"Please Mind the Gap"

Today consisted of five things: Walking, Riding the Tube, Taking pictures of "the sights", Walking, and Riding the Tube.


The first thing to know about the Tube is the pleasant British announcer saying every time it stops to "please mind the gap." Since we took the train 6 times today (we got a day pass!) "please mind the gap" is stuck in my head like a Bruno Mars song.

But lets start at the beginning: After waking up to our lovely roomies complaining about the extremely bright skylight, we had free breakfast at the hostel and grabbed an apple on the way to the tube to begin our adventures.

First stop Kings Cross for Platform 9 and 3/4 (disappointingly not between 9 and 10... perhaps due to construction?)

Hope I'll make it through!

We then checked out the British Museum (for free) Where we encountered artwork from all over the world. We managed to explore Greece and Rome (because we aren't going to see enough of that with our Art history class) Egypt, Assyria, Australia (kinda lame) and our favorite China and India. We were captivated by elaborately decorated Chinese snuff boxes, but were kind of uncomfortable in the presence of statues used for judging those before they entered the afterlife... The judgement was very apparent (another theme of the day...)

Sorry! I'm not from around here!

After the museum we grabbed some food at a lovely and straightforward restaurant called EAT where I got the most beautiful fruit cup on the planet.

We then walked quite a bit and after stealthily acquiring a map from a disappointed bus tour salesman, we found the main attractions: Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and Parliament (as well as the London Eye from afar)

Buckingham Palace

Stoic guard with fluffy hat

Westminster Abbey!

Big Ben

London Eye

Parliament 

After our sightseeing and a quick break at our Hostel. We snagged dinner at a typical English pub where I was carded for the first time and had my first legal drink- Pimm (kinda good- lots of yummy fruit involved). I also decided to avoid the fish part of fish and chips and go for the meat pies instead (plus chips and mashed peas (whose idea was that?))

We then used the last of sunlight and our train day pass to head over to 221B Baker Street for a fabulous photo opportunity in front of Sherlock Holme's home (haha Holme's home) It was a shame the souvenir shop was closed, but it's probably for the best. I can't afford anymore books being stuffed in my already too heavy backpack. 

I was being the dramatic damsel in distress calling upon Mr. Holmes.

Then back to Astor Hyde Park hostel for some reconnecting with the  rest of the world.


Off to Paris tomorrow! I'll enjoy the english while I can!