My last day in London!

We had an early start again this morning. My goal today was to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. The changing of the guard is at 11:30..but I wanted to see it and see all of it, so I knew I needed to get there early. So Aubrey and I got there are 9:30 and got a front row seat right by the big gate and facing Buckingham Palace. The couple that was sitting next to us were from Colorado and so we started talking. They had been married for 52 years and before they got married he had promised her that he would take her to every place he had been during his time in the Navy. So sweet and such a nice couple. Well, two hours later the changing of the guard started and I got some great pictures and video! It ended about 12:30 and we headed for Hard Rock about 1/2 mile away.

We met our group there and had a good time just visiting with one another. Aubrey and I decided to tkae the tour of the vault. It had a bunch of guitars, clothing, papers that a lot of famous people had worn, used, or written. There were guitars from Nirvana, Elvis, the Temptations, Gene Simmons, Oasis, and the Beatles. So then we decided to get our picture made holding a guitar. Well, I chose Gene Simmons from Kiss...and the lady said well I can only take your picture if you stick your tongue out...so I did! It was really funny!
Our next stop was Greenwich where time is kept. We took our picture standing on the Prime Meridian so I was in tow places at once. We then took a ferry from Greenwich to Westminster. It was a 45 min. ride and it was so relaxing and pretty. The bad part was both of our cameras died after Greenwich..great. Well we got some hot chocolate at starbucks and headed back to the hostel. I had to pack because tomorrow is the big day...we are leaving for home in less than 24hours.

Sunday and church with the queen!

Well, Sunday we got up and got on the tube (subway) to go to westminster for church at Westminster Abbey. This is where the Queen goes to church but she wasn't there that morning. I guess she didn't get the memo that I was coming. Anyways, there were about 150 people there besides the choir but it was really like we were at a preformance not church. They gave everybody a program that told you when to sit or stand. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the Cathedral but I took some outside. Even if we could take pictures it wouldn't have done justice to how detailed it was and how much time and energy it had taken those people to build it. After that the whole group (except Kurt and his dad) went to lunch at the Rainforest cafe. It was our last meal with everybody before we all dispersed to our different destinations. After lunch a bunch of us walked through Green Park and saw Buckingham Palace in all it's glory. I knew the Queen was there because the flag was up, but again she didn't come out to greet me. From there we went to Harrods and got lost in there for a couple of hours. It's sad when a store is so big they have tour guides and maps to help you find the department you want. In those 2 and 1/2 hours we were there I saw maybe a floor total and couldnt grasp how much stuff there was and how expensive it was all at the same time. Outside of Harrods there were all these chauffers and expensive cars waiting for thier filthy rich owners to come out. I felt important..I would have felt more important if one of those Rolls Royce cars belonged to me.
After my little escapade at Harrods, Kelly, Aubrey, and I went to Jacqueline's flat and had tea time before dinner. For dinner Camille, her mom, Aubrey, Mike and I went to a pizza place called Porcechetta. Mike was leading the way becasue he knew where it was...well a half and hour later and after asking a lady we made it there. So after we ate I took the map and it only took us 10 min to get us back...much better.

Tomorrow is our last day in London and overseas. I can't believe it is coming to an end. What will toomorrow bring...well...you'll see!

Just a Saturday....in London

My morning started at 7:00 in the morning and ended at 11:30pm. Here in a nut shell is what happened:

Our First stop was portabella market. It is this massive market that takes several blockes up with tents and shops of fruit, veggies, bread, clothes, antiques, and so much more. It was really cool and I probably could have stayed there all day but we spent a few hours there. Amiee and I found one stand that had a bunch of brittish army jackets and royal guard uniforms. Of course I tried some on!

Trafalger square was our next stop and we walled down White Hall. We stopped at the royal horse stables and took my picture with the guards on horses. I couldn't toch the horses though..they would bite!
From the end of White Hall I saw the coolest thing...BIG BEN and it is big! As we walked farther down we saw Parliment and Westminster Abbey. Parliment was goregous and I couldn't get over how detailed it was and how big it was. I got to hear Big Ben chime while we were there and we then made our way over to the London Eye.
Before we met our group for the London Eye, Amiee took me to a side street right by the London Eye. There are a bunch of street preformers that when you pay them they move or do something. There was a queen and a man who looked like captain hook and I got my picture with them. I also got my picture with a cowboy who let me hold his gun. The cool thing about these street preformers is the fact they look like statues unless you pay them. It is unreal how real they look and how still they stand.
After that funness...we met everybody for the London Eye. The London Eye is the biggest ferris wheel in the world! We waited in line for an hour...even with a scheduled appointment. But it was worth it...the London Eye went soooo high and I could see everything from up there. It took about 45 min to get all the way around and it doesn't stop so you have to be quick as you get off. After the London Eye we went over to St. Pauls Cathedral and fed the birds...tupins, tupins...and went over to the globe theater where all of Shakesphere's plays are preformed. After a quick bite to eat we went back to the hostel to change for WICKED!!!! I got to the Apollo Victoria Theater and I had some high expectations for the play..and they were all exceeded greatly! The play was amazing and so much fun to see with all of my new/old friends! By the time the play finished and we walked back to the hostel my feet were ready for a break and it was time to get in bed and sleep.

Friday....trains....and London

We got up early Friday morning and got our luggage down stairs and ate breakfast. Adam and Melanie were so kind to come and get us to take us to the train station with all our luggage...and we had a lot! We got to the train station in Larbert at 9:00 and got on the train for Edinburgh to catch our train for london. The Train ride was long; about 4 and a half hours, but we could use our computer...I didn't but I did color!

Once we got to London we walked about 3 blocks to our hostel and checked in. Then we had a debriefing about what time we had to be where and how much money we got and all our train tickets and maps. I was exhausted and overwhelmed after that hour of information, but we had things to do and places to be.

Our first stop was Oxford Street which is one of the main shopping streets in London. Courtney and I went into several stores we knew we couldn't afford but it was worth it just to say I've been. We also went into a huge toy store and played dress up..that was fun! After that a bunch of us met up for dinner at Bella Italia and visited with each other. We then went back to the hostel and decided to go get ice cream. After 20 mins of walking we found a Mcdonalds and decided that was it. The irony of this was the next day we realized there was a burger king and mcdonalds less that two blocks the other way from our hostel. After that we went back to the hostel and got the maps out and decided what we wanted to do and how we were going to do it. Amiee helped alot because she had been there less than a year ago. Well, it was late and time to go to bed...this bed will be interesting.