Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Six in London

Hello there, finger!

Since it's past midnight, it's actually my seventh day in London. I just didn't get a chance to blog earlier because I got back from Les Miserables a little bit ago.
Today began with a visit to Elizabeth Tower, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey. Then, I went to Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guards, which was actually not all that. I wonder if I actually saw the right one, because nothing really happened and I didn't see the guards with the tall black hats?
After this, I went to the Victoria and Albert museum, which I'd been eager to do for a while. I love this museum because it has interesting artifacts like clothes and modern technology. I spent hours there and my feet hurt so I took a break.
I was going to visit Kensington Palace and Park but didn't feel like doing the extra walking, so instead I went to Leicester Square to look for the TKTS booth. Gabrielle is obsessed with musicals and bought tickets to Wicked, Les Mis, Billy Elliott, and the Lion King.  I wasn't planning on going to a show, but I decided to go, since the West End is the best place for theater and also since I've never seen the show (or movie).  I had really great seats (ten rows from the stage) and the production quality was fantastic, although that's to be expected. Gabrielle is a big fangirl of the band McFly and a band member's sister was playing Éponine. Therefore, I felt like a stalker, but we waited outside the stage door so she could get some pics. 
Breaking out the signature finger pose
It's pee pee time
At V&A, they have stuff for you to wear. This is a hoop skirt and petticoat. I look terrible because an old couple walked in on me and busted up laughing.
I think passersby thought I was being super nationalistic.
Part of the Disobedient Objects exhibit about social uprising.
I think it's an arrow pointing at the help desk.
No matter the country, I always need to eat ice cream!
Stalker time!

Monday, September 29, 2014

Five days of London

My morning began on an interesting note. As I was leaving my room to use the facilities (Ferrero Rocher milkshake at night.. big mistake) a group of Australian guys wearing Dolphin jerseys walked through the hallway, talking to me all at once. Seeing that it was 2am and I was bleary-eyed from having just waken up, I could only respond with a confused, "Huh?" They were really insistent about me going to a party in their room and I got them to move on by telling them to start without me.  On my way back, a guy in a Kaepernick jersey passed by me, waving. The NFL is in town this week.)

Hostel living is great.. although the accommodations aren't luxurious, it's a hip atmosphere and I've been amply prepared by dorm life, summer camp, and church retreats.  A couple times the doorman randomly greeted me with, "Is it real?", which is an alarming enough question on its own, but not one I've ever been asked. He was referring to my smile, but that's still a weird thing to say, no? Also, poor Luca from Italy - our first introduction was when I walked in on him not wearing pants. I didn't check to see how pantsless he was, because I was surprised that there was even a dude in the room.

Moving on, since today was a weekday, I took advantage of fewer crowds and accomplished a lot.  First, I visited the Photographer's Gallery, which was kinda interesting.
I don't know what this is, but it was worth taking a picture of!
Then, I went to Liberty, which was awesome because they already have a beautiful Christmas store set up. (In case you're wondering, the answer is yes, I'll probably talk about Christmas in every post.)
I also visited Hamley's Toy Store, which is pretty cool, kinda like FAO, except I kept almost getting hit in the head by employees demonstrating toys. I promise, I wasn't walking into it (I think). Maybe I'm not helping my case, but I accidentally knocked over a Paddington Bear suitcase display and they all went down like dominos, while all eyes turned on me. Oops!
Walked around Soho and the rain came out for a bit, which was actually kinda nice.
A random flowery corner I liked.
Next was Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery. 
I'm coming for you tomorrow, Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben!
I don't get the blue rooster but I thought it was interesting.
Although I'm not really into arts, the history side of the museum appealed to me, as I got a lot of insight from reading the info boxes. It was a huge museum so I couldn't rea everything, but I was incredibly drawn into what I did read. Here's my favorite picture.. action shot!  
No guts, no glory!
This was followed by the National Portrait Gallery, which was surprisingly my favorite of the museums I've visited so far. I got caught up in the scandals of King George IV and Queen Caroline. Juicy stuff!

After taking a break at the hostel (and having the grossest nachos ever), Gabrielle and I went to Hyde Park, where the girl lost her poo over feeding squirrels. I told her that she was no longer welcome in the room if she contracted rabies.  
A swan! Honk, honk! (Do they say that or is it just ducks and bus drivers?)
It looks like an upside down tree! This passerby thought it was weird we were taking pics of it and turned his head upside down when we explained it. He replied, "I don't see it, but okay." Everyone's a critic!
A tree hut
Inside the hut
Man, I look really short. Sad life!
I teased her about her touristy umbrella. I was like the Chandler to her Joey. Remember that ep? Sadly, no Fergie around to prove me wrong.
I laughed my butt off when I saw that the squirrel was reaching

The sun came out later and it looked so pretty.
After that, we went to London's worst pub. Seriously, they have fish and chips on their menu but don't serve it and then, when I ordered and paid for soup, they didn't have that either! I have four days left but I feel like I've already been here forever.

Here's some signs I saw that I really liked. Keep inspiring me, London!


 

Sunday, September 28, 2014

London the Fourth

After yesterday's post, I took a long nap. When I woke up, I went to Primark, Britain's version of Forever 21, where I spent a couple of hours, since it was gigantic and everything was inexpensive. I even bought myself an Elf (the movie) shirt - those Brits aren't joking about getting ready for Christmas - they're already selling ugly Christmas sweaters. After that, I went to eat at Burger and Shake, where I asked for a table and they sat me with another solo diner, Marco from Portugal, which was super strange, like a surprise blind date.

Meanwhile, my room is looking like the UN, with our new roommates Luis from Venezuela and Ai from Japan. (I think I embarrassed Luis when I joked about him sleeping with three chicks. Not funny, I guess.. oops!)  It's awesome though because they have me chocolate from Venezuela and Brazil.

Today, after my English breakfast, Gabrielle and I went to HippopoThames, since it was the last day.  A couple of lines on the tube were closed for maintenance, so we had to walk a bit to get to Millennium Bridge and Tate Modern. Although we were right next to Shakespeare's Globe, we didn't go, so maybe I'll go during the week and catch a play. The hostel is showing Love Actually in a couple of hours, which I'm probably more excited about than I should be. Anyway, picture time. Gabrielle was excited when I told her I had a travel blog and her punishment was that she had to be my new selfie partner in crime. 
The requisite phone booth pic. At this point, let's not pretend like I'm in good photos.
Saw this sign in the tube and thought it was funny. Smelly food is apparently such an important epidemic.
HippopoThames!

My signature pointing picture.
I kinda just wanted this picture to be over while this b is posing it up.
I made the mistake of telling her about my pointing move and she made me pose for this picture in the middle of the museum. She said, "That's like you!"
The Tate Modern has a great view of the Millennium Bridge and St. Paul's.
I guess this dude thought the best place to keep his hands warm was in her pants. She tripped and I had to look away so I wouldn't get caught laughing. I am a terrible human and I know I'm a tourist but.. public decency, people!