That was a much needed sleep!!! We woke up at 8am to get to the free hostel breakfast at 830 , after that and a few more cups of coffee were left for Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guards! There was thoooousands upon thousands of people at the Palace. We moseyed around the local park for a bit before we went to get our spots for the parade that precedes the changing of the guards. Marc and I got pretty close, ok we were on the rope, as you can see by the video! There was a huge band that marched in, guards after guards, and a giant ceremony type deal before the guards actually changed. I mean, this was an hour if not longer deal. Parades, security, the whole nine yards. This happens every other day!!! During summer, everyday! Seems like a lot to go through, but I think it is great that they are keeping the tradition alive, and that so many people want to go see it!
After we got done with the changing of the guards we headed into St. James Park onto St. James Palace. The park was great, there were millions of birds, ducks, black swans, you name it - it was probably there. Oh yeah, even giant pelicans. It was an enjoyable jaunt. Once we came up to St. James Palace, we saw one of the guards who doesn't talk or anything standing out front. Of course we took a picture with him. It was kind of funny, because the next person who took a picture with him touched him. He quickly turned his head at her, yelled something and stomped away like a penguin. I felt bad, this guy has to hate his job! Not talking and having hundreds of people act like you are a statue. But hey, he signed up for it. At the other end of St. James Palace was the Horse Guards, again, just standing. I feel like if something ever actually happened to this place, the guards wouldn't know what to do! Reacting? What a concept, they are trained not to react to anything.
Our next stop was the Tower of London, which at the time, is holding the Crown Jewels. The underground tube was closed, so we bussed it. We met up with Jordan when we got there. Before we went off, we munched on some good ol' fashion Fish & Chips... ah, such a delightful meal... Well, I didn't think getting a glimpse at the Jewels was worth by 17 pounds, either did the girls. Jordan and Marc headed to the Tower and Sogol Taryn and I headed to the Tower Bridge exhibit.Which was equally cool, I'd say, and only 5 pounds ;). The exhibit took us around the building of the famous bridge, how it works, its history, and even a look at some other famous bridges. I enjoyed it. What I didn't enjoy was losing my glove! I went up and down the stairs looking for it, talked to every person at every check point - but to no avail. After we left the exhibit, I felt it was symbolic, and threw my other glove far down into the Thames. Which, I caught in an action shot :). My hands didn't appreciate that.
After we got done with our exhibits, we met up again and headed on the riverwalk. The first thing we saw was the invisible man (street act)... Very impressive, I don't know if it was a robot, or someone inside controlling the movements. But it definitely caught me off guard at first glance! When I gained our senses back, we came across the Southwark Cathedral, which was a pretty cool sight. Right under it was the Bourough Market, in which the first things we see were giiiiiant skewers of marinated chicken, lamb, and steak. I was drooling. We kept walking through and saw endless types of vendors and food places. The market connected with two other markets, Middle Market and Jubilee Market. Both equally delicious.
After the Markets, we met up with Paige, and continued on the Riverwalk. We saw London Bridge on the way! And I am not going to lie, it is nothing special. In fact, London Bridge is probably the lamest bridge out of all the bridges in London... Alas... the first place we went to was Shakespeare's Globe, which apparently was his first theatre? Who knows. Next came Tate Modern, a giant, towering museum which had only modern and abstract art. It was pretty cool actually, I was a bit art-ed out at the time, but abstract is definitely something that is pleasing to my eye, and my brain. Regular art is nice and all, but I feel as though I am just looking at pictures, whereas abstract art lets you decipher it in your own way, good stuff. Anyway, after the modern we headed across the Millennium Bridge - it was just about sunset, and I snapped a picture across the Thames... we arrived at St Pauls Cathedral on the other side. It was a grandiose building, absolutely huge. Definitely a must see. When we got done there, Jordan and Paige went their own ways once again, and we headed back into the main part of the city.
We eventually made our way to the London Eye, which was lit up in Bright Neon Purple, next to an equally flashy hotel and aquarium. None of us went on the London Eye, however, due to the hefty 17 pound price tag. London is not a cheap city ladies and gentlemen... Anyway, we spent some time walking the river, listening to a street band and watching an intense robot street act. We headed across the bridge toward our hostel, but not before getting a few shots of Parliament and Big Ben lit up together... I love the river at night, reflections make everything just that much better. We went to dinner after we got to that part of town, again in the spirit of money saving, I picked up some stuff at the grocery. Equally delicious ;). Then back to the hostel it was! STONEHENGE TOMORROW!!!
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