting on "Much Ado About Nothing" this season, I decided that this was not going to be my only trip to the Globe. I love that play, and for only £5 I can stand in the pit and watch it acted out for me! YES!
The Globe Theater
Me in front of the stage at the Globe
After finishing up at the Globe we were hungry, so we headed to my favorite pub for dinner. But first we had to pass under the Millennium Bridge, where I finally managed to get a decent shot of the bridge and St. Paul's in the background.
Millennium Bridge and St. Paul's
So yeah, then it was on to the pub. It's my favorite and they just got a new menu, so I decided to try the Salmon and Broccoli fish cakes. SO. GOOD. Looks like I have another recipe to add to my cookbook! And that makes 70 days without ANY bad food in London! SCORE!
Salmon and broccoli fish cakes = YUM! So "yum" in fact, that I didn't even use the tartar sauce. And I LOVE tartar sauce
Thursday, March 24:
Today was Kayla's last full day in London. Although she was supposed to go out with a friend from High School, her friend unfortunately had to cancel. So instead, me and Kayla explored Westminster and then some of the Mayfair area. It was gorgeous out, so obviously I HAD to snap some pictures of my London boyfriend....
Big Ben and the London Eye
Next we headed through St. James's Park. Then it was off to Mayfair, where we saw Waterstones (the biggest bookstore in Europe- it had 7 floors!!), St. James's Church, Royal Academy of the Arts, Burlington Arcade, Bond Street (home of high end shopping... including Chanel and Ralph Lauren!!!), Royal Arcade, St. James's Palce, Spencer House (home to the ancestors of Lady Di), and Clarence House (where Prince Charles lives and works). All in all, it was a day of Jameses. So instead of boring you with details, here are some pictures!
St. James's Park
St. James's Church
St. James's Palace
Spencer House
View from St. James's Park of the Eye
London Eye and County Hall
After this walking spree I brought Kayla to Pizza Express so she could experience the awesomeness. Then we spent the night in, and had a Skype date with Mary! Yay roomie love!
All of a sudden, Friday was upon us, and it was time for Kayla to leave. By 10am we were on the tube to Paddington, where I helped her to the Heathrow Express. It was hard to see her leave, but at least I got to see her!
Until next time, cheers!
x
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