Spring Break Part 1: London
I'm so sorry followers. It's taken far to long to get this post up and I've been neglecting the blog. Again, sorry. So a brief update of what happened before spring break. Not much really. I spent most of those two weeks getting ready for London and it was all that I could think about. The day before I left, we had F.A.C.E. and we tried escargots. My opinion of escargot until this point is derived from a scene from It Takes Two, the waiter offers the girl a escargot and when she tastes it she says, "This tastes like a balloon." "It's snails miss." "Good. Nice. Chewy." -waiter leaves, spits out snail- "All this money and these people eat slugs!" So I've never really wanted to try them because of this. But I did. I was surprised but they weren't that bad. They're cooked in so much garlic and butter that it's the only flavor you taste. It did have a bit of a rubbery texture but it didn't have that "balloon" taste I was expecting. So other than that, those two weeks were pretty uneventful. So now, on to spring break!
Grenoble to London-Feb. 27, 2014
The night before, I convinced myself to skip class to finish getting ready for my trip. This turned out to be a pretty good decision since this allowed me to finish packing, clean up the apartment a bit, and try to calm my nerves. This is my first trip alone so I was a bundle of nerves. I left my apartment about 2:15 to go to the bus station. I just barely made it. I bought my ticket, through my suitcase underneath with all the other luggage, and grabbed a seat. It took about an hour to get to the airport in Lyon. Once I got there, it took forever to get through security. This security line was the most disorganized one I’ve ever seen. When I made it through and got it my gate, I got to sit for about two minutes before they started boring. Talk about cutting it close. The flight took about an hour, which gave me time to relax after a stressful trip to the airport. It also gave me time to go over the directions to my hostel.
Once we landed, I got through customs and went to the tube station. I took the Piccadilly line into the city. It took longer than I thought it was going to but Heathrow is pretty far away. I only had to change lines once but it was when I got off the tube that worried me. I memorized the instructions from the hostel website and it turned out to be easier to find than I thought. I checked in and settled into my room. I wandered around the hostel and found the restaurant/bar and ordered food. I also grabbed a few maps and brochures to start figuring out my plan for the next few days.
London Day 1-Feb 28, 2014
It was an interesting start to the day. I probably spend a good 20 minutes rummaging through my stuff trying to find my key card, which somehow made its way into my kindle case. Anyways, once I got all my stuff together, I showered and got ready for the day. I had breakfast at the hostel and then went back to my room to figure out a plan for the day. I had to wait until after 10 to pick up my London pass. I finally left the hostel around 10 and made my way to the tube station. I bought my ticket to get me to where I had to pick my pass but once I had said ticket, I found out that for some reason, they weren’t letting anyone down to the platforms so I went back to the hostel to figure out another way. The people at the desk gave me directions for the buses and back out I went. Contrary to popular belief, the double decker buses aren’t just a tourist thing. They are the public buses too. I got on one and sat on the top level, near the front, where the best view is.
I took the bus to Piccadilly Circus. I snapped a few pictures while walking to the tube station. Those screens are enormous and you don’t realize just how big until you are standing underneath them.
Once at Piccadilly, I was finally able to get on the tube and get to Leicester Square. I picked up my pass and went to find something to eat. I found a Pret a Manger, got some soup, and sat down to browse through the book that came with my pass. I was trying to figure out me next move and I wasn’t having much luck. There is so much that I want to see but only a short time to see it in. Needless to say, trying to plan my entire trip from the restaurant was pretty over whelming. I finally settled on going to Kings Cross Station. Upon my arrival, one of the first signs that I saw was for “Platforms 9, 10, and 11” and I made of beeline for it. And almost immediately I saw it, Platform 9 ¾! My childhood dream was coming true. There was a bit of a line to take pictures with the cart in the wall, but it was worth it! The staff working there were pretty funny too. When one staff member found out that it was one girl’s birthday, he got the line to sing to her. There was a redhead guy behind me and the same staff member said, “We have a Weasley here! But don’t ask for his autograph!” I also overheard said redhead guy that he didn’t want to wear the Gryffindor scarf. When I got up there, I took a picture wearing a Hufflepuff scarf (I took the Pottermore test). It was one of the few pictures I’ve wanted to take (I’m not a fan of having my picture taken).
I went in the gift shop afterward. I can honestly say that I wanted the entire store. I wanted the scarves, sweaters, wands, books, EVERYTHING! But I’m a poor college student so I settled on some postcards, a Platform 9 ¾ ticket, and a few gifts for my sister and brother.
I accomplished one of my goals so I set out to do another. I made my way to Baker Street and I found the Sherlock Holmes museum!
For £8 you get wander through 221B Baker Street. It was pretty cool. I felt like I was walking through what had once been someone’s home but Sherlock is a fictional character. So if that is an indicator of how well done this museum is. I recommend it for anyone going to London. Especially for those Sherlock fans like me. It had started to rain while I had been waiting in line and it was raining harder by the time I left.
I was tired but I had hardly done anything but since I didn’t know what I wanted to go or where anything was for that matter, I made my way back to my hostel. I stopped by a deli on the way home and grabbed a snack. Once I was back, I went to work figuring out the rest of my trip. After much deliberation, I decided against doing the Universal Studios Tour for Harry Potter for two reasons, 1) its expensive and 2) it takes like 7 hours! So instead, I found a walking to for tomorrow morning for the location used in the movie. So we’ll see how that goes. While I had dinner, I had all my maps, flyers, brochures, and books spread out on the table while I planned the rest of this trip. Which turned out to be a little tricky but I figured it out for the most part.
London Day 2-March 1, 2014
So my day started off with a two and a half hour walking tour. It’s called the Muggle Tour and it’s great. Our guide, Scott, knew the series inside and out and he took us to not only to the filming locations but locations that inspired locations in the books. We started out at London Bridge and went through Borough Market. Just outside of the market was the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron.
We went by the Clink Prison Museum, which had some influence on Azkaban Prison.
When we made it over by the Thames, Scott pointed out some of the bridges that made it into some scenes, such as the Millennium Bridge and Tower Bridge.
(Scott showing one of the kids on the tour some of sights scene along the Thames in the movies)
He also pointed out St. Paul’s Cathedral and the fact that Harry Potter is the only movie to EVER film INSIDE the cathedral. Plenty of movies have filmed outside but only Harry Potter has filmed in there. Scott also took us past the remains of Winchester Palace and pointed out that to muggles, Hogwarts would appear as ruins (hint hint).
Up next, we took the tube from London Bridge to Westminster Station. The scene where Mr. Weasley and Harry are going to the Ministry of Magic they go through this station. When they were filming, they had to shut down the whole station for a day. Once we left the station we found ourselves outside the Parliament Building and Big Ben (which is actually just the name of the bell in the tower).
Scott pointed out a few scenes that featured the Parliament Building, mainly the flight of the aurors. Scott soon led us away from the crowds and over towards the entrance of Downing Street. We also walked past the Banqueting House, where the cast spent quite of bit of time when they weren’t filming. We then went to the old headquarters for Scotland Yard, where the scene where Harry, Ron, and Hermione find people to impersonate to break into the Ministry of Magic.
Scott showed us where the interior of 12 Grimmauld Place was filmed but we weren’t able to go in. We then trekked down to Trafalgar Square which was the location of premieres for the movies and where people camped out for over a week in order to be there. Scott showed us the alley that inspired Nocturne Alley.
When they went to film, J.K. Rowling said that she wanted this alley to be Nocturne Alley but because of how small it was they couldn’t film here so they completely recreated it. Our final stop was the street that inspired Diagon Alley. It had lots of books stores and antique stores. After my tour, I made my way to the Lyceum Theatre to buy a ticket for the Lion King. I was able to get a ticket for Sunday afternoon! Yay! I’m so happy I’m able to do this! Seeing the Lion King has been on my bucket list forever!
I spent the rest of my afternoon wandering around near Westminster Bridge. I almost bought a ticket for the London Eye but it so busy and I didn’t feel like standing in line for the rest of the day. I went over to Westminster Abbey, only to find that it was closed to sightseers for the rest of the day.
So I decided to go to the British Library. This place is huge. I wish I could have seen more but you needed a card to get to certain parts. My favorite thing I saw was this giant bookcase in the center.
There are so many old books and I would have loved to look at up close but the was a sign that said “Staff Only.” I got myself a bag at the gift shop that has a bunch of facts about the library on it. I think the most impressive fact is “If you see 5 items a day it would take you 80000 years to see the whole collection.”
London Day 3-March 2, 2014
I started my day very early. I left the hostel by 9 and I went to Shakespeare’s Old Globe theatre.
(care to guess which play they're preparing for?)
I took a tour of the theatre and learned about the history of the Globe, Shakespeare, and London. The guide was really funny and I recommend that you visit when you go to London.
Afterward, I walked across the Millennium Bridge to St. Paul’s cathedral.
As per suggestion of my dad, I went to the 11:30 service. By doing this, I got to see inside the cathedral, experience a service, and not have to pay. I could only take pictures of the outside. While the outside of the cathedral is beautiful, the inside is spectacular! I honestly cannot describe it. And you can’t take pictures so I can’t even show you what it looks like. It’s something you have to see for yourself. I enjoyed the service and I tried to participate in everything. The only thing I didn’t do was communion. I normally do communion back home but when everyone takes a sip from the same cup, I have to draw a line. I don’t care if they were wiping the edge of the cup after everyone took their sip, just no! I can’t afford to get sick.
After the service, I went across the street to Café Rouge for lunch. My dad recommended this place and I thought it was very good. I had French onion soup and Caesar salad.
After lunch, I walked to the theatre for Lion King!
It was wonderful! I loved it! I want to see it again! My seat was very high up but I could see everything. The music, the costumes, everything was so cool! There were definitely times where I was mouthing the words to the songs. Another this to cross off my bucket list! After the Lion King, I took a bus back to St. Paul’s and from there I walked across the bridge to Tate Modern Gallery. I was there for about 10 minutes because I got there just before they closed. Which was just enough time for me. I should have realized by the name that it was a gallery of modern art, which I’m not really a huge fan of. So I wandered through a few rooms before the staff started shooing people out the doors. I walked back across the bridge and took a bus to Piccadilly Circus so I could see what it looked like at night.
It was pretty cool. I took some pictures and then took the tube home.
London Day 4-March 3, 2014
I started my day by going to Tower Bridge. Turns out, there is an exhibition about the history of the bridge and I was able to use my London Pass for it. I got to go up to the top of the bridge and see a great view of London as well as learn about the history.
I even got to see the engine rooms. I then made my way to the Tower of London.
I really wanted to see the Crown Jewels. Unfortunately, I couldn’t take pictures. The whole time I was in there, I kept thinking about the scene from Sherlock when Moriarty breaks into the Tower of London to sit on a throne, wear a crown and other jewels. (click here to see the scene)
I went around the court yard and I kept seeing these wire animal sculptures and for the life of me couldn’t figure them out.
Finally I found a sign with one of them. Turns out these statues represent animals that were given as gifts to the royals in the past. These animals were kept in the tower.
After the Tower of London, I took the Tube and went outside the center of London to the Who Shop, were I met up with my fellow Whovian and friend from Grenoble, Cicely. I was slightly worried by the neighborhood we were in. It didn’t look like the friendliest neighborhood to be in. But then we saw it, in all its geeky glory, The Who Shop.
Heaven on Earth for a Doctor Who fan. Inside, there was just about every type of Doctor Who merchandise one could want. After asking for permission from the employees, we were able to take pictures with the TARDIS and a Dalek!
I bought 2 shirts. One has Van Gogh’s exploding TARDIS and the other was a Sherlock shirt (they also carry merchandise for other BBC shows). We had lunch and then went back into the city and went our separate ways for the rest of break. I went back to the hostel and dropped off some stuff and changed my shoes and socks due to them being soaked by the rain. I went out again and went on the London Eye. The line was super short today and I got on almost immediately. A full revolution takes about 30 minutes. Within that time, I got to see some great views of London and it was a pretty cool experience.
The London Eye is the largest Ferris wheel in the world!
To finish out my day, I went to Harrods.
My dad told me, “Go get lost in Harrods.” And I did. Quite literally. I got lost in there a few times. Harrods is huge! But there is lots of cool stuff in there. Lots of cool, expensive stuff that I mostly like will never be able to afford. There is also an Egyptian themed escalator in the center of the store.
I found a Disney store in there too! They have a model of the Mark 1 Iron Man suit!
And a zebra costume from the Lion King!
I wandered through the toy department and I was very confused by the Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme playing. I didn’t not expect to hear that. When I finally found my way out of Harrods and I went back to the hostel and had dinner, uploaded photos, and showered.
London Day 5-March 4, 2014
My last day in London and it was a super busy day. I went to 3 museums to finish off my list of things to do in London. I started off at the Churchill War Rooms Museum. With this museum, you have a little audio guide that you listen to as you make your way through the museum. It was interesting to see what was like to live in this space, which was essentially an underground bunker built to protect the leaders during the bombings.
There is a giant slab of concrete protecting the bunker but there was no guarantee that it would actually work. Scary right? I liked this museum and I recommend it for those interested in history.
Afterward, I wandered past Buckingham Palace, where I think every single tourist in London was.
I took a few pictures and continued on. I wasn’t about to get stuck in that crowd.
Next was the Natural History Museum.
I saw the dinosaur exhibit and the mammal exhibit and a few other random ones. There was a lot to see but due to my time limit, I had to limit what I was able to see. There were also lots of small children on field trips so it was rather crowded.
Next was the Victoria and Albert museum, which was mostly art. It was pretty cool.
I liked the fashion exhibit best.
I took a lunch break at Pret a Manger. My last stop of the day was the British Museum.
I think I barely made a dent. I must have been there for a few hours but I felt like barely saw anything.
(Only in the British Museum can you find a 10 pound note with David Tennent's picture on it near a screen showing a clip from Doctor Who in an exhibit about money)
I saw the Egypt and mummy exhibit and an exhibit on Britain during the Roman Empire, a jade exhibit, and exhibit for each continent.
By the end of the day, I was exhausted. I went back to the hostel to pack and get ready to head to Paris in the morning.
I had a blast here and I’m completely in love with London. I want to come back and live here. I’m going to start looking into programs for a Master’s degree in Library Science and see if I can do it in London.
Part 2 of Spring Break will be posted soon. Stay tuned for my adventure in Paris.
