Well, I have now successfully conquered the first three cities... only one more to go!! Throughout our London trip, HL and I saw these shirts everywhere, so we decided our next stop is Tokyo! Actually, we decided every couple years we are going to travel to a strange, exciting, new city we've never been to. There are so many places to explore, so why not start while you're young?
My trip to London completely exceeded my hopes. It is such a great city! It has a great feel, great people, great food, great architecture, great history, great character, and an even better accent! It actually reminded me a lot of New York, but with friendly people!
Of course, we visited all the must see tourist attractions. All in the first day, we rode the London Eye, saw Big Ben, Westminster, British Supreme Court, and the Marble Arches.
After dinner the first night, we decided to go to a couple of the pubs near our hotel. HL was a little upset no one had come up to talk to us, he thought everyone would be interested in talking to us Americans! So of course he took it upon himself to make friends. We were standing outside the public bathroom (which you have to pay to use!) and he just started talking to a British girl! Well.... we all became friends really fast and next thing we know, we are headed to a new bar to continue the night with them. Her name was Charlie and she was with her friend named Tom. Of course, since she was named Charlie, we instantly asked if she had seen the "Charlie bit me, and it really hurt!" YouTube video. She hadn't so we filled her in on its popularity in the US. Here a picture of us with Charlie and Tom!
The second day we had more tourist attractions on the agenda. He saw Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guards, the London Tower, the Crown Jewels, and the London Bridge! They were all so beautiful!
The third and final day we spent meandering around the city, looking in the different shops, and we also went to the British Museum. I loved visiting all the monuments in London, but even more I loved the London "experience". Of course, it wouldn't have been complete without riding the Tube or a train. Don't worry, that's the only way we got around, and it was crazy! The tube especially. It was always slammed pack with people. I could honestly sit on the tube for hours just people watching!
Waiting for the tube!
Just an example of the interesting people you will see on the tube!
I was kind of sad to have to catch the plane back to Dublin, but I was excited to get to show HL and Gavin where I have been living the past two months. As much as Dublin isn't my permanent home, I was actually relieved to be back on the Emerald Isle!
In all, I was extremely excited I got to experience London, but I was even more ecstatic that my brother and Gavin came to visit. I needed to see some familiar faces! Its kind of crazy to think that I only have a week and a half left in Ireland. The time has flown by, but I'll be excited to see all my family and friends!!
Anyway! In America, Monday was President's Day, and Tuesday was Fat Tuesday! Well, here I obviously still had school Monday since Ireland doesn't recognize President's Day, and Tuesday was Pancake Tuesday! It has a similar concept to our "Fat Tuesday". They call if "Pancake Tuesday" because you are supposed to eat all the sweets in the house before Lent starts. Instead, Joyce said people just make themselves sick on pancakes and get really drunk.... sounds eerily like Mardi Gras to me! Here is my pancake from last night!
I still haven't decided what I'm giving up for Lent yet. I gave up Cokes for the New Year, so maybe I will just kill two birds with one stone and use that for Lent!
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