Excluding cafes, of course, there is only one spot in London that I keep returning to: the South Bank.
I discovered this walk, which follows the Thames, about two weeks into my stay. It begins right near the London Eye. As a result, it can be packed with tourists. However, I've found that avoiding it during the middle of the day and on weekends helps a lot (duh).
I generally get off at the Westminster Tube Station. It's not only the closest stop to the beginning of the South Bank walk, but the exit deposits you at the foot of Big Ben. Even after getting off there on about fifteen different occasions, it takes my breath away each time.
Walking over Westminster Bridge is fun...the first time. You have a spectacular view of the Eye and the river.
However, after that first time, it's mostly just trying not to get hit in the face with selfie sticks. You can probably imagine that that gets old after a little while.
Luckily the views from the other side are worth getting hit a couple times.
Since the first time I decided to explore this walk, I've walked it almost every day--sometimes even twice! So far, it's my favorite thing I've done. I don't plan on giving it up anytime soon!
This past weekend I ventured out of London. I took a nine hour overnight bus north to Edinburgh.
Feeling well-rested and not at all like I needed to shower, I arrived at 8:00 AM. We were unable to check into the hostel until 2:00 PM (good thing I didn't need to brush my teeth or anything), so we locked our bags up at the bus station and ventured out to find COFFEE.
Managed to kill two birds with one stone by getting delicious coffee at a must-see: the cafe where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
Food & coffee were yummy and (believe it or not) reasonably priced
The walls of the bathroom are completely covered in HP quotes
With the stunning view of Edinburgh Castle out the window, it's easier to see how Hogwarts was created
Saturday's highlight was visiting Edinburgh Castle. The admission fee is steep (and no student discount), but it's worth it. There are several complete museums within the castle walls, as well as stunning views of the city.
Sunday was a busy and tiring day. In the morning, I completed the most difficult hike of my life: Arthur's Seat. Legend has it, this was the location of Camelot.
Climbed up to the very highest point you can see
And was rewarded with spectacular 360 degree views
It was a tad windy at the top
Finished Sunday with a trip to Holyrood Palace: the Queen's summer residence. It's essentially at the base of Arthur's Seat. Of course, it was amazing.
Attached are the ruins of a 12th century abbey
Other fun bits included...
Pubs crawls with the 13 other friends there
The Baxter: the wonderful, spotless hostel we stayed in
More spectacular views
The National Museum of Scotland
Calton Hill
This cute little guy
It was a wonderful first trip, and great way to ease into the whole exploring Europe thing. Didn't have to worry about another language, dealing with border patrol, etc.
In the US, we drive on the right, we walk on the right. It makes sense.
Before I arrived in London, I spent more time than I should have wondering, "Do people walk on the left hand side in the UK?"
Well, I have an answer to that question now.
No.
If only it were as simple as a yes or no question. In London, people walk wherever they want. Wherever.
There is no proper side, generally speaking. However, there are a couple of situations in which Londoners do in fact pick a side.
1. If you aren't standing on the right hand side of an escalator, the normally polite Brits will mercilessly push you out of the way. Okay, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but seriously, just stick to the right.
2. Going up and down stairs is less strict. However, in public places people tend to stay left on stairs. It's not a big deal if you are on the right, it just may mean swimming upstream.
3. When you are walking towards someone and have that awkward which way are we both going to go so we don't collide moment, most Brits tend to go left. Americans are used to automatically staying to the right. Either one works just fine; just knowing that more people go left than right can help a lot.
Well, it's been an okay week. I met the future Queen of England. NO BIG DEAL.
If you've read any of my other posts, you've probably figured out that I'm a massive fan of the lovely Kate Middleton. Thanks to Twitter, I found out she had a few engagements in the London neighborhood of Kensington on Monday morning.
Because of the wonderful university system here in England, I don't have class on Mondays. I didn't tell anyone I was going just in case something went wrong and I didn't see her. I didn't want to let myself get too excited.
There was no schedule about what time she would be at each engagement, so I guessed. I went straight to her second scheduled stop at 10:00. There were probably thirty reporters already there. Not many spectators, which meant I was able to stand right up against the barricade.
At 11:00, I looked down the street and saw blue flashing lights–four officers on motorcycles, followed by a black security Range Rover...and a spiffy Jaguar.
Of course I immediately started shaking. Really truly shaking. I don't know if I've ever been that excited before.
Then, ten feet from me, the Duchess stepped out of the Jag before moving CLOSER to me to shake hands with the school administrators (she was officially opening a new private school). In a line of ten people to greet, she really took the time to have a conversation with each. Typically you see someone just going down the line shaking everyone's hand. I was quite impressed by this. Especially because I could hear all of it. I believe in one of my videos you can, embarrassingly, hear me say "Oh my god, it's her voice!" (As if I expected it to be someone else's?)
(please excuse my finger)
The first thing I noticed was that her eyes are much brighter in person than in photos. It's so odd what you observe in an intense situation!
As if that wasn't enough, I discovered that her next engagement was right next door. Isitworthstandingoutinthecoldforanothertwohours? Youbetitwas!
The security was not as tight as I would have imagined. Yes, everyone needed to be behind the barricades, but only thirty seconds before she arrived, and as soon as she walked in the building (doors not even fully closed) we were free to move around.
When she finished up at the school (an hour later), she walked across the courtyard to the newly renovated Kensington Leisure Centre. William and Harry learned to swim here, and the students would use it for P.E. classes.
By the time she went inside, my toes & fingers were numb...which worked in my favor, I thought. I'm already as cold as I can get, why not just stay?
Boy am I glad I did.
Most people left after she entered the Leisure Centre.There were maybe ten of us left, shivering behind the barricades. Even most of the paparazzi had gone.
Fast forward one more hour and she re-emerged, beautiful bouquet in-hand.
She walked right past. RIGHT past, headed for her car, which was parked very close to those of us who remained.
I could feel the adrenaline in my system. I felt kind of silly, but quickly pushed it aside. I don't care, I just love her.
Instead of getting into the Jaguar, she walked over the the far end of the barricade.
SHAKING HANDS, SHE'S SHAKING HANDS.
One-by-one, she greeted everyone who was left...including me.
I had told my best friend the week before that I looked up the proper way to address a royal, "just in case." As I said, I hadn't told anyone I was planning to go to this event.
Protocol states that if they offer their hand, you may shake it. Kate is supposed to be addressed as "Ma'am" (like "ham"). It seems so stuffy, and Kate is SO not stuffy, but I made sure to say it anyway.
She and William are trying to get rid of a lot of this protocol, which has been around for so long. For example, when Lebron put his sweaty arm around Kate while they were in New York, the public assumed it was a breach in protocol. Will and Kate responded, saying that (for them specifically) they have done away with the rule that you cannot touch a royal first.
Long story short, it was incredible. I can't even articulate what it felt like. I was even quoted on a local website sounding like a bit of an idiot because I was just so freaking excited.
Now if I can only meet Prince Harry...
*Disclaimer* I did not use the zoom feature on any of these photos. In fact, most of them make the distance look further away than it was in reality.
Today I crossed another must-see off my sightseeing list--Westminster Abbey.
If you visit during normal hours Monday-Saturday, it costs the equivalent of about $25 just to get into the Abbey. Add another $10 if you want a tour! However, if you go to a service it is free (you must state you are there specifically for the service at the entrance).
I went with a group of friends to Evensong (3:00 on Sundays, 5:00 during the week). All I have to say is wow.
It gave me goosebumps as I looked around the historic interior. On the way to my seat I passed the graves of many of Britain's greatest minds--Newton, Chaucer and Darwin, just to name a few.
This particular service is mostly music. In fact, I'd call it more of a concert. The voices of the incredibly talented choir echo through the vast space.
The Evensong Service lasts an hour. It was really cold inside the Abbey; definitely wear your layers!
I will admit there may have been one more small reason I was so excited to visit Westminster...
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