Well, last minute tourist plans have been taking up most of my time (first, things first...my blog title is credited to Rachel!). My journey in London is coming to a close, and I'm not ready for it to be over. I still have so much to see, and I know I won't get the chance to experience it all. Here is some of the stuff that has been keeping me busy the past week...
On Tuesday, we went to the races! Greyhound racing, that is. This was supposed to be our experience with middle-class life in London. We live in the very posh side, so we tend to have a bias view of London. The area we were in was definitely a little more run down, but
it wasn't terrible by any means. The point of the races is to drink beer, eat chips, and bet on dogs. I got two of the three down: I ate lots of chips (french fries) and bet on some dogs...I didn't bet a lot, and it was a good thing I didn't because I could have landed myself in the hole quite a bit because I lost both of the races I bet on (I was so excited for my two tickets in that race...both were losing bets). There were about 16 races, and Michelle and I stayed for 7 and then left because I didn't want to try and bet any more money! I only bet 2 pounds total (I only placed minimum bets), but I was afraid I would win, and then lose it. So, I thought I would just walk away. Going to the stadium was a lot of fun, and the dogs are so graceful when they run (even though they are pretty darn ugly when not running). Not to mention those buggers are fast! 
For most of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday I wrote my papers for class...I'm almost done. Just two more paragraphs, and I'm home free...well, kind of. I still have two finals to study for, but I would take that over what I would be doing at Central any day! But, Thursday night we went on the London Eye! It was so much fun and really, really high. We went at about sunset, so it was gorgeous, and we got to see London from a bird's eye view. I saw the street that we live off of, Victoria Street! It was so cool, and I realized just how close everything really is. I was a little nervous about going on, but once we were going, I was fine. Loved the view! On Friday afternoon we went on a tour of Parliament. The previous day, there was a general election, and the result was a hung Parliament. They haven't had one in 36 years, so it is a pretty big deal. Basically, it means that no single party had an outright majority for seats i
n Parliament. So, at this point the new Prime Minister is still undecided while the Conservatives try to swing the Liberal Democrats to join their side against Labour. It's all a little confusing, and I was surprised that tours were taking place on Friday. The security was pretty tight. We each had to get a pass with our pictures on it and go through metal detectors (I didn't really think my picture looked like me). No pictures allowed, of course. But, I did get to see the House of Lords and House of Commons. The only place we were able to take pictures was the banqueting hall in the old Westminster Palace. It is the oldest part of the building since most of Westminster Palace was destroyed by fire long ago. The last king to live in it was Henry VIII, and then it was given to Parliament members. It was very ornate inside, and definitely worth a visit.
n Parliament. So, at this point the new Prime Minister is still undecided while the Conservatives try to swing the Liberal Democrats to join their side against Labour. It's all a little confusing, and I was surprised that tours were taking place on Friday. The security was pretty tight. We each had to get a pass with our pictures on it and go through metal detectors (I didn't really think my picture looked like me). No pictures allowed, of course. But, I did get to see the House of Lords and House of Commons. The only place we were able to take pictures was the banqueting hall in the old Westminster Palace. It is the oldest part of the building since most of Westminster Palace was destroyed by fire long ago. The last king to live in it was Henry VIII, and then it was given to Parliament members. It was very ornate inside, and definitely worth a visit. On Saturday, I went to Ham
ley's! It is a massive store with so many different kinds of toys. We all had a blast in there channeling our inner 5 year-old (obviously in the picture we are channeling our inner Jedi). After that, we stopped by Platform 9 3/4 because some of the people in our group hadn't been there yet. Once again, Hogwarts thwarted me and didn't let me onto the platform. It must be fate. Well, after that thrilling adventure, Rachel and I went shopping for the last time on Oxford Street! Rachel bought a few things, but I didn't get anything because I know I'm going to have problems packing my suitcase as it is!
Today, we decided to sleep in, and got a later start. We headed to Trafalgar Square where Rachel and I attempted to climb the massive lions like all tourists do. Everyone else just looked on and laughed as I tried to climb the platform
. It was hilarious, and we never really sat on the lions because they are taller than me and extremely slippery. It was good to act like a tourist again. And, we got another chance later because we went to Abbey Road. It is impossible to get a good picture crossing that street like The Beatles because...well...there are cars. It was a good attempt; no pictures that look like The Beatles, but we tried! We had one last thing on our agenda this afternoon, and that was to take some telephone booth pictures! It felt totally tacky to be doing that when I've lived here for four months, but it was so much fun. I can't imagine leaving London, but it is more of a reality everyday.
Well, now I'm waiting for news on my mom and aunt's flight. They are supposed to be flying in tonight, but the volcano is acting up again, and flights are being cancelled. I really hope they make it here!
ley's! It is a massive store with so many different kinds of toys. We all had a blast in there channeling our inner 5 year-old (obviously in the picture we are channeling our inner Jedi). After that, we stopped by Platform 9 3/4 because some of the people in our group hadn't been there yet. Once again, Hogwarts thwarted me and didn't let me onto the platform. It must be fate. Well, after that thrilling adventure, Rachel and I went shopping for the last time on Oxford Street! Rachel bought a few things, but I didn't get anything because I know I'm going to have problems packing my suitcase as it is!Today, we decided to sleep in, and got a later start. We headed to Trafalgar Square where Rachel and I attempted to climb the massive lions like all tourists do. Everyone else just looked on and laughed as I tried to climb the platform
. It was hilarious, and we never really sat on the lions because they are taller than me and extremely slippery. It was good to act like a tourist again. And, we got another chance later because we went to Abbey Road. It is impossible to get a good picture crossing that street like The Beatles because...well...there are cars. It was a good attempt; no pictures that look like The Beatles, but we tried! We had one last thing on our agenda this afternoon, and that was to take some telephone booth pictures! It felt totally tacky to be doing that when I've lived here for four months, but it was so much fun. I can't imagine leaving London, but it is more of a reality everyday.Well, now I'm waiting for news on my mom and aunt's flight. They are supposed to be flying in tonight, but the volcano is acting up again, and flights are being cancelled. I really hope they make it here!
Hogwarts, let me in! If only I could learn a spell to get rid of that volcano!
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