221B Baker Street

May 15th

Due to sheer number of pictures, this day will be divided up into two posts. First we have the morning adventures. Many people went to buy tickets for Woman in Black. Ha! Yeah right am I going to see that. My mother has a clear philosophy I live by, "No scary stories." It does not matter how technically cool that theatre piece is. That show is not worth losing my sanity and little sleeping due to fright. Tracy, Justyne, and I went to Buckingham Palace instead to see changing of the guard.

Is it cool to say I have been to changing of the guard? Yes. Is it cool to watch? No. Alright parts of it are cool to watch. The ceremony is an hour though and we were there a half hour early to get a good spot. I suggest coming around 11:30. The last half is what you want to see. You just won't be able too since there are so many tourists. The whole first half is a dozen men standing in formation while the leader paces the width of the yard. When both bands showed up and the replacement brigade, things got interesting. There were formations and pacing and music. My favorite part was when the soldiers would shuffle backwards to correct their formation. The band played a few songs, but they were not songs you would expect coming from this glorified marching band. Justyne decided it was a Neil Diamond medley. Random, right? Unless changing of the guard is high on your bucket list, I suggest skipping it.

What was truly disappointing was the fact that we will not be able to tour Buckingham Palace. Tours do not take place while the queen is being housed. She is not leaving for one of her other palaces till July 26th. Bummer. Another reason to come back.

A few train stations later we found ourselves at Bake Street. Welcome to Sherlock Holmes Land. This was in the tube station.

This was posted on the back of street sign. I love it.

And here it is. The quaint Sherlock Holmes Museum. 221B is actually in between 239 and 241... or something like that. I appreciate the British government for saving and sanctioning the area though. They were pretty close.

*Cross walks in London. The green light is a person walking. The red is a person staying. Almost every street has "Look Left" or "Look Right" to remind people to look for cars in the direction they are coming from. Even then, you still cut it close crossing streets in this city.

Back to Sherlock. Love.

This guy was funny. We talked to him about his job and he seems to love it. He stands there dressed up letting people with tickets into the museum. He also watches the hats people can put on and take free pictures with. 

Inside the gift shop. It was a cute room with tons of Sherlock memorabilia. I was so tempted.

Decorated in true Dr. Holmes fashion.

I find it amazing the impact an author can have on a place. Same with film. Baker Street was a street.... Now it is the key point to large fandom spanning generations. It makes me wish someone would popularize somewhere I know. On the other hand, you loose sanctuary with crazy tourists like us. Pros and cons to all real estate. At this point, I am thinking that living any where in London would be good. That's all for my morning adventures. Part two of May 14th coming soon! - Emily