Susan's Shenanigans: Covent Gardens

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.

I heart Friday's. It's my play day. Since I don't have any classes that day, I try to go into Central London and explore. I also recruit friends to go with me. Last Thursday I was offered a job position here on campus. I am hoping that they don't make me work on Friday's. (Finger's crossed). Friday, Shahida, my good friend here at Richmond Uni, escorted me to Covent Gardens. She has been living here the last two years and I hope to be as train savvy as she is one day. She knows her way around this place like a native. I digress. We went shopping in Covent Gardens, it's pretty big. There is a market, of sorts, where you can buy usual touristy stuff. As the day went on, we walked a little further and saw some more sights.

On the train ride into London

We stopped and had sushi. Last Saturday, Shahida and I went to see The Lion King, the musical. AWESOME!!! It was UH-mazing. But, I wanted sushi that night and we couldn't find a restaurant near the theatre so we ended up at a pizza joint. After the show we were walking back to the station and of course we found a sushi place. That's where we went before shopping.