Round two of my international study experience revelation world tour is already underway. I was going to type like Elmer Fudd and make aw my wetters weird, but I decided against it in order to actually post and show some pictures.
Now for some odd reason I cannot get the program used to post pictures to work on my computer, so I will have to link everything to my Webshots Photo Index. Until I can get the pics on my site, bear with me and click the links to see the exciting pic action.
I went to London on Saturday and had an amazing time exploring all by my lonesome. I actually didn't think about being lonely, because being with someone would have slowed me down. When I saw my friend Marissa, I stayed with her and her friend Anne for a few minutes, then decided I'd rather leave and explore alone again. It was better that way, though when I crossed the Thames to see the London Eye, I saw countless couples. I was wearing a hat from French Connection United Kingdom (abbv. FCUK) that said 'FCUK 24-7.' decided to turn my hat for my solo homies toward the couples. Don't know why I did it, but it seemed to hold a meaning.... somewhere.
I also bought a shirt that says 'Lucky FCUK.' What a clever store!
Now the trip, which is what people actually want to hear about. I started at the Embankment tube station, after a bus tour featuring the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the River Thames, and an up close look, from the bus, of Buckingham Palace. What a magnificent building. I just wish my photo editor can make the lighting problems I had go away. It was a typical London day, dark, cloudy, and foggy. I should've bought fish and chips for lunch!
After I got off the bus, I headed for the Victoria and Albert Museum (or the V&A). I saw some Raphael exhibits, although the real Raphael exhibit was sold out at the Arts Museum, and some great Chinese and Japanese exhibits. The swords and kimonos were especially cool.
After the V&A, I headed to Covent Garden for a little shopping. Like Camden Town, where I lost all my money last term (not misplaced, but spent mind you) Covent Garden is full of shops and this weekend was the end-of-season sales. Great weekend to go, but I stuck to my strict budget, only buying clothes from the FCUK sale because it my be the only opportunity to buy FC merchandise before the prices go back up and I become skint again. Skint is slang for broke, by the way.
After Covent Garden, and running into Marissa, I headed to East London to see Shakespeare's Globe, though getting there was half the battle. I got off at Blackfriar's Bridge stop, and saw the Tate Modern across the Millennium Bridge. Behind me, which everyone started taking pics of and I followed thereafter, was the magnificent St. Paul's Cathedral. I got some beauties from the Millennium Bridge, which sways with the wind by the way (though you can't really feel it moving). The best pic of the bridge I got, once I crossed it, also had St. Paul's in it as well. I also took pics of the Gherkin, a very modern building that looks like a giant Faberge egg. I went inside the Tate Modern, but apparently all the good stuff are the pay exhibitions, which I declined. The theatre major in me was too busy looking for Shakespeare's Globe.
So on my way, which took about an hour, though the Globe is right next to the Tate Modern, I just went the wrong way, I saw an estate. An estate is like the projects of England. I took some pictures and the kids outside decided to jump in my pictures. I thought it was hilarious and took a few more... though I should've zoomed in on them playing footie (soccer) and jumping up and down. I gave them a thumbs-up and walked away. One asked me it they were good posers. I gave another thumbs-up. It made me smile.
So I found the Globe, though I couldn't stay for the tour. I needed to head back to Embankment so I wouldn't miss my bus. On the way to the London Bridge station, I saw a pirate ship called the Golden Hind. It was a replica, like Shakespeare's Globe, but it was magnificent nonetheless.I headed back to Embankment, had lunch, broke my no-eating chips (fries) resolution, and bought my first alcoholic beverage since I've been back here (a Corona for the equivalent of $6.00. It was happy hour but I didn't know this didn't count beers) and got a night time view of the London Eye across the Thames. I had time so I decided to get closer, and walk across the really cool Hungerford suspension Bridge. I don't know why I took so many pics of bridges. Maybe my father would enjoy seeing all of them in their 'constructive' glory.
From the bridge I set my camera to it's nighttime setting again and got this eerie shot of The Houses of Parliament and a spooky Big Ben.
The London Eye is humongous. Knowing it is 450 feet tall doesn't prepare you for it's height upon seeing it close up. If only I had proper daylight to capture it, but my pictures have an artistic flair to them anyway. I got back of the bus after leaving the Eye and didn't look back. I ended up sleeping all day today, well yesterday, but it was worth every second.
Enjoy the pics.
xx
