So I opted not to take a nap and just get out and start seeing the city. I went to Tower of London, and started with the free tour, but got toured of that and walked around on my own for a bit. The Crown Jewels were pretty, but sort of made me sad that a monarchy has money just to have money, and what do they really do for their country? You tell me if you have an opinion on that.
I met some nice Americans that took my picture with my camera in front of tower bridge, I walked across the Thames on Tower Bridge, walked down a bit, walked across the Thames on London Bridge, walked up by St. Paul's Cathedral, walked across the Thames on Millenium Bridge, snapped a picture of the fake Globe Theatre, walked across the Thames again on a bridge that I don't remember the name, had a pint at Blackfriar's pub, hoped on the tube up to find Kate's hotel.
Then kate and her friend and I met Pat at a restaurant in Soho. Walked through West End, saw Chinatown, sawn Queen's Theatre where Les Mis is, and then hopped the tube back home.
Time for bed... Westminster Abby, Churchill War rooms, and Tennis tomorrow.
Cheers!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles... and steps.
It only took 14 hours, but I have made it to my dorm room at the University of East London. I'm exhausted. 8 hours on a plane, 3 hours of sleep. Once deboarded, I had to walk a very long way to the 'border'. Getting through the border was easy/peasey, but that was the last easy/peasy for the day.
Jen's First Adventure on the Tube:
Trying to be a frugal traveler, I decided to take the tube all the way from Heathrow to East London. First, I got on the Picadilly - going the wrong way. And off to Terminal 5 I go! Switch back going the right way. Ok, I got this. I felt like a big jerk with my luggage, especially because it was pretty much rush hour for Londoners. Switch to the District Line at South Kensington... oh crap, stairs. Wait for everyone to pass me by then lug down then lug up over 50 lbs of luggage to the District Line (mind the gap). Ok, not too bad. Switch to DLR at Tower Hill. More damn stairs. Walk a block, cross the street (look to your right!) and up the escalators (oh thank god escalators) to the DLR. Get off at Canning Town, wait 5 minutes for the Beckton line, then get off at Cyprus. Thank goodness for a ramp. I believe I did not swipe my Oyster Card though... hmmm...
Checked in and was walked down to the "Green Drum". AND, more damn stairs. I share a 'flat' with some strangers, however my room is private. I think I spied a 5th room that we share that has some sort of kitchenette. I have my own little bathroom/shower type of thing. I'll have to post pictures some other time, it certainly interesting. The place is affordable, free internet, and without the opportunity to stay here, I could have never afforded to come to the Olympics.
And while I would like to take a nap, the fact that I am staying directly across a river from a runway might hinder that. Think I'll shower up, and go hit the Tower of London, and find something to eat... starving.
Jen's First Adventure on the Tube:
Trying to be a frugal traveler, I decided to take the tube all the way from Heathrow to East London. First, I got on the Picadilly - going the wrong way. And off to Terminal 5 I go! Switch back going the right way. Ok, I got this. I felt like a big jerk with my luggage, especially because it was pretty much rush hour for Londoners. Switch to the District Line at South Kensington... oh crap, stairs. Wait for everyone to pass me by then lug down then lug up over 50 lbs of luggage to the District Line (mind the gap). Ok, not too bad. Switch to DLR at Tower Hill. More damn stairs. Walk a block, cross the street (look to your right!) and up the escalators (oh thank god escalators) to the DLR. Get off at Canning Town, wait 5 minutes for the Beckton line, then get off at Cyprus. Thank goodness for a ramp. I believe I did not swipe my Oyster Card though... hmmm...
Checked in and was walked down to the "Green Drum". AND, more damn stairs. I share a 'flat' with some strangers, however my room is private. I think I spied a 5th room that we share that has some sort of kitchenette. I have my own little bathroom/shower type of thing. I'll have to post pictures some other time, it certainly interesting. The place is affordable, free internet, and without the opportunity to stay here, I could have never afforded to come to the Olympics.
And while I would like to take a nap, the fact that I am staying directly across a river from a runway might hinder that. Think I'll shower up, and go hit the Tower of London, and find something to eat... starving.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Ready to go!!
10 hours from now I will be in the air on the way to London. I can't believe it's finally here! I'm just about packed, all important documents are scanned and/or printed, I have a fresh pedicure, and I've been watching Olympic events all weekend.
It's been pretty exciting so far! I'm currently watching gymnastics, but I think my favorite today was getting a preview of the USA Men's Basketball team that I'll be seeing on Saturday.
If you would like to watch the events I'm attending here are the dates and times (London is 6 hours ahead of CST):
Stay tuned for more later this week!
It's been pretty exciting so far! I'm currently watching gymnastics, but I think my favorite today was getting a preview of the USA Men's Basketball team that I'll be seeing on Saturday.
If you would like to watch the events I'm attending here are the dates and times (London is 6 hours ahead of CST):
- Tennis, Wednesday Aug 1st, Noon to 8:00 UK time
- Men's Volleyball, Thursday Aug 2nd, 2:45 UK time
- Mens Basketball (USA vs. Lithuania), Saturday Aug 3rd, 2:30 to 6:30 UK time
- Atheletics (Track & Field), Saturday Aug 3rd, 6:50 UK time
- Synchronized Swimming, Monday, August 6th, 3:00 to 5:00 UK time
Stay tuned for more later this week!
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