Is it really Day #4? I feel like I've been here forever, with a new adventure lurking around every corner...
Well, the snore chorus was at full volume last night, but I didn't hear most of it b/c I had earplugs!! Hooray!! I took them out of my ears this morning, and that's when I heard it loud and clear. I tried to put them back in, but it was too late. I was awake. It was probably about 5:30am. The sun wakes up so early here...
Yesterday I did so much walking that the insides of my crocs (yes, I'm walking in my crocs) came off on my feet, making me feet black as tar by the end of the day.
Courtald Gallery, which was great. A small gallery, but lots of impressionist stuff. I think smaller might be more my style. Trying to see everything in a big place makes my head hurt.
Lunch on the west steps of St. Paul's where two schools of ballet were putting on a free performance. Two elderly women sat down in front of me to watch the ballet. One gazed all around, and her friend queried as to what she was doing. "Well," the woman responded. "I'm on a mission from my granddaughter to find her a good husband!" They continued to chat, when suddenly a young man came and sat down in front of them. The elderly woman was so excited and began to chat with the young man, asking him if he had come to enjoy the ballet and did he go to the ballet often. "What?" he asked. "I just came to eat my lunch." The elderly woman turned to her friend. "Too bad," she said, "I thought I found a good one!"
I loved the walking that I did. Just looking around at the architecture and the people. I love people...
Then to the Tower of London, which was cool, but had so many people buzzing about. Too many in my opinion. And not enough information about who the people were. That's what I want to know. Why did they kill all those people? Who were they? Did they deserve it? I want the details, not the overview. I want to know about the people. The funny thing about this tour was Henry VIII's codpiece. Hahaha! Completely absurd! The man obviously had issues...
I crossed Tower Bridge and walked the southside of the Thames toward the Globe Theatre, resting here and there along the way to absorb it all. I wonder if I would walk around and absorb it all in STL?...
Sadly, when I got to the Globe Theatre, tickets were all sold out. I don't know why I didn't think to purchase in advance! Silly me! So I went to the London Eye, well worth the price, and then I crossed the bridge and walked on the northside of the Thames. Again, one of my favorite parts has been the walking...
One thing that's different about London is that so many people find a nice place to eat lunch or dinner on a lawn, and they do it. From sitting on the west steps of St. Paul's to sitting in the courtyard of another church or sitting on a grassy space by the river, you can see littered and strewn across these spaces business men and women, elderly people, families (they might be tourists.) One really cute one was a business man, his wife, and their little baby in the courtyard of St. Paul's having lunch together. I want to do that with my husband someday...sweet...
Today I spend the day at Kew Gardens with Becky, Darrell, Emily, and Megan. Looking forward to having some deeper discussions...
miss you love you! have a wonderful day!
I am Spanish! When I asked a guard at the Tower of London where I should go by pointing in the correct direction, he, with a very distant English accent said, "Si." If only I knew spanish fluently. I could have totally pulled this off!...
Monday, June 29, 2009
Day #3
Yesterday was a great day!
Went to church at All Souls - fantastic sermon! The pastor spoke on Habakkuk 1 - 2 - ask an honest question, get an honest answer. Lots of different ages and races. Sadly, the building had no A/C and so I was quite literally melting...but I survived.
Went to British Museum which was interesting, but it had too much stuff for me. You really just couldn't see it all, and if you tried, your head started to hurt. How many plaster busts does one really need to see before they've seen enough? Although, I did get a greater appreciation for all those things I learned in history class so long ago...
Walked around the north section of London and loved it. Even though it rained a bit, the buildings here are so incredible. London has really done a great job of mixing ancient and modern. They've restored, not destroyed and started over. It remindedthat God doesn't just destroy His creation when we choose to reject Him, but that He seeks to restore us to Himself. It's really beautiful...
Went to the British Library. Much more my style along the lines of info I'm able to digest. Looked at many ancient illuminated texts, saw manuscripts of Handel's Messiah, a Mozart opera, Enigma by Elgar, many others. Saw the Magna Carta (history class, anyone?) Lots of cool stuff.
Went to King's Cross in search of platform 9 3/4, but was unable to locate it...
Went to Hillsong Church London. Also drearily hot, didn't know any of the songs, sermon was interesting, lots of young people. What I like about Hillsong in general is that they believe that God has something wonderful planned for your life, and they inspire you to believe it too. Now you can all poo poo it and say that they're preaching a prosperity gospel, but that's not what I'm talking about. I mean, saying that God has a plan for your life and it's good and pleasing and perfect. They don't say that you're going to be famous or anything like that, just that God has a plan for you and it's right. And I love that b/c it's true! Our destinies might not look how we want them to look, but God knows what's best and He's got it all under control. Maybe that's not what they mean, but that's how I'm taking it...
Took the tube home and got lost trying to walk back to the hostel...ugh! Still, home by 9:15 and went to bed.
Today I'm heading to the Courtald Galleries, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, and then to Shakespeare's Globe to see 'As You Like It.' It's going to be a long day! Good thing I slept in!
I hope you all have a great start to your week!
Lots of love!
btw - apparently I look spanish. Yesterday while leaving Hillsong, one of the men was staring at me and then said 'hola' as I left, and then this morning at breakfast the cook came and spoke with me for a while asking me where I was from and was I spanish? When I told him I wasn't he was surprised and said, "You look Spanish!" "It's the dark hair," I responded. "No, it's your eyes," he countered. "You have beautiful eyes."
Thanking him, I quicking looked away...=)
love you miss you
Went to church at All Souls - fantastic sermon! The pastor spoke on Habakkuk 1 - 2 - ask an honest question, get an honest answer. Lots of different ages and races. Sadly, the building had no A/C and so I was quite literally melting...but I survived.
Went to British Museum which was interesting, but it had too much stuff for me. You really just couldn't see it all, and if you tried, your head started to hurt. How many plaster busts does one really need to see before they've seen enough? Although, I did get a greater appreciation for all those things I learned in history class so long ago...
Walked around the north section of London and loved it. Even though it rained a bit, the buildings here are so incredible. London has really done a great job of mixing ancient and modern. They've restored, not destroyed and started over. It remindedthat God doesn't just destroy His creation when we choose to reject Him, but that He seeks to restore us to Himself. It's really beautiful...
Went to the British Library. Much more my style along the lines of info I'm able to digest. Looked at many ancient illuminated texts, saw manuscripts of Handel's Messiah, a Mozart opera, Enigma by Elgar, many others. Saw the Magna Carta (history class, anyone?) Lots of cool stuff.
Went to King's Cross in search of platform 9 3/4, but was unable to locate it...
Went to Hillsong Church London. Also drearily hot, didn't know any of the songs, sermon was interesting, lots of young people. What I like about Hillsong in general is that they believe that God has something wonderful planned for your life, and they inspire you to believe it too. Now you can all poo poo it and say that they're preaching a prosperity gospel, but that's not what I'm talking about. I mean, saying that God has a plan for your life and it's good and pleasing and perfect. They don't say that you're going to be famous or anything like that, just that God has a plan for you and it's right. And I love that b/c it's true! Our destinies might not look how we want them to look, but God knows what's best and He's got it all under control. Maybe that's not what they mean, but that's how I'm taking it...
Took the tube home and got lost trying to walk back to the hostel...ugh! Still, home by 9:15 and went to bed.
Today I'm heading to the Courtald Galleries, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, and then to Shakespeare's Globe to see 'As You Like It.' It's going to be a long day! Good thing I slept in!
I hope you all have a great start to your week!
Lots of love!
btw - apparently I look spanish. Yesterday while leaving Hillsong, one of the men was staring at me and then said 'hola' as I left, and then this morning at breakfast the cook came and spoke with me for a while asking me where I was from and was I spanish? When I told him I wasn't he was surprised and said, "You look Spanish!" "It's the dark hair," I responded. "No, it's your eyes," he countered. "You have beautiful eyes."
Thanking him, I quicking looked away...=)
love you miss you
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Day #2
Yesterday was warm and humid, but not as bad as STL. Still when the Tube line that I was on had some "tehnical difficulties" and was stopped underground for quite sometime, I along with the 100 other people in the car began to sweat. But within 15 min. it was going again, and I came back home and went straight to bed. I think it was 9pm...
In Kensington Park, picnickers littered the grassways while walkers, runners, etc passed by. The Victoria and Albert Museum had a few great pieces, and the fashion section was a fun see, but other than that I might have been too exhausted to really enjoy it. Harrod's was a mess of people everywhere. It was the first day of their summer sale, and as it turned out, I still couldn't afford any of it! =) I had a late lunch at Whole Foods, (balsamic grilled chicken and asparagus) and ducked into every little shop along the streets that I walked. Their was one really cute accessory shop that I might try to get back to.
One thing that I didn't expect was that we share bathrooms with boys! Yick! Everything is very well closed off, but it was such a surprise that I didn't bother to wash my face or go to the bathroom before bed last night. I woke up fairly early this morning b/c I heard some movement and thought, I should get my shower now before anyone else gets in there. The floor was slimy, (so glad I brought my crocs) but the water was hot, and I had a great shower. But I must have gotten up at around 3am, b/c no one was up when I came out and it was still dark. I need to buy a watch!
Today, I'm going to try to go to church (twice) and then I'm going to the British Museum and possibly the British Library. If I'm feeling up for it, I might go to the London Eye as well, but the hostel is having a bbq, and I might want to come to that...who knows...
Okay, my computer time is up so I need to go!
Love you miss you!
In Kensington Park, picnickers littered the grassways while walkers, runners, etc passed by. The Victoria and Albert Museum had a few great pieces, and the fashion section was a fun see, but other than that I might have been too exhausted to really enjoy it. Harrod's was a mess of people everywhere. It was the first day of their summer sale, and as it turned out, I still couldn't afford any of it! =) I had a late lunch at Whole Foods, (balsamic grilled chicken and asparagus) and ducked into every little shop along the streets that I walked. Their was one really cute accessory shop that I might try to get back to.
One thing that I didn't expect was that we share bathrooms with boys! Yick! Everything is very well closed off, but it was such a surprise that I didn't bother to wash my face or go to the bathroom before bed last night. I woke up fairly early this morning b/c I heard some movement and thought, I should get my shower now before anyone else gets in there. The floor was slimy, (so glad I brought my crocs) but the water was hot, and I had a great shower. But I must have gotten up at around 3am, b/c no one was up when I came out and it was still dark. I need to buy a watch!
Today, I'm going to try to go to church (twice) and then I'm going to the British Museum and possibly the British Library. If I'm feeling up for it, I might go to the London Eye as well, but the hostel is having a bbq, and I might want to come to that...who knows...
Okay, my computer time is up so I need to go!
Love you miss you!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
My first airplane bathroom experience
Because I've never taken such a long flight before, I've never used an airplane bathroom, I've always just waited. That wasn't an option this time.
So when the lights were dimmed, I got up and walked toward the bathroom. Once there, I checked to make sure the sign said vacant, which it did, and so I pulled on the handle. Oddly, the door didn't open. I tugged the handle harder with no success. I checked again to make sure the sign said vacant, and then I gave the handle a sharp pull. Still nothing. Ready to put my foot against the wall and yank the dumb door open, a young girl began walking up the aisle toward me. As I looked up to greet her dumbfounded gaze, I saw a button with giant capital letters reading PUSH. I pushed the button and the bathroom door flew open.
Apparently, I had been wrestling an ashtray...but seriously, it's a non smoking flight, why was there an ashtray in the first place?
I ducked into the bathroom and laughed at my own stupidity. Oh, well. But the bathroom itself was quite clean. I would say it's ok to use an airplane bathroom.
Okay, no more staying inside. Must get to work on my itinerary. Apparently, I have a lot to get done!
love love love!
So when the lights were dimmed, I got up and walked toward the bathroom. Once there, I checked to make sure the sign said vacant, which it did, and so I pulled on the handle. Oddly, the door didn't open. I tugged the handle harder with no success. I checked again to make sure the sign said vacant, and then I gave the handle a sharp pull. Still nothing. Ready to put my foot against the wall and yank the dumb door open, a young girl began walking up the aisle toward me. As I looked up to greet her dumbfounded gaze, I saw a button with giant capital letters reading PUSH. I pushed the button and the bathroom door flew open.
Apparently, I had been wrestling an ashtray...but seriously, it's a non smoking flight, why was there an ashtray in the first place?
I ducked into the bathroom and laughed at my own stupidity. Oh, well. But the bathroom itself was quite clean. I would say it's ok to use an airplane bathroom.
Okay, no more staying inside. Must get to work on my itinerary. Apparently, I have a lot to get done!
love love love!
My first stamp!
Although exhausted beyond belief, here I am at Palmer's Lodge in London!
Friday was a bit nerve racking, as I prepared myself to leave. I panicked when I realized I had left my money for the metro at home, but my boss graciously gave me money when she heard I was in need. She was so kind about it, giving me more than necessary, and I was able to make it to the airport on time with a few moments to spare.
Once I stepped off the plane in Chicago, I stepped right onto the plane bound for London. A jumbo jet, I sat on the aisle of a row of 9! It was the largest plane I've ever been in, and oddly, the best flight I've ever taken. I watched two movies, Confessions of a Shopaholic (cute, but wait to watch the TV edited version) and Monsters vs. Aliens (absolutely awesome!) I made small talk with the guy sitting next to me, a senior Lit major at Duke, and tried my best to sleep. As the Duke man said, "They try to trick you into thinking you've slept. They feed you dinner, turn off the lights, and then an hour and a half later they turn on the lights and feed you breakfast." That's exactly how it went.
The eight hour flight really didn't seem that long, and when we arrived at 10am, I went straight for the bathrooms and cleaned up, then headed out to customs, where I received my very first stamp! Yippee!!
The tube systems are being worked on, so I had to take some detours (glad I had studied the little tube map or I would have been completely lost) and then walked the rest of the way to my hostel, Palmer's Lodge.
Today I will try to head down to Kensington, to go to the Orangery for tea (thanks for the suggestion, Stacey), then to the Victoria and Albert Museum, and then to Harrod's (thanks, Sharon1) for the summer sale! (I probably won't buy anything, but I hear it's an experience.) We'll see what I can accomplish.
The Duke man, who's been to London five times, gave me some suggestions as to what I should see, and when I showed him my itinerary, he said, "wow, good luck getting all that in." I laughed. I figure it's better to be prepared!
love you, miss you!
Friday was a bit nerve racking, as I prepared myself to leave. I panicked when I realized I had left my money for the metro at home, but my boss graciously gave me money when she heard I was in need. She was so kind about it, giving me more than necessary, and I was able to make it to the airport on time with a few moments to spare.
Once I stepped off the plane in Chicago, I stepped right onto the plane bound for London. A jumbo jet, I sat on the aisle of a row of 9! It was the largest plane I've ever been in, and oddly, the best flight I've ever taken. I watched two movies, Confessions of a Shopaholic (cute, but wait to watch the TV edited version) and Monsters vs. Aliens (absolutely awesome!) I made small talk with the guy sitting next to me, a senior Lit major at Duke, and tried my best to sleep. As the Duke man said, "They try to trick you into thinking you've slept. They feed you dinner, turn off the lights, and then an hour and a half later they turn on the lights and feed you breakfast." That's exactly how it went.
The eight hour flight really didn't seem that long, and when we arrived at 10am, I went straight for the bathrooms and cleaned up, then headed out to customs, where I received my very first stamp! Yippee!!
The tube systems are being worked on, so I had to take some detours (glad I had studied the little tube map or I would have been completely lost) and then walked the rest of the way to my hostel, Palmer's Lodge.
Today I will try to head down to Kensington, to go to the Orangery for tea (thanks for the suggestion, Stacey), then to the Victoria and Albert Museum, and then to Harrod's (thanks, Sharon1) for the summer sale! (I probably won't buy anything, but I hear it's an experience.) We'll see what I can accomplish.
The Duke man, who's been to London five times, gave me some suggestions as to what I should see, and when I showed him my itinerary, he said, "wow, good luck getting all that in." I laughed. I figure it's better to be prepared!
love you, miss you!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
My Itinerary
Friday
6:00PM depart STL on American Airlines Flight 1982
7:15PM arrive CHI
8:15PM depart CHI on American Airlines Flight 46
Saturday
10:00AM arrive LHR (London Heathrow)
11:00AM take Tube to hostel
12:00PM arrive Palmer’s Lodge Hostel
Info: 40 College Crescent Swiss Cottage London
p. +44 (0) 207 483 8470 f. +44 (0) 207 483 8471 e. reception@palmerslodge.co.uk
12:30PM take Tube to High St. Kensington
Get lunch at Whole Foods; head to Kensington Gardens/Palace
2pm - Tour around Kensington gardens and shops
3pm - go to the Orangery for afternoon tea
4pm – Victoria and Albert Museum
6pm - Harrods (Summer Sale)
8pm – Tube to hostel
Sunday
9:00am: Tube to All Souls Church (service starts at 9:30am)
2 All Souls Pl, London Tube: Oxford Circus north on Regent St.
11:15am: get lunch OR big breakfast?
12:00pm: Walk to Hillsong London (service starts at 12:45pm)
Tottenham Court Rd, Central/Northern Dominion Theatre
2:30pm: Walk to British Museum
6:00pm: Tube to Westminster
Get dinner
7:00pm: London Eye (if sunny - supposed to be rainy this day)
9:00pm: Tube to Hostel
Monday
9:00AM: Tube to Charing Cross
10:00AM: Somerset House Courtald Galleries
11:30AM: City Walk (if sunny) around St. Paul’s Cathedral
get lunch
1:30PM: Tower of London
7:30PM: Shakespeare’s Globe – As You Like It
Tuesday
9:00AM: Tube to Kew Gardens
10:00AM: Spend day with family!!
Wednesday
10:00AM British Library
Get lunch
12:30PM National Gallery
2:30PM National Portrait Gallery
4:30PM Roam Piccadilly Circus
7:00PM Trafalgar Square to celebrate Canada Day
8:00PM Roam Covent Garden Market
Thursday (day trip – currently to Hampton Court) could change…
11:30AM Changing of the Guard (Buckingham Palace)
12:00PM Board the Thames River Boat headed for Hampton Court at Westminster
3:00PM Explore Hampton Court with its gardens and the maze
8:00PM Take the bus to hostel
(I might find that I spend my day trip in London, b/c I've packed in alot and I still won't see everything...)
Friday
9:00AM Tube to Tate Britain
12:00PM Lunch
1:00PM Tube to Westminster
2:00PM Churchill Museum and War Cabinet rooms
4:00PM Tube to Westminster
5:00PM Evensong
6:00PM Westminster Walk
8:00PM Waterloo Bridge (watch the sunset over Westminster Abbey)
9:00PM Tate Modern
10:00PM to Hostel to bed!
Saturday
8:00AM Tube to Heathrow
11:00AM depart LHR American Airlines Flight 173
2:40PM arrive Raleigh/Durham
3:55PM depart Raleigh/Durham American Airlines Flight 4219
5:00PM arrive STL
6:00PM arrive HOME - see fireworks??
6:00PM depart STL on American Airlines Flight 1982
7:15PM arrive CHI
8:15PM depart CHI on American Airlines Flight 46
Saturday
10:00AM arrive LHR (London Heathrow)
11:00AM take Tube to hostel
12:00PM arrive Palmer’s Lodge Hostel
Info: 40 College Crescent Swiss Cottage London
p. +44 (0) 207 483 8470 f. +44 (0) 207 483 8471 e. reception@palmerslodge.co.uk
12:30PM take Tube to High St. Kensington
Get lunch at Whole Foods; head to Kensington Gardens/Palace
2pm - Tour around Kensington gardens and shops
3pm - go to the Orangery for afternoon tea
4pm – Victoria and Albert Museum
6pm - Harrods (Summer Sale)
8pm – Tube to hostel
Sunday
9:00am: Tube to All Souls Church (service starts at 9:30am)
2 All Souls Pl, London Tube: Oxford Circus north on Regent St.
11:15am: get lunch OR big breakfast?
12:00pm: Walk to Hillsong London (service starts at 12:45pm)
Tottenham Court Rd, Central/Northern Dominion Theatre
2:30pm: Walk to British Museum
6:00pm: Tube to Westminster
Get dinner
7:00pm: London Eye (if sunny - supposed to be rainy this day)
9:00pm: Tube to Hostel
Monday
9:00AM: Tube to Charing Cross
10:00AM: Somerset House Courtald Galleries
11:30AM: City Walk (if sunny) around St. Paul’s Cathedral
get lunch
1:30PM: Tower of London
7:30PM: Shakespeare’s Globe – As You Like It
Tuesday
9:00AM: Tube to Kew Gardens
10:00AM: Spend day with family!!
Wednesday
10:00AM British Library
Get lunch
12:30PM National Gallery
2:30PM National Portrait Gallery
4:30PM Roam Piccadilly Circus
7:00PM Trafalgar Square to celebrate Canada Day
8:00PM Roam Covent Garden Market
Thursday (day trip – currently to Hampton Court) could change…
11:30AM Changing of the Guard (Buckingham Palace)
12:00PM Board the Thames River Boat headed for Hampton Court at Westminster
3:00PM Explore Hampton Court with its gardens and the maze
8:00PM Take the bus to hostel
(I might find that I spend my day trip in London, b/c I've packed in alot and I still won't see everything...)
Friday
9:00AM Tube to Tate Britain
12:00PM Lunch
1:00PM Tube to Westminster
2:00PM Churchill Museum and War Cabinet rooms
4:00PM Tube to Westminster
5:00PM Evensong
6:00PM Westminster Walk
8:00PM Waterloo Bridge (watch the sunset over Westminster Abbey)
9:00PM Tate Modern
10:00PM to Hostel to bed!
Saturday
8:00AM Tube to Heathrow
11:00AM depart LHR American Airlines Flight 173
2:40PM arrive Raleigh/Durham
3:55PM depart Raleigh/Durham American Airlines Flight 4219
5:00PM arrive STL
6:00PM arrive HOME - see fireworks??
Saturday, June 20, 2009
6 days and counting...
Yes, I know that I've snatched the very title of my blog from a well known and well loved trilogy, but they say imitation is the most sincere form and flattery, and this title fits the best! Plus, I absolutely love LOTR, and perhaps, baby step by baby step, I will grow to be an adventurer just like Bilbo!
So friends, at this time next Saturday I will be sleeping (hopefully) in a 12 girl dorm in the Northeast corner of London. As this is the first time that I will be travelling, and I'll be going alone, I'd like to take you all with me, in a sense, by sharing with you all that I will be doing there through this blog. Because the hostel I'll be staying in has internet access, I'll attempt to update the blog each evening when I return "home." (This way, if I don't blog for two days in a row, you'll know to send a search party!) ...just kidding, mom...
In the next few days I will attach an itinerary of all that I plan to be doing while I'm "across the pond." I took all your suggestions to heart and have really tried to squeeze them all in, but sadly, it seems as though a week just isn't enough time to explore all of London.
My stomach is churning with butterflies, both excited and scared. Who can know what tomorrow holds? I'm thankful there is One, and I'm thankful that He's seen fit for us to journey together. Thank you, friends...you give me courage!
Let the countdown begin!
So friends, at this time next Saturday I will be sleeping (hopefully) in a 12 girl dorm in the Northeast corner of London. As this is the first time that I will be travelling, and I'll be going alone, I'd like to take you all with me, in a sense, by sharing with you all that I will be doing there through this blog. Because the hostel I'll be staying in has internet access, I'll attempt to update the blog each evening when I return "home." (This way, if I don't blog for two days in a row, you'll know to send a search party!) ...just kidding, mom...
In the next few days I will attach an itinerary of all that I plan to be doing while I'm "across the pond." I took all your suggestions to heart and have really tried to squeeze them all in, but sadly, it seems as though a week just isn't enough time to explore all of London.
My stomach is churning with butterflies, both excited and scared. Who can know what tomorrow holds? I'm thankful there is One, and I'm thankful that He's seen fit for us to journey together. Thank you, friends...you give me courage!
Let the countdown begin!
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