London Calling...

This weekend, Maggie, Jenna and I went to London! Although Maggie has been twice before, Jenna and I were first-timers. Maggie and I set off (following my carefully detailed itinerary) to catch the 3:30 bus from Listowel to Limerick. It was a little bit late and the weather was horrible (there was a huge storm this weekend). We arrived quite late to Limerick (by which point I was nearly hyperventilating for the fear of missing our connecting bus to Shannon Aeroport). When we got off the bus, there were probably 10 buses all around us. None of them were ours... and then they all left drove off leaving 3 people just standing there. Maggie, this other girl and I were left standing in the freezing cold rain outside the bus station wondering what to do. We had just decided to call for a taxi to take us all (the other girl also had a flight to catch), when I happened to run back and see our bus arriving. We bolted onto it (wet and cold) and headed off. It took us nearly twice as long as it should have to get where we were going because of the weather and traffic. I felt like we were inching along.

When we got to the aeroport, we had a very short queue to stand in (thank goodness!) and we rushed off to security. Then (of course) our plane was in the opposite part of the building and we had quite a ways to walk. We were the first in the non-priority queue and we got pretty good seats on the plane. However, the wonderful weather contributed to quite a bumpy ride so the flight wasn't the smoothest I have ever been on. We landed on time, though, at about 9.30 pm. We power walked our way through Stanstead and immigration (where we didn't get a stamp in our passports, sadly). We had to get some British money and then catch our bus to Finchley Road near our hostel. This was pretty much the nicest bus that I have ever been on. It had lovely comfortable seats, really nice seat belts (I get excited about silly things) and a camera on the front of the bus with a screen inside so we could see where we were going. The driver with the wonderful Cockney accent was also a perk.

There was about an hour bus ride to Finchley Road where we were dropped off. We had to figure out which way was which and we headed off to our hostel, which ended up being really close. This was a great hostel (and the first I have ever stayed in). I would definately go back next time that I am in London. It was a perfect location for the tube and the bus we used. We got checked in and settled, but I couldn't go to sleep as I was worried about Jenna finding her way. She came around 1.00am so we caught up and then tried to sleep.

We got up at about 7.30 so we could get breakfast (which was provided) and then head out for our tube. Jenna and I were going to go on one of those double decker bus tours and Maggie was heading off for other things as she has done that all before. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the London underground is unbelieveably easier to navigate than the one in NYC so that made the day a lot easier. Jenna and I got off at Baker Street (Sherlock Holmes, anyone?) and caught our tour bus. It was a cold day to be sitting out on the open top, but the views were worth it.

We saw just about everything from Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Picadilly Circus, Trafalger Square, Parliament, the House of Commons and the House of Lords, Big Ben, Hyde Park, the Marble Arch, Tower Bridge, London Bridge, the Globe Theatre, and the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace (which was a serendipitous happenstance).

We jumped off the tour at about 1.25 and ran to the London Eye as we were to pick up our tickets at 1.30. This is when I started to panic about being able to find Maggie as the crowds were INTENSE. The queues were unbelieveable as well, but we found her, and got in line.... a really, really loooong line. I read (naturally) as we moved forward. The wait was well worth it as we got unparalleled panoramic views of London including seeing many of the sights we saw from the street. I am so glad I was able to experience it.

Afterwards, we headed off to Westminster station to catch the tube to Victoria to walk around before our appointment at the Goring Hotel for tea. I don't actually like tea or anything else that was served, but the it was all interesting to take part in. With all the elegancy, I was lucky not to pull an Erin and break a glass teapot. I sat as still as possible for the whole time we were there.

Next, was the Harrod's Experience. Oh my! I have never seen anything like it. You could get lost for DAYS inside this store. You cannot even imagine what it is like and I certainly cannot do it justice through description. When we got off the tube, the entire store was lit up by perfect Christmas lights and.... it was snowing! I know that I despise the snow, but even I had to admit how beautiful and surreal this was... a perfect London moment. I bought very little in Harrod's as I don't know if I want to be in debt until I am 100, but walking around the store was pretty much enough for me.

After Harrod's, we went off in search of the perfect Harry Potter tourist spot (outside locating Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry), Kings Cross Station, Platform 9 and 3/4. Jenna had not one clue what we were talking about so when we ran through the huge tube station and train station and stopped in front of a wall to take a picture she looked at us and said, "ARE YOU KIDDING?!" It is a bit neurotic. I enjoyed seeing it though.

The only thing I desperately wanted to see still was the statue of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. We rushed off, but it was after 8 when we got there and the park looked eerie and closed. As I don't fancy climbing a fence and getting arrested, I decided I would wait until my next trip to London.

We headed back to our hostel to re-check in after that. I was thoroughly exhausted, but the girls wanted to change and go see Piccadilly Circus at night, as it is supposed to be very cool. I dragged myself off to see it. We met some interestingly dressed people on the extremelly crowded tube. We came back at about midnight. I showered and went to bed... so that I could get up at 4 am with Maggie to catch our bus to the aeroport. All went well and we got back to a turbulent landing in Shannon (it was still raining). After being in Ireland for 6 weeks, I was able to find my favourite kind of crisps at the duty free so we munched while we waited for our bus. We walked outside to gale force winds and piercing rain. Two buses later, we found ourselves fighting the wind up to our house from town. Maggie and I resolved to not leave our electric blankets for several hours.

Well, this was a very long account of my amusements in London. We have decided to write a book about doing all of London in less than 36 hours (and very little sleep). Perhaps I will get to work on that. After I am able to load and label about 115 pictures. I can only imagine what my Kodak bill will be when I return to the States in 2 weeks! Pictures are to come soon!