Around London Town

My trip back to London for graduation was magical. I have been missing London to the point that I dream that I still live there, only to wake up disappointed. When I first decided to move there, I never imagined that it would be a place that took up residence in my heart. I'm such a California girl and always look forward to going home when I've been away for a long time. Now I have those same feelings for London. It surprises me how quickly and easily the city sucks you in.

During my third semester of Uni, I realized that I would have to postpone graduation by one semester in order to complete all my classes. I went to my room and Skyped my parents, CRYING that I was going to have to live there longer. Now, what I wouldn't give to have one more semester in London! I don't know why I was so upset. My last week living there was filled with tears at the thought or conversation of leaving.

Going back for a week was just what I needed to recharge my enthusiasm for life.

 I went for a morning jog in Hyde Park on my first day back.

 Is there popcorn, popping on that tree?

The whole week was sunshine filled! It was as if the London Gods were trying to fool me into thinking the weather is always that gorgeous. I really lucked out that week. However, it made leaving that much harder. Well played, London. Well played.

I found the Tardis! My mom was asking me about this when she visited in December. I really thought she was making it up since in the two and half years that I was there, I had never seen it. After our graduation lunch, we were walking back through Earl's Court and low and behold, there it was.

 I tried to do and see things that I hadn't while I was there. I went to two shows that I had not seen. 39 Steps and 1984. I LOVED both of them. 39 Steps is an Alfred Hitchcock story. It is performed by four actors who play several characters. I thought that was going to be confusing. It was not! It was brilliant! 1984 is based on the George Orwell book. It is a dark, gruesome story. It was fantastic on stage! Also, I was tickled that I paid £19.84 for my ticket.

I miss seeing these guys. This man was in Covent Garden.

South Bank, Yoda was in.

 This guy posed for me on South Bank.

 I had lunch with a good friend and he took me to this hide away spot next to Tower Bridge. It was right on the river. You can see the city in the distance but all you hear is the water lapping at the edge of the river. It is so peaceful and I am claiming it my favorite spot in London.

 I had always meant to visit Shakespeare's Globe Theatre but never got around to it. On my visit back, it was one of the first things I did. It is not the original theatre since that one burned down in a fiery blaze. But it was still interesting to learn about the structure and the vision that Shakespeare had for the theatre.

 I spent time with Helen and Tim! I'm such a lucky girl to have two great friends living in London. They took me to dinner for graduation, Helen and I went to Abby Road and we sat together as church just like old times.

Abbey Road is another spot that I always meant to go see, but never got around to. There were a handful of other tourist there too. I tried not to stop too much traffic as I walked across the street while Helen took my picture.

Ever since high school, I considered myself a long lost Beatle.

"Come at me, bro! Come at me!" -David Lloyd George (not really, but that's what I thought when I saw his statue)

 The man. Winston Churchill.

 Looking up at Parliament.

I also said 'ello' to a few of the classic spots around London.

The Shard in the distance, towering over London.

  The same day I went to Abbey Road, I saw this street art at Trafalgar Square. It reads: "All you need is love."

This is my favorite square in London. Trafalgar Square.

South Bank.

The London Eye.

 I don't know when I will return to London. But I will. There is no way I can live, without visiting where I left part of my heart and soul.

Susan "I looked into the Tardis and the Tardis looked into me" B.

Touring The Houses Of Parliament

Last Saturday, I toured the Houses of Parliament. It was a very interesting tour, although I wasn't allowed to take picture inside, which is too bad because there is a great bronze statue of Margret Thatcher looking fierce. Margret actually unveiled the self statue when it was presented. She was pleased that it was made of bronze because it is indestructible. However, she would have preferred it be made of iron.

Big Ben in all his glory.

 These photos were taken while I was waiting in line to enter.

Oliver Cromwell

 Big Ben peeking out from behind Parliament

 And this was the end of the tour!

Okay, here is what you missed on the inside. We started in Westminster Hall where they broke us up into smaller tour groups. From there, we walked through Stephen's Hall which is lined with white statues of former important peeps. High ceilings, old walls and wallpaper. Pretty much what you would expect of England. Next we went through the House of Commons where we stood in between the lovely, leather bench seats. We were not allowed to sit on them. "You have to earn your seat." The same thing happened when we went into the House of the Lords. We walked the same path that the Queen walks when she address Parliament and saw the throne that she sits in. We also visited the central lobby, that's where Mags Thatcher is erected, along with Winston Churchill and two other old dudes. The tour itself was almost two hours. My tour guide talked about the history of the building and some of the art work and statues that adorn it. Very interesting stuff.

 Just outside after my tour.

 There was this one guy in my tour group, you know the one, he kept asking a million questions and slowing the whole tour down. Anyway, when I got outside I wanted a picture in front of Big Ben and he was the only one around to ask. This is the shot that he took. That's his crazy wife trying to figure out how to turn off her iPhone. It rang during the tour.

 My official visitor pass.

 The London Eye in the foreground.

 Last Friday, the sun came out! I was so happy since I didn't have any classes and I didn't have to work so I spent the whole day in Hyde Park. I love it there! I think it will be the place I miss most.

 The Round Pond. I don't know why but it reminds me of Mary Poppins. I'm not really a fan of that movie and I don't know if I have seen it in it's entirety but for some reason being at the Round Pond reminds me of the film. The Simpons did a great parody of Mary Poppins.

 Queen Victoria sitting proudly in front of Kensington Palace.

Susan "the lady's not for turning" B.