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!

 

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!

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!

Colorful meringues at Jamie Oliver's Recipeasy

A street musician. 

This dude. I think I'm going to marry him. Keeper!

These are all cookies.

This was my breakfast at Wafflemeister. A waffle with dark chocolate and mint ice cream.

This is for my friends who make fun of me for celebrating Christmas really early. The Brits do it too! Proof that I should live here.

The Road (Trip) Less Taken - Part 3.. 965.3 Miles Later!

Last blog for this weekend!  Yesterday was a bit of a tough day, due to the disappointing visits coupled with unproductive overanalytic thinking (which is never good) during long bouts of driving.  However, today's had a happy ending, but more on that later.  

Thanks to another work bestie (I work with great people) Wendy for giving me the suggestion of listening to Audible while driving.  I spent my drive today listening to Big Little Lies, which is a really good book - I finished 30 of 84 chapters, so I have something to listen to on the way to London.  The narrator is Australian, so that makes it extra whimsical :)  I'll have to download other books, so any suggestions are appreciated!

I began with a drive to Sacramento to see a giant Coke cup and was not disappointed.  It was definitely larger than yesterday's artichoke, so it was worth the drive.  (I may hold a grudge for a while.)

Look - how original. I'm holding the giant coke cup in the palm of my hand!

After this, I made the drive to Turlock to see the bulldozer building, which is just a building in the shape of a bulldozer.  

I was filling up and had to take a picture at the gas station.  I hardly ever pay attention to gas prices but I've never seen gas as cheap as $3.49 in LA!

The final stop of the day before I sped home was a good one.  If you know me pretty well, you know I love (or used to love, before my appetite went south) cheese!  So I was thrilled that the Hilmar Cheese Company was a few miles away from the bulldozer building and on my way home.  

They had a pretty cute visitor's center and store with plenty to look at.  In case you ever wanted to know how to milk a cow, below is a handy dandy guide.

As a dairy farmer, milk processing technician, and veterinarian. Plus my free hairnet.  (The helmet says "I am a cheesemaker")

After this, I was excited to finally head home.  Here's some concluding thoughts:

1) I went on this trip to prove to myself that I could, which I definitely accomplished.  I didn't want to go and thought I'd grow to enjoy it, which I did.. kinda, but not as much as I thought I would.

2) I have really wonderful friends who presented awesome suggestions, offered to host me, checked up on me, and were immensely supportive, in regards to this trip, as well as with the upcoming London excursion.  I'm not sure if I can ever adequately express how thankful and lucky I am to have you in my life.  But if you want personal thank yous, contact me and I'll delve out much-deserved adulation :)  (And Ste, I need to come back and go shooting with you.)

3) I kinda dig these offbeat roadside attractions.  I don't have an immediate desire to plan another road trip to see others, but if so, I'm also not sure if I'd do this solo.  If anyone is interested in seeing oddities, maybe you can join me on a hypothetical future trip.  The Roadtrippers website/app was essential in mapping my route, and according to their guide, there's plenty of other giant things I'd be interested in seeing, such as a rocking chair, Campbell's tomato soup can, and Adidas shoes, ball of twine, among many, many others.  (Chcck out the full list here: https://roadtrippers.com/lists-itinerary/larger-than-life/809171)  As I learned from the artichoke debacle, it better be giant for it to be worth my while!

4) California is amazingly diverse and scenic.  I only went up and down the coast but feel like I ventured across other states.

5) One day I saw a dead deer in the freeway median.  It was sad and gross and I've never seen that before.  I just forgot to mention this earlier and thought it was somewhat significant.

6) There's a lot of selfies on this blog but I promise I'm not narcissistic.  I figure a lot of these images you can get via Google but I took selfies to personalize the blog and so you know I actually went to these places.  The proof is in the pictures!  I think I need to get comfortable taking selfies and being in pictures before London.

Anyway, I did promise a happy ending at the beginning of the blog, so here it is:

Ice cream while watching The Simpsons marathon.  But don't tell my gym buddy, as he's already vociferously expressed his disappointment that I followed up my achievement of swimming 100 pool lengths (2500 yards) with more than a week of inactivity.  Sorry, buddy.. don't give up on me!

Until next time, smell ya laters!  (And thanks for reading!)