Livin It Up In London

Welcome to London!

The next few weeks of posts are brought to you from the Study Abroad I am on in London, England. I felt no need to make a separate blog for the event since it is a BYU experience. If jealousy overcomes you and you wish not to view these seven weeks of adventure, check back in after June 21st. I'll be moved into my new apartment by then. In the meantime, LONDON!

Spoiler: Pictures are excessive here. 

I flew by myself. Across the Atlantic. I made it from Houston to Heathrow. I feel like this is a big deal. Everything went smoothly, even though I didn't sleep on the plane as much as I should have. I also didn't watch a movie. My lap top was being silly beforehand to download one on and I didn't know you could watch them for free on long flights. Actually I'm still not sure about that. Can you?

When you fly internationally you have to go through customs. So here I am with my plane ticket, landing card, and passport. I hit security just before the rush and didn't even need to pull out my letter. The security guard did give me a hard time though. He was late twenties and questioning why I was here, what classes I was taking, where I would be staying, and if my parents could bail me out of jail if I got into too much trouble. He even threatened to abduct my "pillow bear" since it was so cute. At the end of my interview he asked if I was scarred and if he had intimidated me. I told him I wasn't before our little chat, but I was a tad bit nervous now. He said he had that effect on people. He may have even winked. Oh my gosh. Just let me through customs dude. This is your job! It was freaky because he was deciding if I could get into the country or not, but he also realized I am American and was succeeding at being adorable. That accent though. If I wasn't so jittery I might have been able to appreciate it more. Sneaky customs officer.

Is that London I spy? It is! Clouds are everywhere and they are moving FAST. When they're below you though they are just fluffy mountains of happiness. Can I please climb one?

Moving from Heathrow to Paddington with luggage. Help.

And here's the train. 

*For things I've learned that are good to know I'm going to do a little asterix. When traveling in London or maybe anywhere abroad, do not look at anyone. Being friendly is an American thing. You don't speak on public transport. You don't make eye contact. You just go on your merry way. You know who the foreigners are cause heck we are loud. I don't know know how we got the rude stereotype. Maybe it's just cause I'm traveling with BYU, but we want to smile at everyone. 

Paddington. It's a big place. I wasn't sure how much a cab would cost. Nor was I sure where a cab was. I took the underground to High Street Kennsington and then walked the rest of the way. To the man who helped me on the stairs at Paddington, thank you thank you thank you. I really could manage both of my suitcases, but I was slow. He offered twice before I let him take my carry-on to the platform. It was just up and down the stairs. Stairs for DAYS. He was so helpful. Thankfully I won't always be dragging around luggage.

Don't look at me. I'm all traveling gross, but the station here was beautiful! Pffft After seeing so much more of London it really isn't, but I had googly eyes for everything.

Foreign Money. I didn't purchase my Oyster card on the first day since I was scarred I would buy the wrong thing. Here is some of my change from the 20 pound note I split to buy a ticket to Kennsington.

*Paper money doesn't star till 5 here. The pieces with gold around the edges are 2 pounds. So each coin is about $3.

Some of the girls live on the sixth floor. I loved this little nook they have up there. Not that we spend much time in the flat anyways. Plus, six flights of stairs is some work.

Through the window you can see Hyde Park. It is literally across the street.

Cupboard above the stairs? Harry? Harry, are you in there?

Stairs to the top of the tower. Not many brave them. They are picturesque though, like EVERYTHING here!!! You like that building? It was probably built 200 years ago. Fancy walking to this shop? Dates back even further. There is so much history in this town. It looks great.

Er... Hi! Waiting for our walk around the block at three and then the RA meeting at 5. I was all ready to go.

This is me. I live in London. I had just picked up the registration paperwork for my Oyster card after walking over to Sainsburry for some groceries. Livin the life.

This home. I live in 1C.

Loved these cute back doors the last two rooms have. Too bad they are bolted shut, just like the windows. Guess it's a good things since we all have keys to get in and out and no real curfew that I know of.

Their money looks fake! It's bright colors and the pictures are of the Queen, Charles Darwin, etc.

Shawarma with Ben, Jennifer, Dallin, and Jace. It was so good! I felt like an Avenger. 

After dinner we went to St. Paul's Cathedral. Huge. Ben, Jace, and Jennifer have all been to London before so they know their way around. Dallin and I were happy to follow them around and listen to all the best things to do and see.

Dallin standing where "St. Paul's Cross Stood."  Not sure how accurate that is. It's possible though. 

Selfies through London turned into Groupies. This picture is too cute. 

Dallin, Jennifer, Jace, Ben, and I

St. Paul's glorious cathedral.

*Lots of churches in London are closing because they don't receive enough funding. At least that's what I've heard. The museums here are free, but the churches cost to go in. Sad. I will definitely walk into one though before returning to the states. Cathedrals are beautiful.

Feed the birds. Tuppins a bag.

You actually aren't allowed to feed the birds here. Mary made it too popular. Never fear, the pigeons are well fed and all over London. I think it's annoying actually. Rats of the sky.

Me: Walk through that thing!

Jace & Dallin: Okay

Modern art.... so random.

Walking toward the river Thames. Up ahead is the Millennium Bridge. 

*AKA the Harry Potter bridge that Death Eaters destroy.

Jennifer, Jace, Dallin spotting a sick view, and Ben.

Everything is picture worthy here. At first we didn't want to look like tourists... but then we really didn't care.

Looking back on St. Paul's I believe.

From the Millennium Bridge. Shout out to Elisabeth. We walked across the Tempe Town Lake bridge two years ago and talked about how scary it would be to be attacked by Death Eaters. I can't believe I'm really here!

Standing on the bridge for so long freaked me out a little bit. It was a beautiful view with gorgeous weather, but something about heights and water (or height and anything) freaks me out a little bit. There's always that paranoia that you'll drop your phone off the bridge. That would probably elicit tears. Dallin tried to explain it wouldn't be that bad. Obviously it's not very high, but we agreed the water would be the worst part. It's nasty looking and I'm sure very cold.

Tower bridge is in the back and London bridge much closer up.

*The fake London bridge. The real on is actually in Arizona. 

After crossing the Thames we sat on the steps outside the Globe for a little bit. (I was just chilling on the steps of the Globe Theatre!!!) While we were lounging around an older man approached us. He was obviously intoxicated or crazy. Most likely both. After harassing Jace to do something better with his time and dropping the F word at least twelve times he started acting very friendly. He even rapped for us. I think he might the literal Fagin who finally is suffering from old age in modern times. Poor old man. He doesn't like America, but he can't say that cause his birthday is July 4th. (rolling eyes) Ben finally gave him a few pounds when he started to beg. It was too much when he started asking Jennifer to stand up next to him. I'm not sure what he was going to do, but we were out. Jennifer and I stood up and strolled away while Ben wished him a nice evening. I'm glad he didn't follow us back across the London Bridge.

Lights on the London Bridge.

Tourists, what we actually do. Every few minutes we would stop and take pictures of another incredible view. We look slightly ridiculous. Our pictures are usually worth it.

Ben has many rules. One is to always read the evening paper if given the opportunity. They were looking pretty sophisticated. The girl behind them doesn't seem to think so.

Brought to you by the study desk in the front room while everyone else is asleep. Jet lag? What is that? I'm in London! There is no need for this thing called sleep.