We took the coach to London and got in around lunch time. We walked from the station to Buckingham Palace and on towards Westminster Abbey and Parliament/Big Ben. It was an exciting day around Parliament on Friday because for the first time in decades the election resulted in a hung Parliament (no true majority party.) So, the Liberal Democrats were in talks with the Conservatives to share power. There still has not been an agreement, but they expect progress by tomorrow.
After walking around a good deal with our packs we went to Tate Britain, which houses a great deal of classic artwork by British artists. Mostly portraits, which are not really my interest, but they had some great modern art exhibitions in the rotunda.
We stayed with our new friend Amy in her flat located in East London near the Royal Hospital. She had an amazing view, and we saved a bundle by staying with her, and cooking dinners at her apartment.
Saturday I navigated the group to St. John's and then across the Millennium Bridge. We went on a tour of the Globe, which was interesting, but would not recommend. Watch Shakespeare in Love and read Shakespeare major works and you pretty much learn everything they tell you about how the costumes and stage are set up. It is a great replica of the original theatre, but seeing it from the outside would have been fine with me.
Next we went to Tate Modern, by far my favourite. It is located in an old power station and has a HUGE empty hall with the art located on 7 floors along one side. The exhibits were great, though I was slightly disappointed that they only had one Jackson Pollock and one Liechtenstein. They had a great collection over all and the museum itself was just fantastic.
After having lunch at Tate Modern (Chicken Liver Pate..YUM..luckily I did not have to share because my travel mates were too afraid to try haha) We headed down the Thames to the Tower Bridge. We passed a great deal of touristy restaurants and attractions, and it started to drizzle, but for the most part it was a nice walk along the river.
There was a festival going on at the foot of the bridge along with a street performer or two, so we stopped there for a little while. Across the bridge is the Tower of London, the other place I really wanted to visit. This was the main home of the monarchy for hundreds of years and many many people were beheaded on the grounds. It was pricey to get in, but we hopped into the middle of a free tour and got some great information. The crown jewels are located there and they are insane! There are so many crowns and the sceptre has a HUGE diamond.
The castle was pretty amazing as well, they had some really good information, and it is still in such great condition. It really makes me want to watch all of the Tutors and rewatch The Other Boleyn Girl.
We dressed up and went out for Mel's birthday Saturday night and our host took us to some East London bars which was very fun, but a little pricey. Though, Southern Comfort is very popular in England, so it pretty much seals the deal that I could move here someday.
Sunday we watched the changing of the guard (so anticlimactic and lame) then went to Oxford Street for Shopping. Top Shop is very popular and the one in London was gigantic, the English 'posh' style seems very mismatchy to me, and they like leotards and insane shoes. Basically, throw on whatever is in your closet and as long as it looks slightly ridiculous you are in style.
Basically, London was great. Did mostly touristy things, but would love to go back someday to explore the different neighbourhoods and get a better feel for the city. It is very much like New York in that way.
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i have the book the other boleyn girl, which was FAR better than the movie. come home and i will let you borrow it. stay in europe and its mine forever.
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