So first of all, I was really hesitant about going to London. For some reason, it just never really sparked my interest as somewhere I would like to visit. I thought it would be more interesting to go somewhere where they spoke another language and the culture was completely different, I guess. But as I heard more about London from other people I realized I was the minority as this city is a lot of people's favorite city they've been to. Since one of my friends from home is studying there for the semester, this seemed like a perfect opportunity to see it- she could show me around and I could see what she liked to do in the city, as opposed to only doing tourist activities which I have minimum patience for on most days, depending on what it is.
I only spent about 30 hours in London; in retrospect it was a realllllly short trip but I did everything I wanted to do! On Friday night when I got to the city, my friend Laura (the one studying in London) and my other friend Franny (who is actually studying in Madrid but flew to London on Thursday because she didn't have class Friday) met me at the station and we got on the TUBE! Which was great but I am still partial to the Madrid Metro. Then we went to a pub that Laura heard was good but had never been to, Sherlock Holmes, and had our traditional Fish and Chips dinner, which didn't disappoint. I opted out of a Guinness though, sorry London. We went back to the hostel (at King's Cross station, what up Harry Potter?) and got ready to go out! I was so exhausted though, and was almost falling asleep while walking. Not to mention that I am an idiot and jumped off of a really short curb a week and a half ago because I evidently can't do anything like a normal person and landed on my foot weird and have a bone bruise or something. Soooooo that was good. But London was so pretty at night! We walked across the Thames, saw really pretty shots of the city, and went through Trafalgar Square. Then we finally got to where we were going, and there was a 10 pound cover. Note to self, London is expensive. Then I proceeded to take multiple mini naps in the booth until the bouncer woke me up because he thought I was passed out, but I was just napping. Most expensive nap ever.
Saturday was our day to fit everything in! We woke up and went to Buckingham Palace, and accidentally saw the changing of the guard!!! Which was really cool but it was packed. Another note: London cares. A policeman on a horse came down to where we were standing to warn us that about 20 feet away there was a pickpocketing incident, so to mind our things. How nice is that? There were also signs everywhere telling us about pickpockets. I haven't gotten any warnings or read any signs in Madrid, which seems like it has more of an issue than London does.
After that we met up with Laura and walked past St. James Park back towards Trafalgar Square. Which is still beautiful during the day. Obviously. We were deciding where to eat, and per her advice, decided to go for an international (kind of) meal. Apparently even British people don't want to eat British food. So we went to Chinatown which is always good. Plus we never went over winter break in Chicago so this was like a traveling Chinatown adventure. Awesome. Then we went to walk down the Thames to see Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and other sights in between. Everything was completely beautiful. We didn't go into anything, which was fine by me! I like to see things but am not necessarily down for paying 18 pounds to do something insanely touristy... multiple times. Then we walked back along the Thames and back to Laura's flat, which was great! We hung out there for a while and then went to this great little market by her house and then out to dinner- sushi! My first sushi ordering experience. I'm really expanding my tastebuds over here. I eat tomatoes too. whatttt
After that we went to get gelato and went to the Picadilly Circus stop and walked around Soho in London for a while. It was definitely really cool! But we had an early flight the next day, aka we left at 1 am, so we didn't do anything too crazy. When I finally got back to Madrid I was exhausted....I mean I didn't sleep but I was TIRED! Nothing has changed!! Instead we went to Retiro Park, which is the big park here, and rented boats which you can row on the little lake in the park. It was great!!!! So many adventures!!!
PS- I'm making progress in my piso. I talked to the Italian today, in Spanish, and the Spanish girl finally came home! Everyone is great. I'm also loving my Danish friend from my Complutense class, I see her all the time. Next stop: making Spanish friends. We'll see how that goes. Maybe I should email my intercambio?
WATCH THIS really you don't have to but it's what I was thinking about when I went to Westminster Abbey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-ma0ZDQ6Ig
Sounds like you had fun in London! Enjoy Switzerland!
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