22.12.09
20.12.09
I'd take a non-white Christmas as long as I'm home for it.
Oh, goodness.
We're about to check out of our hotel, in PARIS STILL, and head to the airport. None of which was planned.
The problem was a 14 hour train ride from Paris to......Paris. We were not one of the trains *stuck* in the Chunnel, but we sat outside it waiting for the chance to go in. And eventually decided just to go back to Paris. So Em and I got a hotel right next to the train station, and worked with the 'rents to find a way to London. We're now flying there from Charles De Gaulle. Hopefully that flight's not cancelled. Then we have 14 more hours in Heathrow, and then fly to Chicago. If all goes well, we will have had a hell of a time travelling, but will still get to Chicago at the normal time. As long as I make it by Christmas.
So Emily missed out on London, but we got a private hotel room and internet. And the hotel and our meals will be reimbursed by the train people. You win some, you lose some I guess.
We'll probably buy more internet in Heathrow, so I might get one more blog entry in before I'm HOME.
We're about to check out of our hotel, in PARIS STILL, and head to the airport. None of which was planned.
The problem was a 14 hour train ride from Paris to......Paris. We were not one of the trains *stuck* in the Chunnel, but we sat outside it waiting for the chance to go in. And eventually decided just to go back to Paris. So Em and I got a hotel right next to the train station, and worked with the 'rents to find a way to London. We're now flying there from Charles De Gaulle. Hopefully that flight's not cancelled. Then we have 14 more hours in Heathrow, and then fly to Chicago. If all goes well, we will have had a hell of a time travelling, but will still get to Chicago at the normal time. As long as I make it by Christmas.
So Emily missed out on London, but we got a private hotel room and internet. And the hotel and our meals will be reimbursed by the train people. You win some, you lose some I guess.
We'll probably buy more internet in Heathrow, so I might get one more blog entry in before I'm HOME.
14.12.09
HOME IN A WEEK. WHAT THE WHAT?
I got to the Dublin bus stop in plenty of time to catch the bus to the ferry. I asked information where it would be and went there half an hour beforehand. I found other people also catching the ferry bus. When it was 15 minutes late, one of the other people went back to information to ask. Everyone was talking about how the bus doesn't run if the ferry's cancelled and one time they didn't make it to London until 9 the next morning! I was certain everything was going to be ruined and I wouldn't even make it to Paris.
Turns out, we did miss the bus (it did NOT come where they said it was going to come), but we just shared a cab instead. Me, an old English woman, an old Irishman, a middle aged Irishman, and our cabbie. They were hilarious and vulgar and I loved them. The old man was adorable and the woman was spitfire. Fantastic time.
Then the entire day was spent travelling, which really wasn't so bad. I got pretty used to it in Africa, and then I'd be in a truck on a bumpy bumpy bumpy road, with bugs around. So hours on a train isn't that big of a deal.
The hostel in London was awful--bad management, too many beds in a room, the person next to me reading with a giant fluorescent light on over my head. But all I did was sleep there, then the next morning on a train to Paris.
I really do love that city. I love the river and the streets and the people. I love that I know it well enough that I got around without a map, and that there are places of which I have memories. I walked from Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower, which was good but cold & difficult to do with a rolling suitcase. Then to the train station via metro.
Honestly, Europeans need to learn how to make train stations. Or really, just how to make them INDOORS. Open air train stations do me no good when it's freezing outside. Mont Parnasse was cold and the only place to sit was in chairs without backs. Not. Cool. When I got too cold I just went into a heated bookshop and flipped through People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive issue, so it wasn't so bad.
And then NANTES! It took a bit of time to find Emily at the train station, but I found her and I love her and I'm so happy to be with someone I know! We went out for food with one of her friends and talked for a really long time, then Skyped with our parents on a horrible connection that made them sound like robots, and then bed. Today has been her studying and me interneting mostly. It's nice to have a down day after so much travel and ado. (I may or may not have already watched all of 30 Rock that I missed).
Whenever I try to speak French it comes out as Swahili, Sijui and Ndiyo and Hapana instead of Je ne sais pas and Oui and Non. So I just smile awkwardly and let Emily talk.
Turns out, we did miss the bus (it did NOT come where they said it was going to come), but we just shared a cab instead. Me, an old English woman, an old Irishman, a middle aged Irishman, and our cabbie. They were hilarious and vulgar and I loved them. The old man was adorable and the woman was spitfire. Fantastic time.
Then the entire day was spent travelling, which really wasn't so bad. I got pretty used to it in Africa, and then I'd be in a truck on a bumpy bumpy bumpy road, with bugs around. So hours on a train isn't that big of a deal.
The hostel in London was awful--bad management, too many beds in a room, the person next to me reading with a giant fluorescent light on over my head. But all I did was sleep there, then the next morning on a train to Paris.
I really do love that city. I love the river and the streets and the people. I love that I know it well enough that I got around without a map, and that there are places of which I have memories. I walked from Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower, which was good but cold & difficult to do with a rolling suitcase. Then to the train station via metro.
Honestly, Europeans need to learn how to make train stations. Or really, just how to make them INDOORS. Open air train stations do me no good when it's freezing outside. Mont Parnasse was cold and the only place to sit was in chairs without backs. Not. Cool. When I got too cold I just went into a heated bookshop and flipped through People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive issue, so it wasn't so bad.
And then NANTES! It took a bit of time to find Emily at the train station, but I found her and I love her and I'm so happy to be with someone I know! We went out for food with one of her friends and talked for a really long time, then Skyped with our parents on a horrible connection that made them sound like robots, and then bed. Today has been her studying and me interneting mostly. It's nice to have a down day after so much travel and ado. (I may or may not have already watched all of 30 Rock that I missed).
Whenever I try to speak French it comes out as Swahili, Sijui and Ndiyo and Hapana instead of Je ne sais pas and Oui and Non. So I just smile awkwardly and let Emily talk.
11.12.09
The headline will read, "Donaghy saves GE comma marries your mom"
I got up an hour later today, meaning I slept through half an hour of daylight, but I needed it.
I actually slept through the football game I was going to watch two nights ago too. Which is horribly depressing, because the next game isn't until tomorrow, so I missed my only shot to watch football in an Irish pub. :(
But I think I'm on the edge of getting sick. I felt awful yesterday morning, nose running and stomach hurting--though that may have only been because I stuffed my face at breakfast. It's free, so I feel like I have to eat as much as humanly possible.
The biggest problem yesterday morning was actually the map, which was neither correct nor complete. It warned me, says right on it that it's not to scale, but still. The walk from Guinness to the Gaol looks to be maybe a sixth the length of the walk from the hostel to Guinness, but it took the same amount of time.
Once I got there though, it was incredibly worth it. Kilmainham Gaol, a jail that has bene part of 6 different Irish rebellions, including the 1916 Easter uprising and the Irish Civil War. I went on a guided tour with two other people and the guide, who was awesome. (Except he made fun of me for not knowing my history based on the fact that I didn't know Charles Stewart captained the USS Constitution during the War of 1812. I mean, honestly.)
Also, at the end of the tour, we got to see a crew shooint a reenactment scene for a documentary. We saw someone get executed by firing squad, which was really just people aiming, the click of empty guns, and the guy falling onto a mattress. Still cool though. And did you know that firing squards had 13 people, and there were 12 bullets and a blank? No one knew who had the blank, so each man could tell himself that maybe he wasn't actually responsible for killing that person. Interesting, huh?
From the Gaol I went to the Guinness Storehouse. On the way, I got asked directions. Honestly, I am the LEAST fashionable person on the street, what with my tennis shoes and safari pants and ridiculous hat and fleece whose pockets are weighed down tieh valuable. Clearly, I am not European. But it happened to me on the way to Avenue Q in London and again yesterday. I did, actually, know where both people were trying to get, but still can't believe of all people to ask, they picked me.
The Guinness Storehouse was really neat, and the view from the top floor was great. Even thogh I don't drink beer, I made it through my free pint at the top. It took me a *while*, but I did it.
Then it was back toward home. Did a bit of browing in Temple Bar shops, and ate at Elephant & Castle, where my friend who's studying in Galway told me to go and get chicken wings. I did, and it was an excellent choice, if a bit overpriced.
Then interneting with The Boyfriend. I would have posted then but the cafe closed an hour early, which was annoying.
Today I went back to my bench in Merrion Square. It's my favorite spot in Dublin. But alas, the sickness seemed to strike again. I walked around a bit instead, which kept me a little warmer, but eventually had to go back to the hostel, where I wrote and read and slept and packed. And ate my leftover chicken wings. :)
No football game tonight, but I figure I've got to go to a pub anyway, just see what it's like. London tomorrow, and I bought my ticket from Paris to Nantes, so I will definitely make it all the way to Emily on Sunday! I can't wait!
I actually slept through the football game I was going to watch two nights ago too. Which is horribly depressing, because the next game isn't until tomorrow, so I missed my only shot to watch football in an Irish pub. :(
But I think I'm on the edge of getting sick. I felt awful yesterday morning, nose running and stomach hurting--though that may have only been because I stuffed my face at breakfast. It's free, so I feel like I have to eat as much as humanly possible.
The biggest problem yesterday morning was actually the map, which was neither correct nor complete. It warned me, says right on it that it's not to scale, but still. The walk from Guinness to the Gaol looks to be maybe a sixth the length of the walk from the hostel to Guinness, but it took the same amount of time.
Once I got there though, it was incredibly worth it. Kilmainham Gaol, a jail that has bene part of 6 different Irish rebellions, including the 1916 Easter uprising and the Irish Civil War. I went on a guided tour with two other people and the guide, who was awesome. (Except he made fun of me for not knowing my history based on the fact that I didn't know Charles Stewart captained the USS Constitution during the War of 1812. I mean, honestly.)
Also, at the end of the tour, we got to see a crew shooint a reenactment scene for a documentary. We saw someone get executed by firing squad, which was really just people aiming, the click of empty guns, and the guy falling onto a mattress. Still cool though. And did you know that firing squards had 13 people, and there were 12 bullets and a blank? No one knew who had the blank, so each man could tell himself that maybe he wasn't actually responsible for killing that person. Interesting, huh?
From the Gaol I went to the Guinness Storehouse. On the way, I got asked directions. Honestly, I am the LEAST fashionable person on the street, what with my tennis shoes and safari pants and ridiculous hat and fleece whose pockets are weighed down tieh valuable. Clearly, I am not European. But it happened to me on the way to Avenue Q in London and again yesterday. I did, actually, know where both people were trying to get, but still can't believe of all people to ask, they picked me.
The Guinness Storehouse was really neat, and the view from the top floor was great. Even thogh I don't drink beer, I made it through my free pint at the top. It took me a *while*, but I did it.
Then it was back toward home. Did a bit of browing in Temple Bar shops, and ate at Elephant & Castle, where my friend who's studying in Galway told me to go and get chicken wings. I did, and it was an excellent choice, if a bit overpriced.
Then interneting with The Boyfriend. I would have posted then but the cafe closed an hour early, which was annoying.
Today I went back to my bench in Merrion Square. It's my favorite spot in Dublin. But alas, the sickness seemed to strike again. I walked around a bit instead, which kept me a little warmer, but eventually had to go back to the hostel, where I wrote and read and slept and packed. And ate my leftover chicken wings. :)
No football game tonight, but I figure I've got to go to a pub anyway, just see what it's like. London tomorrow, and I bought my ticket from Paris to Nantes, so I will definitely make it all the way to Emily on Sunday! I can't wait!
9.12.09
Granderson to the Yankees? *sobs*
Dublin is cold. It's nice, I like the cold. But still. Cold. I am wearing a hat indoors.
Ohmigoodness Avenue Q was amaaaaaaaaazing! I was supposed to be on the second floor balcony, but for some reason they weren't using it that night, so I got upgraded...TO SIX ROWS BACK. It was brilliant. There was some crazy guy there who brought a puppet to the show--I assumed he was part of it at first, but nope, just crazy. I fell madly in love with the actress who played Kate Monster. She was also Lucy the Slut (God if you don't know this show you probably think I'm insane) in this crazy deep sultry Southern accent. Brilliant!
The next day was all travel. The fast ferry was cancelled so I had to wait a couple hours and take the slow one, meaning I got to Dublin at 6ish instead of 2ish. Found my hostel with relative ease and headed out to explore the Temple Bar area. I just looked, scouted places to go for dinner tonight (and found one!), and came back. I was exhausted and just showered and slept. There were four girls staying in my room, but they all left this morning, which is sad because they were nice.
Today I was up and out before nine, headed toward Merrion Square. Guys. It is my new favorite place ever. It's a park except largely wooded instead of having everything cut down to make lawns. I sat on a bench and wrote and watched people for a good hour. Then over to St. Stephen's Green, where I read for an hour. Then to St. Patrick's Cathedral, where I read and wrote some more. Eventually I got too cold and started walking again. I saw Christchurch Cathedral, which was lovely and warm inside, even if I had to pay admission. Also did a quick runthrough of Dublin Castle, where there was a neat display of angel statues, but it was raining by then and I was only getting colder. I rescouted Temple Bar to make sure there would be football tonight (there is--Liverpool v. somebody) and came to the internet for a chatting date with the boyfriend.
I think I will probably end up taking a nap, honestly. It gets dark here in about half an hour, and my body doesn't like staying up for long periods after the dark. So I'll need a nap to make sure I make it out to dinner tonight. I think I'm going for a burger and greasy fries. Quite different from my usual diet lately--bananas and baguettes.
Tomorrow will be more exploring. Maybe Guiness Factory or Kilmainham Gaol or both. Pray it doesn't get too cold.
I'll be home in eleven days! It looks glorious and snowy according to lakemichigancam.com, a camera updating every ten minutes with a picture of the Grand Haven pier. I plan to spend my winter break alternating between sledding and being holed up under blankets with a cat and hot chocolate.
Ohmigoodness Avenue Q was amaaaaaaaaazing! I was supposed to be on the second floor balcony, but for some reason they weren't using it that night, so I got upgraded...TO SIX ROWS BACK. It was brilliant. There was some crazy guy there who brought a puppet to the show--I assumed he was part of it at first, but nope, just crazy. I fell madly in love with the actress who played Kate Monster. She was also Lucy the Slut (God if you don't know this show you probably think I'm insane) in this crazy deep sultry Southern accent. Brilliant!
The next day was all travel. The fast ferry was cancelled so I had to wait a couple hours and take the slow one, meaning I got to Dublin at 6ish instead of 2ish. Found my hostel with relative ease and headed out to explore the Temple Bar area. I just looked, scouted places to go for dinner tonight (and found one!), and came back. I was exhausted and just showered and slept. There were four girls staying in my room, but they all left this morning, which is sad because they were nice.
Today I was up and out before nine, headed toward Merrion Square. Guys. It is my new favorite place ever. It's a park except largely wooded instead of having everything cut down to make lawns. I sat on a bench and wrote and watched people for a good hour. Then over to St. Stephen's Green, where I read for an hour. Then to St. Patrick's Cathedral, where I read and wrote some more. Eventually I got too cold and started walking again. I saw Christchurch Cathedral, which was lovely and warm inside, even if I had to pay admission. Also did a quick runthrough of Dublin Castle, where there was a neat display of angel statues, but it was raining by then and I was only getting colder. I rescouted Temple Bar to make sure there would be football tonight (there is--Liverpool v. somebody) and came to the internet for a chatting date with the boyfriend.
I think I will probably end up taking a nap, honestly. It gets dark here in about half an hour, and my body doesn't like staying up for long periods after the dark. So I'll need a nap to make sure I make it out to dinner tonight. I think I'm going for a burger and greasy fries. Quite different from my usual diet lately--bananas and baguettes.
Tomorrow will be more exploring. Maybe Guiness Factory or Kilmainham Gaol or both. Pray it doesn't get too cold.
I'll be home in eleven days! It looks glorious and snowy according to lakemichigancam.com, a camera updating every ten minutes with a picture of the Grand Haven pier. I plan to spend my winter break alternating between sledding and being holed up under blankets with a cat and hot chocolate.
7.12.09
Last night! Oh my goodness.
We took the Tube to go see Buckingham Palace at night, but when we were getting off there was a sign that said, "Winter Wonderland" with an arrow pointing the opposite direction from the palace. We obviously had to go.
It was a real Christmas fair! There was tons of food and little shops and rides too! Rachel and I rode a spinny ride and my gloves flew out of my pocket, but it was worth cold hands--I have another pair anyway. I took a picture of a restaurant place called "WURST KOCH" for Hank's girlfriend, whose last name is Koch.
Pretty soon after we arrived, we found a Santa statue and I wanted a picture of Rachel and Hillary next to it. We were waiting for the people before us, and the guy said, "I don't believe in Santa Claus." and I told him he was ruining the spirit of Christmas, and he recognized my accent as American (not tough to do). He's from Massachusetts, here at cooking school, and we hung out with him and his roommates (Jaquim (sp?) from Portugal, who was quite sweet, and Mariana from Brazil who was very beautiful and took pictures of everthing) for the rest of the night. He took Hillary on the tallest free fall tower in the world, Rachel and I rode our ride. We tried to go ice skating but it was expensive and packed. Instead there was dancing (more like jumping around a bit and making fun of everyone there, who were all rather sauced), plus a requested "ChaCha Slide" that made it feel like we were in middle school again. Dinner of chocolate covered strawberries, bananas, pears and pineapple. The strawberries were the best (though the mulled wine might have to take the cake for my favorite part of the night). It was all such fun!
We might be hanging out with them again tonight, though the three of us are all going to musicals! I got a <$30 ticket to Avenue Q! Very exciting.
Today we tried to do changing of the guard but didn't have much of a view. I figure I'll just go again with Emily and get there super early. Hillary and I did see the changing of the horse guards though, which was fun but not as cool. She and I got up early and walked a ton to get me my Avenue Q ticket. By that time it was late enough for our three-day pass to kick in--we got it offpeak hours which means after 9:30 in the morning. I got my ticket to Dublin for TOMORROW!
Now laundry and probably hanging out in Hyde Park with a nice coffee and some writing or a book. Maybe the Tate, maybe the Museum of Science and Industry.
We took the Tube to go see Buckingham Palace at night, but when we were getting off there was a sign that said, "Winter Wonderland" with an arrow pointing the opposite direction from the palace. We obviously had to go.
It was a real Christmas fair! There was tons of food and little shops and rides too! Rachel and I rode a spinny ride and my gloves flew out of my pocket, but it was worth cold hands--I have another pair anyway. I took a picture of a restaurant place called "WURST KOCH" for Hank's girlfriend, whose last name is Koch.
Pretty soon after we arrived, we found a Santa statue and I wanted a picture of Rachel and Hillary next to it. We were waiting for the people before us, and the guy said, "I don't believe in Santa Claus." and I told him he was ruining the spirit of Christmas, and he recognized my accent as American (not tough to do). He's from Massachusetts, here at cooking school, and we hung out with him and his roommates (Jaquim (sp?) from Portugal, who was quite sweet, and Mariana from Brazil who was very beautiful and took pictures of everthing) for the rest of the night. He took Hillary on the tallest free fall tower in the world, Rachel and I rode our ride. We tried to go ice skating but it was expensive and packed. Instead there was dancing (more like jumping around a bit and making fun of everyone there, who were all rather sauced), plus a requested "ChaCha Slide" that made it feel like we were in middle school again. Dinner of chocolate covered strawberries, bananas, pears and pineapple. The strawberries were the best (though the mulled wine might have to take the cake for my favorite part of the night). It was all such fun!
We might be hanging out with them again tonight, though the three of us are all going to musicals! I got a <$30 ticket to Avenue Q! Very exciting.
Today we tried to do changing of the guard but didn't have much of a view. I figure I'll just go again with Emily and get there super early. Hillary and I did see the changing of the horse guards though, which was fun but not as cool. She and I got up early and walked a ton to get me my Avenue Q ticket. By that time it was late enough for our three-day pass to kick in--we got it offpeak hours which means after 9:30 in the morning. I got my ticket to Dublin for TOMORROW!
Now laundry and probably hanging out in Hyde Park with a nice coffee and some writing or a book. Maybe the Tate, maybe the Museum of Science and Industry.
6.12.09
Probably the biggest culture shock to London is that there are a lot of white people and I don't know all of them.
LONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNDONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!
Not that I'm excited or anything.
Yes, I am indeed in London, but I'll see if I can do a more chronological update.
The hotel at which we stayed for the retreat was literally the swankiest hotel ever. I'd never been somewhere that crazy before. We had a triple, with a big living room, bedroom with full bath, bedroom with half bath, and kitchen. Moving from tents to the East African Hotel was a bit intense. But also great, because the bio kids came back so I got to see (/room with) Hillary and Rachel R and share all our stories.
I felt a bit bad, as I was really excited to leave Africa. I had had a great time, but the last three weeks were not as interesting as the rest of it, and I got quite sick of some of the people. Plus, London, Dublin, Nantes, home. So of course I was excited.
At the hotel we presented, which went well but was a long day. Did evaluations and such. Had a final dinner together. After dinner most of us jumped in the pool and started an African whirlpool---we ran around the pool in one direction for a long time until the current would just sort of take us. It was ridiculous and fun. Ethan joined for a bit. At one point we all decided to hold onto each other as we ran, and I was holding Ethan's arm and every time he turned the corner he would pull it really hard and pull me (and everyone attached to me) with him and I'd almost drown a little, except it was fun.
The bus ride to Nairobi the day after was long, but not bad. I passed out for most of it. David Sperling met us at the hotel and it was good to see him. For dinner we went to a mall, which was a huge culture shock. Not only a mall, but a mall decorated for Christmas. We felt a little thrown off.
The trip to London began with a cab ride to the airport in which we drove with the windows down and almost hit a cow on the way, and ended with a trip to the hotel in a bus with a zipped up fleece and blowing on our hands, no cows in sight.
Today--God I can't believe it's all been one day and it's only 3:30--Rachel, Hill and I came in on the Underground ("a Picadilly line train with service to Cockfosters," they reminded us at every station) and dropped our stuff at the hostel. It's literally right on Hyde Park and is awesome. As we started heading to Picadilly Circus we ran into Natalie from our trip, who had been staying nearby but was moving to a different hostel. She fed us a baguette and we helped her move her stuff. Got to Picadilly Circus and investigated cheap tickets--Rachel's going to see Wicked tomorrow and Hillary's going to see Blood Brothers. I want to see Avenue Q but have to check again tomorrow for cheaper tickets.
We did the National Portrait Gallery, which was pretty cool, and Trafalgar Square and Westminster Abbey and Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. All were lovely, and made even more so by the cold (but not too cold, I'm not even wearing underarmor) and occasional wind and most often sun and the last leaves falling from trees. I love this weather. We also took the underground (we have a three-day transit pass so we can ride anything as much as we want. I love city train systems) up to the Tower of London, but there were too many people for our tastes (plus it costs money, which is never fun), so we came back. Got some groceries (baguettes and goat cheese and grapefruit juice!) and now here we are.
I think tonight we're going to see Buckingham Palace tonight after dark, maybe just wander the city after dark to begin with. Tomorrow is possibly more museums, probably King's Cross Station ('cause we're nerds) and maybe the London Eye.
Next day I go to Dublin by myself! Crazy!
Not that I'm excited or anything.
Yes, I am indeed in London, but I'll see if I can do a more chronological update.
The hotel at which we stayed for the retreat was literally the swankiest hotel ever. I'd never been somewhere that crazy before. We had a triple, with a big living room, bedroom with full bath, bedroom with half bath, and kitchen. Moving from tents to the East African Hotel was a bit intense. But also great, because the bio kids came back so I got to see (/room with) Hillary and Rachel R and share all our stories.
I felt a bit bad, as I was really excited to leave Africa. I had had a great time, but the last three weeks were not as interesting as the rest of it, and I got quite sick of some of the people. Plus, London, Dublin, Nantes, home. So of course I was excited.
At the hotel we presented, which went well but was a long day. Did evaluations and such. Had a final dinner together. After dinner most of us jumped in the pool and started an African whirlpool---we ran around the pool in one direction for a long time until the current would just sort of take us. It was ridiculous and fun. Ethan joined for a bit. At one point we all decided to hold onto each other as we ran, and I was holding Ethan's arm and every time he turned the corner he would pull it really hard and pull me (and everyone attached to me) with him and I'd almost drown a little, except it was fun.
The bus ride to Nairobi the day after was long, but not bad. I passed out for most of it. David Sperling met us at the hotel and it was good to see him. For dinner we went to a mall, which was a huge culture shock. Not only a mall, but a mall decorated for Christmas. We felt a little thrown off.
The trip to London began with a cab ride to the airport in which we drove with the windows down and almost hit a cow on the way, and ended with a trip to the hotel in a bus with a zipped up fleece and blowing on our hands, no cows in sight.
Today--God I can't believe it's all been one day and it's only 3:30--Rachel, Hill and I came in on the Underground ("a Picadilly line train with service to Cockfosters," they reminded us at every station) and dropped our stuff at the hostel. It's literally right on Hyde Park and is awesome. As we started heading to Picadilly Circus we ran into Natalie from our trip, who had been staying nearby but was moving to a different hostel. She fed us a baguette and we helped her move her stuff. Got to Picadilly Circus and investigated cheap tickets--Rachel's going to see Wicked tomorrow and Hillary's going to see Blood Brothers. I want to see Avenue Q but have to check again tomorrow for cheaper tickets.
We did the National Portrait Gallery, which was pretty cool, and Trafalgar Square and Westminster Abbey and Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. All were lovely, and made even more so by the cold (but not too cold, I'm not even wearing underarmor) and occasional wind and most often sun and the last leaves falling from trees. I love this weather. We also took the underground (we have a three-day transit pass so we can ride anything as much as we want. I love city train systems) up to the Tower of London, but there were too many people for our tastes (plus it costs money, which is never fun), so we came back. Got some groceries (baguettes and goat cheese and grapefruit juice!) and now here we are.
I think tonight we're going to see Buckingham Palace tonight after dark, maybe just wander the city after dark to begin with. Tomorrow is possibly more museums, probably King's Cross Station ('cause we're nerds) and maybe the London Eye.
Next day I go to Dublin by myself! Crazy!
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