Where Did Emily Go?: 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!

Saturday, September 27, 2014

London, Days 1,2, 3ish

I finally made it to London after leaving Thursday afternoon, beginning with a seemingly endless flight to Moscow where I had a long layover, had another flight, waited in a long immigration line, took a long ride in the tube, then walked around for about an hour with my luggage, in search of my hostel. Needless to say, I'm pooped!

I've been blown away by how friendly people have been. My seat neighbor on my Moscow leg was friendly-ish, but it was on my Moscow-London flight that I made instant friends, two British guys who work for Samsung. We chatted the entire four hour flight, although I didn't take a picture with them. Mistake but I was so exhausted! A man sitting next to me during the tube ride struck up conversation with me, telling me about his life in Iran to Britain. Then, when I almost was at my hostel, a random, very nice guy said he'd love to help me with my luggage but he had to know where I was going first. (That totally sounds like I'm about to get robbed, but this was not the case.) A minute later, the hostel security guard motioned me and the guy kept asking if I'd be okay. Friendly, huh? Coincidentally enough, he was from Nor Cal, in town for the Raiders-Dolphins game.

Anyway, although it's Saturday afternoon, I desperately need a nap because I didn't get to sleep until 2 am and was woken up this morning by my hostel roommate Luca from Italy, who forgot to turn off his alarm. My bunkbed buddy Gabriella from Brazil (who looks like a young Miranda Kerr) let me tag along with her to Portobello Street Market in Notting Hill, which is the most charming neighborhood. Here's some pics. Nappy nap time!